Dockable LCD TV projector convertable between front and rear projection
AssigneeNorth American Philips Corporation
InventorsDaniel J. Dargis, Larry S. Brown, Jeffrey L. Sharp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A projection television system which adapts automatically between from screen projection and rear screen projection upon insertion of the projector into a rear screen cabinet. A compact projection unit has a quick-disconnect electric connector and optical aligner which mate with connection elements in a projection cabinet upon insertion of the projector into an opening in the front of the cabinet. The cabinet has a two-mirror optical relay which inverts the projected picture. Upon completion of insertion, the electric connections automatically invert the image being projected by the projector. In another embodiment, insertion also automatically connects to audio equipment in the rear screen cabinet.
Claims15
A projection television system, comprising:
- a frame having a front face;
- a television image projector, for projecting a bundle of rays of light to form a television picture;
- means for mounting said projector in said frame;
- a rear projection screen mounted in said front face, having a rear surface for receiving said bundle of rays to form a television picture viewable from in front of said screen;
- and an optical relay system for optically coupling said projector to said screen, characterized in that:
- said projection television system comprises at least one electric element mounted to said frame;
- and quick-disconnect means including a first connector device for electrically connecting between said at least one electric element and said projector,
- said projector comprises at least one projector optical alignment element, a second connector device forming part of said quick-disconnect means, and
- said means for mounting comprises means permitting manual insertion of said projector through said front face, and means cooperating with said at least one projector optical alignment element for removably holding said projector, when manually inserted through said front face, in an operating position in optical alignment with said optical relay system.
A projection television system, comprising:
- a frame having a front face;
- a television image projector, for projecting a bundle of rays of light to form a television picture;
- means for mounting said projector in said frame;
- a rear projection screen mounted in said front face, having a rear surface for receiving said bundle of rays to form a television picture viewable from in front of said screen;
- and an optical relay system for optically coupling said projector to said screen, characterized in that:
- said optical relay system comprises two mirrors, one disposed toward a lower rear portion of the frame, and one disposed toward an upper rear portion of the frame, for reflecting said bundle of rays to said rear surface with vertical inversion of said picture free from mirror-image inversion,
- said projection television system comprises at least one electric element mounted to said frame;
- and quick-disconnect means including a first connector device for electrically connecting between said at least one electric element and said projector,
- said projector comprises at least one projector optical alignment element, a second connector device forming part of said quick-disconnect means, and means cooperating with said at least one electric element for causing electric inversion of the picture being projected by the projector, and
- said means for mounting comprises means permitting manual insertion of said projector through said front face, and means cooperating with said at least one projector optical alignment element for removably holding said projector, when manually inserted through said front face, in an operating position in optical alignment with said optical relay system.
A television image projector for selective front or rear screen projection, comprising means for projecting a bundle of rays of light to form a television picture,
- quick-disconnect means for electrically connecting to at least one electric element in a rear screen projection unit and
- means for causing electric inversion of the projected picture upon electric connection to said electric element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.