MIRROR DISPLAY WITHOUT VIEWER REFLECTION

Number: 20200150448
Published: 2020-05-14
Filed: 2018-11-14
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: SMITHWICK; QUINN Y., JOSEPH; DANIEL M.
CPC: G02B30/25; G02B30/52; G02B27/144
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Optical-illusion mirror display without viewer reflection (Smithwick).

Abstract

A compact mirror-based three-dimensional (3D) display system with a polarizer between the viewer in a viewing space and a beam splitter. The beam splitter may be a half-silvered mirror, and the polarizer may be a circular polarizer that acts to cancel the undesired reflections including that of a viewer. A half prop often will be positioned between the beam splitter and the polarizer. The mirror-based 3D display system may also utilize additional components for creating effects that move in depth and that are in 3D. This may include rotation of the display (or its monitor or display screen) from parallel to an offset angle to allow displayed images to move toward and away from the mirror and not be locked into a plane parallel to and often abutting the mirror. The display system may further include configurations that provide a backdrop image behind the displayed image.

Background

BACKGROUND1. Field of the Description

The present description relates, in general, to compact display systems to provide a three-dimensional (3D) mirror illusion, 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 by using mirror techniques combined with other optical components and arrangements to eliminate viewer reflection that had hindered prior mirror-based displays.2. Relevant Background

There is a growing demand for displays that include 3D imagery to capture attention and entertain visitors of a facility. One conventional approach to providing 3D imagery without the need for 3D or other special eyewear has been the use of Pepper's Ghost displays. Pepper's Ghost is an illusionary technique used by magicians, by ride or attraction designers, and by others to produce a 3D illusion of a latent or ghost-like image. Using a simple piece of plate glass or transparent plastic (e.g., a Mylar sheet) that acts as a beam splitter and special lighting techniques, Pepper's Ghost systems can make objects appear and disappear within a scene or room.

Conventionally, these systems include a main room or scene that is readily viewed by an audience or viewers and a hidden room that is not visible to the audience/viewers. Both rooms may be identical in their physical structure including furniture and other objects except the hidden room may include additio

Claims

1. A display system for providing a three-dimensional (3D) effect with controlled reflections, comprising: a viewing space; a planar beam splitter with a first surface facing the viewing space and a second surface facing away from the viewing space; a polarizer disposed between the first surface of the beam splitter and the viewing space blocking light originating in the viewing space and reflected by the beam splitter; a physical prop positioned between the beam splitter and the polarizer; and a display with a display screen facing the second surface of the beam splitter, wherein the display is operated to provide a displayed image on the display screen viewable in the viewing space concurrently with light from the physical prop reflected by the beam splitter through the polarizer. 12. A display system for providing a three-dimensional (3D) effect with controlled reflections to a viewer in a viewing space, comprising: a beam splitter with a first surface facing the viewing space and a second surface facing away from the viewing space; a polarizer disposed between the first surface of the beam splitter and the viewing space blocking light originating in the viewing space and reflected by the beam splitter; a physical prop positioned between the beam splitter and the polarizer; and a display providing an image to the second surface of the beam splitter, wherein the display is rotated from the second surface of the beam splitter by an offset angle in the range of 15 to 60 degrees. 19. A display system for providing a three-dimensional (3D) effect with controlled reflections to viewers in a viewing space, comprising: a half-silvered mirror with a first surface facing the viewing space and a second surface facing away from the viewing space; a circular polarizer disposed between the first surface of the beam splitter and the viewing space blocking light originating in the viewing space and reflected by the beam splitter; a half prop positioned between the half-silvered mirror and the circular polarizer with a planar back wall facing and substantially co-planar with the first surface of the half-silvered mirror; and a display with a display screen facing the second surface of the half-silver mirror, wherein the display is operated to provide a displayed image on the display screen viewable in the viewing space concurrently with light from the half prop reflected by the beam splitter through the circular polarizer.