Systems and methods for displaying simulated images

• US 7,097,307 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Susannah Lawrence
• Original Assignee: Susannah Lawrence
• Inventors: Lawrence, Susannah
• Primary Examiner(s): KOVAL, MELISSA J
• Application Number:
  US10/818,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20050219465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 353/10, 353/15, 353/19, 353/28, 353/94, 353/121, 52/6, 52/7, 472/60, 472/61, 358/60, 352/40, 352/69, 352/88, 352/89
• US Class Current: 353/28
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/26 Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/54 Lamp housings; Illuminating means

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for generating a visual image that is made to appear to be situated behind an architectural structure, such as a wall of a building, and is viewed through windows thereof. The image appears as an oversize object relative to the actual object. The system and method include an image recorder and/or a pre-recorded image, an image display apparatus, and a mask. Upon being projected, the image of interest is masked so that illumination falls on one or more regions of a display surface, and no illumination reaches the architectural structure outside the display region(s). Sound can be provided as required to complete the illusion. The image can be a still image or a moving image. In some embodiments, two viewers can see the image from opposite sides of the structure, each perceiving the image as being on the side opposite to the viewer.

Claims

1. A method of generating a visual display, comprising the steps of:

utilizing as a display surface a region of an architectural structure, said region being visible to a viewer, said viewer being situated on a first side of said architectural structure;

projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface; and

simulating with at least a portion of said image that is projected an object of greater size than an actual size of said subject of said image, said simulated object of greater size appearing to the viewer to be situated on a second side of said architectural structure opposite to said first side where the viewer is situated.

2. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, whereby, in addition to the simulated object appearing to said viewer on said first side, a second simulated object of greater size appears to a second viewer situated on said second side of said architectural structure, said second simulated object appearing to said second viewer to be situated on said first side of said architectural structure.

3. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing as a display surface a region of an architectural structure comprises providing within said region of said architectural structure a projection material comprising a surface configured to display an image when illuminated.

4. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, wherein the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface comprises masking an image for projection so that a selected portion of said image for projection is projected on said display surface.

5. The method of generating a visual display of claim 4, wherein the step of masking an image for projection so that a selected portion of said image for projection is projected on said display surface comprises using a mechanical mask.

6. The method of generating a visual display of claim 4, wherein the step of masking an image for projection so that a selected portion of said image for projection is projected on said display surface comprises using a digital image and a digital mask.

7. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing as a display surface a region of an architectural structure comprises utilizing a plurality of regions of an architectural structure as display surfaces.

8. The method of generating a visual display of claim 7, wherein the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface comprises projecting a plurality of portions of said image, each portion being projected upon a corresponding region of said plurality of regions of said architectural structure.

9. The method of generating a visual display of claim 7, wherein the step of utilizing a plurality of regions of an architectural structure as display surfaces comprises providing a projection material comprising a surface configured to display an image when illuminated within at least one of said plurality of regions of an architectural structure as display surfaces.

10. The method of generating a visual display of claim 7, wherein the step of utilizing a plurality of regions of an architectural structure as display surfaces comprises masking an image for projection so that selected portions of said image for projection are projected upon corresponding regions of said plurality of regions of said architectural structure.

11. The method of generating a visual display of claim 10, wherein the step of masking an image for projection so that selected portions of said image for projection are projected upon corresponding regions of said plurality of regions of said architectural structure comprises using a mechanical mask.

12. The method of generating a visual display of claim 10, wherein the step of masking an image for projection so that selected portions of said image for projection are projected upon corresponding regions of said plurality of regions of said architectural structure comprises using a digital image and a digital mask.

13. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, wherein the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface comprises projecting at least a portion of a still image on said display surface.

14. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, wherein the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface comprises projecting at least a portion of a moving image on said display surface.

15. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, wherein the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface comprises projecting at least a portion of a prerecorded image on said display surface.

16. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, wherein the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface comprises projecting at least a portion of a live image on said display surface.

17. The method of generating a visual display of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an audible signal in conjunction with the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface.

18. The method of generating a visual display of claim 17, wherein the step of providing an audible signal in conjunction with the step of projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface comprises providing said audible signal using a loudspeaker.

19. A system for generating a visual display visible on a region of an architectural structure utilized as a display surface, comprising:

a projector for projecting at least a portion of an image on said display surface;

said at least a portion of said image that is projected simulates an object of greater size than an actual size of said subject of said image; and

said simulated object of greater size appears to a viewer situated on a first side of said architectural structure to be situated on a second side of said architectural structure opposite to said first side.

20. The system for generating a visual display visible on a region of an architectural structure utilized as a display surface of claim 19, further comprising a mask for masking an image for projection so that a selected portion of said image for projection is projected on said display surface.

21. The system for generating a visual display visible on a region of an architectural structure utilized as a display surface of claim 19, further comprising an audible signal generator for providing an audible signal.