Projection System

Abstract

Miniature projection devices will enable the use of common household objects as the projection screen for still and moving images. This application describes a set of techniques and embodiments for implementing image projection inside a lamp such as a table or wall lamp and provides techniques for dealing with the unique physical attributes of lamps such as the shape of the lamp and the bright source of light that would tend to wash out the projected image. In addition, the invention presents a series of novel embodiments that respond changes in the environment to enable an immersive user experience and operation as a pet entertainment device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A lamp comprising:
 a. a traditional light source for providing illumination,   b. a projector for projecting images,   c. a projection surface for receiving said projected images received from said projector.   
     
     
         2 . The lamp according to  claim 1 , wherein the traditional light source is either an incandescent bulb, a florescent bulb, a halogen bulb, or an LED bulb. 
     
     
         3 . The lamp according to  claim 1 , wherein said projector for projecting images is a laser light projector. 
     
     
         4 . The lamp according to  claim 1  wherein said images are moving images. 
     
     
         5 . The lamp according to  claim 1 , wherein said projection surface is a lamp shade. 
     
     
         6 . The lamp according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling said projector to modify the image as a function of an external stimulus. 
     
     
         7 . The lamp according to  claim 6 , wherein said external stimulus is time. 
     
     
         8 . The lamp according to  claim 6 , wherein said external stimulus is the ambient light in the room. 
     
     
         9 . The lamp according to  claim 6 , wherein said external stimulus is the detection of motion. 
     
     
         10 . The lamp according to  claim 6 , wherein said external stimulus is sound. 
     
     
         11 . The lamp according to  claim 6 , wherein said external stimulus is detection of the illumination state of the traditional light source. 
     
     
         12 . The lamp according to  claim 5 , wherein said lamp shade is a rear projection material and said external stimulus is the detection of an object touching a front side of the lamp shade. 
     
     
         13 . The lamp according to  claim 6 , wherein said controller modifies said image contents. 
     
     
         14 . The lamp according to  claim 6 , wherein said controller modifies said image brightness. 
     
     
         15 . The lamp according to  claim 1 , wherein said projection surface is a supporting structure connecting a base of the lamp to the traditional light source. 
     
     
         16 . The lamp according to  claim 15 , wherein said projection surface is a globe. 
     
     
         17 . A lamp comprising:
 a. a traditional light source for providing illumination,   b. a projector for projecting images, and   c. a controlling for controlling said projector to modify said image as a function of external stimulus.   
     
     
         18 . The lamp according to  claim 17 , wherein said external stimulus is the illumination state of the traditional light source. 
     
     
         19 . The lamp according to  claim 18 , wherein said projector for projection images projects on a surface external to said lamp. 
     
     
         20 . A lamp comprising:
 a. a light source receptacle arranged to receive a traditional light source,   b. a projector for projecting images, and   c. a controlling for controlling said projector to modify said image as a function of external stimulus.   
     
     
         21 . The lamp according to  claim 20 , further comprising a lamp shade, wherein said lamp shade is of a material that functions as a rear projections surface, and wherein said image is projected on a inner surface of said lamp shade. 
     
     
         22 . An image projection apparatus comprising a lamp assembly comprising a light emitting means for emitting light in at least the visual spectrum and a shade assembly positioned on said lamp assembly, said lamp assembly having an image projector, said shade assembly comprising a shade having an inside and an outside surface and a projection target area on said inside surface of said shade, said image projector being adapted to be directed to said projection target area on the inside surface of the lamp shade so that light from said image projector illuminates said target area. 
     
     
         23 . An image projection apparatus device comprising
 a) A source of light intended for illuminating an area   b) A translucent diffuser for the light, said translucent diffuser having an inner surface and an outer surface   c) An image projector that projects an image on the diffuser so that the image can be viewed on the outer surface of the diffuser.