Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Thomas F Laduke

Mark A Reichow

Mason Daryl Lev

Steven M Chapman

Quinn Smithwick

Bryan Lee Jolley

Jeffrey A Davis

Display systems for achieving collimated projection effects. For example, in a theatrical or concert installation, display systems can be used to project images of scenery that appear to be vast and at a great distant behind the viewing window. The system may include a flat panel display, a corrective mirror, and a concave mirror positioned for viewing by an observer. The corrective mirror pre-warps an image generated by the flat panel display and reflects the undistorted image onto the concave mirror such that the observer perceives the image generated by the flat panel display as being at a large distance. The corrective mirror does not distort with changes in viewpoint. In another implementation, the system may include a short throw projector generating an image, a free-form projection screen, and a concave mirror positioned for viewing by many observers through a viewing window.

Free-viewpoint collimated display systems for collimated effects

A display system for creating a multiplane display. The display system includes a viewing space for viewers. The display system includes a convex screen and a mirror element spaced apart from the convex screen to provide a collimated display. The mirror element is both reflective and transmissive of light, and a fraction of light from the convex screen that strikes a front concave surface of the mirror element is reflected into the viewing space. The convex screen and the front concave surface of the mirror element are each shaped to have an optical prescription defined for a collimated display whereby light reflected into the viewing space is collimated to provide variable depth imagery. The display system includes a background space behind the mirror element, and light from the background space from projection screens and illuminated objects is transmitted through the mirror element to viewers in the viewing space.

Panoramic, multiplane, and transparent collimated display system

An acoustical screen that can be utilized in a variety of applications including as part of a projection screen to cover and hide the presence of an audio speaker. The acoustical screen is formed using multiple hole sizes, e.g., three or more hole diameters or outer dimensions if not round. These differently-sized holes are placed in pseudo-random positions so that there is no perceivable repeating pattern of hole placement in the acoustical screen. By avoiding an ordered grid of holes of a single diameter as in prior speaker grills, the new acoustical screen disguises the visible reflection pattern through non-uniformity. It also provides an improved acoustic transmission surface that allows sound with a greater variety of wavelengths to pass while reflecting a less pronounced echo. The acoustical screen will be in demand for use in entertainment venues using projection systems with speakers positioned behind a front projected screen.

Accoustically and visually optimized projection screen

A digital theatrical lighting fixture that can be used to provide a new lighting system with improved features and functionality. The digital theatrical lighting fixture integrates light production, light modulation, and a camera into a single device along with a control interface, integrated image processing capability such as for processing images captured by the camera, and communication capability, e.g., for communicating with a central controller and/or with other digital theatrical lighting fixtures. This highly integrated fixture uses the camera to monitor a lit scene, and its (or the central controller's) intelligence/software to dynamically adjust its output as well as to implement a show lighting script much like a projector. In a lighting system, the lighting fixtures described herein can communicate to each other and to a central controller (or control systems) such that lighting produced by the lighting system can be calibrated and coordinated in a comprehensive way.

Digital theatrical lighting fixture

An apparatus, such as a Pepper's ghost system, for displaying images. The apparatus includes a projection assembly projecting an image stream and a tensioning assembly supporting a reflective element such as a polyester film. The tensioning assembly includes first and second edge retention assemblies retaining, respectively, a first edge of the reflective element and a second edge of the reflective element opposite the first edge. The tensioning assembly includes a tension adjuster applying tensile forces at spaced apart locations along the first edge of the reflective element. The first edge of the reflective element is serrated such as with a plurality of spaced apart slots that may be shaped as a partial oval. The first edge retention assembly includes a pair of retention plates with the first edge sandwiched there between. The first edge retention assembly includes fasteners passing through slots to couple the first and second plates together.

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Orange, CA, United States of America

Thomas F Laduke