Abstract:
Provided is an apparatus for holding a relatively small video or image projector and an integrated projector screen and touch enabled projection surface in place and in proper alignment in order to achieve a portable, interactive, touch-enabled display solution which may sit on a table top, a desk top, or any substantially flat surface, and which may produce a relatively large sized display for the purpose of viewing and directly manipulating necessarily large images such as engineering and construction drawings and 3D models, graphic design and advertising art, and complex charts and schedules.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/126,825, filed Mar. 2, 2015, entitled TABLE TOP INTERACTIVE PROJECTION DISPLAY SYSTEM which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Drawings and 3-D models used in the architecture, engineering, construction, oil &amp; gas, graphic design, and other industries are relatively large. Such drawings and documents must be manipulated and annotated electronically, which poses a challenge when working with said drawings on small electronic displays and on paper. Accordingly, improvements are needed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present disclosure provides for a novel apparatus for holding a relatively small video or image projector and an integrated projector screen and touch enabled projection surface in place and in proper alignment in order to achieve a portable, interactive, touch-enabled display solution which may sit on a table top, a desk top, or any substantially flat surface, and which may produce a relatively large sized display for the purpose of viewing and directly manipulating necessarily large images such as engineering and construction drawings and 3D models, graphic design and advertising art, and complex charts and schedules. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate orthogonal views of one embodiment of an interactive display apparatus; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with an example of content that may be displayed; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with the projector rotated approximately ninety degrees; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with the projector rotated approximately ninety degrees, projecting an image onto a nearby wall; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in a folded position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in which the displayed content can be provided by means of a wired connection to a desktop or laptop computer, a wireless connection to a laptop computer, a smart phone or a tablet computer, or by means of computer components mounted inside the apparatus itself; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7A-7E  illustrate front side, left side, right side, back side, and top side views, respectively, of one embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate cutaway side views of two different embodiments of the apparatus of  FIG. 7E  taken along lines A-A. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are used herein to designate like elements throughout, the various views and embodiments of a table top interactive projection display system apparatus are illustrated and described, and other possible embodiments are described. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations based on the following examples of possible embodiments. 
         [0014]    Individuals working in the architectural, engineering, construction, oil &amp; gas, graphic design, and other similar industries typically use large drawings that have dimensions that conform to a particular industry standard. For example, the drawing dimensions may be defined by a known standard detailed by an organization such as the International Standards Organization (ISO) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively, the drawings may be a custom size defined by an in-house or other non-conventional specification. Regardless of the exact dimensions used, such drawings have conventionally been printed on large sheets of paper that are rolled up for transportation and storage. The drawings, which are also referred to herein as blueprints, often provide highly detailed specifications for buildings, engineering projects, and other projects that require accurate plans. The large size of the drawings may aid a user in clearly discerning specific details and so reducing the size increases the possibility that numbers, letters, lines, and other features will be overlooked or misread. 
         [0015]    However, not only do conventional paper drawings represent a cumbersome approach due to the nature of large rolls of paper (e.g., difficult to manage and easily torn), but paper drawings are difficult to update, and care must be taken not to use outdated drawings. While drawings may be available in digital format, AEC drawings are generally far too large to be fully viewable at a 1:1 scale on a portable device&#39;s or standard computers&#39; digital displays. In other words, a user must scroll around the digital display to see the entire drawing at a 1:1 scale or zoom out to see the full drawing. Scrolling around makes it difficult to get an overall view of the drawing, while zooming out to get an overall view reduces the amount of detail that is easily visible and increases the possibility that errors in reading the drawing will occur. 
         [0016]    Larger digital screens may be used, but many users prefer to look at screens that can be laid flat like paper blueprints, rather than screens that are vertical like many larger digital screens. Furthermore, larger digital screens lack ease in portability. Accordingly, while conventional digital devices solve certain problems that occur with paper drawings, they introduce other issues. As such, it is clear that neither paper drawings nor currently available digital solutions are ideal. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , one embodiment of an interactive display apparatus  100  is illustrated that provides a portable large scale drawing and 3-D model solution. In the present example, the apparatus  100  includes a housing  105  that contains components that make up a projector  290 . The housing  105  is affixed to a pivot mount  110  which is affixed to the top of a column  115  which is affixed to a column base  170  via a hinge  140  and a latch  165 . It is understood that the hinge  140  may be a modular unit mounted onto the column  115  and the column base  170 , or it could comprise hinge loops molded directly into the column  115  and the column base  170 , with a pin inserted through the hinge loops to for an operable hinge assembly. The column base  170  is attached to a screen assembly  125  which comprises a touch-enabled projection screen  135  sandwiched between a perimeter frame  130  and a base  300 . In the present example, the projector housing  105  is rectangular in shape and the column  115  is a rectangular tube with a cross-section which mates with the cross-sections of the pivot mount  110  and the column base  170 , while the screen assembly  125  is rectangular in shape. However, it is understood that the projector housing  105 , the column  115 , and the screen assembly  125  may take on many different overall all shapes and may have many different cross-sectional shapes. For example, ovals, squares, rectangles, hexagons, octagons, and any other symmetrical and non-symmetrical shapes may be used for the projector housing  105 , the pivot mount  110 , the column  115 , the column base  170 , and the screen assembly  125 . Furthermore, portions of each of the aforementioned components may vary in width, thickness, and/or length and may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, including metals, plastics, and glass. 
         [0018]    The touch-enabled projection screen  135  may be formed using a technology such as projected capacitive touch, infrared, surface acoustic wave, and/or similar technologies that can produce a touch enabled surface. This touch enabled surface may be overlaid with a light-colored or white opaque surface or may be clear itself, overlaid on a light-colored or opaque surface, such that an image may be projected onto it and be visible by a user of the apparatus  100 . 
         [0019]    In the present example, the screen assembly  125  is substantially rectangular in shape with a left edge  106 , a right edge  107 , a rear edge  108 , a front edge  109 , and a display surface  137 . It is understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” and “bottom” are from the perspective of  FIGS. 1A-1B  and are for purposes of description only. 
         [0020]    In the present example of one embodiment of an interactive projection display apparatus  100  a carry handle  120  is mounted at the rear side  108  of the screen assembly  125  near the column base  170 . It is understood that the location of the carry handle  120  could vary and may be located at any location along the rear side  108 , front side  109 , left side  106 , or right side  107 . 
         [0021]    The projector housing  105  may also include one or more control features  150 , communication ports  152  and/or other components that may be used to interact with and/or control the projector  290 . The control features  150 , communication ports  152 , and/or other components may be mounted on the face and/or on one or more sides of the housing  105 . Connections for the control features  150  and/or communication ports  152  may be coupled to electronic components within the housing  105  via wired connections or the control features  150  and/or communication ports  152  may be wirelessly connected to the electronic components within the housing  105 . 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the housing  105  may include one or more vent openings  175 ,  180  (e.g., slits, slots, and/or holes) that provide air intake and/or exhaust ports for cooling purposes. It is understood that these vent openings  175 ,  180  may be located in many different locations on the housing  105 , depending on the various orientations and venting needs of the internal projection components  290 , and more or fewer vent openings  175 ,  180  in various configurations may be used. 
         [0023]    In this particular embodiment, the projector  290  and housing  105  are mounted vertically above the projection display surface  137  toward the rear side  108  of the screen assembly  125  with the projector lens pointed toward the projection display surface  137  in such a manner that it projects an image onto the projection display surface  137 , providing a usable interactive display. 
         [0024]    It is understood that the projector  290  and housing  105  may be mounted at various heights and at many different locations above the projection display surface  137 . 
         [0025]    In this particular embodiment, the housing  105  is connected to a pivot mount  110  which is located at the top of the column  115 . This pivoting connection allows the housing  105  to rotate about the pivot connection axis  112 , which allows the user of the interactive projection display apparatus  100  to project a useful image onto a nearby adjacent wall or other projection screen mounted on a wall, hanging from a ceiling, or mounted on a stand. On either end of the pivot mount  110  axis  112  end caps  160  are mounted for aesthetic purposes. In order to lock the housing  105  into a desired position about the pivot axis, detents along the inner walls of the pivot mount  110  may be provided at various points that cause the housing  105  to “click” into position at various rotation points about the pivot axis  112 . In other embodiments of the display apparatus  100  the axial position may be set by means of an axial screw clamp, which runs through the pivot mount along the pivot axis and applies pressure axially inward on the connection points of the housing  105  and the pivot mount  110 , creating friction, which holds the housing in place at a given position about the axis  112 . 
         [0026]    In this particular embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , connectors for DC-in power  185  to the projector  290  a USB connection  190  routed to the projector  290  a USB connection  195  to the touch screen  135 , and an HDMI connection  200  to the projector  290  are provided at the back side of the column base  170 , in order to provide a means to an operable interactive projection display to be connected to an external computer or smart mobile device. It is understood that many other types of connectors and means of connection may be used in other embodiments of the apparatus  100 . It is understood that the locations of the connectors may be in multiple different locations on the left side  106 , right side  107 , rear side  108 , or front side  109  of the screen assembly  125 , or on any side of the column base  170 , the column  115 , the pivot mount  110 , or the projector housing  105 . 
         [0027]    In this particular embodiment, a touch sensor on/off switch  145  is mounted on the front side  109  of the screen assembly  125 , near the left side  106  of the screen assembly  125 . It is understood that the touch sensor on/off switch  145  may be located in many different locations around the perimeter of the screen assembly  125 , on the column base  170 , on the column  115 , on the pivot mount  110 , on the projector housing  105 , or the touch sensor may be turned on or off wirelessly or via software. Turning the touch sensor off at times will allow a user to place papers, books, or other objects on the touch surface  137  without causing user interface interference on the connected external computer while the interactive display  100  is still connected but not necessarily in use. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2  one embodiment of the interactive projection display apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated with the projector  290  projecting an example blueprint image  210  onto the projection display surface  137 . A user may focus and adjust the keystone of the projected image by operating the projector control buttons  150 , or by operating buttons on a remote control. 
         [0029]    It is understood that the size of the display surface and of the apparatus  100  itself may vary greatly to provide various sized displays based on the needs of the user and of the content to be displayed. 
         [0030]    Because the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 2  may be used, in some cases, to provide a display that duplicates or exceeds the dimensions of a defined blueprint size, the display may vary in size to match commonly used blueprint dimensions. For example, the display  104  may be designed to provide a full-size (1:1) drawing in the device  100   a , a half-size (1:2) drawing in the device  100   b , and/or other drawing sizes based on a drawing scale that complies with desired dimensions. In some embodiments, the dimensions may be defined by a known standard detailed by an organization such as ISO or ANSI (e.g., the ANSI/ASME Y14.1 standard). Examples of standardized drawing dimensions are illustrated below in Table 1 (ISO) and Table 2 (ANSI/ASME). 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ISO A DRAWING SIZES (mm) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A4 
                 210 × 297 
               
               
                   
                 A3 
                 297 × 420 
               
               
                   
                 A2 
                 420 × 594 
               
               
                   
                 A1 
                 594 × 841 
               
               
                   
                 A0 
                 841 × 1189 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ANSI/ASME DRAWING SIZES (inches) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 8.5 × 11 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                  11 × 17 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                  17 × 22 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                  22 × 34 
               
               
                   
                 E 
                  34 × 44 
               
               
                   
                 D1 
                  24 × 36 
               
               
                   
                 E1 
                  30 × 42 
               
               
                   
                 E 
                  36 × 48 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may be used to provide half-size blueprints in addition to full-size blueprints, thereby enabling a larger apparatus to be more flexible in supported blueprint sizes than a smaller apparatus. In such embodiments, the half-size blueprints may be shown in their correct 1:1 scale or may be scaled to fit the display surface. In some embodiments, a device may be configured to show all smaller drawing sizes. Accordingly, a device with a display  137  having the dimensions needed to show 1:1 scale ANSI E drawings would also be able to show A-D, E1, and D1 drawings. 
         [0032]    Similarly, a device with a display surface  137  having the dimensions needed to show 1:1 scale ANSI E drawings would also be able to show A-D, E1, and D1 drawings. Similarly, a device with a display surface  137  having the dimensions needed to show 1:1 scale ISO AO drawings would also be able to show A1-A4 drawings. 
         [0033]    It is understood that the benefits of using an embodiment of an interactive projection display apparatus  100  extend far beyond the viewing and manipulation of large scale two-dimensional drawings, but can be greatly beneficial in other disciplines including but not limited to the viewing and manipulation of three-dimensional models in building, civil, mechanical, electrical, and product design, as well as the viewing and manipulation of graphic design projects, military or operational diagrams, or in various educational applications in which a large, portable table-top display would be of benefit. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , one embodiment of the apparatus  100  of FIG. IA is illustrated with the projector housing  105  rotated approximately 90 degrees about the pivot axis  112  orienting the projector lens  155  in such a manner that it can project an image onto a plane perpendicular to or nearly perpendicular to the projection display surface  137 , such as a nearby wall or projection screen. 
         [0035]    Illustrated in this particular embodiment of the apparatus  100 , on the rear and underside of the projection housing  105 , are slots  220  cut out around the radius of the back side of the housing  105 , where the housing  105  is attached to the pivot mount  110 . These slots  220  follow the contour of the rear part of the housing  105  which forms an arc about the pivot axis  112 . These slots  220  allow various wires and/or cables  310  to be routed through the column  115  and the pivot mount  110 , and into the projector housing  105 , allowing connections to the projector components  290 . 
         [0036]    In this view of one embodiment of the apparatus  100 , two vents  175 ,  215  are illustrated on the projector housing  105  for the aforementioned purposes of heat removal and ventilation. Again, it is understood that these vent openings  175 ,  215  may be located in many different locations on the housing  105 , depending on the various orientations and venting needs of the internal projection components  290  and more or fewer vent openings  175 ,  215  in various configurations may be used. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , one embodiment of the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the apparatus  100  is sitting on top of a table  225 , but it is understood that the apparatus  100  may also be set on top of a desk, a plan table, or any other relatively flat surface. The projector housing  105  is shown rotated approximately 90 degrees and projecting an image  210  of a construction blueprint onto an adjacent wall  230 . This will allow a user to easily transition from viewing an image  210  on the interactive projection display surface  137  to viewing an image  210  on a nearby wall or projection screen in a size equal to or greater than the size of the display surface  137 , depending on the distance of the wall  230  from the projector lens  155 . It is understood that the orientation of the content projected will be upside down when transitioning from projecting downward onto the projection display surface  137  to a nearby wall  230  or projection screen. The user would simply operate the control features  150  located on the projection housing  105  or on a remote control device in order to digitally flip the image right-side up (a common feature found among existing projectors and projector technology) for proper useful viewing of the image. It is understood that a projected infrared touch sensor technology may be used in order to provide touch interaction with the displayed image  210  on the wall  230 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the apparatus  100  is in a folded position, allowing the apparatus  100  to easily be stowed away or transported by a user to different locations. 
         [0039]    In the present embodiment, the column  115  (along with all components attached to the top of the column  115 ) may pivot about the hinge  140 , which, in conjunction with the latch  165 , secures the column  115  to the column base  170 . In order for the column  115  to pivot about the hinge  140 , the user must first disengage the latch  165 . The user may subsequently carry the apparatus  100  by grasping the carry handle  120 , lifting the apparatus  100 , and transporting it to the desired location. 
         [0040]    It is understood that the column  115  may, in different embodiments of the apparatus  100 , be folded in many different locations multiple times using similar common hinging techniques to make the apparatus  100  more compact for storage and transport purposes. Furthermore, it is understood that in different embodiments of the assembly  100 , the column  115  may have a telescoping function, in which the column  115  tube is cut into sections with progressively smaller cross-sectional dimensions which fit together to form a column assembly which “telescopes” in and out or up and down in order to achieve more compact overall apparatus  100  dimensions for the purpose of storage and transport. It is understood that in different embodiments of the apparatus  100 , the entire screen assembly  125  may be made up of flexible materials which allow the screen assembly  125  to be partially or completely rolled up while not in use or in storage or transport. Such rolling action would be made possible through flexible thin film transistor touch surfaces and other flexible electronics and materials. It is understood that in different embodiments of the apparatus  100 , the column base  170  may be easily detached and reattached to the screen assembly  125  while not in use or while in storage or transport. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments of the apparatus  100 , a locking mechanism (not shown) may be used to prevent the column  115  from moving or pivoting during transport. For example, a tab or clip attached to the front of the screen assembly  125  may be placed over the back side of the column to prevent unwanted movement during transport of the apparatus  100 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of the interactive projection display apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated with external devices such as portable digital devices  235  and  240  a portable (laptop) computer  245 . The apparatus  100  may communicate with these or other external devices wirelessly as indicated by lines  260  and/or via wire  250  and  255 . It is understood that these are merely examples and that the apparatus  100  may communicate with many other devices. The apparatus  100  may act as a peripheral interactive display to external devices  235 ,  240 , and  245  and may mirror the image  210  displayed on external devices or may serve as an extension of the external devices&#39;  235 ,  240 , and  245  displays. 
         [0043]    In the present example, the apparatus  100  is mirroring an image of a construction blueprint  210 , as the image  210  may be seen on the screens of the portable digital devices  235  and  240  the portable (laptop) computer  245 , and on the projection display surface  237 . 
         [0044]    The apparatus  100  may also contain electronic and computer components that allow it to operate independently of external devices, as its own computer device and interactive display, all in one assembly. An illustration of on embodiment of the apparatus  100  containing such electronic and computer components can be found in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7E , one embodiment of the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated in a front side view ( FIG. 7A ), a left side view ( FIG. 7B ), a right side view ( FIG. 7C ), a back side view ( FIG. 7D ), and a top side view ( FIG. 7E ). 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , one embodiment of the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated that provides an exploded view of a more detailed example of the apparatus  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The apparatus  100  includes a housing  105  that contains projector components  290 . The housing  105  is substantially hollow in order to fit the projector components and other electronic components inside, although support structures may be built into the housing  105  for strength and/or to provide attachment points for electronic components and/or mechanical components (e.g., fans, a tension mechanism, and/or a locking mechanism). While the housing  105  is shown with a rectangular cross-section in the present embodiment, it is understood that the cross-sectional configuration may vary greatly. The housing  105  comprises two parts: a front half  270  and a back half  275 , which are mated via screws, glue, or another suitable fastening method, to form one part around the projector components  290 . A hole is located on the front side of the front half  270  of the housing  105 , which allows the projector control buttons to be accessed from outside of the housing  105  by the user. In the present example, the housing  105  may include one or more vent openings  175  and  180  (e.g., slits, slots, and/or holes) that provide air intake and/or exhaust ports for cooling purposes. It is understood that these vent openings  175  and  180  may be located in many different locations on the housing  105 , depending on the various orientations and venting needs of the internal projection components  290  and more or fewer vent openings  175  and  180  in various configurations may be used. 
         [0047]    In the present example of the apparatus  100 , the rear half  275  of the housing  105  has a protrusion with a radiused end  375  which has a short, chamfered pivot stud  350  at the center point of the radius on each side of the rear half  275  of the housing  105 . The radiused back side  375  of the rear half  275  of the housing  105  fits into the pivot mount  110  between two circular flanges  370  on the left and right sides of the pivot mount  110 . The pivot studs  350  protrude slightly beyond the dimension between the inside surfaces of the circular flanges  370 , which flex slightly for assembly, and the pivot stud clicks into place inside the pivot holes  355  at the center of each circular flange  370  on the pivot mount  110 , creating a functional pivoting assembly. 
         [0048]    On either side of the radiused protrusion  375  on the rear half  375  of the housing  105 , next to the pivot stud  350  is a flexible tab with a protruding ball detent  360 , which mates with either of the two or more detent holes  365  located on the circular tabs  370  on either side of the pivot mount  110 . This creates set resting positions of the housing  105  at various points about the pivot axis. It is understood that many other means of setting resting points about the pivot axis may be achieved. For example, an axial clamp mechanism similar to those commonly found on camera stands and tri-pods may be applied to the pivot mount  110 , and in such a case, may be manually tightened or loosened by the user to adjust the angle of the projector housing  105  about the pivot axis. 
         [0049]    In the present example, the outside of the circular tabs  370  on the pivot mount  110  tend to leave room for aesthetic improvement. To improve aesthetics, circular end caps  160  are fitted to the outside of the circular tabs and may be attached via press-fit connection and/or a glued connection. 
         [0050]    In the present example, the pivot mount  110  is mounted via screws onto the top of the column  115 , which comprises a front half  280  and a rear half  285 , which may be mated together with screws, glue, or another suitable fastening method to form an elongated rectangular tube. While the column  115  is shown with a rectangular cross-section in the present embodiment, it is understood that the cross-sectional configuration may vary greatly. The column  115  is substantially hollow in order to fit various cables, computer components, and/or other electronic components inside, although support structures may be built into the column  115  for strength and/or to provide attachment points for electronic components and/or mechanical components (e.g., a tension mechanism and/or a locking mechanism). 
         [0051]    In the present example, the column  115  is attached to the column base  170  via a hinge assembly  140  and a latch assembly  165 . The hinge assembly  140  is attached via screws, glue, welds, and/or any other appropriate fastening method to the outside face of the front side  280  of the column  115  assembly. Although the hinge assembly shown in the present example is a modular assembly that is attached to the column  115  and column base  170  with screws and/or another appropriate fastening method, it is understood that the hinge assembly may be molded integrally into the column  115  and the column base  170  and joined together with an extruded cylinder or pin made of metal, plastic, or another appropriate material. 
         [0052]    The latch assembly  165  comprises a top portion  380  attached to the outside face of the rear side  285  of the column  115  assembly and a bottom portion  385  attached to the column base  170 . When engaged, the top portion  380  of the latch assembly  165  grasps the bottom portion  385  of the latch assembly  165  in a similar manner to any typical existing latch assembly. 
         [0053]    The column base  170  is rectangular in shape with sides to form a hollow box with an open top side. In the present example, the column base  170  may be attached to the base  300  of the screen assembly  125  with screws, glue, welds, or any other appropriate fastening method. There are rectangular and/or circular holes cut out of the rear side of the column base  170  to allow access to electronic connectors which are mounted on a printed circuit board assembly  295 , which is mounted inside the column base, with the connectors facing the rear of the assembly  295 . These connectors include but may not be limited to USB connectors, DC-in connectors, and/or HDMI connectors. It is understood that the electronic connectors may be mounted in many different locations on the column base  170 , the column  115 , or the projector housing. 
         [0054]    In the present example, a carry handle  120  is made of plastic, metal, and/or another suitable material, and is attached to the base  300  of the screen assembly  125  via screws, glue, welds, and/or another appropriate fastening method. Although in the present embodiment, the carry handle  120  has a rectangular cross section, it is understood that the cross-sectional configuration may vary greatly. 
         [0055]    In the present example, a screen assembly  125  comprises a touch-enabled projection screen  135 , a screen frame  130 , a projection screen base  300 , and several foot pads  265 . The touch-enabled projection screen  135  is substantially rectangular in shape and sits inside a depression in the projection screen base  300 , which is also substantially rectangular in shape, with larger overall rectangular dimensions than the touch enabled projection screen  135 . The depression formed in the projection screen base  300  has rectangular dimensions slightly larger than the touch-enabled projection screen  135 , allowing the touch enabled projection screen  135  to fit snugly within the depression formed in the projection screen base  300 . 
         [0056]    The touch-enabled projection screen  135  may be fastened to the projection screen base  300  with screws, double-sided tape, glue, and/or any other appropriate fastening method. A screen frame  130  is attached to the top of the assembled touch-enabled projection screen  135  and projection screen base  300  with screws and/or any other appropriate fastening method, providing an aesthetically pleasing assembly and adding rigidity to the screen assembly  125 . 
         [0057]    Foot pads  265  may be attached to the bottom of the projection screen base  300  in various locations to provide a firm, non-slip footing on most relatively flat surfaces upon which the screen assembly  125  may sit. 
         [0058]    In the present example, the touch-enabled projection screen  135  may be made by laminating a projected capacitive touch sensor array onto a fairly rigid sheet of acrylic or any other appropriate material. A sheet of vinyl or other opaque white or light-colored material may be laminated on top of the touch sensor array, forming an operable touch screen within a projection screen. For the purposes of an embodiment of an interactive projection display apparatus, it is understood that the means and methods to provide a touch-enabled screen may vary greatly. For example, many technologies exist which may be used, including but not limited to projected capacitive touch, surface acoustic wave, infrared, five-wire resistive, and/or projected infrared technologies may be used. 
         [0059]    In the present example, the projection screen base  300  may be made of plastic, metal, or any other appropriate material or combination of materials. Features such as ridges, troughs, depressions or protrusions may be formed or cut into the base  300 , in various orientations, to add structural rigidity and stiffness to the base  300 . 
         [0060]    In the present example, the screen frame  130  may be made of plastic, metal, or any other appropriate material or combination of materials. The frame  130  overlaps the gap between the touch-enabled projection screen  135  and the projection screen base  300 , and wraps around the base  300  edges. 
         [0061]    In the present example, the foot pads  265  may be made of a rubber, urethane, or any other appropriate material. The foot pads  265  may be formed by die cutting, injection molding, or any other appropriate method of manufacture. The foot pads may be attached to the projection screen base  300  with tape, glue, screws, or any other appropriate fastening method. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , a cutaway view of one embodiment of the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A , taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 7E , is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the apparatus  100  may not have any substantial computer components, and acts as an interactive peripheral display to outside devices. Wired connections may be made with outside cables  250  and  255  which connect to inner cables  310  routed through the column base  170 , the column  115 , and the pivot mount  110  and into the projector housing  105 , where a connection may be made to the projector components  290 . Wireless connections to external computer devices may also be made. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 9B , a cutaway view of one embodiment of the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A , taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 7E , is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the apparatus  100  may contain substantial computer components including but not limited to a power supply  320 , I/O circuitry  325 , memory  330 , a CPU  335 , display circuitry  340 , and communications circuitry  345 . It is understood that the illustrations of these components are merely representations and do not imply any particular form factor, orientation, or size. In the present embodiment, the apparatus  100  may operate as an all-in-one computer and interactive display, independently or in conjunction with external computer devices via wire  250  or wireless connections. 
         [0064]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that this table-top interactive projection display apparatus is portable, provides for viewing full size drawings at a 1:1 scale, and is easily updated and maintained. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.