Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SIMULATED 3D PROJECTION APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to projection apparatus, and in particular the
invention
relates to a projection apparatus which is portable and scalable, and which is
used in a
manner so that a viewer will see a video presentation which comprises a
simulated
three dimensional (3D) image comprising a virtual image which is seen against
a
background wherein the background may contain a further image which varies in
a
programmed manner in keeping with the actions being portrayed by the virtual
image.
Preferably, the present invention relates to apparatus and devices which may
be
employed in theatrical, educational, or medical presentations, for example,
and more
particularly in advertising or other presentations which are intended to
promote and/or
extol the features and advantages of any product or service being offered for
sale.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention finds its genesis in an theatrical illusion which is
widely
known as "Pepper's ghost". In this illusion, a viewer is made to believe that
he is
seeing an article which does not, in fact, exist in the setting or
circumstances being
viewed. The techniques involved in presenting Pepper's ghost are described
hereafter.
However, for now, a brief description and history of Pepper's ghost is
provided.
In order for the classical Pepper's ghost illusion to work properly, the
viewer
must see clearly into a main setting, but not see into a hidden room. Unknown
to the
viewer, the viewer is also viewing the main setting through an angled piece of
glass
which, because of its placement, can be both translucent and reflective. By
changing
the lighting in the hidden room, the viewer can view a reflection of the lit
contents of the
hidden room, on the glass panel. Thus, the illusion is controlled by its
illumination, and
will appear and disappear when the lighting of the object, person, or the
like, is turned
on or off, respectively. As a result, an object or person which is reflected
in the "mirror"
section of the glass (e.g. the reflective surface of the glass) may seem to
appear or
disappear, or change into another object. While this illusion is over 100
years old, the
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same effect has been employed since at least the 1960's in certain modern
theme
parks, where objects such as reflected animated props can create the
appearance of
translucent "ghosts" which appear to be moving through a particular setting
and
interacting with props in that physical particular setting. Moreover, the
images appear
to be three dimensional and demonstrate a parallax effect with respect to
other items
on the stage.
Typically, in recent applications, a polymeric film, drawn tight within a
metal
frame, is used to replace the glass panel, and a projection device is used to
create the
image to be displayed on the polymeric film. Construction of the film and
associated
frame, and the projectors to be used, are well known in the art, and outside
of the
scope of the present invention.
As an example, United States Patent 8,172,400 (O'Connell et al.) describes a
projection apparatus which requires a first projection device that is arranged
to
generate a virtual three dimensional object by projection of the image onto to
a
reflected/translucent polymer film. A second projection device projects a
background
image; and a light source projects light onto the virtual three dimensional
image. A
stage arrangement can also be provided, which is placed behind the screen,
upon
which a presenter or actor, or a prop, or both, may be located, in order that
the
presenter or prop, interact with the virtual image.
In more recent applications, such as those described in US Patent publication
No. US 2013/0300728 ("Reichow et al.), the polymeric film or glass panel
showing the
reflection is replaced by a transparent front display device, such as an
transparent LCD
display device. In this approach, the reflective surface with its projected
image, is no
longer required since the virtual image can be displayed directly on the
transparent
front display. A second background display device is positioned visually
behind the
transparent front display, and a background image is shown or projected
directly on the
background display device. The images shown on the background display device
can
be coordinated with the images on the transparent front display in order to
create an
apparent parallax effect which provides images which are similar to images
from the
Pepper's Ghost technique.
Additional display panels can be provided between the front display and the
background display, in order to provide additional image content. However, for
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simplicity, the use of a two panel approach will be discussed in the present
document.
Current uses of this simulated 3D presentation technique include, for example,
the display of advertising materials in a simulated 3D environment, or the
simultaneous
presentation of a speech to numerous groups in many different locations, using
a
virtual image. Other applications have included providing a virtual
performance by a
performer, even though, in some cases, the performer is no longer alive.
However, unless a visual "ghost" effect is desired, it has typically been
necessary to employ a black background surface behind the virtual image so as
to
avoid any background image showing through the virtual image. This is because
if the
viewer were to see the background image through the front image, it would
destroy the
"holographic" effect of the virtual image.
More recently however, the background image is adjusted so as to be
coordinated with the transparent front image so that the two images are mated
one to
the other. As an example, a blacked-off "masked" area can be provided on the
background display which masked image moves and/or is otherwise coordinated
with
the image on transparent front display so as to minimize or eliminate the
background
image from bleeding through the image on the front display.
In order to provide a simulated 3D effect using a front panel and a background
panel (or any additional intermediate display panels), it is necessary to
provide at least
some distance between the transparent front display and the background
display. This
distance typically varies depending on the size of the display, and is used to
create the
parallax effect.
In a common approach, the front display is roughly the same size as the
background display, and the two display devices are positioned so as to be
essentially
parallel and co-planar, one to the other. When viewed from a side angle,
however, this
allows the viewer to see the front panel, but also view beyond the edges of
the back
panel. In some situations, this "panel separation" effect can be minimized by
providing
a "blacked-out" area between the display devices. However, when the background
panel images are coordinated to the images on the front display, the effect of
the edge
of the back panel, become more evident, since the images on the background
device
simply end at the edge of the background display device.
As such, it would be beneficial to provide a simulated 3D display device of
the
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type described herein, wherein this panel separation effect at the edge of the
background panel, is reduced or eliminated.
The present inventors have unexpectedly discovered that the panel separation
effect can be minimized in a fashion such that an improved, coordinated
simulated
three dimensional illusion which may be viewed simultaneously by a plurality
of
viewers.
To achieve this effect, the inventors herein provide an apparatus which has
the
ability to deliver real depth perception having two (or more) display panels,
so as to
create advanced visualizations which may employ animated and/or virtual
holographic
content using apparent parallax, while reducing or eliminating the panel
separation
effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In a first aspect, the present invention therefore provides a simulated 3D
display
apparatus comprising a front display device having side edges, arranged to
project a
first image of a first program material towards a viewer, and a background
display
device having side edges, arranged to project a second image of a second
program
material towards a viewer, wherein said front display device and said
background
display device are separated to provide an apparent parallax effect between
said first
image and said second image, and wherein said background display device is
sized so
as to extend beyond the side edges of the front projection device.
In a further embodiment, the background display device is curved or angled so
as to extend towards the plane of the front projection device. In a most
preferred
embodiment, the edges of the background display device extend essentially to
the
plane of the front display device.
The front display device can be any suitable display device which can include
a
prior art reflective film or glass onto which an image is projected. More
preferably
however, the front display device is a transparent display device, and most
preferably,
the front display device is a flat panel, transparent LCD display device. The
flat panel
of the front display device creates a plane which extends beyond the edges of
the front
display panel, and thus provides an extended plane of the front display panel.
The background display device can also be any suitable display device, which
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can include a screen onto which an image can be projected (either from the
front or
rear). Most preferably, the background display device is a display device such
as a
television screen or monitor. These can include any suitable display devices,
but
preferably, flat panel display devices such as LCD, plasma, LED, OLED, and the
like,
are used.
The background display device can also be provided by a plurality of display
devices, wherein each of the display devices is preferably a television or a
monitor.
This can include televisions or monitors that are rear projection devices, but
more
preferably, the rear screen is chosen from the group consisting of a planar
television
tube, a planar plasma television display, a planar LCD television display, a
planar LED
television display, and a planar OLED television display. Other display
devices might
also be used as the rear screen, and the skilled artisan will be aware that
their use is
not precluded from the present invention.
Where a plurality of display devices are used, the background display can
comprise a plurality of devices which are arranged to provide a completed
background
display. For example, 4 devices can be arranged in a planar 2x2 grid. Other
arrangements are possible, and these can include 3x3 grids, 4x4 grids, 2x3
grids, 3x2
grids, or any other suitable arrangement.
Other types of projector devices can also be utilized, as well as combination
of
different display devices.
In a first embodiment, the background panel is parallel to, and co-planar with
the front display panel, but extends beyond the sides of the front panel
display.
Preferably, the background panel extends at least 5% beyond the edge of the
front
display device (based on the width of the front display device). More
preferably, the
background display device extends at least 10%, and more preferably, at least
20%
beyond the side edges of the front display device.
Preferably, the background display device extends beyond the front display
device on at least two sides, but extending the background display beyond the
edges
of the front display device, on all four sides is not excluded from the
present invention.
As such, in one embodiment, the front display device is a given size of
display panel,
and the background display panel is selected so as to larger than the front
display
panel, and thus extend beyond the edges of the front display panel.
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With this approach, a viewer who views the image on the front display panel on
an angle, will still view an image on the outer edges of the background panel.
In a more preferred embodiment, the background panel is curved or angled
such that the outer edges of the background panel extend towards the extended
plane
of the front display panel.
The background display can be a curved panel display device, wherein at least
the edges of the display device can be curved towards the extended plane of
the front
display panel. Most preferably, the background display is provided as a
flexible display
device which is placed so as to provide a continuously curved display panel
behind
said front display device.
The background display can also be comprised of a plurality of panels
configured to provide a suitable display. As examples, the background display
could be
a flat panel display device which is parallel to the front panel, and also
having
additional background display panels at its edges which are angled towards the
extended plane.
The background display device might also be two flat panel display devices,
both angled with respect to the front display panel, wherein the outer edges
of the
background display devices extend towards the extended plane.
The background display devices have at least a portion that extends towards
the extended plane of the front display device. As a result, the edges of the
background display device extends towards the extended plane of the front
display by
a distance which is at least 25% of the maximum distance between the front and
background display devices. More preferably, the background device display
devices
extend to at least 50%, and more preferably, at least 75% of the maximum
distance of
between the front and background display devices.
In some embodiments, the edges of the background display devices can extend
so as to essentially intersect the extended plane of the front display panel,
and thus,
the background display devices extend 100% of the maximum distance between the
front and background display devices.
The front and background display device are preferably vertically orientated
with respect to the viewer, although this is not required. Moreover, the
background
display device is preferably vertically aligned, in at least one direction,
with respect to
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the front display device. Thus, in one direction (e.g. up and down), the
background
display device is a constant distance from the front display panel, even
though in
another direction (left and right) the distance between the front and
background display
devices, is changing.
The background display device can also extend beyond, and be curved,
towards the front display device, on all four sides. This could be
accomplished by, for
example, having a background display device with a central panel, which is
surrounded
by four display devices angled towards the extended plane of the front display
device.
The size of the front and background panels can vary, as can the distance
between them depending on their size.
Additional transparent display devices can be positioned between the front and
background display devices. The edges of these additional devices can also
extend
beyond the edges of the front display device, but this is not required.
Commonly the
number of additional transparent display devices will be between 1 and 10, and
most
preferably, the number of additional transparent display devices will be
between 1 and
3.
In a preferred embodiment, the first program material and the second program
material are edited and synchronized one with the other so that the images
from the
background display device appear to be interrelated to, or merge into, the
program
material on the front display device, and thus provide a simulated 3D viewing
experience.
It will be noted that the images of the first program material and the images
of
the second program material can be independent. However, in keeping with the
present invention, preferably the images of the first program material and the
images of
the second program material are synchronized. Typically, synchronization of
the first
program material and the second material is preferably under the control of a
computer, or some other computerized device. Synchronization of the images
moving
from display device to display device, can be provided by this arrangement.
The apparatus of the present invention is preferably arranged so that images
from the first program material and/or the second program material are altered
or
edited, in such a manner so that any chosen image from first program material
displayed on the front display device, will create an image which will appear
to be
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aligned with an area of the second program material presented on the
background
display device. In a preferred arrangement, the first program material will
appear to be
superimposed, or in front of, the edited second program material on the rear
screen. In
one particularly preferred arrangement, the second program material is altered
so that
no image is provided in the area behind the image provided in the first
program
material. As such, the first program material image is provided without any
image from
the second program material being superimposed on, or under, the first program
image.
Still further, the editing and placement of the first program material image
and
the edited area of the second program material image are such that the chosen
image
of the first program material and the edited area of the second program
material may
be made to move in any direction, relative one to the other, from frame to
frame of the
virtual image and the second program material image. As such, the directions
of
movement from frame to frame of the virtual image, and the edited area of the
second
program material image can be in opposite directions, so as to provide an
enhanced
illusion of movement one with respect to the other.
Editing and placement of the second program material on the background
display device might also be required to address the non-linear nature of the
background display device, and/or the non-parallel or non-planar positioning
of the
second display device.
Other options to control the interrelated appearance of the combined visual
images can be further controlled, and synchronized. For example, there is
typically a
transparency value which is associated with any color. In a projection based
system,
the color black is 100% transparent, in terms of the image projected from the
display
device. The color white is essentially opaque, with the other colors being in
between. In
contrast, however, for a transparent LCD monitor, a 100% white level is
transparent,
revealing the background display, and a 100% black level would be essentially
opaque, which would conceal the background image.
In either approach however, transparency of colors can result in problematic
imagery when multiple planes of visualization are employed. For example,
imagery in
the background display device will be revealed in any transparent area in the
front
display device with the result that the image gives the impression of being
"ghostly".
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However, these shortcomings can be overcome or ameliorated by controlling
the opacity and luminance levels of the front display device, and/or by using
techniques such as providing "traveling mattes" on the rear screen. To be more
specific, adjusting the opacity and luminance values of the background display
or the
front display, with respect to each other, can improve the perceived image
parallax and
the foreground image fidelity, of the system. In that regard, it is typically
preferred, but
not essential, that the background opacity should be adjusted to between 20%
and
40% of the foreground layer so as to achieve a well perceived three
dimensional effect.
The use of traveling mattes may be achieved physically, but in most cases, is
done by editing the image content using a computer application. Essentially, a
traveling
matte is an artificial black mask that is a "cut-out" of the foreground
imagery, and which
is applied to the corresponding background plane. This results in a
significant
improvement to the overall effect. Obviously, the masks which are applied to
the
background imagery are synchronized to, and in traveling time with, the
foreground
imagery, and are sized so as to approximate the size of the foreground image.
Typically, the matte is between 80 and 120% of the size of the foreground
image.
Overall, the creation of various content aspects in accordance with the
present
invention, including, for example, parallax, relative opacity, luminance,
travelling
mattes, and the like, acts to provide an improved and enhanced simulated 3D
experience. In the present invention, this content creation is achieved
through editing,
synchronizing and/or interrelating the virtual image (or images) to the
background
image.
Moreover, the present invention provides a display apparatus for displaying
simulated 3D images, which is preferably both scalable and portable. For
example, in a
particular embodiment of the present invention, the front and background
display
devices are permanently mounted in a case so as to be portable as a single
structure,
as will be hereinafter described. For this embodiment, the case will
preferably be
limited to a box having a length, height and width, of less than about 2.25 m,
and more
typically, less than 1.5m. For smaller devices, the box can have length,
height and
width values which are all less than 40 cm.
In another option, a hand-held device can be provided wherein the box will
typically have length, height and width values which are all greater than 5
cm, and
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more preferably, greater than 10 cm.
Larger cases of up to, for example, 3 to 5 metres, are also possible, and are
not
excluded from this invention. These larger cases may be provided as cases
which can
be moved from one exhibition site to another as a single structure.
However, the general techniques for providing the simulated 3D visualizations,
in keeping with the present invention, will also apply to structures which
employ the
same principle hardware and software, but which may be more or less
permanently
installed in such locations or devices such as a theatre, an outdoor display,
or
television studio. Scalability therefore allows the system to be used in a
wide variety of
situations, and as such, one feature of a certain aspect of the present
invention is that
the apparatus is scalable. That is, the apparatus may vary in size from
perhaps that of
a computer, to the size of a small trailer. For even larger applications, the
apparatus of
the present invention can be configured so as to be used on a stage such as
might be
found in a theatre, conference center, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present
invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation,
together with
further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the
following
drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now
be
illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the
drawings
are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a
definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will
now be
described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a sketch showing the general layout and functioning principles of
a
prior art Pepper's Ghost installation;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a prior art system with a transparent front
display;
Figures 3 is an overhead schematic view of the prior art system of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is perspective view of a first embodiment of a transparent front
display
system of the present invention;
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Figure 5 is an overhead schematic view of the system of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is perspective view of a second embodiment of a transparent front
display system of the present invention;
Figure 7 is an overhead schematic view of the system of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is perspective view of a third embodiment of a transparent front
display
system of the present invention;
Figure 9 is an overhead schematic view of the system of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an overhead schematic view of a further embodiment of the
transparent front display system of the present invention; and
Figure 11 is perspective view of a still further embodiment of a transparent
front
display system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present
invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation,
together with
further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the
following
discussion.
Figure 1 is a sketch showing a classic arrangement by which the Pepper's
ghost illusion was exhibited starting in the last half of the 19th century. A
stage,
typically a proscenium stage, is shown at 12 in Figure 1, and has a proscenium
14. It
will be seen that the left hand side of the stage is open; that is, there is
no wall, wing
drapery, or the like. However, a viewer looking at the stage 12 in the
direction of arrow
16 sees nothing of the apparatus and setup at the left-hand side of the stage
18.
Moreover, all of the structure at the left-hand side of the stage, commonly
referred to
as a Blue Room 18 (although it is usually black), is kept dark. That is, there
is no
illumination in the blue room 18, and the stage 20 is typically brightly lit.
A glass panel
22 is set at an angle to the viewing direction 16. Whatever is behind the
glass 22 is
clearly seen by the viewer.
Under normal lightly conditions, there is no reflection seen on the front face
of
the glass 22 from the setting in the blue room 18.
Objects 24 and 26 are placed in the blue room 18. When illumination is turned
on in blue room 18, a reflection of what is in the blue room 18 is seen in the
glass 22,
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but appears to provide a virtual image 24A and 26A, which can be seen by the
viewer.
When the lighting in the blue room 18 is discontinued, the images 24A and 26A,
appear to disappear.
The present system is a variation of the Pepper's Ghost illusion wherein a
front
image is provided on a transparent front display, and can be made to be
interrelated to
images appearing on a background display unit. This creates parallax in the
system,
which provides a simulated 3D effect.
Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, an illustration of a prior art display system
apparatus 30 is shown. Apparatus 30 consists of a case 32, in which a
background
display screen (namely a flat panel LCD television) 34 is shown at the back of
case 30.
At the front of case 30 is a front transparent LCD display 36.
Case 32 can have any suitable width, height or depth, as required for the
environment where apparatus 30 is used. By way of example, for a display item,
case
32 could have a width of 2 meters, a height of 1.5 meters, and a depth of 1
meter.
Obviously, the height, width and depth relationships can be modified as
required or as
needed.
As best seen in Figure 3, when viewed in the direction shown by arrow 38, a
viewer 33 will see the image, which is represented by reference numeral 37,
shown on
front display 36, against an image represented by reference numerals 35 on the
background display 34, when the viewer 33 views the images from directly in
front of
case 32.
As such, the two program material images are interrelated. The programming
and the nature of the computers employed to interrelate the images, and their
synchronization, are beyond the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the
brightness and luminosity of the images on the front display 36 and/or
background
display 34 can also be controlled, and thus, are also edited or synchronized
so as to be
interrelated, one to the other.
When viewing the image represented by reference numeral 39, however; -
which is near the edge of front display 36, as shown by the arrow 31, the
viewer 33 will
see the sides of case 32 and/or will lose any effect that might be desired on
a
background display located visually behind image 39.
The present invention seeks to address this situation.
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In Figures 4 and 5, an illustration of the display system apparatus 40
according
to the present invention is shown. In this approach, apparatus 40 comprises a
case 42,
in which a background display screen 44, is shown near the back of case 42. As
in
Figures 2 and 3, at the front of case 40 is a front transparent LCD display
46. In this
embodiment, background screen 44 is 30% larger, when measured side-to-side,
than
transparent front display 46. When viewed in the direction shown by arrow 48,
the
viewer 43 will see the image 47 shown on front display 46, against the
backdrop of the
image 45 shown on background display 44, when the viewer 43 views the images
from
directly in front of case 42.
When viewing image 49 near the edge of front display 46, as shown by arrow
41, the viewer 43 still sees the image 49 against the backdrop of background
display
44. As such, the viewer does not lose the effect of having the background
display
behind image 49.
It will be noted that in this embodiment, background display 44 and front
display
46 have essentially the same height, and only their width is different. For
most
applications, this approach is acceptable, however, clearly, background
display 44 can
be modified so as to have a larger height than front display 46.
In Figures 6 and 7, a further embodiment of the display system apparatus 50 of
the present invention is illustrated. In this approach, apparatus 50 comprises
a case
52, in which a background screen 54, which is a flexible LCD screen, having a
continuously curving arrangement, is shown near the back of case 50. As in
Figures 2
and 3, at the front of case 50 is a front transparent LCD display 56. When
viewed in the
direction shown by arrow 58, the viewer 53 will see the image 57 shown on
front
display 56, against the backdrop of the image 55 shown on background display
54,
when the viewer 53 views the images from directly in front of case 52.
When viewing image 59 near the edge of front display 56, as shown by arrow
51, the viewer 53 still sees the image 59 against the backdrop of background
display
54. As such, the viewer does not lose the effect of having the background
display
behind image 59.
Again, front display 56 and background display 54 are shown having a the
same height. Since background display 54 curves behind, and past, front
display 56, it
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is clear that background display 54 is wider than front display 56. This
arrangement
can be varied, as necessary.
It will also be noted that while background display 54 is has a constant
distance, along a vertical axis on front display 56, the distance from the
background
display 56 to the front display changes as one moves in a horizontal direction
across
the front display 56. While this is a preferred arrangement, other
configurations are not
excluded.
Also, in this embodiment, front display 56 has a width of 2 meters, and a
height
of 1.5 meters. At its maximum distance, background display 54 is 1 meter
behind front
display 56 at the centre of background display 54, but curves so as to be only
10 cm
behind the extended plane of front display 54 at the edges of background
display 54.
Again, this distances can vary depending on the specific application.
Also, it should be noted that the images projected onto the background device
54 can be modified so as to account for the curved image on the flexible
and/or curved
background display 54. This type of modification or image adjustment is within
the
capability of the skilled artisan.
In Figures 8 and 9, a third embodiment of the display system apparatus 60 of
the present invention is illustrated. In this approach, apparatus 60 comprises
a case
62, in which a background screen 64, is shown near the back of case 60.
Connected to
the edges of background screen 64 are two additional display panels 64A and
64B
which are angled from background screen 64 towards a front transparent display
66 at
the front of case 60. It will be noted that additional display panels 64A and
64B extend
to the extended plane of the front of the front transparent display 66, and
thus, it is not
possible to view any possible separation effect, as previously described.
When viewed in the direction shown by arrow 68, the viewer 63 will see the
image 67 shown on front display 66, against the backdrop of the image 65 shown
on
background display 64, when the viewer 63 views the images from directly in
front of
case 62.
When viewing image 69 near the edge of front display 66, as shown by arrow
61, the viewer 63 still sees the image 69 against the backdrop of background
display
64A. As such, the viewer does not lose the effect of having the background
display
behind image 69.
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Again, the images shown on background display 64 can be modified to account
for the parallel alignment of panel 64, and the angled alignment of panels 64A
and
64B.
In Figure 10, a further embodiment of the display system apparatus 70 is
shown. In this approach, apparatus 70 comprises a case 72, in which two
background
display panels 74 are shown. The two panels 74 are angled one to the other.
Panels
74 are rear projection panels, and the images shown on panels 74 are provided
by
projectors 80, which provide a light image depicted by reference numerals 82.
At the
front of case 72 is a front transparent LCD display 76. Between front display
76, and
background display panels 74 is a further, intermediate transparent LCD
display 84,
which intermediate display 84 is wider than front display 76, but not as wide
as the
combined width of angled background panels 74.
When viewed in the direction shown by arrow 78, the viewer 73 will see the
image 77 shown on front display 76, against the backdrop of the image 75 shown
on
background display 74, and image 86 shown on intermediate display 84, when the
viewer 73 views the images from directly in front of case 72.
When viewing image 79 near the edge of front display 76, as shown by arrow
71, the viewer 73 still sees the image 79 against the backdrop of background
display
74, and in relation to the image 88 shown on intermediate display 84. As such,
the
viewer does not lose the effect of having a background display behind image 79
and/or
on intermediate display 84.
Further, intermediate display 84 can display image content that is
interrelated to
the images shown on front panel 76, background panels 74, and/or some
combination
of these panels.
In Figure 11, a further apparatus 90 of the present invention is shown
comprising a front display 92 in front of a planar background display 94. In
this
embodiment, no case is used. At the four sides of background display 94 are
additional
display units 96, which are connected to background display 94, and are angled
towards front display 92. Using this approach, a viewer (not shown) would
observe
image 93 shown on front display 92, against a background image 95, shown on
background display 94. At all four edges of the front panel 92, the viewer
would be able
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CA 02873479 2014-12-04
to observe background images displayed on background display 94, or additional
display units 96.
There has therefore been described a display apparatus which comprises a
front display device having side edges, arranged to project a first image of a
first
program material towards a viewer, and a background display device having side
edges, arranged to project a second image of a second program material towards
a
viewer, wherein said front display device and said background display device
are
separated to provide an apparent parallax effect between said first image and
said
second image, and wherein said background display device is sized so as to
extend
beyond the side edges of the front projection device.
Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture
of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit
and scope of
the accompanying claims.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context
requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or
step or
group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or
step or group
of integers or steps.
Moreover, the word "substantially" when used with an adjective or adverb is
intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g.,
substantially planar
is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics
associated
with a planar element. Further use of relative terms such as "vertical",
"horizontal", "up",
"down", and "side-to-side" are used in a relative sense to the normal
orientation of the
apparatus.
Moreover, use of the terms "he", "him", or "his", is not intended to be
specifically
directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as
"she", "her",
or "hers", respectively.
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.
