WO2013136065A1

WO2013136065A1 - Projection system and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2013136065A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050610
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zoran Zecevic
Original assignee: Stepsahead Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-12
Filing date: 2013-03-12
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Also published as: GB201204336D0

Abstract

A projection system, including at least one projection means (10) and at least one table (2), said projection means (10) positioned to project one or more images onto at least one table surface (8) in use, wherein said projection means (10) is positioned substantially above the table surface (8).

Description

Proj ection System and Method of use Thereof

The present invention relates to proj ection systems including the apparatus and method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers to proj ections systems for use with pool tables, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be used in combination with other tables and items with at least one surface substantially located and/or aligned in a horizontal plane.

Presently, advertising in bars, public houses (pubs) and clubs includes posters attached to walls and television displays . However, it is recognised that tables and more specifically table tops provide a surface on which advertisements could be displayed, but are generally not utilised. Conventionally, beer mats and beer towels are used to advertise products on tables, thus making advertising use of a surface that is occasionally used to hold refreshments and the like. However, beer mats and towels are becoming decreasing popular as they are easily damaged and can look untidy and unsightly, particularly in modern establishments.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a system to utilise table-top space which addresses the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus that addres ses the abovementioned problems .

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a projection apparatus . It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of advertising.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a proj ection system, said system including at least one projection means positioned to proj ect one or more images onto at least one table surface in use, wherein said projection means is positioned substantially above the table surface.

Preferably the table is a table on which one or more games can be played. Typically the table includes at last one substantially horizontal surface and/or plane onto which the one or more images are projected.

Further typically the table is a pool-type table on which any one or any combination of billiard-type games can be played such as pool, snooker, billiards and/or the like.

As gaming tables such as pool tables are generally not be used as conventional tables, for example they are not used for the placement of drinks, when either in use or not, the present invention is particularly suited to proj ecting images onto tables which are generally unused for a relatively high proportion of time.

In one embodiment the projection means is mounted such that the one or more images are projected onto at least one of the upward facing surfaces of the table.

In one embodiment the system includes a lighting means . Typically the lighting means is positioned to substantially illuminate one or more tables and/or table surfaces in use. In one embodiment the lighting means selectively illuminates at least one table surface in use.

In one embodiment the lighting means includes a housing. Typically the lighting means includes any one or any combination of bulbs, lamps, L.E.D. s and/or the like located inside the housing. Further typically the housing includes at least one aperture through which the light emitted from the lighting means can shine.

In one embodiment the lighting means and/or the lighting means and/or the projection means is located substantially directly above the one or more table surfaces in use.

In one embodiment the housing includes the projection means and the lighting means.

In one embodiment the housing takes the form of a lampshade and/or a series or lampshades. Typically the lampshade is of the type used over billiard-type gaming tables and/or the like.

In one embodiment the housing is positioned over a gaming table, such as a pool table and/or the like in a conventional manner. Typically when the table is in use the lighting means illuminates the table. Further typically when the table is not in use the proj ection means proj ects one or more images onto the table.

In one embodiment the proj ection means proj ects advertisements onto the table. Typically the images can be static images or video images, or a combination of both.

In one embodiment the proj ection means proj ects one or more images onto the table when a game is being played. Typically these images can tutor and/or coach the one or more players in how the game can be played. Further typically the images can demonstrate trick shots and/or the like by showing where balls should be placed, how they should be struck and/or the like.

In one embodiment the colour of the table surface onto which the one or more images are proj ected is relatively pale and/or light in colour. Preferably the table surface is silver and/or the like. Typically the table surface includes an at least partially reflective coating and or fabric. Further typically the table surface includes a portion which is a uniform colour, and/or combination of colours other than black, red, green or blue. This is to prevent two or more of the three colours (usually red, green and blue) making up a colour image being absorbed by the table surface.

In one embodiment the system includes an audio means . Typically the audio means emits one or more sounds and/or signals. Further typically the audio means emits sounds to accompany the one or more images proj ected by the projection means.

In one embodiment the audio means includes one or more speakers. Typically the volume of the audio output from the speakers can be adjusted using control means .

In one embodiment control means can be used to select, control, set and/or adjust the output from the proj ection means . Typically any one or any combination of the focal length, brightness, contrast, colour and/or the like can be adjusted.

In one embodiment the system includes a plurality of projection means and/or a plurality of tables . Typically the system includes a number of tables each with their own projection means located above the same.

In one embodiment the system includes a proces sor means . Typically the system includes a processor means in communication with a memory means . Further typically the processor means and/or the memory means is connected to at least one network.

In one embodiment the system is connected to a network such as the internet. Typically the system can access images to be proj ected that are stored on the internet. Further typically the control means can control a plurality of projection means associated with said system.

In one embodiment the system and/or the images to be proj ected can be controlled remotely. Typically one or more projection systems can be controlled remotely via the internet or other such network using the control means.

In one embodiment two or more proj ection means are positioned in different locations. Typically the projection means are in different rooms and/or different buildings . Further typically the two or more proj ection means can be selectively controlled via the Internet.

In one embodiment the control means is a web based application and/ or the like.

In one embodiment at least the projection means is wirelessly controlled.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a lighting apparatus, said apparatus including a lighting means and a proj ection means wherein said projection means is positioned to project one or more images onto one or more surfaces in use.

Typically the lighting apparatus provides light to one or more obj ects in a conventional manner and the projection means proj ects one or more images onto said surfaces in use.

Further typically the projection means projects one or more images onto at least part of a table surface in use.

In one embodiment the lighting apparatus is positioned substantially above a table in use.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of proj ecting one or more images onto at least part of one or more table surfaces in use, said method including the steps of:

- positioning at least one projection means substantially above said table; and

- proj ecting one or more images onto said table.

Typically the table is a table on which one or games can be played. Further typically the table is a pool table and/or billiard-type table.

In one embodiment the table is a gaming table. Typically the gaming table is a table suitable for playing card games such as poker, blackj ack and or the like.

In one embodiment the one or more images can be selectively displayed on one or more tables .

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a display apparatus, said display apparatus including at least one table and at least one proj ection means located above the same. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following figures wherein:

Figures l a and l b show a system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a and 2b show a lighting unit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 shows a system in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

The present invention provides a method of utilising table top space for displaying images and video media, in particular advertisements and instructional videos. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a lighting unit incorporating a proj ector suitable for proj ecting said images and videos onto gaming tables.

Turning firstly to figure l a where there is shown a conventional ^cpay-per-play' pool table 2 underneath a lighting unit 4 positioned to shed light on the playing surface 8. Typically, when players wish to play a game of pool they insert money into the slot 6 and the balls which are contained in the table are released. It is preferable that the table surface 8 is illuminated from above during the game because shadows and dark areas on the playing surface can lead to inaccurate shots being played. The typical pool table in Europe is approximately six foot long and three foot wide. US style pool tables are comparatively larger. As such, when pool tables are located in establishments they take up a considerable amount of floor space. Given that tables are not used constantly, there are often large areas of pubs and clubs which are not being utilised. Figure l b shows the system when a game is not being played. In this example, the lighting unit 4 includes a projection unit 10. When the lights for illuminating a game are off, the proj ection unit projects images and/or films onto the table surface 8. The images and films are usually advertisements and thus make use of redundant space when the table is not being played on. Although the example here is a pool table, the skilled person will appreciate that the any table with a substantially flat upward facing surface could be used, however the present invention is particularly suited to tables on which games are played.

The proj ection unit 4 incorporated in the lighting unit has a number of advantages, not least because the lighting unit can be used as a conventional lighting system for a pool game and busines s owners can replace conventional table lights with those of the present invention which incorporate one or more proj ection units.

In this example the lighting unit 4 and the proj ection unit 10 are linked to the money mechanism 6 such that when money is inserted the projection unit switches off and the lighting unit turns on to illuminate the table in the conventional manner. The proj ection and/or lighting units can be linked to the table in other ways . For example the projection unit can be linked to display the score in a portion o f the table if the table includes a processing means to monitor the progres s of the game. In addition, the system can include speakers to produce sound relative to the images being proj ected and/or the game being played. Furthermore the rules of the game can be displayed if the user requests the same by pushing a button or the like.

Figure 2a shows an alternative embodiment of a lighting unit 14 wherein the lighting bulbs are positioned under the shade 1 6 to direct their light onto a table below (not shown) and the proj ection unit 1 8 is positioned centrally and protrudes from the shade 1 6. Figure 2b shows the projection unit in use, projecting light onto a surface below the same. The skilled person will appreciate that in some instances it may be beneficial use the proj ection means for lighting and projection of images and the lighting unit could be dispensed with.

Figure 3 shows a side perspective view of a pool table 2 on which the balls 22 have been racked in preparation for a game. In this embodiment the projection unit 10 proj ects images onto the table surface 8 whilst the game is being played. The proj ected image shows hints and tips whilst playing. In addition the proj ection unit can show possible positioning of the balls when breaking off and/or for trick shots .

The skilled person will appreciate that the present system can be used to proj ect images onto other games tables, such as gaming tables for cards games and/or the like. For example the system when coupled with a computer or other such proces sor could proj ect images for a game of poker, such as the community cards in a game of Texas Hold'em poker and/or the like.

A number of proj ection systems and tables can be linked to a network. For example, if a plurality of projectors are linked by wireless communication to the Internet, the images and videos that are displayed can be controlled centrally and/or from a remote location. Thus, advertising schemes and/or games can be controlled using the aforementioned system.

Returning to figure 3, typically the table surface 8 is white, silver or a light colour in order that a surface colour does not substantially interfere with the image produced on the surface 8 from a conventional RGB projector and usually has at least some reflective properties.

Claims

1. A projection system, said system including at least one proj ection means and at least one table, said proj ection means positioned to proj ect one or more images onto at least one table surface in use, wherein said projection means is positioned substantially above the table surface.

2. A proj ection system according to claim 1 wherein the table is a game table.

3. A proj ection system according to claim 2 wherein the table is a pool table and/or the like.

4. A proj ection system according to any previous claim wherein the system includes a lighting means to selectively illuminate at least a portion of the table in use.

5. A projection system according to claim 4 wherein the lighting means includes a housing.

6. A projection system according to claim 5 wherein the housing incorporates the lighting means and the projection means .

7. A projection system according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the housing is in the form of a lampshade, positioned substantially above the table in use.

8. A proj ection system according to any preceding claim wherein the table surface is substantially silver in colour.

9. A proj ection system according to any preceding claim wherein the system includes an audio means.

10. A proj ection system according to any preceding claim wherein the system includes a proces sor means connected to at least one network and/or the Internet.

1 1. A projection system according to any preceding claims wherein the output from the proj ection means is controlled by one or more control means .

12. A projection system according to claim 1 1 wherein the control means is located remote from the projection means.

13. A projection system according to any proceeding claim wherein at least the proj ection means is wirelessly controlled.

14. A proj ection system according to claims 1 1 or 12 wherein a plurality of projection means can be selectively and/or independently controlled via a network.

15. A method of proj ecting one or more images onto at least part of one or more table surfaces in use, said method including the steps of:

- positioning at least one projection means substantially above said table; and

proj ecting one or more images onto said table.

16. A method according to claim 1 5 wherein the one or more images can be selectively displayed on one or more tables.