United States Patent [19J
`Maass
`
`[54] DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING MOVING
`IMAGES IN THE BACKGROUND OF A
`STAGE
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Uwe Maass, Lindlarer Strasse 107,
`D-51491, Overath, Germany
`
`[21] Appl. No.:
`
`836,911
`
`[22] PCT Filed:
`
`Aug. 31, 1996
`
`[86] PCTNo.:
`
`PCT/EP96/03832
`
`§ 371 Date:
`
`Jul. 7, 1997
`
`§ 102(e) Date: Jul. 7, 1997
`
`[87] PCT Pub. No.: W097/11405
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Mar. 27, 1997
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep. 20, 1995
`
`[DE]
`
`Germany ....................... 295 15 073 U
`
`Int. Cl.6
`..................................................... G03B 21/28
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ................................ 353/28; 359/630; 472/58
`[58] Field of Search .................................. 353/28, 98, 30,
`353/29, 10; 359/478, 630; 472/58, 61, 63
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,053,887
`1,358,110
`2,198,815
`3,035,836
`4,805,895
`
`2/1913 Sontag .
`11/1920 Presicce .
`4/1940 Haskin .
`5/1962 McCulley ........... ... ......... ... ........ 353/28
`2/1989 Rogers .
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US005865519A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,865,519
`Feb. 2, 1999
`
`5,573,325 11/1996 Lekowski ................. .... ............. 353/28
`5,669,685
`9/1997 Kotaui eta!. ............................. 353/28
`5,685,625 11/1997 Beaver ...................................... 353/28
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`389185
`408191
`2714741
`2039680
`wo 89/05682
`
`9/1908 France .
`3/1910 France .
`7/1995 France .
`8/1980 United Kingdom .
`6/1989 WIPO .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Rasche et al., Buhnentechniche Rundschau (1990) BTR
`3:24--5.
`
`Primary Examiner-William Dowling
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Klauber & Jackson
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An article such as for example a motor vehicle at a publicity
`function is to be represented in front of different viewers
`(38) in the background of a stage (28) in the form of a virtual
`image (26). A presenter ( 40) is to stand in the image and give
`explanations. Disposed above the stage (28) is an image
`source (12, 14). It projects an image, a film, on to a reflecting
`surface (18) on the floor (30) of the stage (28). Behind that
`reflecting surface (18) a transparent smooth foil (20) extends
`at 45° from the ceiling (32) to the floor (30). The image
`produced by the image source (12, 14) appears to the
`viewers (38) as a virtual image (26) behind the foil (20). The
`presenter ( 40) stands behind the foil (20) and in the middle
`of the image.
`
`15 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`14
`
`32
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`26
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`Cirque du Soleil My
`Call, L.L.C.
`Ex. 1001
`Page 1 of 9
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1999
`Feb. 2, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 of5
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`5,865,519
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`Page 2 of 9
`Page 2 of 9
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1999
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`Sheet 2 of 5
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`5,865,519
`
`FIG.2
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`Page 3 of 9
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 2,1999
`Feb. 2, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1999
`Feb. 2, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f5
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`5,865,519
`5,865,519
`
`FIG.S
`
`14
`
`48
`
`Page 5 of 9
`Page 5 of 9
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1999
`Feb. 2, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`Sheet 5 0f5
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`5,865,519
`5,865,519
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`50
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`Page 6 of 9
`Page 6 of 9
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`

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`5,865,519
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`1
`DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING MOVING
`IMAGES IN THE BACKGROUND OF A
`STAGE
`
`The invention concerns an apparatus for representing
`moving images in the background of a stage or the like using
`an image source.
`Transparency lectures or presentations are known, and
`that expression is a well-established piece of terminology. In
`a transparency presentation the presenter projects still
`images or pictures on to a projection screen. The presenter
`himself stands outside the light cone between the projector
`and the projection screen and comments on the images.
`Instead of the transparency projector the presenter can also
`use a film apparatus. In that case moving images appear on
`the projection screen and the presenter comments thereon. In
`both cases the presenter stands outside the light cone. He
`does not appear on or in the image himself. If he were to
`move into the light cone he would mask off a part of the light
`beam. Instead of the image, the shadow of the presenter
`would then appear on the projection screen. If the presenter
`wants to direct the attention of his viewers to a given point
`in the image he uses for that purpose a pointer or a light with
`a sharply focussed light beam.
`The foregoing kind of presentation is sufficient for image
`and film presentations for photographic and film amateurs.
`Travellers who show films or transparencies of their travels
`to a wide circle of viewers can also use that kind of
`presentation without detriment. The viewers are only inter(cid:173)
`ested in the film or the transparencies and the words of the
`presenter. They attribute only slight significance to the
`manner of presentation and the technical equipment
`involved.
`The position is different if the viewers do not have any
`particular interest in the articles to be shown and an interest
`first has to be aroused. The position is also different when the
`film presentation is to take place at a high technical level, for
`overriding reasons. The situation is also different if the film
`presentation is to be made more relaxed and less monoto(cid:173)
`nous and linked to so-called display effects.
`A theatre production is described as a ghost trick in the
`literature (for example Buhnentechnische Rundschau, BTR
`3/1990, pages 24 and 25), involving disposing a pane of
`glass inclinedly in the front region of the stage. An actor is
`positioned beneath the pane of glass and in a lowered part of
`the stage. He is bedecked with wide white garments and
`represents the ghost. He is lit by a spotlight which is also
`disposed under the stage. The image of that actor represent(cid:173)
`ing the ghost is projected on to the pane of glass and appears
`to the viewers behind the pane of glass a virtual image. In
`that theatre presentation a second actor is on the stage. He
`represents a hero or sorcerer who conjures up the ghost.
`On the basis thereof, the object of the present invention
`is an apparatus with which film and image presentations can
`be made relaxed and the presenter himself can move into the
`image without thereby interfering with reproduction of the
`image on a projection screen or generally on a surface. In
`accordance with the invention, that object is attained in an
`apparatus of the kind set forth in the opening part of this
`specification, in that a reflecting surface is arranged on the
`floor of the stage in the central region thereof, a transparent
`smooth foil extends between the floor and the top or ceiling
`of the stage over the entire width thereof in such a way that
`its lower end is held to a position between the reflecting
`surface and the background and its upper end is held to the
`ceiling at a position which is disposed further forwardly, and
`the image source is arranged at the ceiling in front of the
`
`10
`
`2
`upper end of the foil which is held there, and is directed on
`to the reflecting surface.
`The apparatus according to the invention makes use of
`the physical principle that any motor car driver experiences
`on the windshield of his vehicle. An article lying on the
`storage surface in front of the windshield is reflected therein
`in such a way that it seems to the motor car driver to be
`disposed in front of the windshield, as viewed in the
`direction of travel. In the case of the apparatus according to
`the invention the article to be represented is projected by the
`image source on to the reflecting surface which corresponds
`to the above-mentioned support surface, and it is then
`reflected in the transparent smooth foil in such a way that it
`appears to the viewer on the background of the stage. The
`foil which extends over the entire width of the stage and
`15 which is held to the floor and ceiling thereof acts like the
`windshield in a motor vehicle. A viewer at any point in the
`auditorium believes that he is seeing any article reflected by
`the reflecting surface on to the foil, behind same. The
`presenter stands on the stage outside the light cone of the
`20 image source. As viewed from the auditorium, he stands
`behind the reflecting surface. That means that his image is
`not formed on the background, nor does he disturb the image
`representation thereon. He can draw the attention of the
`viewers to given details in the image representation, without
`25 making use of a pointer or a light. He can likewise move
`with the images and interpret the reproduction thereof by
`virtue of his body language.
`Desirably the foil extends at an angle of about 45°
`relative to the floor of the stage. The image source can be a
`30 display screen tube with a very high degree of resolution. It
`can be controlled by a computer. That means that the image
`can also be electronically influenced. Desirably a computer(cid:173)
`controlled intelligent light amplifier (also known as an ILA)
`is used as the image source. It is oriented horizontally and
`35 emits light in the direction of the auditorium. Accordingly its
`longest extent lies in the horizontal and it can be easily
`concealed from the viewers. So that the light which it
`radiates reaches the reflecting surface, a further embodiment
`provides that a mirror is arranged in front of the computer-
`40 controlled light amplifier and the latter is directed on to the
`mirror and the mirror receives the light emitted by the light
`amplifier, is directed on to the reflecting surface and projects
`the light on to same.
`If possible the viewer should not notice how the image in
`45 the background of the stage is produced. Therefore the light
`amplifier and the mirror are desirably covered over for(cid:173)
`wardly by a curtain or a board which extends over the entire
`width of the stage. The foil itself is under a very high tensile
`stress of up to St. In that way it is held tautly smooth and the
`50 image is not distorted. The foil is preferably without any
`inclusions. It is also to be very smooth on its front side and
`its rear side. It is also to be very thin. Finally the foil is to
`reflect between 30 and 50%, preferably 30%, of the light
`impinging on it. Such a foil is particularly well suited for the
`55 purposes according to the invention. The absence of inclu(cid:173)
`sions and the smooth front and rear sides thereof result in
`very slight and imperceptible distortion effects. The fact that
`the foil is very thin serves the same purpose. Reflection
`phenomena at the front and rear sides thereof thus coincide.
`60 The foil used for the purposes according to the invention is
`generally subjected to further processing as transparency or
`35 mm films. When used as a transparency film, it is cut up
`into the format of the transparency or 35 mm films. When it
`is used for the invention the foil has a surface area of at least
`65 3 m times 4 m.
`In a desirable embodiment the foil is rolled on to a
`winding tube. It is suspended therewith at the ceiling of the
`
`Page 7 of 9
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`

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`5,865,519
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`10
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`3
`stage. Desirably it is fixed to the ceiling, together with the
`intelligent light amplifier. The free end of the foil can be
`pulled off the winding tube and is fixed to the floor of the
`stage. A support mounting arranged on the floor of the stage
`is used for that purpose.
`The reflecting surface may be a white projection screen
`which is to be laid on to the floor of the stage. The reflecting
`surface however may also be a simple white coat of paint.
`As the presenter moves outside it and more specifically
`behind it, it retains its reflecting properties for a very long
`period of time.
`The apparatus according to the invention is advanta(cid:173)
`geously used in connection with a stage with a floor which
`can be raised and lowered. The reflecting surface, the
`projection screen, the coat of paint or the like, is disposed on
`that part of the floor, which can be raised and lowered. When 15
`the floor is lowered the spacing between the image source
`and the reflecting surface is increased. As a result the virtual
`image which appears in the background of the stage is
`displaced rearwardly.
`The apparatus according to the invention is to be easy to 20
`transport from one location to another and to set up at
`different locations. For that purpose, in a desirable
`embodiment, the invention provides that its components are
`enclosed by a lattice frame and can be secured thereto.
`Desirably, the lattice frame has units which can be set up on 25
`the two sides of the apparatus or the stage thereof and which
`each have a lower girder portion, an upper girder portion, a
`front girder portion and a back girder portion. The lattice
`frame units which can be set up on the two sides of the
`apparatus or stage can be connected together by transversely 30
`extending struts.
`Desirably the winding tube is secured to the upper girder
`portions by way of brackets while the mounting support
`which holds the free end of the foil is fixed to the lower
`girder portions.
`The invention will now be further described by way of
`the example of the embodiments illustrated in the drawing in
`which:
`FIG. 1 is a simplified diagrammatic side view of the
`apparatus according to the invention,
`FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagrammatic side view of the
`apparatus according to the invention, simultaneously show(cid:173)
`ing the auditorium,
`FIG. 3 is a side view of the stage similarly to the
`illustration in FIG. 2 with the floor lowered,
`FIG. 4 is a view of the auditorium and the stage looking
`in the direction of the line IV-IV in FIG. 2,
`FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus according to the
`invention when using the lattice frames surrounding it, and
`FIG. 6 is a view in the direction of the line VI-VI.
`FIG. 1 shows the physical principle of the apparatus
`according to the invention with the computer-controlled
`intelligent light amplifier 12 which acts as an image source,
`the mirror 14 which in the view in FIG. 1 is arranged to the
`left in front of it and which projects the light radiated on to 55
`it from the light amplifier 12 on to the reflecting surface 18
`in the form of a light cone 16 as indicated by two broken
`lines, the foil 20 with its lower holding means in the form of
`a mounting bracket 22 and its upper holding means in the
`form of a winding tube 24 and the virtual image 26 which 60
`is represented in the background of the stage. The computer(cid:173)
`controlled intelligent light amplifier 12 projects a moving
`image on to the mirror 14. This projects it on to the reflecting
`surface 18 which projects it on to the foil20. From the point
`of view of a viewer who is at the left in FIG. 1-see FIG. 65
`2-a moving image appears in the background as a virtual
`image 26.
`
`4
`FIGS. 2 and 3 show a practical application of the
`apparatus according to the invention at a presentation or
`lecture function. More specifically FIG. 2 again shows the
`stage 28, the floor 30 thereof and the ceiling 32 thereof.
`Extending under the ceiling 32 of the stage 28 over the entire
`width thereof is a curtain or a cover rail or board 34. It covers
`over in a forward direction the computer-controlled intelli(cid:173)
`gent light amplifier 12 and the mirror 14. The viewers 38 sit
`in the auditorium 36. The presenter or lecturer 40 stands on
`the stage 28 behind the reflecting surface 18. The reflecting
`surface 18 is for example a projection screen or a coat of
`white paint. The double-headed arrow shown under the floor
`30 is intended to indicate that it can be raised and lowered.
`FIG. 2 shows the floor 30 at its normal height. The virtual
`image 26 appears in the background of the stage 28 at a
`given location. FIG. 3 shows the same stage 28 with the floor
`30 lowered. When the floor 30 is lowered the virtual image
`26 moves rearwardly, towards the right when looking at
`FIGS. 2 and 3.
`FIG. 4 shows a practical application of the apparatus
`according to the invention in a presentation function relating
`to motor vehicles. FIG. 4 shows a presentation article 42, in
`this example being a motor vehicle. The viewers 38 see it in
`the background as a virtual image. They do not recognise
`that this involves a reflection at the reflecting surface 18 and
`the foil20. They only see how the presenter 40 moves freely
`in front of the motor vehicle, points with his arms and hands
`to the motor vehicle and parts thereof, explains details in
`words, and in so doing neither interferes with nor in any way
`influences the reproduction of the motor vehicle in the
`background in the form of the virtual image 26.
`FIGS. 5 and 6 show the transportable embodiment of the
`apparatus according to the invention, which can be set up at
`any desired location. Lattice frames 44 which can be set up
`35 at both sides of the apparatus serve for that purpose. Each
`lattice frame comprises a lower girder portion 46, an upper
`girder portion 48, a front girder portion 50 and a back girder
`portion 52. Lattice frames of that kind are known. Each
`girder portion comprises a plurality of parts which can be
`40 releasably connected together. For the purposes of erecting
`the apparatus, the parts of the girder portions are fitted
`together and joined together. For transportation purposes
`they are separated from each other and can be transported in
`the form of comparatively small units on a truck or the like.
`45 As shown in FIG. 5 the computer-controlled intelligent light
`amplifier 12 and the winding tube 24 are fixed to a bracket.
`The bracket is in turn fixed to a transverse strut which
`connects the two upper girder portions 48. The same applies
`in regard to the mirror 14. When the apparatus is erected the
`50 foil 20 is pulled off the winding tube 24, fixed to the
`mounting bracket 22 and then tensioned. The reflecting
`surface 18 is laid on the floor in the form of a plate or the
`like which is coated or painted white, or in the form of a
`projection screen. The stage 28 on which the presenter 40
`stands when making his presentation is composed of parts
`which are known per se on their own and it is erected in the
`rearward region of the apparatus.
`I claim:
`1. Apparatus for representing moving images in the back(cid:173)
`ground of a stage using an image source, said stage includ(cid:173)
`ing a floor, a ceiling disposed vertically above said floor and
`a background disposed therebetween, said apparatus char(cid:173)
`acterised in that a reflecting surface (18) is arranged on said
`floor (30) of said stage (28) in the central region thereof, a
`transparent smooth foil (20) extends between said floor (30)
`and said ceiling (32) at a position which is disposed further
`forwardly, and the image source is arranged at the ceiling
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`5,865,519
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`5
`(32) in front of the upper end of the foil (20) which is held
`there, and is directed on to the reflecting surface (18).
`2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
`the foil (18) extends at an angle of about 45° relative to the
`floor (30) of the stage (28).
`3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 character(cid:173)
`ised in that the image source is a computer-controlled
`intelligent light amplifier (12).
`4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 characterised in that
`a mirror (14) is arranged in front of the computer-controlled 10
`light amplifier (12) and said light amplifier is directed on to
`the mirror (14) and the mirror (14) receives the light radiated
`from the light amplifier (12), is directed on to the reflecting
`surface (18) and projects the light on to said reflecting
`surface.
`5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that
`the light amplifier (12) and the mirror (14) are covered over
`forwardly by a curtain extending over the entire width of the
`stage (28).
`6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that 20
`the foil is subject to a tensile stress.
`7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 characterised in that
`the foil (20) has a surface area of at least 3 m times 4 m.
`8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 characterised in that
`the foil (20) is rolled on a winding tube (24) and can be 25
`pulled off same and can be fixed with its free end in a support
`mounting (22).
`
`6
`9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
`the reflecting surface (18) is a coat of white paint.
`10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
`the reflecting surface (18) is a white projection screen.
`11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
`the floor (30) of the stage (28) can be raised and lowered.
`12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that
`light amplifier (12), mirror (14), reflecting surface (18), foil
`(20) and stage (28) are enclosed by a lattice frame ( 44) and
`can be fixed thereto.
`13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 characterised in that
`the lattice frame ( 44) includes two units which can be set up
`on both sides of the stage (28) and each unit has a lower
`15 girder portion ( 46), an upper girder portion ( 48), a front
`girder portion (50) and a back girder portion (52).
`14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 characterised in that
`the two lattice frame units which can be set up on both sides
`of the stage (28) can be connected by transversely extending
`struts.
`15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 characterised that the
`light amplifier (12) and the mirror (14) are covered over
`forwardly by a cover bar (34) extending over the entire
`width of the stage (28).
`
`* * * * *
`
`Page 9 of 9