Infrared Encoded Objects and Controls for Display Systems

• US 20090134332A1
• Filed: 11/27/2007
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Thompson, Jason R., Bellis, Harold E. II
• Application Number:
  US11/945,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20090134332A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/348
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3164 using multiple light sources

Abstract

A system for displaying images comprises a plurality of light sources, comprising at least one non-visible light source. The system further comprises a spatial light modulator operable to modulate non-visible light from the non-visible light source to encode one or more objects and for presentation on a display. Finally, the system comprises a detector operable to detect at least a portion of the non-visible light presented on the display.

Claims

1. A system for displaying images, comprising:

a plurality of light sources, comprising at least one non-visible light source;

a spatial light modulator operable to modulate non-visible light from the non-visible light source to encode one or more objects and for presentation on a display; and

a detector operable to detect at least a portion of the non-visible light presented on the display.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-visible light source is an infrared light source.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the spatial light modulator is a digital micromirror device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-visible light source is selected from the group consisting of a lamp, a laser, or a light emitting diode.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein a color wheel is used to filter light from the lamp.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector sends detected information to a data controller.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the data controller adjusts one or more objects on the display based at least in part on the detected information.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-visible light source is operable to input non-visible light to the spatial light modulator during an off state of the spatial light modulator.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-visible light source is operable to input non-visible light to the spatial light modulator during an on state of the spatial light modulator.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a dichroic filter is used to combine the non-visible light with visible light.

11. A method for displaying images, comprising:

generating a visible image using one or more light sources;

encoding one or more objects by modulating, by a spatial light modulator, non-visible light from a non-visible light source with the visible image;

displaying the visible image and the modulated non-visible light on a display; and

detecting the non-visible light on the display.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein encoding one or more objects comprises encoding position of an object on the display.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein encoding one or more objects comprises encoding movement of an object on the display.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting the non-visible light on the display further comprises transmitting the detected non-visible light to a data controller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the data controller adjusts one or more objects on the display based at least in part on the detected non-visible light.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein modulating non-visible light comprises modulating non-visible light during an off-state of the spatial light modulator.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein modulating non-visible light comprises modulating non-visible light during an on-state of the spatial light modulator.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein displaying the modulated non-visible light comprises displaying at least a portion of the non-visible light with varying intensity.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the detector is operable to detect movement of an object on the display, based at least in part on a portion of the non-visible light.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the detector is operable to detect position of an object on the display, based at least in part on a portion of the non-visible light.

21. A gaming system, comprising:

a plurality of light sources, comprising a lamp and at least one infrared light source;

a color wheel operable to filter light from the lamp;

a digital micromirror device operable to modulate infrared light from the infrared light source for encoding one or more objects and for presentation on a display; and

one or more detectors operable to detect at least a portion of the infrared light presented on the display and send one or more signals to a data controller, the one or more signals being based at least in part on feedback from one or more users, and wherein the data controller is operable to adjust one or more encoded objects on the display based at least in part on the detected infrared light.