Patent Application
20250147402
A projector is an optical device that projects light onto a surface. For example, the projector may create an image of the surface as a result of projecting the light onto the surface. In some instances, the projector may project the light through a system of lenses to create the image of the surface.
A system may comprise a projection surface and a light source. The projection surface may comprise a first layer comprising a material that prevents reflection of light, a second layer comprising a transparent image forming material, and a third layer comprising a privacy screen filter. The second layer may be provided between the first layer and the third layer. The light source may be configured to emit light on the projection surface to create an image on the projection surface. The light source may face the first layer. The light may be emitted at a projection angle on the projection surface. The third layer may cause the projection surface to appear translucent from a viewpoint of the light source emitting the light at the projection angle.
A transparent projection surface may comprise a first layer comprising a material that prevents reflection of light; a second layer comprising a transparent image forming material; and a third layer comprising a privacy screen filter. The second layer is provided between the first layer and the third layer, and the first layer is configured to receive light emitted by a light source.
A method, for manufacturing a projection surface, may comprise providing a first layer comprising a material that prevents reflection of light; providing a second layer comprising a transparent material; and providing a third layer comprising a privacy screen filter.
The following detailed description of example implementations refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.
Special lighting and visual effects may be provided at a venue. The special lightning and visual effects may include holographic images, floating images, among other examples. In some situations, a video projector may be used to provide the special lighting and visual effects. For example, the video projector may project light on a clear surface, such as a transparent plastic or a scrim fabric. As used herein, scrim fabric can broadly refer to an open-weave fabric, such as muslin or hessian, that can be used to create the illusion of a solid wall, suggest haziness, or diffuse light.
A problem, with using the video projector to project the light on the clear surface, is that the light passes through the clear surface. For example, 80% of the light passes through the clear surface and is additionally projected on an additional surface (provided behind the clear surface). This problem may be referred to as “blow by” or “blow through.” The additional surface may be a wall, a ceiling, an object, among other examples.
The additional projection on the additional surface negatively affects a visual quality of the projection on the clear surface. For example, the additional projection on the additional surface dims the special lighting and visual effects on the clear surface. Moreover, the additional projection on the additional surface decreases the efficiency of the special lighting and visual effects on the projection surface.
One solution to the problem mentioned above may be to reconfigure the video projector (e.g., to increase a brightness of the video projector). Another solution to the problem mentioned above may be to obfuscate the additional projection with architecture (e.g., with one or more physical structures). Yet another solution to the problem mentioned above may be to utilize one or more additional devices to illuminate the additional surface (e.g., to obfuscate the additional projection). Yet another solution to the problem mentioned above may be to build structures to obfuscate the additional projection. The additional structures may be referred to as “light traps.” Yet another solution to the problem mentioned above may be to change the point of a view in which a person may view the special lighting and visual effects.
Solutions to the problem indicated above may result in negative effects. For example, reconfiguring the video projector consumes a considerable amount of computing resources. Additionally, or alternatively, obfuscating the additional projection with architecture and/or with the one or more additional devices is time-consuming. Additionally, or alternatively, obfuscating the additional projection with architecture and/or with the one or more additional devices increases the cost of creating the special lighting and visual effects. Additionally, or alternatively, obfuscating the additional projection with architecture and/or with the one or more additional devices reduces the different types of special lighting and visual effects that may be created using the projector.
Implementations described herein are directed to a system that enables light to be projected on a projection surface without causing the light to pass through the projection surface. In other words, the light may be projected on the projection surface without being projected on an additional surface located behind the projection surface.
The system may include a light source that is configured to project the light. The light source may project the light at a projection angle on the projection surface (e.g., to form an image on the projection surface). The image may be viewed by a guest at a viewing angle that is different than the projection angle.
The projection surface may include multiple layers. For example, the projection surface may include a first layer comprising a material that prevents reflection of light, a second layer comprising a transparent image forming material, and a third layer comprising a privacy screen filter. The second layer may be provided between the first layer and the third layer.
The privacy screen filter may be a film that appears transparent from a first viewpoint and appears translucent or opaque in a second direction different from the first direction. Alternatively, the privacy screen filter may appear opaque from the second viewpoint. In other words, the privacy screen filter may be a film that appears transparent in a first direction and translucent or opaque in a second direction. Accordingly, the privacy screen filter may cause the projection to appear transparent from the first viewpoint and translucent from the second viewpoint.
When viewing the projection surface at the viewing angle, the projection surface may appear transparent to the guest. In other words, the viewpoint of the guest may be the first viewpoint. Conversely, when projecting the light at the projection angle, the projection surface may appear translucent or opaque to the light source. In other words, the viewpoint of the light source may be the second viewpoint.
Because the light source is projecting the light on the projection surface that appears translucent or opaque, the light is not projected on the additional surface. In this regard, the privacy screen filter may prevent the light from being projected on the additional surface based on the light being projected at the projection angle corresponding to the second viewpoint.
By preventing the light from being projected on the additional surface, the privacy screen filter may enable the images formed on the projection surface to exceed a brightness of the images that would have been formed on the projection surface without the privacy filter. Accordingly, by preventing the light from being projected on the additional surface, the privacy screen filter may improve the efficiency of projecting the light to create the special lighting and visual effects on the projection surface.
Accordingly, the system described herein preserves the computing resources that would have otherwise been consumed to reconfigure the light source. Additionally, the system described herein preserves the amount of time and the cost associated with obfuscating the additional projection with architecture, with structures, and/or with the one or more additional devices. Moreover, the system described herein enables different types of special lighting and visual effects to be created. Furthermore, the system described herein enables the materials, of the projection surface, to be used in flexible use case installation.
Projection surface 110 may be a transparent projection surface. As shown in
First layer 115 may be configured to prevent a bright light from reflecting on a piece of glass or plastic. First layer 115 may be configured to prevent a hot spot during projection of the light on projection surface 110. First layer 115 may comprise an anti-reflective film. Alternatively, first layer 115 may comprise a material that prevents glare. For example, first layer 115 may comprise an anti-glare material.
Second layer 120 may be configured to cause an image to be formed based on the light projected by light source 105 on projection surface 110. As an example, second layer 120 may include a film, such as a holographic film. The film may be clear or transparent. Alternatively, second layer 120 may include a fabric, such as a scrim fabric.
Additionally, or alternatively, second layer 120 may include transparent projection surfaces and materials. For example, second layer 120 may include a fabric material, a mesh material, a holoscreen-type projection window film, and/or a spray applied transparent projection coatings material, among other examples. In some instances, an emulsion chemical may be applied on second layer 120. Additionally, or alternatively, second layer 120 may include a film for screen printing applications. For example, second layer 120 may include a polyester film (e.g., dimensionally stable polyester film) with a clear microporous coating.
Third layer 125 may be configured to prevent the light projected on projection surface 110 from being projected on an additional surface located behind projection surface 110. For example, third layer 125 may include a film that appears transparent from the first viewpoint and translucent from the second viewpoint. Alternatively, the film may appear opaque from the second viewpoint. In other words, the privacy screen filter may be a film that appears transparent in a first direction and translucent or opaque in a second direction. Accordingly, the privacy screen filter may cause the projection to appear transparent from the first viewpoint and translucent from the second viewpoint.
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In contrast to viewing angle 145, light source 105 may project light at a projection angle 155. For example, if the central angle is 0°, projection angle 155 may be +45°. Light source 105 may project light 160 at projection angle 155. By projecting light 160 at projection angle 155, light source 105 may view projection surface 110 from light source viewpoint 165 (e.g., the second viewpoint). Because projection surface 110 projects light 160 at projection angle 155, third layer 125 may prevent light 160 from passing through projection surface 110 to be projected on an additional surface. Light 160 may be diffused at projection angle 155. An entirety of light 160 (or a substantial amount of light 160) may be projected imaged on projection surface 110 and, accordingly, not wasted by being projected on the additional surface. In some implementations, light 160 will not pass through second layer 120 and projection surface 110 may remain clear.
Third layer 125 may be configured to enable projection surface 110 to be a front projection surface or a back projection surface. For example, third layer 125 may be configured to cause the image to be formed by way of a front projection on projection surface 110 or by way of a back projection on projection surface 110. With respect to the front projection, light source 105 and guest 135 may be located on a same side of projection surface 110. With respect to the back projection, light source 105 and guest 135 may be located on opposite sides of projection surface 110. Similarly, second layer 120 may be configured to cause the image to be formed by way of a front projection or by way of a back projection.
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In this regard, the micro-louvers may be configured to cause third layer 125 to appear transparent at viewing angle 145 and cause third layer 125 to appear translucent or opaque at projection angle 155. For example, as shown in
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In some implementations, the third layer may be a directional film. For example, the third layer comprises a plurality of elements. The plurality of elements may cause the third layer to appear translucent when viewed from a first direction that is parallel to the projection angle. Alternatively, the plurality of elements may cause the third layer to appear transparent when viewed from a second direction that is not parallel to the projection angle.
In some implementations, process 500 may include providing a fourth layer comprising a plexiglass material. The third layer may be provided between the second layer and the fourth layer. Process 500 may include providing a third clear adhesive material between the third layer and the fourth layer.
The different layers may be of any size (height and width). A layer may be tiled and or may be modified by way of seam sheets to adjust the size of the layer (e.g., to make the layer wider or taller).
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The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. Furthermore, any of the implementations described herein may be combined unless the foregoing disclosure expressly provides a reason that one or more implementations may not be combined.
As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and/or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and/or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code—it being understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and/or methods based on the description herein.
As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, or the like.
Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination with multiple of the same item.
No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, or a combination of related and unrelated items), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”). Further, spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus, device, and/or element in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
