FR2778756A1 - Transportable multiple screen multimedia display - Google Patents

Abstract

The transportable multimedia multi-screen display has a pair of modules (2), each with a rectangular frame (10) supporting a tiltable screen (3). Each frame has two pivoting arcuate frame extensions which can be connected to allow assembly of several screens. The roof carries the projectors and the modules are mounted with the screens opposed

Description

Transportable multi-screen multimedia display system This

  invention relates to a transportable and adjustable system

  multi-screen multimedia display.

  It is known transportable video projection sets with a bulk and a weight such that a single person can move and install the device. For example, patent FR 2,614,114 mentions the use of a hinge system to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of the device with a folding system making it possible to protect the fragile optical parts during transport. The panels and their hinges are designed so that the folded assembly resembles a thin parallelepiped. This system is of particular interest in terms of compactness and transportability and also allows the user direct control of the screen to make the adjustments once the projector is assembled to the device. But the system has only one screen, and the possibility of seeing several screens from several screens in the same room requires the use of as many devices, which multiplies the overall size. Likewise, European patent application EP 0.676.893.A2 relates to a housing for a portable television overhead projector with a particularly small footprint for simple and rapid installation since it is limited to the positioning of the rear mirror. The plurality of mirrors makes it possible to lengthen the

  focal length of the device by limiting the depth of the device installed.

  Neither of the two devices mentioned refers to a multi-unit

  screens and they have not been designed to be adapted in this sense. The structures were also not designed to allow suspension mounting of the devices. There are of course in the prior art multi-screen assemblies, but most of the devices have a space several times greater than that of the projection furniture covered by the invention and are therefore not easily transportable. Moreover, the applications targeted by these systems do not only concern the projection of a planar image cut into several screens to increase the display surface. The desired goal can also be the restitution of a panoramic image from several portions of the image projected on adjoining screen faces

arranged around the audience.

  For example, European patent application EP 0.514.045 A1 filed by Hugues Aircraft Company relates to a multifaceted dome for projection by transparency. The projection system is here installed at a certain distance outside the dome and is therefore not integral with the latter. The projection dome is designed to be integrated into a 1o simulation system where the public is limited to a few people installed in the center of the dome and who thus benefit from a panoramic vision. It is clear that the application referred to here is very far from the dissemination of presentations and that the arrangement of the projection means requires a large volume for a

public very limited in number.

  Panoramic projection systems on several large screens, using, for example, Fresnel lens display units, allow viewing by a larger audience, this audience having to be concentrated in

  near the center of curvature of the screen to take advantage of the panoramic effect.

  This geometric constraint means that the systems are very

  bulky compared to the number of spectators.

  Projection furniture is generally not intended for the same application since it is not the panoramic effect that is sought. The dissemination of presentations rather requires a space-saving system, relatively quick and easy to install, capable of displaying one or more

  screens visible to a maximum of spectators.

  The prior art to be taken into consideration for our invention must therefore be reduced to video projection sets allowing the distribution

  of the public in the widest possible angular sector around the device.

  Japanese patent J05107659 is found in this area, for example.

  filed by FUJITSU GENERAL KK and the brief description of which describes a

  device which allows projection on two screens oriented in directions

  opposites from a single projector. The system uses a semi-mirror

  transparent which allows the beam from the projector to be separated into a beam transmitted to one screen and a beam reflected to the other screen. These measures

  therefore allows the same image to be projected to an audience divided into two groups.

  But nothing is indicated on the concrete realization of the whole, on the shape of the structure and its installation, nor on the possibility of being able to integrate the system in a transportable piece of furniture and even less on the quality of

  the image and the power of illumination. Installation of a semi-mirror

  transparent is certainly detrimental to image quality and

io lighting power.

  Another embodiment aimed at the same result is, for example, patent DE 3923234 describing a double projection device mounted on a trailer and comprising two opposite screens for the dissemination of advertisements on each side of the vehicle. The set is certainly transportable, but it cannot

  be qualified as projection furniture due to its size.

  Finally, it appears that the prior art most related to the present invention consists of transportable and adjustable single-screen projection furniture. Patent FR 2,614,114 is without doubt the closest prior art to the present invention by the ease of assembly and disassembly as well as the compactness and transportability of the system once folded. The present invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a transportable and adjustable multi-screen video projection furniture of rigid and light structure allowing the suspension, like a chandelier, of the assembled device or even the maintenance in lift on one foot. This system therefore allows the distribution of the public around the device, which optimizes the number of spectators in relation to the size of the furniture while maintaining good image quality and lighting. This object is achieved by the fact that the system consists of at least one pair of identical modules, each module consisting of a main rectangular frame supporting a screen adjustable in inclination, which frame being extended on its lower and upper uprights by two pivoting hoops of trapezoidal shape each comprising known fastening means by screws allowing contiguous assembly with the hoops of the same type of neighboring modules to constitute a multi-screen multimedia visualization system surmounted by a frustoconical roof making it possible to install as many projectors as screens, the two modules of a pair being positioned back to back and the screens being directed in

io opposite directions.

  According to another particular feature, each module of the system comprises an upper flap formed by a pivoting panel fixed by a hinge system on the outside of the upper upright of the main frame, a flap being pivotally mounted by a hinge system at the end of the first panel, this flap comprising on its external face sliding and adjustable fixing means by slides and screws, ensuring, when the system is mounted, the maintenance of the screen by its upper edge in a position inclined towards the ground, the adjustment of the inclination being ensured by the sliding of the edge of the screen

in the flaps of the flap.

  According to another particular feature, the main panel of the upper flap of a module comprises, on its internal face, pivoting fixing means by a hinge system whose axis is parallel to the upper upright of the main frame of the module, the means allowing the 'attachment of a pivoting mirror whose orientation can thus be adjusted so that the beam of a projector reflected by this mirror illuminates the screen of the opposite module back to back. According to another particularity, each module comprises a lower flap of low height mounted to pivot by means of fixing by hinge to the lower upright of the main frame of the module, this flap being able, from a stop position o it is unfolded towards the outside of the module, pivot by an angle greater than 90 to its folded position in the main frame of the module, the outer edge of this flap comprising means for pivotally fixing a rigid reinforcement system ensuring the maintenance of the lower part of the screen, so that this screen can be mounted as desired in one of the two positions in abutment of the flap, that is to say either a flap position unfolded for an average inclination of the screen, either a folded shutter position for a

  steeper inclination of the screen towards the ground.

  According to another particularity, the pivoting elements of a module of the system, that is to say the upper, lower, and lateral flaps, the upper and lower arches 1o, can be folded back inside the main frame of the module. so that the folded assembly constitutes a parallelepiped of small thickness providing for the screen storage box a holding space inside the frame, the box being partially protected on both sides, on one side by the upper flap and the side flaps which, when pulled against the main frame, cover more than three quarters of the surface, and on the other side by the upper and lower arches forming a rigid plane frame once folded along of the main frame. According to another particular feature, the screens used in the projection system each consist of a Fresnel lens of easily removable rectangle shape, the lens comprising on its lower and upper edges rigid reinforcements allowing rapid fitting with the corresponding fixing means. installed on the upper and lower shutters

of a module.

  According to another particular feature, each upper hoop of a module of the display system comprises means of suspension by linkage of the cradle supporting the projector and means for adjusting the position of this projector. According to another particularity, the frustoconical roof of the multimedia display system comprises on its top known fixing means for cables or chains allowing the suspension of the system

to a ceiling.

  According to another particularity, the lower arches of the modules of the multimedia display system are dimensioned to form, once mounted, a base of the rigid and planar system allowing the lift of the

system on one foot.

  Another special feature concerns the storage of the folded modules. We have seen that the different parts of a module (frames, shutters, panels) can fold inside the main frame so as to form a thin parallelepiped. To facilitate storage and transport of the entire system, the folded modules include assembly means by superposition so that the grouping forms only a parallelepiped whose thickness depends on the number of modules. Keeping the same shape presents an indisputable interest for transportability. Other features and advantages of the present invention

  will appear more clearly on reading the description below made in

  reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows the volume external appearance of a set of

  projection with four screens (1) made up of four modules (2).

  - Figure 2 shows a module (2) installed. The screen (3) is shown in gray. The upper (60) and lower (70) arches are unfolded

  in their mounting position with the other modules (2).

  - Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the system with the layout

  from the optical paths of the beams from the projectors to the screens via the mirrors.

  - Figures 4a and 4b show two views by transparency of a folded module, one from the front (4a) and one from the profile (4b). In Figure 4b, the

  elements in the unfolded position are drawn in dotted lines.

  - Figure 5 shows, seen from above, a display system with

four screens installed.

  - Figure 6 shows schematically the path of the beams of the projectors seen from above. The choice of a system (1) with two pairs, that is to say with four screens (3), constitutes a good compromise between the size of the system and the number of spectators. In addition, the relatively low weight of the whole

  makes it easy to hang from a ceiling or gantry system. The description

  will thus relate to a device with four screens, but this example does not limit in

  nothing the scope of the claims for variants of the device comprising

  three or four pairs of modules (2). The assembly of this plurality of pairs of modules (2) is carried out, for example, by means of angular adapters of determined dimensions arranged between each module. The dimensions of the angular spacers are easily determinable by those skilled in the art, in order to obtain the desired shape of the display system according to the invention. This assembly can also be carried out by means of modifications to the angles (65, 66, fig. 2) of the arches (60, 70, fig. 2) of the structure, these modifications being perfectly accessible to the skilled person during the making. It should be noted that a pair of modules already makes it possible to constitute an autonomous projection set with two screens. Each module (2) offers the particularity of being transportable, installable and adjustable relatively easily, this thanks to the design of a light structure whose elements

  fold inside or along a thin rectangular frame (10).

  The system according to the invention therefore makes it possible to view an image in a hemicycle or a circular room (sports hall, lounge, fair, etc.) where the public is arranged 360 from a center of the system (1) A module (2) as shown in FIGS. 2, 4a, 4b, is made up of a rigid main frame (10) of light metal like aluminum, of rectangular shape, comprising on its external face (face outside of the system) a hinge on each of the four uprights of the frame (11,12,13,14, fig. 2), in order to connect elements to pivoting panels called "shutters". There are therefore four flaps (30,40,50,51, fig. 2): -a lower flap (40, fig. 4a, 4b) of low height assembled by a hinge system (41, fig. 4a) to the upright lower (11) of the main frame of the module, this flap (40) being able, from a stop position o it is unfolded towards the outside of the module (40 in dotted lines fig. 4b), pivot by a greater angle

  90 to its folded position (40 fig. 4b) in the main frame of the module.

  The outer edge of this flap comprises fixing means known by a hinge (42 fig. 4a) allowing the attachment of a pivoting system of rigid frame ensuring the maintenance of the lower part of the screen so that this screen can be mounted as desired in one of the two stop positions of the flap, that is to say either an unfolded flap position (40 in dotted lines fig. 0o 4b) for an average inclination of the screen, or a folded flap position (40 fig. 4b) for a steeper inclination of the screen towards the ground. This pivoting device (40,41,42), coupled to the adjustable attachment system of the screen (3) to the flap (32) of the upper flap (30) described below, makes it possible to increase the angles of possible inclinations. from the screen to the ground. In addition, the same angle of inclination of the screen can possibly be obtained for each of the two positions of the flap (40), provided that the position for hooking the screen (3) to the flap (32) is modified accordingly. ) of the upper flap (30). Thus, the screen (3) can be more or less close to the multimedia display system (1), which is an additional means of varying the focal distance. Another advantage of the pivoting device (40,41,42) is provided during the folding of the module (2) for the storage of the system (1). The flap (40) pivots inside the main frame (10) until a stop keeps it in position close to the vertical, slightly inclined towards the back of the module (fig. 4b). Thus, the flap serves as a blocking support for the transport case (15) of the screen (3)

  when the folded module (2) is stored vertically.

  - An upper flap (30) consisting of a main panel (31) and a secondary panel or flap (32 fig. 2) foldable by hinge system (34, fig. 2). The main panel (31) is itself assembled by hinge (33 fig. 2) to the upper upright (12) of the main frame (10) of the module. This arrangement of the flap (30) allows on the one hand the protection of part of the screen (3), when the module (2) is folded (the flap is then pulled) and on the other hand, the adjustable fixing from the upper edge of the screen (3) with the flap (32), when the module (2) is installed. Indeed, the flap (32) has on its external face known sliding fixing means, adjustable by slides (36, fig. 2) and screws, ensuring when the system is mounted, the maintenance of the screen by its upper edge in an inclined position towards the ground, the inclination being adjusted by sliding the edge of the screen in the slides (36) of the flap. Thus, these adjustable fixing means combined with the two possible positions of the flap (40) allow the positioning of the screen (3) at an angle that the user can choose in a relatively wide continuous interval, which allows adapt the inclination of the screen (3) according to the height

  installation of the display system (1) in relation to the public.

  - two side flaps (50; 51, fig. 1) fixed to the vertical uprights (13, 14, fig. 2) of the main frame (10) by hinges (52, 53, fig. 1 and 2). The function of these shutters is on the one hand mechanical, since once they are installed, they support the panel (31) of the upper shutter (30) with known fixing means (35) by screws or by interlocking and other part, aesthetic, because they are profiled to hide the edges of the screen (3) as well as the flap (32) of the upper flap. Thus, the screen (3) supports only part of the weight of the flap (32), and not the weight of the entire upper flap (30). The screen (3) then appears as a lighted window in an attic. When storing the device (fig. 4a), the side flaps (50, 51) fold back towards the center of the main frame (10) over the upper flap (30) and the screen (3),

  and also help protect the bottom two corners of the screen.

  The flat screen (3) easily installable and dismountable, of rectangular shape, constituted for example by a Fresnel lens, comprises on its lower and upper edges known fixing means in adequacy with those of the flap (32) and of the flap lower (40). The use of a Fresnel lens advantageously makes it possible to obtain very good visibility of the information displayed on the screen, even in a space where there is a

strong light.

  The deflection mirror (4, fig. 2 and 3), of rectangular shape, is mounted by means of pivoting fixing to the main panel (31) of the upper flap (30), means which can consist of a hinge system (35) so that you can also adjust the tilt of the mirror. This mirror (4) is intended to return the beam of the associated projector (5, fig. 3 and 6) to the back of the screen of the opposite module. The lengthening of the optical path obtained thanks to the mirror (4) allows the use of relatively long focal lengths for the projectors (5), as well as a widening of the beam, so as to illuminate the entire screen (3), which is the aim sought in the case of a Fresnel lens. The system (1) being perfectly symmetrical for good horizontal stability io in lift, the beams (8, fig. 3 and 6) intersect in the interior space of the system (1), so that the volume of intersection ( 9, Fig. 3) is symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the system as shown in Figure 3. The beams (8) do not consist of coherent light, so their intersection does not create light interference. In the case of a system (1) with four screens, the beams (8) of two adjacent projectors intersect at right angles as shown in FIG. 6. The four beams

  (8) intersect in the intersection volume (9, fig. 6).

  The upper hoop (60) is made of a light and rigid material like aluminum, of trapezoidal shape, assembled by pivoting fixings (61; 62, fig. 2) to the upper upright (12) of the main frame (10 ) of module (2). In the folded position, this hoop (60) is folded against the rear face of the screen (3). Two protective lugs (18,19, fig. 4a and 4b) are fixed to the uprights (13) and (14) of the main frame (10) in order to prevent crushing of the protective box (15, fig. 4b) of the screen by the upper arch (60), when the folded module (2) is placed flat. When this module (2) is assembled with neighboring modules, the hoop (60) is joined together in known manner by known fixing means (63, fig. 1,2 and 5) with the adjacent counterparts (cf fig 5). The arches (60) thus assembled form the roof of the system (1) which takes the form of a polygonal hut. The rigidity provided by the arches forming the roof makes it possible to support the projectors (5) and to suspend the system (1) like a chandelier. The attachment means by cable or by chain of the assembly (1) are known and can be fixed on the top (80) of the roof forming a square platform (see fig. 5). Each upper arch (60) comprises fixing means (85, fig. 3) for a projector (5), means which make it possible to adapt a large number of models of video and computer projectors on the market. For example, the upper arch (60) can be traversed by two parallel rails (not shown) perpendicular to the upper upright (12) of the main frame (10). These rails constitute a linkage allowing the adjustable installation of a cradle (not shown) supporting the projector (5) directed towards the mirror (4) of the module (2) as shown in FIG. 3. This cradle comprises means adjusting the projector orientation (5). Depending on the position of the cradle on the linkage, the projector can be more or less distant from the mirror. The system (1) mounted

  requires as many projectors as modules.

  The lower arch (70, fig. 2), intended to form the base of the system (1) with the homologous lower arches, is similar to the upper arch (60) since it is trapezoidal in shape and therefore has the function the integral assembly of the modules (2) by the mounting of a flat rigid common base. The periphery of this base has the shape of a regular polygon, for example forming a square for a four-module system. The pivoting fasteners (71, 72, fig. 2) are identical to those (61, 62) of the upper hoop (60). In the folded position, this hoop (70) is folded against the rear face of the screen (3), in the same plane. Only the hoop (60) is shown in Figure 4a. The lower arch (70) only appears in Figure 2. It differs from the upper (60) by the angle (66, fig. 2) of the trapezoid, more open than the angle (65, fig. 2) of the arch (70). It should be noted that the lower arches (70) forming the base of the system (1) are the

  orthogonal projection of the upper arches (60) of the system roof.

  Thus, FIG. 5 can equally well represent the system (1) seen from below.

  It is clear that other modifications within the reach of those skilled in the art are within the scope of the invention. For example, during manufacture, the modification of the angles (65, 66) of the structure in order to produce a system with six screens (hexagonal base) or more is perfectly accessible to those skilled in the art, as well as the manufacture of adapters. angular allowing, in

  inserting these adapters between the modules (2) to obtain the same result.

  Similarly, the possibilities of arrangement of the projectors (5) under the roof of the system are not limited to the example represented in FIG. 3. The use of projectors (5) with longer focal lengths can lead to lengthening the optical path beams and therefore to move the projectors (5) away from the mirrors (4). It is then possible to position the projectors (5) so as to cross the io beams (8) before reflecting on the mirrors (4). In practice, a projector (5) must then be mounted on the upper arch (60) of the same module (2) as

  the screen (3) that it illuminates, which is not the case in the example shown in FIG. 3.

  Such an arrangement requires a larger mirror (4) on the module

(2) opposite the screen (3).

  Finally, it is also within the reach of those skilled in the art to envisage mounting a projection assembly with several screens from pairs of modules (2) aligned side by side so as to form two extra large flat screens opposite oriented in each half space. An extra large screen can indeed be made from a few screens (3) placed end to end. A screen (3) represented in FIG. 1 is wider than in FIG. 2. In fact, the system can be declined according to different dimensions of screens which can typically range from 72 "(image of 146 x 110 cm) to 160" (325 x 244 cm image),

  these values are not limiting.

Claims (9)

  1. Removable, foldable and transportable multi-screen multimedia display system, of parallelepiped shape once folded, offering relatively easy mounting and adjustment possibilities, exploiting a rear projection principle associating a projector, a mirror and a screen, characterized in that it consists of at least a pair of identical modules (2), each module (2) being constructed from a rectangular main frame (10) supporting a screen (3) adjustable in inclination, the frame ( 10) io being extended on its lower and upper uprights (11; 12) by two pivoting arches (70; 60) each comprising fixing means allowing contiguous assembly with the arches of the same type of neighboring modules to constitute a piece of furniture multi-screen video projection (1) surmounted by a roof making it possible to install as many projectors (5) as screens (3), the two modules (2) of a pair being positioned back to back and   the screens (3) being directed in opposite directions.   2. Multi-screen multimedia display system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each module (2) of the cabinet comprises an upper flap (30) formed by a panel (31) pivotally mounted on the outside of the upper upright (12) of the main frame (10), a flap (32) being pivotally mounted (34) at the end of the first panel (31), this flap (32) comprising on its external face sliding fixing means and adjustable   to determine the setting of the screen tilt (3).   3. Multi-screen multimedia display system (1) according to the   Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the main panel (31) of the shutter   upper (30) of a module (2) comprises, on its internal face, pivoting fixing means (35) along an axis parallel to the upper upright (12) of the main frame (10) of the module (2), the means allowing the attachment of a pivoting mirror (4) whose orientation can thus be adjusted so that the beam (8) of a projector (5) reflected by this mirror (4) illuminates the screen (3 ) of the module (2) opposite back to back when the furniture is assembled, and also allowing   folding the mirror (4) against the panel (31) for storing the module (2).   4. Multi-screen multimedia display system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each module (2) comprises a lower flap (40) of low height mounted by pivoting means (41) to the lower upright (11) of the main frame (10) of the module, this flap (40) being able, from a stop position o it is unfolded towards the outside of the module, to pivot io by an angle greater than 90 to its folded position in the main frame (10) of the module (2), the outer edge of this flap comprising means for pivotally fixing (42) a rigid frame system ensuring the maintenance of the lower part of the screen (3), so that this screen (3) can be mounted as desired in one of the two positions in abutment of the flap (40), that is to say either a folded out position for an average inclination of the screen (3), either a folded shutter position for a greater inclination of the screen to the ground.   5. Multi-screen multimedia display system (1) according to the   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pivoting elements of a module   (2) of the cabinet (1), that is to say the upper (30), lower (40), and side (50, 51) shutters, the screen (3) and the mirror (4), the upper (60) and lower (70) arches, can be folded back inside the main frame (10) of the module (2) so that the folded assembly constitutes a parallelepiped of small thickness providing for the box (15 ) for storing the screen (3) a holding space inside the frame (10), the box (15) being partially protected on its two faces, on one side by the upper flap (30) pulled and the side flaps (50, 51) which, once folded against the main frame (10), cover more than three quarters of the surface, and on the other side by the upper (60) and lower (70) arches forming a rigid planar reinforcement a   folded against the main frame (10).   6. System (1) multi-screen multimedia display according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper arch (60) comprises means for suspending a projector (5) and means for adjusting its position. 7. Multi-screen multimedia display system (1) according to the   Claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that the screens (3) used in the   modules (2) each consist of a Fresnel lens of easily removable rectangle shape, the lens having on its lower and upper edges rigid reinforcements allowing rapid fitting with the corresponding fixing means (35, 42) installed on the upper shutters   (30) and lower (40) of a module.   8. Multi-screen multimedia display system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frustoconical roof of the piece of furniture comprises on its top (80) known fixing means for cables or chains allowing the suspension of the furniture (1) to one ceiling or gantry system.   9. Multi-screen multimedia display system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower arches (70) of the modules (2) of the cabinet are dimensioned to form a rigid base once mounted   and flat allowing the support of the piece of furniture (1) on a leg.