US6050690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for focusing a projected image
Assignee: SIEMENS ENTERPRISE COMMUNICATIONS Inc
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Filing: 1998-01-08
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Granted: 2000-04-18
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Expires: 2018-01-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method controlling a projected image (24) is provided. The apparatus (10) includes a detector (16) that tracks a visual pointer (22) appearing on a projection screen (20). The visual pointer (22) is positioned on the image (24) by a viewer. The visual pointer (22) can be generated by a computer cursor, or a light pen or laser pointer (12). The detector (16) generates a position signal indicating the location of the pointer (22). An auto-focus device (18) focuses the portion of the image (24) referenced by the visual pointer (22) as a function of the position signal. To focus the image portion, the auto-focus device (18) positions a projector lens (26) based on the measured image contrast within the selected image portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Shmuel Shaffer
- 👤 William Joseph Beyda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for displaying a slide image, comprising: means for tracking a visual pointer appearing on a screen, the visual pointer being positioned by a viewer to reference a portion of a slide image, the tracking means generating a position signal representative of the visual pointer location; and means for projecting the slide image onto the screen, the projecting means including an auto-focus means for focusing the slide image as a function of the position signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for displaying a slide image, comprising: means for tracking a visual pointer appearing on a screen, the visual pointer being positioned by a viewer to reference a portion of a slide image, the tracking means generating a position signal representative of the visual pointer location; and means for projecting the slide image onto the screen, the projecting means including an auto-focus means for focusing the slide image as a function of the position signal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for controlling the focus point of an image projected onto a surface, comprising: a detector configured to respond to a visual pointer appearing on a surface, the visual pointer being positioned by a viewer to reference a portion of the image, the detector generating a position signal representative of the visual pointer location; and an auto-focus device configured to focus the portion of the image referenced by the visual pointer as a function of the position signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for controlling the focus point of an image projected onto a surface, comprising: a detector configured to respond to a visual pointer appearing on a surface, the visual pointer being positioned by a viewer to reference a portion of the image, the detector generating a position signal representative of the visual pointer location; and an auto-focus device configured to focus the portion of the image referenced by the visual pointer as a function of the position signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a variable focus lens operatively coupled to the auto-focus device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the surface includes a projection screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the visual pointer is produced by a light pen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the visual pointer is produced by a laser pointer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the visual pointer is produced by a computer cursor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for displaying an image at a remote location, comprising: a projector for projecting an image onto a surface; a detector configured to respond to a visual pointer appearing on the surface, the visual pointer referencing a portion of the image, the detector generating a position signal representative of the location of the visual pointer; an auto-focus device configured to focus the portion of the image referenced by the visual pointer as a function of the position signal; and a video conferencing system for displaying the image at the remote location.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for displaying an image at a remote location, comprising: a projector for projecting an image onto a surface; a detector configured to respond to a visual pointer appearing on the surface, the visual pointer referencing a portion of the image, the detector generating a position signal representative of the location of the visual pointer; an auto-focus device configured to focus the portion of the image referenced by the visual pointer as a function of the position signal; and a video conferencing system for displaying the image at the remote location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: means permitting a user at the remote location to generate the visual pointer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a computer display and a mouse permitting a user at the remote location to generate the visual pointer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a computer for generating the image according to an interactive computer program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the visual pointer provides a control input to the computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the visual pointer is generated by a light pen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the light pen generates a pulsed beam to indicate a mouse click.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the visual pointer is generated by a laser pointer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light pen varies the width of a beam to indicate a mouse click.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for focusing an image, comprising the steps of: projecting an image onto a screen using a projector; projecting a visual pointer onto the screen to reference a portion of the image; generating a position signal representative of the location of the visual pointer on the screen; and auto-focusing the image based on the position signal.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for focusing an image, comprising the steps of: projecting an image onto a screen using a projector; projecting a visual pointer onto the screen to reference a portion of the image; generating a position signal representative of the location of the visual pointer on the screen; and auto-focusing the image based on the position signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: producing the visual pointer with a light pen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: producing the visual pointer with a laser pointer.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for focusing an image, comprising the steps of: projecting an image onto a screen using a projector; projecting a visual pointer onto the screen to reference a portion of the image; generating a position signal representative of the location of the visual pointer on the screen; focusing the image based on the position signal; and receiving the visual pointer from a remote location via a communications network.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for focusing an image, comprising the steps of: projecting an image onto a screen using a projector; projecting a visual pointer onto the screen to reference a portion of the image; generating a position signal representative of the location of the visual pointer on the screen; focusing the image based on the position signal; and receiving the visual pointer from a remote location via a communications network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 20, for use in displaying a computer-based slide show, further comprising the steps of: generating the image using interactive computer software; and executing the interactive computer software based on the position signal.
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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) | 2003-04-18 | 2003-10-18 | 2004-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-18 | 2007-10-18 | 2008-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-18 | 2011-10-18 | 2012-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |