Conversion of cinema theatre to a super cinema theatre

• US 7,595,860 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IMAX Corporation
• Original Assignee: IMAX Corporation
• Inventors: Jacques, George Eric, Read, Steven Charles, Bonnick, Brian John
• Primary Examiner(s): FULLER, RODNEY EVAN
• Application Number:
  US11/494,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20060262273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 352/1, 352/3, 352/5, 352/11, 352/18, 352/34, 352/38
• US Class Current: 352/40
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/22 Theatres; Concert halls; Studios for broadcasting, cinematography, television or similar purposes
• 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 21/565 Screens allowing free passage of sound G03B21/58 - G03B21/62 take precedence

Abstract

Methods of and equipment for converting existing standard motion picture theatres to one having highly immersive, large fields of view are addressed. Aspects of the methods include moving motion picture screens closer to the audience and employing different projection equipment to avoid or minimize appearance of unrealistic or non-natural image artifacts. Alternative sound systems too are detailed, as is placement of various loudspeakers relative to, for example, projection screens or theatre walls.

Claims

1. A method of converting a multiplex theatre hall into an immersive motion picture theatre hall, comprising:

a. providing a multiplex theatre hall having a left wall, a right wall, a front wall, and a rear wall and comprising;

i. a motion picture projector for projecting an image;

ii. a first projection screen;

iii. a second projection screen comprising a left section, a central section, and a right section and positioned closer to the rear wall than to the front wall, the first and second screens being configured for displaying the same presentation format of images;

iv. a set of loudspeakers; and

v. at least first and second patron seat locations;

b. changing the set of loudspeakers so that it comprises at least five discrete loudspeakers and at least one sub-bass loudspeaker assembly, (i) a first discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the left section of the second projection screen, (ii) a second discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the center section of the second projection screen, (iii) a third discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the right section of the second projection screen, (iv) a fourth discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the left and front walls, and (v) a fifth discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the right and front walls, (vi) each of the at least five discrete loudspeakers receiving signals via a separate audio channel, and (vii) at least one of the loudspeakers of the set of loudspeakers being (A) located closer to the first patron seat location than to the second patron seat location and (B) configured to direct proportionally more sound energy to the second patron seat location than to the first patron seat location;

c. aiming the at least five discrete loudspeakers so that patrons sitting at the first and second seat locations perceive sound from all audio channels as having essentially the same volume level and tonal quality; and

d. projecting the image over a major portion of the second projection screen, increasing vertical field of view of the image for patrons sitting at the first and second seat locations, thereby creating an immersive motion picture theatre hall.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising transmitting, from a digital sound reproducer to each of the at least five discrete loudspeakers, uncompressed digital sound with resolution of at least sixteen bits.

3. A method according to claim 2 further comprising locating the digital sound reproducer and a projector in a projection booth within the multiplex theatre hall.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which the second projection screen is perforated.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising mixing differently a standard cinema 5.1 sound track so as to provide signals to the at least five discrete loudspeakers.

6. A method of converting a multiplex theatre hall into an immersive motion picture theatre hall, comprising:

a. providing a multiplex theatre hall having a left wall, a right wall, a front wall, and a rear wall and comprising;

i. a motion picture projector for projecting an image;

ii. a first projection screen;

iii. a second projection screen comprising a left section, a central section, and a right section and positioned closer to the rear wall than to the front wall, the first and second screens being configured for displaying the same presentation format of images;

iv. a set of loudspeakers; and

v. at least first and second patron seat locations;

b. providing a sound absorbing acoustic barrier between the projection screen and the rear wall;

c. changing the set of loudspeakers so that it comprises at least five discrete loudspeakers and at least one sub-bass loudspeaker assembly, (i) a first discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the left section of the second projection screen, (ii) a second discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the center section of the second projection screen, (iii) a third discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the right section of the second projection screen, (iv) a fourth discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the left and front walls, and (v) a fifth discrete loudspeaker of the set of loudspeakers being positioned adjacent the right and front walls, (vi) each of the at least five discrete loudspeakers receiving signals via a separate audio channel, and (vii) at least one of the loudspeakers of the set of loudspeakers being (A) located closer to the first patron seat location than to the second patron seat location and (B) configured to direct proportionally more sound energy to the second patron seat location than to the first patron seat location; and

d. aiming the at least five discrete loudspeakers so that patrons sitting at the first and second seat locations perceive sound from all audio channels as having essentially the same volume level and tonal quality, thereby creating an immersive motion picture theatre hall.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising positioning the at least one sub-bass loudspeaker assembly between the sound absorbing acoustic barrier and the central section of the second projection screen.

8. A method according to claim 7 in which the at least one sub-bass loudspeaker assembly comprises a plurality of sub-woofer elements configured to reproduce low-frequency sound derived from signals of the audio channels for the at least five discrete loudspeakers.

9. A method according to claim 6 further comprising mixing differently a standard cinema 5.1 sound track so as to provide signals to the at least five discrete loudspeakers.