CA2105668A1 - Tunnel vision video display system - Google Patents
Tunnel vision video display systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2105668A1 CA2105668A1 CA002105668A CA2105668A CA2105668A1 CA 2105668 A1 CA2105668 A1 CA 2105668A1 CA 002105668 A CA002105668 A CA 002105668A CA 2105668 A CA2105668 A CA 2105668A CA 2105668 A1 CA2105668 A1 CA 2105668A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tunnel
- video
- vehicle
- section
- display system
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
- G09B9/00—Simulators for teaching or training purposes
- G09B9/02—Simulators for teaching or training purposes for teaching control of vehicles or other craft
- G09B9/08—Simulators for teaching or training purposes for teaching control of vehicles or other craft for teaching control of aircraft, e.g. Link trainer
- G09B9/30—Simulation of view from aircraft
- G09B9/32—Simulation of view from aircraft by projected image
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/80—Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
- A63F13/803—Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/90—Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
- G09B9/00—Simulators for teaching or training purposes
- G09B9/02—Simulators for teaching or training purposes for teaching control of vehicles or other craft
- G09B9/04—Simulators for teaching or training purposes for teaching control of vehicles or other craft for teaching control of land vehicles
- G09B9/05—Simulators for teaching or training purposes for teaching control of vehicles or other craft for teaching control of land vehicles the view from a vehicle being simulated
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/74—Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/80—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
- A63F2300/8017—Driving on land or water; Flying
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/74—Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
- H04N5/7408—Direct viewing projectors, e.g. an image displayed on a video CRT or LCD display being projected on a screen
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/74—Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
- H04N5/7475—Constructional details of television projection apparatus
- H04N5/7491—Constructional details of television projection apparatus of head mounted projectors
Abstract
TUNNEL VISION VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM
ABSTRACT
A video display system that provides a low cost means by which a high volume of participants may be processed through an interactive video system in an rapidmanner. The system is comprised of a darkened serpentine tunnel constructed of flat faceted rear projectors screens, formed as a series of multi-screen sections. Video imagery is projected onto the screens from video projectors using reflecting mirrors disposed on the back side of the screens. The screen sections are mated together to form the complete tunnel. Participants traverse through the darkened tunnel riding in vehicles that are guided in a manner analogous to automobiles processed through a car wash or a factory assembly line. As each vehicle progresses down the tunnel, theprojection screens currently surrounding the vehicle are illuminated, together with the preceding and succeeding screen sections. As the vehicle transitions from the current section to the forward section, the rearward section is extinguished and the next forward section is illuminated. The image intensity of the forward section is gradually increased as the vehicle approaches, by virtue of the gain characteristics of the projec-don screens, thus making the transition nearly undetectable. The video display system thus provides the means by which an operator of an amusement park ride or training system may quickly and efficiently process a large number of participants through them. The video display system allows an interactive video system designer to break up participant batch size into much smaller groups, thus minimizing intergroup waiting time and greatly increasing throughput.
ABSTRACT
A video display system that provides a low cost means by which a high volume of participants may be processed through an interactive video system in an rapidmanner. The system is comprised of a darkened serpentine tunnel constructed of flat faceted rear projectors screens, formed as a series of multi-screen sections. Video imagery is projected onto the screens from video projectors using reflecting mirrors disposed on the back side of the screens. The screen sections are mated together to form the complete tunnel. Participants traverse through the darkened tunnel riding in vehicles that are guided in a manner analogous to automobiles processed through a car wash or a factory assembly line. As each vehicle progresses down the tunnel, theprojection screens currently surrounding the vehicle are illuminated, together with the preceding and succeeding screen sections. As the vehicle transitions from the current section to the forward section, the rearward section is extinguished and the next forward section is illuminated. The image intensity of the forward section is gradually increased as the vehicle approaches, by virtue of the gain characteristics of the projec-don screens, thus making the transition nearly undetectable. The video display system thus provides the means by which an operator of an amusement park ride or training system may quickly and efficiently process a large number of participants through them. The video display system allows an interactive video system designer to break up participant batch size into much smaller groups, thus minimizing intergroup waiting time and greatly increasing throughput.
Description
21051~
.
., .
. .
TUNNEL VISION VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM
., BACKGROUND
The present invcntion relates generally to entertainment and ~aining systems, and more particularly, to a video display system that may be employed in a moving vchicle entertainment or training system.
-~ There are several examples of group interacdve video entertainment systems that 5 are in various stages of research, devdopment, and test marketing. Hughes Training Inc. has a system known as "Mirage" that is a typical cmbodiment of a group interacdve video entcrtainment system. The Mirage system utilizes batch processing of smallgroups of game players, and requires that a queue of players advance in relatively widely-spaced discrete steps. The waiting time between advances in t~he queue is10 perceived as a prime irritation factor by the public, in that there is no progress for long ` periods of time.
Accordingly, it would be an improvement in ~e art to have a video display system that may be employed in a moving vehicle cntertainment system that increases the processing speed of participants through the systern, thus eliminadng the waiting 15 time problem present in existing systems.
, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the above improvement, the present invention provides for a video display system that cnables the opera~on of a group interactive entertainment 20 system known as '~unnd Vision Adventure", that is generally described in copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. filed , and assigned to the ' .. . .
assignee of the present invention. The video display system of the present invention provides a low cost means by which a high volume of pi~ticipants may be processed through an interacdve video entertainment system in an rapid manner. The disp1aymedium is compsed of walls of a serpendne darkened tunnel constructed of flat S faceted rear projection screens, upon which vWeo imagery is projected f~om video projectors disposed outside the tunnd behind the rear projection screens. Partieipants traverse through the darkened display tunnd riding in vehicles that are guided and ~ driven in a manner analogous to automobiles proressed through a car wash or factory $ assembly line.
The video display system of the present invendon provides the means by which an operator of an amusement pa~ ride or training system may quicldy and efficiendy process a large number of participants. The video display system enables the use of efficient video rear projection technology in a demanding consumer environment that exhibits aspects of both a producdon line and an auditorium.
The video display system of the present invendon allows an entertainment or training system designer to break up the pardcipant batch size into mwh smaD
groups, thus minimizing intergroup waiting time, and removing some of the frustration due to waiting for those participants in the queue. The system throughput is suffi-ciently high as to be perceived as condnuous by partieipants. The video display system of the present inventdon permits the highest pardeipant throughput of any known inter-aetive and/orreconfigurable video presentadon system.
i ~ .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of the present invendon nay be more readily understood with referenee to the following detailed descripdon taken in con-junction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structur~l elements, and in which:
PIG. 1 shows a perspecdve view of a tunnel vision video display system in ~dance with the principles of the present invendon; and PIa 2 shows an diagram illustradng the details of the video display system of '! FIG. 1.
':., ` DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a video display system 10 in aecordance with the principles of the present invendon. The video display system 10 is shown in the context of a moving vehicle entertainment system 11 that cornprises a plurality of moving vehicles 12 that are propelled along a track, for ., ~ .
21~6'~
example, inside a darkened tunnd 13. The vehicles 12 in Fig. 1 are shown as aut mobiles for the purposes of illustration, and it is to be understood that other vehic1e shapes, including spaceships, boats, airplanes or moving platforms are also appropriatc for use in the present system 10. Each of the vehic1es 12 has audio rcproduction5 system therein along with appropriate instruments that enable the participants to interact with a video image and respond to audio cues provided thereto. Such insbr~nents are specifically designed for a system 11, for example, and may comprise steering yokes or joysticks, and sur ogate weapons, such as cannons, ray guns and pistols, for example.
The details of these instruments may be better understood from a reading of the above-;f 1O cited Tunnd Vision Adventure patent application. It is also to be understoad that the present system 10 may also be employed in training systems, for exarnple, that require the pmcessing of relatively large numbers of panicipants.
1'he darkened tuMel 13 is formed from a plwality of faceted sections 14 thateach complise a pl~ality of trapezoidal and rectangular flat rear projecdon screensf 15 15 and that are fDnned in the shape of the tnnnel 13. Three sections 14 of the tunnel 13 are shown in Fig. 1, wherein each section 14 is fabricated from five individual flat rear projection screens lS. The five-screen secdons 14 are then replicated along the length of the tuMel 13 to fn the complete tuMel 13. The tunnel 13 nay be configured as a serpentine tunnel 13 as will be described in detail below. A plurality of videoprojec-20 tors 17 and n~irrors 18 are provided that cooperate to focus video irnages 19 providedby the projectors 17 onto the rear of each of the projecdon screens 15. The video images 19 projected by the video projectors 17 are controlled by a compu!er processor 20 having a visual database 21 that includes computer graphics, and the like. The computer precessor 20 is coupled to each of the projectors 17 and is adapted to control 25 the audio and video images 19 viewed by participants moving in the vehicles 12 that are propeiled tl~ough the tunnel 13. It is to be understoDd that interconnection paths shown between the central processor 20 and the projectors 21 and vehicles 12 areshown for illustration only, and are not to be considered as limidng.
More specifically, the video display system 10 comprises a flat faceted tunnel 30 15 incorporating five rear projation screens 15 or pands 15 per secdon 14. The basic rear projection facet (screen 15) and video prDjector arrangement are disclosed in a patent applicadon endtled "Rear Projecdon Faceted Dome", U.S. Patent ApplicationSerial No. , filed , that is assigned to the assignee of the present invendon. The facets or screens 15 of the present system 10 are aTranged in the shape 35 of a serpentine tuMel 16. The vehicles 12 that seat participants are propelled down the center of the tunnel 16, and a design eyepoint (in lateral cross section), that corresponds to the position at which a participant's eye level is located, is designed to be at an eye :
.
.. , " , . . . .
, : : ... . . .
, . -, , - , ... . .
.;:
.
210~
level for seated oeeupants in the vehicles 12. The moving design eyepoint is designed to be approxirnately at a longitudinal cen~er of the vehicle 12 at eye level.
Moving imagery without moving parts is provided by the system 10 of the pre-sent invention. One unique aspect of video display system 10 is that it contains no S moving parts, in that the projects 17, milrors 18, and projecdon screens 14 are sta-donary. Notwithstanding the absence of moving parts, however, the occupants of each vehicle 12 are presented with video images 19 unique to that vehicle 12. Moreover, the imagery "moves" in synchronization with the vehicle 12 as it traverses the tunnd 15, allowing the designer of the entenainment system 11 to t~e advantage of the entire length of the tunnel 15. The image content, however, is dynarnic, and is synchronized by means of the computer processor 20 to correspond with the movernent of the vehi-cles 12. The modon effects and image content are controlled by the computer pmcessor 2Q The present system 10 has the ability to provide the illusion that a vehicle 12 is standing sdll, when the image content is synchronized with the forward motion of the vehicle 12. Similarly, any visual aspect of motion may also be presented to the oceu-pants of the vehicle 12 by udlizing a mathernadcal manipuladon of image perspective.
In essenee, a veetor represendng aetual vehiele modon is uniformly applied to the ove~ll image, but in projeetion sereen space. Simulated motion is applied to the irnage 7 eontent, but in database spaee, where changes in perspeetive and occlusion may be pro 7 20 eessed eorrecdy. Sueh mathemadeal manipulation is aehieved in the eomput proces-sor 20 in a straightforward rnanner known to those skilled in the art of real-tdme computer graphies proeessing.
Synehronizadon to speeial effeets is also aehieved by the video display system 10, ineluding modon euing. While a vehicle 12 progresses along the tunnel 13 in leal ;~ 25 world terms, it experiences simulated motion effects that eover six degrees of modon.
Hydraulic aetuators are employed in the vehicles 12 that provide aetual modon cues in synehronizadon with visual modon cues provided by the images 19. The hydraulic aetuators are eonorolled in a convendonal manner by the eomputer prwessor 20. Byapplying means and methods devdoped for flight simuladon modon base dmulators ~ 30 and pneumade teehnologies employed in "low rider" automobiles that are quite preva-!~ ~ lent in Southern Catifomia, the sensadon of nearly untimited translalional and rotadonal movement may be effeeted in a straightforward manner in the system lQ Sound cuing is also provided in the video display system 10. Cues may be provided by headphones worn by the pardeipants, or by the speakers provided in the vehieles 12. A sound or 3S audio rcproduedon system is loeated in eaeh of the vehieles 12, may be loeated adja-eent the eentral prwessor 20. It is used to direet attention and augrnent visual cues appearing in images 19 appearing on the walls (sereens 15) of the tunnel 13. Di7reetion-: .
.
., .
. .
TUNNEL VISION VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM
., BACKGROUND
The present invcntion relates generally to entertainment and ~aining systems, and more particularly, to a video display system that may be employed in a moving vchicle entertainment or training system.
-~ There are several examples of group interacdve video entertainment systems that 5 are in various stages of research, devdopment, and test marketing. Hughes Training Inc. has a system known as "Mirage" that is a typical cmbodiment of a group interacdve video entcrtainment system. The Mirage system utilizes batch processing of smallgroups of game players, and requires that a queue of players advance in relatively widely-spaced discrete steps. The waiting time between advances in t~he queue is10 perceived as a prime irritation factor by the public, in that there is no progress for long ` periods of time.
Accordingly, it would be an improvement in ~e art to have a video display system that may be employed in a moving vehicle cntertainment system that increases the processing speed of participants through the systern, thus eliminadng the waiting 15 time problem present in existing systems.
, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the above improvement, the present invention provides for a video display system that cnables the opera~on of a group interactive entertainment 20 system known as '~unnd Vision Adventure", that is generally described in copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. filed , and assigned to the ' .. . .
assignee of the present invention. The video display system of the present invention provides a low cost means by which a high volume of pi~ticipants may be processed through an interacdve video entertainment system in an rapid manner. The disp1aymedium is compsed of walls of a serpendne darkened tunnel constructed of flat S faceted rear projection screens, upon which vWeo imagery is projected f~om video projectors disposed outside the tunnd behind the rear projection screens. Partieipants traverse through the darkened display tunnd riding in vehicles that are guided and ~ driven in a manner analogous to automobiles proressed through a car wash or factory $ assembly line.
The video display system of the present invendon provides the means by which an operator of an amusement pa~ ride or training system may quicldy and efficiendy process a large number of participants. The video display system enables the use of efficient video rear projection technology in a demanding consumer environment that exhibits aspects of both a producdon line and an auditorium.
The video display system of the present invendon allows an entertainment or training system designer to break up the pardcipant batch size into mwh smaD
groups, thus minimizing intergroup waiting time, and removing some of the frustration due to waiting for those participants in the queue. The system throughput is suffi-ciently high as to be perceived as condnuous by partieipants. The video display system of the present inventdon permits the highest pardeipant throughput of any known inter-aetive and/orreconfigurable video presentadon system.
i ~ .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of the present invendon nay be more readily understood with referenee to the following detailed descripdon taken in con-junction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structur~l elements, and in which:
PIG. 1 shows a perspecdve view of a tunnel vision video display system in ~dance with the principles of the present invendon; and PIa 2 shows an diagram illustradng the details of the video display system of '! FIG. 1.
':., ` DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a video display system 10 in aecordance with the principles of the present invendon. The video display system 10 is shown in the context of a moving vehicle entertainment system 11 that cornprises a plurality of moving vehicles 12 that are propelled along a track, for ., ~ .
21~6'~
example, inside a darkened tunnd 13. The vehicles 12 in Fig. 1 are shown as aut mobiles for the purposes of illustration, and it is to be understood that other vehic1e shapes, including spaceships, boats, airplanes or moving platforms are also appropriatc for use in the present system 10. Each of the vehic1es 12 has audio rcproduction5 system therein along with appropriate instruments that enable the participants to interact with a video image and respond to audio cues provided thereto. Such insbr~nents are specifically designed for a system 11, for example, and may comprise steering yokes or joysticks, and sur ogate weapons, such as cannons, ray guns and pistols, for example.
The details of these instruments may be better understood from a reading of the above-;f 1O cited Tunnd Vision Adventure patent application. It is also to be understoad that the present system 10 may also be employed in training systems, for exarnple, that require the pmcessing of relatively large numbers of panicipants.
1'he darkened tuMel 13 is formed from a plwality of faceted sections 14 thateach complise a pl~ality of trapezoidal and rectangular flat rear projecdon screensf 15 15 and that are fDnned in the shape of the tnnnel 13. Three sections 14 of the tunnel 13 are shown in Fig. 1, wherein each section 14 is fabricated from five individual flat rear projection screens lS. The five-screen secdons 14 are then replicated along the length of the tuMel 13 to fn the complete tuMel 13. The tunnel 13 nay be configured as a serpentine tunnel 13 as will be described in detail below. A plurality of videoprojec-20 tors 17 and n~irrors 18 are provided that cooperate to focus video irnages 19 providedby the projectors 17 onto the rear of each of the projecdon screens 15. The video images 19 projected by the video projectors 17 are controlled by a compu!er processor 20 having a visual database 21 that includes computer graphics, and the like. The computer precessor 20 is coupled to each of the projectors 17 and is adapted to control 25 the audio and video images 19 viewed by participants moving in the vehicles 12 that are propeiled tl~ough the tunnel 13. It is to be understoDd that interconnection paths shown between the central processor 20 and the projectors 21 and vehicles 12 areshown for illustration only, and are not to be considered as limidng.
More specifically, the video display system 10 comprises a flat faceted tunnel 30 15 incorporating five rear projation screens 15 or pands 15 per secdon 14. The basic rear projection facet (screen 15) and video prDjector arrangement are disclosed in a patent applicadon endtled "Rear Projecdon Faceted Dome", U.S. Patent ApplicationSerial No. , filed , that is assigned to the assignee of the present invendon. The facets or screens 15 of the present system 10 are aTranged in the shape 35 of a serpentine tuMel 16. The vehicles 12 that seat participants are propelled down the center of the tunnel 16, and a design eyepoint (in lateral cross section), that corresponds to the position at which a participant's eye level is located, is designed to be at an eye :
.
.. , " , . . . .
, : : ... . . .
, . -, , - , ... . .
.;:
.
210~
level for seated oeeupants in the vehicles 12. The moving design eyepoint is designed to be approxirnately at a longitudinal cen~er of the vehicle 12 at eye level.
Moving imagery without moving parts is provided by the system 10 of the pre-sent invention. One unique aspect of video display system 10 is that it contains no S moving parts, in that the projects 17, milrors 18, and projecdon screens 14 are sta-donary. Notwithstanding the absence of moving parts, however, the occupants of each vehicle 12 are presented with video images 19 unique to that vehicle 12. Moreover, the imagery "moves" in synchronization with the vehicle 12 as it traverses the tunnd 15, allowing the designer of the entenainment system 11 to t~e advantage of the entire length of the tunnel 15. The image content, however, is dynarnic, and is synchronized by means of the computer processor 20 to correspond with the movernent of the vehi-cles 12. The modon effects and image content are controlled by the computer pmcessor 2Q The present system 10 has the ability to provide the illusion that a vehicle 12 is standing sdll, when the image content is synchronized with the forward motion of the vehicle 12. Similarly, any visual aspect of motion may also be presented to the oceu-pants of the vehicle 12 by udlizing a mathernadcal manipuladon of image perspective.
In essenee, a veetor represendng aetual vehiele modon is uniformly applied to the ove~ll image, but in projeetion sereen space. Simulated motion is applied to the irnage 7 eontent, but in database spaee, where changes in perspeetive and occlusion may be pro 7 20 eessed eorrecdy. Sueh mathemadeal manipulation is aehieved in the eomput proces-sor 20 in a straightforward rnanner known to those skilled in the art of real-tdme computer graphies proeessing.
Synehronizadon to speeial effeets is also aehieved by the video display system 10, ineluding modon euing. While a vehicle 12 progresses along the tunnel 13 in leal ;~ 25 world terms, it experiences simulated motion effects that eover six degrees of modon.
Hydraulic aetuators are employed in the vehicles 12 that provide aetual modon cues in synehronizadon with visual modon cues provided by the images 19. The hydraulic aetuators are eonorolled in a convendonal manner by the eomputer prwessor 20. Byapplying means and methods devdoped for flight simuladon modon base dmulators ~ 30 and pneumade teehnologies employed in "low rider" automobiles that are quite preva-!~ ~ lent in Southern Catifomia, the sensadon of nearly untimited translalional and rotadonal movement may be effeeted in a straightforward manner in the system lQ Sound cuing is also provided in the video display system 10. Cues may be provided by headphones worn by the pardeipants, or by the speakers provided in the vehieles 12. A sound or 3S audio rcproduedon system is loeated in eaeh of the vehieles 12, may be loeated adja-eent the eentral prwessor 20. It is used to direet attention and augrnent visual cues appearing in images 19 appearing on the walls (sereens 15) of the tunnel 13. Di7reetion-: .
2 1 ~
ality is achieved through the utilization of multichannel sound rendition that cor~elates to events appearing in the imagety. This is also eontrolled in a conventional manner by the computer proeessor 20.
Separadon of imagery between vehicles is also provided by the video display 5 system 10. The video display system 10 takes advantage of the inherent limitations of the rear projeetion screen 15 for off-axis viewing. The gain characterisdcs of each rear projection sereen 15 is selected to cause the image to dim to less than 50 pereent of its center brightness when viewed from more than 60 off axis. I~ach facet or screen 15 is approxima~dy eight feet tall and twenty feet long, yielding a field of view of approxi-10 mately 37x80 for a vehicle 12 positioned direedy opposite it. As the vehiele 12 pro-gresses down the tunnel 13, the five faeets 15 eomprising the seedon 14 immediatdy surrounding the vehiele 12 are illuminated, togeuher with the preeeding and sueceeding faeet secdons 14. As the vehicle 12 transitions from dhe eenter to the forward seetion 14, the rearward seedon 14 is extinguished and the forward seetion 14 in line is il}urni-15 nated. The forward sesdon 14 intensity is gradually increased as dhe vehicle 12approaches, making the transidon nearly undetectable. Sinee the attention of the partic-ipants in the vehicle 12 is foeussed in a forward direedon, the extinguishing of the rear section 14 is more abrupt. The convincing illusion presented to the oecupants of the vehicle 12 is that of horizon-to-horizon imagery surrounding the vehicle 12, with a dark 20 hole ahead of and behind the vehicle 12. The intervehicular spacing is such that the im-agery presented to one vehiele 12 is not viewable from another vehicle 12, theoretically enabling vehiele spacing as elose as twenty-five foet.
~ IG. 2 shows an diagram illustrating the details of the video display system 10 of FIG. 1. Equiprnent configuradon eonsiderations for the video display system 10 are 25 as follows. For each sectdon 14, comprising five facets or screens 15 each, five rear projeetion sereens 15 and five projeetors 17 nre required. This is shown in detail in Fla. 2. It is to be understood that a wide variety of projeetor and mirror poddoning geometries are possible with the present system 10, and the speeific loeadons and t' orientadons shown in Fig. 2 are for the purposes of illustration only, and are not to be 30 eonsidered as limidng. The resoludon achieved by a system 10 with 512 lines x 1024 pixd rasters on the rearprojeedon screens 15 is between twelve and fifteen are minutes per line pair, whieh is eomparable to eonvendonal training and entertainment systems.
Standard 1024x1024 image generadon ehannels are split between two rear projeetion screens 15, yielding a udlizadon of 2.5 image generadon channels perrearprojeedon 35 screen 15.
The 1ayout of the tunnel 15 is achieved as as follows. Turns of up to 30 may be made between seedons 14 along any of the five seetion joints. At a turn, the sec-. . . ~ . . . ~ ~ . .
` ` 2105~6~ ~
.
dons 14 become trapezoidal, and shorter than their standard Iength. This allows for a ` se~pendne tunnel layout to be implernentcd in a structure similar to a muld-story pa~king garagc. Since leal world vehicle velocity and posidon are subtracted from the eyepoint modon vector, great flexibility is achieved, with htertwining ascending and descending 5 vehicb ramps allowing for a significant Iength of tunncl 15 to be packcd into a reladve-; Iy small structure.
` The video display system 10 of the present hvendon is applicable for usc in thc mass entertahment m~rlcet, most notably in an amusement or theme parlc setdng. Therc are other applicadons in training and personnd processing ma~icets, rnost appropriate to 10 situadons wherein large numbers of people are involved, such as is encountered in a military setting.
`!. Thus there has been described a new and irnproved video display system tha may be employed in a movhg vehicle entertainment or training system. It is to beunderstood that the above-described embodunent is merely illustradve of sorne of the 15 many specific embodiments which represent applicadons of the prhcipbs of ~he present .,~.J' inventdon. Clearly, numerous and other arrangements can be rcadily dbvised by those ~ sldlled in the art without departing from the scope of the invendon.
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ality is achieved through the utilization of multichannel sound rendition that cor~elates to events appearing in the imagety. This is also eontrolled in a conventional manner by the computer proeessor 20.
Separadon of imagery between vehicles is also provided by the video display 5 system 10. The video display system 10 takes advantage of the inherent limitations of the rear projeetion screen 15 for off-axis viewing. The gain characterisdcs of each rear projection sereen 15 is selected to cause the image to dim to less than 50 pereent of its center brightness when viewed from more than 60 off axis. I~ach facet or screen 15 is approxima~dy eight feet tall and twenty feet long, yielding a field of view of approxi-10 mately 37x80 for a vehicle 12 positioned direedy opposite it. As the vehiele 12 pro-gresses down the tunnel 13, the five faeets 15 eomprising the seedon 14 immediatdy surrounding the vehiele 12 are illuminated, togeuher with the preeeding and sueceeding faeet secdons 14. As the vehicle 12 transitions from dhe eenter to the forward seetion 14, the rearward seedon 14 is extinguished and the forward seetion 14 in line is il}urni-15 nated. The forward sesdon 14 intensity is gradually increased as dhe vehicle 12approaches, making the transidon nearly undetectable. Sinee the attention of the partic-ipants in the vehicle 12 is foeussed in a forward direedon, the extinguishing of the rear section 14 is more abrupt. The convincing illusion presented to the oecupants of the vehicle 12 is that of horizon-to-horizon imagery surrounding the vehicle 12, with a dark 20 hole ahead of and behind the vehicle 12. The intervehicular spacing is such that the im-agery presented to one vehiele 12 is not viewable from another vehicle 12, theoretically enabling vehiele spacing as elose as twenty-five foet.
~ IG. 2 shows an diagram illustrating the details of the video display system 10 of FIG. 1. Equiprnent configuradon eonsiderations for the video display system 10 are 25 as follows. For each sectdon 14, comprising five facets or screens 15 each, five rear projeetion sereens 15 and five projeetors 17 nre required. This is shown in detail in Fla. 2. It is to be understood that a wide variety of projeetor and mirror poddoning geometries are possible with the present system 10, and the speeific loeadons and t' orientadons shown in Fig. 2 are for the purposes of illustration only, and are not to be 30 eonsidered as limidng. The resoludon achieved by a system 10 with 512 lines x 1024 pixd rasters on the rearprojeedon screens 15 is between twelve and fifteen are minutes per line pair, whieh is eomparable to eonvendonal training and entertainment systems.
Standard 1024x1024 image generadon ehannels are split between two rear projeetion screens 15, yielding a udlizadon of 2.5 image generadon channels perrearprojeedon 35 screen 15.
The 1ayout of the tunnel 15 is achieved as as follows. Turns of up to 30 may be made between seedons 14 along any of the five seetion joints. At a turn, the sec-. . . ~ . . . ~ ~ . .
` ` 2105~6~ ~
.
dons 14 become trapezoidal, and shorter than their standard Iength. This allows for a ` se~pendne tunnel layout to be implernentcd in a structure similar to a muld-story pa~king garagc. Since leal world vehicle velocity and posidon are subtracted from the eyepoint modon vector, great flexibility is achieved, with htertwining ascending and descending 5 vehicb ramps allowing for a significant Iength of tunncl 15 to be packcd into a reladve-; Iy small structure.
` The video display system 10 of the present hvendon is applicable for usc in thc mass entertahment m~rlcet, most notably in an amusement or theme parlc setdng. Therc are other applicadons in training and personnd processing ma~icets, rnost appropriate to 10 situadons wherein large numbers of people are involved, such as is encountered in a military setting.
`!. Thus there has been described a new and irnproved video display system tha may be employed in a movhg vehicle entertainment or training system. It is to beunderstood that the above-described embodunent is merely illustradve of sorne of the 15 many specific embodiments which represent applicadons of the prhcipbs of ~he present .,~.J' inventdon. Clearly, numerous and other arrangements can be rcadily dbvised by those ~ sldlled in the art without departing from the scope of the invendon.
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Claims (5)
1. A video graphics display system that may be employed in a moving vehicle entertainment system employing a plurality of vehicles that are adapted to move through the entertainment system, said video display system comprising:
a flat faceted serpentine tunnel having an interior and an exterior, and whereinthe tunnel comprises a plurality of conterminous facet sections, each section comprising a plurality of flat rear projection screens;
a plurality of video projectors disposed adjacent the exterior of the plurality of projection screens of each facet section that arc adapted to provide video imagery corresponding to image scenes that are viewable by participants that ride in the moving vehicles that move through the interior of the tunnel;
a plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed on the exterior of the projection screens of each section that are adapted to relay the video imagery film predetermined ones of the video projectors onto corresponding ones of the plurality of rear projection screens of each section.
a flat faceted serpentine tunnel having an interior and an exterior, and whereinthe tunnel comprises a plurality of conterminous facet sections, each section comprising a plurality of flat rear projection screens;
a plurality of video projectors disposed adjacent the exterior of the plurality of projection screens of each facet section that arc adapted to provide video imagery corresponding to image scenes that are viewable by participants that ride in the moving vehicles that move through the interior of the tunnel;
a plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed on the exterior of the projection screens of each section that are adapted to relay the video imagery film predetermined ones of the video projectors onto corresponding ones of the plurality of rear projection screens of each section.
2. The system of Claim 1 wherein the gain characteristics of each rear projection screen is selected to cause the image to dim to less than 50 percent of its center brightness when viewed from more than 60 degrees off axis.
3. The system of Claim 2 wherein a plurality of vehicles ale adapted to move through the tunnel in a predetermined direction, and wherein as each vehicle progresses down the tunnel, the gain characteristics of the projection screens in the current, preceding and succeeding sections surrounding the vehicle cause them to be illuminated, and as the vehicle transitions from the current to the forward section, the rearward section is extinguished and the next forward section in line becomes illumi-nated, and wherein the image intensity of the forward section is gradually increased as the vehicle approaches, making the transition nearly undetectable.
4. The system of Claim 1 wherein each rear projection screen has a resolution of 512 lines by 1024 pixel rasters.
5. The system of Claim 1 wherein the tunnel comprises turns made between sections along any of its five section joints, and wherein at a turn, the sections become trapezoidal and shorter, thus providing for a serpentine tunnel.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US840,222 | 1992-02-24 | ||
| US07/840,222 US5253049A (en) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-02-24 | Tunnel vision video display system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2105668A1 true CA2105668A1 (en) | 1993-08-25 |
Family
ID=25281769
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002105668A Abandoned CA2105668A1 (en) | 1992-02-24 | 1993-02-24 | Tunnel vision video display system |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5253049A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0582706A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2647263B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR970002067B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2105668A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993018496A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5746599A (en) * | 1994-10-31 | 1998-05-05 | Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation | Modular video display system |
| GB2308261A (en) * | 1995-12-15 | 1997-06-18 | Peter Mcduffie White | Projection arrangement for displaying seamless imagery on a spherical screen |
| GB0316512D0 (en) * | 2003-07-15 | 2003-08-20 | Lameek Ltd | Co-ordinated travelling image |
| JP4556542B2 (en) * | 2004-08-09 | 2010-10-06 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Image display device |
| GB0425987D0 (en) * | 2004-11-26 | 2004-12-29 | Tv Sports Network Ltd | Surround vision |
| US8733028B2 (en) * | 2010-01-08 | 2014-05-27 | Mechdyne Corporation | Display transformation assembly for a visualization system |
| US8727896B2 (en) | 2012-03-14 | 2014-05-20 | Anton Frolov | Underground and underwater amusement attractions |
| US9298071B2 (en) | 2012-07-12 | 2016-03-29 | Cj Cgv Co., Ltd. | Multi-projection system |
| GB201305781D0 (en) * | 2013-03-28 | 2013-05-15 | Third Eye Technologies Ltd | Battlefield simulation apparatus and method |
| US20150003636A1 (en) * | 2013-06-26 | 2015-01-01 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Scalable and automatic distance-based audio adjustment |
| US10099149B2 (en) * | 2015-10-02 | 2018-10-16 | Universal City Studios Llc | Amusement park ride tunnel |
Family Cites Families (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1119557A (en) * | 1965-10-11 | 1968-07-10 | Noel Edward Lamb | Visual simulation |
| US3862358A (en) * | 1971-11-04 | 1975-01-21 | Us Navy | Visual simulation system |
| US3749810A (en) * | 1972-02-23 | 1973-07-31 | A Dow | Choreographic musical and/or luminescent appliance |
| JPS57102481A (en) * | 1980-12-16 | 1982-06-25 | Fujitec Kk | Detector for abnormality of inside of cage for elevator |
| US4473355A (en) * | 1983-06-30 | 1984-09-25 | Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung | Visual simulator and display screen for said simulator |
| JPS6418181A (en) * | 1987-07-13 | 1989-01-20 | Mitsubishi Precision Co Ltd | Image display |
| US4986187A (en) * | 1988-12-27 | 1991-01-22 | Lionel Trains, Inc. | Toy vehicle assembly with video display capability |
| RU1769915C (en) * | 1989-01-02 | 1992-10-23 | Teatr Polifonicheskoj Dramy | Side-show |
| JPH0632700B2 (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1994-05-02 | 株式会社ナムコ | Amusement device |
| US5015189A (en) * | 1989-10-20 | 1991-05-14 | Doron Precision Systems, Inc. | Training apparatus |
| US5004225A (en) * | 1989-11-01 | 1991-04-02 | Yuri Krukovsky | Simulated observation flight apparatus |
| US5130794A (en) * | 1990-03-29 | 1992-07-14 | Ritchey Kurtis J | Panoramic display system |
| US5071209A (en) * | 1990-05-07 | 1991-12-10 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Variable acuity non-linear projection system |
| US5137450A (en) * | 1990-11-05 | 1992-08-11 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretry Of The Air Force | Display for advanced research and training (DART) for use in a flight simulator and the like |
| US5179440A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1993-01-12 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Rear projection facetted dome |
-
1992
- 1992-02-24 US US07/840,222 patent/US5253049A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1993
- 1993-02-24 WO PCT/US1993/001612 patent/WO1993018496A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-02-24 EP EP93906184A patent/EP0582706A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1993-02-24 KR KR1019930703224A patent/KR970002067B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-02-24 CA CA002105668A patent/CA2105668A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-02-24 JP JP5515731A patent/JP2647263B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5253049A (en) | 1993-10-12 |
| JPH06503906A (en) | 1994-04-28 |
| WO1993018496A3 (en) | 1993-11-25 |
| EP0582706A1 (en) | 1994-02-16 |
| JP2647263B2 (en) | 1997-08-27 |
| KR970002067B1 (en) | 1997-02-21 |
| WO1993018496A2 (en) | 1993-09-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |