System and method for displaying physical objects in space

• US 20030151726A1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary T. Yamron, Richard Perkins
• Original Assignee: Gary T. Yamron, Richard Perkins
• Inventors: Perkins, Richard, Yamron, Gary T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,767,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/37
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images

Abstract

A real image projection system is provided including a projection system housing with an aperture. This device provides a real image projected into a viewable volume of space. An optical assembly and an object positioning device adjacent to the optic assembly provide the real image. The object positioning device may position an object adjacent to the optic assembly in dynamic or static fashion. The optical assembly receives the light rays reflected from the object. The optical assembly projects a real image of the object into the viewable volume of space. The invention provides environmental visual cues to promote perception of a three-dimensional image.

Claims

1. A real image projection system comprising:

a. a projection system housing including an aperture providing a viewable volume of space;

b. an optical assembly for projecting adjacent to said viewable volume of space a real image of an object, said optical assembly including a concave reflective inner surface, the reflective inner surface including a principal axis drawn perpendicular to the substantial center of said reflective inner surface,

c. an object support for orienting an object adjacent to said reflective inner surface, said object support orienting said object invertedly below said principal axis;

d. a baffle for obscuring said object support from said reflective surface, said baffle positioned in between said object support and said reflective mirror.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said aperture includes at least an aperture door.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said aperture door is configured to at least one of conceal and reveal said viewable volume of space.

4. A system according to claim 1, further including a visual reference.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said visual reference is one of a foreground reference, a background reference and an adjacent reference.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said optical assembly is in communication with a position controller for moving said optic assembly at least one of vertically and horizontally.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said optical assembly is in communication with a position controller for rotating said mirrored surface about said principal axis.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said optical assembly is in communication with a position controller, said position controller configured to control positioning of said principal axis.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said object support is configured to move said object at least one of vertically, horizontally and in greater proximity to said optical assembly.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said object support is configured to move at least a subpart of said object.

11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a housing positioning device in communication with said projection system housing for orienting said projection system housing position.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises at least a first light source for illuminating said object.

13. A system according to claim 1, further including a sound projection system.

14. A system according to claim 1, further including an anti-glare panel, wherein said mirror further includes an outer perimeter, said anti-glare panel positioned in proximity to said mirror outer perimeter for preventing light from contacting said concaved mirror surface in proximity to said outer perimeter.

15. A real image projection system comprising:

a. a projection system housing including an aperture providing a viewable volume of space;

b. an optical assembly for projecting adjacent to said viewable volume of space a real image of an object image, said optical assembly including a reflective inner surface, said reflective inner surface including a principal axis drawn perpendicular to the substantial center of said reflective inner surface;

c. a second mirrored surface positioned adjacent to said optical assembly for projecting to said optical assembly said object image of said object;

d. an object support for orienting said object adjacent to said second mirrored surface for projecting said object image of said object; and

e. a first baffle for obscuring said object support from at least one of said optical assembly and said second mirrored surface.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said housing further includes a visual reference.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said visual reference is one of a foreground reference, a background reference and an adjacent reference.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein said optical assembly is in communication with a position controller for moving said optical assembly at least one of vertically and horizontally.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein said optical assembly is in communication with a position controller for rotating said mirrored surface substantially about said principal axis.

20. A system according to claim 15, wherein said optical assembly is in communication with a position controller, said position controller configured to control positioning of said principal axis.

21. A system according to claim 15, wherein said object support is configured to move said object at least one of vertically, horizontally, and in greater proximity to said optic assembly.

22. A system according to claim 15, wherein said object support is configured to move at least a sub-part of said object.

23. A system according to claim 15, wherein said housing further comprises at least a first light source for illuminating said object.

24. A system according to claim 23, further including a second baffle for obscuring said first light source from at least one of said optical assembly and said second mirrored surface.

25. A system according to claim 15, further including a sound projection system.

26. A system according to claim 15, further including a third baffle, wherein said mirror further includes at least one of an outer perimeter and an imperfection, said third baffle positioned in proximity to said mirror outer perimeter and said imperfection for preventing light from contacting said concaved mirror surface in proximity to said outer perimeter and said imperfection.

27. A system according to claim 15, wherein said aperture includes at least first aperture door.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein said aperture door is automated.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said aperture door is configured to at least one of conceal and reveal said viewable volume of space.

30. A method for projecting a real image into a viewable volume of space comprising:

a. presenting an object adjacent to a concave reflective surface, the concave reflective surface contained at least partially inside a projection system housing including an aperture;

b. projecting a real image adjacent to the aperture; and

c. providing visual reference points for visual depth perception of the real image.

31. A method for projecting a real image into a viewable volume of space comprising:

a. presenting an object adjacent to a reflective surface for producing a first image;

b. providing the first image to a concave reflective surface, the concave reflective surface contained at least partially inside a projection system housing including an aperture;

c. projecting a real image adjacent to the aperture; and

d. providing visual reference points for visual depth perception of the real image.