Patent Application
20080084511
This invention relates generally to the field of image display systems and more specifically to a system and method for displaying an image.
Media devices, such as video IPODs, are capable of displaying an image. Certain media devices, however, have a relative small display screen. Additionally, various media devices require headphones to output audio associated with the displayed image.
In accordance with the present invention, disadvantages and problems associated with previous techniques for displaying an image may be reduced or eliminated.
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for displaying an image includes an interface, an image generator, an optical lens, and a speaker. The interface accommodates a media device to dock the media device, and receives a data signal from the media device. The data signal comprises a video signal and an audio signal associated with an image. The image generator generates light beams according to the video signal. The optical lens projects the light beams to yield the image. The speaker emit sounds according to the audio signal.
Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technical advantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment may be that a media device can be docked onto a portable projector. As a result, the displayed image is not restricted by the size of the display screen of the media device. A technical advantage of a further embodiment may be that an image from a media device may be displayed using solid state illumination, which may yield improved image quality.
A technical advantage of a further embodiment may be that an image from a projector may be displayed on a shell monitor. Displaying the image on a monitor may reduce the amount of surface ambient light that must be displaced, which may improve the image. A technical advantage of a further embodiment may be that the shell monitor is independent of a power source. This may result in a smaller, lighter, and less expensive monitor. A technical advantage of a further embodiment may be that live television broadcasts may be projected by the portable projector.
Certain embodiments of the invention may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to
In one embodiment, projector 12 may represent any device operable to receive a data signal, and further operable to project an image associated with the data signal onto an external object. Examples of projector 12 include a cathode ray tube (CRT) projector, a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector, a digital light processing (DLP) projector, and/or any other suitable projector. In one embodiment, projector 12 may represent a portable projector. A portable projector may weigh less than one pound, may be carried by a human hand, and may be stored in small spaces, such as a pocket. A portable projector may have an internal power supply, such as a battery. In another embodiment, projector 12 may represent a fixed projector. A fixed projector may be fixed to a floor, wall, or ceiling, and may further require a connection to an external power source, such as electrical outlet, in order to project an image.
As further illustrated in
Interface 20 may provide a docking station that allows at least a portion of media device 16 to dock onto projector 12, that is, to accommodate at least the portion without the use of cables. In the illustrated embodiment, interface 20 may allow the entire media device 16 to dock onto projector 12. By docking the entire media device 16 onto projector 12, system 10 may be more portable and more aesthetically pleasing. In one embodiment, interface 20 may be operable to allow projector 12 to receive data signals from media device 16. In the embodiment, a data signal includes a video data signal, an audio data signal, and/or any other suitable data signal provided by media device 16.
Image generator 22 may be operable to convert a digital signal to an image. The digital signal may include image data used to generate an image. Image generator 22 generates light beams according to the image data. When appropriately reflected from a surface, the light beams yield the image. Image generator 22 may include one or more light sources and one or more digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs) that are used to generate the light beams.
Optical lens 24 may be operable to project the light beams onto an external object to yield the image. Optical lens 24 may comprise any suitable material, for example, plastic, glass, and/or any other suitable material. Optical lens 24 may further be operable to adjust the projected image. For example, optical lens 24 may include a zoom lens operable to increase or decrease the image size without having to move projector 12. An “image” may refer to a single image frame (such as a slide) or to a sequence of image frames (such as a video).
Speaker 28 may be operable to emit sound associated with a data signal from projector 12. The data signal may include an audio data signal associated with an image projected by projector 12. Speaker 28 may represent a built-in speaker or an external speaker. Speaker 28 may allow a user to listen to sounds without the use of headphones.
Media device 16 may be operable to provide data signals to projector 12 through interface 16. Media device 16 may represent any device operable to store and send video and/or audio data signals to projector 12. For example, media device 16 may represent a video IPOD, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a portable gaming device, a media player, a portable media player, or any other suitable device. If the data signals include video and audio signals, the video and audio signals may be associated with each other to yield sounds coordinated with the image.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system 10 without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of system 10 may be integrated or separated according to particular needs. Moreover, the operations of system 10 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.
According to the illustrated embodiment, data processing unit 114 is operable to receive and process data signals. In one embodiment, data processing unit 114 receives data signals from a media device, such as media device 16 of
Controller 116 may be operable to receive image data and control information from data processing unit 114, and further operable to control light sources 118a-c and DMD 122 in order to generate an image. For example, controller 116 may activate, deactivate, and control the intensity of each of the light sources 118a-c. As another example, controller 116 may control the “on” and “off” states of DMD 122.
Light sources 118 may include any suitable light source that provides a desired frequency or frequencies of light. For example, light sources 118 may include Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), injection laser diodes (ILDs), vertical cavity surface emitting diodes (VCSELs), lasers, and/or any other suitable light source. The intensity of lights sources 118 may have any suitable value, for example, between 0 to 1000, 100 to 500, or 150 to 350 lumens, such as 250 lumens. In one embodiment, each light source 118 includes one or more LEDs operable to provide solid-state illumination. In another embodiment, a light source 118 may comprise multiple LEDs emitting either the same or different colors. In one embodiment, LEDs may be used to generate “field sequential” images of red, blue, and green components. In certain embodiments, light sources 118 may emit beams of narrow-band light of different colors.
In the illustrated embodiment, light sources 118 include light source 118a, light source 118b, and light source 118c which emit light beam 120a, light beam 120b, and light beam 120c, respectively. Light beams 120a, 120b, and 120c may have the same or different wavelength ranges. As another example, light beam 120a may have a wavelength on the order of 400-475 nanometers, that is, light source 118a may emit blue light. For example, light beam 120b may have a wavelength on the order of 485-570 nanometers, that is, light source 118b may emit green light. As yet another example, light beam 120c may have a wavelength on the order of 610-690 nanometers, that is, light source 118c may emit red light.
The number of light sources 118 and the wavelengths of light beams 120 are merely examples. Any number of light sources 118 may be selected to emit appropriate light beams 120 of any desired wavelength range suitable for projector 112. For example, light sources 118 may emit beams of primary colors, secondary colors, and/or white light.
Digital micro-mirror device (DMD) 122 may include a micro electro-mechanical device comprising an array of hundreds of thousands of individually tilting micro-mirrors. In a flat state, each micro-mirror may be substantially parallel to optical lens 124. From the flat state, the micro-mirrors may be tilted, for example, to a positive or negative angle to alternate the micro-mirrors between an “on” and an “off” state. To permit the micro-mirrors to tilt, each micro-mirror attaches to one or more hinges mounted on support posts, and spaced by means of an air gap over underlying control circuitry. The control circuitry provides electrostatic forces, based at least in part on image data received at DMD 122 from controller 116. The electrostatic forces cause each micro-mirror to selectively tilt. Light beams 120 received on the micro-mirror array may be reflected by the “on” micro-mirrors towards optical lens 124. Additionally, light beams 120 may be reflected by the “off” micro-mirrors towards a plurality of light dumps, not shown. The pattern of “on” versus “off” mirrors (e.g., light and dark mirrors) forms an image that is projected by optical lens 124. In various embodiments, DMD 122 is capable of generating various levels or shades for each color received.
Optical lens 124 is substantially similar to optical lens 24 of
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to projector 112 without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of projector 112 may be integrated or separated according to particular needs. Moreover, the operations of projector 112 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. For example, the operations of controller 116 may be performed by data processing unit 114.
Housing 211 may house one or more components of system 200, for example, projector 212, receiver 213, and/or processor 214. Housing 211 may have any suitable dimensions that yield any suitable volume, such as less than 45 or less than 15 cubic centimeters.
In one embodiment, projector 212 may represent any device operable to receive a data signal, and further operable to project an image associated with the data signal onto an external object. Examples of projector 212 include a cathode ray tube (CRT) projector, a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector, a digital light processing (DLP) projector, and/or any other suitable projector. In one embodiment, projector 212 may represent a portable projector. A portable projector may weigh less than one pound, may be carried by a human hand, and may be stored in small spaces, such as a pocket. A portable projector may have an internal power supply, such as a battery. In another embodiment, projector 212 may represent a fixed projector. A fixed projector may be fixed to a floor, wall, or ceiling, and may further require a connection to an external power source, such as electrical outlet, in order to project an image.
As illustrated in
Receiver 213 may include a device operable to receive digital television signals and provide the signals to processor 214. For example, receiver 213 may be operable to receive Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H) Standard signals or Intersubband Transition (ISBT) Standard signals. In another embodiment, receiver 213 may be operable to receive signals associated with a mobile phone subscription plan.
Processor 214 may include any device operable to receive and process digital television signals. Processor 114 may be further operable to provide image data and control information to other components of projector 212, such as controller 216. Image data may refer to data that is used to generate an image. Control information may refer to instructions that are used to control components of projector 112 to process the image data. In another embodiment, processor 214 may transmit the digital television signals to storage device 215.
Storage device 215 may include any suitable device capable of storing data. For example, storage device 30 may include a magnetic disk, an optical disk, flash memory, or other suitable data storage device. In one embodiment, storage device 215 may be operable to store digital television signals. By storing the signals in storage device 215, processor 214 may retrieve the signals at anytime, such as after a live broadcast is complete. This may allow a user to store television broadcasts for viewing at a later time.
According to the illustrated embodiment, Controller 216 is substantially similar to controller 116 of
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system 200 without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of system 200 may be integrated or separated according to particular needs. Moreover, the operations of system 200 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. For example, the operations of controller 216 may be performed by processor 214.
Monitor 310 may include any device operable to display an image. According to the illustrated embodiment, monitor 310 generally includes a housing 313, an interface 314, a reflector 316, a screen 318, a power input 320, and a receiver 322. Housing 313 may house one or more components of monitor 310, for example, interface 314, reflector 316, and/or screen 318. Housing 313 may have any suitable dimensions that yield any suitable volume to support small and large viewing screen diagonals from a few inches to several feet.
Interface 310 may be operable to couple projector 312 to monitor 310. As illustrated, interface 314 may provide a docking area for projector 312. In one embodiment, interface 310 may be sized to allow projector 312 to be located substantially within monitor 310. In a further embodiment, interface 310 may allow projector 312 to project an image into monitor 310.
Reflector 316 may include a device operable to receive a projected image from projector 312, and further reflect the image onto screen 318. For example, reflector 316 may include one or more mirrors. According to the illustrated embodiment, monitor 310 only includes one reflector 316. In further embodiments, monitor 310 may include more than one reflector 316.
Screen 318 may include any device operable to receive an image on a first side, and further operable to display the image to a user on a second side. For example, screen 318 may include a standard television screen. According to one embodiment, projecting the image onto screen 318 may reduce the amount of surface ambient light that must be displaced by the image. As a result, the image displayed using screen 318 may be of improved quality.
Projector 312 is substantially similar to projector 12 of
In one embodiment, receiver 322 may receive a data signal, such as a television signal, and supply the signal to projector 312. Input 320 may receive power from a power source and supply the power to projector 312.
In a further embodiment, monitor 310 may be an entertainment center. For example, monitor 310 may include a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) player, a recording device, a gaming platform, or any suitable combination. In a further embodiment, monitor 310 may be a television set including a projector separate from projector 312.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system 200 without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of system 200 may be integrated or separated according to particular needs. Moreover, the operations of system 200 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.
While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permeations of the embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/828,179 entitled “Video Docking System,” which was filed on Oct. 4, 2006, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60828179 | Oct 2006 | US |
