EP1084448A2 - Salle de cinema d'immersion et procede - Google Patents

Salle de cinema d'immersion et procede

Info

Publication number
EP1084448A2
EP1084448A2 EP99915419A EP99915419A EP1084448A2 EP 1084448 A2 EP1084448 A2 EP 1084448A2 EP 99915419 A EP99915419 A EP 99915419A EP 99915419 A EP99915419 A EP 99915419A EP 1084448 A2 EP1084448 A2 EP 1084448A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
screen
images
projector
motion picture
seating deck
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Withdrawn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
EP99915419A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth T. Baker
Eric Jacques
Ian Maxwell
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.)
Imax Corp
Original Assignee
Imax Corp
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 Imax Corp filed Critical Imax Corp
Publication of EP1084448A2 publication Critical patent/EP1084448A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B37/00—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
    • G03B37/06—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe involving anamorphosis
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/363—Image reproducers using image projection screens
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/32—Details specially adapted for motion-picture projection
    • G03B21/50—Control devices operated by the film strip during the run
    • G03B21/52—Control devices operated by the film strip during the run by prepared film
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/54—Accessories
    • G03B21/56—Projection screens
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B35/00—Stereoscopic photography
    • G03B35/16—Stereoscopic photography by sequential viewing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/332—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD]
    • H04N13/337—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD] using polarisation multiplexing

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to methods of presenting motion picture images to audiences in theatres.
  • dome screen 3-D images such as those that are shown in IMAX SOLIDO® theatres, are particularly effective in providing a realistic immersive theatre experience.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a motion picture theatre structure and a method of presenting motion picture images that are capable of providing an immersive motion picture experience.
  • the theatre structure and method of the invention may allow showing in a novel immersive environment, of 3-D motion pictures that were produced for projection onto conventional flat screens.
  • the objective is to achieve a dome-like immersive experience using motion pictures that were shot for flat screens.
  • One aspect of the present invention provides a motion picture theatre structure including a screen, an audience seating deck which slopes downwardly towards the screen, and at least one projector located within the seating deck for projecting images onto the screen about an optical projection axis which is angled upwardly with respect to the horizontal.
  • the screen is arcuate as seen in plan and is positioned symmetrically with respect to the projection axis of the projector and so as to wrap around respective sides of the seating deck.
  • the screen also slopes upwardly towards and extends above the seating deck for providing the audience with a sense of immersion in images projected onto the screen.
  • the projector is provided with a wide angle lens with low centre-of-field distortion, for example an orthographic fisheye lens.
  • An orthographic fisheye lens can be designed to substantially fill the screen with projected images, while minimizing distortion of centre regions of the images.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method of presenting motion picture images to audience, comprising the steps of: providing: a screen which has an arcuate shape as seen in plan; an audience seating deck which slopes downwardly towards the screen; and at least one projector located within the seating deck for projecting images onto the screen about an optical projection axis which is angled upwardly with respect to the horizontal; positioning the screen (a) symmetrically with respect to the projection axis as seen in plan so that said arcuate shape wraps around respective sides of the seating deck and (b) sloping towards and extending above the seating deck, whereby the audience is provided with a sense of immersion in images projected onto the screen; and, projecting images onto the screen from said at least one projector using a wide angle lens with low centre-of-field distortion, for example an orthographic fisheye lens, for substantially filling the screen with projected images and providing an immersive viewing experience.
  • a wide angle lens with low centre-of-field distortion for example an orthographic fisheye lens
  • the present invention provides an immersive theatre experience in that the screen wraps around and extends above the seating deck so as to essentially fill the field of view of audience members in much the same way as a dome screen, except that the screen does not extend behind the viewer.
  • a lens such as an orthographic fisheye lens on the projector, distortion in the central portion of the image is minimized and in a sense "pushed out" to the periphery of the image, where it becomes much less significant in terms of viewer perception, particularly for 3-D presentations.
  • Theatres in accordance with the present invention may be designed as new "immersive experience” theatres or as modifications or “retrofits” to existing dome theatres. In either event, the resulting theatre will be capable of showing a wide range of films irrespective of whether those films were initially shot for showing in dome theatres or more conventional flat screen theatres.
  • an IMAX® theatre in accordance with the present invention would be capable of showing the full range of IMAX® 3-D films whether shot initially for "normal” IMAX® or LMAX SOLIDO® theatres, and whether in 2-D or 3-D format.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a theatre structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the theatre structure shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a side elevational view;
  • Fig. 4 is a reproduction of a photograph taken through an orthographic fisheye lens for the purpose of illustrating the characteristics of the lens;
  • Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of a projector for use in the theatre structure of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG. 1 the interior of a theatre is shown as seen from above and to one side of the rear of a seating deck 20 of the theatre, looking towards a curved projection screen 22. Images projected onto screen 22 are represented at 24 and are projected from a projector 26 located within the seating deck 20. External walls of the theatre are represented at 28.
  • Figs- 2 and 3 show schematically, the overall configuration of the theatre including external walls 28, the seating deck 20, screen 22 and projector 26. In these views, the theatre is shown "as designed", although it is to be understood that the theatre structure of the invention could be achieved by modifying or "retrofitting" an existing theatre, such as a 3-D dome theatre. In that case, the screen 22 would be assembled inside the existing building.
  • Fig. 3 shows that the seating deck 20 slopes downwardly towards the screen 22 and that the projector 26 projects images onto the screen 22 about an optical projection axis 30 which is angled upwardly with respect to the horizontal (32). It will be seen that projector 26 is in fact located within a projection room 34 that is built into the seating deck amid upper ones of the rows of seats (see Fig. 3); images are projected through a window 36 in the projection room.
  • the screen 22 has an arcuate shape as seen in plan (see Fig. 2).
  • the projection axis 30 referred to in connection with Fig. 3 is also indicated in Fig. 2 and it will be seen that the screen 22 is positioned symmetrically with respect to the projection axis as seen in plan, and is arranged to "wrap around" respectively opposite sides of the seating deck 20. From that view and from Fig. 3, it will be seen that the screen also slopes upwardly towards and extends above the seating deck. In summary, the screen wraps laterally around and extends above the seating deck; this provides the audience with a sense of immersion in the images projected onto the screen.
  • screen 22 has the shape of a segment of a cone which tapers towards the upper end of the screen and is tilted towards the seating deck as described previously to provide the desired wrap around immersive environment.
  • the angle of tilt of the screen is selected so that the optical axis of projection 30 meets the screen generally at a right angle ( ⁇ 10°)on the vertical centreline of the screen C (Fig. 2).
  • the vertical height of screen 22 (in this embodiment 60 feet) is selected to match the characteristics of the projection lens L of projector 26 in terms of the vertical extent of the projected image.
  • the lateral extent of screen 22 is selected to match the horizontal extent of the projected image, which is in this case about 150°. Compared with a theoretical angle of 180° for a full dome screen, it will be seen that there is some loss of extent of the projected image, though the amount is not believed to be significant in terms of audience experience since the loss is in the viewer's region of peripheral vision only.
  • the projection lens of projector 26 (L — Figs. 2 and 3) is an orthographic fisheye lens.
  • Fig. 4 is a representation of a photograph taken through such a lens and illustrates the fact that distortion in the centre region of the image is minimized to a greater extent than with a conventional fisheye lens and is, in effect, "pushed out" towards peripheral regions of the image.
  • Fig. 4 is illustrative of an orthographic fisheye lens, it is not intended to represent the precise characteristics of an optimum fisheye lens for use in the method of the present invention.
  • the method and theatre structure of the present invention are applicable to presentation of both 2-D and 3-D motion pictures.
  • 3-D motion pictures are to be projected
  • respective sets of "left-eye” and “right-eye” images must be projected and optically coded, for example, by using mutually extinguishing polarizers or by projecting the images alternately.
  • the viewers must then wear eyeglasses designed to decode the images so that the viewer's left eye sees only left-eye images and the right eye only right-eye images.
  • Both polarizer and "alternate eye” techniques for effecting such coding and decoding are well-known in the art.
  • the alternate eye technique is used in the method of the invention.
  • a single projector for projecting both sets of images is preferred.
  • a rolling loop projector of the type shown in United States Patent No. 4,966,454 Topicorkiewicz
  • the projector has two superposed rolling loop mechanisms, one of which projects the left-eye images while the other projects the right-eye images.
  • the respective sets of images are projected through superposed lenses generally as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the two rolling loop mechanisms are denoted 46 and 48 and the respective lenses associated with two mechanisms are denoted 50 and 52.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,997,270 which is also incorporated herein by reference, discloses an arrangement for performing a programmed "lens shift" to correct for abnormalities in the print from which the images are being projected.
  • a similar technique may be used to optimize presentation of the projected images, for example to compensate for the fact that the film may originally have been shot for showing on a flat screen.
  • the position of the center of interest within images will have been chosen with the geometry of a typical flat screen theatre in mind.
  • the centre of interest of these images will appear near the vertical mid-point on a flat projection screen.
  • such images will appear too high on the screen for audience seated in the front rows.
  • the two lenses, 50 and 52 may be moved together up or down through the same incremental amount. Such movement should be programmed in real time to correspond with scenes in the film being projected, all generally as described in the Shaw patent supra.
  • the lenses 50 and 52 can be programmed to change the "parallax" of the image, i.e. to move the image towards or away from the audience by effecting relative shift of the lenses inwardly or outwardly. Both lenses may be shifted (both outwardly or both inwardly) or only one lens may be shifted while the other lens is kept stationary. Again, this lens shift would be programmed in real time to follow the images on the film.
  • vertical shift of both lenses to change the centre of interest of the projected image is represented at 54 and horizontal shift to adjust the image parallax is represented at 56 as movement of the lower lens 52.
  • the two lenses are carried on a common carriage 58 that can be moved vertically by a rotary actuator 60 with respect to a lens mount M.
  • lens 52 is supported on carriage 58 for horizontal movement under the control of a rotary actuator 62.
  • the two actuators 60 and 62 are operated by a controller 64 that responds to "witness" marks on one of the two films via a reader 66.
  • the method and structure provided by the invention allows creation of an immersive motion picture experience by means of a theatre structure that is less costly than a conventional dome theatre but which at the same time produces a very similar motion picture experience.
  • An existing dome theatre can be converted in accordance with the invention at relatively low cost by installing a curved screen as screen 22 and providing the projector with an orthographic fisheye lens as described previously. The theatre can then show a complete range of motion pictures whether originally shot for dome screens or for conventional flat screens.
  • the screen 22 preferably has the shape of a segment of a cone as discussed previously, but alternatively could have the shape of a segment of a cylinder.
  • the screen structure is preferably a space frame carrying a vinyl screen material which is painted with a highly reflective paint, all as well-known in the art.
  • other screen configurations could be used, for example, segmented rigid screens.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Transforming Electric Information Into Light Information (AREA)
  • Projection Apparatus (AREA)
  • Overhead Projectors And Projection Screens (AREA)
  • Stereoscopic And Panoramic Photography (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une salle de cinéma 'd'immersion' à construire spécialement ou à adapter à une salle de cinéma à coupole préexistante. Ladite salle de cinéma de l'invention comporte un plancher à gradins (20) qui descend vers un écran (22) de forme partiellement cylindrique. L'écran est incliné vers le haut, s'étend au-dessus du plancher à gradins et enveloppe les côtés du plancher. Un projecteur (26) situé dans le plancher à gradins (20) projette des images sur l'écran (22), autour d'un axe de projection orienté vers le haut, à travers un oeil de poisson orthographique qui minimise la distorsion des régions centrales des images. Ainsi, les films qui ont été tournés pour être vus sur des écrans hémisphériques peuvent être projetés efficacement sur l'écran hémisphérique (22) de l'invention.
EP99915419A 1998-04-27 1999-04-21 Salle de cinema d'immersion et procede Withdrawn EP1084448A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6700098A 1998-04-27 1998-04-27
US67000 1998-04-27
PCT/CA1999/000343 WO1999056173A2 (fr) 1998-04-27 1999-04-21 Salle de cinema d'immersion et procede

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1084448A2 true EP1084448A2 (fr) 2001-03-21

Family

ID=22073101

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99915419A Withdrawn EP1084448A2 (fr) 1998-04-27 1999-04-21 Salle de cinema d'immersion et procede

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1084448A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002513170A (fr)
AU (1) AU3403699A (fr)
CA (1) CA2330292A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999056173A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN100473131C (zh) * 2002-10-04 2009-03-25 索尼株式会社 显示设备

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1020098C1 (nl) * 2002-03-01 2003-09-02 Simulator Systems B V I O Projectie-inrichting met frame en scherm-spanmiddelen.
GB2413717A (en) * 2004-04-28 2005-11-02 Graeme Donald Robertson A spherical visual display
US7106411B2 (en) 2004-05-05 2006-09-12 Imax Corporation Conversion of cinema theatre to a super cinema theatre
CA2805352A1 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2012-01-19 Image Limited Structure de salle de cinema et procede pour faciliter la projection et le visionnement d'un film cinematographique
IE20120520A1 (en) * 2011-12-02 2013-07-03 Image ltd A cinema structure and a method for constructing a cinema structure
KR20150066931A (ko) * 2013-12-09 2015-06-17 씨제이씨지브이 주식회사 상영관의 가시 영역을 표현하는 방법
NL2013162B1 (en) 2014-07-10 2016-09-21 Inno Projects B V Information system.
WO2016010373A1 (fr) * 2014-07-15 2016-01-21 씨제이씨지브이 주식회사 Cinéma équipé d'un écran ayant une courbure et son système de commande de fauteuils
KR101756810B1 (ko) * 2014-07-15 2017-07-12 씨제이씨지브이 주식회사 곡면형 천장 구조체
US9523209B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2016-12-20 Vision 3 Experiential, Llc Immersive theater
TR201815691T4 (tr) * 2015-09-16 2018-11-21 Vallesviu S A Multipleks sinemalarda sinemaların düzenlenmesi ve bir çok ekranlı sinema için sinema salonu.
DK3144043T3 (en) * 2015-09-16 2019-02-04 Vallesviu S A Movie theater for a multi-screen cinema

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US3695751A (en) * 1969-10-30 1972-10-03 Midori Kai Co Ltd Hemispherical motion picture screen
DE3523635A1 (de) * 1984-07-03 1986-02-27 Concorde St. George Productions Pty. Ltd., South Melbourne, Victoria Vergnuegungseinrichtung
US4885878A (en) * 1987-09-08 1989-12-12 George Wuu Advanced state of the art movie theater
CA2003661A1 (fr) * 1989-11-22 1991-05-22 William C. Shaw Appareil et methode pour presenter un film en 3 dimensions
US5192247A (en) * 1991-03-27 1993-03-09 Universal City Studios, Inc. Ride attraction

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN100473131C (zh) * 2002-10-04 2009-03-25 索尼株式会社 显示设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2002513170A (ja) 2002-05-08
WO1999056173A3 (fr) 1999-12-29
CA2330292A1 (fr) 1999-11-04
WO1999056173A2 (fr) 1999-11-04
AU3403699A (en) 1999-11-16

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