U.S. patent application number 17/569916 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for cinema light emitting screen and sound system.
The applicant listed for this patent is IMAX THEATRES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED. Invention is credited to Antanas Matthew Broga, Andrew F. Kurtz, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Steven Charles Read, Barry David Silverstein, Denis Tremblay.
Application Number | 20220184520 17/569916 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006181277 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220184520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tremblay; Denis ; et
al. |
June 16, 2022 |
Cinema Light Emitting Screen and Sound System
Abstract
Light emitting displays can be used in cinemas for cinema
presentations that integrate a sound system to achieve immersive
conditions in cinema theatres. In an example, a theatre includes a
viewer seating area, an active display, and one or more sound wave
emitters. The active display includes light emitting elements
configured to output, toward the viewer seating area, light
representing a visual presentation. The one or more sound wave
emitters can be positioned proximate to the viewer seating area.
The one or more sound wave emitters are configured to output,
toward the active display, sound waves corresponding to at least a
portion of sound for the visual presentation. The active display
can be positioned to reflect, toward the viewer seating area, the
sound waves from the one or more sound wave emitters.
Inventors: |
Tremblay; Denis; (Brampton,
CA) ; Read; Steven Charles; (Mississauga, CA)
; Silverstein; Barry David; (Rochester, NY) ;
Kurtz; Andrew F.; (Macedon, NY) ; McMullen-Crummey;
Jesse Donald; (Toronto, CA) ; Broga; Antanas
Matthew; (Cambridge, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IMAX THEATRES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED |
Dublin |
|
IE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006181277 |
Appl. No.: |
17/569916 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17024168 |
Sep 17, 2020 |
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17569916 |
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16339184 |
Apr 3, 2019 |
10807016 |
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PCT/IB2017/056186 |
Oct 6, 2017 |
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17024168 |
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62404925 |
Oct 6, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63J 25/00 20130101;
G09F 27/00 20130101; H04R 1/025 20130101; H04R 1/403 20130101; G09G
2360/141 20130101; H04R 1/345 20130101; G09G 2360/144 20130101;
G03B 21/565 20130101; H04R 3/12 20130101; G09G 3/22 20130101; G09F
9/3026 20130101; H04R 1/028 20130101; G09G 2320/0626 20130101; H04R
2499/15 20130101; G06F 3/147 20130101; G09F 9/33 20130101; G02B
5/0278 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63J 25/00 20060101
A63J025/00; G02B 5/02 20060101 G02B005/02; G06F 3/147 20060101
G06F003/147; G09G 3/22 20060101 G09G003/22; H04R 1/02 20060101
H04R001/02; H04R 1/34 20060101 H04R001/34; H04R 1/40 20060101
H04R001/40; H04R 3/12 20060101 H04R003/12; G09F 9/33 20060101
G09F009/33; G09F 27/00 20060101 G09F027/00; G03B 21/56 20060101
G03B021/56; G09F 9/302 20060101 G09F009/302 |
Claims
1. A theatre comprising: a viewer seating area; an active display
comprising light emitting elements configured to output, toward the
viewer seating area, light representing a visual presentation; and
one or more sound wave emitters positionable proximate to the
viewer seating area, the one or more sound wave emitters being
configured to output, toward the active display, sound waves
corresponding to at least a portion of sound for the visual
presentation, wherein the active display is positionable to
reflect, toward the viewer seating area, the sound waves from the
one or more sound wave emitters.
2. The theatre of claim 1, wherein the active display is
positionable such that the active display is configured to reflect
the sound waves toward the viewer seating area.
3. The theatre of claim 1, wherein the one or more sound wave
emitters are configured to output sound waves along a sound
dispersion path directed toward a surface of the active
display.
4. The theatre of claim 1, wherein at least one sound wave emitter
of the one or more sound wave emitters is positionable on a
right-hand side or a left-hand side of the theatre.
5. The theatre of claim 1, wherein at least one sound wave emitter
of the one or more sound wave emitters is positionable above a
floor of the theatre and outside of a line of sight of the active
display for viewers in the viewer seating area.
6. The theatre of claim 1, wherein at least one sound wave emitter
of the one or more sound wave emitters is positionable at a back
position of the theatre such that the viewer seating area is
between the active display and the at least one sound wave
emitter.
7. The theatre of claim 1, wherein the active display comprises: an
optically diffusing surface between the light emitting elements and
the viewer seating area, the optically diffusing surface having
perforations; and an optical element between the light emitting
elements and the optically diffusing surface.
8. The theatre of claim 1, wherein the one or more sound wave
emitters include one or more loudspeakers positionable in front of
the active display.
9. A method comprising: emitting, by a light emitting display
having a matrix of light emitting elements on a front portion
thereof, light representing a visual presentation toward a viewer
seating area in a theatre; emitting, by one or more sound wave
emitters positioned proximate to the viewer seating area, sound
waves corresponding to sound for the visual presentation toward the
light emitting display; and reflecting, by the light emitting
display, the sound waves from the one or more sound wave emitters
toward the viewer seating area.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one sound wave emitter
of the one or more sound wave emitters is positioned on a
right-hand side or a left-hand side of the theatre.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one sound wave emitter
of the one or more sound wave emitters is positioned above a floor
of the theatre and outside of a line of sight of the light emitting
display for viewers in the viewer seating area.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one sound wave emitter
of the one or more sound wave emitters is positioned at a back
position of the theatre such that the viewer seating area is
between the light emitting display and the at least one sound wave
emitter.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the light emitting display
comprises: an optically diffusing surface between the light
emitting elements and the viewer seating area, the optically
diffusing surface having perforations; and an optical element
between the light emitting elements and the optically diffusing
surface.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more sound wave
emitters include one or more loudspeakers positioned in front of
the light emitting display.
15. A theatre sound system comprising: one or more sound wave
emitters positionable proximate a viewer seating area in a theatre
in which an active display, having a plurality of light emitting
elements for outputting light representing a visual presentation
toward the viewer seating area, is positioned, the one or more
sound wave emitters being configured to output sound waves
corresponding to at least a portion of sound for the visual
presentation toward the active display that is positionable to
reflect the sound waves toward the viewer seating area.
16. The theatre sound system of claim 15, wherein the active
display is positionable such that the active display is configured
to reflect the sound waves toward the viewer seating area.
17. The theatre sound system of claim 15, wherein the one or more
sound wave emitters are configured to output sound waves along a
sound dispersion path directed toward a surface of the active
display.
18. The theatre sound system of claim 15, wherein the one or more
sound wave emitters include one or more loudspeakers positioned in
front of the active display.
19. The theatre sound system of claim 18, wherein at least one
loudspeaker of the one or more loudspeakers is positionable on a
right-hand side or a left-hand side of the theatre.
20. The theatre sound system of claim 18, wherein at least one
loudspeaker of the one or more loudspeakers is positionable above a
floor of the theatre and outside of a line of sight of the active
display for viewers in the viewer seating area.
21. The theatre sound system of claim 18, wherein at least one
loudspeaker of the one or more loudspeakers is positionable at a
back position of the theatre such that the viewer seating area is
between the active display and the at least one loudspeaker.
22. The theatre sound system of claim 18, wherein the active
display comprises: an optically diffusing surface between the
plurality of light emitting elements and the viewer seating area,
the optically diffusing surface having perforations; and an optical
element between the plurality of light emitting elements and the
optically diffusing surface.
23. A cinema screen comprising: a light emitting display
positionable to emit light representing a visual presentation
toward a viewer seating area in a theatre, the light emitting
display having a surface that is configured for reflecting sound
waves emitted from one or more sound wave emitters positionable
proximate to the viewer seating area toward the viewer seating
area, the sound waves corresponding to at a least a portion of
sound for the visual presentation.
24. The cinema screen of claim 23, wherein the one or more sound
wave emitters include one or more loudspeakers positioned in front
of the light emitting display.
25. The cinema screen of claim 24, wherein the light emitting
display has a width between 40 feet and 100 feet, wherein the light
emitting display is positioned between 14 feet and 45 feet from a
front seat in the viewer seating area, and wherein the one or more
sound wave emitters include at least three sound wave emitters
positioned in front of the light emitting display.
26. The cinema screen of claim 25, wherein at least one loudspeaker
of the one or more loudspeakers is positionable on a right-hand
side or a left-hand side of the theatre.
27. The cinema screen of claim 25, wherein at least one loudspeaker
of the one or more loudspeakers is positionable above a floor of
the theatre and outside of a line of sight of the light emitting
display for viewers in the viewer seating area.
28. The cinema screen of claim 25, wherein at least one loudspeaker
of the one or more loudspeakers is positionable at a back position
of the theatre such that the viewer seating area is between the
light emitting display and the at least one loudspeaker.
29. The cinema screen of claim 25, wherein the light emitting
display comprises: a plurality of light emitting elements; an
optically diffusing surface between the plurality of light emitting
elements and the viewer seating area, the optically diffusing
surface having perforations; and an optical element between the
plurality of light emitting elements and the optically diffusing
surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
17/024,168, filed Sep. 17, 2020 and titled "CINEMA LIGHT EMITTING
SCREEN AND SOUND SYSTEM", which is a continuation of "U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/339,184, filed Apr. 3, 2019, now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,807,016, and titled "CINEMA LIGHT EMITTING SCREEN AND SOUND
SYSTEM," which is a National Stage Entry of PCT Application
PCT/I132017/056186, filed Oct. 6, 2017 and titled "CINEMA LIGHT
EMITTING SCREEN AND SOUND SYSTEM," which claims the benefit of
priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/404,925, filed Oct. 6, 2016 and titled "Cinema Light Emitting
Screen and Sound System," the entirety of each of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to sound systems and display
systems in a theatre.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Cinema screens have a large area and are installed along
with sound systems to output sound associated with image content
displayed on the screen such that sound comes from the screen as if
coming directly from the correct location relative to the specific
position in the image content. In traditional screens, sound can
originate from loudspeakers positioned behind the screen and the
screen has a thin sheet of material with perforation to allow the
sound from the loudspeakers to pass through the screen. Sound can
also be directed to the audience from loudspeakers positioned
behind or beside the viewing seating area for an audience. The
screen, with its perforations, allows a portion of the sound to
pass through. Sound-absorbing surfaces behind the screen can absorb
the sound that passes through and prevents unwanted sound
reflections. A theatre is carefully configured to optimize the
sound environment to integrate with the visual environment,
creating an immersive environment for cinema patrons to enjoy sound
and image.
[0004] As presentation displays that emit light increase in
popularity, with their greater potential for larger intensity
dynamic range, increased brightness, increased viewing area, costs
to manufacture are decreasing. These displays are being considered
by some as the future for cinema theatres.
[0005] There are a number of differences that influence setting up
a cinema screen as a light emitting display in place of a screen on
which the image is projected onto the screen surface. A light
emitting display is typically one large surface containing a matrix
of light emitters. These large surfaces can be made up of numerous
smaller panels or tiles positioned next to each other so that,
cumulatively, they form a large viewing area. These panels are not
transparent to sound waves passing through because of the
continuous surfaces of these panels and the design of the
supporting electronics, cooling, and mounting/support structures.
When a screen intended for front projection of images is replaced
by a light emitting display, the loudspeakers positioned behind the
screen are no longer effective at delivering sound past the light
emitting display and are repositioned at the perimeter of the light
emitting screen to output sound to the viewer. For smaller light
emitting displays, such as home TV-type displays, loudspeakers
positioned at the perimeter of the display are acceptable. However,
for a larger sized screen in a cinema, loudspeakers positioned
around a perimeter that is many times greater than the width of the
ear separation of a viewer is not an effective solution and the
point of the sound is not well associated with the action on the
screen.
SUMMARY
[0006] In an example, a theatre includes a viewer seating area, an
active display, and one or more sound wave emitters. The active
display includes light emitting elements configured to output,
toward the viewer seating area, light representing a visual
presentation. The one or more sound wave emitters can be positioned
proximate to the viewer seating area. The one or more sound wave
emitters are configured to output, toward the active display, sound
waves corresponding to at least a portion of sound for the visual
presentation. The active display can be positioned to reflect,
toward the viewer seating area, the sound waves from the one or
more sound wave emitters.
[0007] In another example, a method includes emitting, by a light
emitting display having a matrix of light emitting elements on a
front portion thereof, light representing a visual presentation
toward a viewer seating area in a theatre. The method also includes
emitting, by one or more sound wave emitters positioned proximate
to the viewer seating area, sound waves corresponding to sound for
the visual presentation toward the light emitting display. The
method also includes reflecting, by the light emitting display, the
sound waves from the one or more sound wave emitters toward the
viewer seating area.
[0008] In another example, a theatre sound system includes one or
more sound wave emitters that can be positioned proximate a viewer
seating area in a theatre in which an active display, having a
plurality of light emitting elements for outputting light
representing a visual presentation toward the viewer seating area,
is positioned. The one or more sound wave emitters are configured
to output sound waves corresponding to at least a portion of sound
for the visual presentation toward the active display that can be
positioned to reflect the sound waves toward the viewer seating
area.
[0009] In another example, a cinema screen includes a light
emitting display that can be positioned to emit light representing
a visual presentation toward a viewer seating area in a theatre.
The light emitting display has a surface that is configured for
reflecting sound waves emitted from one or more sound wave emitters
that can be positioned proximate to the viewer seating area toward
the viewer seating area. The sound waves correspond to at a least a
portion of sound for the visual presentation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a theatre environment with
a light emitting screen and a sound system according to one example
of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of part of a light emitting
display including an array or matrix of light emitting elements
according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of light emitting elements
with spaces or gabs therebetween according to one example of the
present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of a panel for a light emitting
display with gaps or spaces between light emitters according to one
example of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of panels for a light emitting
display with random edge contours according to one example of the
present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of panels for a light emitting
display that have saw tooth edges according to one example of the
present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of part of a light emitting
display with a matrix of light emitters and an optically diffusing
element according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of a light emitting element for use
with a light emitting display that has an optical reflector
according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic of a light emitting display that
prevents or substantially prevents sound waves from passing through
the display according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seat for a theatre that
includes a loudspeaker system according to one example of the
present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a top view of a seat for a theatre with includes
a loudspeaker system according to another example of the present
disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of a system for
processing sound data for loudspeakers in a theatre according to
one example of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a system for
processing sound data for loudspeakers in a theatre according to
another example of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a theatre with a light
emitting display and a sound system according to one example of the
present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a schematic view of light emitters with sound
emitters positioned in spaces or gaps between the light emitters
according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of light emitters with sound
emitters positioned in spaces or gaps between the light emitters
according to another example of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of light emitters with sound
emitters positioned in spaces or gaps between the light emitters
according to a further example of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of a light emitting element
and a substrate according to one example of the present
disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a theatre with a light
emitting display and a sound system according to one example of the
present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view of a light emitting
display with sound absorbing features according to one example of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Certain aspects and features relate to light emitting
displays and sound systems for use in cinemas for cinema
presentations. Various examples are provided to configure a light
emitting display for a cinema immersive environment that integrates
a sound system to achieve the same or better immersive conditions
in cinema theatres with front projection cinema screens. The screen
can be active with light emitters, rather than being passive and
solely reflecting light projected from a projector. Certain
examples provide a light emitting system with a sound system that
can overcome issues otherwise present with respect to using a light
emitting system for a theatre experience. The terms "display" and
"screen" are used interchangeably throughout the description.
[0031] In some examples, spaces are formed between adjacent light
emitters in the display to allow for sound waves to pass from sound
wave emitters, such as loudspeakers, positioned behind the screen
to a viewing seating area in a cinema in front of the screen.
Loudspeakers can be positioned in the spaces or behind the screen.
Diffusers or other structures may be positioned proximate to a
front of the screen to facilitate visual performance. In addition
or in the alternative, loudspeakers can be positioned in each seat
of the viewing seating area that produce sound waves that appear to
be coming from a non-seating location in the theatre. These and
other examples can enhance sound performance in a theatre that
includes a light emitting display.
[0032] Cinema environments for light emitting displays can be
different from viewing environments most viewers have come to
experience with light emitting displays used at home, or for
advertisement displays used indoors and outdoors. Light emitting
displays, such as those currently available for home entertainment
systems and video walls, have light emitters spaced closely
together so viewers who stand closer to the display do not notice
individual pixels of image or space between image pixels. Light
emitting displays for advertisement used outdoors or at large venue
events in daylight have extremely bright image pixels that use a
significant amount of energy to power the larger displays and
produce much heat. Such displays used indoors can produce a
significant amount of heat that would need to be removed from a
confined space of a cinema auditorium; hence, these displays may
not be considered a good fit for cinema use. Furthermore, a light
emitting screen can prevent sound waves from passing through such
that application to theatre use is challenging.
[0033] Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure can
address one or more of these or other issues and allow light
emitting display configurations to be integrated with sound systems
in ways that are mutually beneficial.
[0034] A cinema screen in a theatre with viewing seats and a sound
system with multiple loudspeakers is shown in FIG. 1. The screen 50
is a light emitting screen. One loudspeaker arrangement shown in
FIG. 1 has loudspeakers 15, 17, 19 positioned behind the screen 10
so that the screen is between the front loudspeakers and the
viewing seat area 21 with rows of seats. Additional loudspeakers
23, 25 can be positioned along the side walls of the theatre and
aimed to provide sound for viewers in the viewing seats.
Loudspeakers 27, 29 can also be positioned along the wall at an
opposite end of the viewing seat area 21 from which the light
emitting screen 10 is positioned. The light emitting screen 10 can
be constructed differently than traditional light emitting displays
such that sound from the loudspeakers 15, 17, 19 passes through the
screen 10 to a viewer when the light emitting screen 10 is
positioned between loudspeakers 15, 17, 19 and a screen viewing
position in the viewing seat area 21.
[0035] In some examples, the brightness of the light provided by
the light emitting screen 10 can be changed in response to changes
in ambient light levels in a theatre. For example, the audience may
be wearing white or light colored clothing that reflect image light
from the light emitting screen 10 and that can cause the ambient
light in the room to increase. Or, one or more audience members may
use a device, such as a cellular phone, that produces light and
contributes to the ambient light in the theatre. In other examples,
the level of ambient light can decrease during the visual
presentation. A sensor 31 can be positioned in the theatre to
detect a change in ambient light in the theatre. In some aspects,
the sensor 31 is embedded within the light emitting screen 10. For
example, the sensor 31 may filter light from the light emitting
screen 10 or be positioned to avoid receiving much, if any, light
from the light emitting screen 10, to detect the level of ambient
light. In response, a controller or another device communicatively
coupled to the light emitting screen 10 can cause the light
emitting screen 10 to output light for the visual presentation at a
different level of brightness that accounts for the changes in
ambient light in the theatre.
[0036] If the average brightness is different between different
visual presentations, the sensor 31 can capture the difference and
communicate the difference to allow a show brightness to be changed
to compensate for increased ambient light. For example, viewers in
an auditorium during the summer months may have light colored
attire whereas an empty theatre with a few viewers can have dark
colored seats exposed to absorb more light in the theatre. The
displayed content can have a light level, in view of an ambient
light level, that is high enough such that a viewer with a lit up
cell phone display is less disturbing to an adjacent viewer. While
this light sensor 31 may be located in any space in or near the
viewing area, there can be advantages to locating at least one
light sensor 31 at the screen 10 or in the screen gap areas. The
light sensor 31 at the screen 10 may detect the amount of light
reflected back to the screen 10. This light sensor can respond to
both the intensity of the pixels surrounding it by light rays that
are misdirected from the light source to the gap area, but also the
light returning to the screen 10 from the ambient environment. This
combination of information can be used to achieve the best drive
intensity for the entire display or subsections of the display. For
example, if a particular portion of a screen is "washed out" by
light from a door, compensation can be achieved to boost contrast
levels of the image.
[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a segment of a light emitting display in
which an array of tiles form the light emitting display, according
to one example. The light emitting tile can include a matrix 202 of
individual light emitting elements as light emitters 204, such as
LEDs, OLEDs, micro LEDs, or pixel fiber optics, with gaps (also
referred to as spaces) between the individual light emitters 204.
The gaps can be openings between the individual light emitters. A
"light emitter" in general is a device or element that transmits
light, rather than a device or system that solely reflects light.
The individual light emitters 204 can be electrically connected
with addressable conductive lines 206 routed between the individual
light emitters 204 that have a physical dimension that takes up a
small portion of the space available between the individual light
emitters 204. The gaps may be relatively large and when viewed from
a sufficient distance from the display surface (such as in a
theatre environment), the gaps between the individual light
emitters 204 may not be easily perceived by the viewer. In a cinema
theatre, a front seat can be positioned a prescribed distance from
the screen, such as a quarter or half a screen width back from the
screen surface. For example, a screen width in a cinema can range
from 40 feet to 100 feet or more in which the front seat position
can be positioned 14 feet to 45 feet from the screen light emitting
surface respectively.
[0038] Angular resolution below a threshold of perceiving a
discrete image pixel on the screen can be achieved for larger
spacing between image pixels on a display when the viewer is
positioned further back from the display. The spacing between the
light emitters 204 can be sized such that the angular resolution
from a viewing position is below a predetermined threshold of
angular resolution. For example, one acceptable criterion for a
digital projection system projecting a 2k image (i.e., 2k pixels
wide) onto a forty-foot screen can be image pixels that have a
width of 0.24 inches and the image pixels are viewed from a
distance of 10 feet to 15 feet or more from the screen. The
resulting angular resolution from an acceptable condition of
viewing image pixels of a specified width from a specified distance
can serve as an angular threshold reference. The further away the
closest seat is to the display in a cinema, the less perceptible
larger gaps can be between the light emitters 204.
[0039] The gaps between the individual light emitters 204 can allow
sound to pass between the light emitters 204 from loudspeakers
positioned behind the matrix 202 of light emitters 204. To be
effective at allowing sound to pass through the matrix 202 of
individual light emitters 204, the gaps between the individual
light emitters 204 can be an area that is relatively large with
respect to the depth of the openings in the matrix 202.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a space 326 between two light emitters 304 and
a depth 328 of the light emitters 304 according to one example. The
light emitters 304 can be used, for example, in the light emitting
display of FIG. 2. In addition to the depth 328, the depth
considered for sound system configurations can include the depth of
the support structure (e.g., a printed circuit board) on which the
individual light emitters 304 are mounted. Perforated screens for
front projection can have a perforation dimension of 0.030 to 0.040
inches and a screen thickness in the range of 0.015 to 0.03 inches.
Openings in light emitting screens can have a diameter that is
equal to or greater than the depth of the opening. For example, a
circular body with a diameter that is equal to or greater than a
depth dimension of the area of the opening can be fit between light
emitters 304. The depth of the emitter panel can have a dimension
that is considerably greater than the thickness of a vinyl screen
used in front projection screen; therefore, the space between the
individual light emitters 304 can be sized such that the space with
a depth does not cause undesirable resonances to occur for sound
waves. For example, if the depth of the space between individual
emitters is 0.1 to 0.25 inches, then the gap between the individual
light emitters 304 can be of similar dimension or greater to avoid
creating undesirable conditions for sound passing through the light
emitting matrix on the tile.
[0041] A light emitting screen panel with gaps between individual
light emitters in at least a portion of the panel can allow sound
to pass through the screen. For example, FIG. 4 outlines a light
emitter panel 400 that has portions 404 in which there are gaps
between light emitters. The gaps can be space in which sound is
able to pass through the matrix of light emitters. A portion of the
light emitter matrix on the tile 402 has light emitters with the
same spacing as the light emitters in the portions 404; however,
the gaps in the light emitter matrix 402 may not be the same, or
may even be absent, to provide better an area for physical support
of the tile on the display or screen structure.
[0042] By placing the light emitting panels 400 next to each other
for an increased display area, the spacing between the individual
light emitters can be the same between the light emitter panels as
the spacing between the individual light emitters within the light
emitting panel matrix.
[0043] Light emitter displays that have increased spacing between
individual light emitters, as described above, can make alignment
easier between panels to keep the spacing between light emitters
constant over the full area of the screen. Smaller screen sizes can
have smaller gaps, making alignment of panels more difficult to
maintain a constant light emitter gap spacing across the whole
screen.
[0044] In an alternate approach to configuring the matrix of light
emitter on a tile, the spacing between light emitters can be random
or pseudo random within the light emitter tile. The random spacing
between light emitters within a tile can be consistent with random
spacing between light emitters between adjacent tiles.
[0045] In some examples, the tile or panel edges can be contoured
to be perceived as being random or pseudo random to eliminate any
noticeable visual differences between tiles where edges meet. In
FIG. 5, two panels 500 have edge contours 510 that are more random.
The panels 500 can be rotated 45 degrees such that the panels are
diagonally positioned, which can make the contours more difficult
to be perceived by a viewer. FIG. 6 shows two panels 600 that have
an interlocking saw tooth edge 610. Although the edge contour is
not random, the edge 610 can be significantly discontinuous that it
can be less perceptible.
[0046] The increased gap space between individual light emitters
can reduce the overall brightness of the display in the cinema
theatre. But, unlike displays for home use with high ambient light
viewing conditions, the cinema theatre can have very low levels of
ambient light. In this situation, a viewer's eye can adjust to
lower lighting conditions with a dilated pupil such that the amount
of light required to stimulate daylight image scenes in a theatre
can be much less than the amount of light needed for a display in a
high ambient light situation.
[0047] The brightness of the light emitter can vary such that in
night scenes (e.g., the media content being displayed includes
scenes in dark or low light), the light emitter brightness can be
increased to increase spatial contrast. For example, a night scene
in which image pixels of a star or the moon in a night sky can be
made to have a pixel brightness that is the maximum brightness of
the pixel light emitter, thereby maximizing spatial image contrast.
During a daylight scene where the majority of the image pixels are
bright, the emitters may not be driven at full brightness but
instead can be driven at a reduced brightness such that the
viewer's eyes are not overwhelmed at a daylight scene as if
emerging from a dark room to daylight.
[0048] Any of the matrix structures between the individual light
emitters can be made black in color to absorb incident light
originating from other sources, such as reflected light from the
audience to the display or from cross lighting from other portions
of the display, in particular if the display is a curved display.
Black material that is a liner that can absorb light and is
transparent to sound, such a scrim or similar cloth like material,
can be placed behind the matrix to absorb light directed at the
screen yet still allow sound to pass.
[0049] The matrix of light emitters can also be positioned behind a
black mask material with a hole in front of each light emitter to
allow light from the light emitter to pass through the mask to a
viewer. The mask can be a liner that absorbs incident light and is
transparent to sound. The liner can be made from any suitable
material, examples of which include scrim or a black cloth material
or other porous material. The mask can also manage or
deterministically modify the sound to improve observer
characteristics.
[0050] In some examples, a light diffusing sheet or membrane is
positioned in front of the light emitter panel, between the light
emitter and a viewer. Light emitted from an individual light
emitter in the matrix can be directed at a portion of the diffuser
sheet such that the spot of light on the diffuser sheet surface
from the light emitter is larger than the area of the light
emitter. The light emitters output light such that the divergence
of light radiating from the light emitter covers an area on the
diffuser sheet sufficient to reduce the appearance of gaps between
the individual light emitters, as perceived by a viewer viewing the
light emitting display with the frontal diffuser sheet.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows a portion of a light emitting panel 700 with a
matrix of four individual light emitters 704 positioned behind a
light diffuser 702 that is a sheet. The light emitter 704 can
output light to diverge from an optical axis of the light emitter
704 such that a light spot 706 is created on the diffuser 702. The
viewer 710 can see a larger image pixel of light on the diffuser
702 than the physical size of the pixel of light at the light
emitter 704. The diffuser 702 can reduce the size of the gaps 708
between the individual light emitters 704. The light emitter 704
can include a dome lens to cause the light to diverge to the
desired area on the diffuser 702. A light absorbing material 714
can be located behind the light emitters 704 to absorb stray light
that is reflected back towards the light emitters 704 by the light
diffuser 702, while allowing sound waves representing audio signals
to pass through. The light absorbing material 714 can be black
scrim or black cloth that is transparent to sound waves.
[0052] An alternate light emitter configuration is shown in FIG. 8.
The light emitter configuration has an optical element, such as an
optical reflector 851, to direct light from a light emitter 850 to
an optical diffusing surface, such as diffuser 852, with a defined
space and light scattering profile. The diffuser 852 can be mounted
to the reflector 851 or the diffuser 852 can be a sheet that covers
a matrix of reflectors. The light emitter 850 can represent one
light emitter or more than one light emitter. For example, the
light emitter 850 can be three light emitters, one for each primary
color such as red, green, and blue. A black mask 854 can be placed
in the area between or behind the light emitters 850 to absorb
light incident on the display, and the black mask can be
transparent to sound.
[0053] The reflector 851, without the diffuser 852, can direct
light towards a viewing area. A light emitting screen or display
can include reflectors that direct light in a predefined way to the
viewer seats such that the screen has a gain that is the same as,
or similar to, a gain of a high-gain cinema screen often used in
cinemas for front projection. A light emitting display that has
light emitters with reflectors can also have the reflectors
positioned or aimed differently with respect to each other over the
screen area to provide a custom spatial light distribution or light
gain profile over the viewing seats and can reduce the light hot
spot that is typical of high gain screens used in front projection
cinema screens. For example, the light reflectors can be positioned
and aimed to provide a more even spatial light distribution over
the seating area by all the light emitters.
[0054] Instead of an engineered optical diffuser specifically
positioned on each reflector, an optical diffuser sheet or liner
can be in front of the reflector or the light emitting matrix with
the light emitting elements but without the reflector portion. The
diffuser sheet can become a barrier to sound passing through the
gaps between the individual light emitters. Perforations in an
optically diffusing surface, such as the diffuser sheet, however,
can be arranged such that the perforations are placed in the gaps
between the lighted areas or lighted spots formed on the diffuser
sheet. Returning to FIG. 7, a perforation 712 is shown positioned
in the portion with gaps 708 on the diffuser 702 that is a sheet
between the lighted areas or light spots 706 to allow sound waves
from the direction 720 to pass through the display from behind. The
diffuser 702 can be as thin as, or thinner than, the screen
material used for front projection systems to minimize the depth of
the perforation dimension. The thickness of the diffuser 702 can be
as low as 100 micrometers, provided that no objectionable visual
artifacts are observable by lack of rigidity due to thickness.
Alignment of the perforation 712 with the gaps on the diffuser 702
can avoid undiffused light originating directly from a light
emitter from reaching the viewer's eye. Waveguides or a barrier to
direct light from the light emitter to the area of the diffuser can
prevent emitted light from passing through the openings to allow
sound through.
[0055] An additional or alternate approach to a display that allows
sound to pass therethrough for optimizing the integration of a
sound system with light emitting display system by having a sound
system that is local to the viewer. For large displays, such as
displays sized 60 feet or more horizontally or 30 feet or more
vertically, sound that originates at the display perimeter may no
longer provide a quality audible presentation. By having a sound
system be more local to a viewer (e.g., in the seat of viewer) in
the theatre with the large display system, the audio portion can be
presented to the viewer without being disadvantaged by the larger
screen size. This configuration may not involve sound waves passing
through the light emitter display as described above and can avoid
having the potential of a visual artifact of light passing through
the perforations of the diffuser sheet to a viewer.
[0056] A theatre configuration shown in FIG. 9 has an image
presentation display 910 that may prevent (or substantially
prevent) sound waves from passing through the display 910 from
behind the display 910 to a viewer positioned in a seat 912 in
front of the display 910. The image presentation display 910 can be
a light emitting display. The seat 912 can include a sound system.
An example of a seat 1000 usable for such an environment is shown
in FIG. 10. A viewer can sit on a seat platform 1020 such that the
viewer's head is placed in the vicinity of the headrest 1030, or
another type of top portion of a back support, with a
right-positioned loudspeaker 1050 in a right area and a
left-positioned loudspeaker 1040 in a left area. The headrest 1030
can be mounted on the top portion of the back support 1010 of the
seat platform 1020. Each loudspeaker mounted in the headrest 1030
can spread sound with a specific spatial distribution. For example,
the loudspeaker's spatial distribution can be narrow such that the
sound is directed towards the space in which a viewer's ear is
located or the sound distribution can result in the sound being
directed at an ear of an adult positioned in the seat platform 1020
or at an ear position of a child seated in seat platform 1020.
[0057] An alternate configuration of loudspeakers positioned in the
headrest of a viewer's seat is shown as a top view in FIG. 11 where
the left loudspeaker 1140 and the right loudspeaker 1150 in
headrest 1130 for a seat 1120 are directed with their axis of sound
towards the seat positon of the seat platform 1121 behind the seat
1120. The spatial sound distribution 1170, shown as dashed lines,
from the left loudspeaker 1140 is directed to the positon of a
viewer's left ear positioned in the seat platform 1121. Likewise,
the spatial sound distribution 1160, shown as dashed lines, from
the right loudspeaker 1150 is directed to the position of a
viewer's right ear positioned in seat platform 1121. The spatial
distribution of sound from the left loudspeaker and the right
loudspeaker can cover the range of positions of a left ear and
right ear, regardless of whether an adult or a child is seated in
the viewing seat.
[0058] Cinema theatres can receive sound tracks intended for
standard-type theatre sound system configurations. In a cinema with
loudspeakers positioned among the theatre seats, such as those
shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, a sound processor or controller can
control the signals going to each loudspeaker. A sound processor
using appropriate algorithms can alter sound data from the sound
tracks. The altered sound signals can be provided to the seat
headrest loudspeakers for output such that the acoustical
characteristics mimic sound as if loudspeakers are positioned
behind the screen or in other non-seating areas of the theatre. The
listener can perceive sound as originating from the locations that
loudspeakers would have occupied.
[0059] One example of the algorithm for the sound processor can
involve combining audio content on five channels of sound tracks
intended for a sound system with several loudspeaker locations in
an auditorium for binaural presentation-into two channels for a
sound system that has two loudspeakers: one loudspeaker directed to
a listener's left ear and the second loudspeaker directed to the
listener's right ear. The audio content originating from the
original multiple channels can be processed by determining and
using transfer functions that represent the audio response of a
listener's left and right ear in a sound system where the listener
receives sound from the ideal locations of the loudspeakers that
would have been located in the auditorium. The transfer functions
can be a set of individual transfer functions in which one transfer
function represents the audio response at the listener's left ear
location or the listener's right ear location for audio content
presented by one of the loudspeakers. In one example, transfer
functions can be derived from a binaural recording or measurement
made at the listener's position, or a model or calculation
simulating the geometry of listener and reproducing transducers,
for an audio signal presented at each of the auditorium loudspeaker
locations. Combining the transfer functions of each of the
auditorium loudspeaker positions with respect to a listener's
left-ear position and combining the transfer functions for each of
the auditorium loudspeaker positions with respect to the listener's
right-ear position can allow sound data intended for multiple sound
channels to be modified and used for two sound channels in a two
loudspeaker position system, such as a two-loudspeaker system in a
seat, for which sound can be directed from a left loudspeaker
toward a listener's left ear and sound can be directed from a right
loudspeaker toward a listener's right ear.
[0060] An enhancement of the seat loudspeaker configuration can be
that signal processing for the seat loudspeakers or groups of seat
loudspeakers is independent of image content shown on the screen
and can be performed to suit the geometry of the seat location with
respect to the screen position. The sound tracks intended for the
loudspeakers positioned in the seating area can be modified for
each seat loudspeaker set or groups of seat loudspeakers--a left
loudspeaker and a right loudspeaker can be a set--to compensate for
a specific seat position relative to the screen position to create
an audio perspective among theatre seats consistent with respect to
their position relative to the screen.
[0061] Loudspeakers can be positioned in the headrest such that the
headrest can be replaced for servicing purposes. An audio signal
can drive the headrest loudspeaker through an electrical connection
in the headrest mount 1060 in FIG. 10. In other examples, the audio
signal can be received wirelessly by the loudspeaker and the
loudspeaker can be powered electrically via a wired connection
through the headrest mount or via a wireless power transfer. The
loudspeaker can also be powered by a battery in the headrest.
Listeners can experience the standard cinema audio file through the
headrest loudspeakers alone. Certain audio file sound tracks, such
as sound tracks intended for sub base frequencies, can also be
directed to separate loudspeakers in the auditorium.
[0062] A functional block diagram in FIG. 12 shows an example of a
system of processing sound data intended for loudspeakers in the
auditorium. A processor 1210 can execute instructions, such as an
audio engine 1214, stored in a memory device 1212 to modify sound
data received and directs the modified sound data to be used in
loudspeakers in the vicinity of the seats such as the head rest
loudspeakers. In FIG. 12, the processor 1210 receives an audio file
with multiple sound tracks. The processor 1210 can execute
instructions to extract the sound data from the sound tracks
intended for the loudspeakers in the auditorium. The extracted
sound data can be modified by a predetermined algorithm to create
the sound track data to be used in the loudspeakers positioned
within the seating area. The predetermined algorithms can be based
on Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) methods that allow
complete sound fields to be realized where the points of origin of
the sound channels are perceived to be in the intended locations.
In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 there are two sound tracks
used: one for the left loudspeaker 1040, 1140 and one for the right
loudspeaker 1050, 1150. The processor 1210 can output the modified
audio signals to the audio amplifiers 1220, 1230 that in turn
provides the signal to the left loudspeaker and the right
loudspeaker such that sound waves from the left loudspeaker and the
right loudspeaker at a seated position in the seat have an apparent
source of a loudspeaker arrangement positioned outside of a seating
area of the light emitting display. In some examples, the processor
1210 and memory device 1212 can together form a controller for
controlling sound signals provided to the loudspeakers. In other
examples, the controller also includes the audio amplifiers 1220,
1230. The memory device 1212 may be a non-transitory
computer-readable medium that includes program instructions.
[0063] Alternatively, the processor can process the sound data or
sound signal already extracted from the audio file as depicted by
block 1380 in FIG. 13 that shows the first to the nth track of
sound data received by the processor. Using the predetermined
algorithm that has already been loaded up into the processor, the
received sound data or sound signal can be modified to produce the
sound data or sound signal intended for the loudspeakers positioned
within the seating area. Block 1380 can include a processor device
executing instructions stored as an audio engine 1383 in a memory
device 1382 to output the created soundtrack data to the audio
amplifiers 1384, 1386 that in turn provide the signal to the left
loudspeaker and right loudspeaker.
[0064] A light emitting display (such as light emitting display 910
in FIG. 9) that prevents (or substantially prevents) sound waves
from passing through the display can be optimized in other ways.
For example, the display can be optimized to absorb incident light
more effectively or to reflect sound in multiple directions more
effectively.
[0065] A light emitting display without loudspeakers positioned
behind the display can have a surface that reflects sound in
multiple directions to reduce any audio reverberations. For
example, a display can be curved so that the display surface is
slightly convex with respect to the audience viewing position such
that sound spreads outwards as opposed to a concave curvature
surface that reflects sound to converge towards the audience. The
convex curved light emitting display surface can be tilted
vertically towards the audience (e.g., the top edge of the display
can be tilted towards the seating area while the bottom edge of the
screen remains at the same position) so as to direct more light
from the display light emitters to the audience and reflect any
sound from the audience area away from the audience in multiple
directions when reflecting off the display surface. An alternate
approach may include the display surface having multiple reflective
surfaces in segments (such as having a quadratic surface) that
causes the sound to reflect in a set of directions. The light
emitting display can also have a membrane between the light
emitters and a viewer. The membrane can absorb at least some sound
or allow sound to pass through to be absorbed by a substrate or
structure behind the membrane.
[0066] In some examples, sound waves from a viewing seating
position can be absorbed by a light emitting display to improve the
auditory experience of sound waves associated with the visual
presentation. FIG. 20 depicts a cross section of a portion of a
light emitting display 2000 retained in an enclosure 2002 with
light emitters 2010 positioned on a substrate 2020 according to one
example. Openings or holes 2030 can be included through the
substrate 2020 between the light emitters 2010. The space 2040
behind the holes 2030 can include acoustical absorbing material
2045 or the space behind the holes can be a tuned cavity using a
partition 2050. The cavities can be tuned to a narrow or broad band
of wavelengths of sound waves that resonate at different
wavelengths of sound waves, or the display can have a distribution
of different absorbing features, so that a broader range of
wavelengths of sound waves over the area of the display can be
absorbed or otherwise controlled.
[0067] Light and sound waves incident onto the display surface can
be absorbed by the acoustical absorbing material 2045 in the
enclosure space 2040 or the cavities. The substrate 2020 between
the light emitters 2010 can be black in color to absorb light and
the holes 2030 between the light emitters 2010 can allow sound
waves coming from the viewer position to be absorbed. For example,
the acoustical absorbing material 2045 positioned within the
enclosure 2002 or panel can absorb or substantially absorb sound
waves from the viewer's side that passes through the holes 2030. A
variety of acoustical absorbing materials can be used. Examples
include an acoustically porous material, such as a fiber material
(e.g., fiberglass and wood fibers) or open cell foams specifically
configured for sound absorption, and a membrane material, such as a
physically dense film. Additionally or alternately, the holes 2030
can lead to a volume of space on the back side of the substrate
2020 such that the holes 2030 and chamber behind the holes 2030
form a resonance absorbing structure, such as a tuned cavity to
absorb sound waves (e.g., similar to a Helmholtz acoustical
absorber). The space behind the substrate 2020 can be substantial
in that physically larger acoustic absorbing elements can be
used.
[0068] Another approach to optimizing the integration of a sound
system with light in a cinema emitting display system is shown in
FIG. 14 in which sound may not pass through the light emitter
display, but the sound can be produced at the display surface in
place of sound being directed at the display from behind when
positioning the loudspeakers behind and in close proximity of the
display. A cinema theatre can include a light emitting screen 1400
in which portions of the light emitting screen have sound emitters
placed in between the light emitters. For example, the portion 1410
of the screen 1400 can be the location at which a matrix of sound
emitters at the display surface can be grouped to produce sound for
a loudspeaker that would have been positioned behind the screen
such as the front left loudspeaker 15 shown in FIG. 1. The portion
1415 of the screen can be the location at which a matrix of sound
emitters at the display surface can be grouped to produce sound for
a loudspeaker that would have been positioned behind the screen
such as the front center loudspeaker 17 shown in FIG. 1. The
portion 1420 of the screen can be the location at which a matrix of
sound emitters at the display surface can be grouped to produce
sound for a loudspeaker that would have been positioned behind the
screen such as the front right loudspeaker 19 shown in FIG. 1. The
screen 1400 can be constructed to emit sound and light that are
directed toward the viewing seat area 1405. The loudspeakers 1425,
1430 can be loudspeakers that are similar as the loudspeakers 23
and 25, respectively, in FIG. 1. Loudspeakers 1440, 1435 positioned
at the back of the viewing seat area 1405 can be similar to the
loudspeakers 27, 29, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0069] Screen 1400 can have a light emitter matrix, as shown in
FIG. 15, that has light emitters 1504 that can be electrically
interconnected, as shown in FIG. 2. Sound emitters 1508 can be
placed in the space between the light emitters 1504. The light
emitters and the sound emitters can also be mounted on the same
side of a common mounting substrate such as a printed circuit
board. A screen can be formed with a number of display panels and a
display panel can include a number of light emitters and a number
of sound emitters as shown in FIG. 15 such that the display panel
can provide an image and sound for an audio visual presentation.
During display panel fabrication, the light emitters and the sound
emitters can be populated using the same or similar pick and place
production process on a printed circuit board or panel board or
panel infrastructure since the components to be placed are larger
than light emitters on LCD and LED monitors used on desktop
computers. The assembly process for a display panel can be
performed by placing light emitters and sound emitters on large
area substrates configured to mount semiconductor and other
discrete devices. Sound emitters can be small electromagnetic,
electrostatic, or piezoelectric transducers for emitting sound. The
sound transducer can be a voice coil actuated type or other type of
diaphragm actuated system.
[0070] If the gaps between the light emitters are large enough, the
sound emitter can fit in the space between the light emitters as
shown in FIG. 15. If the sound emitter is of a larger size, it can
be placed in a second matrix of sound emitters that can be attached
on or positioned with respect to a first matrix of light emitters
from behind. Alternatively, the light emitters can be attached to
one side of a printed circuit board and the sound emitters can be
attached to the other side. Port holes or gaps in the printed
circuit board between the light emitters can be made to allow the
sound from the sound emitters mounted on the backside of the
printed circuit board to pass through the board to the front side
of the printed circuit board where the light emitters are mounted.
FIGS. 16 and 17 show alternative ways a matrix of sound emitters
can be positioned with respect to a matrix of light emitters when
the sound emitters are positioned behind the light emitters with
respect to a viewer of the light emitting display. The light
emitters can be positioned with respect to the sound emitters and
the gaps between the light emitters to minimize the influence that
the light emitters can have in interfering with sound in the sound
path of the sound emitters and in influencing the spatial sound
distribution and the frequency response of the sound emitters. FIG.
16 shows the sound emitters 1608 symmetrically placed with respect
to the light emitters 1604 such that the lighter emitters may only
influence the radiated sound at the peripheral portion of the sound
emanating from the sound emitter. FIG. 17 shows a larger sound
emitter 1708 that can be placed symmetrically with respect to the
light emitters 1704 at the periphery and one light emitter
positioned at the center of the sound emitter. The display panel
can include a light emitter matrix and a sound emitter matrix such
that the panel is one device. The spacing between the light
emitters can be random and spacing between the sound emitters can
be random but the light emitters and sound emitters can be
spatially aligned with each other.
[0071] FIG. 18 shows another configuration 1800 in which the sound
emitter 1820 is mounted on the backside of a printed circuit board
substrate 1850 and the light emitter 1810 is mounted on the front
side of the substrate 1850. The sound emitter 1820 has an enclosure
1840 that can be an acoustic cavity so that sound from the sound
emitter 1820 is directed through the holes 1860 in the substrate
1850. In front of the substrate 1850 with the light emitter 1810 is
a light diffuser layer 1880 and on the front surface of the
substrate 1850 that is not a hole or a light emitter is a black
masking material such as a black mask 1870 or a mask that can be
silkscreened onto the substrate 1850.
[0072] The matrix of sound emitters can output sound waves such
that the cumulative sound pressure level of the sound emitters in
the matrix of sound emitters is comparable to the sound pressure
level produced by loudspeakers placed behind a screen in a cinema
theatre with front projection.
[0073] The matrix of sound emitters can be positioned over the
display such that the matrix of light emitters and the matrix of
sound emitters cover the same area of the display. In other
examples, the matrix of sound emitters can be limited to portions
of the area covered by the matrix of light emitters. For example,
the display with a matrix of light emitters can have three sections
in which there are three matrices of sound emitters positioned in
the display at a position where behind-the-screen loudspeakers
would be placed for a front projection screen.
[0074] If a diffuser liner is placed over the light emitting matrix
depicted in FIGS. 15-18, and as described with respect to FIG. 7,
the diffuser can have perforations to allow the sound to pass
through. When the sound emitters are part of the display panel, the
position of the perforations can be between the spots of light on
the diffuser from the light emitters and positioned over the sound
emitters. For example, in FIG. 15, the perforations 1510 are
positioned directly over the sound emitters 1508 and in the gaps
between the light spots on the diffuser caused by the light
emitters 1504. FIG. 15 depicts each perforation in a light gap
positioned between light spots, such as light spots 706 shown in
FIG. 7, having a sound emitter dispersion path positioned behind
the perforation. The perforations can be dimensionally the same as
perforations in cinema screens for front projection (e.g. 0.030
inches to 0.040 inches in diameter or larger diameters). This can
be an efficient configuration for emitted sound waves to pass the
diffuser to the audience. In FIG. 16, the perforations 1610 are in
the gaps positioned between the light spots on the diffuser by
light from the light emitters 1604. In some examples, 50% or less
of the perforations can be positioned directly in front of a sound
emitter. FIG. 17 shows another efficient coupling arrangement
between the sound emitted by the sound emitters 1708 and the
perforations 1710 in that the perforations are in front of sound
emitter or in the audio spatial dispersion path of the sound
emitters. The area around the light emitters and the sound emitters
1512, 1612, 1712 can be a black mask to absorb light reflected back
by the diffuser sheet from the light emitters 1504, 1604, 1704.
[0075] Another theatre configuration with a light emitting display
that has a surface configured to reflect sound is shown in FIG. 19.
Loudspeakers 1910, 1915 and 1920 can be placed in front of the
light emitting display 1900 and have their sound dispersion path
directed to the surface of the light emitting display so the
display surface is used to reflect the sound towards the seating
area 1905. The side loudspeakers 1925 and 1930 as well as the rear
loudspeakers 1940 and 1935 can be placed in the same manner as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 14. The loudspeakers in front of the
display can be positioned above the floor but outside of the
viewer's site lines of the display.
[0076] The foregoing description of certain examples, including
illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of
illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous
modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
disclosure. For instance, any example(s) described herein can be
combined with any other example(s).
* * * * *