Methods and devices for alternative designs of interior space

• US 20020113909A1
• Filed: 02/21/2002
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Envirodine Studios
• Original Assignee: Envirodine Studios
• Inventors: Sherwood, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US10/080,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20020113909A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/739
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/74 for obtaining special effects H04N9/65 - H04N9/73 take precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for changing the visual appearance of an interior space using computer-controlled devices. The computer-controlled devices include a number of video display screens arranged about the interior space to display a series of video images. Several speakers are placed proximate to each video display screen to project ambient sounds associated with the video images being displayed on the video display devices. Several scent generators dispense a scent associated with at least one video image displayed on the video display screens. A central processing unit controls and coordinates the operation of each of the computer-controlled devices to present a multimedia presentation that alters the appearance of the interior space.

Claims

1. A system for altering the appearance of an interior space, comprising:

a plurality of computer-controlled devices comprising;

a plurality of video display screens arranged about the interior space for displaying a plurality of video images received from a central processing unit;

a plurality of speakers associated and placed proximate to the video display screens for electronically playing a plurality of audio inputs received from the central processing unit, wherein the audio inputs replicate ambient sounds associated with the video images; and

a scent generator placed within the interior space for dispensing a scent in response to receiving a signal from the central processing unit, the scent being associated with at least one video image displayed on the plurality of video display screens; and

a central processing unit operable to control and coordinate the operation of the computer-controlled devices to alter the appearance of the interior space.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of auxiliary speakers for playing a plurality of background sounds, wherein the complementary sounds are associated with the video images.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the video display screens are positioned within the interior space to provide at least 270 degrees of coverage.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the video display screens are separated from one another by about eight feet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the video display screens are high definition plasma display screens.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the video signals displayed on the plurality of video display screens comprises digital images of environmental scenes.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the digital images of environmental scenes displayed on the plurality of digital display screens are coordinated.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio signals comprise digital representations of sounds associated with the environmental scenes and is coordinated with the video signal.

9. A system for altering the appearance of an interior space, comprising:

a plurality of plasma display screens spaced apart from one another around the interior space;

a plurality of primary speakers, wherein at least two primary speakers are positioned proximate to each one of the plurality of plasma display screens; and

a central processing unit comprising;

a storage device for storing

a plurality of video images depicting a plurality of environmental scenes; and

a plurality of audio data that replicate the sounds associated with the plurality of environmental scenes;

wherein the video images are transmitted to the plurality of plasma display devices such that each video images are coordinated with every other video image displayed on every other plasma display screen to produce the environmental scene, and

wherein the audio data associated with a particular video image displayed on a particular plasma display screen is transmitted to the at least two speakers place proximate to the plasma display screen.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a scent generator to distribute a scent within the interior space, the scent being associated with the environmental scene.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of auxiliary speakers arranged within the interior space to play a complementary audio signal associated with the environmental scene.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the central processing unit further comprises:

a digital controller for coordinating the display of video images and the playing of audio images to present and the dispensing of the scent.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the plasma display screens are arranged within the interior space such that each plasma display is separated form every other plasma display screen by about eight feet.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of theatrical props arranged within the interior space, the theatrical props being associated with the environmental scene displayed on the plurality of plasma display screens.

15. A method of altering the appearance of an interior space by electronically displaying an environmental scene, comprising:

installing a plurality of computer-assisted devices within the interior space, to electronically present the environmental scene, the computer-assisted devices comprising;

a plurality of video display screens;

a plurality of speakers placed proximate to the video display screens;

a plurality of lighting elements; and

a scent generator to dispense a scent associated with the environmental scene;

producing the environmental scene, comprising;

capturing video images associated with the environmental scene; and

recording audio data associated with the environmental scene; and

loading the video images and audio data associated with the environmental scene into a processing unit; and

displaying the video images on the plurality of video display screens and playing the audio data on the plurality of primary speakers in a coordinated scheme

changing an interior space by providing movable elements comprising design elements, and providing computer-assisted devices.