Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B30/00—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
  • G02B30/50—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images the image being built up from image elements distributed over a three-dimensional [3D] volume, e.g. voxels
  • G02B30/56—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images the image being built up from image elements distributed over a three-dimensional [3D] volume, e.g. voxels by projecting aerial or floating images
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B30/00—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
  • G02B30/40—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images giving the observer of a single two-dimensional [2D] image a perception of depth
• • 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
  • G03B21/10—Projectors with built-in or built-on screen
• • 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
  • G03B21/60—Projection screens characterised by the nature of the surface
  • G03B21/606—Projection screens characterised by the nature of the surface for relief projection
• • 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
  • G03B21/60—Projection screens characterised by the nature of the surface
  • G03B21/62—Translucent 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
  • G03B37/00—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
  • G03B37/04—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
• • 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
  • H04N13/302—Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays
• • 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
  • H04N13/388—Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume
• • 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
  • H04N13/388—Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume
  • H04N13/395—Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of two-dimensional [2D] image planes
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
  • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
  • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
  • H04N9/3141—Constructional details thereof
  • H04N9/315—Modulator illumination systems
  • H04N9/3152—Modulator illumination systems for shaping the light beam

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to displays for amusement park attractions and experiences.
• Amusement parks often contain attractions or experiences that use video and/or still images to provide enjoyment and entertain guests of the amusement parks.
• the attractions may include themed environments established using display devices displaying media content (e.g., in the form of video, text, still image, motion graphics, or a combination thereof).
• media content e.g., in the form of video, text, still image, motion graphics, or a combination thereof.
• it may be desirable to display media content with special visual effects to create a realistic and/or immersive viewing or playing experience for an audience.
• such special visual effects may be achieved using holography technology, where the media content is displayed using a hologram produced by illuminating a holographic medium that encodes a light field emanating from a scene as an interference pattern.
• the interference pattern diffracts the light into a three- dimensional (3D) hologram image that exhibits visual depth cues, such as parallax and perspective.
• 3D three- dimensional
• displaying media content via a hologram image may be challenging due to considerations relating to cost, space, equipment availabilities, viewing area environment, targeted audiences, and/or video (moving visual image) capabilities, for example.
• a lensed display system includes a projector configured to project an image.
• the lensed display system includes a lens formed of a glass, crystalline, or polymer material.
• the lens includes a first surface, wherein at least a portion of the first surface includes a coating that is configured to display the projected image.
• the lens includes a second surface, wherein the second surface comprises a transparent curved surface that is configured to face toward a user and to enable the user to view the image projected onto the coating on the first surface through the transparent curved surface.
• a lensed display system in another embodiment, includes a projector configured to project an image.
• the lensed display system includes a lens formed of a glass, crystalline, or polymer material.
• the lens includes a radially-inner curved surface, wherein the radially-inner curved surface is configured to face toward the projector and comprises a coating configured to display the projected image.
• the lens includes a radially-outer curved surface, wherein the radially-outer curved surface is configured to face away from the projector and to enable a user to view the image projected onto the coating on the radially-inner curved surface through the radially-outer curved surface.
• a lensed display system in another embodiment, includes a projector configured to project an image.
• the lensed display system includes a lens formed of a glass, crystalline, or polymer material.
• the lens includes a first surface, wherein the first surface is configured to face toward the projector and at least a portion of the first surface comprises a coating configured to display the projected image.
• the lens includes a second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to face away from the projector and is configured to enable a user to view the image projected onto the coating through the second surface.
• the lensed display system also includes a cover configured to couple to the lens.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a lensed display system including a projector and a lens, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 2 illustrates a lensed display system including a projector and a hemispherical lens, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 3 illustrates a lensed display system including a lens and a cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 4 illustrates a lensed display system including a lens having a cavity disposed therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.
• the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. [0017]
• the present disclosure relates generally to lensed display systems and methods, and, more particularly, to lensed display systems capable of generating displays for amusement park attractions and experiences.
• the attractions may include any type of ride system that is designed to entertain a passenger, such as an attraction that includes a ride vehicle that travels along a path, an attraction that includes a room or theatre with stationary or moving seats for passengers to sit in while the passengers watch a video, or the like.
• the lensed display systems render a display that has similar visual effects (e.g., depth effect, parallax, 3D effect) as in hologram images, but without the challenges and/or costs associated with providing such hologram images.
• the disclosed embodiments generally discuss lensed display systems that are used for entertainment purposes, the disclosed embodiments may also apply to lensed display systems that are used for any other suitable purpose.
• FIG. 1 is a lensed display system 100 including a projector 102 and a lens 106, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the projector 102 may project an image 104 (e.g., still image, video image) onto a curved (i.e., spherical) outer surface (e.g., coated surface having a coating 108) of the lens 106.
• the projector 102 may be a still image projector, a video projector, or any other suitable type of projector.
• the projector 102 may be a rear projector (e.g., capable of reversing the image 104 projected) and/or may be positioned on an opposite side of the lens 106 from a user 110, as shown.
• the lens 106 is a spherical lens (e.g., having the curved outer surface positioned at a radius from a center). As shown, the spherical lens may be a solid sphere. In some embodiments, the lens 106 may have a diameter of at least 7 centimeters (cm) (e.g., 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm). The lens 106 may be formed from any suitable transparent material. The lens 106 may be formed of a glass material. Alternatively, the lens 106 may be formed of a crystalline material, polymer material, or any other suitable material having a refractive index within a range of 1 to 2.
• a refractive index of the lens 106 may be within a range, such as a range of approximately 1 to 2, 1.2 to 1.8, or 1.4 to 1.6.
• a reflectance of the lens 106 may be equal to or less than approximately ten percent, five percent, or three percent.
• a transmission of the lens 106 may be equal to or greater than approximately eighty percent, ninety percent, or ninety-five percent.
• the lens 106 may include the coating 108 on the curved outer surface of the lens 106.
• the coating 108 may be applied over at least a portion (e.g., approximately five percent, ten percent, twenty percent) of the curved outer surface of the lens 106.
• the coating 108 may be a projection paint painted onto the curved outer surface of the lens 106, a projection film adhered onto the curved outer surface of the lens 106, or any other type of coating that enables display of the image 104 projected by the projector 102.
• the coating 108 may be a rear projection coating that enables the image 104 to pass through the coating 108 and to be viewable by the user 110 (e.g., on the opposite side of the lens 106, as shown).
• the user 110 may view the image 104 through the lens 106.
• a first portion of the curved outer surface having the coating 108 may face toward the projector 102 and a second portion of the curved outer surface may face away from the projector 102 (and toward the user 110, while the user 110 is present).
• the first portion of the curved outer surface may be disposed between the projector 102 and the second portion of the curved outer surface.
• the user 110 may view the image 104 by looking through the second portion of the curved outer surface of the lens 106 that is opposite from the first portion of the curved outer surface.
• the lens 106 may distort the image 104 projected onto the coating 108.
• the image 104 may appear (e.g., to the user 110) to be displayed inside an interior of the lens 106. Additionally or alternatively, the lens 106 may warp the image 104 and generate a three- dimensional effect for the image 104. It should be appreciated that the lens 106 may have various other configurations.
• the lens 106 may include any suitable curved outer surface and may be any suitable double convex lens or equiconvex lens (e.g., having a first radius of curvature at a first surface equal to a second radius of curvature at a second surface).
• the user 110 may view the image 104 as part of an attraction, such as while the user 110 is within a ride vehicle.
• FIG. 2 is a lensed display system 200 including a projector 202 and a lens 206.
• the projector 202 may project an image 204 (e.g., still image, video image) onto a surface (e.g., coated surface) of the lens 206.
• the projector 202 may be a still image projector, a video projector, or any other suitable type of projector.
• the projector 202 may be a rear projector (e.g., capable of reversing the image 204 projected) and/or may be positioned on an opposite side of the lens 206 from a user 208, as shown.
• the lens 206 is a hemispherical lens (e.g., having a curved (e.g., spherical) outer surface positioned at a radius from a center; half of a sphere; spherical segment). As shown, the lens 206 may be a solid hemisphere or spherical segment. Thus, the lens 206 may be a plano-convex lens. For example, the lens 206 may include a first, planar surface facing toward the projector 202 and a second, convex surface (e.g., the curved outer surface) facing away from the projector 202 (and toward the user 208, while the user 208 is present).
• a first, planar surface facing toward the projector 202 and a second, convex surface (e.g., the curved outer surface) facing away from the projector 202 (and toward the user 208, while the user 208 is present).
• the first, planar surface may be disposed between the projector 202 and the second, convex surface.
• the lens 206 may contain a hollow cavity (e.g., recess) within an interior of the lens 206.
• the lens 206 may include a first, curved inner surface (e.g., concave surface) facing toward the projector 202.
• the lens 206 may have a diameter of at least 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, or 30 cm.
• the lens 206 may be formed from any suitable transparent material.
• the lens 206 may be formed of a glass material.
• the lens 206 may be formed of a crystalline material, polymer material, or any other suitable material having a refractive index between 1 to 2.
• a refractive index of the lens 206 may be within a range, such as a range of approximately 1 to 2, 1.2 to 1.8, or 1.4 to 1.6.
• a reflectance of the lens 206 may be equal to or less than approximately ten percent, five percent, or three percent.
• a transmission of the lens 206 may be equal to or greater than approximately eighty percent, ninety percent, or ninety-five percent.
• the lens 206 may include the coating on the first, planar surface of the lens 206.
• the coating may be applied to at least a portion of the first, planar surface of the lens 206.
• the coating may be a projection paint painted onto the first, planar surface of the lens 106, a projection film adhered onto the first, planar surface of the lens 106, or any other type of coating that enables display of the image 204 projected by the projector 202.
• the coating may be a rear projection coating that enables the image 204 to pass through the coating and be viewable by the user 208 (e.g., on the opposite side of the lens 206).
• the lens 206 may include a first, curved inner surface (e.g., concave surface) facing toward the projector 202.
• the lens 206 may include the coating on the first, curved inner surface.
• the user 208 may view the image 204 through the lens 206.
• the first surface (e.g., the first, planar surface; the first, curved inner surface) of the lens 206 having the coating may face toward the projector 202 and the second surface (e.g., the second, convex surface; the curved outer surface) may face away from the projector 202 (and toward the user 208, while the user 208 is present).
• the first surface may be disposed between the projector 202 and the second surface.
• the user 208 may view the image 204 that is projected onto the first surface by looking through the second surface of the lens 206 that is opposite from the first surface.
• the lens 206 may distort the image 204 projected onto the coating.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a lensed display system 210 including a lens 212 and a cover 216.
• the lens 212 of FIG. 3 may be similar to the lens 206 in FIG. 2. Indeed, the lens 212 of FIG. 3 may include any of the features of the lens 206 of FIG.
• the lens 206 of FIG. 2 may include any of the features of the lens 212 of FIG. 3 (e.g., a first, planar surface having a coating 214). Furthermore, the lens 212 of FIG. 3 (with or without the cover 216 of FIG. 3) may be used in the lensed display system 200 of FIG. 2 in place of the lens 206 of FIG. 2.
• the lens 212 is a hemispherical lens.
• the lens 212 may be a solid hemisphere or spherical segment.
• the lens 212 may be a plano-convex lens.
• the lens 212 may include a first, planar surface and a second, curved (e.g., spherical) surface (e.g., a curved outer surface).
• the lens 212 may include the coating 214 on the first, planar surface.
• the coating 214 may be a projection paint painted onto the first, planar surface of the lens 212, a projection film adhered onto the first, planar surface of the lens 212, or any other type of coating that enables display of an image projected by a projector, such as the projector 202 in FIG. 2.
• the coating 214 may be a rear projection coating that enables an image to pass through the coating 214 and be viewable by a user (e.g., on an opposite side of the lens 212).
• the lens 212 may include a hollow cavity 218, which is shown in dotted lines to facilitate discussion.
• a portion of the first, planar surface of the lens 212 may be milled to form a curved (e.g., spherical) inner surface (e.g., concave surface).
• the coating 214 may be applied on at least a portion of the curved inner surface.
• the lensed display system 210 may include the cover 216.
• the cover 216 may have a hemispherical shape or may be a spherical segment.
• the cover 216 may be a hemispherical shell including an interior cavity (e.g., hollow cavity or recess).
• the cover 216 may be formed of a glass material, a crystalline material, or a thermoplastic material.
• the cover 216 may be formed of an acrylic material.
• a reflectance of the cover 216 may be equal to or less than approximately ten percent, five percent, or three percent.
• a transmission of the cover 216 may be equal to or greater than approximately eighty percent, ninety percent, or ninety-five percent).
• a refractive index of the cover 216 may be within a range, such as a range of approximately 1 to 2, 1.2 to 1.8, or 1.4 to 1.6.
• the cover 216 may be coupled to the lens 212 (e.g., via an adhesive). In some embodiments, when joined together, the lens 212 and the cover 216 may form a spherical shape (e.g., form a complete sphere; have substantially equal radii).
• the cover 216 may enable an image projected by a projector, such as the projector 202 in FIG.
• the lensed display system 210 positioned on one side of the lensed display system 210 to pass through the cover 216 and to be displayed on the coating 214 for visualization by a user (e.g., on another side of the lensed display system 210, on the opposite side of the lens 212 from the projector; looking through the second, curved surface of the lens 212) without any appreciable distortion of the image.
• the image may appear (e.g., to the user) to be displayed inside an interior of the lens 212.
• the cover 216 may be formed by molding, milling, or any other suitable formation process.
• the cover 216 may be formed of a resin poured into a mold. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the cover 216 may be milled to remove additional material from the cover 216.
• the cover 216 may be formed into the hemispherical shell by milling the interior cavity into the cover 216.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a lensed display system 300 including a lens 304 and a set of projectors 302A, 302B, 302C (collectively referred to as projectors 302).
• the projectors 302 may be still image projectors, video projectors, or any other suitable type of projectors.
• the projectors 302 may be rear projectors (e.g., capable of reversing the image projected) and/or may be positioned on an opposite side of the lens 304 from a user.
• each of the projectors 302 may project light in a respective, different direction (e.g., a first projector may project light centered about a first axis and a second projector may project light centered about a second axis that is different from the first axis).
• a first projector may project light centered about a first axis and a second projector may project light centered about a second axis that is different from the first axis.
• Such embodiments may enable a user to view images (e.g., a first image via the first projector and a second image via the second projector, and the first image and the second image may be the same or different from one another) while the user stands at different positions relative to the lens 304 and/or may enable multiple users to view the images while the users stand at different positions relative to the lens 304.
• the lens 304 is a spherical shell.
• the lens 304 includes a curved (e.g., spherical) outer surface 306 (e.g., radially-outer surface) that is at least a portion of a sphere, such as at least one half (e.g., two-thirds, three-quarters, four-fifths) of a sphere.
• the lens 304 may include a hollow cavity 310 disposed within an interior of the lens 304.
• the hollow cavity 310 of the lens 304 may be formed by milling at least a portion of the lens 304.
• the lens 304 may include an opening through which the projectors 302 project an image.
• the lens 304 may include the curved outer surface 306 and a curved (e.g., spherical) inner surface 308 (e.g., radially-inner surface).
• the curved outer surface 306 may face away from the projectors 302 (e.g., and toward the user, while the user is present) and the curved inner surface 308 may face toward the projectors 302.
• the curved inner surface 308 may be disposed between the projectors 302 and the curved outer surface 306.
• the lens 304 may have a diameter of at least 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, or 30 cm.
• the lens 304 may have a thickness 312 (e.g., radial thickness) measured between the curved outer surface 306 and the curved inner surface 308.
• the thickness 312 may be equal to or greater than approximately 2 cm (e.g., 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm). In certain embodiments, the thickness 312 of the lens 304 may be uniform. Alternatively, the thickness 312 may vary throughout the lens 304 (e.g., a smallest thickness may be located at a portion directly opposite the projectors 302).
• the curved inner surface 308 may include a coating 314. For example, the coating 314 may be applied to at least a portion of the curved inner surface 308.
• the coating 314 may be a projection paint painted onto the curved outer surface of the lens 306, a projection film adhered onto the curved outer surface of the lens 306, or any other type of coating that enables display of an image projected by the projectors 302.
• the coating 314 may be a rear projection coating that enables an image to pass through the coating 314 and to be viewable by a user (e.g., on an opposite side of the coating 314 and the lens 304 from the projectors 302).
• a user may view an image through the lens 304.
• the lens 304 may distort the image projected onto the coating 314.
• the image may appear (e.g., to the user) to be displayed inside an interior of the lens 304.
• the lens 304 may warp the image and generate a three- dimensional effect for the image.
• the user may view the image as part of an attraction, such as while the user is within a ride vehicle.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Lenses (AREA)
• Projection Apparatus (AREA)

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• 2021
  • 2021-02-18 US US17/179,146 patent/US11614636B2/en active Active
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