Illuminated skin robot display

• US 8,936,366 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Papaefstathiou, Efstathios, Sanchez, Russell, Clinton, Nathaniel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling, William C
• Application Number:
  US13/162,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20120320343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 353/28, 353/74, 353/77, 353/78, 353/79
• US Class Current: 353/28
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/28 Reflectors in projection beam in illumination beam G03B21/2066

Abstract

There is provided a robot that includes a processor executing instructions that determine a desired image to be displayed. The processor issues control signals corresponding to the desired image to be displayed. The robot also comprises a display assembly including a visual projector, a mirror, and a display surface. The visual projector and mirror are disposed within the robot. The visual projector projects light corresponding to the desired image onto the mirror. The mirror receives the light from the projector, and reflects the light onto the display surface. The display surface receives the light. The image is visible on the display surface from outside the robot.

Claims

1. An autonomous mobile device, comprising:

a processor executing instructions that determine a desired image to be displayed, the processor issuing control signals corresponding to the desired image to be displayed; and

a display assembly, comprising;

a mirror;

a display surface; and

a visual projector disposed within the autonomous mobile device, the visual projector projecting light corresponding to the desired image onto the minor, the minor reflecting the light onto the display surface, the display surface receiving the light, and wherein the desired image is visible on the display surface from outside the autonomous mobile device, the mirror being configured to be tilted to adjust a size of the desired image, the desired image appearing to float on the display surface, the display surface appearing integrated with a skin of the autonomous mobile device, the display surface appearing integrated with the skin in regions where the desired image is not illuminated, the display surface not being illuminated with exception of the desired image.

2. The autonomous mobile device of claim 1, wherein the display surface comprises a light-diffusing material.

3. The autonomous mobile device of claim 1, wherein the display surface conceals internal components of the display assembly from external view when the desired image is being displayed thereon.

4. The autonomous mobile device of claim 1, wherein the display surface conceals internal components of the display assembly from external view when no image is being displayed thereon.

5. The autonomous mobile device of claim 1, wherein the display surface appears integrated with the skin of the autonomous mobile device.

6. The autonomous mobile device of claim 1, wherein the display surface comprises a curvature.

7. The autonomous mobile device of claim 6, wherein the curvature comprises a compound curvature.

8. The autonomous mobile device of claim 1, wherein the visual projector comprises a digital graphic projector.

19. The autonomous mobile device of claim 1, the display surface comprising a complex curvature, the display surface displaying visual elements on the skin of the autonomous mobile device appearing as if generated from within a body of the autonomous mobile device.

9. A display assembly, comprising:

a mirror;

a display surface that comprises a curved, light-diffusing material; and

a visual projector disposed within an autonomous mobile device, wherein the visual projector projects light corresponding to an image onto the mirror, the mirror reflecting the light onto the display surface, the display surface receiving the light, the image being visible on the display surface from outside the autonomous mobile device, the minor being configured to be tilted to adjust a size of the image, the image appearing to float on the display surface, the display surface appearing integrated with a skin of an autonomous mobile device comprising the display assembly, the display surface appearing integrated in regions where the image is not illuminated, the display surface not being illuminated with exception of the image.

10. The display assembly of claim 9, wherein the display surface conceals internal components of the display assembly from external view when an image is being displayed thereon.

11. The display assembly of claim 10, wherein the display surface conceals internal components of the display assembly from external view when no image is being displayed thereon.

12. The display assembly of claim 9, wherein the display surface appears integrated with the skin of the autonomous mobile device.

13. The display assembly of claim 9, wherein the display surface comprises a polycarbonate material.

14. A method of displaying an image, comprising:

receiving a request to display the image;

projecting, in response to the request, light corresponding to the image from a digital graphic projector onto a mirror; and

reflecting the light from the mirror onto a display surface comprising a curvature and a light-diffusing material, the image being visible on the display surface from outside an autonomous mobile device comprising the digital graphic projector and the minor, and the digital graphic projector and the mirror being concealed from external view when the image is being displayed on the display surface, the display surface appearing integrated with a skin of the autonomous mobile device, the display surface appearing integrated in regions where the image is not illuminated, the display surface not being illuminated with exception of the image.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the digital graphic projector and the minor are concealed from external view when no image is being displayed on the display surface.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the display surface comprises a black tint, and wherein the skin of the autonomous mobile device appears black.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the minor is configured to be tilted to adjust a size of the image.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the display surface appears integrated with the skin of the autonomous mobile device.