Virtual staging apparatus and method

• US 7,876,331 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2005
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guy Jonathan James Rackham
• Original Assignee: Guy Jonathan James Rackham
• Inventors: Rackham, Guy Jonathan James
• Primary Examiner(s): Amini; Javid A
• Application Number:
  US11/187,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20050259117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,010 Days
• Field of Search: 345/619, 345/629, 345/426, 345/176, 345/170
• US Class Current: 345/619
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 1/00 Stage arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/00 Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/021 Mixing live action with images projected on translucent screens
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 Geometric effects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/40 Hidden part removal
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/20 Finite element generation, e.g. wire-frame surface description, tesselation

Abstract

The present invention is a process of staging a live or pre-recorded performance that follows a schedule, optionally before a mass audience. The performance involves electronic and/or mechanical media that is computer controlled, preferably so as to create a virtual reality of one or more events. In the course of the performance, when an action that is not normal to the schedule occurs, the timing, speed, or sequence of one or more electronic and/or mechanical media activities are adjusted, whereby to compensate for the action so that the action does not adversely affect the continuity and totality of the performance to the audience. The present invention also encompasses an apparatus that comprises a sensory stimuli device(s), a mass audience area substantially within a space for reception of the sensory stimuli device(s), and computer hardware and software. The computer hardware and software comprises a script of a scheduled performance; a control program that steps through the script while allowing for flexibility and adaptation of the performance in response to an action that is not normal to the schedule; and a control interface(s) to the sensory stimuli device(s) whereby sensory stimuli associated with the performance can be commanded by the control program. In addition, the present invention embraces a computer readable medium comprising a script containing a thread(s) of performance activity. A thread typically contains computer implementable instructions to control one or more electronic and/or mechanical media devices involved in a performance.

Claims

1. A video illumination system comprising:

a video surface having an outside edge, wherein images are generated on the video surface by a first light source during display of a video; and

a second light source that illuminates an area adjacent to said video surface with one or more colors that substantially match a part of an image generated on a corresponding edge portion of the video surface, thus providing a light effect to visually smooth the outside edge of the video surface and enhance overall visual effect of the video display,

wherein the area adjacent to the video surface is not part of the images displayed on the video surface.

2. The video illumination system of claim 1, wherein the second light source is a rear projection device capable of illuminating a surface adjacent to the video display.

3. The video illumination system of claim 1, wherein the second light source provides back lighting to the video display.

4. The video illumination system of claim 1, wherein the second light source is capable of providing illumination of different color and intensity.

5. The video illumination system of claim 4, wherein the second light source comprises a lightening panel capable of illuminating a surface behind the video display surface.

6. The video illumination system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller that controls light emitted from the second light source.

7. The video illumination system of claim 6, wherein the controller has a plurality of settings.

8. The video illumination system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of settings comprises a single color setting, a two-color setting, a multi-color setting, and a synchronized color setting.

9. The video illumination system of claim 1, wherein the video display is a projection surface.

10. The video illumination system of claim 9, wherein the video display includes rear projection technology.

11. The video illumination system of claim 1, wherein the video display is curved.

12. The video illumination system of claim 1, wherein the video display is rectangular.

13. The video illumination system of claim 1, wherein the video display is mountable.

14. A method for enhancing visual effect of a video display, comprising:

generating, with a first light source, an image on a video surface having an outside edge; and

illuminating, with a second light source, an area adjacent to the video surface with one or more colors that substantially match a part of the image generated on a corresponding edge portion of the video surface, thus providing a light effect to visually smooth the outside edge of the video surface and enhance overall visual effect of the video display,

wherein the area adjacent to the video surface is not part of the image displayed on the video surface.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the illumination is synchronized in color and intensity with the corresponding video display to reduce a contrast between the video display and background.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the surface adjacent to the video display is a surface behind the video display.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the surface adjacent to the video display is a surface that forms a visual background of the video display.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

adjusting an intensity of the illumination to a level desired by a viewer of the video display.

19. A projection surface illumination system comprising:

a projection surface having an outside edge, wherein images are generated on said projection surface by a projector during a visual display; and

a light source that illuminates an area adjacent to the projection surface with one or more colors that substantially match a part of the images generated on a corresponding edge portion of the projection surface, thus providing a light effect to visually smooth the outside edge of the projection surface during the visual display, wherein the area adjacent to said projection surface is not part of the images displayed during the visual display.

20. The projection surface illumination system of claim 19 wherein the area comprises a first surface adjacent to the projection surface.

21. The projection surface illumination system of claim 20 wherein the first surface is one of the following:

translucent, semi-translucent, or textured.

22. The projection surface illumination system of claim 20 wherein the first surface adjoins the projection surface.

23. The projection surface illumination system of claim 19 wherein the area comprises a gap between the outside edge of the projection surface and a boundary of a viewing space in which the projection surface is disposed.