METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LASER PROJECTION AND HOLOGRAPHIC DIFFRACTION GRATING FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20100253919A1
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ralph Paul Douglas
• Original Assignee: Ralph Paul Douglas
• Inventors: DOUGLAS, RALPH PAUL
• Application Number:
  US12/704,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20100253919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/13
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/14 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0055 in advertising or decorative art
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2234 Transmission reconstruction

Abstract

The present invention is a method and system for projecting an image from a vehicle onto a surface, such as a road or sidewalk. A laser diode assembly is installed in the vehicle and comprises: a light beam source; a power source; a power regulating chip; an image creation means; and, power activating means. A lens is secured to an output end of the laser diode assembly, and comprises a light diffraction image which can be a message, logo, or graphic design Activation is initiated by switching on the assembly from a position within the interior of the vehicle, or by an activity such as the opening of a door. The activation is ramped up to a full-on state over a pre-set period of time.

Claims

1. A method for projecting an image from a vehicle onto a surface, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) installing a laser diode assembly in said vehicle;

(b) connecting a set of lines from said laser diode assembly to a power source of said vehicle, said set of lines for providing positive and negative current flow;

(c) securing a lens to an output end of said laser diode assembly, said lens comprising a light diffraction image; and

(d) activating said laser diode assembly so as to project a beam of light from said laser diode assembly through said lens so as to project said light diffraction image upon said surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said installing step further comprises installing said laser diode assembly in a side view mirror assembly of said vehicle, wherein said laser diode assembly is within said side view mirror assembly and is positioned so as to project said light diffraction image through an opening, said opening located in a bottom portion of said side view mirror assembly and passing therethrough.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said installing step further comprises installing said laser diode assembly in a door panel assembly of said vehicle, wherein said laser diode assembly is within said door panel assembly and is positioned so as to project said light diffraction image through an opening, said opening located in a bottom portion of said door panel assembly and passing therethrough.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said securing step further comprises the step of mounting said lens on a plate and fixedly securing said plate to said output end of said laser diode assembly.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said securing step further comprises the step of mounting said lens on a grommet and fixedly securing said grommet to said output end of said laser diode assembly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a motorcycle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is an airplane.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said activating step further comprises directing power from said vehicle power source to an inline regulator chip, said regulator chip for providing a voltage usable by said laser diode assembly.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein said activation step further comprises the step of initiating said activation by:

(a) switching on said laser diode assembly from a position within the interior of said vehicle; and

(b) ramping up said activation to a full-on state over a pre-set period of time.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein said activation step further comprises the steps of:

(a) opening a door of said vehicle wherein said vehicle door has said laser diode assembly mounted therein; and

(b) ramping up said activation to a full-on state over a pre-set period of time.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said light diffraction image is a message projected upon said surface.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said light diffraction image is a logo projected upon said surface.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said light diffraction image is a graphic design projected upon said surface.

14. A system for projecting an image from a vehicle onto a surface, said system comprising:

(a) a laser diode assembly, said assembly further comprising a light beam source, and wherein said laser diode assembly is mounted on said vehicle;

(b) a power source;

(c) a power regulating chip;

(d) an image creation means, wherein said image creation means receives a beam of light from said light beam source and allows said beam of light to pass through said image so as to project said image upon a surface; and

(e) power activating means for causing said power to be introduced to said laser diode assembly so as to activate said light beam source.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said laser diode assembly further comprises:

(a) a laser module;

(b) a spacer tube;

(c) a mounting plate; and

(d) a retaining plate.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said light beam output operates within the range of 0 to 20 mW.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said power activating means operates so as to bring said light beam source up to full brightness from a zero state over a 2 second interval.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said image creation means comprises a micro-lithograph secured to said laser diode assembly, said micro-lithograph comprising an image thereupon.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said image creation means comprises a coliminated beam, generated by said laser diode assembly, and shining through a holigraphic diffraction grating.

18-1. The system of claim 18, wherein said micro-lithograph is removably secured so as to be easily replaceable.

19-2. The system of claim 18, wherein said holigraphic diffraction grating is removably secured so as to be easily replaceable.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein a 10 second off time is required in between start-ups of said power activating means for said zero state over a 2 second interval to occur.

21. A method for projecting an image from a vehicle onto a surface, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) installing a laser diode module in said vehicle;

(b) connecting a set of lines from said laser diode assembly to a power source of said vehicle, said set of lines for providing positive and negative current flow;

(c) securing a lens to an output end of said laser diode assembly, said lens comprising a light diffraction image;

(d) directing power from said vehicle power source to an inline regulator chip, said regulator chip for providing a voltage usable by said laser diode assembly;

(e) activating said laser diode assembly, by switching on said laser diode assembly from a position within the interior of said vehicle, so as to project a beam of light from said laser diode assembly through said lens;

(f) ramping up said activation to a full-on state over a pre-set period of time; and

(g) projecting said light diffraction image upon said surface.

22. A method for projecting, from a vehicle, an image upon a surface, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) installing, in a panel of a vehicle, a laser projector assembly, said laser projector assembly having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end having a lens through which said image is projected, and wherein said laser projector is;

(i) programmable; and

(ii) has a power source;

(b) storing in a memory of said laser projector assembly said image;

(c) activating said laser projector assembly by causing said laser projector assembly to project said image upon a surface, said surface determined by the location of said lens.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said power source is a battery resident within said laser projector assembly.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said power source is a lead-in from said vehicle'"'"'s power source.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said laser projector assembly is capable of receiving an image download from a remote source.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said panel is part of said vehicle'"'"'s door.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said activation step further comprises opening said car door to cause said laser projection assembly to project said image upon said surface.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said surface is a street.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein said image is a fixed image.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein said image is a video image.