Life-size communications systems with front projection

A communication system for allowing a user located in an observation zone to communicate with a person using a remote system at a remote location, the communication system comprising:

• a projector adapted to output a projected image along an image beam path, the image path being directed towards the observation zone during use of the system;
• a reflective mirror positioned between the projector and the observation zone, the reflective mirror having an upward-facing reflection surface;
• a front projection screen having a downward-facing projection surface located in a plane above the projector, wherein the upward-facing reflection surface of the reflective mirror is positioned so that the image beam path of the projected image from the projector is reflected off of the upward-facing reflection surface and upward toward the downward-facing projection surface of the front projection screen during use of the system, and wherein the image beam path impinges upon and illuminates the downward-facing projection surface of the screen during use of the system;
• a two-way mirror located adjacent to and at an angle relative to the projection surface such that when the image from the projector is displayed on the projection surface, the projected image is reflected to the observation zone, and wherein the image beam path of the projected image does not cross through the two-way mirror as the projected image travels from the projector to the front projection screen during use of the system;
• and
• a camera located behind the two-way mirror, such that the two-way mirror is located between the camera and the observation zone.

A communication system for displaying images of a remotely-located person to a user located in an observation zone and for allowing the user to visually and audibly communicate with the remotely-located person, comprising:

• a counter located adjacent the observation zone;
• an image projector located at the counter, the projector being adapted to output a projected image along an image beam path, being directed towards the observation zone during use of the system;
• a reflective mirror positioned between the projector and the observation zone, the reflective mirror having an upward-facing reflection surface;
• a front projection screen hang a downward-facing projection surface located in a plane above the projector, wherein the upward-facing reflection surface of the reflective mirror is positioned so that the image beam path of the projected image from the projector is reflected off of the upward-facing reflection surface and upward toward the downward-facing projection surface of the front projection screen during use of the system, and wherein the image beam path impinges upon and illuminates the downward-facing projection surface of the screen during use of the system;
• a two-way mirror located adjacent to and at an angle relative to the projection surface such that when the image from the projector is displayed on the projection surface of the screen, the image displayed on the screen is reflected to the user in the observation zone, and wherein the image beam path of the projected image does not cross through the two-way mirror as the projected image travels from the projector to the front projection screen during use of the system;
• a camera located behind the two-way mirror, such that the two-way mirror is located between the camera and the observation zone, and the camera being adapted to receive an image of the user;
• a microphone adapted to receive sound from the observation zone;
• and
• a speaker adapted to output sound to the observation zone.

A foldable communication system for allowing a user located in an observation zone to communicate with a person using a remote system at a remote location, the system having a closed folded configuration and an operable unfolded configuration, the system comprising:

• a base;
• an image projector attached to the base, the projector being adapted to output a projected image along an image beam path, the image path being directed towards the observation zone during use of the system;
• a reflective mirror attached to the base, the reflective mirror being positioned between the projector and the observation zone during use of the system, and the reflective mirror having an upward-facing reflection surface when in the operable unfolded configuration;
• a two-way mirror pivotably coupled to at least one of the base and the projector,
• a front projection screen pivotably coupled to at least one of the two-way mirror and the base, the front projection screen having a projection surface;
• a camera frame pivotably coupled to the base;
• and
• a camera attached to the camera frame,
• wherein in the operable unfolded configuration, the projector, the image beam path, the two-way mirror, the projection surface of the front projection screen, the camera frame, and the camera are positioned relative to each other and relative to the observation zone such that
• the front projection screen is located in a plane above the projector,
• the projection surface faces generally downward toward the base,
• the upward-facing reflection surface of the reflective mirror is positioned so that the image beam path of the projected image from the projector is reflected off of the upward-facing reflection surface and upward toward the downward-facing projection surface of the front projection screen during use of the system,
• the image beam path from the projector impinges upon and illuminates the projection surface of the screen during use of the system,
• the two-way mirror is positioned at an angle relative to the projection surface of the screen, wherein the image displayed on the downward-facing projection surface of the screen is reflected off of the two-way mirror to the observation zone, and wherein the image beam path of the projected image does not cross through the two-way mirror as the projected image travels from the projector to the front projection screen during use of the system, and
• the camera is positioned to receive images of objects in the observation zone through the two-way mirror, and
• wherein in the closed folded configuration, the system occupies less space in at least one direction than when the system is the operable unfolded configuration.