Methods for combining camera and projector functions in a single device

• US 9,179,112 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2013
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Davis, Michael T., Morgan, Daniel J., Saha, Amit K., Carver, Roger S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins, Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): Quiett, Carramah J
• Application Number:
  US13/855,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20140063312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/71 Charge-coupled device [CCD] sensors; Charge-transfer registers specially adapted for CCD sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3132 using one-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3176 wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54

Abstract

Described are handheld devices with combined image capture and image projection functions. One embodiment includes modulating and capturing a light beam along the same optic path. In another embodiment, the optical components are operable to switch between projection and capture modes. In yet another embodiment, the optical components may be formed on the same semiconductor substrate thereby increasing functionality.

Claims

1. A method for operating a display device, comprising:

in a projection mode,

directing light from a light source along a first optical path through optical devices to be incident onto a spatial light modulator;

modulating the incident light with the spatial light modulator;

directing the modulated light along a second optical path through a projection optics for projecting an image; and

in a camera mode,

receiving incoming light along the second optical path through the projection optics onto the spatial light modulator;

passing the incoming light by the spatial light modulator; and

directing the passed light along the first optical path through at least a portion of the optical devices to an image sensor placed to receive the passed light only during the camera mode for capturing an image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incident light is modulated by selective reflection.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the incident light is modulated by selective “

on-state” and

“

off-state”

settings of micromirrors of a digital micromirror device (DMD).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the image sensor is a charge-coupled device (CCD).

5. The method of claim 4, further including alternating between the projection mode and the camera mode by sliding the CCD image sensor into or out of the first optical path.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein sliding the CCD image is done using a mechanical actuator.

7. The method of claim 4, further including matching the size and resolution of the CCD image sensor with the DMD by matching the magnification between image projection and image capture.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the projection optics includes at least one second optical path lens;

the modulated light is directed through the at least one second optical path lens in the projection mode; and

the incoming light is received through the at least one second optical path lens in the camera mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the optical devices include at least one first optical path lens;

the light from the light source is directed through the at least one first optical path lens in the projection mode; and

the light passed by the spatial light modulator is directed through the at least one first optical path lens in the camera mode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one second optical path lens is a projector lens.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the projection optics includes a projection lens;

the modulated light is directed through the projection lens in the projection mode; and

the incoming light is received through the projection lens in the camera mode.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the optical devices include a first optical path lens;

the light from the light source is directed through the first optical lens in the projection mode; and

the light passed by the spatial light modulator is directed through the first optical path lens in the camera mode.

13. A method for operating a display device, comprising:

in a projection mode,

directing light from a light source along a first optical path through optical devices to be incident onto a reflective spatial light modulator;

modulating the incident light with the spatial light modulator;

directing the modulated light along a second optical path through a projection optics for projecting an image; and

in a camera mode,

receiving incoming light along the second optical path through the projection optics onto the spatial light modulator;

placing an image sensor for capturing an image in the first optical path to receive light on the first optical path during the camera mode; and

reflecting the incoming light from the reflective spatial light modulator through at least a portion of the optical devices on the first optical path to the image sensor.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein placing an image sensor for capturing an image in the first optical path to receive light on the first optical path during the camera mode further comprises moving the image sensor into the first optical path using a mechanical actuator.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein moving the image sensor in the first optical path using a mechanical actuator further comprises rotating an arm supporting the image sensor.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein moving the image sensor in the first optical path using a mechanical actuator further comprises sliding the image sensor.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the reflective spatial light modulator further comprises a digital micromirror device having an array of minors comprising individual addressable pixel elements.

18. A method for operating a display device, comprising:

in a projection mode,

directing light from a light source along a first optical path through optical devices to be incident onto a reflective spatial light modulator;

modulating the incident light with the spatial light modulator;

directing the modulated light along a second optical path through a projection optics for projecting an image; and

in a camera mode,

receiving incoming light along the second optical path through the projection optics onto the spatial light modulator;

using a mechanical actuator, moving an image sensor placed to receive the incoming light only during the camera mode for capturing an image.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein using a mechanical actuator, moving an image sensor further comprises rotatably moving an arm that supports the image sensor.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein using a mechanical actuator, moving an image sensor further comprises rotatably moving a circular structure that supports the image sensor and that supports the reflective spatial light modulator.