Projected Image Combined With Real Object Patents (Class 353/28)
  • Patent number: 8231225
    Abstract: A high dynamic range scenographic image and video projection system and method involving the projection of an image of an object or collection of objects onto the object, 2D or 3D, in such a manner than projected image elements are positioned substantially on the actual image of the object. The projection enhances or otherwise alters the hue, contrast, brightness, saturation, luminance, and/or other visible features of the object. Visual and not-visual features may be projected onto the object or the area around the object to enhance or disguise the object as well as the surroundings of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Richard Bradley Turner, Steven T. Kosakura, Bryan Lee Jolley
  • Publication number: 20120188620
    Abstract: Laser image projection system applicable to the marking of objects and method for generating holograms may include a reflection spatial light modulator, laser beam irradiating means for irradiating laser light onto the reflection spatial light modulator at a certain incidence angle, controlling means connected to the reflection spatial light modulator, the controlling means controlling said reflection spatial light modulator to define a holographic diffraction pattern corresponding to the desired optical image intended to be irradiated onto the object, and focusing means for performing a Fourier transform of the phase-modulated laser light to transform it into the optical image and irradiate it focused onto said object, wherein said focusing means includes a Fresnel lens holographically defined onto the reflection spatial light modulator to thereby improve an efficiency in the use of the light energy irradiated by said irradiating means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Easy Laser, S.L.
    Inventors: Sebastian Rodrigo De Echaniz, Ramon Sans Ravellat
  • Publication number: 20120164292
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying an image, such as a decoration, to a surface of a food item, such as a cake or other similar item. An input image is selected from a source of images. The input image can be displayed and then transferred, such as through a lens to form an output image. The output image can be projected onto the food item and traced into a decoration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Ed Lipman
  • Patent number: 8197072
    Abstract: Provided is a light emitting device of an electronic device, provided with a DLP (Digital Light Processing) projector and a display unit, which is configured in such a manner that the light generated by the operation of the DLP projector can be re-used as a backlight light of the display unit. The disclosed light emitting device includes a first mirror for projecting a light of the DLP projector on a flat area provided ahead of the first mirror in an intermediate operation state of the first mirror; a light concentration mirror for converging the light projected on the flat area, the light concentration mirror being provided at a position adjacent to the flat area; and an optical fiber for transferring the light converged by the light concentration mirror to the display unit and enabling re-use of the transferred light as a light for a backlight of the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jin-Wook Kwon, Yong-Chan Keh, Byeong-Hoon Park, Sung-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 8184194
    Abstract: A polarization image capturing section 103 obtains a first polarization image containing polarization information. A polarization information obtaining section 104 obtains first polarization information from the first polarization image. An illumination control section 102 changes an illumination section 101 and again obtains a second polarization image by means of the polarization image capturing section 103. The polarization information obtaining section 104 obtains second polarization information from the second polarization image. A light source dependency estimation section 105 obtains light source dependency from the first and second polarization information obtained from the first and second polarization images. An area dividing section 106 performs an area division by using the polarization information and light source dependency information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sato, Katsuhiro Kanamori
  • Patent number: 8152312
    Abstract: An apparatus that presents a projection image has a screen and plural projectors, each of which projects a section of the projection image onto the screen. The apparatus has a projected-section-determining unit that determines as a projected section the section of the projection image, based on an input image signal, corresponding to a part of the screen onto which each of the projectors projects the section of the projection image. The apparatus has an image-signal-generating unit that generates an image signal corresponding to the section of the projection image which each of the projector projects onto the part of the screen, based on the input image signal and the projected section determined by the projected-section-determining unit, and a projectors-controlling unit that controls the projectors to adjust centers and/or ranges of the projections by the projectors based on the projected section determined by the projected-section-determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kenji Tanaka, Hitoshi Mukai, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hirofumi Hibi, Kazumasa Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120079555
    Abstract: A system for an exercise screen dance studio includes an image storage unit, an audio unit, a controller, a large mirror, a projector, a screen image unit, and a left-right image reversal unit for reversing left-right sides of an image. In addition, a screen image unit is provided either behind a trainee dancer with a large mirror being provided in front of the trainee or the screen image unit can be integrated with the large mirror. A large screen image unit and a projector for proving audio and image may be provided, wherein the large mirror is arranged in front of the trainee and the screen image unit is placed on a rear side thereof or inside the mirror so that the trainee can see simultaneously his/her reflected exercising image and the projected dance exercising image through the mirror in the same orientation with regard to left-right sides or as a reversed image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Hae-Yong CHOI
  • Patent number: 8142023
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for generating an optimized projection pattern and for using the optimized projection pattern for depth reconstruction. The system includes a De Bruijn graph generation module, a non-recurring De Bruijn sequence generation module and projection pattern generation module. The De Bruijn graph generation module is configured to generate a classical De Bruijn graph. The non-recurring De Bruijn sequence generation module is configured to generate a non-recurring De Bruijn sequence by eliminating nodes with recurring alphabets from the classical De Bruijn sequence and calculating a Hamiltonian cycle of the modified De Bruijn graph. The projection pattern generation module is configured to generate the optimized projection pattern form the non-recurring De Bruijn sequence. The system further comprises a projector to project the non-recurring De Bruijn sequence to a plurality of images and a depth reconstruction module to reconstruct depth images from the plurality of the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jongwoo Lim
  • Patent number: 8136949
    Abstract: A method for creating an interactive display in which users/players can form the projection screen. The method includes providing granular display material, such as a layer of sand in a container, and storing a guide image and a display image in memory of a control system. Then, a projector is first operated to project the guide image on an upper surface of the display material. After a sculpting period or in response to a user or operator provided trigger, the method includes second operating the projector to project the display image on the upper surface which has been sculpted by the user into a 3D projection surface or screen during the first operating step. The projected guide image may include an outline of an object, and the display image may include an image element that is mapped to the location of the outlined object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Fraiser Laduke
  • Publication number: 20120057174
    Abstract: A laser scanner or a laser tracker includes a light source that emits a light beam within an environment, and a data capture component that captures the light beam reflected back to the laser scanner or tracker from the environment. The laser scanner or tracker also includes a projector integrated within a body of the laser scanner or tracker or mounted to the body of the laser scanner or tracker at a predetermined location, the projector being operable to project visible information onto an object located within the environment, the projected visible information being indicative of images, data or information, the projected visible information being at least one of design intent information, information acquired by the laser scanner or tracker, or guidance to an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Clark H. Briggs
  • Publication number: 20120050688
    Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed. The fabrication system may have a work surface configured to support a base component, and an image projector. The image projector may be configured to project onto the base component a first image corresponding to an existing feature of the base component, and to project onto the base component a second image corresponding to a feature to be fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: TayChang Wu, Michael H. Noble, Eric R. Larsen, Keith A. Herman, Keith M. Egland, Chee K. Ng
  • Publication number: 20120050606
    Abstract: A controllable lighting system may include a plurality of light source groups, a group controller for each light source group, a master controller, and a network communication system. Each group controller may be configured to control the light sources in its light source group based on a group control command. The master controller may be configured to receive a master control command relating to the light sources and to issue a group control command to each of the group controllers that collectively effectuate compliance with the master control command. The network communication system may be configured to communicate the group control commands from the master controller to the group controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Paul E. Debevec, Xueming Yu, Mark Bolas, Graham Fyffe, Jay Busch, Pieter Peers, Abhijeet Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20120038891
    Abstract: The techniques described herein provide a surface computing device that includes a surface layer configured to be in a transparent state and a diffuse state. In the diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface. In the transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stuart Taylor, Shahram Izadi, Daniel A. Rosenfeld, Stephen Hodges, David Alexander Butler, James Scott, Nicolas Villar
  • Patent number: 8107021
    Abstract: A liquid crystal projection apparatus having an image synthesizing unit including a color synthesization prism having an upper surface, a lower surface facing the upper surface, and three light incident faces between the upper and lower surfaces; an upper prism pedestal provided on the upper surface of the color synthesization prism; a lower prism pedestal provided on the lower surface of the color synthesization prism; an upper liquid crystal panel holder provided on the upper prism pedestal and having first jointing sections, a lower liquid crystal panel holder provided on the lower prism pedestal and having second jointing sections; three liquid crystal panels; and three liquid crystal panel mounting members securely fixing thereon the three liquid crystal panels, the three mounting members arranged on the respective three incident faces of the color synthesization prism joining the first jointing sections located in association with the respective incident faces to corresponding second jointing sections l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., SANYO Technology Center (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianglin Zhang, Jieyang Wu, Tadashi Renbutsu, Shoji Okazaki, Yanshan Huang
  • Publication number: 20120019784
    Abstract: A multimedia presentation system a projector to project images toward an audience. A plurality of nozzles are partially submerged in a body of water at locations between the projector and the audience. The plurality of nozzles are located at different distances from the projector. Each of the plurality of nozzles is arranged to produce a fan like water mist onto which the projector projects images. A controller is coupled to the projector and the plurality of nozzles. The controller causes the projector to project images and at least one of the plurality of nozzles to produce a water mist in a synchronized sequence such that the images appear at different distances from the projector at different times. The controller may further control the orientation of each nozzle to vary the distance by inclining the plane of the water mist relative to the surface of the body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: WET ENTERPRISES, INC., DBA WET DESIGN
    Inventors: Mark Fuller, James Doyle
  • Patent number: 8073531
    Abstract: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: AccuVein, LLC
    Inventors: Ron Goldman, David Hunt, Mark Mock, Graham Marshal, Stephen P. Conlon, Bob Roth
  • Patent number: 8070293
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a design-superposing display apparatus for superposing a design above a part of a display surface of a display device. The design-superposing display apparatus includes a design display portion disposed above the display surface for accepting a transmitted light from a rear thereof; a light source disposed outside of the display device for emitting the transmitted light of the design display portion; and a light guide portion extending from the rear of the design display portion toward the light source and guiding the emitted light toward the rear of the design display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Watanabe, Tetsuya Sugiyama, Hirokazu Yabe
  • Publication number: 20110292347
    Abstract: Techniques for utilizing an infrared illuminator, an infrared camera, and a projector to create a virtual 3D model of a real 3D object in real time for users' interaction with the real 3D object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chunhui Zhang, Ji Zhao, Chunshui Zhao, Rui Gao
  • Publication number: 20110292348
    Abstract: Provided is a balloon including an envelope and a projecting unit that projects an image, which switches display mode between first display mode that displays the image projected by the projecting unit on the envelope and second display mode that displays the image projected by the projecting unit on an external object through the envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki TOBITA, Shigeaki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8066384
    Abstract: An image projection kit and a imagery content distribution system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Ricardo Rivera
  • Patent number: 8066383
    Abstract: A wire harness projection guidance system comprises a support stand for supporting a wire harness board used to construct a wire harness. A projector is mounted to the support stand for projecting an image onto a wire harness board supported on the support stand. A memory stores data representing wire route for each of a plurality of individual wires in a wire harness. A programmed processing system is operatively coupled to the memory and the projector for generating a series of images to be projected by the projector. Each image in the series represents one of the stored wire routes for an associated individual wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiao Lin
  • Publication number: 20110285964
    Abstract: A display system for use in winter and other low temperature venues. The system includes a projection screen generation assembly that includes a snow making machine. The snow making machine receives an input flow of a liquid, such as water plus one or more additives to increase opacity and/or reflectivity of the snowflakes. The machine forms snow from the input flow and discharges a volume of flowing snow as a sheet or curtain providing a projection screen. The system includes a high-brightness projector directing light onto the projection screen to provide an image on surfaces of the flowing snow. In some embodiments, the snow making machine includes a nozzle configured such that the flowing snow is output in a substantially planar sheet, e.g., with the use of a diffuser or the like for increasing the laminar nature of the flow and the sheet may be relatively thin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark A. Reichow
  • Patent number: 8064684
    Abstract: An interface that allows a user to explore complex three dimensional datasets. The user manipulates a physical modeling material that defines the geometry of a surface that intersects a voxel dataset and the intersected voxel values are projected back onto the surface of the physical material as image data. A position sensor captures position data specifying the geometry of the surface, a processor compares the array of data values with the captured position data to identify selected ones of these data values whose position in the array corresponds to the geometry of the surface, and a projector for illuminates the surface with an image representative of the data at the array/surface intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Carlo Filippo Ratti, Benjamin Tarquinn Fielding Piper, Yao Wang, Hiroshii Ishii
  • Publication number: 20110280449
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing coverings such as leather hides and fabrics are provided. A system can include a worktable having a surface on which a covering is placeable. An imaging device can be positionable relative to the worktable. The imaging device can be configured to obtain an image of the covering on the surface of the worktable. A projector can be positionable relative to worktable. The projector can be configured to project an image onto the surface of the worktable and the covering on the surface of the worktable. A controller can be in communication with the imaging device and projector. The controller can be configured to correct images taken by the imaging device. The controller can also be configured to correct the images projected onto the surface of the worktable and the covering thereon. The controller can be configured to permit the showing of virtual markings on the covering placed on the surface of the worktable through an image projected thereon by the projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Robert L. Campbell, JR., Charles A. Leonard, Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8057045
    Abstract: A projection apparatus for generating a moving star field and a cloud-like effect comprises a means for generating a cloud-like effect using at least one non-coherent light source, a means for generating a moving star field using at least one coherent light source and a means for regulating and supplying electric power. The means for generating cloud-like effect using at least one non-coherent light source comprises at least one pair of condenser lenses and an interferential filter wheel rotated by a motor, disposed between at least one pair of condenser lenses. The means for generating the moving star field using a coherent light source comprises a grating wheel rotated by a motor and a diffractive optical element disposed between the at least one coherent light source and the grating wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Bliss Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Randy E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8042949
    Abstract: A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart Taylor, Shahram Izadi, Daniel A. Rosenfeld, Stephen Hodges, David Alexander Butler, James Scott, Nicolas Villar
  • Patent number: 8025408
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus captures an object's image and separates the object's image into multiple components. The apparatus includes: a light projecting section 101 for projecting light emitted from a light source toward the object; a color and polarization obtaining section 102 for getting a color polarized image of the object; a polarization information processing section 104 for generating color and polarization information based on an association between the intensity of the light that has been transmitted through a polarizer with three or more polarization principal axis directions and the polarization principal axis directions for each of unit pixels that form the color polarized image; a light source color information collecting section 105 for collecting color information of the light source; and an image component separating section 106 for separating the color image into multiple components based on the polarization information and the color information of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sato, Katsuhiro Kanamori
  • Patent number: 8020997
    Abstract: A system for defining a bounding box include one or more image projectors; one or more optical beam generators; a display surface; a computing element; and a digital image sensor. The digital image sensor is configured to sense a location of image orientation indicators generated by the optical beam generators. The computing element is configured to communicate with the digital image sensor to determine a bounding box defined by the locations of the image orientation indicators and to control the one or more image projectors to project an image in, and corresponding to, the bounding box on the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Aufranc, Bruce A. Stephens, Olan Way
  • Patent number: 8007110
    Abstract: A projection system that prevents projection light on a presenter and provides a gesture based interface for visual enhancements is disclosed. The system may include a projector camera system comprising a computer communicating an image to a projector, the projector projecting the image on a screen, a stereo camera unit mounted approximately in the plane of the screen or at the projector and directed toward the presenter and communicating with the computer, and software that interprets the stereo camera data to distinguish and manipulate foreground and background features. The foreground feature may be the presenter relative to the screen or to the audience and room, or the presenter's hand relative to the presenter. The invention employs imaging stereo camera algorithms and techniques developed for foreground/background segmentation, image manipulation, and gesture recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Wesslund Dunn, Gregory Joseph Dunn, Boaz Super, Tianli Yu
  • Patent number: 8007111
    Abstract: A projector includes: an image pickup unit which obtains an image of a subject; an image signal processing unit which cuts an image corresponding to a projection display area of the subject contained in an image obtained by the image pickup unit, and processes an image signal such that the cut image has a predetermined size to produce a projection image signal; and a projection unit which produces an image according to the image signal produced by the image signal processing unit and projects the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoto Kojima
  • Publication number: 20110205497
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a projector configured to be capable of projecting light to thereby display an image on a rendering region formed on a display surface set around a guiding point to which a person should be guided and changing a position of the rendering region; a detecting unit that detects whether a person is present in a detection region set near the display surface and detects, when a person is present in the detection region, a moving state of the person; and a control unit that controls, on the basis of a detection result of the detecting unit, driving of the projector to guide the person present in the detection region to the guiding point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuichi WAKABAYASHI, Norio NAKAMURA, Yasushi MIZOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8004571
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is connected to a projection device and an image capture device, and includes an acquiring portion, a detecting portion, and a controller. The acquiring portion acquires images captured by the image capture device. The detecting portion detects positions of the object and a user of the information processing apparatus from the captured images. The controller causes the projection device to project a first indication data indicating storage of at least one of the captured images onto an area except for a linear area linking the user of the information processing apparatus to the object and existing between the user of the information processing apparatus and the object, based on the detected positions of the object and the user of the information processing apparatus, and stores the at least one of the captured images in a memory when the projected first indication data has been interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7997734
    Abstract: An image display controller for a display shelf generates image data for a projector image which is projected by a projector arranged in the display shelf to be displayed on a transmission-type screen of the display shelf. The image display controller includes a monitor, an input device, a data communicator, a memory, and a controller. The controller obtains an editing background image from the memory and displays the editing background image on the monitor, and generates contents of a display image. Moreover, the controller sets a position of the generated display image in a desired position of a display area of the editing background image in response to an instruction inputted via the input device, and generates the projector image by combining the generated display image into the editing background image at the set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Mochizuki, Yoshihiko Ikeda, Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 7996551
    Abstract: Method for replacing an input RTP stream coming from a media terminal by an output RTP stream integrating an environment which improves the appearance of a person on said input RTP stream, said method providing for the identification of the media terminal user and of a person, the providing of the data for the environment to be integrated in the input RTP stream of the identified user, the integration in the input RTP stream of data for the environment, and the sending back of the output RTP stream thus obtained to the media terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Michael Brackx, Sigurd Van Broeck
  • Publication number: 20110181837
    Abstract: This invention concerns a method of producing a Pepper's Ghost. The method may comprise projecting an image of a subject onto a reflective and transparent screen (7) to create a virtual image (15) of the subject alongside an object (21). The subject of the virtual image may have a colour temperature and the method may comprise illuminating the object (21) with light having a colour and intensity that results in a colour temperature of the object (21) at least approximately matching the colour temperature of the subject of the virtual image. The method may comprise altering the intensity of light that falls on the object (21) by moving the lighting arrangement towards or away from the object (21) whilst maintaining an intensity of light omitted by the lighting arrangement constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Ian Christopher O'Connell, Eiisabeth Berry, Mark Hanna
  • Patent number: 7980707
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an audience scanning laser display projector includes a laser projector capable of generating a laser beam output having a predetermined beam path, scan area and beam wavelength. A beam position sensor is associated with said laser projector. A camera capable of capturing an image of the audience using light of a wavelength other than the beam wavelength, is disposed relative to said laser projector so that the captured image includes the area scanned by the laser beam. A processor is operably connected with said laser projector, said beam position sensor and said camera, said processor generating a table corresponding to the camera image of the audience, and containing software capable of identifying location of faces in the audience image and comparing face locations with beam position so as to signal said laser projector to attenuate the beam when scanning over a face location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick Murphy
  • Patent number: 7972006
    Abstract: A software apparatus for the user-friendly, desktop-based authoring, creation, management, and publication of a personal, enhanced audiovisual presentation comprising a software program which automatically captures and encodes the audiovisual presentation recorded by the user using the webcam, allows the user to edit an application-imported textual resume and synchronize parts of the textual resume with segments of the recorded audiovisual presentation, assigns a URL to the completed enhanced audiovisual presentation, and. A computer teleprompter especially adapted for use with the disclosed apparatus for desktop-based recording of an enhanced audiovisual presentation comprising a front enclosure with an opening, a webcam mount, a webcam position adjustment knob attached to the webcam mount, a lower mirror, and a beam splitter mirror with a transmission-to-reflection ratio that is adapted for use with a webcam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Promptvideo Corporation
    Inventors: Hernan Giraldo, Robert J Malli
  • Patent number: 7972034
    Abstract: A laser light source includes: a laser array in which plural emitters are arranged; and a submount having first and second surfaces facing in opposite directions. The laser array is provided on the first surface. A distance between the first surface and the second surface of the submount varies along an array arrangement direction of the laser array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiko Takagi
  • Patent number: 7972005
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a person located between a projector and a surface on which a first image is projected by the projector, and automatically blacking out a portion of the first image, so that light from the projector does not fall on the face of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy Jose
  • Publication number: 20110157486
    Abstract: An escape guiding apparatus includes: a projecting section projecting an image on a floor by scanning a laser beam; a storage section storing escape guidance information for guiding a person who is escaping; and an image information generating section generating image information of the image to be projected based on the escape guidance information stored in the storage section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro MURATA, Osamu KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki HOSOMI
  • Patent number: 7967445
    Abstract: An image projecting apparatus enables the formation of a projected image faithful to original image information by reducing degradation in the projected image due to decrease in imaging performance of a projection optical system. Image information is processed by an image processing device, which includes a first and a second image processor. A light modulating device modulates a flux of light emitted by an illumination optical system based on the processed image information. The modulated flux of light is projected on a screen by a projection optical system. If the image information processed by the first image processor in a pixel region is not within a representable modulation range of the light modulating device, the image information is processed by the second image processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiko Hamano, Ryosuke Kasahara, Toshiyuki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7954953
    Abstract: A scanning beam overlay projection system displays an image on a projection surface by scanning a light beam in a raster pattern. Reflective spots on the projection surface reflect light back to the projection system when illuminated by the light beam. A photodetector in the projection system detects the reflected light, and timing circuits determine where in the raster pattern the reflective spots are located. The image can be scaled and warped to correlate tagged points within the image with the locations of the reflective spots on the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Sprague
  • Patent number: 7954952
    Abstract: A secure display system comprises one or more closure devices having non-transparent polycarbonate projection panels, one or more projectors, and a PC for providing both security and advertising capabilities. The secure display system can display publicly viewable information by projecting images containing, for example, text, graphics, and video from the inside through the projection panels, thus creating an externally viewable display while securing the premises. In some embodiments, the closure device can include a plurality of projection panels in the form of a security roll down shutter. Transparent viewing panels can also be included adjacent the projection panels to provide both viewing and projecting capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ADDvertisement, LLC
    Inventors: James Donald Knight, Fred van der Kort, Erik J. Glotzbach
  • Patent number: 7950804
    Abstract: A system employed in a projector for protecting eyes when the projector is in use, includes an initialization module, a light emitting-receiving device, a time-measuring module, a comparison module, and an image-outputting device. The initialization module is configured for initializing a standard time value. The light emitting-receiving device is configured for emitting a light and receiving a reflection of the light. The time-measuring module is configured for measuring time elapsed between emitting the light and receiving the reflection to generate a time-cost value. The comparison module is configured for comparing the standard time value with the time-cost value to generate a signal. The image-outputting device is configured for outputting an eye-protective image or a general image corresponding to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20110109961
    Abstract: A pattern projection apparatus includes: a spatial light modulator having a plurality of pixel devices each independently modulating light, and arranged at an optically conjugate position with respect to a sample; and a control device for dividing a modulation pattern of the spatial light modulator for irradiating the sample with illuminating light of a target form into a plurality of submodulation patterns and controlling the spatial light modulator sequentially for each of the plurality of submodulation patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi HAYASHI, Hirokazu KUBO
  • Patent number: 7918566
    Abstract: There is provided an image display apparatus including a display portion that displays a first image in a given display region, a projection portion that projects to superimpose a second image on the first image displayed with the display portion in the display region, an image recording portion that records the display region, and a controller that controls at least one of displaying the first image with the display portion and projecting the second image with the projection portion, on the basis of a third image of the display region obtained with the image recording portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Abe
  • Patent number: 7911412
    Abstract: A scanning laser system has a scan position controller to control an X-Y beam translator and a beam power controller to control a light source. A processor has accessible a table having a matrix of elements representing regions having spatial coordinates in at least two dimensions. A plurality of regions is required to define a space approximately sized as a human head. Each element contains a beam power variable indicative of radiation exposure at a corresponding region. Software resident in the processor has code for receiving a value of beam power incident on each region being scanned, for incrementing a stored beam power variable for each region if the beam power value is above a predetermined threshold, and for outputting to at least one of the scan position and the beam power controller a signal indicative of each region at which the beam power variable is above a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: William R. Benner, Jr., Valeriy Furmanov, Alexey Sinitsyn
  • Patent number: 7905610
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for projecting an image onto a three-dimensional object. In use, after an image is received, such image is processed utilizing a graphics processor for projecting the image onto the three-dimensional object in various embodiments, the image may be processed as a function of three-dimensional information associated with the three-dimensional object, for improving projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Dmitry R. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7904138
    Abstract: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Ron Goldman, David Hunt, Mark Mock, Graham Marshal, Stephen P. Conlon, Bob Roth
  • Patent number: 7896499
    Abstract: An image projection mechanism of a mobile phone has a light source section for image projection, a light modulator and a projection lens. The light source section has an LED device including an LED element having a luminous wavelength in a red color region, an LED element having a luminous wavelength in a green color region, and an LED element having a luminous wavelength in a blue color region, which are provided in one package, and a lens that converts light emitted from the LED device into substantially parallel rays. The three LED elements of the LED device are turned on and off sequentially, and the light modulator is operated synchronously with the sequential turning on-off of the LED elements, thereby projecting an image displayed on the light modulator as a multicolor image through the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koya Noba