U.S. patent application number 15/326448 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for theater having provided with screen having curvature, and chair control system for same.
The applicant listed for this patent is CJ CGV CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Young Wook CHOI, Min Jung KIM, Ok Sun KIM, Young Mi KIM, Hae Jeong KOH, Bon Il KOO, No Chan PARK, In Jae SEONG, Byoung Jun SONG.
Application Number | 20170273473 15/326448 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55306902 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170273473 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SEONG; In Jae ; et
al. |
September 28, 2017 |
THEATER HAVING PROVIDED WITH SCREEN HAVING CURVATURE, AND CHAIR
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SAME
Abstract
The present invention relates to a theater having provided with
a screen having curvature, and a chair control system for same and,
more specifically, to a theater comprising: a screen having
predetermined curvature in the long axial direction or the short
axial direction; and theater chairs provided so as to face the
center of the screen, wherein the screen is tilted. Therefore, by
providing the angles of theater chairs to vary with respect to the
location in a theater having provided with a screen that has
curvature in the horizontal axis as well as the vertical axis, the
present invention enables securing of an optimal field of vision
for audience.
Inventors: |
SEONG; In Jae; (Seoul,
KR) ; SONG; Byoung Jun; (Incheon, KR) ; KOH;
Hae Jeong; (Seoul, KR) ; KOO; Bon Il; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Min Jung; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Young
Mi; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Ok Sun; (Seoul, KR)
; PARK; No Chan; (Incheon, KR) ; CHOI; Young
Wook; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CJ CGV CO., LTD. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55306902 |
Appl. No.: |
15/326448 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
July 15, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2015/007374 |
371 Date: |
January 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 3/18 20130101; E04C
3/38 20130101; E04H 3/22 20130101; A47C 1/124 20130101; E04B 1/942
20130101; G03B 21/56 20130101; F16M 11/04 20130101; A47C 1/024
20130101; G03B 21/58 20130101; F16B 2001/0035 20130101; H04N 9/3188
20130101; H04N 13/398 20180501; G03B 21/003 20130101; A47C 31/00
20130101; F16M 11/18 20130101; H04N 9/3147 20130101; F16B 47/00
20130101; F16M 11/22 20130101; B05D 5/063 20130101; E04B 9/0464
20130101; G01J 1/44 20130101; G03B 21/60 20130101; B05D 7/54
20130101; G03B 21/606 20130101; G03B 2206/00 20130101; E04B 9/18
20130101; E04H 3/30 20130101; E04B 9/0407 20130101; E04B 9/061
20130101; F16B 1/00 20130101; G03B 21/565 20130101; G03B 21/562
20130101; G03B 37/04 20130101; E04B 1/19 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00; E04H 3/30 20060101 E04H003/30; A47C 1/024 20060101
A47C001/024; A47C 1/124 20060101 A47C001/124; A47C 3/18 20060101
A47C003/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 15, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0089365 |
Jul 15, 2015 |
KR |
10.2015.0100587 |
Claims
1. A theater on which a screen having curvature has been installed,
comprising: a screen having specific curvature in a long-axis
direction or short-axis direction; and a theater seat installed to
face a center of the screen, wherein the screen has a tilt.
2. The theater of claim 1, wherein the theater seat comprises: a
sheet; a support unit supporting a bottom of the sheet; and a back
of the seat joined to the sheet or the support unit and upward
extended and formed.
3. The theater of claim 1, wherein an angle of the sheet of the
theater seat is differently installed depending on a location.
4. The theater of claim 1, wherein an angle of the back of the seat
of the theater seat is differently installed depending on a
location.
5. The theater of claim 1, wherein angles of the sheet and back of
the seat of the theater seat are differently installed depending on
locations.
6. The theater of claim 1, wherein: the theater seats are divided
into groups depending on locations, and angles of the sheet and
back of the seat of the theater seat are differently installed
depending on locations for each group.
7. A system for controlling a theater seat in a theater on which a
screen having specific curvature in a long-axis direction or
short-axis direction has been installed, the system comprising: a
theater seat receiving a seat driving command and moving in
response to the seat driving command; and a theater server sending
the seat driving command to the theater seat.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the theater seat comprises: a
sheet; a support unit supporting a bottom of the sheet; a back of
the seat joined to the sheet or the support unit and upward
extended and formed; and a seat control unit receiving the seat
driving command from the theater server and controlling a movement
of the sheet, the support unit and the back of the seat.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the theater server controls an
angle of the sheet.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the theater server controls an
angle of the back of the seat.
11. The system of claim 7, wherein the theater server sends a
different seat driving command to each theater seat.
12. The system of claim 7, further comprising a support receiving a
support driving command and changing a shape or tilt of the screen
in response to the support driving command, wherein the theater
server sends the support driving command to the support.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the theater server previously
sets a seat driving command for each theater seat according to a
support driving command for the support and simultaneously sends
the support driving command and the seat driving command to the
support and the theater seat.
14. The system of claim 7, wherein the theater server sends a
previously set seat driving command corresponding to a playback
time of content, a frame or a scene.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a theater on which a screen
having curvature has been installed and a system for controlling a
theater seat and, more particularly, to a theater including a
screen having specific curvature in a long-axis direction or
short-axis direction and a theater seat installed to face the
center of the screen, wherein the screen has a tilt.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, a movie theater has a structure in which a
rectangle screen is provided in a building of a rectangular
parallelepiped having the vertical surface of a wall, and is
fabricated to allow audiences to watch visual media within a
specific space.
[0003] However, such a rectangle screen has structural problems in
that a three-dimensional effect is not present and a sense of
immersion is not sufficient because visual media is projected on a
plane screen when audiences watch the visual media. Accordingly,
various methods are recently suggested in order to solve such
problems.
[0004] A method for implementing the shape of a screen in a curved
surface form is emerging as one of methods for solving the
problems.
[0005] In this case, the curved surface screen has a problem in
that a difference in a provided angle of view is great depending on
the location of an audience seat because the curved surface screen
has curvature, unlike a plane screen. Accordingly, audiences prefer
only seats in a specific area and avoid other areas, making the
utilization of seats inefficient.
[0006] Accordingly, if a screen having curvature which moves left
and right and top and bottom and has curvature in a vertical axis
in addition to a horizontal axis is developed, there will be a
problem in that it is further difficult to secure a viewing angle
according to the location of each seat.
[0007] The present invention has been invented based on such a
technological background and also has been invented to satisfy the
aforementioned technological needs and to provide additional
technological elements that may not be easily invented by those
skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0008] The present invention has been made keeping in mind the
above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the
present invention is to provide an optimum field of vision by
differently installing each seat at a different angle so that an
audience can normally watch a screen at the location of each seat
in a theater on which the screen having curvature in a vertical
axis in addition to a horizontal axis has been installed.
[0009] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to enable
an audience to have an optimum viewing angle and various effects so
that a high sense of immersion is transferred to the audience by
controlling a movement of a seat depending on a shape of a
screen.
Technical Solution
[0010] To achieve the above objects, according to the present
invention, a theater on which a screen having curvature has been
installed may include a screen having specific curvature in a
long-axis direction or short-axis direction and a theater seat
installed to face the center of the screen, wherein the screen may
have a tilt. In this case, the theater seat may include a sheet, a
support unit supporting the bottom of the sheet, and a back of the
seat joined to the sheet or the support unit and upward extended
and formed.
[0011] Furthermore, an angle of the sheet of the theater seat may
be differently installed depending on a location, an angle of the
back of the seat of the theater seat may be differently installed
depending on a location or angles of the sheet and back of the seat
of the theater seat may be differently installed depending on
locations.
[0012] Furthermore, the theater seats may be divided into groups
depending on locations. Angles of the sheet and back of the seat of
the theater seat may be differently installed depending on the
location for each group.
[0013] According to the present invention, a system for controlling
a theater seat in a theater on which a screen having specific
curvature in a long-axis direction or short-axis direction has been
installed includes a theater seat receiving a seat driving command
and moving in response to the seat driving command and a theater
server sending the seat driving command to the theater seat.
[0014] In this case, the theater seat may include a sheet, a
support unit supporting the bottom of the sheet, a back of the seat
joined to the sheet or the support unit and upward extended and
formed, and a seat control unit receiving the seat driving command
from the theater server and controlling a movement of the sheet,
the support unit and the back of the seat.
[0015] Furthermore, the theater server may control an angle of the
sheet, may control an angle of the back of the seat or may send a
different seat driving command to each theater seat.
[0016] Furthermore, the theater server may divide the theater seats
into groups depending on their locations and send a different seat
driving command to each group.
[0017] Meanwhile, the system may further include a support
receiving a support driving command and changing a shape or tilt of
the screen in response to the support driving command, wherein the
theater server may send the support driving command to the
support.
[0018] In this case, the theater server may previously set a seat
driving command for each theater seat according to a support
driving command for the support and simultaneously send the support
driving command and the seat driving command to the support and the
theater seat.
[0019] Furthermore, the theater server may send a previously set
seat driving command corresponding to the playback time of content,
a frame or a scene.
Advantageous Effects
[0020] In accordance with the present invention, an optimum field
of vision can be provided by differently installing each seat at a
different angle so that an audience can normally watch a screen at
the location of each seat in a theater on which the screen having
curvature in a vertical axis in addition to a horizontal axis has
been installed.
[0021] Furthermore, the present invention enable an audience to
have an optimum viewing angle and various effects so that a high
sense of immersion is transferred to the audience by controlling a
movement of a seat according to the running time of a movie.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a reference diagram for illustrating the state in
which the sheets of theater seats have been disposed at different
angles in order to provide an optimum field of vision to audiences
at the location of the seats depending on curvature of a screen in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for illustrating the state in
which the sheets of theater seats have been disposed at different
angles in order to provide an optimum field of vision to audiences
at the location of the seats depending on curvature of a screen in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a reference diagram for illustrating the state in
which the sheets of theater seats have been disposed at different
angles in order to provide an optimum field of vision to audiences
at the location of the seats depending on curvature of a screen in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a reference diagram for illustrating the state in
which the backs of theater seats have been disposed at different
angles in order to provide an optimum field of vision to audiences
at the location of the seats depending on curvature of a screen in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating the configuration of a
theater seat according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the configuration of a
system for controlling a theater seat according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating a configuration in
which a theater seat includes a seat control unit according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a reference diagram for illustrating the state in
which the angle of the sheet of a theater seat is controlled in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a reference diagram for illustrating the state in
which the angle of the back of a seat in a theater seat is
controlled in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0031] The details of the objects and technological configurations
of the present invention and acting effects thereof will be more
clearly understood from the following detailed description based on
the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0032] Embodiments disclosed in this specification should not be
interpreted as limiting or used to limit the range of right of the
present invention. It is evident to those skilled in the art that a
description including the embodiments of this specification has
various applications. Accordingly, unless otherwise defined by the
claims, some embodiments described are illustrative for better
understanding, and the range of right of the present invention is
not intended to be restricted by the embodiments.
[0033] Function blocks illustrated in the drawings and described
hereunder are only examples of possible implementations. In other
implementations, different functional blocks may be used without
departing from the spirit and scope of the detailed description.
Furthermore, one or more functional blocks of the present invention
are illustrated as separate blocks, but one or more of the
functional blocks of the present invention may be a combination of
various hardware and software elements for executing the same
function.
[0034] Furthermore, it should be understood that an expression that
some elements are included is an expression of an open type and the
expression simply denotes that the corresponding elements are
present, but does not exclude additional elements.
[0035] Furthermore, when it is said that one element is connected
or coupled to the other element, it should be understood that one
element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element,
but a third element may exist between the two elements.
[0036] Furthermore, expressions, such as "the first" and "the
second", are expressions used to only distinguish a plurality of
elements from one another, and do not limit the sequence of the
elements or other characteristics.
[0037] FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams for illustrating the state in
which the sheets 110 of theater seats 100 and the backs 130 of the
seats have been disposed at different angles in order to provide an
optimum field of vision to audiences at the location of the seats
depending on curvature of a screen in accordance with embodiments
of the present invention.
[0038] A theater according to an embodiment of the present
invention includes a screen 10 having specific curvature in a
long-axis direction or short-axis direction and the theater seat
100 installed to face the center of the screen. The screen has a
tilt. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the theater seat 100 may
include the sheet 110, a support unit 120 supporting the bottom of
the sheet 110, and the back 130 of the seat joined to the sheet 110
or the support unit 120 and upward extended and formed.
[0039] In this case, the tilt refers to an angle formed by a
straight line that connects the first long-axis member and second
long-axis member of a frame to be described later at the shortest
distance and the vertical stand of a support to be described
later.
[0040] The frame refers to a structure joined to the support in
order to maintain the shape of the screen 10 having curvature. The
frame includes a long-axis member or a short-axis member having
curvature, and functions to closely attach the screen to the
members, eventually implementing the screen 10 having curvature. In
this case, the long-axis member is a member longer than the
short-axis member. In view of the characteristics of a screen
installed on a theater, it is preferred that the long-axis member
is disposed in a horizontal-axis direction and the short-axis
member is disposed in a vertical-axis direction. In this case, the
long-axis member of the frame includes the first long-axis member
and the second long-axis member on which the top and bottom of the
screen are respectively mounted.
[0041] Furthermore, the support refers to a structure, basically
including a vertical stand having a framework fixed to the ground
and a horizontal stand joined to the vertical stand and joined to
the frame or the screen 10 having curvature. The vertical stand and
the horizontal stand are framework materials of a structure
installed to support the screen 10 having curvature and the frame
of the screen having curvature. It is preferred that the vertical
stand and the horizontal stand are fabricated using a solid
material. In this case, the connection portion of the support and
the frame may be fixed using a connection joint or it is preferred
that the support and the frame are joined together using
welding.
[0042] In this case, there is an advantage in that a sense of
immersion is enhanced because the upper part of a screen becomes
closer to the visual field of an audience as the tilt
increases.
[0043] Accordingly, the theater seat 100 of the present invention
is installed so that the body or eyes of an audience face the
center of the screen when the audience is seated in the theater
seat 100. Although an audience is seated in the theater seat 100 at
any location, the audience can watch the screen 10 having curvature
in the state in which a stabilized field of vision has been
secured. In this case, the angle and direction of each theater seat
100 may be different, or the theaters seats 100 may be classified
into groups depending on their locations and may have different
angles and directions for each group.
[0044] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, if spaces where the support
units 120 of the theater seats 100 disposed in the same column will
be installed are to be connected, the spaces may be disposed in a
round form to draw an arc of a specific form and the angles of the
sheets may be disposed so that they face the center of the screen.
As shown in FIG. 2, if spaces where the support units 120 of the
theater seats disposed on the surfaces of left and right walls on
the basis of stairs for going up and down for the seats of the
theater will be installed are to be connected, the spaces may be
disposed to draw a diagonal line. As shown in FIG. 3, the sheets of
the theater seats 100 disposed on the surfaces of left and right
walls on the basis of stairs for going up and down for the seats of
the theater may be disposed at different angles by taking into
consideration the size of the theater and curvature or tilt of the
screen 10. In this case, the sheets of all of the seats installed
on the surface of the wall may be installed at almost the same
angle. However, the angles of the sheets 110 of the theater seats
100 disposed close to the surfaces of the left and right walls may
be twisted toward the center of the screen 10, and the angles of
the sheets 110 of the theater seats 100 disposed on the center side
of the screen 10 may be installed in a direction almost
perpendicular to the surface of a wall on which the screen 10 has
been installed.
[0045] The shape of the screen 10 according to the present
invention is not essentially limited to a plane. For example, the
screen 10 may have curvature of a specific size in a long-axis
direction or short-axis direction. Alternatively, the screen 10 may
have curvature of a specific size both in the long-axis and
short-axis directions and may be implemented as a so-called
ovalness. In the present invention, a side that belongs to the
sides of the screen 10 and that has a relatively longer length is
defined as a long axis and a side that belongs to the sides of the
screen 10 and that has a relatively shorter length is defined as a
short axis. Preferably, the horizontal side of the screen 10 is
defined as a long axis, and the vertical side of the screen 10 is
defined as a short axis.
[0046] As may be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the screen 10 according to
the present invention may be implemented in an ovalness concaved
toward the theater seats 100. If the screen 10 is implemented so
that curvature is generated in the long axis or short axis of the
screen 10 as described above, there is an advantage in that a
higher sense of immersion and a three-dimensional effect can be
provided to audiences.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating the configuration of
the theater seat 100 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the theater seat 100 may include
the sheet 110, the support unit 120 supporting the bottom of the
sheet 110, and the back 130 of the seat which is joined to the
sheet 110 or the support unit 120 and upward extended and
formed.
[0048] The theater seat 100 is described in detail below. The sheet
110 is a portion that comes into contact with a hip portion when an
audience is seated. The support unit 120 is formed from the ground
and supports the bottom of the sheet 110. The back 130 of the seat
is joined to the sheet 110 or the support unit 120 and upward
extended and formed, and supports the back or head portion of an
audience. Furthermore, the theater seat 100 may further include an
armrest joined to any one of the sheet 110 and the back 130 of the
seat. When the theater seat 100 is moved by control of a theater
server 200, the armrest supports the body of an audience so that
the audience can watch a movie safely.
[0049] As described above, the screen 10 has curvature in the
short-axis direction in addition to the long-axis direction.
Accordingly, when an audience watches the screen 10, a viewing
angle secured depending on the location of each theater seat 100 is
different depending on the location of the left and right direction
in which the theater seat 100 has been disposed, and a viewing
angle may also be different depending on the location of the up and
down direction in which the theater seat 100 has been disposed. For
this reason, according to the present invention, a safer field of
vision can be provided to an audience because the theater seat 100
is disposed at a different angle depending on its installation
location.
[0050] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the angle of the
sheet 110 of the theater seat 100 may be different depending on the
location of the sheet. The angle of the sheet 110 means an angle
(refer to FIG. 8) generated by rotating the sheet 100 clockwise or
counterclockwise based on the direction of the surface of a wall on
which the screen 10 has been installed.
[0051] The screen 10 of the present invention has curvature in the
long-axis direction. Accordingly, although the theater seats 100
are located at the same height, audiences may have different
viewing angles when watching the screen 10 depending on the left,
right or central location of the screen 10. Accordingly, although
the theater seats 100 are located at the same height as shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3, the sheets 110 are disposed at different angles
toward the center of the screen 10, so audiences can watch a movie
played back on the screen 10 having curvature more comfortably.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the back 130 of the theater seat
100 may be disposed at a different angle depending on its location.
The angle of the back 130 of the seat means an angle (refer to FIG.
9) formed by the back 130 of the seat and the sheet 110.
[0052] Furthermore, the screen 10 of the present invention has
curvature in the short-axis direction. Accordingly, although
audiences are located in the same direction based on the screen 10,
the audiences may have different viewing angles when watching the
screen 10 depending on their heights. Accordingly, although
audiences are seated in the theater seats 100 located at different
heights as shown in FIG. 4, the backs 130 of the theater seats 100
are disposed at different angles so that the bodies and heads of
the audiences face the center of the screen 10. Accordingly, the
audiences can watch a movie played back on the screen 10 having
curvature more comfortably.
[0053] More specifically, the back 130 of the seat and the sheet
110 may be disposed at different angles depending on the location
of the theater seat 100.
[0054] The screen 10 of the present invention may have curvature in
the long-axis direction and the short-axis direction. It is
preferred that both the sheet 110 and the back 130 of the seat are
disposed at different angles depending on the location of each
theater seat 100. Accordingly, it is preferred that the angle of
the sheet 110 and the angle of the back 130 of the seat are
adjusted toward the center of the screen 10 at the location of each
theater seat 100 by taking into consideration the size of a theater
and curvature of the screen 10. In this case, there is an advantage
in that an audience can be provided with a safe field of vision
although he or she is location at any place. Accordingly, a
conventional problem in that a viewing angle is different depending
on an audience seat can be solved.
[0055] Furthermore, the theater seats 100 may be classified into
groups depending on their locations. The sheets 110 and backs 130
of the theater seats 100 may be disposed at different angles
according to the group. In this case, it is preferred that theater
seats 100 at places that require a similar angle of the sheet 110
and a similar angle of the back 130 of the seat are classified as
one group by taking into consideration the size of a theater and
curvature of the screen 10. In this case, there is an advantage in
that the angles of the sheet 110 and back 130 of a theater seat 100
can be previously set before the theater seat 100 is installed on a
theater and the theater seat 100 can be fabricated and
supplied.
[0056] As described above, FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrams for
illustrating the configurations in which the sheets 110 or backs
130 of the theater seats 100 are disposed at different angles in
order to provide an optimum field of vision to audiences depending
on the locations of the theater seats 100 within a theater. FIGS. 6
to 9 are diagrams for illustrating configurations in which the
theater server 200 controls a movement of the theater seat 100 or a
support 300. In this case, it should be understood that the angle
of the sheet 110 or the angle of the back 130 of the seat in the
theater seat 100 is not fixed, but can be controlled by the theater
server 200.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating an overall
configuration of a system for controlling the theater seat 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, the system for controlling a theater
seat according to an embodiment of the present invention includes
the theater seat 100 which receives a seat driving command and
moves in response to the seat driving command and the theater
server 200 which sends the seat driving command to the theater seat
100 in the theater seat of a theater on which the screen 10 having
specific curvature in the long-axis direction or short-axis
direction has been installed.
[0059] In this case, as described above, the screen 10 according to
the present invention is not essentially restricted to a plane. For
example, the screen 10 may have curvature of a specific size in the
long-axis direction or the short-axis direction. Alternatively, the
screen 10 may have curvature of a specific size both in the
long-axis and short-axis directions and thus may be implemented as
a so-called ovalness.
[0060] Meanwhile, the seat driving command commonly refers to data
including information necessary to drive the theater seat 100, and
may include the ID number of a theater seat 100 to be driven, a
length to be increased or decreased, an angle to be tilted, a
driving start time, a driving end time and so on.
[0061] The seat driving command is received from the outside. For
example, the seat driving command may be received using a method
through an input device of a theater operator, a method through
connection with a recording medium such as a USB, or a method over
a network from an external server.
[0062] The theater seat 100 is a seat installed on a theater in
which the screen 10 having curvature is used. The theater seat 100
may be controlled so that it provides an optimum viewing angle and
a sense of immersion to an audience at the location of each theater
seat 100 when the audience watches the screen 10 having curvature.
The screen 10 has curvature in the short-axis direction in addition
to the long-axis direction. Accordingly, a viewing angle secured
depending on the location of each theater seat 100 when an audience
watches the screen 10 may be different depending on the left and
right direction in which the theater seat 100 has been disposed,
and a viewing angle may also be different depending on the up and
down direction in which the theater seat 100 has been disposed.
Accordingly, the present invention has an advantage in that an
audience can watch the screen 10 having curvature more comfortably
by controlling the theater seat 100 through the theater server
200.
[0063] In this case, referring to FIG. 7, the theater seat 100 may
include the sheet 110, the support unit 120 supporting the bottom
of the sheet 110, the back 130 of the seat joined to the sheet 110
or the support unit 120 and upward extended and formed, and a seat
control unit 140 which receives a seat driving command from the
theater server 200 and controls a movement of the sheet 110, the
support unit 120 and the back 130 of the seat.
[0064] The sheet 110 is a portion that comes into contact with a
hip portion when an audience is seated. The support unit 120 is
formed from the ground and supports the bottom of the sheet 110.
The back 130 of the seat is joined to the sheet 110 or the support
unit 120 and upward extended and formed, and supports the back or
head portion of an audience. Furthermore, the theater seat 100 may
further include an armrest joined to any one of the sheet 110 and
the back 130 of the seat. When the theater seat 100 is moved by
control of a theater server 200, the armrest supports the body of
an audience so that the audience can watch a movie safely.
[0065] The seat control unit 140 functions to receive a driving
command from the outside as described above or to newly generate a
driving command and to send the driving signal to the sheet 110,
the support unit 120 or the back 130 of the seat. Furthermore, the
theater server 200 may adopt a method for separately controlling
the seat control units 140 respectively included in a plurality of
the theater seats 100 or a method for dividing the area of the
plurality of theater seats 100 into areas and controlling the seat
control units 140 for each area. It is preferred that the theater
server 200 assigns each unique ID to each of the seat control units
140 of the theater seats 100 and controls the seat control units
140. Accordingly, the seat driving command of each theater seat
according to curvature of the screen may be previously set, and the
driving command received or generated by the seat control unit 140
may be transmitted to each theater seat depending on a shape or
tilt of the screen. Alternatively, a plurality of the driving
commands corresponding to a single content image may have been
arranged in a series of order. Alternatively, the received or
generated driving command may have included a single driving
command corresponding to the progress of a content image.
Meanwhile, the theater server 200 may be connected to the seat
control unit 140 over a network, and may send the driving command
over a network.
[0066] Meanwhile, the theater server 200 may include the following
embodiment as a method for controlling the theater seat 100.
[0067] FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating the state in which the
angle of the sheet 110 of the theater seat 100 is controlled by the
theater server in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the angle of the sheet 110
according to an embodiment of the present invention may be changed
clockwise or counterclockwise. That is, the sheet 110 of the seat
control unit 140 may be turned in response to a driving command
from the theater server 200 so that the angle of the sheet 110 is
changed. If the length of the support 300 is changed and thus the
screen 10 moves left or right or curvature of the screen 10 is
changed in the long-axis direction, the sheet 110 is turned in
accordance with a shape or tilt of the screen 10, thereby securing
a viewing angle of an audience and providing a sense of
immersion.
[0068] FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating the state in which the
angle of the back 130 of the theater seat 100 is changed according
to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the
angle of the back 130 of the seat may be changed forward or
backward. If the length of the support 300 is changed and thus the
screen 10 moves up or down or curvature of the screen 10 is changed
in the short-axis direction, the angle of the back 130 of the seat
is adjusted so that the back 130 of the seat corresponds to a shape
or tilt of the screen 10, thereby securing a viewing angle of an
audience and providing a sense of immersion.
[0069] Furthermore, the angle of the support unit 120 of the
theater seat 100 may be changed clockwise or counterclockwise. That
is, the seat control unit 140 may change the angle of the support
unit 120 by turning the support unit 120 in response to a driving
command from the theater server 200. If the length of the support
300 is changed and thus the screen 10 moves left or right or
curvature of the screen 10 is changed in the long-axis direction,
the seat control unit 140 may turn the support unit 120 in
accordance with a shape or tilt of the screen 10, thereby securing
a viewing angle of an audience and providing a sense of
immersion.
[0070] Furthermore, the length of the support unit 120 of the
theater seat 100 may be extended or reduced. That is, the seat
control unit 140 may extend or reduce the length of the support
unit 120 in response to a driving command from the theater server
200. If the length of the support 300 is changed and thus the
screen 10 moves up or down, the seat control unit 140 may increase
or decrease the length of the support unit 120 so that the support
unit 120 corresponds to a movement of the screen 10, thereby
securing a viewing angle of an audience and providing a sense of
immersion.
[0071] Furthermore, the angle of the support unit 120 of the
theater seat 100 may be adjusted. That is, the seat control unit
140 may adjust the angle of the support unit 120 in response to a
driving command from the theater server 200 so that the theater
seat 100 is inclined left or right or forward or backward,
preferably in all directions of 360 degrees.
[0072] In a scene in which a user rides on a roller coaster, a
spacecraft battle scene or a car chase scene, the angle of the
support unit 120 is changed in response to a change in the length
of the support 300, thereby being capable of enabling an audience
to feel a screening scene as if the audience actually experiences
the scene.
[0073] In this case, the method for moving the theater seat 100 as
described above is only an embodiment. A form in which the theater
seat 100 moves in order to obtain an optimum viewing angle for the
screen 10 having curvature is not limited to the embodiment, and
may include various forms in which the theater seat 100 can be
moved.
[0074] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, the theater server 200 may differently send a driving
command to each theater seat 100. The theater seat 100 has a
different angle for obtaining an optimum viewing angle for the
screen 10 having curvature depending on its location. Accordingly,
it is preferred that a driving command is different at the location
of each theater seat 100 so that the screen 10 having curvature is
watched at the different location. To this end, the theater server
200 separately controls the seat control units 140 respectively
included in the plurality of theater seats 100. It is preferred
that the theater server 200 assigns a unique ID to each of the seat
control units 140 of the theater seats 100 and separately controls
the seat control units 140. Accordingly, the seat driving command
of each theater seat according to curvature of the screen may be
previously set, and the driving command received or generated by
the seat control unit 140 may be transmitted to each theater seat
depending on a shape or tilt of the screen. Alternatively, a
plurality of the driving commands corresponding to a single content
image may have been arranged in a series of order. Alternatively,
the received or generated driving command may have included a
single driving command corresponding to the progress of a content
image.
[0075] Furthermore, the theater server 200 may adopt a method for
dividing the plurality of theater seats 100 into groups depending
on the locations if the theater seats 100 and controlling the seat
control units 140 through different seat driving commands for each
group. In this case, the plurality of theater seats 100 may be
classified into specific groups by the setting of an administrator
of the theater server 200. Theater seats 100 located in the same
area may have a similar viewing angle in order to obtain a viewing
angle for the screen 10 having curvature. Accordingly, there is an
advantage in that a manipulation is simple because the same driving
commands can be set and managed at once.
[0076] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, the theater further includes the support 300 which
receives a support driving command and changes a shape or tilt of
the screen 10 in response to the support driving command. The
theater server 200 sends the support driving command to the support
300.
[0077] The support 300 refers to a structure, basically including a
vertical stand having a framework fixed to the ground and a
horizontal stand joined to the vertical stand and joined to the
frame or the screen 10 having curvature. The vertical stand and the
horizontal stand are framework materials of a structure installed
to support the screen 10 having curvature and the frame of the
screen having curvature. It is preferred that the vertical stand
and the horizontal stand are fabricated using a solid material.
Furthermore, it is preferred that the horizontal stand is
fabricated to have a different length because the horizontal stand
has a different distance from the vertical stand to each portion of
the screen 10 in view of the characteristics of the screen 10
having curvature. The horizontal stand may be fabricated to have a
varying length in response to a support driving command from the
theater server 200 so that a shape or tilt of the screen 10 is
changed.
[0078] Furthermore, the support driving command commonly refers to
data including information necessary to drive the support 300, and
may include the ID number of the horizontal stand or vertical stand
of a support 300 to be driven, a length to be increased or
decreased, a driving start time, a driving end time and so on.
[0079] The support driving command is received from the outside.
For example, the support driving command may be received using a
method through an input device of a theater operator, a method
through connection with a recording medium such as a USB, or a
method over a network from an external server.
[0080] Accordingly, a shape or tilt of the screen 10 is changed
depending on a change in the length of the support 300 controlled
by the theater server 200. In response thereto, the theater server
200 controls a movement of the theater seat 100 in accordance with
a shape or tilt of the screen 10 that varies depending on a change
in the length of the support, thereby securing an optimum viewing
angle for an audience.
[0081] Meanwhile, the theater server 200 may previously set the
seat driving commands of the respective theater seats 100 according
to a support driving command for the support 300, and may send the
support driving command and the seat driving commands to the
support 300 and the theater seats 100 at the same time. The
location of the screen 10 may be changed left and right and top and
bottom in response to a movement of the support 300. Accordingly,
it is necessary for the theater server 200 to send a driving
command to each of the theater seats 100 in response to a movement
of the screen 10 in order to secure a viewing angle. In this case,
the theater server 200 may previously set a command to change the
angle of the sheet 110 of the theater seat 100 corresponding to a
specific location or specific curvature of the screen 10, a command
to turn the support unit 120 of the theater seat 100, to increase
or decrease the length of the support unit 120 or to adjust the
angle of the support unit 120, and a command to control the angle
of the back 130 of the seat of the theater seat 100, thus being
capable of controlling each of the theater seats 100 more
efficiently.
[0082] For example, a seat driving command to change the angle of
the sheet 110 of the theater seat 100 toward the center of the
screen 10 may have been previously set to be transmitted at the
same time when a support driving command to increase curvature of
the screen 10 is issued. A seat driving command to change the angle
of the sheet 110 of the theater seat 100 so that the theater sheet
110 become vertical to the surface of a wall on which the screen 10
has been installed may have been previously set to be transmitted
at the same time when a support driving command to decrease
curvature of the screen is issued. Furthermore, a seat driving
command to increase the angle of the back 130 of the seat of the
theater seat 100 may have been previously set to be transmitted at
the same time when a support driving command to move the screen 10
toward the ceiling is issued. A seat driving command to reduce the
angle of the back 130 of the seat of the theater seat 100 may have
been previously set to be transmitted at the same time when a
support driving command to move the screen 10 back to the ground
again is issued.
[0083] Furthermore, the theater server 200 may send a previously
set driving command corresponding to the playback time of content,
a frame or a scene. Accordingly, the theater server 200 sets a
driving command of the theater seat 100 corresponding to a special
effect of a movie, and controls a movement of the theater seat 100
in response to a change in the length of the support 300, in a
scene in which a user rides on a roller coaster, a spacecraft
battle scene or a car chase scene, thereby being capable of
enabling an audience to feel a screening scene as if the audience
actually experiences the scene.
[0084] As described above, those skilled in the art to which the
present invention pertains will understand that the present
invention may be implemented in other detailed forms without
changing the technological spirit or essential characteristics of
the present invention. Accordingly, the aforementioned embodiments
should not be construed as being limitative, but should be
construed as being only illustrative from all aspects. The range of
right of the present invention is disclosed in the appended claims
rather than the detailed description, and it should be understood
that all modifications or variations derived from the meanings and
scope of the present invention and equivalents thereof are included
in the scope of the appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0085] The present invention relates to a theater on which a screen
having curvature has been installed and a system for controlling a
theater seat. More specifically, the theater includes a screen
having specific curvature in a long-axis direction or short-axis
direction and theater seats installed toward the center of the
screen. The screen has a tilt. Accordingly, in a theater on which a
screen having curvature in a vertical axis in addition to a
horizontal axis has been installed, a theater seat is disposed at a
different angle depending on its location, thereby enabling an
audience to secure an optimum viewing angle.
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