FR2477731A1 - Projector for imaging continuous film strip - uses motor driven sprocket to drive continuous film which is threaded through multiple pulleys, one of which is adjustable in position - Google Patents

Abstract

The appts. projects images printed onto a continuous film strip and is intended to display fixed images for a longer period of time than would be used for animation. The continuous film strip is threaded through a succession of free-wheeling pulleys to lengthen the path obtained in a given base (1) area. A sprocketed wheel (7) is motor driven to successively advance the film to the next frame. A light source is mounted integrally (3) with its focussing lenses and the film is held on a flat glass plate (11) while illuminated. An objective lens (4) is mounted ahead of the lamp and film, and its position is adjustable to focus the image on a screen placed away from the projector.

Description

The present invention relates to a device and method for projecting continuously and endlessly scrolling images.

The invention relates more specifically to the projection of non-animated images on a screen, the image being moved in a horizontal scrolling movement on this screen so that on the screen appears a succession of images following each other. 'other and parading before the eyes of the beholder, to disappear, being followed by the subsequent image.

Visual animation by image projection uses either the projection of an animated film, reproducing the movement, or the projection of fixed images5.

The projection of a film presupposes the installation of sophisticated projection equipment and serviced by specialized personnel; its location in time and space is limited.

The projection of still images only awakens the interest of the spectator.

Neither of these methods allows (except for the use of exceptionally large and complex equipment) the obtaining of a panoramic effect, nor the coverage of large areas.

Their continuous use is not possible, each of these projections proceeding by succession of discontinuous units (corresponding to an iÙn or to a stock of images).

In addition, the materials currently known and in service do not allow use exceeding a certain number of hours beyond which the heating causes irreparably the destruction of the apparatuses and films.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and allows the projection of images which present both the simplicity and the economy of the means in the production offered by fixed image supports of the slide type and the attraction of movement. , and this while making it possible to obtain a panoramic effect, by projecting very large images, far exceeding the formats usually served; the method and the device implemented according to the invention allow unlimited periods of use, making it possible to cover periods of use of several tens of hours, without interruption.

The invention also allows projection under the above conditions, this without requiring the intervention, at the stage of use and projection, of specialized personnel, the projection continuing automatically without requiring the control of service staff.

Finally, the invention allows the production of a succession of images and thereby an information medium having characteristic qualities of renewed aesthetics compared to previously known information media.

To this end, the invention constitutes a means of visual information, possibly coupled with sound means, thus producing an audiovisual information means, presenting extremely numerous application diversities in the field of animated decoration, information, teaching, stage decoration, advertising artistic information, etc.

To this end, the invention relates firstly to a modular device for projecting images, called to be continuously scrolled, of the type comprising a light source and a lens, and the device is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of movable rollers, mounted insane and capable of receiving an image support band closed on itself, positioned and guided on said rollers, the device further comprising a driving coil allowing the drive of the band, as well as a device for guiding said strip between the light source and the objective, at least one of the rollers being regularly continuously movable between two extreme positions, the roller being associated with immobilization means in one of said positions, thus allowing the adjustment of the circuit formed by all of the rollers as a function of the length of the endless belt.

Preferably one of the rollers is mounted displaceable against the action of a spring member between a rest position, to which it is brought back by the action of the spring and a position spaced from this rest position, said roller constituting a maintaining under tension of the strip mounted on the circuit formed by all of the rollers.

According to one of the characteristics of the device according to the invention, the means for guiding the strip, moving between the light source and the objective, are constituted by two rotary supports (such as said rollers and / or the motor drum), said rotary supports comprising means suitable for ensuring the height positioning of the endless strip (such as upper and lower flanks or teeth penetrating into the recesses provided on the edges of the strip) this strip being thus positioned at a suitable height in front of the objective , the deep positioning of the strip relative to the objective being obtained by pressing the upper and lower edges of said strip respectively on two horizontal sidewalks, respectively upper and lower, on which the two parallel edges of the strip come to bear, the central part of said strip (image carrying part) being thus located out of any contact with respect to a fixed support, the support of the edges by alleles of the strip on its support sidewalks being obtained by positioning the two rotary supports located respectively on either side of the objective.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the motor drum is itself driven by a motor of the synchronous type.

According to another characteristic, the invention also relates to a device for projecting images over a large area and making it possible to obtain a panoramic effect and the device is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of projectors as described above. above, said modular projectors, all being provided with a synchronous motor of identical characteristic and supplied on a single current source, thus ensuring total synchronism of the movement of the images projected by each projector, the projection zones being provided contiguous, so to constitute only a single wide area.

According to yet another characteristic, the projection device according to the invention consists of a box, the upper part of which forms a plate supporting the light source, the objective and all the rotary supports of vertical axis constituting the unwinding circuit. endless belt mounted on said circuit; and this box is associated with a removable upper cover for the protection of the assembly during storage and transport.

According to yet another characteristic of the projection device according to the invention, the box comprises internally, and under the support plate the motor of the drive drum of the endless belt as well as a blower ensuring ventilation, the blower being provided to concentrate the air circulation on the part of the strip receiving the light beam.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the motor of the belt drive drum is capable of reversing the direction of rotation, thereby permitting the reversal of the direction of travel of the image.

According to yet another characteristic, the drive drum motor is provided at variable speed, thus making it possible to vary the speed of movement of the image, and the projection device is coupled to a device for reproducing sound from a magnetic strip, the speed of movement of the image being controlled by signals recorded on said magnetic strip, thus ensuring the automatic synchronism of the presence of the image on the screen and the corresponding sound emission.

 The invention also relates to a method for projecting a long length image scrolling continuously, characterized in that a plurality of modular projectors is associated as described above, the projectors being powered by a current source thus allowing the total synchronism of the scrolling of the images, each of the projectors receiving a support band of images each of which is the duplication of the other, and each image being offset by a projector relative to the neighbor so that a any point projected by the upstream projector arriving at the end of the projection area of this projector is taken up, without continuity, by the start of the projection area of the downstream projector, thereby allowing continuous scrolling of the same image of a projection area on the downstream projection.

The juxtaposition and the offset in the positioning of the bands of many projectors making it possible to cover a linear or curved surface and possibly a total panorama of 3600.

The invention also relates to a strip intended to supply a projection support as described above, the strip supporting visual information in the form of a written message or a figurative image and the strip consists of an impressed film. and carrying a succession of images, the film being closed on itself thus forming an endless loop, capable of running continuously in the projection device ae the invention being driven by the drive drum.

The invention relates more particularly to a strip as described above and in which the successive images comprise a pure central part, consisting of the only elements specific to said image, while each image comprises at each end a marginal zone constituting a crossfade with the neighboring image, the elements of the image, in this intermediate zone, fading from said image to the neighboring image, and as the elements belonging to this neighboring image go on the contrary accentuating to lead to the zone in which the elements of this neighboring image are represented in a pure state.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows and which illustrates an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a modular projection device, for the continuous projection of the image according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a schematic perspective view of a projection obtained by the association of three projectors in accordance with the invention
Your FIG. 3 is a view of the guide of the strip in front of the objective.

According to Figure 1 the projection device according to the invention constitutes a modular unit capable of being used alone and independently - or on the contrary (and as seen in Figure 2) being coupled or associated with one or several other identical projectors.

The projector as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a box 1 surmounted at its upper part by a plate 2 forming a support plate for the various elements described below; the box 1 can advantageously include a handle for transport and it will be surmounted by a cover (not shown in the drawing) allowing the protection of the elements supported by the plate for the needs of storage and transport.

On the plate 2 are positioned the light source contained in the casing 3 and the objective 4.

On the plate 2 are mounted a plurality of rotary supports consisting on the one hand of the idler rollers 5, 5 ', 6, 6' and on the other hand of the drive drum 7.

The set of rollers forms an endless circuit on which the strip 8 made up of a film of the known type can be mounted with images.

The film 8 runs continuously in front of the lens and for this purpose is driven by the drum 7 which has drive teeth meshing in the regular notches provided on the two parallel edges of the film 8.

All the rollers with a vertical axis are mounted on the plate, their axis being in a fixed position; however one of the rollers, for example the roller 9 is mounted on a movable axis, in a regularly continuous manner, between two extreme positions; and this roller 9 is associated with means allowing the immobilization of the axis in a determined position.

It is thus possible to adjust the length of the circuit traversed by the film to the length of the latter.

Thus the device can receive strips or films of practically indefinite length between two minimum and upper limits relatively spaced from one another.

In fact, the set of rollers does not constitute a specific circuit but very numerous virtual circuits according to the assembly adopted by the user, several rollers being able to be put out of circuit.

It is therefore sufficient to provide a circuit which is substantially adapted to the dimensions of the strip and then the movement of the roller with a movable axis makes it possible to adapt the length of the circuit to the length of the strip.

In addition, one of the rollers is also mounted with a movable vertical axis which can be displaced against the action of a spring, this roller thus constituting the member for putting and keeping the strip under tension throughout the circuit.

The light source in the casing 3 is associated in a known manner either with at least one filter and preferably with dichroic filters capable of preventing the concentration of heat at the level of the strip 8 when it passes between the light source and the 'goal.

In addition, the blower or fan arranged inside the box 1 is provided for concentrating the ventilation nets on the area of the film 8 passing in front of the objective.

The rollers and the drive drum are designed to allow the support of the strip or of the film 8 by its respectively upper and lower parallel edges, and the rollers for this purpose comprise respectively upper and lower flanges on which the edges of the film, the central part of the film carrying the image being thus released relative to said rollers.

The device for guiding and adjusting the positioning of the film in front of the objective is obtained by positioning the roller 5 'and the drive drum 7 located on either side of the objective respectively.

The upper and lower puddles of the rollers make it possible to ensure rigorous positioning in height of the film while on the drive drum the wire is held in the correct position by gearing of the lateral perforations in the drive teeth of the drum.

 The depth guidance of the film with respect to the window of the lens is ensured as shown in the detail view of FIG. 3 by pressing the two upper 10 and lower 10 'edges respectively of the film on the two upper 11 and lower curbs 11 'consisting of two support strips on which the film comes to bear, the drive supports which respectively constitute the roller 5' and the drum 7 being positioned so as to maintain the film against said sidewalks, whose end ends are rounded to avoid any angle or stop likely to attack the film; however, the central zone of the film or of the strip, the zone carrying the image, remains clear of any contact at the level of its passage in front of the objective, as at the level of its guidance on the rollers and drive drums.

Under these conditions, the film can be unrolled continuously for hours, without any wear given the absence of contact of the central zone carrying the image with respect to any fixed member.

It is understood that the device once started can be easily abandoned to itself, without special supervision, its automatic and reliable operation allowing a practically unlimited period of use.

The device will advantageously be coupled to a sound reproduction device, for example in the form of a device for reading from a magnetic tape; and in this case the control of the speed of travel of the film, that is to say the speed of the motor coupled to the drive drum 7 can be obtained by reading appropriate signals recorded on the soundtrack; and under these conditions the perfect synchronism of the scrolling of the image and of its appearance on the screen in relation to the comments or to the accompanying sound emission will be obtained under regular and perfect conditions.

This system will also make it possible to vary the speed of travel of the tape, thereby renewing the interest and attractive impact of the moving image.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the projection of a single image, animated by a scrolling movement obtained by association of three modular projectors in accordance with the invention.

This figure shows the three projectors 20, 21 and 22, located close to each other, and directing the projection beam 20 ', 21', 22 'on a screen of generally curved shape; and this in such a way that the light beams 20 ′, 21 ′ and 22 ′ determine the juxtaposed projection zones, each receiving the projection of an image 20 ″, 21 ″ and 22 ″.

According to the invention, the modular projectors are identical to each other and each comprise a synchronous motor of uniform characteristic.

Under these conditions, it suffices to supply the projectors 20, 21 and 22 on a single supply current to obtain a rotation speed of the drive drum strictly identical from one projector to another.

We thus obtain a perfect synchronism in the unfolding of the images 20 ", 21" and 22 ".

In this embodiment of the invention, the three projectors are supplied with a single projection strip, that is to say that each strip is the duplication of the strip of the neighboring projector.

And therefore it suffices to slightly shift the positioning of the strip from one projector to the other, by a value corresponding to the time taken for any point of an image to pass from one edge to the other of the area projection; under these conditions, the offset over time of an upstream projector relative to the downstream projector (in the direction of scrolling of the image) results in the obtaining on the screen of a single image formed by the juxtaposition of the three zones of projection 20 ", 21" and 22 "; on this single image any point enters on the right part of the projection area 22", successively traverses this projection area and then extends without solution of continuity on the central projection area 21 ", then beyond on the left projection area 22" to disappear on the left of this projection area.

We see that this creates a particularly striking panoramic effect for the viewer.

Especially since the figure of 3 which has been represented here is not limiting and it is possible, by juxtaposing, orienting and properly adjusting the positioning of the bands on a plurality of projectors, to obtain an image very large, preferably using a generally concave screen, up to a total panoramic effect of 3600.

The image support strip, used to power the projector (s), a strip forming an important element of the present invention, is made up of a succession of associated images so as to constitute a homogeneous whole carrying informative content or 'an educational, informative, advertising message, the whole (as seen in Figure 2) may include figurative elements such as written information.

According to the invention, the strip running continuously, each image is not limited (as in the case of a fixed projection) to a reduced dimension corresponding to a projection area obtained by a projector.

Even if a single projector is used, the unit image can extend far beyond the projection area, without losing its value or informative content; it will appear in a unitary way to the spectators thanks to the continuous scrolling and the successive appearance of the different elements of the image.

In addition, the effect obtained by the juxtaposition of several projectors according to the invention differs considerably from the juxtaposition of fixed projectors of known type; independently of the absence of movement of the fixed projectors, the latter cannot achieve a panoramic effect identical to that produced in the context of the invention by obtaining a single image; the juxtaposition of fixed projectors will in fact always lead to the juxtaposition of two different images necessarily leaving between them a solution of continuity which it is impossible to eliminate, however advanced the connection of the two images may be.

On the contrary, in the context of the present invention, the modular projectors project not two different images but one and the same continuous image so that any solution of continuity from a projection area (corresponding to a projector) to the neighboring projection area disappears. (obtained from the neighboring projector); the whole providing a striking impression of uniqueness in image, further reinforced by the unique movement that animates the whole thus obtained.

 The strip 8 mounted on the projection device is closed on itself and therefore constitutes an endless film.

Under these conditions the projection is not limited in time and after having traversed a complete circuit, the strip returns to its starting point to traverse a new cycle.

The strip according to the invention is produced by photographic printing.

It will be carried out in particular from unitary images, each corresponding to a shooting, these images being juxtaposed on the single strip.

And in this case two neighboring images transferred to the tape 8 will be separated by an intermediate transition zone carrying out a crossfade, each image starting from the place where it approaches the transition zone and advances towards the neighboring image going by fading while conversely the neighboring image (in the transition zone) is getting stronger, as the previous image fades.

A strip is thus obtained allowing continuous scrolling of images, the successive images being separated from another by a transition zone of the crossfade type; and under these conditions the eye can pass from one image to another by traversing a smooth transition zone without bumps or abrupt interruption, the unit providing the global view not of images simply juxtaposed, but the perception of a set of which the various component elements interpenetrate and drown to form a fresco.

 And this impression of fresco, diffusing a unitary and global message is increased by the simultaneous projection (as seen in Figure 2).

In addition, the projection of a strip on a very long screen, from a plurality of projectors, allows the spectator to have the choice and the possibility of concentrating his attention on such or such element that he can follow while along its movement on the multi ple screen; whereas in the case of a fixed projection, or a projection limited to a single projection area, the viewer's attention is fixedly focused on a single area, leaving no choice to the viewer, this being a source consistency and drop in attention.

Claims (13)

1.- Modular device for projecting images of the type comprising a light source and a lens, the device allowing continuous scrolling of the projected images and the device is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of movable rollers, mounted idly and capable of receiving an image support strip closed on itself, positioned and guided on said rollers, the device further comprising a drive coil allowing the drive of the strip, as well as a device for guiding said strip between the light source and the objective, at least one of the rollers being movable in a regularly continuous manner between two extreme positions, the roller being associated with immobilization means in one of said positions thus allowing the adjustment of the circuit formed by the set of rollers according to the length of the endless belt. 2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the rollers is mounted movable against the action of a spring member between a rest position, to which it is brought back by the action of the spring and a separated position from this rest position, said roller constituting a member for maintaining under tension the strip mounted on the circuit formed by the assembly of rollers. 3.- Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for guiding the strip, moving between the light source and the objective, are constituted by two rotary supports (such as said rollers and / or the motor drum), said rotary supports comprising means suitable for ensuring the positioning in height of the endless strip (such as upper and lower sides, teeth penetrating into the recesses provided on the edges of the strip) this strip being thus positioned in suitable height in front of the objective, the deep positioning of the strip relative to the objective being obtained by pressing the respectively upper and lower edges of said strip on two horizontal sidewalks, respectively upper and lower, on which the two come to bear parallel edges of the strip, the central part of said strip (image carrying part) being thus located out of any contact with respect to a fixed support, the support of the parallel edges of the strip on its supporting sidewalks being obtained by positioning the two rotary supports situated respectively on either side of the objective. 4.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motor drum is itself driven by a motor of the synchronous type. 5.- Device for projecting images over a large area and making it possible to obtain a panoramic effect and the device is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modular projectors in accordance with one of claims 1 to 4 below. above and these projectors are provided with means ensuring perfect synchronism of the movement of the bands positioned on the projectors. 6.- Device according to claim 5 further characterized in that the projectors are all provided with a synchronous motor of identical characteristic and supplied on a single current source, thus ensuring total synchronism of the movement of the images projected by each projector, the projection zones being provided contiguous, so as to constitute only a single zone of great width. 7.- Projection device according to one of claims 1 to 4 and characterized in that it consists of a box, the upper part of which forms a plate supporting the light source, the objective and all of the rotating supports. vertical axis constituting the unwinding circuit of the endless belt mounted on said circuit; and this box is associated with a removable upper cover for the protection of the assembly during storage and transport. 8.- A projection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the box comprises internally, and under the support plate, the motor of the drive drum of the endless belt as well as a blower providing ventilation the blower being provided to concentrate the air circulation on the part of the strip receiving the light beam. 9.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the motor of the tape drive drum is capable of reversing the direction of rotation, thereby allowing the reversal of the direction of travel of the image. 10.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the motor of the drive drum is provided at variable speed thereby allowing to vary the scrolling speed of the image, and the device projection is coupled to a device for reproducing sound from a magnetic tape, the speed of movement of the image being controlled by signals recorded on said magnetic tape, thus ensuring automatic synchronism of the presence of the image on the screen and the corresponding sound emission. 11.- A method for projecting an image of long length continuously scrolling, characterized in that a plurality of modular projectors is associated according to one of the claims 1- l to 10 above, the projectors being provided with means ensuring total synchronism of the scrolling of the images, each of the projectors receiving an image support strip, each of which is a duplication of the other, and each image being offset by a projector with respect to the neighbor so that any point projected by the upstream projector arriving at the end of the projection area of this projector is taken up, without continuity, by the start of the projection area of the downstream projector, thereby allowing continuous scrolling of the same image d 'an upstream projection area on the downstream projection area. 12.- Strip intended to supply a projection support,  the strip carrying visual information in the form of a written message or a figurative image and the strip is characterized in that it consists of an impressed film and carrying a succession of images7 the film being closed on itself thus forming an endless loop able to scroll continuously in the projection device of the invention while being driven by the drive drum.  13.- Strip according to claim 12, characterized in that the successive images comprise a pure central part, consisting of the only elements specific to said image, while each image comprises at each lateral end a marginal zone constituting a crossfade with the neighboring image, the elements of the image, in this intermediate zone, fading from said image to the neighboring image, and as the elements belonging to this neighboring image become more accentuated to reach the zone in which the elements of this neighboring image are represented in a pure state.