Conversion of cinema theatre to a super cinema theatre

• US 8,421,991 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2011
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IMAX Corporation
• Original Assignee: IMAX Corporation
• Inventors: Read, Steven Charles, Bonnick, Brian John, Jacques, George Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling, William C
• Application Number:
  US13/013,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20110116048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 52/6, 52/7, 52/8, 52/9, 52/10, 352/36, 352/40, 352/48, 352/85, 353/79, 359/449, 359/446
• 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 including 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.

Claims

1. A method of converting a multiplex theatre hall to create a more immersive motion picture experience, the multiplex theatre hall being of the type having a motion picture projector for projecting an image and a first projection screen configured for displaying an image in a selected presentation format with a first vertical spread angle of projection having its vertex coincident with the projector location, the method comprising:

providing a second projection screen that is configured for displaying an image in the selected presentation format over a substantial portion of the screen;

which image when displayed would have a greater vertical spread angle of projection than the first vertical spread angle of projection, as referenced from the same projector location.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the image when displayed would have a greater horizontal spread angle of projection having its vertex coincident with the projector location than a horizontal spread angle of projection that would have resulted from displaying an image in the selected presentation format onto the first projection screen, as referenced from the same projector location.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the second projection screen extends substantially from a floor to a ceiling of the multiplex theatre hall.

4. The method of claim 3 in which the second projection screen extends substantially from a first side wall to a second side wall of the multiplex theatre hall.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the second projection screen extends substantially from a first side wall to a second side wall of the multiplex theatre hall.

6. The method of claim 1 in which a front wall of the multiplex theatre hall is in the same location before and after the second projection screen is provided.

7. The method of claim 1, in which a rear wall of the multiplex theatre hall is in the same location before and after the second projection screen is provided.

8. The method of claim 1, in which spaced side walls of the multiplex theatre hall are in the same location before and after the second projection screen is provided.

9. The method of claim 1 in which the distance between the second projection screen and an associated projector is smaller than the distance between the first projection screen and its associated projector was prior to the conversion of the multiplex theatre hall.

10. The method of claim 1 in which the multiplex theater hall further comprises multiple patron seats, further comprising reducing the number of patron seats.

11. The method of claim 10 in which the second projection screen is positioned between the multiple patron seats and a rear wall of the multiplex theatre hall, and the number of patron seats is reduced such that a minimum distance between any patron seat and the rear wall is greater after the conversion of the multiplex theatre hall than before the conversion.

12. The method of claim 7 in which the second projection screen is positioned between the rear wall and multiple patron seats within the multiplex theatre hall, and the number of seats is reduced such that a minimum distance between any patron seat and the rear wall is greater after the conversion of the multiplex theatre hall than before the conversion.

13. A method of converting a multiplex theatre hall to create a more immersive motion picture experience, the multiplex theatre hall comprising a first projection screen configured for displaying an image in a selected presentation format with a first vertical spread angle of projection having its vertex coincident with an associated projector location, the method comprising:

replacing the first projection screen with a second projection screen that is configured for displaying an image in the selected presentation format over a substantial portion of the screen;

which image when displayed would have a greater vertical spread angle of projection than the first vertical spread angle of projection, as referenced from the same projector location.

14. The method of claim 13 in which replacing the first projection screen comprises placing the second projection screen at substantially the same location within the multiplex theatre hall as where the first projection screen was located.