# US 7,080,919 B2 · View and glow seating > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,080,919 B2 - Document ID: US7080919B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/973,905 - Filed: 2004-10-25 - Published: 2006-04-27 - Granted: 2006-07-25 - Earliest claimed: 2004-10-25 - Assignees: Ethos Design - Inventors: Armen Sevada Gharabegian - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7080919B2 ## CPC - F21V 33/0012: {Furniture (hospital beds F21V33/0072)} - A47C 7/725: {for illumination, e.g. lamps} - F21V 29/503: of light sources (cooling arrangements structurally associated with gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps H01J61/52; cooling arrangements structurally associated with electric incandescent lamps H01K1/58; cooling arrangements structurally associated with light-emitting diodes H10H20/858) - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract Seating structures having (1) an internal image projector for projecting images on the exterior surface of such seating structures and (2) an internal source of illumination with color changing capability, the effect of which is visible on the exterior surface of the seating structures are disclosed. The image projection technology is powered by a standard AC outlet and operated by remote control. The illumination technology is powered by either an AC outlet or battery and is operated by remote control. An internal or external DVD or other data source may be incorporated for image projection. The housing of the projection source provides maximum image throw and quality. The internal construction of the seating structure achieves high-quality projected images and maintains comfortable sitting conditions. The housing of the internal light source achieves a high-impact lighting effect. Mini-coolant fans mounted in the seating structure maintain a low temperature within the seating structures. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for internal image projection and illumination, comprising: a seating structure having a light penetrable outer surface; a chamber housed within the seating structure; a projection mechanism housed within the chamber that generates images; at least one light source housed within the chamber; at least one fan mounted in a back or bottom panel of the seating structure; a ventilation area; and a reflective surface within the seating structure that captures images from the projection mechanism and projects such images to a desired surface of the seating structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the seating structure is one of a sofa, sofa bed, chair, ottoman, chaise longue, and a recliner. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the light penetrable surface captures projection output from the projection mechanism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the light penetrable surface is formed from one of the group of acrylic, plastic, and fabric. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the light penetrable surface captures illumination from the at least one light source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the light penetrable surface is formed from one of the group of translucent foam, translucent rubber, and inflatables. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the projection mechanism is one of an image source and one or more projectors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a mirror. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a prism. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the projection mechanism is mounted to the seating structure with a bracket to allow for angle adjustment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is from one of the group of fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, white light emitting diodes, colored light emitting diodes, light emitting diodes with color changing capability, xenon lights, fiber optics, strobe lights, and phosphorous tubes of light. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fan is a mini-coolant fan employed to maintain a low temperature within the interior of the seating structure and to generate air circulation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the ventilation area enables the air circulation generated by the at least one mini-coolant fan. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface aids in magnification and correction of images and is one of a mirror, prism, clear acetate, and reflective acetate. ### Claim 15 A seating structure of internal illumination, comprising: one or more light sources housed within a chamber of the seating structure to project light; a light penetrable outer surface covering the seating structure to capture illumination from the light projected by the one or more light sources, the light penetrable outer surface being upholstery for the seating structure; one or more fans mounted in a back or bottom panel of the seating structure; and a ventilation area in the seating structure to ventilate air moved by the one or more fans. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the seating structure is selected from one of a group of a sofa, a sofa bed, a chair an ottoman, a chaise lounge, and a recliner. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the light penetrable surface is comprised of one of the group of foam, rubber, neoprene, lexan, vinyl, polypropylene, polyurethane, latex, acrylic, fiber glass, and injection molded plastics. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the one or more light sources are selected from one of the group of fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, white light emitting diodes, colored light emitting diodes, light emitting diodes with color changing capability, tube lights, xenon lights, fiber optics, strobe lights, and phosphorous tubes of light. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 18, wherein the one or more light sources are battery powered. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 18, wherein the one or more light sources are powered through an electrical alternating current outlet via a retractable cable. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 18, wherein the one or more light sources are operated by remote control. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the one or more fans are utilized to maintain a low temperature with the interior of the seating structure and to generate air circulation. ### Claim 23 A seating structure of internal image projection, comprising: a light penetrable outer surface to capture projection output; at least one projection mechanism housed within a chamber of the seating structure to generate images; at least one fan mounted in the seating structure; a ventilation area; and a reflective surface within the seating structure that captures images from the at least one projection mechanism and projects such images to a desired surface of the seating structure. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the seating structure is one of a sofa, sofa bed, chair, ottoman, chaise longue, and recliner. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the light penetrable surface captures projection output from the at least one projection mechanism and is comprised of one of the group of acrylic, plastic, and fabric. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is an image source. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 26, wherein the image source is one of a mirror and a prism. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is a projector. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the projection mechanism is mounted to the seating structure with a bracket to allow for angle adjustment. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is powered through an electrical alternating current outlet via a retractable cable. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 30, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is operated by remote control. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the at least one fan maintains a low temperature within the seating structure and generates air circulation. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 32, wherein the ventilation area enables the air circulation generated by the at least one fan. ### Claim 34 (depends on 23) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 23, wherein the reflective surface aids in magnification and correction of images. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 34, wherein the reflective surface is one of a mirror, prism, clear acetate, and reflective acetate. ### Claim 36 A seating structure of internal illumination, comprising: one or more light sources housed within a chamber of the seating structure to project light; a light penetrable outer surface covering the seating structure to capture illumination from the light projected from one or more light sources; and one or more fans mounted in a back or bottom panel of the seating structure to circulate air within the seating structure and to provide cooling for the one or more light sources. ### Claim 37 A seating structure of internal illumination, comprising: one or more light sources housed within a chamber of the seating structure to project light; a light penetrable outer surface covering the seating structure to capture illumination from the light projected by the one or more light sources, the light penetrable outer surface being a fabric; and one or more fans mounted in a back or bottom panel of the seating structure to provide cooling for the one or more light sources.