U.S. patent application number 12/789182 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for virtual reality dome theater.
Invention is credited to Cecil Magpuri.
Application Number | 20100300006 12/789182 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43218613 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100300006 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Magpuri; Cecil |
December 2, 2010 |
VIRTUAL REALITY DOME THEATER
Abstract
A dome shape theater has a reflective floor. Audience members
may sit or stand on a central platform viewing area surrounded by
the screen. Audience members may access the viewing area via a
tunnel passing under the reflective floor, by a movable bridge, or
by passageways between divided sections of the reflective floor. A
compound curved screen may alternatively lower from above to
surround the viewing area. A 2D/3D projection system may be used to
create images on the screen. Integrated special effects located
throughout the theater can be synchronized with the media
presentation.
Inventors: |
Magpuri; Cecil; (Windermere,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP
POST OFFICE BOX 1208
SEATTLE
WA
98111-1208
US
|
Family ID: |
43218613 |
Appl. No.: |
12/789182 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61182553 |
May 29, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/8 ; 52/173.1;
52/80.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 37/00 20130101;
E04H 3/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/8 ; 52/173.1;
52/80.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 3/30 20060101
E04H003/30; E04H 3/12 20060101 E04H003/12; E04B 7/10 20060101
E04B007/10 |
Claims
1. A theater comprising: a domed structure; a raised viewing area
in the center of the structure; a substantially continuous domed
screen around the viewing area; and a reflective floor surface
around the perimeter of the structure.
2. The theater of claim 1 wherein the structure is circular.
3. The theater of claim 1 wherein the structure is elliptical.
4. The theater of claim 1 further comprising an audience standing
area within the theater.
5. The theater of claim 1 further comprising audience seating
within the theater.
6. The theater of claim 1 with the theater further comprising an
entrance tunnel and an exit tunnel leading to the viewing area.
7. The theater of claim 1 further comprising 2D and/or 3D
projector(s) arranged to provide substantially seamless edge
blended images on the screen.
8. The theater of claim 4 further comprising concentric circular
handrail sections on tiers in the viewing area.
9. The theater of claim 1 further comprising a control system
operable to coordinate the media presentation with integrated
special effects.
10. The theater of claim 1 further comprising projectors adjacent
to a central location of the theater, with the projectors
projecting images radially outwardly and onto the screen.
11. The theater of claim 1 with the screen curved and continuous
around and over the seats.
12. The theater of claim 1 further comprising a screen lifter for
lifting and the lowering of the screen vertically.
13. The theater of claim 1 further comprising a reflective surface
around the perimeter of the theater configured to create the
illusion of a continuous sphere or ovoid.
14. A theater comprising: a viewing area raised up off of a theater
floor; a substantially continuous domed screen around the viewing
area, with a section of the domed screen below the viewing area;
and with the viewing area having a line of sight to the section of
the domed screen below the viewing area, providing audience members
on the viewing area with an elevation angle field of view of the
screen greater than 180.degree..
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent
application No. 61/182,553 filed May 29, 2009, and incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to cinema theaters, and
more particularly to structures providing sensory immersion in a
motion picture presentation.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Traditionally, cinematic or motion picture theaters have a
stationary rectangular screen, and with all of the theater seats
facing forward towards the screen. Theaters have been built with
various shapes including round, elliptical or polygonal shapes.
Various types of dome-shaped theaters or planetariums have also
been used. In these theaters, the audience is generally seated
across the floor of the theater space and the audience views the
screen above and around them.
[0004] In recent years, cinematic theaters have provided a
progressively wider field of view. For example, the recent "IMAX"
format offers a large image allowing the viewer to feel somewhat
immersed in the on-screen images. The "IMAX Dome" is similar to a
typical planetarium and has a hemispherical screen, which provides
more of a virtual reality setting than a conventional flat screen
theatre. In the IMAX dome, if a person in the audience looks to the
left, or to the right, or up, that person will typically see the
screen. However, since the screen is a hemisphere, when looking
straight ahead, the person may also see the side walls and spaces
of the theater below the level of the screen. This is undesirable
because, at one moment, the person could be looking up at an image
of the sky, and then at the next moment, the person might look
horizontally or downwardly and see the theater walls or the floor.
Allowing the audience to see these non-screen areas of the theater
degrades the immersive virtual reality experience provided by the
theater.
SUMMARY
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
motion picture experience capable of showing a screen image to an
audience, where the audience will perceive an illusion that they
are viewing the images within a sphere or an ovoid.
[0006] A virtual reality theater with a viewing and screen
arrangement provides an image throughout substantially the audience
member's or users complete sight line. The user's line of sight
generally does not depart from the virtual reality image displayed.
A reflective floor surface can be used to create an optical
illusion that the theater is a continuous sphere or ovoid. The
theater provides a large viewing angle, as well as an illusion of
being within a sphere or oval. Regardless of the viewing direction
or angle, the audience perceives that they are within a continuous
sphere or oval. The screen may extend beyond the audience member's
field of view, and may be supplemented with a separate reflective
surface. Consequently, the sensation of being immersed in or being
part of the motion picture is enhanced. Other media besides motion
pictures may also be projected or formed on the screen. For example
the present theater may also be used with video games, planetarium
shows, flight simulators, or other applications involving visual
media.
[0007] An entertainment structure in the form of a dome-shaped
theater has a screen formed in a circular or elliptical shape. The
size of the theater can vary based on the specific application of
the theater and the visual content to be used. The interior of the
structure may generally be a circular, near circular or elliptical
shape. Members of an audience may enter the theater through
subterranean, surface level or elevated bridges or tunnels before
the cinematic presentation begins. Alternatively, the audience may
be mechanically moved into the theater on seating (or standing)
platforms.
[0008] Rather than just having tier upon tier of stadium seating,
the present theater may have an elevated and tiered viewing area in
the center of the theater so that the audience, whether seated or
standing within the viewing area, feels immersed in the images on
the screen. If the viewing area is tiered, each member of the
audience has a generally unobstructed view of the screen. In
addition, if the audience views the presentation while standing up,
rather than being seated, the audience members can more freely turn
to view any area of the screen, including the areas directly behind
them.
[0009] The screen generally curves above and over the head of the
standing or sifting audience members in the viewing area. The
screen also curves in front of, to the left, to the right and
behind the audience. The screen may also curve partially below the
audience, so that when they look down, their line of sight will
intersect with the screen. Specifically, the lower edge of the
screen may be positioned at, or just a few centimeters above, the
theater floor on which the audience is seated or standing.
[0010] A reflective floor surface, such as a mirror, may be
provided around the perimeter of the theater, so that it
substantially completely surrounds the viewing area. The reflective
floor surface reflects the image on the screen. Thus, even if the
audience looks directly down towards the bottom edge of the screen,
the reflected image appears to extend beyond the plane of the
actual floor. Hence, the audience has a greatly extended viewing,
and perceives the illusion that the theater is a continuous sphere
or ovoid. The image projected onto the lower section of the screen
may be adapted for this purpose. For example, the lower section of
the image may be a landscape, seascape, outer-space scene, or
similar image where the reflected image from the floor surface is
visually consistent with the media program.
[0011] Whether it is a circular or elliptical shape, the screen
generally entirely encircles the audience viewing area, providing
continuous 360-degree+image viewing. The screen may be moveable
relative to seating or the standing space in the viewing area. For
example, the screen may be moveable from a raised position, when
the audience enters and exits the theater, to a lowered position
during the cinematic presentation. Conversely, the screen may be
fixed and the audience viewing area lifted up to the screen, after
the audience is seated or moved onto the standing space of the
viewing area.
[0012] Viewing for members of an audience may be provided on an
elevated platform located in the center of the theater. Audience
members may stand in a tiered arrangement equipped with lean bars.
Audience members may sit in seats arranged in various
configurations. The seats may be equipped with a variety of special
effects such as scent, neck blast, wind blast, leg tickler and seat
rumble. A 2D and/or 3D projection system may be oriented within the
structure to project images on the entire screen. Projection
overlap and image edge blending may be used. Alternatively, other
non-projecting image forming techniques may be used, such as having
the screen itself generate the images, for example via LCD, plasma,
DLP, etc.
[0013] An electronic control system may be used to synchronize the
sound, lighting, and special effects with the visual images on the
screen, to give the viewer a vivid sensation of being completely
immersed in the images on the screen, as if being there. The system
may include a number of variations including a variety of seating
orientations, as well as visual, visceral, tactile and audible
sensations which simulate the sensations of being in a particular
environment, storyline, experience, and/or action.
[0014] The viewing area may have capacity for one or more audience
members, up to several hundred audience members, or more. The
audience members may be standing or sitting in the viewing area and
face radially inwardly or outwardly. The sitting or standing
arrangement may also range in circumference from 180 degrees to
360. If seats are used in the theater, they can be equipped with a
variety of effects including, scent, neck blast, wind blast, leg
tickler and seat rumble.
[0015] A tunnel or similar walkway may be located at one location
or at two or more locations of the theater, to provide access for
audience into the theater. The tunnel or walkway can be
subterranean, so that audience members may walk below the surface
level of the theater to reach the audience viewing area or
platform. The tunnel or walkway can be on the surface level of the
theater, allowing audience members to walk onto the audience
viewing platform without walking across the reflective floor
surface. Thus, the silhouettes of the audience members do not
interfere with the lighting or projected images on the screen. The
locations and number of tunnels used may be varied, as the type,
number and location of the walkways is not essential to the
theater.
[0016] The dome theater described may be used for cinematic
entertainment and educational purposes. It may include a 360-degree
compound curved screen extending upwardly in a dome shape from the
floor of the theater. The screen may be hidden in a ceiling mount.
At the appropriate time, the screen may be lowered into position
within and/or around the audience viewing platform. When the
presentation is ended the screen may be raised and restored to its
original position. The screen and the viewing area may also be
stationary.
[0017] The controller may be operatively integrated with the media
presentation, and operable in response to a signal or signals
embedded in the media or emanating from the projection system. Most
conveniently, the controller includes a microprocessor for which,
in either case, the projector or projector system is cued by the
microprocessor. The electronic control system thus may be
synchronized with the sound and the projected media to give the
viewer a vivid sensation of being completely immersed in the action
on the screen, as if being there.
[0018] In one form, the entertainment structure may have surround
sound audio components with a multi-channel system including a
respective speaker unit on each channel of the system. Speakers may
be mounted for the optimal level of audience immersion.
[0019] The screen may be embedded with source lights in the form of
strobes, LEDs or any other lighting elements. Lighting elements may
also be located in other areas of the theater such is in the
flooring or around the perimeter of the audience viewing platform.
Such lighting elements may be operated independently or
synchronized with the media presentation being viewed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates
the same element in each of the views:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view of a new theater design.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the theater shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative shape theater.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a section of the theater shown
in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a section of alternative
theater design.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a side view of another alternative theater
design.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the theater shown in FIG. 5 or
6.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a side view of a further alternative
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a theater has a dome shaped screen 20
supported by a screen structure 18. In the design shown, the dome
shaped screen 20 is a half sphere and extends for 180 degrees. The
theater floor adjacent to the screen is a reflective floor 10. The
reflective floor 10 substantially surrounds an audience viewing
area 14, where the audience is seated or standing during the show.
The lower edge 22 of the screen may start at, or a few centimeters
above, the reflective floor 10. The lower edge of the screen 22 may
be resting on, or otherwise in contact with, the reflective floor
10. The reflective floor 10 may have a mirror surface. The
reflective floor 10 may also be a one-way mirror with sub-floor
lighting 34 projecting up through the floor.
[0030] Turning to FIG. 2, the theater may have one or more
entrances and exits 12 to allow the audience members to enter and
exit the audience viewing area 14. If the theater is set up for the
audience to stand in the viewing area 14, lean or guide handrails
or bars may be provided in the viewing area, typically in
concentric rings. FIG. 2 shows a single hand rail ring 54 for
purpose of illustration. As shown in FIG. 2, the reflective floor
10 is provided in sectors 26 that are separated by the
entrance/exit passageways 12. The passageways 12 are conventional
non-reflective floor materials, such as carpeting, since the
audience walks on these surfaces. A barrier rail or other structure
may be provided between the reflective floor sectors 26 and the
audience viewing area 14, to discourage or prevent the audience
from walking or standing on the sectors 26.
[0031] A special effects core 24 may be provided at the center of
the theater. The special effects core 24 may include projectors,
and special effects equipment such as fog generators, lasers, sound
equipment, etc. Additional projectors 16 may be located at other
positions in the theater, and/or behind the screen 20 to provide
rear image projection.
[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a half-spherical screen 20. The screen 20
and the theater may be also made oval or elliptical, as shown in
FIG. 3. Also as shown in FIG. 3, doors may be provided at the
entrances/exits. As shown in FIG. 4, the reflective floor 10 may be
spaced apart above the structure floor 60 on risers 62, with
sub-floor lighting 34 provided below the reflective floor 10 and
above the structure floor 60.
[0033] FIGS. 5 and 7 show an alternative design which allows for a
continuous reflective floor ring 32 uninterrupted by any entrance
or exit. As shown in FIG. 5, the audience enters the viewing area
14 via a tunnel 28 below the reflective floor 10. Stairs, ramps,
escalators or elevators 50 then lead up from the tunnel 28 to
entrances/exits 52 in the viewing area 14. The entrances/exits 12
that interrupt the reflective floor 10 are not used or needed, and
the reflective floor 10 may then be provided as a continuous ring
32.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows another design which also allows for the
reflective floor to be provided as a continuous ring 32. In FIG. 6,
the audience enters and exits the viewing area 14 via a movable
bridge 40. During audience movement into or out of the viewing area
14, the bridge is down and extends over the reflective floor
through a bridge door in the screen 20. The section of screen 46 at
the bridge doorway 44 is temporarily lifted up or to one side and
out of the way by an actuator 48. After the audience is in the
viewing area 14, the bridge is lifted up, and/or pulled back and
out of the bridge doorway 44 via a bridge mover 42. The actuator
moves the screen section 46 into the bridge doorway 44. The show in
the theater then begins. After the show, the bridge 40 is moved
back into the bridge doorway 44. FIG. 6 shows a pivoting bridge 40,
although other types of moving bridges may also be used.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 7, the reflective floor 10 extends
radially inwardly from the screen 20 by a dimension DD. Dimension
DD may vary depending on the dimensions of the theater and the type
of image formation techniques used. With projected images, if an
audience member gets too close to the screen 20, the projected
images may be blocked or degraded due to interference by audience
member. The barrier rail 70, if used, and the radial dimension DD
of the reflective floor 10, are then positioned to prevent the
audience from getting close enough to the screen to interfere with
the image formation on the screen.
[0036] The audience viewing area 14 may be at a single level, or it
may be provided in tiers, with the highest tier towards the center
of the theater and the lowest tier closest to the reflective floor
10.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows an alternative design 80 where the audience
viewing area 14 is raised up from the theater floor 10. For
example, the viewing area may be 1-10 meters above the floor. The
screen 20 extends below the viewing area 14, with the bottom edge
22 of the screen near or at the floor 10. The viewing area may be
arranged so that the section 82 of the screen below the viewing
area is visible, but the floor 10 is not. Alternatively, a
reflective surface may be provided on the floor 10 between the
screen 22 and the viewing area.
[0038] Thus, novel designs have been shown and described. Various
changes and substitutions can of course be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention,
therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims,
and their equivalents.
* * * * *