Virtual staging apparatus and method

• US 20020091004A1
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guy Jonathan James Rackham
• Original Assignee: Guy Jonathan James Rackham
• Inventors: Rackham, Guy Jonathan James
• Granted Patent: US 8,456,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/60
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 1/00 Stage arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/00 Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/021 Mixing live action with images projected on translucent screens
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 Geometric effects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/40 Hidden part removal
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/20 Finite element generation, e.g. wire-frame surface description, tesselation

Abstract

The present invention is a process of staging a live or pre-recorded performance that follows a schedule, optionally before a mass audience. The performance involves electronic and/or mechanical media that is computer controlled, preferably so as to create a virtual reality of one or more events. In the course of the performance, when an action that is not normal to the schedule occurs, the timing, speed, or sequence of one or more electronic and/or mechanical media activities are adjusted, whereby to compensate for the action so that the action does not adversely affect the continuity and totality of the performance to the audience. The present invention also encompasses an apparatus that comprises a sensory stimuli device(s), a mass audience area substantially within a space for reception of the sensory stimuli device(s), and computer hardware and software. The computer hardware and software comprises a script of a scheduled performance; a control program that steps through the script while allowing for flexibility and adaptation of the performance in response to an action that is not normal to the schedule; and a control interface(s) to the sensory stimuli device(s) whereby sensory stimuli associated with the performance can be commanded by the control program. In addition, the present invention embraces a computer readable medium comprising a script containing a thread(s) of performance activity. A thread typically contains computer implementable instructions to control one or more electronic and/or mechanical media devices involved in a performance.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium comprising:

a script comprising one or more threads of performance activity, at least one thread comprising computer implementable instructions to control one or more electronic and/or mechanical media devices involved in a performance;

whereby the script can be stepped through by a control program that allows adaptation of the performance in response to an action not normal to the schedule.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one thread comprises a musical score for an instrument.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one thread comprises spoken lines.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one thread comprises a sequence of video images.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one thread comprises a sequence of lighting instructions.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one thread comprises a sequence of sound effects.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one thread comprises a sequence of one or more platform motions.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 1 further comprising:

the control program.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8 further comprising:

a timing framework that operates in conjunction with the control program.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8 further comprising:

a performance director interface connected to at least one of the script and the control program.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8 further comprising:

an audience interface connected to at least one of the script and the control program.