WO2009008710A1

WO2009008710A1 - Image display system

Info

Publication number: WO2009008710A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/000173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graham Thomas Smith; Guido Maximiliaan Beauchez
Original assignee: PRESENCE DISPLAYS VOF
Current assignee: PRESENCE DISPLAYS VOF
Priority date: 2007-07-09
Filing date: 2008-07-09
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-09
Also published as: CA2593298A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an image display system comprising at least one projector (10A, 10B) to project an image, a projection surface (12) onto which the image can be projected, and a liquid container (4) configured to hold liquid and receive at least one person (8) herein, wherein the projection surface (12) is positioned such that the at least one person (8) in the container (4) can view the image. The invention further relates to method to project an image onto a projection surface.

Description

IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM

This invention relates to an image display system and to a method to project an image onto a projection surface.

Intrigue in experiencing outer space has increased recently such that commercial expeditions are now being contemplated to offer an opportunity to shuttle through the earth's atmosphere and experience a limited amount of time in a zero gravity environment with a view of outer space. However, such expeditions come at a substantial monetary cost and can only practically take place for a limited amount of time.

An object of the invention is to provide a way of experiencing the feeling of floating, e.g. in outer space, at a more cost effective way.

The object of the invention is achieved by an image display system according to claim 1.

The system further comprises a liquid tight container configured to hold liquid and receive at least one person therein, wherein the projection surface is positioned such that the at least one person in the container can view the image.

It will be appreciated that the image can be any suitable image, including a single image, a sequence of images, a movie, etc.

The image can be an outer space image, e.g. including one or more planets and/or space craft and/or astronaut(s), etc. The image could also be related to an entirely different theme, e.g. a marine life, or even be television, a movie picture, internet content, etc.

Preferably the transparent surface and the projection surface are arranged such that a person in the water sees the projected image underwater.

In a possible embodiment the system includes scuba-equipment allowing the person to be submerged below the water while viewing the projected images, e.g. a mask and/or breathing device (air tank/snorkel), etc. In a possible embodiment the system includes a dry suit for the person to wear.

In a possible embodiment the system includes a suit having the appearance of a space suit for the person to wear during viewing of the images.

Floating in a body of water can induce the feeling of "weightlessness". Therefore, a person floating in the container can view images, e.g. of outer space, and feel as though they are in a weightless state. This gives the person the feeling that they are in a suspended-gravity- free state to enhance the sensual experience of viewing the images. This experience can be much the same as shuttling out past the earth's atmosphere, but can be experienced at a fraction of the cost.

It is envisaged that persons could pay an entry fee for access to the container, e.g. for a specific amount of time. For example, where images of outer space are shown and the person floats in water, feelings like they are in outer space can be achieved at a substantially cheaper cost than actually travelling past the earth's atmosphere into a gravity-free zone with a view of outer space.

An additional advantage of the image display system is that the images are not projected through the water onto a surface of the container holding the body of water, such as a bottom of a pool. Projection of an image through water requires high intensity light because the water can suck up about 60 to 80% of the light of the projection. Also, most pools are filled with chlorinated water for sanitary reasons. However, chlorine in the water "shifts" the colors in the projected image to blue. Therefore, a "color correction" should be performed on the projected image to account for the color shift through chlorinated water.

It is envisaged that the image display system can be utilized in an amusement park, e.g. a water amusement park with water attractions (e.g. slides, pools, etc). The present invention also relates to an amusement park provided with such a system.

In a variant, the image display system could comprise a (partially) transparent water slide, e.g. a tube slide, through which persons travel and which passes overtop of a projection surface onto which images are projected by a projector. One or more of such projections could be provided throughout the slide and could be related to a particular theme, for example outer space. In an embodiment, the image display system can be contained as one or more portable units which can be transported to a particular location and then set-up. The portable-unit could be used at any desired location.

In another embodiment, the image display system may comprise a pool as the container with at least one surface or wall of the pool being transparent so that persons in the pool can view images projected onto a projection surface through the transparent surface.

Further and other features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows an image display system in perspective view comprising a swimming pool with a semi-spherical concave shaped projection screen,

Fig. 2 shows an image display system in perspective view, wherein a transparent container is supported above the projection screen, Fig. 3 shows an image display system similar to that shown in Fig. 2 however is supported by four columns,

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the image display system, wherein the container is a transparent channel or slide,

Fig. 5 shows the system of Fig. 4 from a top perspective view, Fig. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the image display system as a self- contained portable trailer,

Fig. 7 shows the image display system of Fig. 6. in perspective view,

Fig. 8 to 13 show the respective set-up of the image display system of Fig. 6 once the portable unit is at a desired location,

An example of an image display system 2 is shown in Fig. 1 and comprises a container 4 which is configured to hold liquid 6, preferably water, and to receive at least one person 8 therein.

In Fig.1 , the container 4 here is embodied as a swimming pool and has at least one transparent surface 14, here at a deep end thereof.

The system further includes a projection surface 12 which is positioned outside of the container 4. The projection surface 12 is positioned such that the at least one person 8 in the container 4 can view the image through the transparent surface 14 of the container 4.

Preferably the projection surface is a reflective surface, reflecting the image(s) projected by the one or more projectors towards the container 4. The projection surface 12 preferably has a concave contour, e.g. a semi-spherical concave contour, however, it is envisaged that the contour of the projection surface does not have to be concave and, for example, could be planar or flat.

One or more, here two, projectors 10A and 10B are positioned to project an image onto the projection surface. Here the projectors are position above the projection surface 12. The projection surface 12 is positioned such that the at least one person 8 can view the image through the underwater transparent surface 14 of the container 4.

The projection surface 12 shown in Fig. 1 is positioned at an elevation below a bottom of the container 4 and has a semi-spherical concave contour.

While the container 4 is shown as having one transparent surface 14, it is also possible that multiple transparent surfaces are provided or that the entire container is transparent allowing for complete visibility therethrough.

In a possible embodiment the projection surface 12 can be movable with respect to the container 4 so as to be positioned at different orientations, e.g. heights and angles, with respect to the at least one person 8 as desired.

Thus, in use, the person 8 can view the image projected by projectors 10A and 10B onto projection surface 12 through the transparent surface 14, while the person 8 is floating (possible submerged as a diver) in the container or pool 4 and is in a weightless state.

In an advantageous embodiment, the images projected are images of outer space and the person 8 is given the feeling that he is floating in gravity-free outer space.

The system may include a cover structure over the container and/or a housing in which the container is placed, e.g. allowing to create darkness, e.g. as to enhance the viewing of the images and/or to contribute to the experience of the person in the container (e.g. feeling of being in outer space).

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the image display system 2, wherein the transparent container 4 is suspended above the projection surface 12 by one or more supports 16A, 16B, and 16C, here vertical supports. The container 4 in this example is completely transparent so that the person 8 floating in the water 6 can view a projection surface 12 below from various angles.

A deck 18, e.g. a circular deck, is positioned adjacent the open upper surface of the container 4 so that persons 8 can get in and out of the water 6, when circular from any point on the circumference of the container 4.

The projection surface 12 has a semi-spherical concave contour and is supported by one or more projection surface supports 2OA, 2OB, and 2OC, preferably axially aligned with the vertical supports 16A, 16B, and 16C.

The projector is not shown in Fig. 2, however, it is possible that one or more projectors could be positioned at various locations to project the images onto the projection surface 12. For example, projectors could be fastened to the vertical support 16A₁ 16B, 16C, or alternatively underneath the circular deck 18.

It is also envisaged that the image can be projected in response to a person input, preferably of the person in the container or pool 4. The person input can be generated from at least one controller or sensor, e.g. a motion sensor (not shown) placed on/held by the person 8 in the container, for example, to sense the direction which the person 8 is pointing. As will be appreciated the controller or sensor preferably is of a watertight design.

Preferably the controller or sensor is linked by suitable means, e.g. a cable or wireless (sound under water), to a projector control device so as to control the projected image on the basis of the person operated controller or sensor.

In a most preferred embodiment, the images shown are those of outer space.

Preferably a motion sensor is placed on the person's arm. Thereby, when the person 8 moves an arm, the motion sensor detects the movement and provides a corresponding input to the projector control device to project images indicating that the person 8 is moving in that direction.

As the person can move their arm in various directions through the water, the images would show that the person is flying through outer space in that corresponding direction, whereby the person can change direction of travel merely by moving their arm. It is also possible that the projection surface is moved in response to a person input. For example, the person input could be generated by the at least one motion sensor, but it could also be another sensor.

In a preferred embodiment, the projector is adjusted such that the image follows the movement of the projection surface.

Fig. 3 shows an image display system 2 having a similar construction as the display system 2 shown in Fig. 2 except that the deck 18 is square and is supported at each corner by vertical columns 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D (not shown). A platform 24 supporting the projection surface 12 is also supported by the vertical columns 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D.

Here, the projectors are not shown, however, it is again possible that the projectors can be positioned at various locations to project images onto the projection surface 12. For example, projectors could be positioned at one or more of the vertical columns 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D or alternatively fixed to the underside of the deck 18.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the image display system 2 where the container 4 is a transparent channel, or has transparent windows. For example, the container 4 could be a slide, e.g. located at an amusement park, whereby a person (not shown) would travel through the water contained in the channel or trough-shaped container 4 and move past the projection surface 12 positioned beneath the container 4.

Fig. 5 shows the image display system 2 of Fig. 4 from a perspective top view. As shown, the person 8 is floating in the water 6 that is present or preferably made to flow through the trough-shaped container 4. When the person is overtop of the projection surface 12, the person 8 can view the images projected by projectors 10A, 10B and 10C in a weightless state. This embodiment is advantageous for theme parks or as an amusement ride whereby multiple persons could be sent down the slide-like container 4 and can pass overtop one or more of the projection surfaces 12.

In Fig. 5, the projectors 10A, 10B, and 10C are positioned at equidistant locations around the circumference of the semi-spherical projection surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the system the container or pool 4 is sized to allow multiple persons to be in the water at the same time. In a preferred embodiment the system further comprises one or more change rooms so that persons desiring to access the container can change into suitable gear.

Fig. 6-13 show the image display system 2 embodied as a portable contained unit for example which can be towed as a trailer behind a vehicle and then set up once the trailer is at the desired destination. In Fig. 6, the portable contained image display system is shown in its collapsed portable state. Fig. 7 through 13 show the various stages of set-up of the portable contained image display system and are described herein.

The image display system 2 is a wheeled trailer 30, e.g. movable on a set of front wheels 32 and back wheels 34. A trailer hitch 36 is fixed to the axle of the set of front wheels 32 for attachment to a vehicle (not shown) which tows the trailer 30. The trailer 30 is a substantially rectangular box having a container unit 38 and projection surface unit 40 removably separable from one another.

As shown in Fig. 7, as one of the first steps in setting up the portable image display system, the container unit 38 is vertically displaced from the projection surface unit 40. This could be done by hydraulics or similar means although not shown.

As shown in Fig. 8, the container unit 38 has a first container support member 42 and a second container support member 44 which are hingably movable to project orthogonal to a plane of a side of the trailer 30. Similarly, the projection surface unit 40 has a first projection support member 46 and a second projection surface support member 48 which are hingably attached to the projection surface unit 40 so as to pivot to an orientation which is orthogonal to a plane of a side of the trailer 30.

The first container support member 42 comprises first container support rail 50 having a proximal end 52 and a distal end 54. The first container support rail 50 has a first track 56 running a length thereof. The first container support rail 50 is supported in a horizontal position by an angular support member 58. The angular support member 58 has a support rail fixing end 60 and a vertical strut fixing end 62. The distal end 54 of the first container support rail 50 is connected to the support rail fixing end 60. The first container support member 42 also has a vertical strut 64 with an upper end 66 and a lower end 68. The upper end 66 is attached to proximal end 52 of the support rail 50 and the lower end 68 is connected to the vertical strut fixing end 62 of the angular support member 58. The vertical strut 64 is pivotally attached to the trailer 30 so that the first container support member 42 can pivot to the orientation which is orthogonal to the side of the trailer 30. The second container support member 44 similarly comprises a second container support rail 70 having a proximal end 72 and a distal end 74. The second container support rail 70 has a second track 76 running a length thereof. The second container support rail 70 is supported in a horizontal position by an angular support member 78. The angular support member 78 has a support rail fixing end 80 and a vertical strut fixing end 82. The distal end 74 of the second container support rail 70 is connected to the support rail fixing end 80. The second container support member 44 also has a vertical strut 84 with an upper end 86 and a lower end 88. The upper end 86 is attached to proximal end 72 of the support rail 70 and the lower end 88 is connected to the vertical strut fixing end 82 of the angular support member 78. The vertical strut 84 is pivotally attached to the trailer 30 so that the second container support member 44 can pivot to the orientation which is orthogonal to the side of the trailer 30.

The first projection surface support member 46 comprises first projection surface support rail 90 having a proximal end 92 and a distal end 94. The first projection surface support rail 90 has a first track 96 running a length thereof. The first projection surface support rail 90 is supported in a horizontal position by an angular support member 98. The angular support member 98 has a support rail fixing end 100 and a vertical strut fixing end 102. The distal end 94 of the first projection surface support rail 90 is connected to the support rail fixing end 100. The first projection surface support member 46 also has a vertical strut 104 with an upper end 106 and a lower end 108. The upper end 106 is attached to proximal end 92 of the support rail 90 and the lower end 108 is connected to the vertical strut fixing end 102 of the angular support member 98. The vertical strut 104 is pivotally attached to the trailer 30 so that the first projection surface support member 46 can pivot to the orientation which is orthogonal to the side of the trailer 30.

The second container support member 48 similarly comprises a second projection surface support rail 110 having a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114. The second projection surface support rail 110 has a second track 116 running a length thereof. The second projection surface support rail 110 is supported in a horizontal position by an angular support member 118. The angular support member 118 has a support rail fixing end 120 and a vertical strut fixing end 122. The distal end 114 of the second projection surface support rail 110 is connected to the support rail fixing end 120. The second projection surface support member 48 also has a vertical strut 124 with an upper end 126 and a lower end 128. The upper end 126 is attached to proximal end 112 of the support rail 110 and the lower end 128 is connected to the vertical strut fixing end 122 of the angular support member 118. The vertical strut 124 is pivotally attached to the trailer 30 so that the second projection surface support member 48 can pivot to the orientation which is orthogonal to the side of the trailer 30.

As shown in Fig. 9, once the first and second container support members 42, 44 as and the first and second projection surface members 46, 48 are moved to the orthogonal orientation, they must be supported for stability. As shown, a first vertical post 130 is fixed between a support rail fixing end 60 of the first container support member 42 and the distal end 94 of the first projection surface support member 46. Similarly, a second vertical post 132 is securely fixed between the support rail fixing end 80 of the second container support member 44 and the distal end of the second projection surface support member 48. A third vertical post 134 has an upper end 138 fixed to the support rail fixing end 100 of the first projection surface support member 46 and a second end 140 fitted into a support boot 146 positioned on the ground. By this construction, the first vertical support member 130 and third vertical support member 134 can transfer loading from the container and projection surface to the ground.

Similarly, a fourth vertical post 136 has an upper end 142 secured to the support rail fixing end 120 of the second projection surface support member 48 and a second end 144 fitted into a second support boot 148 which is positioned on the ground. Similarly, the second vertical post 132 and third vertical post 136 can transfer vertical loading of the container and projection surface to the ground.

As shown in Fig. 10, the container 150 has a trough-like configuration for example as an elongated cylinder cut in half along its longitudinal axis. The container 150 has a transparent surface 152. As shown in Fig. 10, the container 150 is supported by the first and second container support member 42 and 44. Longitudinal container support members have respective first longitudinal ends 158 and 160 positioned in the first track 56 of the first container support member 42 and respective second ends 162 and 164 positioned in second track 76 of the second container support member 44. Thus, the container 150 is moveable on the first and second container support members 42 and 44 through the respective first and second tracks 56 and 76.

As shown in Fig. 10, the container is moved in the direction of arrow 166 outwardly towards the respective distal ends 54 and 74. As shown in Fig. 11, the projection surface 168 has a semi-spherical concave projection screen 170 and a supporting ring 172 to which the projection screen 170 is fixed. A first projection 174 from the ring 172 is fitted into the first track 96 of the first projection surface support member 46. In a similar fashion, a second projection 176 from the ring 172 is fitted into the second track 116 of a second projection surface support member 48. By this construction, the projection surface 168 is moveably slidable through the first and second tracks 96 and 116. The projection surface 168 is collapsible to be transported in a trailer and is inflatable when moved to the open in-use position.

As shown in Fig. 11 , the projection surface is moved in the direction of arrow 178 to respective distal ends 94 and 114.

As shown in Fig. 12, platforms 180A and 180B can be positioned on top of support rails 50 and 70 so that persons can access the container 150. Also, a portable set of chairs is provided in the preferred embodiment to enable persons using the image display system to access the trailer.

As shown in Fig. 13, in a more preferred embodiment, change rooms 186A, 186B, 186C, and 186D are provided in the trailer 30. Thus, persons entering the trailer from the stairs 182 can change in the change stalls 186A-D and then proceed up the additional set of portable stairs 184 through opening 188, across platforms 180A and 180B to access the container 150 which is filled with water. Then, projectors (not shown) would be set up at one or more locations to project images onto the projection surface 168. Persons in the container 150 could view the images projected onto the projection surface 168 through the transparent surface 52 of the container.

The embodiments shown in Fig. 6-13 are particularly advantageous for amusements parks and provide a portable image display system of a preferred embodiment.

In a more simplified embodiment, the trailer 30 is a substantially rectangular box having only a container or the container unit 38. No projection surface unit 40 is provided in this simplified embodiment such that vertical separation of the container unit 38 and the projection surface unit 40 is not necessary. A projection surface, for example an inflatable screen, could be positioned underneath the container or the container unit 38 and one or more projectors could be used to project images onto the projection surface. Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is also to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional, or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein and specifically, it will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. An image display system, comprising:

- at least one projector to project an image,

- a projection surface onto which the image can be projected, characterized in that the image display system further comprises a liquid container configured to hold liquid and receive at least one person therein, wherein the projection surface is positioned such that the at least one person in the container can view the image.

2. An image display system according to claim 1 , wherein the container has at least one transparent surface and the projection surface is positioned outside the container so as to be viewable by a person through the at least one transparent surface.

3. An image display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transparent surface is underwater.

4. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-3, wherein the container is a swimming pool having at least one transparent surface and the projection surface is positioned so as to be viewable by a person through the at least one transparent surface.

5. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-4, wherein the projection surface is positioned below the container.

6. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-5, wherein the projection surface has a semispherical concave contour.

7. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-6, wherein the projection surface is a surface of the container submerged under liquid.

8. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-7, wherein multiple projectors are provided, e.g. projectors that are positioned at equidistant locations around a circumference of the projection surface.

9. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-8, wherein the projector is adapted to project the image in response to a person input, preferably of a person in the container.

10. An image display system according to claim 9, wherein the person input is generated from at least one sensor, e.g. a motion sensor, placed on or held by the person in the container.

11. An image display system according to claim 6, wherein the concave semi-spherical projection surface is movable so as to be positioned at different orientations, e.g. heights and/or angles, with respect to a person in the container.

12. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-11 , wherein the container is supported at first and second longitudinal ends and by first and second container support rails and movable thereon, and wherein the projection surface is supported by first and second projection surface rails and movable thereon, such that the container is positionable above the projection surface and an image projected by the at least one projector can be projected onto the projection surface and viewed by a person in the container, whereby the image display system is a portable contained unit.

13. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-12, wherein the projection surface is inflatable.

14. An image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-13, wherein the image display system is contained in one or more portable units, e.g. trailer.

15. A method to project an image onto a projection surface, using an image display system according to one or more of the claims 1-14.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the image is projected in response to a first person input.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the first person input is generated from at least one sensor, e.g. a motion sensor, placed on or held by the user.

18. A method according to one or more of the claims 15-17, wherein the projection surface is moved in response to a second person input.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the second person input is generated from at least one motion sensor placed on the user

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the projector is adjusted such that the image follows the movement of the projection surface.

21. A method according to one or more of the claims 15-20, wherein the image is an outer space image.