Cameras and video players having image projection capabilities

• US 7,500,758 B1
• Filed: 03/04/2004
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Adachi, Hiroyuki, Morimoto, Norihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling; William C.
• Application Number:
  US10/793,075
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 353/28, 353/101, 353/100, 353/122, 353/119, 353/39, 353/43, 353/21, 348/744, 348/745, 348/756, 348/787, 348/788, 348/794, 348/795, 348/211.13, 348/383, 348/552, 349/7, 349/11, 349/16, 349/57, 349/58
• US Class Current: 353/101
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/54 with projector
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/142 Adjusting of projection optics

Abstract

Projection capabilities are provided in consumer electronic devices that are used for the capture or reproduction of images, such as digital still image cameras, digital video cameras, cellular telephones, DVD players and other digital video players. Such devices can display images to several people simultaneously in a manner that is more convenient than the use of miniature onboard displays. The incorporation of image projection capabilities also enables image generation to be provided by the device itself without the necessity of an independent display device.

Claims

1. A device for image display, comprising:

positionable projection optics that are integral with the device body and movable with respect to the device body for projecting an image in different directions with respect to the device body;

a projection display for generating an image to be projected by the projection optics;

a light source for directing light through the projection display toward the projection optics;

a position sensor for detecting the position of the projection optics with respect to the device body; and

an image translator for translating image data supplied to the projection display in accordance with a signal from the position sensor indicating the position of the projection optics so that the image displayed on the projection display produces a projected image that is correctly oriented with respect to the device;

wherein the positionable projection optics comprise;

lens elements that are movable between a first position that points in a direction along a direct optical path from the projection display and at least a second position that points in a direction that is at a 90 degree angle with respect to the pointing direction of the first position; and

an electro-optical reflection device that intersects the optical path at approximately a 45 degree angle and that is electrically switchable between a primarily transmissive state and a primarily reflective state that deflects light in the optical path at approximately a 90 degree angle.

2. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein the electro-optical reflection device is rotatable about the optical path to redirect light in multiple directions at approximately a 90 degree angle with respect to the optical path.

3. The device claimed in claim 2, wherein the electro-optical reflection device is coupled to a housing that is rotatable about the optical path.

4. The device claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing is movable between a first position extending from the device and a second position retracted within the device.

5. The device claimed in claim 3, wherein the lens elements are movable between a first position extending out of an end of the housing and a second position extending out of a side of the housing.