Actuatable surface techniques
AssigneeUniversal City Studios LLC
InventorsJohn Hixson, Michael Tresaugue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuatable surface system may include a plurality of actuatable assemblies. Each actuatable assembly may include a flexible membrane and a bracket at least partially sealing the flexible membrane within the bracket. A fluid conduit is configured to apply fluid to a rear side of the flexible membrane to cause the flexible membrane to form a raised structure relative to the bracket, which in turn causes a surface layer, e.g., a projection surface, to protrude to accommodate the raised structure. A controller is configured to address each individual actuatable assembly to cause the fluid source to apply the fluid to form the raised structure.
Claims23
An actuatable surface system comprising:
- a plurality of actuatable assemblies, wherein an individual actuatable assembly of the plurality of actuatable assemblies comprises:
- a flexible membrane;
- a bracket at least partially sealing the flexible membrane within the bracket;
- and
- a fluid conduit configured to apply fluid to a rear side of the flexible membrane to cause the flexible membrane to form a raised structure relative to the bracket;
- a frame holding the plurality of actuatable assemblies;
- a surface layer coupled to the plurality of actuatable assemblies and in contact with at least a portion of a front side of the flexible membranes of the plurality of actuatable assemblies, wherein the front side opposes the rear side and the surface layer is configured to move together with the flexible membranes when the flexible membranes are in the raised structure;
- and
- a controller configured to address each individual actuatable assembly of the plurality of actuatable assemblies to cause fluid to be applied through the fluid conduit to form the raised structure.
A system comprising:
- a projection surface configured to display an image on a viewer side of the projection surface;
- a projector configured to project the image onto the viewer side of the projection surface;
- a plurality of actuatable assemblies coupled to a rear side of the projection surface, wherein the rear side is opposite the viewer side, and wherein each individual actuatable assembly of the plurality of actuatable assemblies comprises a flexible membrane and a fluid conduit configured to apply fluid to the flexible membrane to cause the flexible membrane to form a raised structure such that a portion of the projection surface protrudes;
- and
- a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to output signals to the projector to cause the image to be projected onto the projection surface, and wherein the controller is configured to provide instructions to a subset of the plurality of actuatable assemblies to form a pattern of respective raised structures based at least in part on the image.
A method, comprising:
- receiving an initiation signal from a controller;
- controlling a first subset of solenoid valves of a plurality of solenoid valves to open in a first direction based on receiving the initiation signal, wherein each of the plurality of solenoid valves, when open, is fluidically connected to a space at least partially sealed by a respective flexible membrane;
- applying a pressurized fluid through each solenoid valve of the first subset opened in the first direction to cause the respective flexible membranes of the first subset to form raised structures in a first pattern;
- controlling the first subset of solenoid valves of the plurality of solenoid valves to open in a second direction based on receiving a subsequent signal;
- removing the pressurized fluid through each solenoid valve of the first subset open in the second direction to cause the respective flexible membranes of the subset to form planar structures;
- and
- controlling one or more light sources to shine light through the respective flexible membranes while in the raised structures and not while in the planar structures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.