Moving Head Projector System

Abstract

A moving head projector. The moving head projector includes a projector housing that is rotatably mounted to a yoke, which is in turn rotatably mounted to a base. The yoke includes a motor configured to selectively move the projector housing along multiple axes. A projector is located within the projector housing and directed towards an opening on a front side of the projector housing, wherein a lens is also positioned over the opening. A computer within the base is configured to control the moving head projector. The computer further includes non-transitory memory configured for operating more than one operating system. In one embodiment, the moving head projector system includes a dual boot computer.

Claims

1) A moving head projector system, comprising: a projector housing rotatably mounted to a base via a yoke; the yoke including a motor configured to adjust a position and an orientation of the projector housing along multiple axes; a projector disposed within the projector housing oriented towards an opening disposed on a front side of the projector housing; a lens positioned over the opening; the lens configured to allow light from the projector to pass therethrough; and a computer disposed within the base, the computer configured to control the projector and the actuation of the motor.

2) The moving head projector system of claim 1, wherein the computer includes non-transitory memory configured for operating more than one operating system.

3) The moving head projector system of claim 2, wherein a first operating system of the more than one operating system includes a Mac operating system.

4) The moving head projector system of claim 2, wherein a second operating system of the more than one operating system includes a Windows operating system.

5) The moving head projector system of claim 2, wherein the computer includes transceiver for communicating with a remote controller adapted to control the moving head projector system.

6) The moving head projector system of claim 1, wherein the yoke further comprises a pair of upstanding support arms disposed on opposing lateral sides of the projector housing.

7) The moving head projector system of claim 1, wherein the yoke comprises a pair of motors disposed on the pair of upstanding support arms disposed on opposing lateral sides of the projector housing.

8) The moving head projector system of claim 1, further comprising a dowser removably disposed on the front side of the projector housing; the dowser configured to selectively cover the opening.

9) The moving head projector system of claim 1, further comprising a shelf disposed within the projector housing and configured to support the projector.

10) The moving head projector system of claim 9, wherein the shelf is adjustable along an interior of the projector housing.

11) The moving head projector system of claim 1, further comprising a camera disposed on the projector housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the moving head projector system.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the moving head projector system taken along line V-V of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the moving head projector system in one use.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the moving head projector system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the moving head projector system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for projecting images onto a surface wherein the moving head projector is controllable via at least two remote controllers running different operating systems. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the moving head projector system. The moving head projector system 11 provides a projector for displaying light and images through a lens 16 onto a surface. The moving head projector system 11 further provides the ability to remotely control and adjust the projector. The moving head projector system 11 comprises a projector housing 12 rotatably mounted to a base 14 via a yoke 13. In the shown embodiment, the projector housing 12 houses a projector for emitting light therein. The yoke 13 including a motor 15 operably connected to the projector housing 12, wherein the motor 15 is configured to adjust a position and an orientation of the projector housing 12 along multiple axes. The projector disposed within the projector housing 12 is oriented towards an opening 32 disposed on a front side 30 of the projector housing 12. The lens 16 is positioned over the opening 32, such that the light from the projector passes through the lens 16 before leaving the projector housing 12.

[0019] A computer 44 disposed within the base 14 is configured to control the actuation of the motors 15 and the projector disposed within the projector housing 12. In one embodiment, a camera 17 is disposed on the projector housing 12. The camera 17 is adapted to capture images and store the captured images on non-transitory memory internal or external to the moving head projector system 11.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the moving head projector system taken along line V-V of FIG. 1. The projector housing 12 includes a shelf 19 disposed within the projector housing 12, wherein the shelf 19 is configured to support the projector 18. The shelf 19 is adjustable along an interior side 22 of the projector housing 12. In the shown embodiment, the projector housing 12 includes a dowser 20 is removably disposed on the front side of the projector housing 12. The dowser 20 configured to selectively cover the lens and the opening of the projector housing 12. In the shown embodiment, the projector housing 12 has a rectangular cross section. In alternative embodiments, the projector housing 12 can be spherical or have any cross-sectional shape.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the moving head projector system in one use. In the shown embodiment, the yoke 13 further comprises a pair of upstanding support arms 34 disposed on opposing lateral sides of the projector housing 12. The yoke 13 comprises motors 15, a pair of motors operably connected to and disposed on the pair of upstanding support arms disposed on opposing lateral sides of the projector housing. The motors 15 are configured to rotate the projector housing 12 along a horizontal and vertical axis independent of each other. Further, a motor 15 is operably connected to the base 14 over a central area, in this way the yoke 13 and the coupled projector housing 12 are adapted to be rotated about the motor 15. A pair of electronic device 41, 42 are operably connected to the moving head projector system 11 at connectors 21. In one embodiment, the connectors 21 are USB connectors. However, in alternative embodiments, the connectors 21 are adaptor for coupling electronic devices. Further, in the shown embodiment, the pair of electronic device 41, 42 comprise different operating systems, and both 41, 42 are compatible with the moving head projector system 11. In one embodiment, the moving head projector system 11 includes a dual boot computer.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram of the moving head projector system. The moving head projector system 11 includes a computer 44 (or processor) within the base 14 that is operably connected to a transceiver 43 for communicating with a remote controller or remote electronic device 41, 42 adapted to control the moving head projector system 11. The transceiver 43 is configured for wired or wireless communication. Additionally, the computer 44 includes non-transitory memory 45 for operating multiple operating systems, such that the moving head projector system 11 is compatible with various remote controllers and remote electronic devices. In this way, the moving head projector system 11 is adapted for use with various remote controllers and remote electronic devices wired or wirelessly.

[0023] In the shown embodiment, the moving head projector system 11 is in wired connection to a pair of electronic devices, wherein each of the pair of electronic devices include distinct operating systems. For example, a first electronic device of the pair of electronic devices runs a Mac operating system, and a second electronic device of the pair of electronic devices runs a Windows operating system. In this way, the computer of the moving head projector system 11 is compatible with both electronic devices, such that the projector and the motors are controllable from each of the electronic devices independently.

[0024] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0025] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.