During various holidays, many people take great efforts to decorate their homes and properties. Holiday decorations can create festive scenes and environments for celebrating the holidays. Many people decorate with lights, figures, plants, flowers, vegetation, etc. Despite how enjoyable holiday decorations can be, decorating for the holidays can often be difficult and time-consuming. Further, decorating certain features of a home, such as windows, can often be challenging.
Embodiments of the present invention can provide a window projector including a memory having a first media and a second media stored thereon, a display assembly configured to display at least one of the first media and the second media, the first media associated with a first characteristic and the second media associated with a second characteristic and a first dedicated switch dedicated for displaying the first media and a second dedicated switch dedicated for displaying the second media. The first dedicated switch can be configured such that an actuation of the first dedicated switch may cause the display assembly to display the first media from the memory and the second dedicated switch can be configured such that an actuation of the second dedicated switch may cause the display assembly to display the second media from the memory.
According to certain embodiments, the first characteristic and the second characteristic can be different. For example, the first and second characteristics can each include a holiday. Further, the display assembly can include at least one optical element.
According to certain embodiments, the first media can include a plurality of media, and successive actuations of the first dedicated switch can cycle through the plurality of media. Further, the second media can include a plurality of media, and successive actuations of the second dedicated switch can cycle through the plurality of media. According to certain embodiments, the first media can include a landscape media version and a portrait media version. The window projector can further include at least one dedicated orientation switch to change an orientation of the first media, the dedicated orientation switch may be configured to provide selective orientation control between the landscape media version and the portrait media version of the first media.
Another embodiment of the present invention can provide a window projector including a memory having a first media and a second media stored thereon, the first media having a first content configured to be displayed in a landscape orientation and the second media having the first content configured to be displayed in a portrait orientation, a display assembly can be configured to display at least one of the first media and the second media, and a switch including a first setting and second setting. Further, the first setting can correspond to the projector projecting the first media and the second setting can correspond to the projector projecting the second media.
Further, the window projector can include a first dedicated switch dedicated to displaying the first content. The first dedicated switch can be configured such that an actuation of the first dedicated switch can cause the display assembly to display the first content from the memory. The memory can include a third media and a fourth media stored thereon. The third media can include a second content configured to be displayed in a landscape orientation and the fourth media can include the second content configured to be displayed in a portrait orientation. The window projector can further include a second dedicated switch dedicated to displaying the second content. The second dedicated switch can be configured such that an actuation of the second dedicated switch can cause the display assembly to display the second content from the memory. The first and second content can include an associated characteristic, including a holiday.
According to certain aspects, the switch can include a third setting corresponding to the projector being in an OFF condition. The switch can include a three-way rocker switch.
Another embodiment of the present invention can provide a method of projecting content, the method including providing a memory having a first media and a second media stored thereon, providing a display assembly configured to display at least one of the first media and the second media, the first media associated with a first characteristic and the second media associated with a second characteristic and a first dedicated switch dedicated for displaying the first media and a second dedicated switch dedicated for displaying the second media. The first dedicated switch can be configured such that an actuation of the first dedicated switch may cause the display assembly to display the first media from the memory and the second dedicated switch can be configured such that an actuation of the second dedicated switch may cause the display assembly to display the second media from the memory. The method may further include projecting the first media upon actuation of the first dedicated switch.
According to certain aspects, the method may further include projecting the second media upon actuation of the second dedicated switch.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention can provide a method of projecting content in different orientations, the method including providing a memory having a first media and a second media stored thereon, the first media may include a first content configured to be displayed in a landscape orientation and the second media may include the first content configured to be displayed in a portrait orientation. The method may include providing a display assembly configured to display at least one of the first media and the second media. The method may further include providing a switch having a first setting and second setting, the first setting corresponding to the projector projecting the first media and the second setting corresponding to the projector projecting the second media. The method may further include projecting at least one of the first media and the second media upon actuation of the switch.
The features and advantages of the present invention can be more readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide a novel window projection system. An embodiment of the present invention can provide an exemplary window projection system 100 as shown in
According to embodiments of the present invention,
Projection screen 103 can include a surface such as a sheet that is at least partially transparent. For example, projection screen 103 can be, for example, a white, plastic, nylon, or cloth sheet. Projection screen 103 can be a rear projection screen that preferably includes a material that will allow the image and/or videos to be clearly displayed on the projection side while also allowing the projected image and/or videos to be seen from the opposite side, i.e., the viewing side of projection screen 103. Projection screen 103 may include a projection side, onto which the media is projected, and a viewing side, on which the projected media can be viewed. In one embodiment of the present invention, projection side of projection screen 103 may be facing projector 101, while viewing side may be disposed on the opposite side of projection screen 103, i.e., facing opposite projector 101. According to certain embodiments, both sides of projection screen 103 may act as either the projection side and/or the viewing side. In another embodiment of the present invention, projection side and viewing side of projector screen 103 may be the same side. Accordingly, projection screen 103 can be positioned in a window (e.g., on the interior side of the window) and projector 101 can project media, such as images or videos on the projection side of projection screen 103. The media projected onto the projection side of projection screen 103 by projector 101 can be seen on the viewing side of projection screen 103. This can allow for the projected media to be seen from outside the window in which projection screen 103 is disposed while projector 101 is projecting media onto projection screen 103 from an interior side of the window.
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In producing the media to be projected, display 106 may be electrically coupled to PCB 112. In one embodiment of the present invention, display 106 may be coupled to PCB 112 via connector 113. As shown in
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In one embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 can include simple one-switch operation. For example, projector 101 can include a single switch that a user can actuate to activate operation of projector 101. As shown in
According to certain exemplary embodiments, projector 101 can include power switch 114 to power projector 101 ON and OFF, and can include switches 116, 118 that can allow a user to sequentially scroll through the available media. For example, switches 116 and 118 can be dedicated switches, where each of switches 116 and 118 can specifically correspond to and/or be associated with specific media stored in the memory of projector 101. According to certain exemplary embodiments, each of switches 116 and 118 can specifically correspond to media sharing a certain characteristic (e.g., a holiday, a theme, etc.). For example, switch 116 can correspond to all Christmas-themed media stored in the memory of projector 101 and switch 118 can correspond to all Halloween-themed media stored in the memory of projector 101. Accordingly, sequential actuations of switch 116 can sequentially scroll through all Christmas-themed media and sequential actuations of switch 118 can sequentially scroll through all Halloween-themed media. In this manner, switches 116 and 118 may be dedicated to media having a specific characteristic (e.g., holiday). In this embodiment, the projector 101 would preferably have a corresponding number of dedicated switches for the number of holiday media stored in its memory (i.e., a dedicated switch for each holiday—e.g., 3 dedicated switches if projector 101 has media for 3 different holidays, 4 dedicated switches if projector 101 has media for 4 different holidays, etc.).
Optionally, projector 101 can include a mechanism to change an orientation of the media being projected. For example, the mechanism can include a mechanical dial that can enable rotation of various components of projector 101 so that the media being projected is rotated (e.g., 90 degrees, 180 degrees, etc.). Alternatively, projector 101 can include switch 114 to change the orientation of the projected media. According to one exemplary embodiment, this can be accomplished by storing two versions of each media in the memory of PCB 112 (e.g., a landscape version and a portrait version) and changing between the two different versions (e.g., the landscape version and the portrait version) when the orientation button is depressed. Alternatively, switch 114 can electronically rotate the orientation of the projected media. Power switch 114 may include a three-way switch (e.g., rocker switch, sequentially activated switch controlled by an integrated circuit, mechanical switch, mechanical dial, etc.) including a first setting to operate display 106 to present media in a landscape configuration and second setting to operate display 106 to present media in a portrait configuration. Switch 114 may also include a third setting where projector 101 is in an OFF condition. Switch 114 may be any type of switch, such has a push-button, toggle switch, mechanical dial, etc., that can achieve the desired functionality. In one embodiment where power switch 114 is a mechanical dial, the mechanical dial may include a first setting to operate display 106 to present media in a landscape configuration and a second setting to operate display 106 to present media in a portrait configuration. The mechanical dial may be configured to physically rotate one or more components orient the media in landscape configuration and/or portrait configuration. For example, the mechanical dial can be configured to physically rotate one or more components of display assembly 109. Accordingly, the mechanical dial can be configured to rotate display 106, or the entirety of display assembly 109. Switch 114 may also include a third setting where projector 101 is in an OFF condition.
According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, projector 101 can include a mounting mechanism. Although
In one embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 may be configured to be used outdoors. Projector 101 being configured for outdoor use can facilitate projecting decorative images, shapes, patterns, scenes, and/or videos/video clips on an exterior surface of a structure or building such as a home. According to certain exemplary embodiments, projector 101 can include a short throw projector to cover a wider area while used outdoors.
According to one embodiment, housing 102 may be substantially weather-proofed to enable projector 101 to withstand the elements. For example, housing 102 of projector 101 can include seals and weather proofed elements to prevent moisture, wind, dirt, dust, rain, snow, etc. from entering housing 102. Additional weather-proofing elements may be incorporated along buttons, seams and joints that may be more susceptible to infiltration of weather. Further, projector 101 may include a heating element to ensure operation during in cold weather climates. The heating element may allow for projector 101 to be used in cold or freezing temperatures.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 may include various sensors. For example, projector 101 may include a light sensor. The light sensor may be used to control projector 101 depending on the detected level of ambient light. For example, the light sensor may automatically turn projector 101 OFF during the day when the level of ambient light is high and may automatically turn projector 101 ON at night when the detected level of ambient light is low. In another embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may control operation of the heating element and/or projector 101 depending on the sensed ambient temperature. For example, the temperature sensor may automatically turn projector 101 ON or OFF during the periods of extreme cold or hot, as detected by the temperature sensor, to protect the components of projector 101. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 may include a fan. The fan may be disposed within projector 101 and can be used to control the temperature and/or the moisture within housing 102.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 may include a timer. The timer may turn projector 101 ON or OFF based on the time of day or based on certain durations of operation. For example, the timer can operate projector 101 at defined times during the evening/night (e.g., 7-9 PM, 8-10 PM, etc.). Alternatively, the timer can allow projector 101 to operate for a specific duration and turn off after the duration has expired. For example, the timer can allow projector 101 to be on for an hour, two hours, 30 minutes, etc. and automatically turn off after the selected duration.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 may include a speaker. The speaker may be located anywhere in projector 101. For example, projector 101 may include a speaker located on the bottom of housing 102 or coupled to the bottom of housing 102. The speaker may be used to play any audio media. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, projector 101 may include a recording device. The recording device of projector 101 may allow the user to record various sounds or media. For example, the recording device of projector 101 may allow a user to record a sound and the speaker may allow projector 101 to playback the recorded sound. Projector 101 can also employ Bluetooth technology to be paired with a device, such as a smartphone or computer, to enable playing of media and sounds (e.g., streamed content and stored content) from the paired device.
Projector 101 can also include a wireless remote control to enable wireless operation of projector 101. For example, projector 101 can include a wireless transmitter/receiver that can allow wireless communication with a wireless device. For example, the wireless transmitter/receiver can employ radio frequency (“RF”), Bluetooth, and/or Wi-Fi technology to facilitate wireless communication between projector 101 and the remote control. According to certain embodiments, projector 101 can be wirelessly operated via remote control. For example, the remote control can control powering projector 101 ON and/or OFF, setting the orientation, selecting the media to be played, setting a timer, setting the sensors, etc. Further the remote control can indicate and display the current operating status of projector 101 (e.g., whether or not the projector is ON or OFF and/or the mode of operation). According to certain embodiments, the remote control can be implemented via an app on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, or via a web-based application on a computer.
The embodiments and examples shown above are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced to them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted with each other within the scope of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference should be had to any accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/420,808, filed on Nov. 11, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/448,090, filed on Jan. 19, 2017. Both applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62420808 | Nov 2016 | US | |
62448090 | Jan 2017 | US |