Projection system for enhancing and modifying the appearance of a projection surface

Number: 9632404
Published: 2017-04-25
Filed: 2015-03-18
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Grundhofer; Anselm et al.
CPC: G02F1/0147; G02F1/0126; G02F1/313; G03B21/606; G03B21/206; G03B21/2013
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Projection hardware that enhances or modifies the appearance of a physical projection surface (illusion/optical effect).

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a projection system for enhancing color saturation and contrast for a projected image. The projection surface includes a coat containing active materials and the projection system includes a first light source emitting lightonto the surface and defining a first image on the surface and a second light source emitting light onto the surface and activating the active materials within the transparent coat to emit visible light of one or more wavelengths. The first light source defines the first image and the visible light emitted from the active materials enhances one or more characteristics of the first image. In another embodiment, the second light source may be activated when the first light source fails to define a backup or static image that may be different or the same as the image produced by the first light source.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a projection system including two projectors for illuminating a projection surface in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.(2) FIG. 2A illustrates an image from the projection system of FIG. 1 with only one projector activated.(3) FIG. 2B illustrates the enhanced image of FIG. 2A with both projectors activated.(4) FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating an external light source activating active materials coated over a substrate.(5) FIG. 4A is a simplified diagram illustrating a visible light source activating active materials containing mixed nano particles coated over a substrate.(6) FIG. 4B is a simplified diagram illustrating a visible light source activating active materials containing various nano particles coated over different portions of a substrate.(7) FIG. 4C is a simplified diagram illustrating a visible light source activating active materials containing three layers of three different nano particles coated over a substrate.(8) FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating an ultra violet light source activating photochromic or fluorescent materials coated over a substrate.(9) FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating an infrared (IR) light source activating thermochromic materials coated over a substrate.(10) FIG. 7A illustrates a rear projection system.(11) FIG. 7B is an image of a projection surface illuminated by the rear projection system of FIG. 7A.(12) FIG. 8A illustrates a rear p

Claims

1. A projection system for enhancing color saturation and contrast of a surface having a coat containing active materials, comprising: a first light source emitting light onto the surface anddefining a first image on the surface; a second light source emitting light onto the surface and activating the active materials within the coat to emit visible light of one or more wavelengths; a first optical filter positioned between the first light source and the surface; and a second optical filter positioned between the second light source and the surface, wherein the first optical filter filters wavelengths passed through by the second light source. 13. A method for enhancing color saturation of a surface, comprising: filtering light from a first light source to transmit light wavelengths that do not include at least one wavelength; illuminating the surface by the first light source; filtering light from a second light source to transmit light of the at least one wavelength; illuminating thesurface by the second light source, wherein a transparent coat containing active materials is positioned on the surface; and activating the active materials in the transparent coat by the at least one wavelength. 21. An illumination system comprising: a first projectorconfigured to illuminate a projection surface with a first image, the projection surface comprising a transparent coat including active materials; and a second projector configured to illuminate the projection surface and emit wavelengths to activate the active materials, wherein the active materials are deactivated when the first projector is activated andactivated when the first projector is deactivated. 25. A method for controlling illumination of a projection system by a controller, the method comprising: turning on a first projector of the projection system to illuminate a surface and define a first image thereon, the surface including a transparent layer of active materials; receiving a signal from a sensor when the first projector is turned off, the sensor being in communication with a controller; and when the first projector turns off, activating a second projector to illuminate the surface and causing the active materials to emit visible light and reveal a second image on the surface.