Visual effect system including perspective-correct autostereoscopic retroreflective projection

Number: 11385474
Published: 2022-07-12
Filed: 2020-03-31
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Smithwick; Quinn Y. J., Dill; Dawson McLeod, Ilardi; Michael John, Papadopoulos; Elisabeth C., Bristow; Robert J., Bristow-Campbell; Colleen L., Smith; Chad Michael
CPC: G02B27/283; G03B21/2066; G02B30/33; G03B21/2033; G02B27/30; G03B21/60; G03B21/10; G02B27/0093; G03B21/006; G02B30/24; G02B30/25; G02B27/286; G03B35/16
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Autostereoscopic retroreflective show-projection optics hardware (Smithwick).

Abstract

A system creating an autostereoscopic augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or other visual display experience involving 3D images, presented to a viewer without glasses or other head-gear. The system includes a projection screen, which includes a reflective surface formed using retroreflective material. The system includes a projection assembly and a beamsplitter, which is disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the projection screen. The system includes a physical scenic space facing a lower side of the beamsplitter and a viewing space facing an upper side of the beamsplitter. A controller operates the projector assembly to project left and right eye images toward the projection screen. The left and right eye images are then directed to left and right eye positions so a viewer with eyes positioned at the left and right eye positions perceives a virtual object concurrently with light from the physical scenic space.

Background

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Description (1) The present invention relates, in general, to projecting or displaying video/animated or still three-dimensional (3D) images to augment a physical set or space or provide such as to provide an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR), or other visual display experience involving 3D images or imagery, and, more particularly, to autostereoscopy and retroreflective projection methods and systems for providing glasses-free 3D to achieve a new visual experience such as an AR or VR experience. 2. Relevant Background (2) There are numerous entertainment and other settings where it is desirable to create unique visual displays to entertain and excite viewers. For example, theme or amusement parks may include rides or walk-through attractions where guests (or “viewers”) are entertained by a unique visual effect or illusion. Often, it is desirable to create a display with three dimensional (3D) images so as to enhance a physical set or environment so as to create an AR experience. Even more desirable for many entertainment facility operators is to provide the 3D display without requiring the viewer to wear special headgear or glasses, e.g., using perspective-correct autostereoscopy or similar techniques. (3) In recent years, the incorporation of 3D stereoscopic projection and imagery into rides, attractions, and other entertainment experiences has been rapidly increasing. However, many of these attractions require that the rider or parti

Claims

1. A system for providing a three-dimensional (3D) image-based visual effect, comprising: a projection screen with a reflective surface comprising a retroreflector; a projection assembly; a beamsplitter disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the reflective surface of the projection screen to permit transmission of light from the projector through a first side and receive light from the projection screen on a second side; a viewing space adjacent and facing the second side of the beamsplitter; a physical scenic space opposite the second side of the beamsplitter; and a controller selectively operating the projector assembly to project left and right eye images toward the reflective surface of the projection screen, wherein the left and right eye images are viewable from a left eye position and a right eye position, respectively, to allow a viewer with eyes positioned at the left and right eye positions to perceive a three-dimensional (3D) virtual object in the physical scenic space concurrently with light from physical objects or scenery in the physical scenic space. || 19. A system for providing 3D image-based visual effect, comprising: a projection screen with a reflective surface comprising a retroreflector; a projection assembly; a beamsplitter disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the reflective surface of the projection screen to transmit light from the projector through a first side and receive light from the projection screen on a second side; and a computer vision system tracking left and right eye positions of proximate to the second side of the beamsplitter, and wherein the projector assembly emits stereo images toward the reflective surface of the projection screen, wherein the stereo images are directed to the tracked left and right eye positions, wherein the stereo images are rendered for viewpoints matching the tracked left and right eye positions, and wherein the left and right eye images are provided in eye boxes containing the tracked left and right eye positions. || 29. A system for providing a 3D image-based visual effect, comprising: a screen with a retroreflective surface; a projection assembly; a beamsplitter disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the retroreflective surface of the screen to transmit light from the projector through a first side and to receive light from the projection screen on a second side; a viewing space adjacent and facing the second side of the beamsplitter, wherein light reflected from the second side of the beamsplitter is directed into the viewing space and wherein light from surfaces of physical objects in a physical scenic space is directed toward the viewing space; and a controller operating the projector assembly to project left and right eye images toward the retroflective surface of the projection screen, wherein the controller operates the projector assembly such that the left and right eye images are directed to a tracked left eye position and a tracked right eye position, respectively, of a viewer facing the second side of the beamsplitter, further comprising eye location sensors tracking the left and right eye positions, wherein the left and right eye images are stereo images rendered for viewpoints matching the tracked left and right eye positions.