Optics: image projectors – Projected image combined with real object
Patent
1997-07-07
1999-02-02
Dowling, William
Optics: image projectors
Projected image combined with real object
359630, 472 58, G03B 2128
Patent
active
058655190
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns an apparatus for representing moving images in the background of a stage or the like using an image source.
Transparency lectures or presentations are known, and that expression is a well-established piece of terminology. In a transparency presentation the presenter projects still images or pictures on to a projection screen. The presenter himself stands outside the light cone between the projector and the projection screen and comments on the images. Instead of the transparency projector the presenter can also use a film apparatus. In that case moving images appear on the projection screen and the presenter comments thereon. In both cases the presenter stands outside the light cone. He does not appear on or in the image himself. If he were to move into the light cone he would mask off a part of the light beam. Instead of the image, the shadow of the presenter would then appear on the projection screen. If the presenter wants to direct the attention of his viewers to a given point in the image he uses for that purpose a pointer or a light with a sharply focussed light beam.
The foregoing kind of presentation is sufficient for image and film presentations for photographic and film amateurs. Travellers who show films or transparencies of their travels to a wide circle of viewers can also use that kind of presentation without detriment. The viewers are only interested in the film or the transparencies and the words of the presenter. They attribute only slight significance to the manner of presentation and the technical equipment involved.
The position is different if the viewers do not have any particular interest in the articles to be shown and an interest first has to be aroused. The position is also different when the film presentation is to take place at a high technical level, for overriding reasons. The situation is also different if the film presentation is to be made more relaxed and less monotonous and linked to so-called display effects.
A theatre production is described as a ghost trick in the literature (for example Buhnentechnische Rundschau, BTR 3/1990, pages 24 and 25), involving disposing a pane of glass inclinedly in the front region of the stage. An actor is positioned beneath the pane of glass and in a lowered part of the stage. He is bedecked with wide white garments and represents the ghost. He is lit by a spotlight which is also disposed under the stage. The image of that actor representing the ghost is projected on to the pane of glass and appears to the viewers behind the pane of glass a virtual image. In that theatre presentation a second actor is on the stage. He represents a hero or sorcerer who conjures up the ghost.
On the basis thereof, the object of the present invention is an apparatus with which film and image presentations can be made relaxed and the presenter himself can move into the image without thereby interfering with reproduction of the image on a projection screen or generally on a surface. In accordance with the invention, that object is attained in an apparatus of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, in that a reflecting surface is arranged on the floor of the stage in the central region thereof, a transparent smooth foil extends between the floor and the top or ceiling of the stage over the entire width thereof in such a way that its lower end is held to a position between the reflecting surface and the background and its upper end is held to the ceiling at a position which is disposed further forwardly, and the image source is arranged at the ceiling in front of the upper end of the foil which is held there, and is directed on to the reflecting surface.
The apparatus according to the invention makes use of the physical principle that any motor car driver experiences on the windshield of his vehicle. An article lying on the storage surface in front of the windshield is reflected therein in such a way that it seems to the motor car driver to be disposed in front of the windshield, as viewed in the direction of travel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1053887 (1913-02-01), Sontag
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patent: 2198815 (1940-04-01), Haskin
patent: 3035836 (1962-05-01), McCulley
patent: 4805895 (1989-02-01), Rogers
patent: 5573325 (1996-11-01), Lekowski
patent: 5669685 (1997-09-01), Kotaui et al.
patent: 5685625 (1997-11-01), Beaver
Rasche et al., Buhnentechniche Rundschau (1990) BTR 3:24-5.
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