Optical: systems and elements – Projection screen – With reflector or additional screen
Patent
1994-03-15
1996-12-31
Shafer, Ricky D.
Optical: systems and elements
Projection screen
With reflector or additional screen
359459, 359619, 359627, 359636, 359839, 359868, 353 79, 353122, G03B 2110, G03B 2156, G02B 508, G02B 2710
Patent
active
055899790
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to a screen simulator arrangement which sets out to provide a person or persons with a substantially realistic simulation of surroundings and/or happenings.
Simulator arrangements are currently known which, generally speaking, comprise cabins, housings, cockpits, seats and the like, from which projected imagery of surroundings, happenings, rides, flights or other movement or surroundings is/are viewed. Often this is viewed in substantial synchronisation with inertial effects. For example, in many cases such simulators are used for flight training and/or the training of motor vehicle drivers. This is however by way of example only. In various cases, however, simulator arrangements are used for entertainment and amusement purposes.
One of the important features of the screen simulator arrangements known up until this time is the screening system, whereby imagery is screened to a viewer or viewers, such as to give a realistic simulation of surroundings and/happenings. To a large extent, less sophisticated units previously known and available project imagery for viewing directly onto a video or film screen. On the other hand, more sophisticated arrangements attempt to present imagery at virtual infinity. Images shown at virtual infinity appear to be beyond framing borders of the screen; indeed, they appear to be outside the screen or capsule containing the screen.
Many of the commercial type-virtual imagery simulator arrangements known up until this time suffer from practical limitations of size, weight and cost, in that the systems are often confined to small window simulators--for example, simulators of fighter-bomber windows; submarine periscopes, gunsights and the like. While adequate for these purposes, they are not appropriate/adequate for use in entertainment systems, where large capacity is required.
Further, in entertainment systems, imagery is often viewed directly on screens such as to appear as flat imagery situated at the screen position. The extent to which realism can be contrived from directly viewed screens is limited and, generally speaking, of a poor quality.
By way of example, screen simulator arrangements previously disclosed are known from international patent specification No WO 89/09431, U.S. Pat Nos. 2,132,904, 2,511,702, 3,198,066, 3,316,053, 3,480,346, 3,741,638, 4,167,311 and United Kingdom patent specifications Nos 147,404 and 167,340.
It is an object of this invention to provide a screen simulator arrangement which provides enhanced realism and/or depth of imagery.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a screen simulator arrangement which increases capacities and enhances the imagery of the simulator arrangements known up until this time.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a screen simulator arrangement which overcomes or at least minimises problems and/or disadvantages apparent in screen simulator arrangements disclosed and known up until this time.
Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a screen simulator arrangement, including spaced apart screen means and one or more mirror means; said screen means being formed with a plurality of spaced apart transparent portions therein and said mirror means being formed with a plurality of holes or openings therein; said screen and mirror means being fixedly located relative to each other; the transparent portions of said screen and the holes or openings of said mirror means being out of register one with the other; a screen surface of said screen means and a reflective surface of said mirror means generally facing inwardly towards each other; said transparent portions of said screen means and said holes or openings of said mirror means being so out of register one with the other, that screen portions of said screen means are in fixed substantial alignment/register with holes or openings in said mirror mean
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patent: 2617329 (1952-11-01), Dreyer
patent: 3248165 (1966-04-01), Marks et al.
patent: 4040726 (1977-08-01), Paca
patent: 5080481 (1992-01-01), Martin et al.
Shafer Ricky D.
Trutan Pty Limited
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