Front projection display system for a vehicle

• US 8,789,954 B1
• Filed: 06/09/2010
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Dan, James R., Atkins, Steven C., Jameson, Chris A., Bohr, Timothy J., Little, David F., Alvarado, Alfred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling, William C
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOWARD, RYAN D
• Application Number:
  US12/796,793
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 353/122, 353/39, 353/119, 353/101, 353/69, 353/70, 353/79, 353/13, 348/771, 348/745, 348/746
• US Class Current: 353/119
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/58 collapsible, e.g. foldable; of variable area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

A front projection display system for a vehicle including a pico projector including keystone correction; and, a retractable pico front projector screen operatively connected to the pico projector. In one embodiment, a common housing contains the pico projector and the retractable pico front projector screen. In another embodiment the pico projector is mounted within the protective covering. In some embodiments the front projector screen is motor driven and in other embodiments it operated by hand. The present invention is particularly advantageous in an aircraft environment where size and weight considerations are imperative.

Claims

1. A front projection display system for a vehicle, comprising:

a) a pico projector securely mounted in a stationary position within a vehicle cabin, said pico projector including keystone correction; and

,

b) a rigid retractable pico front projector screen operatively connected to said pico projector wherein said rigid retractable pico front projector screen is rotatable up into an aircraft overhead bag bin of the vehicle cabin,

wherein said pico projector comprises one of;

i) a pico projector light engine including an optics assembly having keystone correction optics for providing said keystone correction;

or ii) digital keystone correction; and

,

wherein said pico projector has a volume in a range of between 2.9 cubic inches and 63 cubic inches,

wherein said pico projector and said front projector screen are positioned within an aircraft, and

wherein said pico projector comprises;

i) a video input converter for receiving a video signal and providing an LED control signal and a digital micromirror device (DMD) control signal, said LED control signal and DMD control signal being synchronized;

ii) said a pico projector light engine is operatively connected to said video input converter, said a pico projector light engine comprises;

an LED assembly for receiving said LED control signal and generating an LED output;

an optics assembly for receiving said LED output, said optics assembly for channeling said LED output, said optics assembly including said keystone correction optics for providing said keystone correction; and

a DMD for receiving said DMD control signal and said channeled LED output and providing an image to the optics assembly for projection onto said pico front projector screen; and

,

iii) a power supply operatively connected to said video input converter.

2. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said front projector screen comprises a portion of the surface of an overhead cabinet of an aircraft cabin.

3. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said pico projector is mounted within a protective covering within an aircraft cabin.

4. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said pico projector has a weight in a range of between about 8 oz and 16 oz.

5. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said pico projector has a power consumption in a range of between about 5 watts and 20 watts.

6. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said pico projector has a brightness in a range of between about 10 and 100 lumens.

7. The front projection display system of claim 1, further comprising a common housing for containing said pico projector and said retractable pico front projector screen.

8. The front projection display system of claim 1, further comprising a projector housing containing said pico projector and a screen housing containing said retractable pico front projector screen.

9. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said front projector screen is formed of vinyl fabric.

10. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said pico projector and said front projector screen are operatively connected via a motor assembly.

11. The front projection display system of claim 1, wherein said pico projector and said front projector screen are operatively connected via a spring loaded retraction assembly.

12. A front projection display system for a vehicle, comprising:

a) a pico projector securely mounted in a stationary position within a vehicle cabin, said pico projector including keystone correction; and

b) a rigid retractable pico front projector screen operatively connected to said pico projector wherein said rigid retractable pico front projector screen is rotatable up into an aircraft overhead bag big of the vehicle cabin,

wherein said pico projector comprises one of;

i) a pico projector light engine including an optics assembly having keystone correction optics for providing said keystone correction;

or ii) digital keystone correction; and

,

wherein said pico projector has a volume in a range of between 2.9 cubic inches and 63 cubic inches,

wherein said pico projector and said front projector screen are positioned within an aircraft.