Robotically controlled video projectors

{
  "publication_number": "US9497431B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Robotically controlled video projectors",
  "abstract": "A robotic mount is configured to move multiple electronic video projectors. The robotic mount is movable in three-dimensions, whereby the associated video projectors are moveable in three-dimensional space.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A robotically controlled video projector comprising: a robotic projector mount, said robotic projector mount comprising a base and a moveable support, said moveable support configured for movement relative to a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, said first, second and third axes being perpendicular to one another, relative to said base; and at least two electronic video projectors capable of projecting visual information in response to an input, said at least two electronic video projectors mounted to said moveable support of said robotic projector mount, whereby said at least two electronic video projectors are movable in three-dimensions by moving said robotic projector mount wherein said movable support is movable in at least six (6) degrees of freedom.",
    "2. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moveable support comprises at least a first member movable about said first axis, at least a second member movable about said second axis, and at least a third member movable about said third axis, said first, second and third axes being perpendicular to one another.",
    "3. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moveable support comprises a main support connected to said base and movable relative to said base about said first axis, a lower arm connected to said main support and movable about said second axis, an upper arm connected to said lower arm and movable about said second axis, and a head mounted to said upper arm, said at least two video projectors mounted to said head and said head movable about at least said third axis, said first, second and third axes being perpendicular to one another.",
    "4. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein between 2 and 16 electronic video projectors are mounted to said moveable support.",
    "5. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors each comprise DLP projectors.",
    "6. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors are simultaneously movable by said robotic projector mount along or about one or all of an “x” axis, a “y” axis and a “z” axis, which axes are perpendicular to one another.",
    "7. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors are configured to simultaneously display at least one common image upon a remote projection surface.",
    "8. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least two electronic video projectors are configured to display video while they are synchronously moved by said robotic projector mount.",
    "9. The robotically controlled video projector in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one controller configured to control movement of said robotic projector mount synchronously with video projected by said at least two electronic video projectors."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to the movement of entertainment elements and, particularly, video projectors.\n\nA wide variety of devices are used for entertainment purposes. For example, electronic displays are now extremely common and are utilized in a variety of environments. Such displays were initially used primarily in television sets and to with computers. Initially, these displays were primarily CRT type displays which were large and bulky.\n\nIn recent years, other display technologies have been developed. Plasma, LCD, LED and other types of displays are now commercially producible in large display sizes. At the same time, however, these displays are generally thin, thus taking up much less space than CRT type displays offering the same display area.\n\nAs such, these displays are now utilized for a variety of purposes. For example, large displays are used at stadiums to present replays of sporting events. These types of displays are also sometimes mounted to walls in stores to present advertising information.\n\nIn order to attract attention to advertising, graphic information may be presented on the displays. This information may comprise exciting patterns, such as in bright colors, flashing effects and the like, to draw attention to the display. Still, these displays may be overlooked and advertisers and other users of these displays continue to seek new ways to use these displays and increase their viewership.\n\nOther types of entertainment devices may be used in other settings. For example, in a theatrical production, large props may be located on a stage.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04N 9/3147",
    "B25J 11/003",
    "G06F 1/1601",
    "G06F 3/011",
    "G06F 3/016",
    "H04N 9/3102",
    "H04N 9/3141",
    "H04N 9/3173",
    "Y10S 901/50"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 11/00",
    "G06F 1/16",
    "G06F 3/01",
    "H04N 9/12",
    "H04N 9/31"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew Flessas"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-09-30",
  "publication_date": "2016-11-15",
  "grant_date": "2016-11-15",
  "priority_date": "2006-01-31",
  "application_number": "US-201414502398-A",
  "family_id": "42229849",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
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