Theater with multiple screen three dimensional film projection system

• US 5,964,064 A
• Filed: 04/25/1997
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Universal City Studios Incorporated (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Bezark, Adam, Goddard, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Kent, Christopher T.
• Application Number:
  US08/845,662
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 52/6, 52/8, 52/7, 348/218, 352/43, 352/61, 352/88, 352/89, 353/10, 359/451, 359/459, 472/60, 472/61
• US Class Current: 52/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 25/00 Equipment specially adapted for cinemas cinematographic projection means G03B
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/021 Mixing live action with images projected on translucent screens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/22 of the stereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/56 Projection screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/00 Stereoscopic photography
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/04 with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view

Abstract

A theater includes an audience seating area, a stage and at least three projection screens. Multiple film projectors simultaneously project a three dimensional film onto the three projection screens. Three dimensional film elements appear to move seamlessly from one projection screen to the next. In a live action show, actors, stage sets and show action equipment appear to interact with the three dimensional film. The filmed set blends with the stage sets to give dimension and a feeling of depth to the viewing audience. The audience cannot easily distinguish between the real elements and filmed elements thereby intensifying the theater experience.

Claims

1. A 3D film theater comprising:

a left screen, a center screen, and a right screen in the theater, the left screen being spaced apart from the center screen and the center screen being spaced apart from the right screen;

first, second, and third film projectors positioned in the theater to simultaneously project film images onto the left, center and right screens, respectively, with the film images including a scenic element;

a first set piece adjoining the left screen and the center screen, and a second set piece adjoining the center screen and the right screen; and

at least one three dimensional scenic element on each of the first and second set pieces to make the transitions between the screens more continuous and to mask visual aberrations from misalignment of the projected images.

2. The theater of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a stage for supporting live actors, show action equipment and special effects positioned between at least one of the screens and the projectors.

3. The theater of claim 1, wherein the screens are concave.

4. The theater of claim 1 further comprising multiple props on the set pieces, and means for concealing and exposing the props.

5. The theater of claim 1 wherein the projectors project images in straight lines directly onto the screens.

6. The theater of claim 1 further comprising a multiplicity of seats positioned between the screens and the projectors, with at least some of the seats surrounded by the screens on three sides.

7. A theater comprising:

a first fixed screen;

a second fixed screen;

a set piece fixed between the first screen and the second screen;

a first three dimensional prop on the set piece;

a second three dimensional prop on the set piece; and

means for exposing and concealing the first and second props.

8. The theater of claim 7 further comprising a projector and show controller linked to the projector and to the means for exposing and concealing.

9. The theatre of claim 7 wherein the means for exposing and concealing comprises a panel supported by an actuator.

10. The theatre of claim 7 wherein the means for exposing and concealing comprises an actuator linked to at least one of the first and second props.

11. A screen for a theater comprising:

a first screen section;

a set piece;

a second screen section adjoining the set piece;

a three dimensional theatrical prop on the set piece; and

an actuator for exposing and concealing the theatrical prop.

12. A 3D film theater comprising:

a first screen in the theater;

a second screen in the theater, the second screen spaced apart from the first screen;

a set piece linking the first screen to the second screen, the set piece substantially aligned with the first screen and the second screen;

a three dimensional theatrical prop on the set piece; and

means for exposing and concealing the theatrical prop.

13. The theater of claim 12 further comprising first and second film projectors positioned in the theater to simultaneously project film images onto the first and second screens, respectively, with the film images including a scenic element.

14. The theater of claim 13, wherein the theatrical prop includes a scenic element.

15. The theater of claim 13 further comprising a projector and show controller linked to the projector and to the means for exposing and concealing.

16. The theater of claim 12 further comprising first and second film projectors positioned in the theater to simultaneously project film images onto the first and second screens, respectively, the theatrical prop adapted to help make the transitions between the screens more continuous and to mask any visual aberrations from misalignment of the projected images.

17. The theater of claim 12, wherein the means for exposing and concealing comprises an actuator linked to the theatrical prop.

18. The theater of claim 17, wherein the means for exposing and concealing comprises a panel supported by the actuator.