EP0998819A1 - Systeme d'affichage graphique a projecteurs multiples projetant sur le meme a ecran - Google Patents

Systeme d'affichage graphique a projecteurs multiples projetant sur le meme a ecran

Info

Publication number
EP0998819A1
EP0998819A1 EP98935861A EP98935861A EP0998819A1 EP 0998819 A1 EP0998819 A1 EP 0998819A1 EP 98935861 A EP98935861 A EP 98935861A EP 98935861 A EP98935861 A EP 98935861A EP 0998819 A1 EP0998819 A1 EP 0998819A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
screen
projection display
projection
display system
projectors
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98935861A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Mark Couling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fakespace Systems USA Inc
Original Assignee
Fakespace Systems USA Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fakespace Systems USA Inc filed Critical Fakespace Systems USA Inc
Publication of EP0998819A1 publication Critical patent/EP0998819A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/74—Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3141—Constructional details thereof
    • H04N9/3147—Multi-projection systems

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to projection display systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a rear projection, immersive visualization system for virtual reality (VR) applications and other large scale data viewing uses.
  • VR virtual reality
  • the projectors of a front projection system are typically mounted within the seating area of the viewing group. Placement of the projectors is limited to mounting them above the members of the group, typically on the ceiling, and projecting the images downward and forward onto a screen.
  • the screen When the screen is large and intended to provide an immersive experience, the screen has been curved (with the viewing group located on the concave side of the curved screen). As the screen becomes larger, the projector or projectors are inevitably located a distance away from the screen which may be greater than the distance of some of the individuals in the viewing group. As a result, if an individual approaches the screen, as is encouraged when developing a product and working in an immersive environment, a shadow caused by that individual is cast upon the screen.
  • a goal of visualization systems is to increase the immersiveness (the perception by the viewer that the image is real) of the system.
  • One way in doing this has been to widen the screen providing for a greater degree of peripheral vision, as well as for the viewing of larger, life size images by increasing the resolution of the system.
  • prior systems have not taken into consideration other aspects of how people experience the real world and how those aspects affect the immersiveness of their systems.
  • the projection display system of the present invention is a rear projection system in which two or more images are combined to form a composite image that is presented so as to be more naturally experienced by the viewer
  • the images are projected side by side onto a screen so that they partially overlap one another
  • the overlapped portions of the images correspond to one another and the light intensity in this overlap is manipulated or blended to create a seamless transition from one image to the other
  • the composite image is accordingly a larger or wide image with higher total resolution
  • the distance from the projectors to the screen can also be reduced since each projector produces only a portion of the composite image Accordingly the front to back footprint of the system is reduced
  • the system of the present invention includes a large screen of a rigid, low gain material which extends and rests directly on the floor of the viewing room Located behind the screen are two or more projectors As mentioned above, images are provided to the projector via a graphics engine which generates a number of video signals which correspond to the number of projectors Prior to being received by the projectors, the video signals are manipulated so that their overlapping edges, once projected, are blended to form a seamless composite image on the screen
  • Infrared emitters may be positioned at various locations behind and around the screen and directed toward the members of the viewing group The emitters, when used, operate with active stereoscopic glasses, worn by the viewers, to decode a multiplexed image and providing for stereoscopic viewing
  • the invention could also be utilized with other types of eyewear for achieving similar effects
  • FIG 1 is a schematic illustration of a display system embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIGS 2a and 2b are side elevational views of the screen and projectors utilized in the present invention with FIG 2b showing one projector mounted in an inverted position,
  • FIG 3 is a top elevational view of the projectors and screen utilized in the present invention, and
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of the screen and projector seen in FIG. 3 with the projections being illustrated through the screen itself.
  • FIG. 1 a projection display system according to the principles of the present invention is seen in FIG. 1 and generally designated at 10.
  • the present system 10 includes a multi-pipe graphics engine 27, such as one of the Onyx line of graphics engines manufactured by Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, California.
  • the graphics engine 12 in cooperation with a computer controller 16, generates the appropriate number of video signals (pipes) as well as any additionally required signals, such as audio signals.
  • These signals are provided over lines 18 to a series of computer interfaces 20 that copy, amplify and buffer the signals for transmission across longer runs of wire 22.
  • a multiple input matrix switcher 24 which allows additional signal sources and formats to be coupled to the system 10, can be employed and provided.
  • One signal produced by the controller 16 synchronizes eyewear 26 to a projected stereoscopic image, when such eyewear 24 is used. Synchronization in the present invention occurs via a series of long range emitters 28 located generally behind and about the perimeter of a screen 30.
  • the emitters 28 emit signals, such as infrared signals, which are in turn received by the active stereoscopic eyewear 26 worn by the viewing group members (not shown) positioned in front of the screen 30.
  • An example of appropriate stereoscopic eyewear 26 includes those manufactured by Stereographies, Inc., San Rafael, CA.
  • the signals received by the eyewear 26 cause shuttering to occur in the stereoscopic eyewear 26 enabling the viewers to see the stereoscopic image being projected onto the screen 30.
  • the appropriate number of video signals are fed over RGB video cables 22 to an edge blender 32, such as a PanoMaker 3 series by Panoram Technologies, Inc., Burbank, CA, or one of the edge blending devices produced by SEOS, Ltd. (England).
  • Edge blending technology is well known in the field and is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,974,073 and 5,136,390, which are herein incorporated by reference.
  • the edge blender 32 establishes a consistent or uniform image brightness across the overlap area of the projected video images resulting in a seamless display of the composite image on the screen 30, even though multiple projectors 14 are being utilized. From the edge blender 32, the enhanced video image signals are transmitted via RGB video cables
  • the projectors utilized in the present invention are commercially available models, such as Electrohome Marquee 9500P43 Stereoscopic Projectors manufactured by Electrohome, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
  • the projectors 14 are supported on frames 42 which raise them to one half the height of the screen 30.
  • the images projected by the projectors 14 overlap one another as seen in FIGS. 2-4, thus the need for the edge blender mentioned above.
  • adjacent projectors 14 may be rotated about an axis (corresponding to the direction of projection) to provide for better color dispersion across the screen 30.
  • the middle projector 14 has been inverted or rotated 180° relative to the remaining projectors 14.
  • the screen 30 employed with the present invention is large in size, preferably about 20 ft. wide and 8 ft. high, and provided as a single sheet. Multiple sheets can be used to form the screen. However, use of multiple sheets may result in some distortions of the projected composite image at the abutment of the adjacent edges of the screens.
  • the screen 30 is made of a rigid acrylic or plexiglass material having at least a low gain and more preferably a unity gain. Once such material for the screen is manufactured by Draper Shade and Screen, Inc., Spiceland, Indiana and sold under the Cineplex tradename.
  • Preferred coatings and tint with the aforesaid are the Cine 10 ultra wide angle optical coating and a white optical tint.
  • a material according to the above specifications is preferred since it increases the dispersion of light through the screen allowing for better oblique or off angle viewing of the images being presented on the screen.
  • the screen material exhibits a half gain angle of at least 70°. More preferably is a half gain angle of 90° and still more preferably is a half gain angle of 110°. By increasing the half gain angle color shift and mis-matching is reduced.
  • the screen 30 is positioned so that its lower edge 36 rests directly on the floor 38 of the viewing room.
  • a support frame 40 is locate ⁇ on both sides and the top periphery of the screen 30.
  • the frame 40 which may be constructed of extruded aluminum, is preferably secured to both ceiling and the floor of the viewing room, increasing the stability and rigidity of the screen 30. Notably there is no frame across the bottom of the screen 30 so that there are no supports to interfere with the video images being projected completely down to the lowermost edge of the bottom of the screen 30.
  • the screen 30 Since no frame 40 is located along the lower periphery of the screen 30, the screen 30 rests directly on the floor 38 of the viewing room and the projected image can be generated completely down to the bottom of the screen 30 so that the image appears to actually be resting on the floor 38 of the viewing room or to be a natural extension of the viewing room. This enhances the immersive nature of the system 10, as perceived by the viewing group.
  • the projected image of the automobile can be designed so that the image of the automobile is one where the automobile is in an auto dealer's show room and the floor of the show room is an extension of the floor of the viewing room.
  • the projected image may even reflect off of the floor 38 of the viewing room, if that floor 38 is sufficiently polished.
  • the stage represents a tripping hazard to the viewing group members as they approach the screen. Approaching the screen is encouraged in VR applications.
  • the projectors behind the screen as in the present invention, there is no concern with shadows being cast on the screen if a viewer moves toward the projection.
  • a viewer may stand directly in front of the screen and even touch the screen without affecting the displayed image or the immersiveness of the system with respect to other viewers.
  • the immersiveness of the other views is enhanced by the illusion of the first person actually being in the VR space.
  • the system 10 could include two standard or modified projectors 14 per image in order to provide greater overall clarity; the projectors 14 may be inverted, completely or rotated 90° to increase color uniformity; the system 10 can include tracking technology to monitor one or more viewer's position and manipulate the image accordingly; the screen 30 could be constructed of multiple panels, as mentioned above, with appropriate measures being taken to eliminate distortion caused by abutting/overlapping edges of the panels; and the screen material may be augmented to include "electrotouch" draw capabilities directly on the screen surface.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'affichage par projection à fonctions de réalité virtuelle. Le système comprend une machine (27) graphique multitube coopérant avec un contrôleur (16) pour produire une pluralité de signaux vidéo différents. Le système comprend également une pluralité de projecteurs (14) projetant des images vidéo correspondant aux signaux vidéo provenant de la machine graphique et du contrôleur et à réception de ceux-ci. Un écran (30) est positionné par rapport aux projecteurs de sorte que les images vidéo soient projetées sur ce dernier. L'écran, constitué d'une partie supérieure, de côtés et d'une partie inférieure, est fabriqué sans supports sur sa partie inférieure, supports qui entraveraient la projection des images par les projecteurs jusqu'au bas du pourtour de la limite inférieure de l'écran.
EP98935861A 1997-07-21 1998-07-21 Systeme d'affichage graphique a projecteurs multiples projetant sur le meme a ecran Withdrawn EP0998819A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US5327197P 1997-07-21 1997-07-21
US53271P 1997-07-21
PCT/US1998/015037 WO1999004563A1 (fr) 1997-07-21 1998-07-21 Systeme d'affichage graphique a projecteurs multiples projetant sur le meme a ecran

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0998819A1 true EP0998819A1 (fr) 2000-05-10

Family

ID=21983057

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98935861A Withdrawn EP0998819A1 (fr) 1997-07-21 1998-07-21 Systeme d'affichage graphique a projecteurs multiples projetant sur le meme a ecran

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0998819A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU8502998A (fr)
CA (1) CA2297981A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999004563A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000338941A (ja) 1999-05-27 2000-12-08 Seiko Epson Corp 投射型表示装置
US6814443B2 (en) 2001-09-26 2004-11-09 Digital Advertising Network Inc Image projection system and its method of use
CN101180873B (zh) 2005-04-26 2012-02-29 图象公司 电子投影系统及其方法

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4740779A (en) * 1986-04-16 1988-04-26 The Boeing Company Aircraft panoramic display
US4974073A (en) * 1988-01-14 1990-11-27 Metavision Inc. Seamless video display
FR2636459B1 (fr) * 1988-09-09 1990-10-19 Thomson Csf Systeme de restitution de l'environnement visuel d'un pilote en simulateur
US5242306A (en) * 1992-02-11 1993-09-07 Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. Video graphic system and process for wide field color display
US5746599A (en) * 1994-10-31 1998-05-05 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Modular video display system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9904563A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU8502998A (en) 1999-02-10
WO1999004563A1 (fr) 1999-01-28
CA2297981A1 (fr) 1999-01-28

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