Surround Vision

• US 20080043097A1
• Filed: 11/28/2005
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TV Sports Network Limited
• Original Assignee: TV Sports Network Limited
• Inventors: Smith, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,373,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3147 Multi-projection systems displays in general H04N9/12; video walls G06F3/1446, G09G2300/026

Abstract

A surround vision apparatus comprises at least one screen, at least one loud speaker, a plurality of projectors and a processor, wherein the at least one screen substantially encloses a space, and wherein the plurality of projectors project images onto the said at least one screen such that the said images may be viewed from within the said enclosed space, and wherein the processor synchronises the projection of images onto the or each screen such that the images are perceived by the viewer as being uninterrupted.

Claims

1. A surround vision apparatus comprising at least one screen, at least one loud speaker, a plurality of projectors and at least one processor wherein the at least one screen substantially encloses a space, and wherein the plurality of projectors project images onto the said at least one screen such that the said images may be viewed from within the said enclosed space, and wherein the processor synchronises the projection of images onto the or each screen such that the images are perceived by the viewer as being uninterrupted.

2. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one screen includes at least one flat panel display.

3. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said enclosed space is bound by walls, each wall comprising a screen.

4. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the enclosed space is further bound by a ceiling and a floor.

5. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ceiling and/or the floor include a screen.

6. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screens join at vertices and wherein the joints are substantially seamless.

7. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one loud speaker.

8. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processor synchronises sound output with the projection of images onto the or each screen.

9. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each screen is attached to a frame by fastening means.

10. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fastening means comprises a flexible end portion of the screen, which end portion in use extends over the frame and is attached thereto.

11. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the said end portion is attached to the frame by hook and claw fasteners, one element of the hook and claw fastener being attached to the frame and one element to the said end portion.

12. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fastening means includes a clamping member, which in use clamps the screen to the frame.

13. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the or each screen is a soft screen or a hard screen.

14. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each screen is a hard screen, and wherein each screen includes joining means for joining one screen to another.

15. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the said joining means are constituted by castellations, the castellations in one screen being arranged to interlock with castellations on another screen.

16. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said projectors are mounted on the said walls.

17. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one camera adapted to capture images for projection onto the or each screen of the apparatus by said plurality of projectors.

18. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the at least one camera includes a camera head having a field of view, and wherein the field of view encompasses the area of screen onto which the captured images are to be displayed.

19. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the camera includes a camera head, and the field of view of the or each camera head 16 is at least 90 degrees.

20. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the field of view of at least one of the cameras is at least 121 degrees.

21. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said images are animated images, or video images.

22. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the said camera is linked to the processor for communication therebetween, and wherein the images captured by the camera are selectively projectable onto at least one of the said at least one screen.

23. A surround vision apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a video image may be overlaid by an animated image and vice versa.

24. (canceled)