Robotically controlled video projectors

• US 9,497,431 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Flessas
• Original Assignee: Andrew Flessas
• Inventors: Flessas, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): DILLON JR, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US14/502,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20150015781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 248/921, 361/679.01, 318/568.19, 318/568.25, 348/383, 348/744, 359/443
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/003 Manipulators for entertainment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3102 using two-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators micromechanical modulators as such G02B26/0833; liquid crystal modulators as such G02F1/13
• 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 9/3147 Multi-projection systems displays in general H04N9/12; video walls G06F3/1446, G09G2300/026
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3173 wherein the projection device is specially adapted for enhanced portability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/50 Miscellaneous

Abstract

A robotic mount is configured to move multiple electronic video projectors. The robotic mount is movable in three-dimensions, whereby the associated video projectors are moveable in three-dimensional space.

Claims

1. A robotically controlled video projector comprising:

a robotic projector mount, said robotic projector mount comprising a base and a moveable support, said moveable support configured for movement relative to a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, said first, second and third axes being perpendicular to one another, relative to said base; and

at least two electronic video projectors capable of projecting visual information in response to an input, said at least two electronic video projectors mounted to said moveable support of said robotic projector mount, whereby said at least two electronic video projectors are movable in three-dimensions by moving said robotic projector mount wherein said movable support is movable in at least six (6) degrees of freedom.

2. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moveable support comprises at least a first member movable about said first axis, at least a second member movable about said second axis, and at least a third member movable about said third axis, said first, second and third axes being perpendicular to one another.

3. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moveable support comprises a main support connected to said base and movable relative to said base about said first axis, a lower arm connected to said main support and movable about said second axis, an upper arm connected to said lower arm and movable about said second axis, and a head mounted to said upper arm, said at least two video projectors mounted to said head and said head movable about at least said third axis, said first, second and third axes being perpendicular to one another.

4. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein between 2 and 16 electronic video projectors are mounted to said moveable support.

5. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors each comprise DLP projectors.

6. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors are simultaneously movable by said robotic projector mount along or about one or all of an “

x”

axis, a “

y”

axis and a “

z”

axis, which axes are perpendicular to one another.

7. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors are configured to simultaneously display at least one common image upon a remote projection surface.

8. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors are configured to display video while they are synchronously moved by said robotic projector mount.

9. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one controller configured to control movement of said robotic projector mount synchronously with video projected by said at least two electronic video projectors.