Positioning interfaces for projection display devices

• US 8,147,074 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2010
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US12/726,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20100171936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 353/31, 353/100, 353/101, 353/102, 353/122, 353/119, 353/61, 353/52, 353/121, 348/739, 348/744, 348/750, 348/758, 348/759, 348/771, 348/794, 362/259, 362/553, 362/554, 362/559, 362/561, 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;

a projection chamber configured to transmit light provided by a light source according to data included in a signal; and

a positional interface coupled to the base and the projection chamber, wherein the positional interface is configured to stabilize the projection chamber in a first position relative to the base and a second position relative to the base, wherein the positional interface is further configured to facilitate moving the projection chamber from the first position to the second position, and wherein the positional interface comprises a valve configured to regulate air flow between the base and the projection chamber.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the positional interface further comprises a bendable tubing.

3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the bendable tubing is configured to bend according to a threshold force, and wherein the threshold force is greater than a maximum force applied onto the bendable tubing by a weight of the projection chamber.

4. The display device of claim 3, wherein the maximum force corresponds to a force applied onto the bendable tubing by the weight of the projection chamber in any position relative to the base.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the valve is coupled to a fan circuitry, and wherein the valve is further configured to regulate the air flow according to a usage of at least one fan controlled by the fan circuitry.

6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the valve is further configured to control an opening of an air duct between the base and the projection chamber, and wherein the opening depends on the usage of the at least one fan.

7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the positional interface further comprises at least one heat sink configured to dissipate absorbed heat.

8. A method for displaying an image, comprising:

transmitting light from a base to a projection chamber via a positional interface, wherein the light is transmitted according to data included in a signal;

mechanically stabilizing the projection chamber in a first position relative to the base and a second position relative to the base using the positional interface, wherein the positional interface facilitates moving the projection chamber from the first position to the second position; and

regulating air flow between the base and the projection chamber by controlling a valve included in the positional interface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the transmitting further comprises transmitting the light from the base to the projection chamber via a bendable tubing, and wherein the mechanically stabilizing further comprises bending the bendable tubing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bending further comprises applying a force greater than a threshold force, and wherein the threshold force is greater than a maximum force applied onto the bendable tubing by a weight of the projection chamber.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the force is greater than a maximum force applied onto the bendable tubing by the weight of the projection chamber in any position relative to the base.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising monitoring a usage of at least one fan controlled by a fan circuitry, wherein the controlling the valve is based on the usage of the at least one fan.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising opening an air duct between the base and the projection chamber based on the usage of the at least one fan.

14. A display device, comprising:

means for transmitting light from a base to a projection chamber according to data included in a signal; and

means for mounting the projection chamber to the base in a first position relative to the base and a second position relative to the base, wherein the means for mounting facilitates moving the projection chamber from the first position to the second position, and wherein the means for mounting further comprises means for dissipating heat.

15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the means for dissipating heat comprises a valve configured to regulate air flow between the base and the projection chamber.

16. The display device of claim 14, wherein the means for dissipating heat comprises a means for monitoring a usage of at least one fan.

17. The display device of claim 14, wherein the means for dissipating heat comprises at least one heat sink.