Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02382253 2005-04-25
IMAGE PROvTECTION SYSTEM AND ITS METHOD OF USE
I~'IELD OF'l~ ~ll~TVENI'IbN
The prat iave~ioa pertains to the field of image projectiaa systems nerd is
particular to as
image projection system f~ use in a wide range of ambient light ~aditions.
BACKGROUND
Doe to the ubiquitous nature of advertising, video displays have becamae sa
eve mesma to
convey messages to the public in an iateregting and eye-catching maan~.
Situated in public
areas, these display units are typuxlly to use sad effective at oosoauraer
attention. Video display systems curreatty in use are typically the traditioml
televisions or boa-
type projection acreeas, with these systerns typically r~imig from a depth of
24 to 120 inches.
Many potential buyers consider these types of video systems to be eyesores sad
inapp<opriate for small areas. Ia addition, these types of video displays may
be diffcult to install
from erti~ag ailing supports due to their size. Plasma d>aplays may be used
foc these video
d>splays, however these types of displays are typically very eve and are only
available in
A oommoa approach to cite a single large image has been to use "video walls"
which entail a
Phuality of screens placed Typically, a singia video signal is stiatch~ed ovx
the
phaality of scxeens is order to create a single image. The diffculty with this
type of prooodure is
that the resohrtioa of a srogle video food ~tin~g an ia~xessingly larger image
results is the loss
of quality of the image. Ia additioo~, the screens used is this type
appli~tion are typically
encl'vsed by err covers and as such the separation between tho adjacerrt
screens cry a
plurality of discontinuities or mullions within the image, which roduoes the
c~cy of the
Pr~tly, the typical aspect ratios of video display systems are 4:3 or I 6:9,
and as such in order
to produ~x as imago having an aspect ratio outside of the industry norm, the
image is typically
distorted to form an image having a diffa~eat aspect ratio. This however does
not typically result
is a visually ply image sirxe the image has been stretched in eithm~ the
horizontal direction,
vertical direction or both.
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
Canadian Patent Application No. 2, 297, 98I discloses a projection system in
which two or more
images are combined to form a composite image. The images are projected side
by side onto a
screen so that they partially overlap one another. The overlapped portions of
the images
correspond to one another and the light intensity in this overlap is
manipulated or blended to
create a seamless transition from one image to the other. The composite image
is thus a larger or
wider image with higher total resolution. This system overcomes the problem of
aspect ratio and
the deterioration of image quality due to the increasing of the image size.
However, the blending
of the overlapping portions of the images results in a system which is
expensive due to the
required technology for this blending procedure.
An additional problem with projection systems is the dramatic effect which
ambient light has on
the contrast of the created image. Ambient light conditions tend to "wash out"
the contrast of the
images, resulting in an image which is very poorly defined and difficult to
see. Canadian Patent
Application 2;128,108 discloses a front proj ection video display system which
achieves high
contrast without darkened room conditions by a specific combination and
arrangement of
polarising filters. This system is effective in rooms where there is normally
one light source to
control. However it is both expensive and difficult to implement in a large
public area where
there are normally numerous light sources, for example a shopping centre.
Canadian Patent Application No. 2,079;790 discloses a display that has
improved contrast in
various lighting conditions. The display which presents the image has enhanced
contrast based
on its ability to switch between a bright, image-presenting state and a dark,
image-less state.
This procedure minimises the glare from ambient light reflections, thus
enhancing the contrast of
the resulting image.
In addition; Canadian Patent Application No. 2,149,552 discloses a display
system suitable for
high ambient light environments, wherein a lamp is used simply as a light
source to illuminate a
rear projection display screen. The display screen is a matrix of tiny cells
that modulate the light
at video rates. Each cell includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC),
a focusing lens and
a pinhole aperture. When the PDLC is electrically activated, light passing
through the PDLC is
scattered in many directions and very little light passes through the pinhole
aperture limiting
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
what is seen by the viewer. When the PDLC is not electrically activated,
lightpassing through
the PDLC is not scattered and the lens of each cell focuses the light through
the pinhole aperture
hence the viewer sees a bright spot of light.
Each of the above screen designs are capable of reducing the affect of ambient
light on the
quality of the projected image however, each of these systems require
additional components to
operate the functionality of the screen itself, -in addition to an image
creation system, which
makes these types of systems expensive.
Therefore there is a need for a projection system which can create images
beyond the standard
aspect ratio, can be installed in a wide range of ambient light conditions, is
inexpensive and is
visually appealing.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known
information believed
by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No
admission is necessarily
intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information
constitutes prior art
against the present invention.
SU14~YIARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an image projection system
and its method of
use. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a projection system
for the display of images in a wide range of ambient light conditions
comprising: a system
control means for synchronising two or more images for projection by
projection means, wherein
said synchronisation of the two or more images provides a means for the
generation of a coherent
single image; two or more projection means for projecting images; wherein each
projection
means projects an image onto a unique area of a screen unit, wherein
synchronisation of said
projection means is controlled by the system control means; and a screen unit
comprising one or
more screens for receiving the projected images, wherein said one or more
screens are
compatible with a rear projection system and wherein said one or more screens
incorporate a
contrast enhancing means which improves the resistance of the projected image
to contrast
degradation due to a wide range of ambient lightconditions, wherein a region
separating said
projection means and said screen unit is not enclosed.
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a proj
ection: system for the
display of images in a wide range of ambient light conditions comprising: a
system control
means for synchronising three or more images for projection by projection
means, wherein said
synchronisation of the images provides a means for the generation of a
coherent single image and
wherein said system control means stores a plurality of images and sequence
information; a
screen unit comprising three screens compatible with a rear projection system,
wherein said
screens have a thickness of less than one inch, wherein said screens are
positioned side by side to
form the screen unit having a perimeter, wherein the perimeter of the screen
unit is enclosed by a
frame having a thin profile, wherein each screen receives a projected image
from a particular
projection means and wherein said screens incorporate a contrast enhancing
means which
improves the resistance of the projected image to contrast degradation due to
a wide range of
ambient light conditions; and three projection means for projecting images,
wherein said
projection means are installed approximately twice the projected width behind
the screen unit,
wherein each projection means is encased in a protective enclosure and wherein
the
synchronisation of said projection means is controlled by the system control
means, wherein said
projection means and said screen unit are suspended from a ceiling and wherein
a region
separating said projection means and said screen unit is not enclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1A provides a top view of one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1B provides a section view of the embodiment according to Figure lA.
Figure 1C provides a front elevation view of the embodiment according to
Figure 1A as seen
from the front of the screen.
Figure 2 provides a perspective view of one embodiment of the present
invention as it may be
installed at ceiling level.
Figure 3 provides another perspective view of a further embodiment of the
present invention as it
may be installed.
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Deftnitions
The term "edge matching" is used to define a procedure for the creation of an
original image by
the alignment of a plurality of smaller images into which the original image
had been divided. in
S accordance with this procedure the edges of adjacent images are matched such
that they are
aligned in a manner that produces the original single image. In addition, the
adjacent sides of the
smaller images do not overlap in order to produce the original single image:
The term "projected width" is used to define the width of an image projected
by a particular
projection means.
The term "projected height" is used to define the height of an image projected
by a particular
projection means.
The term "projected area" is used to define the area of an image projected by
a particular
projection means and can be determined by multiplying he projected width times
the projected
height of the image in question.
The term "image" is used to define a static or dynamic visual representation.
An image may
comprise a still picture, a sequence of pictures, or an animated, moving
sequence of pictures, a
Web interface (Web page) or any combination thereof.
The term "projection surface" is used to define the area upon which the
projection means are
creating the coherent image and may be a single screen or a collection of
screens.
The term "synchronising" or "synchronisation" or "synchronise" is used to
define the process by
which compatible images are presented or projected at the same time. In this
manner a large
image that has been divided into a number of smaller images, can be viewed as
a complete
coherent image if each of the smaller images are presented or projected onto a
screen at the same
3 0 time.
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the same meaning as
commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs.
The present invention provides a projection system for the display of images
in a: wide range of
ambient light conditions comprising: a system control means for synchronising
two or more
images for projection by projection means, wherein said synchronisation of the
two or more
images provides a means for the generation of a coherent single image; two or
more projection
means-for projecting images; wherein each projection means projects an image
onto a unique
area of a screen unit, wherein synchronisation of said projection means is
controlled bythe
system control means; and a screen unit comprising one or more screens for
receiving the
projected images, wherein said one or more screens are compatible with a rear
projection system
and wherein said one or mare screens incorporate a contrast enhancing means
which improves
the resistance of the projected image to contrast degradation due to a wide
range of ambient light
conditions; wherein a region separating said projection means and said screen
unit is not
enclosed.
In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the
region between the
projection means and the screen unit, is not enclosed. The visible profile of
the projection
system (Figure 1B) comprises a projection means and a thin screen unit,
wherein this profile of
the projection system may be considered visually appealing and unobtrusive in
comparison with
a typical box type projection system which enclose this region:
With reference to Figures lA, 1B and 1C; a projection system according to one
embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated. The projection system comprises a system
control means 10,
a plurality of projection means 20 and a screen unit 30 comprising one or more
screens upon
which a projected image can be received and presented to an audience. The
functionality of each
of these components of the present invention is presented in further detail
below.
System Control Means
The system control means controls the functionality of the projection means.
The system control
means performs tasks comprising storing of a plurality of images for
projection by the projection
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
means, storing sequencing information and synchronising a plurality of images
such that a
collection of independently projected images forms a single coherent image.
The system control means may be any computing device which enables the storage
of
information and further comprises a software or other execution means for
enabling the
synchronisation of the plurality of projection means resulting in the
generation of a coherent
single image from a plurality of projected images.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the system control means stores
the images to be
projected and further contains sequence information relating to the sequence
of the transmission
of these images to the projection means: This presentation sequence can be
called a "play list"
for the plurality of images which are stored on the system control means. The
"play list" may
comprise information relating to the date and time for the projection of a
particular image in
addition to the sequence of projection of the images. In one embodiment, a
"play list" can be
created wherein there is repetition of particular images, for example a
particular image is
displayed twice an hour and other images are only displayed once an hour. In
one embodiment
of the present invention, the system control means creates the "play list"
based on defined
parameters comprising but not limited to image display time, image display
frequency and length
of projection time provided for a particular "play list", for example.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the system control means may be
accessed remotely
using for example,, a satellite connection or the Internet. This enables the
stored images and
sequence information to be amended or replaced by new images or sequence
information in a
remote manner. In this manner, a remotely located computing system can access
a plurality of
system control means of various projection systems installed at different
locations.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the system control means can
monitor the
operational time of each of the components and current status of the system.
For example, the
operational time of the projectors and the bulbs of the projectors may be
monitored: Through
this type of monitoring activity logs and servicing logs for the system can be
established. The
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
remote access to the system control means further enables a plurality of
projection systems to be
monitored remotely from for example, a centralised location.
The system control means synchronises the projection of images by the
projection means such
that a plurality of individual images, upon projection onto a screen unit,
forms a single coherent
image. This coherent image can be created such that the seams or mullions
between the
independently projected images are virtually indistinguishable.
In essence the system control means is controlling the duty cycle of each
projection means
simultaneously such that compatible images are projected by the plurality of
projection means at
the same time thereby creating the impression of a single coherent image. In
addition, images
stored on the system control means have beenappropriately sequenced and are
identifiable such
that the system control means is able to determine which images are to be
projected by which
projection means such that the coherent image can be created. The sequence for
the generation
of the appropriate images for each projection means; enabling the creation of
a single coherent
image, will be discussed in a further section.
Projection Means
The projection of the images onto a screen unit can be.performed by any
projection means that
has the capability of modulating light such that desired images are created.
Each projection
means projects an image onto a unique area of the screen unit, wherein the
addition of these
separate images created on the multiple unique areas of the screen unit form a
single coherent
image. For example, DLP (digital light processing); LCD (liquid crystal
display) or CRT
(cathode ray tube) type projectors may be used as a projection means for the
present invention.
In one embodiment, the projection means can be compatible with a rear
projection type system.
LCD projectors coded PLC-SU20N and PLC-SP20N, which are produced by SanyoTM;
can be
used as projection means according to one embodiment of the present invention:
In one embodiment of the present invention and with further reference to
Figure 1 A, there are
three projection means and three screens forming a screen unit incorporated
into the projection
system. Each projection means creates an image on the screen unit having a
projected area which
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
is equivalent to essentially one third of the entire projection surface of the
screen unit, which is
approximately equivalent to the area of one of the screens forming the screen
unit. Based on
present standards, the projected area of each image can have an aspect ratio
of approximately 4:3,
for example, and as such having three images side by side will result in the
projected coherent
image having an aspect ratio of approximately 4:1: It should be noted that an
aspect ratio of 4:1
is approximately the same as that used for most advertising billboards and
banners, which may
enable advertisers to use the same advertisements for a billboard as for a
projection system
according to one embodiment of the present invention, therefore possibly
resulting in monetary
savings.
As would be appreciated by a worker skilled in the art, any number
ofprojection means can be
incorporated into the system of the present invention and a compatible screen
unit or units can be
provided to ;enable the display of the images created by the selected number
of projection means:
In one embodiment of the present invention, the projection means can be
provided with an
activation/deactivation system which enables the projection means to commence
projection and
to discontinue projection during desired periods. In one embodiment, clocks
and activation and
deactivation times may be incorporated into the projection means enabling
these devices to
commence and cease projection at predetermined times. An
activation/deactivation system may
also comprise a motion or light detection system, wherein
activation/deactivation of the
projectiomrieans occurs when predetermined levels of motion or light are
detected: For example
if no motion is detected for a period of 20 minutes or the ambient light
conditions' are below a
threshold value, deactivation of the projection means occurs.
In one embodiment of the present invention; the projection means are enclosed
by an encasing
means which can provide protection to the projection means in addition to
possibly enhancing
the visual aesthetics of the projection means. The encasing means is formed
from material
selected from the group comprising steel, aluminium or other alloy, fibreglass
and carbon fibre:
The selection of the material can be based an the required strength and
stiffness of the encasing
means, in addition to cost and availability of a particular material.
CA 02382253 2002-04-18
In one embodiment of the present invention, the projection means are installed
approximately
twice the projected width behind the screen unit: The relative spatial
positioning of the
projection means in relation to the screen unit can be adjusted as would be
known to a worker
skilled in the art of projection systems having regard to the characteristics
of the projection
means and the screen unit.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a line amplifier, locaked between
the system control
means and the projection means may be incorporated into the system in order
amplify the signal
being output by the system control means prior to reaching the projection
means: A worker
skilled in the art would understand the required steps and amplifier
specifications required to
enable this signal amplification.
Screen Uhit
The screen unit is a screen or a collection of screens which provide a surface
upon which the
image is projected and can be compatible with a rear projection system.
Furthermore the screen
unit incorporates a contrast enhancing means which enables the proj ected
image to be resistant to
the effects of a wide range of ambient light conditions.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a screen which may form a screen
unit and may be
incorporated into the projection system is a wide angle screen; which enables
an individual to
view the projected image from almost any angle in front of the screen or over
a range of up to
approximately 180°. This provides a means for an audience to see the
images from almost any
position in front of the screen. For example, a screen which may be used in
conjunction with the
present invention is a wide-angle rear projection screen produced by Dai
NipponTM. This screen
has a collection of fresnel lenses on the backside for refracting the light
through the screen and a
collection of lenticular lenses on the front in order to produce a horizontal
distribution of the
previously refracted light.
A screen used in conjunction with one embodiment of the present invention
further comprises a
contrast enhancing means which may be in the form of a film, spray on solution
or a dye which
may be placed in or on the screen, in ordex to reduce the affect of ambient
light conditions. By
controlling the affect of ambient light, the projection system according to
the present invention
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
can be used in a plurality of venues where the direct control of ambient light
may be difficult.
The contrast enhancing means may absorb the ambient light or disperse the
ambient light in a
plurality of directions, thereby reducing the effect of ambient light on the
perceived contrast of
the image. In one embodiment of the present invention the contrast enhancing
means can be a
black acrylic screen material which is injected inside the screens.
In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to Figure 1 C, a
frame 40 is
installed such that it surrounds the perimeter of the screen unit 30 which may
provide a means for
the screen unit to be installed at its viewing location. In the case of
multiple screens forming the
screen unit; a perimeter frame is constructed uch that the separation between
adjacent sides of
the screens is as small as possible. This form of interconnection of a
plurality of screens
provides a means for almost eliminating the mullions between the adjacent
screens thus enabling
a coherent image o be projected onto the screen unit. The frame can be formed
from any
material which has appropriate stiffness and load carrying capacity such that
the screen unit may
be suspended using said frame. For example the frame may be formed from steel;
aluminium or
other alloy, carbon fibre or any other material meeting the criteria specified
above.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the screens are less than one inch
thick. In a further
embodiment the screens are approximately 0:25 inches thick. The mullions or
spaces separating
adjacent screens can be approximately U:375 inches thick and the frame
enclosing the perimeter
of the screen unit can be approximately one inch thick. This scale of
dimensions for the screen
unit, which is a combination of at least two individual screens, provides the
screen unit with a
streamline profile and may virtually eliminate the visible presence of
mullions between the
individual screens.
Sequence of lmage Creation
In one embodiment; the sequence of events resulting in the generation of a
single coherent image
using the projection means of the present invention is defined below.
Initially, the final image to be displayed using the projection means is
conceived as a single
entity, wherein this image can be a static picture or a dynamic sequence of
pictures. The final
image to be displayed can further be a single picture which encompasses the
entire projection
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
surface or may be a combination of two or more images. This single entity is
subsequently
divided into a plurality of smaller images which is compatible with the set-up
of the projection
system. For example, with reference to Figure lA, there are three projection
means creating the
single entity image and as such the single entity image will be divided into
three -smaller images.
It should be noted that adjacent smaller images do not overlap and as such the
appropriate edges
of adjacent images are matched in order to create the original single entity
image.
Each smaller image corresponds o a particular portion of the single entity
image and as such
must be projected by the projection means that illuminates the corresponding
portion of the
screen unit; In addition, a sequence or "play list" of a plurality of single
entity images can be
established; enabling the sequential arrangement of the smaller images.
In one embodiment of the present invention; the sequential list of images to
be projected by a
particular projection means is formed into a video stream for transmission
from the system
control means to the appropriate projection means. This video stream may be in
the form of a
MPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4 or any other video format which is compressed or
uncompressed. It
should be noted that while the video seam for each projection means is
separate from each other
stream, each video stream establishes the images for only a portion of the
single entity image.
Therefore, it is essential that the timing of the presentation time of each
image or frame in a
24 video stream is synchronised with the compatible image or frame of the
other video ~, in
order that the compatible images are projected by the projection means at the
carne time in order
to create the illusion of a single entity image on the screen unit. The images
for transfer to the
projectibn means may equally well be a sequence of still images which may be
in the form of
JPEGs or any other still image format which is compressed or uncompressed.
In one embodiment, the video streams are saved on the system control means and
are
subsequently transmitted to the appropriate projection means enabling the
creation of the
originally conceived single entity image by the plurality of projection means.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the above mentioned video streams
may well be real
time video feeds from for example, the Internet, or any other real time video
stream source. Thus
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
providing a means for the incorporation of real time information which would
enable the display
of, for example up to date stock prices, weather reports, sports or news
information.
Furthermore, the projection system according to one embodiment of the present
invention can
broadcast events which may be live or previously recorded from sources
comprising cable,
microwave or satellite feeds. In addition the projection system can display
passive video feeds
from sources comprising DVDs, VCRs or any other passive video source.
Installation of the Projection System
In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to Figure 2, the
projection system
can be installed as illustrated, wherein the projection means and the screen
unit are attached
directly to the ceiling 50 of the area in which the system is being utilised.
The system control
means is hidden from view and is operatively connected with the projection
means by use of
cables or wires in a hardwired system or may equally well be connected by use
of radio frequency
waves in a wireless type system.
In a further embodiment of the present invention and with reference to Figure
3, the projection
means 20 and the screen unit 30 maybe suspended from the ceiling 50 of the
area in which it is
being utilised by a connection rod system 60. The connection system 60
provides a means for
the screen to appear suspended in mid-air, thus possibly adding to the visual
attractiveness of the
projection system. In one embodiment, the length and number of poles forming
the connection
rod system can be varied, wherein the selection of the type of the connection
rod system may be
dependent on the installation site of the projection system, for example.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3; the projection means and
the screen unit are
not interconnected, leaving an open region separating these components, thus
providing a system
that may appear unobtrusive and streamlined to an audience. Furthermore, the
desired image
appears on the side of the screen unit opposite the projection means; thus
this system may
provide an illusion that the image on the screen unit is suspended in mid-air,
since only the
screen unit may be seen from this vantage point. Particularly; if the screen
unit is suspended ,
from the ceiling by an elongated connection system, as illustrated in Figure
3; the audience's
attra~etion to this displayed image may be enhanced.
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CA 02382253 2002-04-18
A projection system according to one embodiment of the present invention may
be inexpensive
when compared to other projection systems due to the minimisation of the
number of
components of the system in addition to the ease of creation of the projected
image from a
plurality of smaller images. By using the method of edge matching, the
projection system does
not require additional functionality necessary to modulate light intensities
in areas where the
images overlap.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE l:
Use of the Projection System as ah Advertising Medium.:
The projecfion system ofthe present invention may be utilised as an
advertising medium, for
example, it may be installed in a shopping mall, airport, university or any
other high consumer
traffic area. In these types of assembly areas the projection system and thus
the advertisements
would be visible to a plurality of consumers and therefore possibly entice
them into purchasing
the items advertised.
This projection system can be installed in a shopping mall environment, for
example in a food
court, because the system has the ability to counteract the affects of the
multiple sources of
ambient light which are present in this type of setting. In addition, this
ability to counteract the
affect of ambient light enables the projection system to be installed without
the need for a light
barrier between the projection means and he screens) thus providing the system
with a thin
profile which may be visually appealing to the consumer audience (see Figures
lB and 2). In
addition, the suspension of the projection system at a level removed from the
ceiling may further
enhance the visual presentation of the system since the projected image
appears to be "floating"
in mid-air (see Figure 3).
The projection system according to one embodiment of the present invention
further provides a
means for sequencing a plurality of advertisements to be displayed in what may
be called a "play
list". The projection system provides a means for displaying advertisements
which are still
pictures, moving images or a combination thereof. This provides a means for
one projection
CA 02382253 2002-04-18
system to provide advertising for a plurality of advertisers which may enhance
the visual display
for the consumer because the images are constantly changing.
EXAMPLE 2:
Use of the Projection System as a Status Display Medium:
The projection system of the present invention may be utilised as a status
display medium. The
projection system may be installed at an airport in order to display the
current status of the
flights, for example or at high traffic areas on a university campus in order
to display daily news
items and/or class modifications and cancellations.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be
varietlin many ways.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and
scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are
intended to be
included within the scope of the following claims.
16
