US4730218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Under-hand projector
Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1986-10-02
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Granted: 1988-03-08
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Expires: 2006-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A projection system is provided for projecting an image from a lecturer to an audience for viewing by the lecturer, a present audience, and/or a television audience while maintaining a face-to-face orientation between the lecturer and audience. The system comprises a lecturn having a top surface, at least a part of which is translucent. The image is operatively positioned on the translucent part of the lecturn from above or below the top surface thereof. A video camera operatively connected to a video monitor is focused on the image so that the image is received by the video camera and conveyed to the video monitor. The audience views the image on the video monitor while the lecturer views another monitor and the image on the translucent part of the lecturn while remaining in a face-to-face orientation with the audience. Mirrors are used to focus the camera on the image. The camera may also be connected to a video switcher for incorporation in television productions or to a radio frequency modulator so that normal television receivers may be employed instead of monitors. Audio can also be transmitted through the modulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. Goodrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/2222; G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A projection system for projecting an image from a lecturer to an audience for viewing by the lecturer and by the audience who normally face one another, comprising: a lecturn having a top surface, at least a part of which is translucent; said image being operatively positioned on the translucent part of the top surface of said lecturn from above or below the top surface; and a video camera operatively connected to a video monitor facing the audience, a mirror beneath said translucent surface so as to maintain an open and clear area above said top surface of said lecturn, said mirror providing for operatively focusing of said camera on the image such that said image is recieved by said video camera and conveyed to said video monitor whereby the audience views the image on the video monitor and the lecturer views the image on the translucent part of the lecturn while remaining in a face-to-face orientation with the audience.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A projection system for projecting an image from a lecturer to an audience for viewing by the lecturer and by the audience who normally face one another, comprising: a lecturn having a top surface, at least a part of which is translucent; said image being operatively positioned on the translucent part of the top surface of said lecturn from above or below the top surface; and a video camera operatively connected to a video monitor facing the audience, a mirror beneath said translucent surface so as to maintain an open and clear area above said top surface of said lecturn, said mirror providing for operatively focusing of said camera on the image such that said image is recieved by said video camera and conveyed to said video monitor whereby the audience views the image on the video monitor and the lecturer views the image on the translucent part of the lecturn while remaining in a face-to-face orientation with the audience.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The projection system of claim 1 wherein a source of light directs light towards the image from the side of the top surface of said lecturn opposite the optical path of said camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The projection system of claim 1 wherein said video camera is operatively connected to a second video monitor facing the lecturer whereby the lecturer views the image on said second monitor while remaining in a face-to-face orientation with the audience.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the image is on a transparent overlay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the image is on a photographic slide.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of projecting an image from a lecturer to an audience for viewing by the lecturer and the audience who normally face one another, comprising: operatively positioning said image on a translucent top surface of a lecturn from above or below said top surface; positioning a mirror beneath said surface so as to reflect said image and so as to maintain an open and clear area above said top surface of said lecturn; operatively focusing a video camera on said reflected image; and conveying the image received by said camera to a video monitor operatively connected to said camera and facing the audience whereby the audience views the image on said monitor and the lecturer views the image on said translucent top surface of said lecturn while remaining in a face-to-face orientation with the audience.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of projecting an image from a lecturer to an audience for viewing by the lecturer and the audience who normally face one another, comprising: operatively positioning said image on a translucent top surface of a lecturn from above or below said top surface; positioning a mirror beneath said surface so as to reflect said image and so as to maintain an open and clear area above said top surface of said lecturn; operatively focusing a video camera on said reflected image; and conveying the image received by said camera to a video monitor operatively connected to said camera and facing the audience whereby the audience views the image on said monitor and the lecturer views the image on said translucent top surface of said lecturn while remaining in a face-to-face orientation with the audience.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising directing light towards the image from the side of said top surface opposite the optical path of said camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising conveying the image received by the camera to a second video monitor operatively connected to said camera and facing the lecturer whereby the lecturer views the image on said second monitor while remaining in a face-to-face orientation with the audience.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-08 | 1991-09-07 | 1992-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-09-07 | 1996-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-08 | 1999-09-07 | 2000-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |