Image projection system

Abstract

An image projection system comprises an image projector, such as a film or television projector and a projection screen. The projection screen is fabricated of a substantially transparent material, such as glass or plastic. The screen of transparent material has one or more areas or portions formed therein which areas or portions may be made to be translucent upon the application of a stimulus. Once in a translucent condition, the projected image can be received and viewed on the translucent portion. A mirror can be positioned behind the projection screen so that a person can view the reflection of themself in the mirror when the screen is transparent, and an image can be projected when the projection screen is made to be substantially translucent.

1. An image projection system comprising:
 a screen;  
 a projector for projecting an image; and  
 a shutter for permitting passage of the image from the projector to the screen, wherein the screen is configured to allow an object to be viewed through the screen when the shutter is closed, and wherein the screen is configured to reflect the image projected from the projector when the shutter is open in substantially a manner so that the reflected image is primarily viewed as opposed to the object.  
 
     
     
       2. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the screen further comprises a material that reflects the image when it is projected at an angle relative to the screen. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the screen further comprises a material that is substantially transparent when the screen is configured to allow the object to be viewed through the screen, and wherein the material is substantially translucent when the image is projected upon it. 
     
     
       4. A method for projecting an image comprising the steps of
 delivering an image to a projector,  
 opening a shutter on the projector so that the image is projected from the projector onto a screen;  
 modifying a characteristic of the screen so that the projected image is substantially reflected by the screen;  
 closing the shutter on the projector so that the image is no longer projected from the projector onto the screen; and  
 modifying the characteristic of the screen so that the screen is substantially transparent.  
 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the step of modifying the characteristic of the screen so that the projected image is substantially reflected by the screen causes the screen to be substantially translucent. 
     
     
       6. An image projection system comprising:
 a screen controllable between a first state of being substantially transparent and a second state of being substantially translucent;    a projector;    a mirror, wherein the screen is positioned near the mirror;    circuitry for placing the screen in the first state;    circuitry for placing the screen in the second state; and    circuitry for projecting an image from the projector onto the screen when it is in the second state so that a person views the image reflected from the screen, wherein the screen is positioned so that when it is in the second state, the person can still view a portion of their reflection in the mirror.    
     
     
       7. An image projection system comprising:
 a screen controllable between a first state of being substantially transparent and a second state of being substantially translucent;    a projector;    a mirror, wherein the screen is positioned near the mirror;    circuitry for placing the screen in the first state;    circuitry for placing the screen in the second state;    circuitry for projecting an image from the projector onto the screen when it is in the second state so that a person views the image reflected from the screen; and    a controller for controlling the projector, projecting circuitry and placing circuitries in a manner so that the image is projected from the projector substantially simultaneously when the screen is switched from the first state to the second state.    
     
     
       8. The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the controller controls the projector, projecting circuitry and placing circuitries in a manner so that the image is not projected from the projector substantially simultaneously when the screen is switched from the second state to the first state. 
     
     
       9. The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein when the screen is placed in the first state, the person can view their reflection in the mirror through the screen. 
     
     
       10. An image projection system comprising an image projecting means and an image receipt screen, said screen comprising a substantially transparent medium having a plurality of switchable portions, wherein each of the switchable portions is switchable between a substantially transparent optical characteristic and a substantially translucent optical characteristic, wherein an image projected from the image projecting means is viewable on a first switchable portion of the plurality of switchable portions when the first switchable portion is switched to the substantially translucent optical characteristic, wherein no image projected from the image projecting means is viewable on the first switchable portion of the plurality of switchable portions when the first switchable portion is switched to the substantially transparent optical characteristic. 
     
     
       11. The image projection system as in  claim 10 , wherein substantially all of said transparent medium is switchable. 
     
     
       12. The image projection system as in  claim 10 , wherein said transparent medium is glass. 
     
     
       13. The image projection system as in  claim 10 , wherein said transparent medium is plastic. 
     
     
       14. The image projection system as in  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of image projecting means for projecting a plurality of images onto the plurality of switchable portions. 
     
     
       15. The image projection system as in  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of switchable portions are co- located on a single transparent medium.   
     
     
       16. The image projection system as in  claim 10 , wherein said system is used in a video image projection system. 
     
     
       17. The image projection system as in  claim 10 , wherein said system is used in a television image projection system. 
     
     
       18. The image projection system as in  claim 10 , wherein said system is used in a computer- generated image projection system.   
     
     
       19. The image projection, system as in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of switchable portions comprise at least first and second independently switchable portions disposed adjacent one another. 
     
     
       20. The image projection system as in  claim 19 , wherein said first and second independently switchable portions are each adapted for a different lighting condition. 
     
     
       21. The image projection system as in  claim 19 , wherein said first and second portions are at least partially overlapping. 
     
     
       22. An image projection system comprising:
   an image projector;        an image receipt screen for displaying images projected by the image projector, said image receipt screen comprising a substantially transparent medium having at least one portion switchable between a substantially transparent optical characteristic and a substantially translucent optical characteristic, wherein an image projected by the image projector is not viewable on the at least one switchable portion of the image receipt screen when the at least one switchable portion is switched to the substantially transparent optical characteristic, wherein the image receipt screen has a first side and a second side; and        a reflective device, wherein the image receipt screen and reflective device are positioned and configured to permit a user facing the first side of the image receipt screen to see at least a portion of the user's reflection in the reflective device when the at least one portion is switched to the substantially translucent optical characteristic.     
     
     
       23. An image projection system comprising:
   a screen, wherein the screen comprises a first switchable portion and a second switchable portion, wherein the first and second switchable portions are independently switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is substantially transparent and the second state is substantially translucent;        one or more projectors for projecting an image;        at least one shutter for permitting passage of the image from at least one of the one or more projectors to the screen, wherein the screen is configured to allow an object to be viewed through the screen when the at least one shutter is closed and when the first or second portion of the screen is switched to the first state, and wherein the first or second portion of the screen is configured to display the image projected from at least one of the one or more projectors when the at least one shutter is open and when the first or second portion of the screen is switched to the second state in substantially a manner so that the displayed image is primarily viewed as opposed to the object.     
     
     
       24. The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the screen further comprises a material that displays the image when it is projected at an angle relative to the screen. 
     
     
       25. The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the screen further comprises a material that is substantially transparent when the screen is configured to allow the object to be viewed through the screen, and wherein the material is substantially translucent when the image is projected upon it. 
     
     
       26. A method for projecting an image comprising the steps of:
   delivering an image to one or more projectors;        opening a shutter on at least one of the one or more projectors so that a first image is projected from the at least one of the one or more projectors onto a screen;        modifying a characteristic of a first portion of the screen so that the first image is displayed by the first portion of the screen;        modifying a characteristic of a second portion of the screen so that the second portion of the screen is substantially transparent;        closing the shutter on the at least one of the one or more projectors so that the first image is no longer projected from the at least one of the one or more projectors onto the screen;        modifying the characteristic of the first portion of the screen so that the first portion of the screen is substantially transparent;        opening the shutter on at least one of the one or more projectors so that a second image is projected from the at least one of the one or more projectors onto the screen; and        modifying the characteristic of the second portion of the screen so that the second image is displayed by the second portion of the screen.     
     
     
       27. The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the step of modifying the characteristic of the first portion of the screen so that the first image is displayed by the first portion of the screen causes the first portion of the screen to be substantially translucent. 
     
     
       28. An image projection system comprising:
   a screen controllable between a first state of being substantially transparent and a second state of being substantially translucent;        a projector;        a mirror, wherein the screen is positioned near the mirror;        circuitry for placing the screen in the first state;        circuitry for placing the screen in the second state; and        circuitry for projecting an image from the projector onto the screen when it is in the second state so that a person views the image displayed on the screen, wherein the screen is positioned so that when it is in the second state, the person can still view a portion of their reflection in the mirror.     
     
     
       29. An image projection system comprising:
   a screen controllable between a first state of being substantially transparent and a second state of being substantially translucent;        a projector;        a mirror, wherein the screen is positioned near the mirror, wherein the screen is positioned between the projector and the mirror;        circuitry for placing the screen in the first state;        circuitry for placing the screen in the second state;        circuitry for projecting an image from the projector onto the screen when it is in the second state so that a person views the image displayed on the screen; and        a controller for controlling the projector, projecting circuitry and placing circuitries in a manner so that the image is projected from the projector substantially simultaneously when the screen is switched from the first state to the second state.     
     
     
       30. The system as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the controller controls the projector, projecting circuitry and placing circuitries in a manner so that the image is not projected from the projector substantially simultaneously when the screen is switched from the second state to the first state. 
     
     
       31. The system as recited in  claim 28 , wherein when the screen is placed in the first state, the person can view their reflection in the mirror through the screen.