GB2543368A

GB2543368A - Display apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2543368A
Application number: GB1602583.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Faraway Dominic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-11
Filing date: 2016-02-12
Publication date: 2017-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-12
Also published as: GB201602583D0; GB2543368B; GB201508023D0; WO2016181139A1

Abstract

Display apparatus comprising a partially transparent screen, an image generating device arranged to project an image on the screen and an object 101 at least partially located behind the screen wherein the image is chosen such that the image 160 and object 101 appear to be a part of the same object. The object 101 may be a mannequin with the image 160 a head projected onto it. The device uses the Peppers Ghost illusion technique. The object 101 may have motorised articulated joints and have a darker area which is a flat plane where the image 160 coincides with it. Lights controlled by sensors may be provided which are directed away from the transparent member. A second background image generating device may be provided. The device is designed to be used in a shop window to model clothes.

Description

Display Apparatus

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a display apparatus which makes use of a Pepper’s ghost illusion. BACKGROUND

Mannequins are widely used in shops for modelling products such as clothes. They are also widely used in other forms of exhibit, such as in museums. Mannequins can provide the illusion of a human presence within a scene, but since they are typically stationary they are clearly not human and often come across as “lifeless”.

It is possible to animate mannequins, for example by adding motors and joints which allow them to move, in order to add life to a scene such as a shop window or amusement park ride. This adds life to the scene, but since this animation is limited in scope the mannequins are still clearly not human and not alive.

Therefore it is desirable to provide a mannequin which is more convincingly real, and capable of a more complete range of animation than traditional mannequins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a display apparatus, the apparatus having a front, and the apparatus comprising: a partially transparent screen; an image generating device arranged to project a first image onto the partially transparent screen in use; and a first member. At least part of the first member is located behind the partially transparent screen when viewed from the front of the apparatus. The first image is chosen such that the first image and the first member appear to be part of the same object to a person standing in front of the apparatus.

In this way, the invention provides an illusory object, one comprised both of a real part, the first member, and a virtual part, the first image. The first member is solid, real and in three dimensions, but it may be limited in its movements and expressiveness. The virtual first image, in contrast, is not a solid physical object but may be animated in complex ways. As such, the illusory object may provide a greater solidity than a simple projection and a greater range of movement and expression than a simple object such as a standard mannequin can provide.

Typically, the partially transparent member is a beam splitter. It may be a sheet of glass, plastic or any other material which is suitable for both seeing the first member through and reflecting the first image.

It may be that the first member comprises a mannequin. Typically, the mannequin is a model of at least a part of a human body. The mannequin may comprise a neck. The mannequin may comprise other parts of a body, such as the torso or limbs. The mannequin may also comprise a model of a body or parts of a body which isn’t human, such as an animal body.

Typically, the first image generating device comprises a screen such as an LCD or OLED screen, which displays an image which may be directly reflected by the partially transparent member. However, the first image generating device may also comprise other components such as a lens or mirror which are arranged to change the size, aspect or other characteristics of the first image as it is projected onto the screen.

In some embodiments, the first member comprises: at least one articulated joint; and at least one motor arranged to move the articulated joint. In this way, the first object may comprise arms and legs that can be raised, a body that turns, or any other desired from of automation.

Typically, the first member comprises a first section and a second section, arranged such that the first image appears to coincide with the first section to a person standing in front of the apparatus. It may be that the first section has a darker surface than the second section. The darker surface will be less visible behind the partially transparent screen, and as such the join between the first member and the first image may be made less obvious to a person observing the apparatus. It may further be that the first image does not appear to coincide with the second section to a person standing in front of the apparatus.

The colour of at least part of the second section may be similar to the colour of at least part of the first image. Again, this may help to make a join between the first image and the first member less obvious.

It may be that all or part of the first section is located behind the partially transparent screen when viewed from the front of the apparatus. It may be that all, part or none of the second section is located behind the partially transparent screen when viewed from the front of the apparatus.

Where the first member comprises a first section and a second section, it may be that the surface of the first section comprises a substantially flat plane where it appears to coincide with the first image to a person standing in front of the apparatus.

The first image is typically two dimensional and occupies a substantially flat plane. As such, a person looking at the apparatus sees a three dimensional object, the first member, and a two dimensional image, the first image. Providing a flat plane in the first member where the two join can help to make that join less obvious.

Typically, the surface of the first section comprises a substantially flat plane at an end distal to the second section.

It may be that the flat plane contains a first axis, the first axis being parallel to the partially transparent screen. If the image generating device is a screen, the first axis may be parallel to the screen. It may be that the substantially flat plane which is apparently occupied by the first image is coincident with the substantially flat plane which comprises part or all of the surface of the first section.

In some embodiments, the first image is animated. The first image may comprise a recording of an object, or it may comprise images created using animation techniques such as computer imagery or hand drawing. The first image may comprise a combination of recorded objects and created objects. It may be that the first image shows a head. The first image may show the face of a human being.

It may be that the apparatus further comprises a light sensor, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is arranged to: receive a signal from the light sensor indicating an ambient light level; and adjust the brightness of the first image according to the ambient light level. Typically, if the ambient light level increases, the control unitwill be arranged to increase the brightness of the first image. It may be that the control unit is further arranged to: receive a signal from the light sensor indicating the colour of ambient light; and adjust at least one aspect of the first image according to the colour of the ambient light. The aspect to be adjusted may be the colour of the image, its brightness, or any other suitable factor. The control unit may adjust the first image by selecting between a plurality of different first images, each with different characteristics. The control unit may also adjust the first image by performing transformations on the image before transmitting it to the image generating device. The control unit may also adjust the first image by controlling the image generating device to adjust its behaviour, for example by adjusting the brightness of a screen.

The apparatus may comprise a presence detector. The presence detector may comprise an infra-red sensor such as a passive infra-red sensor; or any other type of sensor which is suitable for detecting the presence of a person. It may be that the presence detector is arranged to send a signal to the control unit. The control unit may be arranged to cause the apparatus to respond to the presence of a person, for example by changing the lighting level, or playing a particular video. For example, the apparatus may be arranged to play a presentation in response to the presence of a person. This enables the unit to react to and interact with people near the display and trigger events such as targeted messaging via the video displays and audio, as well as lighting changes.

The apparatus may comprise a microphone. The control unit may be arranged to recognise audio cues which are received by the microphone, and to cause the apparatus to respond, for example by playing certain video clips or by adjusting the lighting. The control unit may have voice recognition. This would allow the control unit to recognise what a user says to the apparatus and respond appropriately.

The apparatus may comprise a camera, which may act as a presence detector. In addition, the camera and the control unit may operate facial recognition software. The control unit may be arranged to cause the apparatus to respond, for example by playing certain video clips or by adjusting the lighting, to the detection of a face or certain faces.

Typically, the apparatus further comprises a light source, the light source being arranged to illuminate the first member. The control unit may be arranged to control the light source. The control unit may be arranged to: receive a signal from the light sensor indicating an ambient light level; and adjust the brightness of the light source according to the ambient light level. The control unit may be arranged to: receive a signal from the light sensor indicating the colour of ambient light; and adjust the colour of the light source according to the colour of the ambient light.

The light source may comprise a plurality of light generating devices, such as LEDs, which may be turned on or off. These light generating devices may be in a plurality of colours. As such, changing the brightness or colour of the light source may be achieved by activating or deactivating LEDs.

Typically, the light source is directed away from the partially transparent member.

It may be that the apparatus further comprises a second image generating device, the second image generating device being located behind the first member when viewed from the front of the apparatus. The second image generating device may be used to provide a background to the first object and the first image.

In a further embodiment the apparatus may further comprise: a second partially transparent screen; and a second image generating device arranged to project a second image onto the partially transparent screen in use. At least part of the first member may be located behind the second partially transparent screen when viewed from the front of the apparatus. The second image is chosen such that the second image and the first member appear to be part of the same object to a person standing in front of the apparatus.

Tertiary and subsequent partially transparent screens and image generating devices may be provided as necessary to provide as many further images as are necessary. In this way the first member may be provided with as many images as necessary. For example, the first member may comprise a mannequin which is provided with both an image of a face as described above and images of moving hands.

Further members may be provided as necessary. For example, the apparatus may comprise two mannequins, each with an animated head provided as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1, 5 and 7 show a display apparatus according to the invention;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the torso and neck of a mannequin;

Figure 6 shows an exploded diagram of a framework surrounding a mannequin;

Figure 8 shows a cross section of a partially transparent screen; and Figure 9 shows a component of the framework from Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a display apparatus 100 according to the invention. The display apparatus 100 comprises a mannequin body 101 which is located inside a framework 110. The mannequin body 101 comprises articulated limbs; that is the arms and legs are provided with joints such that they can be moved and positioned as desired. However, the mannequin body 101 does not comprise a head.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the upper torso and neck of the mannequin body 101 from various angles. As can be seen in Figure 2, the mannequin comprises two sections, a first section 102 and a second section 103. The second section of the mannequin 103 comprises the limbs and most of the torso, and can be dressed in clothes and provided with other props as desired by a user. The first section 102 comprises the neck of the mannequin. At its uppermost extreme, the neck is flattened to form a substantially flat forward facing plane 104. This flattening can be most clearly seen in Figure 4.

In addition, the surface of the plane 104 is shaded in a dark colour. The rest of the mannequin has a surface colour which is chosen to approximate a human skin tone, but as the surface approaches the plane 104 it darkens until it is black.

Although the first and second section 102, 103 of the mannequin 101 are illustrated as separate parts, they need not necessarily be separate. The mannequin may be constructed as a continuous whole if desired.

Figure 5 shows the display apparatus 100 from above. Figure 6 is an exploded diagram of the framework 110 surrounding the mannequin 101 from the same angle. The framework 110 comprises a base 111, a lower frame 112, four upright struts 113, 114, 115, 116 and an upper frame 117. The four upright struts are fastened to the lower frame 112 and the upper frame 117 in use in order to form a rigid support for the rest of the framework. A lighting panel 118 fits into and is attached to the upper panel 117. The base is attached to the lower frame 112 and acts as a support for the mannequin 101. As such, the first upright strut 113 and the second upright strut 114 are located on a first side of the mannequin, while the third upright strut 115 and the fourth upright strut 116 are located on a second side of the mannequin. The first and second upright struts 113, 114 define the “front” of the display apparatus 100, such that a user will usually stand on the first side of the mannequin and look at it between the first and second upright struts 113, 114.

At the top of the framework 110 a partially transparent screen 120 is located, and held in place by two panels 121, 122 which are fastened to the four upright struts 113, 114, 115, 116. The partially transparent screen sits under the upper panel 117, and forward of the lighting panel 118. The partially transparent screen 120 is arranged at a 45 degree angle to a plane containing the first and second upright struts 113, 114. A first video display 130, a control unit 131 and a speaker are attached to the upper frame 117, with the screen of the first video display 130 directed down into the framework 110. As such, when an image is displayed on the first video display 130, it is also reflected by the partially transparent screen 120. A second video display 132 is located behind the mannequin, between the third upright strut 115 and the fourth upright strut 116. The screen of the second video display is 132 is directed towards the front of the display apparatus 100, such that it is visible through the partially transparent screen 120.

The framework 110 further comprises five panels 140, 141, 142, 143, 144 which are fastened to the upright struts 113, 114, 115, 116 and the upper frame 117 and which hide the upper frame 117, the first video display 130 and the control unit 131 from view. A sixth panel 145 is located behind the mannequin 101. The six panels 140, 141, 142, 143, 144 also help to keep the struts and upper frame in position, and hence add rigidity to the framework 110.

Lastly , the framework 110 comprises four strips of LED lights 150, 151, 152, 153, each of which are fastened to an upright strut 113, 114, 115, 116. In addition, the lighting panel 118 comprises a further strip of LED lights 154. Figure 9 shows the lighting panel 118 with the LED lights visible. The LED lights 150, 151, 152, 153, 154 hence illuminate the mannequin 101. The control unit 131 controls how much light and what colour of light these LEDs produce, as well as controlling what is displayed on the first video display 130 and the second video display 131, and the sounds produced by the speaker 133.

When the display apparatus 100 is turned on, the control unit 131 controls the first video display 130 to display a video of a human head. This video can be a recording of an actor’s head, or it can be an animated head, which may be created using computer graphics or any other suitable technique. The video may also be a combination of recorded and created elements. The image of the head is reflected in the partially transparent screen 120. Hence, when viewed from the front, a “Pepper’s ghost” illusion 160 is created, whereby the head appears above the mannequin body as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 7.

The positions of the components in the display apparatus shown in figure 1 are provided as examples only. It is possible to arrange the partially transparent screen 120, the first video display 130 and the mannequin 101 in a plurality of different ways which will create the pepper’s ghost illusion. For example, the first video screen 120 can be located anywhere around the mannequin provided that the partially transparent screen is correctly angled to reflect the image and hence create the pepper’s ghost illusion.

As such, the display apparatus provides a moving, animated head on top of a mannequin. Since the face is the most expressive part of the human body, the animated face can show natural, convincing expressions. Via the speaker 133, the display apparatus can also talk to a user, so the facial movements and the voice of a pre-recorded actor can be played back at a time of the user’s choosing.

The image of the head is substantially flat, and appears to lie behind the partially transparent screen to the user. The mannequin 101, the partially transparent screen 120 and the first video display 130 are located so that the image of the head appears to coincide with the mannequin’s neck. In particular, the image of the head appears to coincide with the plane 104.

Since the plane 104 is a dark colour, and since the plane 104 appears to a user to lie behind the bright image of a head, it is difficult to see where it stops. In addition, the flattening of the neck into the plane 104 makes the join between a three dimensional mannequin and a two dimensional video image less obvious. As such, the features of the plane 104 help to hide the join between the mannequin 101 and the image projected by the first video display 130.

In addition, the image of the head can be chosen or altered to help to hide this join. For example, the colours or brightness of the image may change where it covers the plane 104.

The second video display 131 shows a further image, which the user will see behind the mannequin 101 and the image of the head. The further image is therefore a background, and helps to provide depth to the display, as well as providing further animated elements if necessary.

Figure 8 shows a cross section of the partially transparent screen 120. The eye 170 indicates the direction from which the partially transparent screen 120 is typically viewed when used as part of the display apparatus 100. The partially transparent screen 120 comprises a first side 181 and a second side 182. In use, it is the first side which reflects light to create the first image.

The first side 181 and the second side 182 are arranged at an angle a with respect to each other such that the second side is substantially parallel to a line of sight of a typical user. Therefore the second side is less obvious to the user, reducing the visibility of the edge of the partially transparent screen 120. A further version of the display apparatus may be provided without the second video display 131. In this version the panel behind the mannequin 142 will be visible, and may be decorated with particular colours or images if that is desired. Alternatively, the second video display may be much larger, and extend behind the torso and legs of the mannequin 101, as well as its shoulders and the image of the head, if this is desired.

Although the examples shown above comprise a mannequin in a framework, in some embodiments a mannequin may be provided without such a framework, provided that provision is still made for supporting a partially transparent screen and a video display or other image generating means. For example, the mannequin may stand in an alcove formed in a wall, and the screen and video display may be set into the wall.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A display apparatus, the apparatus having a front, and the apparatus comprising: a partially transparent screen; an image generating device arranged to project a first image onto the partially transparent screen in use; and a first member, wherein at least part of the first member is located behind the partially transparent screen when viewed from the front of the apparatus; the first image being chosen such that the first image and the first member appear to be part of the same object to a person standing in front of the apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a mannequin.

3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member comprises: at least one articulated joint; and at least one motor arranged to move the articulated joint.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member comprises a first section and a second section, arranged such that the first image appears to coincide with the first section to a person standing in front of the apparatus, wherein the first section has a darker surface than the second section,

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member comprises a first section and a second section, arranged such that the first image appears to coincide with the first section to a person standing in front of the apparatus, wherein the surface of the first section comprises a substantially flat plane where it appears to coincide with the first image to a person standing in front of the apparatus.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the substantially flat plane which is apparently occupied by the first image is coincident with the substantially flat plane.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first image is animated.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first image shows a head.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a light sensor, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is arranged to: receive a signal from the light sensor indicating an ambient light level; and adjust the brightness of the first image according to the ambient light level.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a light source, the light source being arranged to illuminate the first member.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the light source is directed away from the partially transparent member.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus further comprising a second image generating device, the second image generating device being located behind the first member when viewed from the front of the apparatus.