Projector capable of determining how a moving object interacts with a projected image

Abstract

A projector that projects a visible image as well as a non-visible image. The non-visible image might be used for any purpose, but an example is in order to provide depth information regarding physical item(s) interacting with the projected visible image. The projector includes multiple projecting units (e.g., one for each pixel to be displayed), each including light-emitting elements configured to emit light in the visible spectrum. Some or all of those projecting units might also include an emitting element for emitting light in the non-visible spectrum so as to collectively emit a non-visible image. Optics may be positioned to project the visible image and the non-visible image. A depth sensing module detects depth of surfaces within the scope of the non-visible image using a reflected portion of the non-visible image. Methods for projecting an image are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A projector, comprising:
 at least one projecting unit capable of projecting a visible image and a non-visible image, the non-visible image comprising a pattern superimposed with the visible image;   a camera capable of capturing a reflected portion of the non-visible image, including a portion of the pattern reflected by a moving object over the visible image, the camera also capable of generating image signals corresponding to the portion of the pattern reflected by the moving object; and   a processing module capable of receiving the image signals from the camera and of determining how the moving object interacts with the visible image by processing the image signals.   
     
     
         2 . The projector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projecting unit is capable of emitting red light, green light, and blue light. 
     
     
         3 . The projector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projecting unit is capable of emitting infra-red light. 
     
     
         4 . The projector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projecting unit includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes. 
     
     
         5 . The projector of  claim 1 , further comprising mechanical attachments for attaching the projector to or within a ceiling. 
     
     
         6 . The projector of  claim 1 , further comprising mechanical attachments for attaching the projector into a can light receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The projector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 optics positioned to project the visible image.   
     
     
         8 . The projector of  claim 7 , wherein the optics are also positioned to project the non-visible image. 
     
     
         9 . The projector of  claim 8 , wherein the optics includes a portion that directs at least a portion of a reflected version of the non-visible image towards the camera. 
     
     
         10 . The projector of  claim 9 , wherein the processing module is capable of determining how the moving object interacts with the visible image by deriving depth information about a distance of the moving object from a location to which the visible image is projected from the image signals. 
     
     
         11 . A method for projecting an image comprising:
 projecting a visible image;   projecting a non-visible image, the non-visible image comprising a pattern superimposed with the visible image;   receiving at least a portion of a reflected portion of the pattern of the non-visible image;   from at least the portion of the reflected portion of the pattern of the non-visible image, determining how the one or more objects interact with the visible image as the one or more objects move over the visible image.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining how the one or more objects interact with the visible image as the one or more objects move over the visible image comprises deriving depth information regarding a distance of the one or more objects over the visible image based on at least the portion of the reflected portion of the pattern of the non-visible image. 
     
     
         13 . An interactive projector, comprising:
 a housing capable of coupling with a light receptacle;   a projector carried by the housing;   a camera carried by the housing; and   a processing module carried by the housing, the processing module capable of receiving image signals from the camera and of determining how the moving object interacts with the visible image by processing the image signals.   
     
     
         14 . The interactive projector of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is capable of coupling with a can light receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The interactive projector of  claim 13 , wherein the projector is capable of projecting a visible image and a non-visible image in superimposed relation. 
     
     
         16 . The interactive projector of  claim 13 , wherein the non-visible image comprises a pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The interactive projector of  claim 15 , wherein the camera is capable of capturing at least a portion of a reflected version of the non-visible image, including a portion of the non-visible image reflected by an object moving over the visible image. 
     
     
         18 . The interactive projector of  claim 17 , wherein the processing module is capable of receiving image signals from the camera and of determining how the moving object interacts with the visible image by processing the image signals. 
     
     
         19 . The interactive projector of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 optics carried by the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The interactive projector of  claim 19 , wherein the optics are shared by the projector and the camera.