Devices and methods for providing a distributed manifestation in an environment

• US 9,286,028 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eski Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eski Inc.
• Inventors: Leclerc, Vincent, Keroulas, Patrick, de Belleval, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, SULTAN U.
• Application Number:
  US14/271,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20140240203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 353/29, 353/30, 353/31, 353/46, 353/51, 353/98, 353/121, 353/122, 359/4, 359/9, 359/10, 359/11, 359/15, 359/21, 359/22, 359/30, 359/35, 349/5, 349 7- 9, 349/201
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 25/00 Equipment specially adapted for cinemas cinematographic projection means G03B
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/02 Arrangements for making stage effects; Auxiliary stage appliances
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2033 LED or laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/08 Projecting images onto non-planar surfaces, e.g. geodetic screens
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3155 for controlling the light source light source control per se H05B35/00 – H05B47/00; control of an illumination source for displays in general G09G3/3406
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light

Abstract

The present invention concerns a projection system for providing a distributed manifestation within an environment. The projection system includes a data generator for generating a plurality of data sets of associated state data and spatial coordinate data. The projection system also includes a projector in communication with the data generator for receiving the data sets. The projector is provided with a signal generating module for generating a plurality of electromagnetic signals, and a projecting module for projecting each of the electromagnetic signals towards a target location within the environment. The projection system also includes a plurality of receiving units distributed within the environment, each receiving unit having a receiver for receiving one of the electromagnetic signals when the receiving unit is positioned in the corresponding target location, each receiving unit being adapted to perform a change of state in response to the state data.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a plurality of receiving units; and

a transmitter unit configured to transmit data to the plurality of receiving units, the data comprising state information corresponding to each of a plurality of spatial coordinates;

wherein each one of the plurality of receiving units is configured to receive the data at a target location described by the spatial coordinates, to process the data, and to express a state in accordance with the state information that corresponds to the spatial coordinates describing the target location, as a result of the one receiving unit being at the target location when the data is received.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising a data generator configured to generate the data comprising state information, the data comprising a plurality of data sets each comprising spatial coordinate data and state data associated with the spatial coordinate data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit is configured to encode the data comprising state information, and each of the plurality of receiving units is configured to decode data received from the transmitting unit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit is configured to transmit the data comprising state information in one or more electromagnetic signals each having a wavelength selected from a group consisting of infrared wavelengths, visible wavelengths and ultraviolet wavelengths.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the transmitter unit is configured to transmit a plurality of electromagnetic signals, each at different wavelengths.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit comprises a matrix addresser having a plurality of switch elements each controllable to block an electromagnetic signal incident thereon or propagate the electromagnetic signal toward a location at which a receiving unit is located.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the transmitter unit comprises at least one processor to control the plurality of switch elements according to the spatial coordinates.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each receiving unit is configured to express a state selected from a group of states consisting of exhibiting one or more visual characteristics, producing one or more sounds, producing an odor, moving, and exhibiting one or more tactile characteristics.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each receiving unit comprises a state changing component operable to express the state, the state changing component being selected from a group consisting of light-emitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes, quantum dots, incandescent lights, neon lights, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, electronic paper displays, electro-chromic displays, thermo-chromic displays, electromechanically-actuated light filters, electroluminescent elements and phosphorescent elements.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each receiving unit is configured to transmit feedback information to the transmitter unit, and the transmitter unit is configured to receive feedback information transmitted by the receiving units.

11. A method, comprising acts performed by a receiving unit, of:

(A) receiving data comprising state information corresponding to spatial coordinates describing a target location;

(B) determining that the receiving unit is presently located at the target location; and

(C) in response to the determining in the act (B), expressing a state which is specified at least in part by the state information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the act (C) comprises expressing a state selected from a group of states consisting of exhibiting one or more visual characteristics, producing one or more sounds, producing an odor, moving, and exhibiting one or more tactile characteristics.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the act (C) comprises expressing a state using a state changing component selected from a group consisting of light-emitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes, quantum dots, incandescent lights, neon lights, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, electronic paper displays, electro-chromic displays, thermo-chromic displays, electromechanically-actuated light filters, electroluminescent elements and phosphorescent elements.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the act (A) comprises receiving the data from a transmitting unit, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

(D) in response to receiving the data, transmitting feedback information to the transmitter unit.