US20090309826A1 - Systems and devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems and devices that may be configured to facilitate content projection.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates to systems and devices that may be configured to facilitate content projection.
SUMMARY
• In one aspect, a device includes but is not limited to one or more housings, one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions, and one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
• In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions and circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
• In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to means for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions and means for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
• In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium bearing one or more instructions for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions and one or more instructions for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
• In one or more various aspects, means include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein referenced functional aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein referenced functional aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects means are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present disclosure.
• In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present application.
• The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1 illustrates anexample system100 in which embodiments may be implemented.
• FIG. 1A illustrates example components that may be implemented withinexample system100.
• FIG. 1B illustrates example components that may be implemented withinexample system100.
• FIG. 1C illustrates example components that may be implemented withinexample system100.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a device.
• FIG. 3 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 5 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 6 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 7 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 8 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 9 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 10 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 11 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 12 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 13 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 14 illustrates alternate embodiments of the device ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 15 illustrates a partial view of asystem1500 that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.
• While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
• FIG. 1 illustrates anexample system100 in which embodiments may be implemented. In some embodiments,system100 may include one ormore devices105. In some embodiments,system100 may include one or more housings110. In some embodiments,system100 may includedevice memory140. In some embodiments,system100 may include one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments,system100 may include one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments,system100 may include one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments,system100 may include one or moresensor control units170. In some embodiments,system100 may include one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments,system100 may include one ormore interface modules180. In some embodiments,system100 may include one ormore projection surfaces200. In some embodiments,system100 may include one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments,system100 may include one or moreexternal devices400. In some embodiments,system100 may includeexternal memory500. In some embodiments,system100 may provide for user600 interaction. In some embodiments,system100 may include two or more image stabilizedprojectors130 that project in a coordinated manner. For example, in some embodiments, two or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project the same content such that the projections are registered together to create a continuous projection.
Device
• Adevice105 may be configured to have numerous conformations. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a hand held device. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a computer mouse. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a hand held projector. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a hand held projector and laser pointer. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a mountable device. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as adevice105 that may be mounted to a ceiling. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a ceiling mounteddevice105 that may be configured to project content onto one or more portions of one or more substantially vertical surfaces. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a ceiling mounteddevice105 that may be configured to project content onto one or more portions of one or more substantially horizontal surfaces. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured as a ceiling mounteddevice105 that may be configured to project content onto one or more portions of one or more substantially vertical surfaces and onto one or more portions of one or more substantially horizontal surfaces. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content onto one or more portions of one or more tabletops. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be mounted onto a wall and configured to project content onto one or more tabletops. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be mounted and/or positioned onto a desk and configured to project content onto one or more desktops. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be mounted to or otherwise contained within another system, such as a desktop or mobile computer, PDA, cellular phone,camera163, video player, or other system, for the display of content associated with that system. Accordingly, adevice105 may be configured in numerous ways to project content onto numerous types of projection surfaces200.
• In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project in response to motion imparted to thedevice105. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content in manner that is dependent upon one or more substantially specific motions that are imparted to thedevice105. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content contained on pages of a book in a manner that is motion dependent. Accordingly, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content contained on the next page in a series upon rotation of thedevice105 in a clockwise direction. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content contained on the preceding page in a series upon rotation of thedevice105 in a counterclockwise direction. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content on the next page in a series upon being moved to the left from a starting position and then moved substantially back to the starting position. In some embodiments, thedevice105 may be configured to project content on the preceding page in a series upon being moved to the right from a starting position and then moved substantially back to the starting position. In some embodiments, adevice105 may select content to be projected in response to motion imparted to thedevice105. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content associated with a newspaper when thedevice105 is positioned in a first orientation and be configured to project content associated with a news magazine when positioned in a second orientation. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to correlate substantially specific motions with projection commands to select content in a motion dependent manner. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to correlate substantially specific motions with projection commands to project content in a motion dependent manner. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to correlate substantially specific motions with projection commands to select and project content in a motion dependent manner.
• In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project content in a manner that is dependent upon a person who is associated with thedevice105. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project children's content if held by a child. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project the statistics associated with various sports teams when associated with a first person and configured to project stock quotes when associated with a second person. Accordingly, adevice105 may be configured to project content that is selected in accordance with specific persons or classes of persons.
Housing
• Adevice105 may include one or more housings110. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to include one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, one or moreprojector control units120, one or moremotion response modules190, one or moresensor control units170, one ormore sensors150, one ormore interface modules180, or substantially any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured for use in ahandheld device105. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured for use in amountable device105. Accordingly, a housing110 may be configured to have numerous conformations. A housing110 may be constructed from numerous types of materials and combinations of materials. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, plastics, metals, papers, ceramics, and the like. In some embodiments, a housing110 may include electrical connections to provide for operable association of components associated with the housing110. In some embodiments, a housing110 may include optical connections to provide for operable association of components associated with the housing110.
Memory
• Adevice105 may include numerous types of memory. Examples of memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory, random access memory, read-only memory, hard drives, optical storage, and the like. In some embodiments, the memory located in thedevice105 may be dedicated for access from one or more individual components (e.g., one or more processors) contained in thedevice105. In some embodiments, the memory located in thedevice105 may be configured for system wide access. Adevice105 may have memory that is in numerous configurations. Examples of such configurations include, but are not limited to,device memory140,projector processor memory132,projector memory134,control processor memory122,control memory124,response processor memory192,response memory194,sensor processor memory172,sensor memory176, and substantially any combination thereof.
Image Stabilized Projector
• Adevice105 may include one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one ormore interface modules180. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or moresensor control units170. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated withdevice memory140. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one ormore projector processors131. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated withprojector processor memory132. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one ormore projector instructions133. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated withprojector memory134. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated withprojector memory instructions135. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or moreprojector calibration images136. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or morecontrol motion patterns127. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or moreexternal devices400. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated withexternal memory500. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be operably associated with one or more housings110.
• Adevice105 may include numerous types of image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may include inertia andyaw rate sensors161 that detect motion and provide for adjustment of projected content to compensate for the detected motion. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may include an optoelectronic inclination sensor and an optical position displacement sensor to provide for stabilized projection (e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No.: 2003/0038927). In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may include an optoelectronic inclination sensor, an optical position sensitive detector, and a piezoelectric accelerometer that provide for stabilized projection (e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No.: 2003/0038928). Image stabilizedprojectors130 have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,866; U.S. Published Patent Application Nos.: 20050280628; 20060103811, and 2006/0187421). In some embodiments, one or more projectors may be modified to become image stabilizedprojectors130. Examples of such projectors have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,002,505; 6,764,185; 6,811,264; 7,036,936; 6,626,543; 7,134,078; 7,355,584; U.S. Published Patent Application No.: 2007/0109509).
• Image stabilizedprojectors130 may be configured to project numerous wavelengths of light. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be configured to project ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be configured to project visible light. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be configured to project infrared light. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may be configured to project numerous combinations of light. For example, in some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may project one or more infrared calibration images and one or more visible images.
Motion Response Module
• In some embodiments,device105 may include one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one or moresensor control units170. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one ormore response processors191. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated withresponse processor memory192. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one or moreresponse processor instructions193. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated withresponse memory194. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one ormore response instructions195. In some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may be operably associated with one or moreresponse motion patterns196. In some embodiments, amotion response module190 may be configured to modulate output from an image stabilizedprojector130 in response to motion that is imparted to adevice105 that includes the image stabilizedprojector130. For example, in some embodiments, amotion response module190 may include one ormore motors198 that are operably coupled to one ormore actuators197 that control one or more lenses. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or moremotion response modules190 may focus output from an image stabilizedprojector130 in response to motion imparted to adevice105 that includes the image stabilizedprojector130.Motion response modules190 may be configured in numerous conformations to modulate output from an operably associated image stabilizedprojector130.
Projector Control Unit
• Adevice105 may include one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 and one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated with one ormore control processors121. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated withcontrol processor memory122. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated with one or morecontrol processor instructions123. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated withcontrol memory124. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated with one ormore control instructions125. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated with one or morecontrol calibration images126. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated with one or morecontrol motion patterns127. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be configured to modulate output projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to select one or more wavelengths of light that will be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select one or more wavelengths of ultraviolet light that will be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select one or more wavelengths of visible light that will be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select one or more wavelengths of infrared light that will be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select numerous wavelengths of light that will be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130.
• In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is to be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is to be projected in response to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is to be projected in response to motion associated withdevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is to be projected in response to motion associated with one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is not to be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is not to be projected in response to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is not to be projected in response to motion associated withdevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may select content that is not to be projected in response to motion associated with one or more projection surfaces200.
• In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may modulate output that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may modulate the intensity of light that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may modulate the brightness of light that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may modulate the contrast of light that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may modulate the sharpness of light that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130.
• In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may modulate the direction of output that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may direct output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 onto one or more moving projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may direct output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 onto one or more stationary projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may direct output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 onto one or more movingprojection surfaces200 and onto one or more stationary projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may direct output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 onto multiple projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may direct output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 onto afirst projection surface200 and direct output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 onto asecond projection surface200.
• In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may dynamically modulate output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. For example, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be carried from room to room such that one or moreprojector control units120 modulate output from the one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to theavailable projection surface200. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may dynamically modulate output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in an outdoor environment. For example, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be configured to project an image of one or more running companions, such as persons or animals, and one or moreprojector control units120 may dynamically modulate projection of the image in response to changing terrain.
• In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to respond to one or more substantially defined motions. In some embodiments, a user600 may program one or moreprojector control units120 to correlate one or more substantially defined motions with one or more projection commands. For example, in some embodiments, a user600 may program one or moreprojector control units120 to correlate clockwise motion ofdevice105 with a command to advance a projected slide presentation by one slide. Accordingly, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project in response to substantially defined motions that are programmed according to the preferences of an individual user600.
Sensor Control Unit
• Adevice105 may include one or moresensor control units170. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated withdevice memory140. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated with one ormore sensor processors171. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated withsensor processor memory172. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated with one or moresensor processor instructions173. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated withsensor memory176. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated with one ormore sensor instructions177. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be operably associated with one or moresensor motion patterns174.
• In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may signal a change in sensor response to one or more associated systems. For example, in some embodiments, a change in ambient light signal from one or more ambientlight sensors164,range sensors165,motion sensors151, orother sensors150 alone or in combination can be stored in memory for future diagnosis and/or be signaled to one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 where the change in ambient light may trigger a change inprojector130 output intensity. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may use prior sensor response, user input, or other stimulus, to activate or deactivate one ormore sensors150 or other subordinate features contained within one or moresensor control units170. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may use prior sensor response, user input, or other stimulus, to activate or deactivate one ormore sensors150 or other subordinate features contained within one or moresensor control units170.
Sensor
• Adevice105 may include one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be operably associated with one or moresensor control units170. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be operably associated with memory. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be operably associated with one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be operably associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be operably associated with one or moreprojection control units120. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be operably associated with one or more housings110.
• Adevice105 may include many types ofsensors150 alone or in combination. Examples ofsensors150 include, but are not limited to,cameras163,light sensors164,range sensors165,contact sensors166,entity sensors159,infrared sensors160,yaw rate sensors161,ultraviolet sensors162,inertial sensors155,ultrasonic sensors156,imaging sensors157,pressure sensors158,motion sensors151,gyroscopic sensors152, acoustic sensors153,biometric sensors154, and the like.
• In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be configured to detect motion that is imparted to one ormore devices105 that include the one ormore sensors150. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect motion may be operably associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to facilitate modulation of projection output in response to motion. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 through one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 through one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 through or independent of one or moresensor control units170.
Interface Module
• Adevice105 may include one ormore interface modules180. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated with one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated with one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated with one or moresensor control units170. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated with one or moreexternal devices400. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated withexternal memory500. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be operably associated with one or more user interfaces300.
• Aninterface module180 may communicate with other components ofsystem100 through use of numerous communication formats and combinations of communication formats. Examples of such formats include, but are not limited to,VGA 181, USB 185, wireless USB 189, RS-232 182, infrared 186,Bluetooth 18A, 802.11b/g/n 183, S-video 187,Ethernet 184, DVI-D 188, and the like. In some embodiments, aninterface module180 may include one ormore transmitters18B. In some embodiments, aninterface module180 may include one ormore receivers18C.
External Device
• Adevice105 may be operably associated with one or moreexternal devices400. Examples of suchexternal devices400 include, but are not limited to, projectors, recording devices, projection surfaces200, image acquiring surfaces, image printing surfaces (e.g., aprojection surface200 that facilitates the printing or other recordation of content projected on the surface), networks, the internet, wireless devices (e.g., personal digital assistant, cellular telephones, telephones, television transmissions, etc.),receivers18C,transmitters18B, and the like.
External Memory
• Adevice105 may be operably associated withexternal memory500. Examples of suchexternal memory500 include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, memory cards, external hard drives, networked storage, and the like. In some embodiments, display content is retrieved fromexternal memory500. In some embodiments, sensor data, operational parameters, usage information, or other device or subsystem information can be stored onexternal memory500.
User Interface
• Adevice105 may include one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments, adevice105 may include one or more user interfaces300 that are configured as gestural user interfaces300. In some embodiments, adevice105 may project content in response to substantially specific motion that is imparted to thedevice105. For example, in some embodiments, a user600 may rotate ahandheld device105 in a clockwise direction to advance the projection of a slide presentation by one frame. In some embodiments, adevice105 may respond to user input acquired through sensor information other than motion. For example, in some embodiments, acoustic sensors153 may be employed for response to voice commands or other auditory signals. In some embodiments,cameras163 or other imaging detectors may use user location, user gestures, laser pointer location, and/or other information as an input signal. In some embodiments, adevice105 may include one or more user interfaces300 that are configured as control features on adevice105. Examples of such control features include, but are not limited to, buttons, switches, track balls, and the like.
User
• Adevice105 may be operated by one or more users600. In some embodiments, a user600 may be human. In some embodiments, a user600 may be a non-human user600. For example, in some embodiments, a user600 may be a computer, a robot, and the like. In some embodiments, a user600 may be proximate to adevice105. In some embodiments, a user600 may be remote from adevice105.
• Following are a series of charts depicting implementations. For ease of understanding, the charts are organized such that the initial charts present implementations via an example implementation and thereafter the following charts present alternate implementations and/or expansions of the initial chart(s) as either sub-component operations or additional component operations building on one or more earlier-presented charts. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the style of presentation utilized herein (e.g., beginning with a presentation of a chart(s) presenting an example implementation and thereafter providing additions to and/or further details in subsequent charts) generally allows for a rapid and easy understanding of the various process implementations. In addition, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the style of presentation used herein also lends itself well to modular and/or object-oriented program design paradigms.
• FIG. 2 illustratesembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100. InFIG. 2, discussion and explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described example ofFIG. 1, and/or with respect to other examples and contexts. However, it should be understood that the modules may execute operations in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or modified versions ofFIG. 1. Also, although the various modules are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the various modules may be configured in numerous orientations.
• Theembodiment200 may includemodule210 that includes one or more housings. In some embodiments,device105 may include one or more housings110. A housing110 may exhibit numerous configurations. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured as a handheld housing111. For example, in some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured as a computer mouse. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured as a laser pointer. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured as a mountable housing113. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be attached to a person. For example, in some embodiments, a housing110 that includes an image stabilizedprojector130 may be configured to be attached to a runner so that the image stabilizedprojector130 can project an image of a running companion next to the runner. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be attached to a building. For example, in some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be mounted onto a wall, a floor, a ceiling, and the like. Accordingly, a housing110 may be configured in numerous ways.
• Theembodiment200 may includemodule220 that includes one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions. In some embodiments,device105 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be preconfigured to respond to one or more substantially defined motions. For example, in some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be preconfigured to respond to a substantially rightward motion followed by return to a starting position by advancing the progression of a presentation being projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be preconfigured to respond to a substantially upward motion followed by return to a starting position by increasing the volume of sound being projected from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. Accordingly, in some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be preconfigured to response to numerous substantially defined motions. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be configurable to respond to one or more substantially user600 defined motions. For example, in some embodiments, a user600 may select substantially defined motions to which a projector control unit will respond. For example, in some embodiments, a user600 may cause aprojector control unit120 to correlate clockwise motion with advancement of a projection series. Accordingly, in some embodiments, numerous substantially defined motions may be correlated with commands for controlling the operation of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, the parameters of one or more substantially defined motions that are recognized by one or moreprojector control units120 may be set by one or more users600. For example, in some embodiments, the minimum acceleration imparted to one ormore devices105 that is recognized by one or moreprojector control units120 may be set by one or more users600. Accordingly, numerous substantially defined motions that are recognized by one or moreprojector control units120 may be set by one or more users600.
• Theembodiment200 may includemodule230 that includes one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units. In some embodiments,device105 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces200 and that are operably associated with one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be responsive to numerous features associated with one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, an image stabilizedprojector130 may vary the brightness of projection based on one or more features of one or more projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may increase projection flux if one or more projection surfaces200 are in bright light. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may decrease projection flux if one or more projection surfaces200 are in dim light. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may modulate one or more projections in response to one or more calibration images. For example, in some embodiments, two or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project an image that is modulated in response to a calibration image to cause the projected image to be in register. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may modulate a projected image in response to movement of aprojection surface200. For example, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project a first content set when aprojection surface200 is in a first position and project a second content set when theprojection surface200 is in a second position. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may modulate a projected image in response to a conformation of aprojection surface200. For example, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project a first content set when aprojection surface200 is in a first conformation and project a second content set when theprojection surface200 is in a second conformation. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be configured to respond to one or more substantially defined motions and one or more features of one or more projection surfaces200.
• FIG. 3 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 3 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule210. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment302, anembodiment304, an embodiment306, anembodiment308, and/or an embodiment310.
• Atembodiment302,module210 may include one or more housings that are configured as a handheld device. In some embodiments, one or more housings110 may include one or more housings110 that are configured as ahandheld device105. A housing110 may be configured to include numerous components ofdevice105. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, one or moreprojection control units120, one or moremotion response modules190, one or more memories, one ormore sensors150, one or moresensor control units170, and one ormore interface modules180. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured as a handheld projector. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured as a handheld computer mouse. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured as a handheld laser pointer. Accordingly, a housing110 may exhibit numerous conformations.
• Atembodiment304,module210 may include one or more mountable housings. In some embodiments, one or more housings110 may include one or more housings110 that are configured as a mountable housing113. A housing110 may be configured to include numerous components ofdevice105. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, one or moreprojection control units120, one or moremotion response modules190, one or more memories, one ormore sensors150, one or moresensor control units170, and one ormore interface modules180. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be mounted on a building structure. For example, in some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be mounted on a wall, a floor, a ceiling, or substantially any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more housings110 may be configured to be mounted on one or more building structures and be configured to project content onto one or more projection surfaces200 that are building structures. Examples of such projection surfaces200 include, but are not limited to, walls, floors, ceilings, or substantially any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be mounted on a vehicle or a portion of a vehicle. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to be mounted on an airplane seat such that thedevice105 projects content onto a table associated with the airplane seat. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be mounted on a person. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be mounted onto a headband, an armband, a belt, and the like, such that it may be worn by a person.
• At embodiment306,module210 may include one or more ceiling mountable housings. In some embodiments, one or more housings110 may include one or more housings110 that are configured as a ceiling mountable housing113. A housing110 may be configured to include numerous components ofdevice105. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, one or moreprojection control units120, one or moremotion response modules190, one or more memories, one ormore sensors150, one or moresensor control units170, and one ormore interface modules180.
• Atembodiment308,module210 may include one or more desk mountable housings. In some embodiments, one or more housings110 may include one or more housings110 that are configured as a desk mountable housing113. A housing110 may be configured to include numerous components ofdevice105. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, one or moreprojection control units120, one or moremotion response modules190, one or more memories, one ormore sensors150, one or moresensor control units170, and one ormore interface modules180. In some embodiments, a housing110 may be configured to be mounted onto a desk. Accordingly, in some embodiments a housing110 may be configured to project content onto a desktop. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to project pages of a book onto a desktop in a manner that is responsive to motion that is imparted to thedevice105.
• At embodiment310,module210 may include one or more housings that are configured to enclose the one or more projector control units and the one or more image-stabilized projectors. In some embodiments, one or more housings110 may include one or more housings110 that are configured to enclose one or moreprojector control units120 and one or more image-stabilized projectors. A housing110 may be configured to include numerous components, and combinations of components, ofdevice105. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, one or moreprojection control units120, one or moremotion response modules190, one or more memories, one ormore sensors150, one or moresensor control units170, one ormore transmitters18B, one ormore receivers18C, and one ormore interface modules180.
• FIG. 4 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 4 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule220. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment402, anembodiment404, anembodiment406, anembodiment408, and/or anembodiment410.
• Atembodiment402,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensor control units that are configured to operate one or more sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moresensor control units170 that are configured to operate one ormore sensors150. Aprojector control unit120 may be configured to operate numerous types ofsensors150 and combinations ofsensors150. Examples ofsuch sensors150 include, but are not limited to,cameras163,light sensors164,range sensors165, contact sensors,entity sensors159,infrared sensors160,yaw rate sensors161, ultraviolet sensors,inertial sensors155,ultrasonic sensors156,imaging sensors157, pressure sensors,motion sensors151,gyroscopic sensors152, acoustic sensors153, biometric sensors, and the like. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include one or more processors. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include one or more processors that are operably associated with memory. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include one or more processors that are operably associated with memory that includes operating instructions.
• In some embodiments, the operating instructions may use thresholds, image recognition, pattern recognition, and/or other event detection mechanisms to evaluate sensor information. In some embodiments, the sensor information and processing evaluation may be stored in one or more associated memory modules. In some embodiments, processor instructions may enable a logic module responsible for triggering one or more operating instructions based upon the sensor data and processing evaluation of the sensor information. In some embodiments, the operating instructions may include enabling or disabling the output of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, adjusting the output intensity of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, adjusting the focus of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, adjusting the image projection angle and shape of one or more images projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, and the like. In some embodiments, the operating instructions may include the enabling and/or disabling of one ormore sensors150, the enabling and/or disabling of one or more user interfaces300, and the like.
• In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include one or more operating instructions. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include memory. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include memory that includes one or more operating instructions.
• In some embodiments, the operating instructions may include algorithms associated with the normal operation of thedevice105. These algorithms may include operational steps for starting up the projector system, operational steps for shutting down the projector system, operational steps for projecting content, operational steps for projecting content in conjunction with one or more additional projector systems in a tiled, overlapping, alternating, and/or other such mode, and the like.
• In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include one or more calibration images. In some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may include one or more calibration images that are stored in memory. Calibration images may exhibit numerous configurations. Examples of such configurations include, but are not limited to, grid patterns, pictures, geometric shapes, and the like. In some embodiments, a calibration image may be configured as a portion of a complete image. In some embodiments, a first image stabilizedprojector130 may be configured to project a first portion of a calibration image and a second image stabilizedprojector130 may be configured to project a second portion of a calibration image that completes the image. Accordingly, calibration images that are projected from more than one image stabilizedprojector130 may be brought into register through the use of calibration images. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be used to correct one or more projected images on one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be used to calibrate one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to project in response to anirregular projection surface200. For example, in some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be used to focus content that is projected on one or more rounded projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be used to focus content that is projected on one or more irregular projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be used to calibrate output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one or more changes in conformation associated with one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be used to calibrate output from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to motion associated with one or more projection surfaces200.
• Atembodiment404,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150. Aprojector control unit120 may be operably associated with numerous types ofsensors150 and combinations ofsensors150. Examples ofsuch sensors150 include, but are not limited to,cameras163,light sensors164,range sensors165,contact sensors166,entity sensors159,infrared sensors160,yaw rate sensors161,ultraviolet sensors162,inertial sensors155,ultrasonic sensors156,imaging sensors157,pressure sensors158,motion sensors151,gyroscopic sensors152, acoustic sensors153,biometric sensors154, and the like. Numerous types ofsensors150 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,328,616; 7,155,978; 6,675,630; 5,747,690; 7,232,700; 7,191,653; 7,159,441; 7,043,987; 7,355,584; 7,134,078; 6,626,543; 7,036,936; 6,811,264; 6,764,185; 6,002,505; 7,284,866; 7,301,648; 6,310,988; U.S. Published Patent Applications: 2006/0187421; 20060103811; 20050280628; 2003/0038928; 2003/0038927)(Boeing, Inc., Seattle, Wash.; Hobby Services, Champaign, Ill.; Institute for Photonic Microsystems, Dresden; Intersense, Inc., Bedford, Mass.).
• Atembodiment406,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more motion sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore motion sensors151. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one or more motion detectors. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may advance a slide show in response to clockwise motion imparted to adevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may reverse a slide show in response to counter clockwise motion imparted to adevice105. One or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with numerous types of motion detectors. In some embodiments, a motion detector may be an inertial detector. In some embodiments, a motion detector may be an accelerometer. In some embodiments, a motion detector may be acamera163 that is configured to detect one or more fiducials on aprojection surface200. Accordingly, adevice105 may include numerous types of motion detectors. Numerous types of motion detectors have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,573,887; 7,355,583; Intersense, Inc., Bedford, Mass.).
• Atembodiment408,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more gyroscopic sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moregyroscopic sensors152. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one or moregyroscopic sensors152. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may advance a slide show in response to leftward motion imparted to adevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may reverse a slide show in response to rightward motion imparted to adevice105. Numerous types ofgyroscopic sensors152 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,043,987; 7,159,441; 7,191,653; 7,232,700; 5,747,690; 6,675,630; Boeing, Inc., Seattle, Wash.; Hobby Services, Champaign, Ill.).
• Atembodiment410,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more laser gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or more laser gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one or more laser gyroscopes. For example, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to motion detected with one or more laser gyroscopes. Numerous types of laser gyroscopes have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,330,269; 6,498,651; 5,757,490; 5,469,258; 7,245,381; Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, N.J.).
• FIG. 5 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 5 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule220. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment502, anembodiment504, anembodiment506, anembodiment508, and/or anembodiment510.
• Atembodiment502,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more silicon gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or more silicon gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one or more silicon gyroscopes. For example, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to motion detected with one or more silicon gyroscopes. Silicon laser gyroscopes have been described and are commercially available (e.g., Boeing, Inc., Seattle, Wash.).
• Atembodiment504,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more inertial sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moreinertial sensors155. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one or moreinertial sensors155. For example, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to motion detected with one or moreinertial sensors155. In some embodiments, one or moreinertial sensors155 may be micro-electro-mechanical systemsinertial sensors155 that combine electrical and mechanical inertial sensing components. In some embodiments,such sensors150 may be accelerometers that include miniature proof masses and sensing electronics and gyroscopes based on the coriolis effect using vibrating forks. Numerous types ofinertial sensors155 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,363,816; 7,337,669; 7,287,428; 7,270,003; 7,252,002; 7,209,569; Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, N.J.).
• Atembodiment506,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more yaw rate sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moreyaw rate sensors161. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one or moreyaw rate sensors161. For example, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to motion detected with one or moreyaw rate sensors161. Numerous types ofyaw rate sensors161 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,516,666; 6,708,087; 6,550,331; Nippon Denso Corp., Japan).
• Atembodiment508,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more pressure sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or more pressure sensors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore pressure sensors158. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to pressure exerted on adevice105 as determined with one ormore pressure sensors158. For example, adevice105 may be squeezed to advance a slide presentation. In some embodiments, apressure sensor158 may be a capacitive pressure sensor158: In some embodiments, a pressure sensor may be a multiplexed fiber optic sensor. In some embodiments, apressure sensor158 may be a micro-electro-mechanical system pressure sensor. Accordingly, adevice105 may include numerous types ofpressure sensors158. Numerous types ofpressure sensors158 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,382,599; 4,320,664; 7,379,630; 7,373,833; National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif.).
• Atembodiment510,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more persons. For example, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to detection of one or more persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that utilize biometric analysis to detect one or more persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that utilize voice recognition to detect one or more persons. Accordingly, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with numerous types ofsensors150 that are configured to detect one or more persons.
• FIG. 6 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 6 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule220. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment602, anembodiment604, anembodiment606, anembodiment608, anembodiment610, anembodiment612, and/or anembodiment614.
• Atembodiment602,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more specific persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more specific persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more specific persons. For example, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to detection of one or more specific persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more specific persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that utilize biometric analysis to detect one or more specific persons. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that utilize voice recognition to detect one or more specific persons. Accordingly, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with numerous types ofsensors150 that are configured to detect one or more specific persons.
• Atembodiment604,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more cameras. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore cameras163. For example, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project content in response to detection of one or more changes in the conformation of one or more projection surfaces200 that are detected through use of one ormore cameras163.
• In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may focus one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore cameras163. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may align one or more images projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore cameras163. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to detection of one or more calibration images that are detected with one ormore cameras163.
• Atembodiment606,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect one or more calibration images. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more calibration images. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more calibration images. In some embodiments, the one or more calibration images may be projected by one or more projectors. In some embodiments, the one or more calibration images may be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, the one or more calibration images may be associated with one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be permanently associated with one or more projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, aprojection surface200 may include a calibration image that is printed onto theprojection surface200. In some embodiments, aprojection surface200 may include a calibration image that is printed onto theprojection surface200 with ink that transmits light in a non-visible range. Accordingly, in some embodiments, acamera163 may be used to detect non-visible light that is emitted from aprojection surface200.
• Atembodiment608,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect content. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect content. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect content that is displayed on one or more projection surfaces200.
• Atembodiment610,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect one or more projected calibration images. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more projected calibration images. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more projected calibration images. In some embodiments, the one or more calibration images may be projected by one or more projectors. In some embodiments, the one or more calibration images may be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, a visible calibration image may be projected by one or more projectors. In some embodiments, a visible calibration image may be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, a projected calibration image may be projected with light that is in the non-visible range such that the calibration image is not visible to the human eye. For example, in some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be projected with infrared light. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be projected with ultraviolet light.
• Atembodiment612,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect projected content. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect projected content. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect content that is projected onto one or more projection surfaces200.
• Atembodiment614,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may control one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to user input received through one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments, a user600 may interface with one or moreprojector control units120 through imparting motion to adevice105. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user600 shaking adevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user600 rotating adevice105 in a clockwise direction. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user600 rotating adevice105 in a counter clockwise direction. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user600 squeezing adevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user interface300 that includes a trackball. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user interface300 that includes a touchscreen. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user interface300 that includes a keyboard. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to a user interface300 that includes one or more buttons. Accordingly, numerous types of user interfaces300 may be used.
• FIG. 7 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 7 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule220. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment702, an embodiment704, anembodiment706, anembodiment708, and/or anembodiment710.
• Atembodiment702,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more motion response modules. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190. In some embodiments, amotion response module190 may include one or more processors, memory, instructions, motion patterns,actuators197,motors198, and the like. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190 that include circuitry for correlating one or more motions with one or more projector commands. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190 that include one or more lookup tables. Accordingly, in some embodiments, amotion response module190 may be configured to use one or more lookup tables to correlate one or more motions with one or more projector commands. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190 may be configured focus one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to motion. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190 may be configured to select content that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to motion. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moremotion response modules190 may be configured to select content that is not projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to motion.
• At embodiment704,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are configured to respond to the one or more substantially defined motions. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are configured to respond to one or more substantially defined motions. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to respond to one or more substantially defined motions that are preprogrammed. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to respond to clockwise rotation of adevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to respond to one or more substantially defined motions that are not preprogrammed. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured by one or more users600 to respond to user defined motions. For example, in some embodiments, a user may configure one or moreprojector control units120 to focus one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to shaking adevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to respond to numerous types of substantially defined motions and combinations of substantially defined motions. Examples of such substantially defined motions include, but are not limited to, shaking with a substantially defined frequency (e.g., with a range of measurable frequencies), rotation of adevice105 at a substantially defined rate (e.g., rotation about an axis at a rate that is within a range of measurable rates), striking adevice105 with a substantially defined force (e.g., a force within a range of measurable forces), and the like. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to numerous types of substantially defined motions.
• Atembodiment706,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more rotary motions. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are configurable to respond to one or more rotary motions. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configurable to respond to numerous types of rotary motions and combinations of rotary motions. Examples of such rotary motions include, but are not limited to, rotation about a substantially horizontal axis (e.g., rotation about an axis that is within +/− ten degrees from the horizontal), rotation about a substantially vertical axis (e.g., rotation about an axis that is within +/− ten degrees from the vertical), rotation about an axis having a substantially defined angle from the horizontal (e.g., an axis that is within about thirty-five to about fifty-five degrees from the horizontal), circular rotation (e.g., rotating adevice105 in a way analogous to rotating a laser pointer to draw a circle on a screen), and the like.
• Atembodiment708,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially linear motions. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially linear motions. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configurable to respond to numerous types of substantially linear motions and combinations of linear motions. Examples of such substantially linear motions include, but are not limited to, motion of adevice105 in a substantially side-to-side motion, motion of adevice105 in a substantially up and down motion, motion of adevice105 in a substantially diagonal motion relative to a vertical axis, motion of adevice105 in a substantially diagonal motion relative to a horizontal axis and the like. For example, in some embodiments, aprojector control unit120 may be configured to respond to a left then right motion in a substantially horizontal position that is imparted to adevice105. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or moregyroscopic sensors152 to facilitate detection of motion. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or moreinertial sensors155 to facilitate detection of motion. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to respond to one or more substantially linear motions. Accordingly, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configurable to respond to numerous types of substantially linear motions.
• Atembodiment710,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to acceleration. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are configurable to respond to acceleration. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or more accelerometers. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configurable to respond to shock. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may respond to adevice105 being struck. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured to advance a projected slide show by one frame in response to adevice105 being tapped on a surface. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be preconfigured to respond to acceleration. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured by one or more users600 to respond to acceleration.
• FIG. 8 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 8 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule220. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment802, anembodiment804, anembodiment806, anembodiment808, and/or anembodiment810.
• Atembodiment802,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to negative acceleration. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are configurable to respond to negative acceleration. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or more accelerometers. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be preconfigured to respond to negative acceleration. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured by one or more users600 to respond to negative acceleration.
• Atembodiment804,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to impact. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are configurable to respond to impact. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with one or more accelerometers. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be preconfigured to respond to impact. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may be configured by one or more users600 to respond to impact.
• Atembodiment806,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with memory. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with memory. One or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with numerous types of memory that act alone or in combination with other types of memory. Examples of types of memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory, random access memory, read-only memory, hard drives, optical storage, and the like. In some embodiments, memory may include one or more stored calibration images (e.g., coordinates corresponding to one or more calibration images). In some embodiments, memory may be associated with one or more processors and include program instructions for the one or more processors. For example, in some embodiments, memory may include one or more look up tables that correlate one or more motions with one or more projector commands (e.g., commands to advance a slide, commands to focus, commands to shut off a projector, commands to turn on a projector, etc.). In some embodiments, memory may include one or more instructions for controlling one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to detection of one or more calibration images (e.g., focusing one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, aligning one or more images projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130, etc.).
• Atembodiment808,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with memory that includes control processor instructions. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with memory that includescontrol processor instructions123. In some embodiments, program instructions may include instructions to direct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to project preselected content. In some embodiments,control processor instructions123 may include instructions to direct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to selected content that is to be projected. In some embodiments,control processor instructions123 may include instructions to direct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to project selected content that is to be projected in response to one or more substantially defined motions imparted to adevice105. In some embodiments,control processor instructions123 may include instructions to direct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to select content for projection in response to use by adevice105 by a specific person. For example, in some embodiments, program instructions may cause one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to project children's content if adevice105 containing the image stabilizedprojector130 is used by a child. In some embodiments,control processor instructions123 may include instructions to access a database in response to one or more substantially defined motions imparted to adevice105. In some embodiments,control processor instructions123 may include instructions to access a look up table in response to one or more substantially defined motions imparted to adevice105. Accordingly, in some embodiments,control processor instructions123 may include instructions to correlate one or more substantially defined motions with one or more projector commands that control operation of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130.
• Atembodiment810,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more projector control processors. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or more projector control processors. In some embodiments, one or more projector control processors may be configured to execute program instructions that are associated with theprojector control unit120. For example, in some embodiments, one or more projector control processors may be configured to receive input associated with one ormore sensors150 and correlate that input with one or more projector commands to control projection by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or more projector control processors may be configured to receive input associated with one or moresensor control units170 and correlate that input with one or more projector commands to control projection by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or more projector control processors may be configured to receive input associated with one or more calibration images and correlate that input with one or more projector commands to control projection by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. For example, in some embodiments, one or more projector control processors may be configured to receive input associated with one or more calibration images and compare that input with one or more reference calibration images that are kept in memory. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more projector control processors may be configured to control projection by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 in response to input associated with one or more calibration images.
• FIG. 9 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 9 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule220. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment902, an embodiment904, anembodiment906, anembodiment908, an embodiment910, and/or anembodiment912.
• Atembodiment902,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more interface modules. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore interface modules180. Aninterface module180 may communicate with other components ofsystem100 through use of numerous communication formats and combinations of communications formats. Examples of such formats include, but are not limited to,VGA 181, USB 185, wireless USB 189, RS-232 182, infrared 186,Bluetooth 18A, 802.11b/g/n 183, S-video 187,Ethernet 184, DVI-D 188, and the like. Accordingly, in some embodiments, adevice105 may receive one or more operating instructions from one or moreexternal devices400. In some embodiments, adevice105 may be configured to be able to participate within a communications system. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may receive one or more signals that include instructions for operating one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore devices105 may receive one or more signals that include content that is to be projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may receive television broadcast signals that allow adevice105 to project television programming. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may cooperate to couple two ormore devices105 together. Accordingly, in some embodiments, two ormore devices105 may cooperatively act to synchronously project content. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may facilitate communication between one ormore devices105 with one or more printers. Accordingly, in some embodiments, content may be printed from one ormore devices105. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may facilitate communication between one ormore devices105 withexternal memory500. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may facilitate communication between one ormore devices105 with one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be configured to facilitate delivery of software updates todevice105. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be configured as a docking station into which adevice105 may be placed. Accordingly, in some embodiments, adevice105 may receive content through use of aninterface module180. For example, in some embodiments, content (e.g., movies, slide presentations, etc.) may be transferred to adevice105 through use of aninterface module180.
• At embodiment904,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more interface modules that are configured for operable association with one or more external devices. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore interface modules180 that are configured for operable association with one or moreexternal devices400. Accordingly, in some embodiments, adevice105 may receive operating instructions from one or moreexternal devices400 that may instruct operation of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or more external memories may be coupled to one ormore devices105 through use of aninterface module180 to transfer content into memory that is associated with the one ormore devices105. For example, in some embodiments, movies may be transferred to adevice105 from one or more external memories through use of aninterface module180. In some embodiments, one ormore interface modules180 may be used to couple one ormore devices105 into a communications network such that one or moreprojector control units120 associated with the one ormore devices105 may be cooperatively controlled within a communications system. Accordingly, interaction of adevice105 with numerous types ofexternal devices400 may be facilitated through use of one ormore interface modules180.
• Atembodiment906,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more interface modules that are configured for operable association with external memory. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore interface modules180 that are configured for operable association withexternal memory500. In some embodiments, one or moreexternal memories500 may be coupled to one ormore devices105 through use of aninterface module180 to transfer content into memory that is associated with the one ormore devices105. For example, in some embodiments, movies may be transferred to adevice105 from one or moreexternal memories500 through use of aninterface module180.
• Atembodiment908,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces300. One or moreprojector control units120 may be operably associated with numerous types of user interfaces300 and combinations of user interfaces300. Examples of such user interfaces300 include, but are not limited to, track balls, keyboards, buttons, touch screens, and the like. In some embodiments, a user interface300 may be a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, etc.). Accordingly, in some embodiments, adevice105 may include one ormore interface modules180 that facilitate communication between thedevice105 and a computer.
• At embodiment910,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors200 may be configured to detect one or more fiducials associated with the one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be configured to detect one or more calibration images associated with the one or more projection surfaces200. Accordingly, sensors may be configured in numerous ways to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces200.
• Atembodiment912,module220 may include one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces. In some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may include one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one or moreprojector control units120 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be configured to detect one or more changes in position of one or more fiducials associated with the one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors150 may be configured to detect one or more changes in position of one or more calibration images associated with the one or more projection surfaces200. Accordingly,sensors150 may be configured in numerous ways to detect one or more changes in conformations of one or more projection surfaces200.
• FIG. 10 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 10 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule230. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment1002, anembodiment1004, anembodiment1006, anembodiment1008, and/or an embodiment1010.
• Atembodiment1002,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensor control units that are configured to operate one or more sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or moresensor control units170 that are configured to operate one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, asensor control unit170 may include one ormore sensor processors171, processor memory,sensor memory176, processor instructions,sensor instructions177, motion patterns, calibration images, and substantially any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be configured to control one ormore sensors150. Asensor control unit170 may be configured to control numerous types ofsensors150 alone or in combination. Examples ofsensors150 include, but are not limited to,cameras163,light sensors164,range sensors165,contact sensors166,entity sensors159,infrared sensors160,yaw rate sensors161,ultraviolet sensors162,inertial sensors155,ultrasonic sensors156,imaging sensors157,pressure sensors158,motion sensors151,gyroscopic sensors152, acoustic sensors153,biometric sensors154, and the like. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may include one ormore sensor processors171. In some embodiments, one ormore sensor processors171 may be configured to receive information from one ormore sensors150 and configure the information for use by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore sensor processors171 may be configured to receive information from one ormore sensors150 and configure the information for use by one or moreprojector control units120. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be configured to operate one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, one or moresensor control units170 may be configured to control the sensitivity of one ormore sensors150. For example, in some embodiments, asensor control unit170 may be configured to adject the sensitivity of one or morelight sensors164 in response to the amount of ambient light detected.
• Atembodiment1004,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one ormore sensors150. For example, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or more light meters. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may include instructions for interpreting information received from one ormore sensors150. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one ormore sensors150. For example, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or morebiometric sensors154 through one or moresensor control units170. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may include instructions for interpreting information received from one or moresensor control units170.
• Atembodiment1006,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more light sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or morelight sensors164. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or morelight sensors164. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or morelight sensors164. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be linked to one or morelight sensors164 that detect light intensity. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be linked to one or morelight sensors164 that detect selected wavelengths of light. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sensors164 may be configured to detect infrared light. In some embodiments, one or morelight sensors164 may be configured to detect ultraviolet light. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be invisible to the human eye but detectable with one or morelight sensors164.
• Atembodiment1008,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more range sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore range sensors165. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one ormore range sensors165. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one ormore range sensors165. One or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may be operably associated with numerous types ofrange sensors165. Examples ofsuch range sensors165 include, but are not limited to, laser range finders, acoustic range finders, radar, infrared range finders, and the like. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be responsive to the distance that aprojection surface200 is from the one or more image stabilizedprojectors130.
• At embodiment1010,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more acoustic sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or more acoustic sensors153. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or more acoustic sensors153. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or more acoustic sensors153. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be configured to respond to one or more acoustic signals. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be configured to respond to voice commands.
• FIG. 11 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 11 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule230. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment1102, anembodiment1104, anembodiment1106, anembodiment1108, and/or anembodiment1110.
• Atembodiment1102,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more ultrasonic sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or moreultrasonic sensors156. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or moreultrasonic sensors156. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or moreultrasonic sensors156. In some embodiments, one or moreultrasonic sensors156 may be configured to determine one or more distances to one or more projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreultrasonic sensors156 may be configured to determine one or more distances from one or more projection surfaces200 to one or more projection surfaces200. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may focus projected content in response to one or moreultrasonic sensors156.Ultrasonic sensors156 have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,549,487; 6,909,670; 4,779,240).
• Atembodiment1104,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more infrared sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or moreinfrared sensors160. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or moreinfrared sensors160. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or moreinfrared sensors160. In some embodiments, one or moreinfrared sensors160 may be configured to detect one or more calibration images. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project in response to one or moreinfrared sensors160.Infrared sensors160 have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,361,899; 7,332,717; 7,282,712; 7,259,658).
• Atembodiment1106,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more ultraviolet sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or moreultraviolet sensors162. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or moreultraviolet sensors162. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or moreultraviolet sensors162. In some embodiments, one or moreultraviolet sensors162 may be configured to detect one or more wavelengths of ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, one or moreultraviolet sensors162 may be configured to detect one or more wavelengths of ultraviolet light that are being projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130.Ultraviolet sensors162 have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,193,241; 6,551,493).
• Atembodiment1108,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more motion sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one ormore motion sensors151. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one ormore motion sensors151. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one ormore motion sensors151. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may project in response to motion imparted to adevice105 and detected with one ormore motion sensors151. For example, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be rotated in a clockwise direction to select content that is to be projected. Accordingly, numerous motions may be correlated with numerous projector commands that can be used to control projection from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore motion sensors151 may be configured to detect motion that is independent of one ormore devices105. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore motion sensors151 may be configured to detect motion of one or more objects that may block content that is projected by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 from reaching one or more projection surfaces200. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be configured to alter the direction of projected content in response to one ormore motion sensors151.
• Atembodiment1110,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more contact sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore contact sensors166. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one ormore motion sensors151. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one ormore motion sensors151. Contactsensors166 may be configured in numerous ways. For example, in some embodiments, acontact sensor166 may be configured as apressure sensor158. Accordingly, in some embodiments, adevice105 may be squeezed to facilitate control of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore contact sensors166 may be configured to detect placement of adevice105 on a surface (e.g., a desk, a shelf, etc.).
• FIG. 12 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 12 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule230. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment1202, anembodiment1204, anembodiment1206, anembodiment1208, and/or anembodiment1210.
• Atembodiment1202,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more imaging sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore imaging sensors157. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one ormore imaging sensors157. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one ormore imaging sensors157.Imaging sensors157 may be configured in numerous ways. In some embodiments, one ormore imaging sensors157 may be configured to obtain conformation information associated with one or more projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, animaging sensor157 may be configured to detect one or more fiducials associated with one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one ormore imaging sensors157 may be configured to obtain information associated with one or more calibration images. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore imaging sensors157 may be used to facilitate alignment of two or more projections from two or more image stabilizedprojectors130.
• Atembodiment1204,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more gyroscopic sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or moregyroscopic sensors152. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or moregyroscopic sensors152. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or moregyroscopic sensors152. In some embodiments, one or moregyroscopic sensors152 may be used to stabilize one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. Numerous types ofgyroscopic sensors152 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,043,987; 7,159,441; 7,191,653; 7,232,700; 5,747,690; 6,675,630; Boeing, Inc., Seattle, Wash.; Hobby Services, Champaign, Ill.).
• Atembodiment1206,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more laser gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or more laser gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or more laser gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or more laser gyroscopes. In some embodiments, one or more laser gyroscopes may be used to stabilize one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. Numerous types of laser gyroscopes have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,330,269; 6,498,651; 5,757,490; 5,469,258; 7,245,381; Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, N.J.).
• Atembodiment1208,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more inertial sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or moreinertial sensors155. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or moreinertial sensors155. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or moreinertial sensors155. In some embodiments, one or moreinertial sensors155 may be used to stabilize one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or moreinertial sensors155 may be micro-electro-mechanical systemsinertial sensors155 that combine electrical and mechanical inertial sensing components. In some embodiments,such sensors150 may be accelerometers that include miniature proof masses and sensing electronics and gyroscopes based on the coriolis effect using vibrating forks. Numerous types ofinertial sensors155 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,363,816; 7,337,669; 7,287,428; 7,270,003; 7,252,002; 7,209,569; Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, N.J.).
• Atembodiment1210,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more yaw rate sensors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or moreyaw rate sensors161. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be directly linked to one or moreyaw rate sensors161. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be indirectly linked to one or moreyaw rate sensors161. In some embodiments, one or moreyaw rate sensors161 may be used to stabilize one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. Numerous types ofyaw rate sensors161 have been described and are commercially available (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,516,666; 6,708,087; 6,550,331; Nippon Denso Corp., Japan).
• FIG. 13 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 13 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule230. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment1302, anembodiment1304, anembodiment1306, anembodiment1308, anembodiment1310, anembodiment1312, and/or anembodiment1314.
• Atembodiment1302,module230 may include one or more projectors that are configured to project one or more calibration images. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are configured to project one or more calibration images. Numerous types of calibration images may be projected. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be configured as a picture. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be configured as a pattern (e.g., star, triangle, circle, square, rectangle, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be configured in a grid pattern. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images that are visible to the human eye may be projected. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images that are invisible to the human eye may be projected. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be configured to facilitate alignment of images that are projected by two or more image-stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be configured to facilitate focusing of one or more images that are projected onto anirregular projection surface200.
• Atembodiment1304,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more cameras. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may be responsive to one ormore cameras163 that are operably associated with the image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore cameras163 may detect information associated with movement of one ormore devices105. Accordingly, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may utilize the gathered information to adjust projection of content from the one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore cameras163 may detect information associated with one or more calibration images to determine features associated with one or more projection surfaces200. Accordingly, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may utilize the gathered information to focus content that is projected onto the one or more projection surfaces200.
• Atembodiment1306,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect one or more calibration images. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more calibration images. In some embodiments, one ormore cameras163 may detect information associated with one or more calibration images to determine features associated with one or more projection surfaces200. Accordingly, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may utilize the gathered information to focus content that is projected onto the one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be associated with one or more projection surfaces200. For example, in some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be printed onto one or more projection surfaces200. In some embodiments, one or more calibration images may be printed onto one or more projection surfaces200 with ink that is not visible to the human eye. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore cameras163 may be configured to detect one or more wavelengths of light that are emitted by the ink used to create one or more calibration marks.
• Atembodiment1308,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect content. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect content. Numerous types of content that is associated with one or more projection surfaces200 may be detected. Examples of such content include, but are not limited to, text, geometric shapes, marks, images, and the like.
• Atembodiment1310,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect one or more projected calibration images. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect one or more projected calibration images. In some embodiments, one or more projectors may be used to project one or more calibration images. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore cameras163 may be configured to detect the one or more projected calibration images. In some embodiments, such calibration images may be used to adjust projection by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130.
• Atembodiment1312,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more cameras that are configured to detect projected content. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore cameras163 that are configured to detect projected content. Numerous types of content that is projected onto one or more projection surfaces200 may be detected. Examples of such content include, but are not limited to, text, geometric shapes, marks, images, and the like.
• Atembodiment1314,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with device memory. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated withdevice memory140. In some embodiments, one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 may accessdevice memory140. For example, in some embodiments,device memory140 may store content that may be accessed by one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or moreprojector control units120 may instruct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to access content stored ondevice memory140. In some embodiments,device memory140 may store one or more calibration images (e.g., coordinates to one or more images). In some embodiments,device memory140 may include one or more substantially defined motion patterns that may be coordinated to one or more projection commands. In some embodiments,device memory140 may include stored information associated with one or more sensors. For example, in some embodiments,device memory140 may include stored information associated with wavelengths of light that should be projected under certain light conditions.
• FIG. 14 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice105 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 14 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule230. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment1402, anembodiment1404, anembodiment1406, an embodiment1408, and/or an embodiment1410.
• Atembodiment1402,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with memory that includes projector instructions. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with memory that includesprojector instructions133. In some embodiments,projector instructions133 may include instructions to project content in response to one or more substantially defined motions that are imparted todevice105. In some embodiments,projector instructions133 may include instructions to project one or more wavelengths of light. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore projector instructions133 may instruct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to project infrared light, ultraviolet light, visible light, or substantially any combination thereof. In some embodiments,projector instructions133 may instruct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to project content in one or more directions. Accordingly,projector instructions133 may include numerous types of instructions to control the operation of one or more image stabilizedprojectors130.
• Atembodiment1404,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more projector processors. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore projector processors131. In some embodiments, one or more projector processors may receive information from one ormore sensors150 and process the information to instruct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore projector processors131 may receive information from one ormore sensors150 associated with substantially specific motion and process the information to instruct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. In some embodiments, one ormore projector processors131 may instruct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to project specific content. In some embodiments, one ormore projector processors131 may instruct one or more image stabilizedprojectors130 to accessdevice memory140 to obtain and project specific content.
• Atembodiment1406,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces300. In some embodiments, one or more user interfaces300 may be used to control projection from one or more image stabilizedprojectors130. For example, in some embodiments, one or more user inputs may be used to scroll through content that is projected.
• At embodiment1408,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces200.
• At embodiment1410,module230 may include one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces. In some embodiments, one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 may include one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are operably associated with one ormore sensors150 that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces200.
• FIG. 15 illustrates a partial view of asystem1500 that includes a computer program1504 for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment ofsystem1500 is provided using a signal-bearing medium1502 bearing one or more instructions for operating one or moreprojector control units120 that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions and one or more instructions for operating one or more image-stabilizedprojectors130 that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces200 and that are operably associated with the one or moreprojector control units120. The one or more instructions may be, for example, computer executable and/or logic-implemented instructions. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1502 may include a computer-readable medium1506. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1502 may include arecordable medium1508. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1502 may include acommunications medium1510.
• All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, to the extent not inconsistent herewith.
• Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.
• In some implementations described herein, logic and similar implementations may include software or other control structures suitable to operation. Electronic circuitry, for example, may manifest one or more paths of electrical current constructed and arranged to implement various logic functions as described herein. In some implementations, one or more media are configured to bear a device-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit a special-purpose device instruction set operable to perform as described herein. In some variants, for example, this may manifest as an update or other modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arrays or other programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of or a transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or more operations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware, software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose components executing or otherwise invoking special-purpose components. Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one or more instances of tangible transmission media as described herein, optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing through distributed media at various times.
• Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing a special-purpose instruction sequence or otherwise invoking circuitry for enabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing one or more occurrences of any functional operations described above. In some variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may be expressed directly as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked as an executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example, C++ or other code sequences can be compiled directly or otherwise implemented in high-level descriptor languages (e.g., a logic-synthesizable language, a hardware description language, a hardware design simulation, and/or other such similar mode(s) of expression). Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the logical expression may be manifested as a Verilog-type hardware description or other circuitry model before physical implementation in hardware, especially for basic operations or timing-critical applications. Those skilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimize suitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies, actuators, or other common structures in light of these teachings.
• The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).
• In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments described herein can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by various types of electromechanical systems having a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software, firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range of components that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigid bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magnetically actuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof. Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with a transducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electrical analog thereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include but are not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, medical devices, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and/or communication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize that electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to a system that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except as context may dictate otherwise.
• In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.
• Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into an image processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical image processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, applications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing lens position and/or velocity; control motors for moving/distorting lenses to give desired focuses). An image processing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in digital still systems and/or digital motion systems.
• Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces300, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A data processing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.
• Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a mote system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical mote system generally includes one or more memories such as volatile or non-volatile memories, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, user interfaces300, drivers,sensors150, actuators, applications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., an antenna USB ports, acoustic ports, etc.), control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing or estimating position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A mote system may be implemented utilizing suitable components, such as those found in mote computing/communication systems. Specific examples of such components entail such as Intel Corporation's and/or Crossbow Corporation's mote components and supporting hardware, software, and/or firmware.
• Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to implement devices and/or processes and/or systems, and thereafter use engineering and/or other practices to integrate such implemented devices and/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated into other devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that examples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems might include—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devices and/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., an airplane, rocket, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., a car, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) a building (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) a communications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, a Voice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an Internet Service Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Qwest, Southwestern Bell, etc.), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity (e.g., Sprint, Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc.
• In certain cases, use of a system or method may occur in a territory even if components are located outside the territory. For example, in a distributed computing context, use of a distributed computing system may occur in a territory even though parts of the system may be located outside of the territory (e.g., relay, server, processor, signal-bearing medium, transmitting computer, receiving computer, etc; located outside the territory). A sale of a system or method may likewise occur in a territory even if components of the system or method are located and/or used outside the territory. Further, implementation of at least part of a system for performing a method in one territory does not preclude use of the system in another territory.
• One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be taken limiting.
• Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a user600 may be representative of a human user600, a robotic user600 (e.g., computational entity), and/or substantially any combination thereof (e.g., a user may be assisted by one or more robotic agents) unless context dictates otherwise.
• With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logically interactable components.
• In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise. While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
• With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

Claims (73)

1. A device comprising:

one or more housings;

one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions; and

one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units.

2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more housings comprise:

one or more housings that are configured as a handheld device.

3.-7. (canceled)

8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors.

9.-11. (canceled)

12. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more silicon gyroscopes.

13. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more inertial sensors.

14.-16. (canceled)

17. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more specific persons.

18. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more cameras.

19.-22. (canceled)

23. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces.

24. (canceled)

25. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are configured to respond to the one or more substantially defined motions.

26.-37. (canceled)

38. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

39. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprise:

one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

40. (canceled)

41. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprise:

one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors.

42.-47. (canceled)

48. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprise:

one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more motion sensors.

49.-54. (canceled)

55. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprise:

one or more projectors that are configured to project one or more calibration images.

56. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprise:

one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more cameras.

57.-63. (canceled)

64. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprise:

one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces.

65. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprise:

one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

66. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprise:

one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

67. A system comprising:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions; and

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units.

68. (canceled)

69. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors.

70. (canceled)

71. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more gyroscopic sensors.

72.-73. (canceled)

74. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more inertial sensors.

75.-77. (canceled)

78. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more specific persons.

79. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more cameras.

80.-83. (canceled)

84. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces.

85. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more motion response modules.

86. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configured to respond to the one or more substantially defined motions.

87.-88. (canceled)

89. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to acceleration.

90. (canceled)

91. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to impact.

92. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with memory.

93.-94. (canceled)

95. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more interface modules.

96.-98. (canceled)

99. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

100. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

101. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensor control units that are configured to operate one or more sensors.

102. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors.

103.-108. (canceled)

109. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more motion sensors.

110.-111. (canceled)

112. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more gyroscopic sensors.

113. (canceled)

114. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more inertial sensors.

115. (canceled)

116. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more projectors that are configured to project one or more calibration images.

117. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more cameras.

118.-121. (canceled)

122. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with device memory.

123. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with memory that includes projector instructions.

124. (canceled)

125. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more user interfaces.

126. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

127. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units comprises:

circuitry for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are operably associated with one or more sensors that are configured to detect one or more changes in one or more conformations of one or more projection surfaces.

128. A system comprising:

means for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions; and

means for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units.

129. A system comprising:

a signal-bearing medium bearing:

one or more instructions for operating one or more projector control units that are configurable to respond to one or more substantially defined motions; and

one or more instructions for operating one or more image-stabilized projectors that are responsive to one or more features associated with one or more projection surfaces and that are operably associated with the one or more projector control units.

130.-132. (canceled)

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