Apparatus and method for producing three-dimensional images from two-dimensional sources

A method for producing for a theatrical viewing audience in a theatrical viewing region a three-dimensional image from two-dimensinal image sources comprising the steps of:

• providing a multiple image projection source of adjacent two-dimensional planar images to provide first and second adjacent projected planar images;
• positioning a first reflecting member at an oblique angle across the plane of said first projected planar image, whereby a first virtual image of said first two-dimensional planar image is formed;
• positioned at least a secodn reflecting member substantially adjacent sid first reflecting member at an oblique angle across the plane of the second projected planar image whereby a second virtual image of said second two-dimensional planar image is formed, the first reflecting member being at least partially transmissive;
• orienting said first and second reflecting members with respect to each other to place said first and second virtual images in spaced parallel relation to one another, directing the second planar image reflected by the second reflecting member through the first reflecting member, thereby creating a composite image, and directing the first and second virtual images to the theatrical viewing region for viewing by an audience;
• positioning a third reflecting member along a combined projected image of the first and second reflecting members;
• orienting the third reflecting member to produce a combined image visible in the theatrical viewing region;
• interposing the third reflecting member between an audience viewing region and a stage;
• directing light on the stage;
• orienting the third reflecting member to combine the composite two-dimensional images and an image through the third reflecting member from the stage to produce an integrated composite image visible by a theatrical viewing audience in the audience viewing region;
• interposing a fourth partially transmissive reflecting member beyond the third reflecting member in advance of the stage;
• lighting a lower prop region beneath the fourth reflecting member;
• orienting the stage and the lower prop region to direct a three dimensinal image of the stage through the fourth partly transmissive reflecting member, and reflecting a three dimensional image of the lower prop region by the fourth partly transmissive reflecting member, thereby producing a combined visual image of the stage and the lower prop region;
• and orienting the fourth partially transmissive reflecting member to transmit the combined visual stage and prop image through the third partially transmissive reflecting members to the theatrical viewing region, to thereby provide a combined integrated image with the combined two dimensional planar projected image visible by a theatrical viewing audience.

Apparatus for projecting to a theatrical audience a three dimensinal image comprising:

• an image projection source for simultaneously projecting pairs of two dimensional visual images in response to media defining sequentially disposed first and second adjacent planar images;
• the first and second adjacent planar images comprising pairs of displaced images of a scene;
• rear projection screen means for providing an image forming surface, the rear projection screen means disposed in front of the image projection source;
• a theatrical viewing region defining a region in which a significant number of individuals may be gathered as an audience for simultaneous viewing:
• a first at least partially transmissive reflecting member disposed in front of the rear projection screen menas to create a virtual image of the first planar image;
• a second reflecting member disposed in front of the rear projection screen means to create a virtual image of the second planar image;
• the second reflecting member oriented to transmit the second image through the first reflecting member, to thereby provide a combined image, the first and second reflecting members disposed to transmit the combined first and second planar images to the theatrical viewing region for viewing by a theatrical audience and in which the first reflecting member having light transmission factor of approximately 45% and a reflective factor of approximately 40%, and the second reflective member having a reflective factor of approximately 90%, whereby the light intensity of the first image reflected by the first reflective member and the light intensity of the secod image reflected by the second reflective member and then transimtted by the first reflectie member are approximately equal.

Apparatus for projecting to a theatrical audience a three dimensional image comprising:

• an image projection source for simultaneously projecting pairs of two dimensional visual images in response to media defining sequentially disposed first and second adjacent planar images;
• the first and second adjacent planar images comprising pairs of displaced images of a scene;
• rear projection screen means for providing an image forming surface, the rear projection screen means disposed in front of the image projection source;
• a theatrical viewing region defining a region in which a significant number of individuals may be gathered as an audience for simultaneous viewing;
• a first at least partially transmissive reflecting member disposed in front of the rear projection screen means to create a virtual image of the first planar image;
• a second reflecting member disposed in front of the rear projection screen means to create a virtual image of the second planar image;
• the second reflecting member oriented to transmit the second image through the first reflecting member, to thereby provide a combined image, the first and second reflecting members disposed to transmit the combined first and second planar images to the theatrical viewing region for viewing by a theatrical audience
• a third partly transmissive reflecting member;
• a first prop arrangement disposed in spaced relationship to the third reflecting member, the third partly transmissive reflecting member disposed intermediate the theatrical viewing region and the first prop arrangement, and intermediate a line of sight from the second partly transmissive reflecting member to the viewing region;
• and
• means for lighting the first prop arrangement, whereby props may be lit and an image resulting from the lit props may be transmitted to the third reflecting member.