Reflection barrier for panoramic display

• US 7,012,669 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tanner, Allen H., Streid, Harry, Christensen, Rob
• Primary Examiner(s): FULLER, RODNEY EVAN
• Application Number:
  US10/796,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20050041211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 352/40, 352/41, 352/69, 352/71, 352/85, 359/449, 359/450, 359/451, 359/453, 359/460, 396/427
• US Class Current: 352/69
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/32 Details specially adapted for motion-picture projection with film moving continuously through the gate G03B41/02
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/00 Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe

Abstract

A panoramic display system includes a curved projection screen, a panoramic projector, and a substantially conically shaped barrier. The projector is configured to project an image onto the projection screen from a projection point located substantially above the projection screen. The conical barrier has a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, and an apex region disposed toward the projection point. The barrier blocks scattered light from reflecting from portions of the curved screen to other portions thereof.

Claims

1. A panoramic display system, comprising:

a) a curved projection screen, having a center of curvature and a bottom;

b) a panoramic projector, configured to project an image onto the projection screen from a projection point located substantially above the projection screen; and

c) a substantially conically shaped barrier, having a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, and an apex region disposed toward the projection point, configured to block reflections from a region of the screen to at least one other region of the screen.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an anti-reflective treatment disposed on the conically shaped barrier.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the anti-reflective treatment is selected from the group consisting of anti-reflective coatings, baffles, and optical felt.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base of the barrier is coterminous with the bottom of the screen.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the panoramic screen includes a vertical axis of curvature that is parallel to a vertical axis of the conically shaped barrier.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the vertical axis of the conically shaped barrier is collinear with the vertical axis of the screen.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the projector comprises multiple projectors disposed near the projection point, configured to project a composite image upon the screen.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the projector comprises:

a) a linear array projector, configured to project a vertical line of pixels at a refresh rate; and

b) a rotating scanning mirror, disposed substantially at the projection point, configured to rotate about a vertical axis at one half the refresh rate of the linear array projector, and to reflect the vertical line of pixels onto the screen.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the projector further comprises a folding mirror, disposed between the linear array projector and the scanning mirror, configured to reflect the vertical line of pixels onto the scanning mirror.

10. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the panoramic screen includes a vertical axis of curvature that is parallel to a vertical axis of the conically shaped barrier and parallel to the vertical axis of the scanning mirror.

11. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the screen is a rear-projection screen.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a curved mirror, configured to reflect a panoramic image from the screen to an offset viewing point.

13. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the screen is doubly curved.

14. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the projector comprises:

a) a linear array projector, configured to project a vertical line of pixels at a refresh rate; and

b) a rotating scanning mirror, disposed substantially at the projection point, configured to rotate about a vertical axis at one half the refresh rate of the linear array projector, and to reflect the vertical line of pixels onto the screen.

15. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the curved projection screen defines an arc of greater than 180°

and less than 360°

, and further comprising a baffle, extending between a rearward edge of the screen and the reflection barrier, configured to block reflections between rearward portions of the screen.

16. A reflection barrier for a panoramic projection system, the system including a curved projection screen, having a center of curvature and a bottom, and a panoramic projector, configured to project an image onto the projection screen from a projection point located substantially above the projection screen, the barrier comprising:

a) a substantially conically shaped barrier, having a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, and an apex region disposed toward the projection point, configured to block reflections from a region of the screen to at least one other region of the screen.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising an anti-reflective treatment disposed on the conically shaped barrier.

18. A device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the anti-reflective treatment is selected from the group consisting of anti-reflective coatings, baffles, and optical felt.

19. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the projector comprises multiple projectors disposed near the projection point, configured to project a composite image upon the screen.

20. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the base of the barrier is coterminous with the bottom of the screen.

21. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the panoramic screen includes a vertical axis of curvature that is parallel to a vertical axis of the conically shaped barrier.

22. A device in accordance with claim 21, wherein the vertical axis of the conically shaped barrier is collinear with the vertical axis of the screen.

23. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the curved projection screen defines an arc of greater than 180°

and less than 360°

, and further comprising a baffle, extending between a rearward edge of the screen and the reflection barrier, configured to block reflections between rearward portions of the screen.

24. A panoramic display system, comprising:

a) a curved projection screen, having a bottom and a center of curvature;

b) a projection point, located substantially above the projection screen;

c) a panoramic projector, configured to project an image onto the projection screen, the projector including;

i) a linear array projector configured to project a vertical line of pixels at a refresh rate; and

ii) a rotating scanning mirror, disposed substantially at the projection point, configured to rotate about a vertical axis at one half the refresh rate of the linear array projector, and to reflect the vertical line of pixels onto the screen; and

d) a substantially conically shaped barrier, having a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, an apex region disposed toward the projection point, and a vertical axis that is substantially collinear with the center of curvature of the screen, the barrier being configured to substantially block reflections from a region of the screen to at least one other region of the screen.