Panoramic, multiplane, and transparent collimated display system

Number: 10663724
Published: 2020-05-26
Filed: 2018-08-30
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Laduke; Thomas F., Reichow; Mark A.
CPC: G03B35/20; G02B30/40; G03B37/04; G03B21/62; G02B27/0101; G02B30/26
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Panoramic multiplane collimated show display optics hardware.

Abstract

A display system for creating a multiplane display. The display system includes a viewing space for viewers. The display system includes a convex screen and a mirror element spaced apart from the convex screen to provide a collimated display. The mirror element is both reflective and transmissive of light, and a fraction of light from the convex screen that strikes a front concave surface of the mirror element is reflected into the viewing space. The convex screen and the front concave surface of the mirror element are each shaped to have an optical prescription defined for a collimated display whereby light reflected into the viewing space is collimated to provide variable depth imagery. The display system includes a background space behind the mirror element, and light from the background space from projection screens and illuminated objects is transmitted through the mirror element to viewers in the viewing space.

Background

BACKGROUND1. Field of the Description(1) The present description relates, in general, to display systems adapted for stereoscopic or three-dimensional (3D) image generation, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for producing 3D images or depth and space media illusions without requiring viewers to wear 3D glasses or other eyewear using a new collimated display design. These display systems may be considered multiplane or multilayer display systems providing a 3D display to viewers by displaying images that appear to be in two or more planes along the z-axis, and the display systems can be panoramic in that they can be designed to provide the 3D display “in the round” such as with 3D imagery provided at 45 to 360 degrees about a viewing space (e.g., a circular room or space where a viewer would be located when enjoying the 3D show or experience without a fixed viewing direction).2. Relevant Background(2) There is a growing demand for displays that include 3D imagery. For example, there is a growing trend toward using 3D projection techniques in theatres and in-home entertainment systems including video games and computer-based displays. In many conventional 3D projection techniques, the right eye and the left eye images are delivered separately to display the same scene or images from separate perspectives so that a viewer sees a three-dimensional composite, e.g., certain characters or objects appear nearer than the screen and other appear farther away than the scree

Claims

1. A display system for providing a multiplane display, comprising: a viewing space; a convex screen; a mirror element spaced apart from the convex screen, wherein the mirror element is reflective and transmissive of light, wherein a fraction of light from the convex screen that strikes a front concave surface of the mirror element is reflected into the viewing space, and wherein the convex screen and the front concave surface of the mirror element are each shaped to have an optical prescription defined for a collimated display whereby the fraction of light reflected into the viewing space is collimated; and a background space behind the mirror element, wherein light from the background space is transmitted through the mirror element for concurrent viewing in the viewing space with the fraction of light reflected into the viewing space. 14. A display system for providing a multiplane display, comprising: a collimated display including a media display with a convex screen and further including a mirror element, wherein the mirror element has a concave front surface that is reflective and transmissive of light, wherein a fraction of light from the convex screen that strikes the front concave surface of the mirror element is reflected, and wherein the convex screen and the front concave surface of the mirror element have an optical prescription defined for the collimated display whereby the fraction of light reflected collimated; and a background space located behind the mirror element, wherein the background space includes a projection screen and light from the projection screen is transmitted through the mirror element for concurrent viewing with the fraction of light reflected by the front concave surface of the mirror element. 19. A display system for providing a multiplane display, comprising: a viewing space; a collimated display assembly including a mirror element with a concave front surface that is reflective and transmissive of light, wherein the concave front surface reflects collimated light during operations of the collimated display assembly into the viewing space; and a background space behind the mirror element, wherein light from the background space is transmitted into the viewing space through the mirror element for concurrent viewing in the viewing space with the collimated light, wherein a projection wall is positioned in the background space with a front or rear projection screen facing a back surface of the mirror element, and wherein light from the front or rear projection screen is transmitted through the mirror element into the viewing space concurrently with the reflection of the collimated light by the concave front surface of the mirror element.