Patents

LG has filed a patent called “Mobile terminal with image projection”. It's a system that allows a gesture/touch user interface on a projected image. The idea is a system that identifies a pointer (finger), the shadow of the finger on the projected image and the distance between those two. When you touch something on the image, the distance is shorter - and thus you have a 'touch event'. Gesture interface is done similarly.

Moject is a patented system of interacting with projected content. Basically it's a motion-controlled pico projector system. The idea is that you hold a pico-projector in your hands and use motion control sensors like a Wii remote. They have developed a prototype (based on an iPhone and a laser pico-projector plus a sample game they developed):

One of the nice things about Moject is that it allows you to get image stabilization and location fix. This means that even if you move your hand, the image will stay in the correct horizontal orientation (although you lose some image size of course) and they also know where you project from, so they can fix objects to locations. So if you pan left, and then right again, they'll know you're in the same location - which can be great in games...

The Moject guys have developed and patented the system, and built a prototype (as seen in the video above). They are looking for industry partners to help bring this to market - whether via mobile-phones, handhelds, media players - or anything that integrates a projector, really. Hopefully we'll hear more about them soon...

Apple has already been granted two pico-projector related patents in the past (iPhone with projector and a pico-projector system) and today we learned that they have a new patent showing a pico-projector enabled Macbook. Apple locates the projector on the side of the laptop, so you can work while projecting.

Via Patentlyapple

Back in June 2009, we reported that Apple has been awarded an iPhone pico-projector patent. A month later it was reported that they are actually working on such a device. Today we learn that Apple has filed a new projector related patent, that appears to be describing their work on a few different types of projection systems as opposed to a single projector system. This pico-projector can be integrated into a dedicated remote controller or in a client device (iPhone, iPod, laptop, etc.).

Apple pico-projector patent diagram March 2010

Via PatentlyApple

Display Photonics Systems (DPS) is a new start-up that has developed a new single-panel projection technology called Angular Color Projection (ACP). They claim that their solution is more efficient, brighter, smaller and cheaper than current solutions. DPS has already been granted some patents and created a fully working prototype. They are now seeking funding to complete product development and create a pilot production line in China.

ACP technology diagram

Here's how they describe the technology: RGB images are displayed side by side simultaneously on a single microdisplay panel and proprietary projection lens converges the RGB images to a full color image. At a certain plane within the projection lens, RGB color lights are distributed (encoded) at different angles. A set of dichroic mirrors are then used to converge RGB lights.

ACP can be used with an HID lamp, White LED, RGB LED or laser. The technology allows for future migration to OLED based (self emitting) projectors.

You're never too young to start inventing... David Baker, 13 years old, has received a patent for his Light Beam Delivery System design, which is a small pico projector that can be fit inside a pen. David has actually filed several patents over the last 3 years. 

The patent (#7,535,436) describes a laser-based projector with an innovative optics assembly that combines the 3 RGB beams and directs the light using a rotating disk. The projector runs at 30Hz.

Via NewsburyPort news