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 Title: |
US5528425:
Apparatus and method for creating optical illusion effects
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Beaver, Robert T.; Raleigh, NC
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| Assignee: |
Design Magic, Inc., Raleigh, NC
other patents from DESIGN MAGIC, INC. (721555) (approx. 2)
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| Published / Filed: |
1996-06-18
/ 1993-10-06
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| Application Number: |
US1993000132379
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A63J 5/02;
G02B 27/14;
Core:
A63J 5/00;
more...
IPC-7:
G02B 27/14;
G03B 21/32;
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| ECLA Code: |
A63J5/02C; G02B27/14;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
359/629;
352/085;
359/478;
Original:
359/629;
352/085;
359/478;
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| Field of Search: |
352/088,89,90,85
359/629,630,449,460,443,478
353/010,30
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| Priority Number: |
| 1993-10-06 |
US1993000132379 |
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| Abstract: |
An apparatus for providing optical illusion effects, which includes a first projection screen; an area from which persons may view the first projection screen; a stage area between the viewing area and the first projection screen; an illumination system for the stage area so that objects on the stage may be illuminated at a desired light level without directly illuminating the first screen; an inclined, partially silvered mirror between the viewing area and the stage area; a second projection screen positioned in a second plane at a first angle to the first plane, wherein the inclined mirror is positioned between the first and second planes; a first projector for projecting images on the first projection screen so that images on the first projection screen may be seen by viewers in the viewing area; a second projector for projecting images on the second projection screen so that images on the second projection screen are visible to the viewers by means of reflection from the mirror and appear to be located at a selected location; and a component for changing between images from the projector so that viewers may be presented an image from either or both projector at any one time. Methods of using the apparatus include providing the optical illusion of having characters and objects merge interactively with projected images.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Olive & Olive ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Dzierzynski, Paul M.; Schuberg, Darren E.
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Designated Country: |
AM AP BB BG BR BY CA CN CZ EP FI GE HU JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LT LV MD MG MN MW NO NZ OA PL RO RU SD SI SK TJ TT UA US
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| Family: |
Show 8 known family members
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First Claim:
Show all 7 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A method of providing one or more selected visual illusion effects for live performances comprising:
- (a) providing an apparatus comprising:
- (i) a first projection screen having a front viewing side and being positioned in a first plane;
- (ii) a viewing area from which said first projection screen is visible to persons in an audience in said viewing area;
- (iii) a stage area between said viewing area and said first projection screen;
- (iv) an inclined, partially silvered mirror between said viewing area and said stage area, said mirror being inclined upward away from the viewing area;
- (v) a movable second projection screen lying in a second plane at an angle to said first plane, wherein said inclined mirror is positioned between said planes and at equal angles to said first plane and said second plane;
- (vi) a rear projection means for projecting images on said first projection screen so that images on said first projection screen are visible to viewers in said audience in said viewing area;
- (vii) a second projection means for projecting images on said second projection screen so that images on said second projection screen are visible to said viewers by means of reflection from said mirror and appear to be located at a selected location; and
- (viii) a computerized switching means of changing between images from said projection means;
- (b) placing an object between said partially silvered mirror and said first screen;
- (c) utilizing said projection means and said movable second projection screen to create a visual illusion wherein when images from said second projection means are reflected from said mirror so that said selected location is (i) in said first plane, said images are indistinguishable to said persons from images being projected directly on said first projection screen, (ii) in front of said first plane, said images appear to said persons to have moved closer to said audience than said first plane, and (iii) behind said first plane, said images appear to have moved farther from said audience than said first plane; and
- (d) providing a character in a production utilizing said apparatus with a position sensor device to coordinate selected projected images with movement of said character.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 12 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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