From Bulky Machines to the 'SixthSense': Projector Lamps Have Come a Long Way

With only four years out of college, it's hard to imagine the classroom tools and methods I used on my path toward a bachelor's degree are almost extinct. Gone are the days of taking notes on white, lined paper, as they've been replaced by high-tech laptops and tablets. Meanwhile, students are able to "check in" with their teacher through telepresence and online sessions – right from the comfort of their dorm rooms (pajamas, anyone?)

Go even further back in time, and it's hard to forget my elementary school days – pre-PowerPoint presentation – when teachers displayed slides of images and text on white pull-down screens using old-fashioned DLP and LCD projectors. Who can forget the monotonous humming sound that emanated from these pre-historic machines, better yet the simplicity of turning a dial to take you to the next slide?

Flash up to the present, and projectors, as well as the bulbs used to power them, are nowhere near where they originated. They've come a long way, starting as bulky machines that over the years transformed into less bulkier machines often seen on conference tables and in entertainment spaces, and eventually molding into what they are today: innovative, creative and often portable devices that resemble something out of an action movie.

Technology innovators are racing to bring fresh, revolutionary projector lamp inventions to the market, some of which include watches, cell phones that display images, smartphone devices and others in true James Bond fashion, according to MyProjectorLamps.com.

One recent innovative projector lamp to come to fruition is a portable projector that takes the functions of a basic projector lamp to a whole new level. Fittingly called "SixthSense," users can perform "out of this world" tasks, including dialing a phone number from the palm of your hand and snapping photos that can be displayed on any surface imaginable. Even further, it functions almost like an application, as it provides users with helpful information when it comes to purchasing products.

In a video demo of the new product, Pattie Maes, one of the experts to spearhead the revolutionary projector product, categorizes this invention as a way to have easy access to relevant information for making optimal decisions without requiring the user to change his or her behavior.

Using a camera, projector, mirror, colored caps and a simple phone, all placed on the user's body, these components communicate with each other to interact with any surface. For example, the camera is able to recognize natural movements performed on the finger caps that help the user perform everyday tasks such as reading a map or reviewing a picture previously taken on any surface, even your own hand!

"It really can act as one of these sixth sense devices that gives you relevant information of what is in front of you," said Maes, who further explained how consumers can use this projector creation to obtain product reviews and further information by simply scanning an item with the components.

This creation is also perfect for those judgmental people out there, whom can see words associated with another person through the information posted on their personal blogs, social networking sites, etc. Though controversial, it's pretty clever! If only we had this during our lecture halls…