GB2479858A - Projector with virtual keyboard - Google Patents

Projector with virtual keyboard Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2479858A
GB2479858A GB1004857A GB201004857A GB2479858A GB 2479858 A GB2479858 A GB 2479858A GB 1004857 A GB1004857 A GB 1004857A GB 201004857 A GB201004857 A GB 201004857A GB 2479858 A GB2479858 A GB 2479858A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
projection
projection device
visual information
projecting
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1004857A
Other versions
GB201004857D0 (en
Inventor
David W Gilbert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SECRETPC Ltd
Original Assignee
SECRETPC Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SECRETPC Ltd filed Critical SECRETPC Ltd
Priority to GB1004857A priority Critical patent/GB2479858A/en
Publication of GB201004857D0 publication Critical patent/GB201004857D0/en
Publication of GB2479858A publication Critical patent/GB2479858A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/134—Projectors combined with typing apparatus or with printing apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/26—Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0425—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected
    • G06F3/0426—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking fingers with respect to a virtual keyboard projected or printed on the surface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3141—Constructional details thereof
    • H04N9/3147—Multi-projection systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3191—Testing thereof
    • H04N9/3194—Testing thereof including sensor feedback

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

A projector comprises a housing 10 and a first projection means 20 for projecting at least one image or other visual information 22 to be viewed by a user. A second projection means 30 projects a virtual input device, preferably a keyboard 34, and has detecting means for detecting a user's interaction with the virtual input device.

Description

Projection device The present invention relates to projection devices for displaying visual information output in particular, but not limited to information from computers.
In recent years use of the personal computer (PC) has become more and more commonplace, both in the workplace and in the home. PCs may take many different forms, for example desktop computers, laptops and tablet PCs.
Desktop computers usually consist of a computer case (also called a cabinet), which contains the computer processor among other things, and a number of peripheral devices. Peripheral devices, or "peripherals" allow the user to operate the computer as desired. Usually a desktop computer would be equipped with the following peripherals: a visual display unit (VDU), which is typically an LCD screen, a keyboard and a mouse.
Laptops and tablet PCs, instead of having peripherals separate to the computer case, have a computer case containing the computer processor, with an LCD screen, keyboard and mouse (or an equivalent device) built into the computer case.
Desktop computers are still popular but are becoming less so particularly for home use as the demand of consumers becomes more directed towards smaller and more
portable PCs.
Of course, much of the attraction of laptops and tablet PCs is that they do not have separate peripherals. Many types of separate peripheral, for example VDUs, have the /1 drawback tht they require a separate power supply. In addition, the fact that the peripherals are separate also means that they not convenient to transport.
The present invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the problems
associated with the prior art.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a computer monitor projector and virtual input device housed within a single housing.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a projection device comprising a first projection means, in this aspect in the form of an information projector for projecting visual information to be viewed by a user onto a first projection surface, second projection means, in this aspect in the form of a keyboard projector for projecting a virtual keyboard composed of virtual keys onto a second projection surface, the virtual keys corresponding to spaces on the second projection surface, detection means, in this aspect in the form of keystroke detection means for detecting keystrokes of a finger of the user in at least one space corresponding to a virtual key, supporting means for supporting the information projector, the keyboard projector and the keystroke detection means, first transmission means for transmitting detected keystrokes from the keystroke detection means to a processing unit for processing the detected keystrokes, second transmission means for transmitting signals from the processing unit to the information projector. A suitable processing unit may for example be a computer. Such an arrangement provides a single device which enables a user to input keystrokes to a computer to which the device is connected, and to view visual information from the connected computer.
An aspect of the invention provides a projection device comprising an information projector for projecting visual information to be viewed by a user, means for projecting images to be viewed by a user onto a projection surface, and sensing means for sensing movement of a finger of a user above the projection surface.
The means for projecting images may be for projecting an image of a keyboard and the sensing means may be for sensing the presence of a finger of the user above a particular key of the keyboard.
The projection device may be for projecting visual information onto a projection surface to be viewed by a user.
The projection device may be for receiving data corresponding to the visual information.
The projection device may be for receiving the data corresponding to the visual information from a processing means. The processing means may power the projection device.
The sensing means may produce and transmit data corresponding to a sensed quantity. It may produce and transmit the data corresponding to a sensed quantity from a processing means. The processing means may power the sensing means.
The data corresponding to the visual information or corresponding to a sensed quantity may be transmitted or received wirelessly, or may be transmitted or received via a cable, for example a USB cable or Bluetooth® wireless device.
Processing means may be provided for producing and transmitting data corresponding to the visual information. Processing means may be provided for receiving data corresponding a sensed quantity.
The projection device may further comprise an outer surface (which may be formed from, of or with a housing) through which the visual information and the virtual keyboard are projected. By providing an outer surface, the projection device, including the projectors and the transmission means, may be protected from damage. The outer surface may be completely or partially transparent, in which case holes will not be needed where the visual information/image and the virtual keyboard or other virtual input device are projected through the outer wall. Alternatively, at least part of the outer surface may be opaque and may contain holes or transparent or partially transparent regions to allow the visual information and virtual keyboard or other virtual input device, and the detecting or sensing means to detect or sense the user interaction with the virtual input device, to project through the outer wall. By having an opaque outer surface and holes, the user has a limited view of the components of the projection device.
The outer surface or housing may completely enclose the information projector, the virtual input device and the detection means. The detecting means may be provided in the housing. In this case, the parts of the outer surface through which the visual information and the virtual input device are projected may be transparent. An advantage of completely enclosing the projectors and the detection means is that they are further protected from damage. Alternatively, the detecting means may be provided outside the housing.
The outer surface may be generally shaped as any one of a sphere, cylinder, cube, cuboid, parallelapiped and pyramid, although other shapes may be used.
In this way, aspects of the invention provide a device for providing a screen and input device, such as a keyboard without providing a physical keyboard or monitor. This allows the space taken by the computer to be reduced, in particular the desktop "footprint", deters theft as a separate keyboard and monitor are not provided, and the device may be integral with a desk, or, where standalone, it is easily storable in a secure location. Where the device is integral with a desk or the like, it may rise from the desk when activated, or may be mounted on a surface of the desk. Alternatively, the device may fold out, with the regions of the device allowing projection of the screen and virtual input device folding towards one another to be enclosed and protected within the housing when folded, and exposed allowing them to project when unfolded, or vice versa.
The use of a virtual keyboard or other input device and screen also reduces the number of wires required, and prevents damage to that might occur to physical peripherals due to liquid spills and wear and tear. Where the housing completely encloses the first and second projection devices this can also prevent damage due to liquid spills or the like.
The second projection means may comprise a projector and a detector for projecting and detecting interaction of a user with a pointing device such as a trackpad as well as, or instead of a virtual keyboard. Thus, a trackpad projector may be provided for projecting a virtual trackpad onto a projection surface (which may be the same projection surface onto which a virtual keyboard is projected, or a different surface) the trackpad corresponding to a space on the projection surface, and trackpad detection means for detecting movement of a finger of the user in the space corresponding to the virtual trackpad. According to this arrangement, the user no longer needs to attach a conventional mouse to the computer as well as the projection device. The arrangement allows the user to move an object, usually the user's finger, within the space corresponding to the trackpad, and the movement of the object is then transmitted to the computer to which the projection device is attached.
The projection device may be provided such that at least one of the first and second transmission means is a cable. Alternatively, at least one of the first and second transmission means may be a wireless connection. Such wireless connections are known in the art, for example Wi-Fi® connections. An advantage of having wireless transmission means is that the projection device does not have to be physically connected to the computer. Because of this it is likely that the projection device or computer can be moved around more independently of the other, Furthermore, the projection device can communicate with the computer through physical obstacles such as walls more easily than if the projection device were physically connected to the computer.
The projection device may further include the processing unit. The projection device would then not need to be connected to an external processing unit, such as a computer, and so the number of separate devices required would be reduced.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: The figure shows a projection device 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.
As shown in the figure, the projection device 1 comprises a housing 10, first projection means in the form of a first projector 20, which projects, onto a first projection surface 22, an image 24 or other visual information. Second projection means in the form of a second projector 30 projects, onto a second projection surface 32, a second image 34, in the present embodiment in the form of a virtual keyboard. Detection means is provided, in the present embodiment being integrated with the second projection device 32.
The housing 10 in the present embodiment is in the form of a pyramid, which provides a stable shape, which is unlikely to be knocked over, thus providing a robust base for the first and second projectors 20, 30 and so maintain projections 24, 34 being displayed stably without motion or blurring. The housing may be a standalone device, or may be embedded in either or both of the first and second surfaces 22, 32. In alternative embodiments, the housing may be shaped differently, for example generally cylindrical, cuboid, parallelapipedal etc. The device I is connected to a computer, in the present embodiment via a wireless connection, although wired USB, or any other suitable connection could also be used.
The device 1 receives video output data which is projected onto the first surface 22 by the first projector 20. The first projector 20 is a known projector for computer output.
Such projectors that can project onto a surface visual information output from computers or televisions are well known. They are typically used when the visual information needs to be viewed by a group of people, for example during presentations.
In an alternative embodiment, the projector may be configured to project an image directly towards the eyes of a user.
The second projector 30 of the device 1 projects a virtual keyboard onto the second surface 32. Such devices have been developed which project the image of a keyboard onto a surface, and then detect where a user touches the image of the keyboard. This is in turn fed back into a computer to which the device is attached. The device 1, in the present embodiment, via the second projector 30, detects intended virtual keystrokes of a user typing on the projected keyboard, and processes and outputs data representing the keystrokes to the computer, as is known. In another embodiment, not shown, the housing 10 houses all of the hardware of the computer, including the first and second projectors, so providing a portable device.
In one embodiment, the second projecting device is a laser projector, which projects a virtual keyboard and detects the time delay and horizontal angle of laser light reflected from a finger using the keyboard to determine the position of the finger as it presses a virtual key on the keyboard. In an alternative embodiment, detecting means in the form of a camera is provided, which determines the position of a user's finger while using the virtual keyboard, and determines which key or keys are intended by the user. In a further embodiment, an infrared beam is projected above the virtual keyboard, which need not be laser projected. The detecting means in embodiments of the invention is also provided in the housing. Alternatively, the detecting means may be provided outside the housing. A sensor in the form of an infrared camera detects where the infrared beam is broken and reflected back to the camera, and therefore which key is intended to be pressed by the user.
In a further embodiment a pointing device is also projected, or may be projected instead of a virtual keyboard. This may be projected from the second projector, or a third projector may be provided to project and detect the interaction of a user with that pointing device. The third projector, if provided may function in the same or similar way to the second projector described above.
The present embodiments have been provided to illustrate the invention, and various modifications, additions and omissions can be made, all such modifications, additions and omissions falling within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Labelling of numerals: Housing 10 First projection device 20 First projection surface 22 First projected image 24 Second projection device 30 Second projection surface 32 Second projected image 34

Claims (19)

  1. CLAIMS: 1. A projection device, comprising: a housing; first projection means in the housing, the first projection means for projecting at least one image and/or other visual information to be viewed by a user; second projection means in the housing, the second projection means for projecting a virtual input device; and detecting means for detecting a user's interaction with the virtual input device.
  2. 2. A projection device according to claim 1, wherein the first projection means is a projector.
  3. 3. A projection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second projection means and detecting means comprise a laser projector and detector device.
  4. 4. A projection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second projection means is configured to project a virtual keyboard.
  5. 5. A projection device according to claim 4, wherein the detecting means is configured to detect the position of a user's finger on the virtual keyboard, corresponding to the user's desired interaction with the keyboard.
  6. 6. A projection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first projecting means is for receiving data corresponding to the image and/or visual information.
  7. 7. A projection device according to claim 6, wherein the first projecting means is for receiving the data corresponding to the image and/or visual information from processing means.
  8. 8. A projection device according to claim 7, wherein the processing means powers the projecting means.
  9. 9. A projection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the detecting means is for producing and transmitting data corresponding to the detected user interaction.
  10. 10. A projection device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the data corresponding to the visual information or corresponding to a detected user interaction is transmitted or received wirelessly.
  11. 11. A projection device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the data corresponding to the visual information or corresponding to a sensed quantity is transmitted or received via a cable.
  12. 12. A projection device according to any preceding claim, comprising processing means for producing and transmitting data corresponding to the visual information.
  13. 13. A projection device according to any preceding claim, comprising processing means for receiving data corresponding to a detected user interaction.
  14. 14. A projection device according to any preceding claim, comprising an outer surface through which the image and/or visual information and the virtual input device can be projected.
  15. 15. A projection device according to claim 14, wherein the outer surface completely encloses the first and second projecting means.
  16. 16. A projection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is pyramidal.
  17. 17. A projection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first projecting means is for projecting the image and/or other visual information onto a first projection surface.
  18. 18. A projection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second projection means is for projecting the virtual input device onto a second projection surface.
  19. 19. A projection device, substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB1004857A 2010-03-23 2010-03-23 Projector with virtual keyboard Withdrawn GB2479858A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1004857A GB2479858A (en) 2010-03-23 2010-03-23 Projector with virtual keyboard

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1004857A GB2479858A (en) 2010-03-23 2010-03-23 Projector with virtual keyboard

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GB201004857D0 GB201004857D0 (en) 2010-05-05
GB2479858A true GB2479858A (en) 2011-11-02

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110032028A (en) * 2019-04-23 2019-07-19 嘉兴古辛达贸易有限公司 A kind of camera of dummy keyboard
CN110733433A (en) * 2018-07-19 2020-01-31 宝沃汽车（中国）有限公司 Vehicle-mounted projection display system and vehicle

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110209307A (en) * 2019-06-12 2019-09-06 英华达（上海）科技有限公司 Dummy keyboard and device and method for adjusting dummy keyboard projection angle

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US6266048B1 (en) * 1998-08-27 2001-07-24 Hewlett-Packard Company Method and apparatus for a virtual display/keyboard for a PDA
WO2002054169A2 (en) * 2001-01-08 2002-07-11 Vkb Inc. A data input device
US6614422B1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2003-09-02 Canesta, Inc. Method and apparatus for entering data using a virtual input device
US6650318B1 (en) * 2000-10-13 2003-11-18 Vkb Inc. Data input device
US20040125147A1 (en) * 2002-12-31 2004-07-01 Chen-Hao Liu Device and method for generating a virtual keyboard/display
US20050012721A1 (en) * 2003-07-18 2005-01-20 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for providing projected user interface for computing device
JP2009064375A (en) * 2007-09-10 2009-03-26 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Projection image display device
WO2010027132A1 (en) * 2008-09-03 2010-03-11 Lg Electronics Inc. Projection display device
EP2239648A1 (en) * 2009-04-07 2010-10-13 Funai Electric Co., Ltd. Projector

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US6266048B1 (en) * 1998-08-27 2001-07-24 Hewlett-Packard Company Method and apparatus for a virtual display/keyboard for a PDA
US6614422B1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2003-09-02 Canesta, Inc. Method and apparatus for entering data using a virtual input device
US6650318B1 (en) * 2000-10-13 2003-11-18 Vkb Inc. Data input device
WO2002054169A2 (en) * 2001-01-08 2002-07-11 Vkb Inc. A data input device
US20040125147A1 (en) * 2002-12-31 2004-07-01 Chen-Hao Liu Device and method for generating a virtual keyboard/display
US20050012721A1 (en) * 2003-07-18 2005-01-20 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for providing projected user interface for computing device
JP2009064375A (en) * 2007-09-10 2009-03-26 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Projection image display device
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Cited By (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110733433A (en) * 2018-07-19 2020-01-31 宝沃汽车（中国）有限公司 Vehicle-mounted projection display system and vehicle
CN110032028A (en) * 2019-04-23 2019-07-19 嘉兴古辛达贸易有限公司 A kind of camera of dummy keyboard
CN110032028B (en) * 2019-04-23 2021-03-12 江苏爱立克信息科技有限公司 Camera of virtual keyboard

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