- Number
- 20190378444
- Published
- 2019-12-12
- 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
- Medium Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Spinning persistence-of-vision image 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
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
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 display secured to the rotor, wherein a center of mass of the display is situated off of the single axis of rotation; a first counterweight coupled to the rotor along the single axis of rotation and having a first location relative to the rotor; a second counterweight coupled the to the rotor along the single axis of rotation and having a second location relative to the rotor different than the first location; 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, the second counterweight in a spin direction about the single axis of rotation.
2. The image generation system of claim 1, wherein a display surface of the display is on the axis of rotation.
3. The image generation system of claim 1, wherein the first counterweight and the second counterweight are configured to stabilize the display when the display spins at a spin rate of greater than forty revolutions per second.
4. The image generation system of claim 1, wherein a mass of the first counterweight and a mass of the second counterweight are equal.
5. The image generation system of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to render a two-dimensional (2D) graphic while the display spins, resulting in generation of an apparently three-dimensional (3D) image corresponding to the 2D graphic.
6. The image generation system of claim 1, wherein the first counterweight is situated above the display, and the second counterweight is situated below the display.
7. The image generation system of claim 1, wherein the display is secured to the rotor by a bracket adjoining the rotor on the axis of rotation.
8. The image display system of claim 7, wherein a center of mass of the bracket is off of the axis of rotation.
9. The image generation system of claim 1, wherein the display is part of a mobile communication device configured to spin with the rotor.
10. The image generation system of claim 9, wherein the mobile communication device comprises a smartphone.
11. The image generation system of claim 9, wherein the mobile communication device comprises a tablet computer.
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 display secured to the rotor, wherein a center of mass of the display is situated off of the single axis of rotation, a first counterweight coupled to the rotor along the single axis of rotation and having a first location relative to the rotor, and a second counterweight coupled the to the rotor along the single axis of rotation and having a second location relative to the rotor different than the first location, 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 stabilizing the display using the first counterweight and the second counterweight spinning in the spin direction about the single axis of rotation.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a display surface of the display is on the axis of rotation.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first counterweight and the second counterweight are configured to stabilize the display when the display spins at a spin rate of greater than forty revolutions per second.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein a mass of the first counterweight and a mass of the second counterweight are equal.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first counterweight is situated above the display, and the second counterweight is situated below the display.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the display is secured to the rotor by a bracket having a center-of-mass off of the axis of rotation.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the display is part of a mobile communication device configured to spin with the rotor.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mobile communication device comprises a smartphone.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the graphic is a two-dimensional (2D) graphic, and wherein spinning the display generates an apparently three-dimensional (3D) image corresponding to the 2D graphic.