PORTABLE SIMULATED 3D PROJECTION APPARATUS

A projection apparatus is provided which is portable and scalable in size, and comprises a first projection device to direct a first program material towards a planar viewing film which is at least partially transparent and at least partially reflective, and which is mounted at an angle with respect to the viewing plane of a viewer, so as to create a virtual image. A rear screen is arranged in the viewing plane, behind the viewing film so as to exhibit second program material from a second projection device. The first program material and the second program material are edited and synchronized one with the other so that the virtual image is interrelated with the second program material on the rear screen, and provide an enhanced simulated 3D viewing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion.

FIG. 1is a sketch showing a classic arrangement by which the Pepper's ghost illusion was exhibited starting in the last half of the 19th century. A stage, typically a proscenium stage, is shown at12inFIG. 1, and has a proscenium14. It will be seen that the left hand side of the stage is open; that is, there is no wall, wing drapery, or the like. However, a viewer looking at the stage12in the direction of arrow16sees nothing of the apparatus and setup at the left-hand side of the stage. Moreover, all of the structure at the left-hand side of the stage, commonly referred to as a Blue Room18(although it is usually black), is kept dark. That is, there is no illumination in the blue room18, and the stage20is typically brightly lit so that whatever is behind the glass22—which is set at an angle to the viewing direction16—is clearly seen. There is no reflection seen on the front face of the glass22from the setting in the blue room18. An object24is placed on the stage20, and other props may also be placed. Another object24A is placed in the blue room18; and the entire blue room18is built as a mirror image of the scene which is set on the stage20. Thus, any props or objects24A that are set in the blue room18are arranged in mirror image to those which are seen on the stage20by the viewer. When illumination begins in the blue room18, a reflection of what is in the blue room18is seen in the glass22. Accordingly, a “ghost image”26, of a second object26A, which is located in the blue room18, is reflected in the glass22. If the second object26A moves, the ghost image26will also be seen to move.

Turning now toFIG. 2, an illustration of a large scale installation which is in keeping with the principles of the present invention is seen at40. The major components of this installation are a frame structure42, a stage44, a viewing film46, a rear screen48, and a television projector50. The television projector is employed to project a virtual image52, through an actual mirror51onto focus screen53. The image on focus screen53is visible as it reflects off of viewing film46, so as to appear as virtual image52. Virtual image52acts as the first program material. The viewing film46is set at an angle with respect to the plane of the stage44, and typically that angle may be in the range of 30° to 60°, more typically about 45°. It should also be noted that the viewing film46typically has a reflection factor in the range of 20% to 80%, and a transparency factor in the range of 80% to 20%.

A further rear screen projector (not shown) is employed to project second program material onto the rear screen48, under the control of a rear controller or computer54. Likewise, control of the projector50is effected by a front controller or computer55. However, it is important to note that the virtual image52, projected as the first program material, and the second program material seen on the back screen48, are synchronized one with the other as shown at56. As such, the two program material images are interrelated. The computer programming and the nature of the computers employed to effect that synchronization, however, are beyond the scope of the present invention.

Arrow60designates the direction from which a viewer will see the scene comprising the virtual image from the viewing film46and the rear screen48. Any one particular viewer will see the images in the apparatus40in his own viewing plane, which will most likely be somewhat different from that of another viewer adjacent or behind or in front of the first viewer.

However, it will be noted that the viewing film46is angularly mounted with respect to the viewing plane of any viewer. Moreover, because the viewing film46is at least partially transparent and at least partially reflective, the virtual image52will be seen by any viewer, as well as any image which is projected onto the rear screen48due to the reflectance and transparency, respectively, of the viewing film46. Obviously, the brightness and luminosity of the images on the viewing film46and rear screen48can be controlled, and thus, are also edited or synchronized so as to be interrelated, one to the other.

It should be noted though, that the virtual images seen from the viewing film46and the rear screen48will give rise to a perception of parallax between the image52and the image seen on the rear screen48. Moreover, because of the synchronization56of the image52together with the image shown on the rear screen48, the content aspects of the combined images can be controlled or modified for an enhanced viewing effect. For example, the virtual image52may be seen to move with respect to the image seen on the rear screen48, and vice versa, as the viewer moves. It will be noted then, that with appropriate editing and computer control, any chosen first program material which is directed towards viewing film46, and which is reflected therefrom due to the reflectancy of viewing film46, aligns with an edited area52A on the rear screen48. As such, virtual image52will align with edited area52A of the second program material image being seen on the rear screen48. As a result, virtual image52will be in general alignment with the edited image on the plane of the rear screen48, without any image from the second program material being superimposed on or under the projected virtual image.

A brief discussion of parallax, as that term is employed herein, is given with reference toFIG. 4. Here, viewpoint A is indicated at70and viewpoint B is indicated at72. They may be considered to be either two positions which may be occupied by the same viewer as he moves from side to side, or positions being occupied by two different viewers. In any event, the viewer is looking at object74which is placed in front of a background that comprises three different image areas indicated76,78,80. It will be seen that from viewpoint70, the viewer will see the object74as if it is superimposed on the background area80, as shown in the left side at the bottom ofFIG. 4. Likewise, from viewpoint72, the viewer will see the object74as if it is superimposed on the background area76, as shown in the right side at the bottom ofFIG. 4. Suppose now that the object74is the virtual image52, and suppose that the background image areas76,78,80, are different areas being projected onto the rear screen48, as seen inFIG. 2. Now, if the viewer were to move sideways, that sideways motion will result in a different perceived image from each of viewpoints70and72. This is an expression of parallax as it is found in the physical structure of any apparatus in keeping with the present invention, where the viewing film46is in front of and separated by a finite distance from the rear screen48.

It will also be understood, of course, that either or both of the object74, and the background image areas76,70,80, can move with respect to one another; and that relative movement can be perceived to be in any direction including sideways, up or down, or forward a rearward, or any combination thereof.

Further, it can be noted that the perceived perception of the location of the virtual image can be modified. Depending on the depth of the apparatus, the virtual image can be perceived to be located in front of, co-planar with, or even behind, the rear screen. In the later case, inverse parallax can be simulated as part of the content aspect provided by the apparatus of the present invention.

Thus, it will be understood that with appropriate editing and computer control of the virtual image52and the image projected on the rear screen48, an enhanced, simulated 3D viewing experience will be manifested. Therefore, the resulting parallax which occurs between virtual image52and the image projected on the rear screen48, is much more than merely a by-product of images projected on the planes of the viewing film46and rear screen48. Accordingly, skilful content creation methodology and computer programming methodology, all as are well known and which are beyond the scope of the present invention, may result in a nearly realistic visual experience.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a self-contained, portable structure is seen at100, and that structure includes all of the principal elements or components of the structure40as described above. The same reference numerals are employed inFIG. 3(and inFIG. 5, described hereafter) as are employed inFIG. 2.

One distinct difference between the structure100and the structure40is that the viewing film46is sloped forwardly in the structure100. This accommodates a first projector150placed in the bottom of the structure100, and having a planar projection face. The projector150may be a planar television tube, but more particularly is a planar LED lit LCD television display. It may also be a planar LCD television display, a planar plasma television display, or a planar LED television display. The planar LED lit LCD television displays which are available in the market are brighter than the others, and in any event are light in weight.

Use of a television like screen is particularly preferred in this arrangement, since the virtual image directed onto viewing film46will be free from so-called keystone effects that would be caused by a central display device, and thus, correction of the keystone effect is not required.

Likewise, the rear screen48may be a planar television tube; but for purposes of lightness of weight and compactness of structure, a planar plasma television display, a planar LCD television display, a planar LED lit LCD television display, or a planar LED television display, are preferred.

Once again, the viewing film46typically comprises a metalized film, which may be a metalized polyester film or a metalized polymer film. In any event, that film is at least partially transparent as well as being at least partially reflective. As noted above, the metalized film which comprises the viewing film46preferably has a reflection factor in the range of 20% to 80%, and a transparency factor in the range of 80% to 20%. In a typical film, one of the front face or back face of the viewing film46is typically a metalized surface.

When the film is mounted within the frame42, the viewing film46can be tensioned so as to be substantially wrinkle free, thereby permitting reflectance of an image projected from the projector150without distortion. The mounting of the viewing film46employs suitable anchors102that clamp the edges of the film. However, numerous methods for holding the film are known, and the exact nature of these devices is beyond the scope of the present invention.

Stanchions104, or other suitable structural devices, are employed to provide appropriate spacing between the viewing film46and the rear screen48. The length of the stanchions104will vary from structure to structure, because the structures100are scalable as to size. Stanchions104also allow rear screen48to be moved to a storage position wherein structure100is made smaller, and therefore, more easily moved.

Moreover, during use, rear screen48can be moved, with respect to viewing film46, by movement of the rear screen48on stanchions104. As such, the distance between the rear screen48and viewing film46can be modified depending on the nature of the images to be displayed. Thus, the depth of the structure, and thus the depth between the first and second program material (and thus parallax) desired for a given “scene” of synchronized images, can be modified during use, either statically, or dynamically, depending on the nature of the image.

To control the ambient lighting within structure100, a stretchable fabric (not shown) or the like, can be affixed to the structure, and thus, prevent unwanted light from entering structure100. In a preferred arrangement, structure100is closed with the exception of the viewing area.

Structure100can also be modified to house any and all computerized devices necessary to provide the first or second program material, and the like. Alternatively, these devices can be separately housed, and electrically connected to structure100using known connection devices.

Also, as noted above, adjustment of the capacity and luminance values of the image on the rear screen48compared to the capacity and luminance values of the image on the viewing film46will result in an improved image parallax and better image fidelity of the virtual image52. Adjustment of the opacity of the image projected on to the rear screen48to the range of 20% to 40% of that of the opacity of the virtual image on viewing film46can result in a well perceived 3D effect.

Moreover, the use of traveling mattes, which are essentially artificial black masks that are “cut-outs” of imagery directed towards viewing film46, when applied to the corresponding imagery projected onto the rear screen48, results in an improved 3D effect. Of course, control of the black masks is in synchronization with the imagery being viewed on the viewing film46.

The films that are used for purposes of the viewing films46are, as noted, typically metalized polymer film or metalized polyester film. These films may also be referred to as foils. In any event, the films must be substantially tear proof but capable of being tensioned so as to be made wrinkle free.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a structure200is shown. As before, similar reference numerals are employed to indicate the same or similar structural elements, as have been used above with respect to discussions concerningFIGS. 2 and 3. The significant difference between structures100and200is that the structure200comprises two viewing films46A and46B which are in tandem one with the other. Because those viewing films46A and46B will show different program material images, two projectors150and250are required. The viewer will thus observe a virtual image from film46A, and a virtual image from film46B. In this embodiment, the use of the rear screen48is preferred, but may be optional.

It has been mentioned above that one feature of a certain aspect of the present invention is that the portable projection apparatus is scalable and portable. That is, the apparatus may vary in size from perhaps that of a small television set to, say, that of a refrigerator, or even the size of a small trailer. In any event, each structure is self-contained, so that in effect its set up merely involves plugging it in to a suitable electrical receptacle. The structures100or200may be mounted to a wall using suitable mounting brackets, bolts, or other hardware; or the structures may be set down on a supporting surface such as a desk or table. If the structures are larger, they may, in fact, be placed on the ground as may be suggested inFIG. 2, or on a stage such as might be found in a theatre, conference center, or the like.

In practice, any portable projection apparatus in keeping with the present invention may find a number of uses. For example, in certain advertising or other theatrical presentations, the image which is directed towards viewing film46may be that of a product, a presenter, or an actor; and the image which is projected onto the rear screen48may be a very simple or subtle background. The resulting visualization is that of a floating product or person before a background which does not overwhelm the image of the product or person.

In some circumstances, both of the viewing film46and the rear screen48may be used to view a single object, scene, or effect. For example, a merry-go-round representation can be provided which may be seen to be coming forward, across, and backward with respect to the viewer, giving a very real 3D viewing experience. Another example is to show such as an explosion on the viewing film46with debris going away from the viewer.

Another example may be such as to give the impression that the virtual image52is inside an enclosure, and that the outside of the enclosure is seen on the rear screen. A film sequence, where the camera appears to be looking through the windshield of the car and out the back window of the car to the road behind, may be achieved where the holographic image on the front viewing film is the windshield of the car.

It is also possible to make images where an object appears to move from one plane to another. For example, a ball may be struck by a character whose image appears in the rear screen, with the ball appearing to come forward because of the holographic image from viewing film46. The reverse sequence is also possible.

There has been described a portable projection apparatus which may, in some embodiments, be self-contained and scalable as to size. Moreover, any portable projection apparatus in keeping with the present invention will employ at least one planar viewing film which is sloped with respect to the viewing plane of any viewer, and of course also with respect to the planar rear screen. A virtual image is directed towards the viewing film with a background image being projected from another projector on to a rear screen and/or on to a second sloped viewing film. The nature of the viewing film is such that it is partially transparent and partially reflective, each in the range of about 20% to about 80%. Various projectors are proposed; and it is noted that the opacity and luminance values of the viewing film and rear screen may be varied.

Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Moreover, the word “substantially” when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a planar element.

Moreover, use of the terms “he”, “him”, or “his”, is not intended to be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as “she”, “her”, or “hers”, respectively.