Image generation system including a spinning display

Number: 11074838
Published: 2021-07-27
Filed: 2018-06-07
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Hsu; Jonathan R., Nocon; Nathan
CPC: G09F19/125; G09G3/004; G09G3/003; G09G3/005; H02K7/14
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Spinning persistence-of-vision display hardware.

Abstract

According to one implementation, an image generation system includes a base having a rotor and a motor for spinning the rotor about an axis of rotation, and a display secured to the rotor, wherein a center of mass of the display is situated off of the axis of rotation. Such an image generation system also includes a first counterweight coupled to the rotor and having a first location relative to the rotor, and a second counterweight coupled the to the rotor and having a second location relative to the rotor different than the first location. The first counterweight and the second counterweight are configured to stabilize the display while the display is spun by the motor and the rotor.

Background

BACKGROUND (1) Advances in computer technology and software have made possible the creation of richly featured virtual characters capable of simulating interactivity with a human observer of the virtual character. The illusion of interactivity may be even greater when the virtual character appears to be independent of the image generation system displaying it. For example, the virtual character may be shown as an apparently three-dimensional (3D) image that appears to float in space. Moreover, the immersiveness of the experience for the observer may be further enhanced if the virtual image appears to float serenely and effortlessly in space, without perceptible jitter or flicker. SUMMARY (2) There are provided systems and methods for generating an image using a spinning display, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

1. An image generation system comprising: a base including a rotor and a motor for spinning the rotor about a single axis of rotation; a bracket coupled to the rotor; a display secured to the bracket, wherein a center of mass of the display is situated off of the single axis of rotation; a first counterweight coupled to the bracket, along the single axis of rotation, between a first side of the display and the rotor; a second counterweight coupled to the bracket, along the single axis of rotation, on a second side of the display opposite the first side of the display; wherein the first counterweight and the second counterweight are configured to stabilize the display while the display is spun by the motor and the rotor, and wherein the rotor is configured to spin the display, the first counterweight, and the second counterweight in a spin direction about the single axis of rotation. || 12. A method for use by an image generation system having a base including a rotor and a motor for spinning the rotor about a single axis of rotation, a bracket coupled to the rotor, a display secured to the bracket, wherein a center of mass of the display is situated off of the single axis of rotation, a first counterweight coupled to the bracket along the single axis of rotation, and a second counterweight coupled to the bracket along the single axis of rotation, the method comprising: rendering, using the display, a graphic on a display surface of the display; and spinning, using the motor and the rotor, the display in a spin direction about the single axis of rotation; and while spinning the display, stabilizing the display using the first counterweight coupled to the bracket between a first side of the display and the rotor and the second counterweight coupled to the bracket on a second side of the display opposite the first side of the display.