Projection system for entertainment and game apparatus

• US 5,552,839 A
• Filed: 09/01/1995
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NSM AG
• Original Assignee: NSM AG
• Inventors: Kuhl, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEST, NINA NHYCHON
• Application Number:
  US08/522,931
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 348/36, 348/761, 348/766, 348/96, 348/747, 348/744, 348/507, 348/578, 353/69, 353/70, 434/314, 434/180, 434/350, 434/324, 434/307 R, 434/308, 359/443, 359/668, 395/125
• US Class Current: 348/744
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/27 characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8023 the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/92 Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback

Abstract

The present invention relates to a video system for entertainment and game apparatus. The video system includes a data carrier on which the game is stored. Video informations (pictures) stored on the data carrier are displayed on a display unit. By a lens and projection system the picture is imaged on a curved projection screen that at least partially surrounds the player. Preferably, the video informations are stored on the data carrier in pre-equalized form so that the image projected on the projection screen is essentially free of distortion.

Claims

1. A video system for entertainment and game apparatus, comprising:

a curved screen which at least partially surrounds a user;

a data carrier on which video information relating to images of a game is stored in a pre-equalized manner to compensate for distortions connected with a later projection of the images onto the curved screen;

a liquid crystal display matrix coupled to the data carrier for displaying images of the game based on the pre-equalized information such that the images of the game displayed on the liquid crystal display are two-dimensional images containing distortions;

a lens and projection system for projecting the image displayed on the liquid crystal display matrix onto the curved screen to produce a three-dimensional image free of distortion.

2. A video system as defined in claim 1, wherein the projection screen is made of a textile material.

3. A video system as defined in claim 1, wherein the projection screen is configured as a generated sphere segment, hemisphere or sphere surface.

4. A video system as defined in claim 1, wherein a surface area of the projection screen corresponds approximately to a natural field of view of the user.

5. A video system as defined in claim 1, wherein the projection screen is made of linen.

6. A video system as defined in claim 1, wherein the projection screen is made of a semi-transparent material.

7. A video system as defined in claim 1, wherein a light source of the projection system generates coherent light.

8. A video system as defined in claim 1, wherein an audio signal source can be connected with the lens and projection system in such a manner that the user simultaneously receives video and audio informations.

9. A video system as defined in claim 8, wherein the audio source includes units that are positioned for providing an acoustical stereophonic impression to the user.

10. A video system as defined in claim 8, wherein the audio signal source emits delayed audio signals in such a manner that the user perceives the audio information essentially true to nature with respect to the video information.