Patent Application
20200111336
This invention is about using a projector to monitor doors, provide networkable or non-networked security, and perform vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-person communication. Audio and video enabled security systems are used to some degree on building doors, walls, and cars. There are Ring™ doorbells and other consumer electronic devices that enable door monitoring via video feed to a cell phone or computer, but these systems require networked connections by multiple devices along with screen (e.g., LED) display on at least one of the devices. To display the video feed or otherwise communicate, these systems rely on a network connection (wired or wireless) and screen display(s). Because digital video produces large files, such feeds may require heavy network usage or sizable storage. These components are expensive, require complicated setup and maintenance, and are prone to breaking. Any networked components are susceptible to various forms of hacking, system outages, weak signals, and signal interference. Nonetheless there is a multitude of situations that can be improved by communicating images and simple messages.
Communication and security in vehicle applications also have limitations. There are times when vehicle-to-vehicle communication may be helpful, such as providing warnings regarding road hazards, alert other drivers of damage to their vehicle, and the like. At the same time, vehicle security is generally limited to audible alarms that sound when there is unauthorized access. Such security systems do not provide a user with any other pertinent information.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a monitoring and communication system that is simple in construction and robust in application. The present invention pertains to a system for communication and/or monitoring without the need for a network or dedicated screen components.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a communication and security system having a projector and a camera. The projector is mounted to display an image onto a static surface of an interior of a building or vehicle. The camera is mounted to an exterior of the building or vehicle for providing a video feed to the projector. The projector displays the video feed from the camera onto the static surface.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a one-way communication system having a projector, a memory, and a processor. The projector is mounted to display an image on a static surface of an exterior of a building or vehicle. The memory stores a message. The processor is coupled to the memory to cause the system to display the message via the projector.
The foregoing Summary and the following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front”, “back”, “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of two or more items (such as “at least one of A, B, or C”) means any individual one of A, one of B, or one of C as well as any combination of two or three thereof.
At the outset, it is understood that this invention is not limited only to the particular embodiments, methodology, materials, and modifications described herein, and as such may vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. In general, in the illustrated embodiments, similar parts are given similar reference numerals, e.g., projectors 130/230/330/430/530, and these parts may have all or some of the same features.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the following example methods, devices, and materials are now described.
In general, the present application is directed to using a projector system for communication of information. This information may be, for example, a preprogrammed written message; a written message prepared via dictation, typing, or the like; a video; a video feed; or the like. A preprogrammed message may be provided by the manufacturer or the end user. The projector displays on any surface available, preferably a generally flat surface such as the ground, a wall, or a vehicle surface. The projector in any of the embodiments below can be calibrated for various types of surfaces and surface shapes, and the projector may be adjustably mounted. For simplicity and clarity, any such surface may be described herein as the “screen” for the projector.
As shown in
One skilled in the art would appreciate that the systems 100 and 200 could be combined to provide an interior projector 230 providing information to a user on the interior of the building and also an exterior projector 130 sending a message 110 to the exterior of the building. Such a combined system may be non-networked or networked for the purposes discussed above.
Optionally, the camera 106/206 may provide a feed via wired or wireless projection for display on a device such as a television, cell phone, or a remotely located projector. In this manner, a user may monitor a door 10 even if unable to view a projected image 210 from the projector 230.
In any embodiments described herein, the ground 11, building floor, building wall 15, or other structure constitutes a “static surface” upon which the projector 130/230 displays. Likewise in vehicle applications, the ground or other surfaces outside or inside the vehicle upon which the projector 330/430/530/630 displays constitute a “static surface.” The term “static surface” differentiates from a dedicated display screen, such as an LED screen, regardless of whether the dedicated display screen is part of a mobile electronic device or built into a building/vehicle. In other words, the projector 130/230/330/430/530/630 displays an image, video, or message on a static surface that is otherwise not designed or intended to be used in display/communication.
Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. In addition, any of the components and methods described above may be automatically performed, manually controlled, or electronically controlled. The systems and components may be network-enabled or have ports for hardwired connections.
The vehicle system 300/400/500/600 embodiments above may be combined with the systems and principles of the building system embodiments 100/200 to have personal security applications. A vehicle 350/450/550/650 may have one or more cameras incorporated into exterior or interior areas (such as the locations for mounting a projector noted above), and a projector 330/430/530/630 may project an image/video feed from the camera(s). In an exterior application, a projector 330/430/530/630 may project the image/video feed image 310/410/510/610 onto the ground or another surface before a user approaches the vehicle. The image 310/410/510/610 may be projected near the vehicle, or at distances from 20 feet up to 100 feet. Such a system may provide the user with awareness of the vehicle's surroundings or whether the vehicle interior has been accessed. In an interior application, a projector 330/430/530/630 may project an image/video feed image 310/410/510/610 onto a vehicle console, glove box, dashboard, floor, or windshield, so as to provide the user with information about the vehicle's surroundings before exiting the vehicle 350/450/550/650. Such combined security systems may be motion activated, activated putting the car in park or turning the car off, activated by proximity to a vehicle key fob, or activated when an input (e.g., button, slide, switch) is activated on a vehicle key fob or inside the vehicle.
The embodiments described above provide significant advantages. Use of a projector 130/230/330/430/530/630 to perform communication and security monitoring reduces the reliance on networked connections and dedicated displays. Since the projector 130/230/330/430/530/630 can display on walls, floor, ceiling, or other objects, it is versatile and widely applicable. Moreover, the present invention provides for projectors 130/230/330/430/530/630 being part of networkable smart doors, smart homes, and communication systems (vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-person). The present invention provides security capabilities for doors and other devices while providing a one-way video or image communication system. The present invention also may be incorporated into an app for control via a computer, cell phone, or other electronic device. The present invention can be used anywhere exterior or interior of a building/property for securing exterior doors as well as interior doors or any areas that require surveillance.
As used herein, the term “network connection” is broadly applicable to wired or wireless connections, whether Internet-enabled or a closed network, which incorporate additional device(s) beyond those of the communication and security system 100/200/300/400/500/600. Similarly, a “wireless network connection” as used herein is applicable to various technologies including Wi-Fi, cell signal, mobile data, Bluetooth, and the like, which incorporate additional device(s) beyond those of the communication and security system 100/200/300/400/500/600.
Any type of projector is applicable to the embodiments discussed above. In some preferred embodiments, a DLP type Pico projector can be used. The projector 130/230/330/430/530/630 can be calibrated for suitable brightness, contrast, clarity, etc. An applicable projector can be mounted on the door (e.g. vehicle) to provide security and can also work as an effective communication device without having the system to rely on a network or any kind of display technology.
In building applications (such as
In vehicle applications (such as
The present invention can also be used in law enforcement situations, particularly where there is strict restriction on network connection and usage. Moreover, the embodiments described above can provide situational awareness without exposing an officer (or other user) to unknown risks on the other side of the wall or room or outside vehicle. In vehicle applications such as shown in
One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that for any of the embodiments described above, relevant data may be stored. This data may include messages displayed, image/video recorded, and metadata of a projector display event. This data may be stored in any of the components described above (projector, camera, motion sensor), or in additional storage hardware, permanently or temporarily. Furthermore, the systems methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted over wired or wireless connections) and non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media, such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs). As such, a computer-readable medium, computer, processor, and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage media may be incorporated in any of the components described above (projector, camera, motion sensor), or in additional hardware.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62742216 | Oct 2018 | US |
