Positioning interfaces for projection display devices

• US 7,703,930 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Transpacific Image LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Transpacific Image LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Plut, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blackman; Rochelle-Ann J
• Application Number:
  US11/741,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 353/119, 353/31, 353/100, 353/101, 353/102, 353/122, 348/739, 348/744, 348/750, 348/758, 348/759, 348/771, 348/794, 362/259, 362/553, 362/559, 362/561, 362/554, 345/905
• US Class Current: 353/119
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/005 Projectors using an electronic spatial light modulator but not peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/16 Cooling; Preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

Described herein are devices that provide projection-type video output in a portable and flexible design. The design includes a projection chamber, a base, and an interface that permits relative positioning between the projection chamber and base. The base maintains the position of the display device. The projection chamber includes components responsible for the production of images based on received video data and components responsible for the projection of those images. Relative pointing between the projection chamber and base allows the projection chamber to be pointed—and an output projected image to be positioned—with minimal effort.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising:

a base that includes a housing and a light source within the housing configured to generate light;

a projection chamber that includes a) a projection chamber housing, b) an optical modulation device configured to selectively transmit light generated by the light source according to video data included in a video signal provided to the optical modulation device, and c) a projection lens system for outputting light transmitted by the optical modulation device along a projection path; and

a positional interface coupled to the base and the projection chamber, the positional interface configured to stabilize the projection chamber in each of a first position relative to the base and a second position relative to the base, the positional interface further configured to facilitate moving the projection chamber from the first position to the second position.

2. The display device of claim 1 wherein the positional interface is further configured to facilitate moving the projection chamber according to a threshold force.

3. The display device of claim 2 wherein the threshold force is greater than a maximum force transmitted by the weight of the projection chamber for any position of the projection chamber relative to the base.

4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the positional interface is further configured to facilitate transmitting light between the base and the projection chamber.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the positional interface is further configured to include at least one air duct between the base and the projection chamber.

6. A display device, comprising:

a base that includes a housing and a light source within the housing for generating light;

a projection chamber that includes a) a projection chamber housing, b) an optical modulation device for selectively transmitting light generated by the light source according to video data included in a video signal provided to the optical modulation device, and c) a projection lens system for outputting light transmitted by the optical modulation device along a projection path; and

a bendable tubing, wherein the bendable tubing is coupled to the base and coupled to the projection chamber, the bendable tubing configured to facilitate moving the projection chamber from a first position relative to the base to a second position relative to the base when a threshold force or greater is applied to the bendable tubing, and the bendable tubing further configured to stabilize the projection chamber in either of the first position or the second position.

7. The display device of claim 6 wherein the threshold force is greater than a maximum force transmitted onto the bendable tubing by the weight of the projection chamber for any position of the projection chamber.

8. The display device of claim 6 wherein the bendable tubing is coupled to the base proximate to a center of mass for the base.

9. The display device of claim 6 wherein the bendable tubing is coupled to the projection chamber proximate to a center of mass for the projection chamber.

10. The display device of claim 6 further comprising at least one fiber optic cable that a) passes through a hollow inner portion of the bendable tubing, and b) has a first end in the base and a second end in the projection chamber.

11. The display device of claim 6 further comprising an air duct that a) passes through a hollow inner portion of the bendable tubing, and b) has a first end in the base and a second end in the projection chamber.

12. The display device of claim 6 further comprising a plastic sleeve disposed circumferentially outside the bendable tubing along the entire length of the bendable tubing.

13. The display device of claim 6 wherein the bendable tubing is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches in diameter.

14. A display device, comprising:

a base that includes a housing and a light source within the housing;

a projection chamber that includes a) a projection chamber housing, b) an optical modulation device configured to selectively transmit light generated by the light source according to video data included in a video signal provided to the optical modulation device, and c) a projection lens system configured to output light transmitted by the optical modulation device along a projection path;

a positional interface, coupled to the base and coupled to the projection chamber, configured to facilitate moving the projection chamber from a first position relative to the base to a second position relative to the base, and the positional interface is further configured to stabilize the projection chamber in either of the first position or the second position; and

a clip configured to detachably couple a portion of the display device to an object.

15. The display device of claim 14 wherein the positional interface includes bendable tubing, coupled to the base and coupled to the projection chamber, and configured to a) allow a user to move the projection chamber when a threshold force or greater is applied to the tubing, b) maintain a current position when the threshold force is not applied.

16. The display device of claim 14 wherein the clip is configured to detachably couple the base to the object.

17. The display device of claim 16 wherein the clip is detachable from the base.

18. The display device of claim 14 wherein the clip includes a spring.

19. The display device of claim 14 wherein the object is a non-horizontal wall.