Traveling Observer Patents (Class 352/100)
  • Patent number: 10446020
    Abstract: A remote control apparatus for controlling a plurality of electronic apparatuses, including an infrared (IR) signal receiver configured to receive an IR signal from among a plurality of IR signals radiated by the plurality of electronic apparatuses, the IR signal being radiated by an electronic apparatus, from among the plurality of electronic apparatuses, which is present in an orientation direction of the remote control apparatus, and a processor configured to, in response to the IR signal being received, identify the electronic apparatus based on the IR signal, and control the input interface to provide a user interface (UI) for controlling the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-myung Hur, Hyun-kyu Yun
  • Patent number: 7950805
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying images to viewers in motion are provided. According to some embodiments, an image display system generally comprises an image source and a lensboard. The image source can be configured to present one or more images outwardly from the image source. The lensboard can comprise at least one curved lens. The curved lens can have a generally curved cross section and a focal distance. The curved lens may also be a cylinder. The lensboard can be spaced apart from the image source at a distance less than the focal distance. A method to display images that appear animated to a viewer in motion relative to the can generally comprise providing an image source configured to direct one or more images outwardly from said image source, and providing a lensboard having a focal distance spaced apart from the image source at a distance less than the focal distance. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Submedia LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Spodek, John Butziger
  • Patent number: 7870686
    Abstract: A subway tunnel light box for displaying a back-lighted image to a viewer inside of a subway car traveling in the subway tunnel in which a transparent video display for displaying a number of images, such as an LCD, is mounted in the light box and a narrow light source, preferably having a width of one pixel, is positioned in the box behind each of the images at a distance less than a typical viewing distance so that each image is illuminated by an associated narrow light source with an associated narrow light source horizontal illumination angle substantially the same as a preselected perceived horizontal viewing angle calculated for the typical viewing distance based upon a physical height of the transparent video display and a desired aspect ratio of a perceived image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen P. Hines
  • Patent number: 7827712
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying back-lighted images to viewers moving along a path of travel past viewing boxes containing transparent images illuminated by substantially vertical light sources which are then reflected to obtain a shallow light box depth relative to the transparent images, the light sources being located behind the transparent images, relative to the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen P. Hines
  • Patent number: 7489384
    Abstract: An image display system of the type which may be used to present video images to occupants of a vehicle (10), such as a subway train, by briefly illuminating individual images provided on display boards (14) in a tunnel or the like, in sequence, so that occupants of the vehicle (10) observe a motion picture. One aspect of the invention provides a control unit for an image display system including a series of images (16) positioned along the path of a vehicle and lighting for briefly illuminating individual images and a detector (20) arranged to output repeated measurements of the speed of a passing vehicle. The control unit comprises a processing means including a first system arranged to process the repeated speed measurements to produce an instantaneous estimate of the position of the vehicle along the vehicle path, and a second system arranged to derive the illumination timings from the instantaneous estimate of the position of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: In-Tunnel Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dennis Evemy, Richard White
  • Publication number: 20080316210
    Abstract: The invention is a novel display system, for signage and the like. An apparatus and process is provided for displaying a static source image in a manner that it is perceived as an animated sequence of images when viewed by an observer in relative motion to the apparatus. The source image is sliced or fractured to provide a plurality of image fractions of predetermined dimension. The fractions are redistributed in a predetermined sequence to provide an output image, which is placed in a preferably illuminated display apparatus provided with a mask. An observer in relative motion to the display apparatus, sequentially views a predetermined selection of image fractions through the mask, which are perceived by the observer as a changing sequence of images. Applying the concepts of persistence of vision, the observer perceives the reconstructed imagery as live action animation, a traveling singular image or a series of static images, or changing image sequences, from a plurality of lines of sight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: MIRAGE MOTION MEDIA INC.
    Inventor: Russell H. Train
  • Patent number: 7365746
    Abstract: The invention is a novel display system, for signage and the like. An apparatus and process is provided for displaying a static source image in a manner that it is perceived as an animated sequence of images when viewed by an observer in relative motion to the apparatus. The source image is sliced or fractured to provide a plurality of image fractions of predetermined dimension. The fractions are redistributed in a predetermined sequence to provide an output image, which is placed in a preferably illuminated display apparatus provided with a mask. An observer in relative motion to the display apparatus, sequentially views a predetermined selection of image fractions through the mask, which are perceived by the observer as a changing sequence of images. Applying the concepts of persistence of vision, the observer perceives the reconstructed imagery as live action animation, a traveling singular image or a series of static images, or changing image sequences, from a plurality of lines of sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mirage Motion Media Inc.
    Inventor: Russell H. Train
  • Patent number: 7251011
    Abstract: A system displays a collection of stationary images as a motion picture to passengers traveling in a vehicle along a pathway. In a first embodiment, the vehicle moves at a known speed and known distance from the images. The images, placed in parallel along the walls of the pathway of the vehicle, are adapted in number, size, and spacing for a vehicle traveling at the known speed and at the known distance from images on one or both sides of the vehicle such as to maintain an approximately constant viewing rate and perceived size of the images. In an alternate configuration, a speed sensor monitors speed of the vehicle to determine the appropriate cycling rate of the images. In a preferred embodiment, the images themselves are cycled intermittently with a blank image while remaining steadily illuminated by an illumination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Sidetrack Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Walker, Bradley Caruk
  • Patent number: 6886280
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying still images that appear animated to viewers in motion relative to those images includes a backboard, a plurality of images mounted on a backboard, and a slitboard mounted between the backboard and the viewer. As viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter creating an animation effect. Various backboard and slitboard side profiles, such as, for example, parallel and vertical, parallel and non-vertical, parallel and nonplanar, and nonparallel and nonplanar, can be used to facilitate installation of the apparatus in spatially-constrained environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Submedia, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Spodek, Matthew H. Gross, Brian Mills
  • Patent number: 6870596
    Abstract: A system displays a collection of stationary images as a motion picture to passengers travelling in a vehicle along a pathway. The vehicle moves at a known speed and known distance from the images. The system includes an image illumination system including stroboscopic lighting for each image. The images, placed in parallel along the walls of the pathway of the vehicle, are adapted in number, size, and spacing for a vehicle travelling at the known speed and at the known distance from images on one or both sides of the vehicle such as to maintain an approximately constant viewing rate and perceived size of the images. The system includes mounting mechanisms for positioning each image vertically and at a constant distance from the train regardless of unevenness in wall contour. Glare due to interior lighting in the vehicle is reduced or eliminated by selecting the appropriate illumination intensity for the stroboscopic lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sidetrack Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Walker, Bradley Caruk
  • Patent number: 6807760
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying still images to viewers in motion relative to those images, such as passengers on a subway train, includes a plurality of images mounted on a surface, and a slitboard mounted between that surface and the viewer. As the viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter, creating an animation effect. In addition, there is a stretching or widening effect that enlarges the images, allowing images to be “preshrunk,” thereby allowing a large number of images in a small space, increasing the available frame rate of the animation. The stretching effect depends on the distance between the image surface and the slitboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Submedia, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Spodek, Matthew H. Gross
  • Publication number: 20040169821
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying still images that appear animated to viewers in motion relative to those images includes a backboard, a plurality of images mounted on a backboard, and a slitboard mounted between the backboard and the viewer. As viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter creating an animation effect. Various backboard and slitboard side profiles, such as, for example, parallel and vertical, parallel and non-vertical, parallel and nonplanar, and nonparallel and nonplanar, can be used to facilitate installation of the apparatus in spatially-constrained environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Submedia, LLC.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Spodek, Matthew H. Gross, Brian Mills
  • Publication number: 20040165217
    Abstract: A method for generating printed images of a graphic pattern of a movie picture to be displayed for moving observers using a long display panel composed of the graphic pattern and a plate made up of a plurality of cylinder converging lenses arranged parallel to each other with a common focal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Enrique Vial, Miguel Lagos
  • Patent number: 6731370
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying still images that appear animated to viewers in motion relative to those images includes a plurality of images mounted on a surface and a slitboard mounted between that surface and the viewer. As viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter creating an animation effect. Multiple animation effects are created by interspersing and mounting multiple series of still images on the surface. Each series of still images is viewable from a different angle relative to viewers passing by. The still images can be arranged such that all series of images are viewable while passing by the apparatus in the same direction. Alternatively, the images can be arranged such that some series are viewable from one direction while others are viewable from the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Submedia, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Spodek, Matthew H. Gross
  • Patent number: 6718666
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for displaying still images that appear animated to viewers in motion relative to those images. The apparatus includes a backboard, a plurality of images mounted on a backboard, and a slitboard mounted between the backboard and the viewer. As viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter creating an animation effect. Various backboard and slitboard side profiles, such as, for example, parallel and vertical, parallel and non-vertical, parallel and nonplanar, and nonparallel and nonplanar, can be used to facilitate installation of the apparatus in spatially-constrained environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Submedia, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D Spodek, Matthew H Gross, Brian Mills
  • Publication number: 20040027540
    Abstract: A system displays a collection of stationary images as a motion picture to passengers travelling in a vehicle along a pathway. The vehicle moves at a known speed and known distance from the images. The system includes an image illumination system including stroboscopic lighting for each image. The images, placed in parallel along the walls of the pathway of the vehicle, are adapted in number, size, and spacing for a vehicle travelling at the known speed and at the known distance from images on one or both sides of the vehicle such as to maintain an approximately constant viewing rate and perceived size of the images. The system includes mounting mechanisms for positioning each image vertically and at a constant distance from the train regardless of unevenness in wall contour. Glare due to interior lighting in the vehicle is reduced or eliminated by selecting the appropriate illumination intensity for the stroboscopic lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Walker, Bradley Caruk
  • Patent number: 6564486
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying still images to viewers in motion relative to those images, such as passengers on a subway train, includes a plurality of images mounted on a surface, and a slitboard mounted between that surface and the viewer. As the viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter, creating an animation effect. In addition, there is a stretching or widening effect that enlarges the images, allowing images to be “preshrunk,” thereby allowing a large number of images in a small space, increasing the available frame rate of the animation. The stretching effect depends on the distance between the image surface and the slitboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Submedia, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Spodek, Matthew H. Gross
  • Patent number: 6466183
    Abstract: A video display apparatus with a plurality of display devices arrayed in a line with a predetermined interval at portions which may be watched by passengers on a moving vehicle, a video signal supplying device for supplying a still picture video signal to the plurality of display devices, and an intermittent display control dence for energizing the plurality of display devices simultaneously and controlling a still picture video signal display time and a video display stop time at such an interval as to obtain a clear picture. A video signal which represents successive motions on the whole of a picture as seen from a moving vehicle is supplied to respective display devices. Since a picture is given by an electrical signal, it is sufficient that the contents of the picture may be changed by rewriting the contents of a video memory. Therefore, any pictures may be displayed, and a plurality of pictures may also be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignees: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaomi Yamamoto, Ichiro Yasukura, Tetsuo Maruyama, Yutaka Choji
  • Patent number: 6443590
    Abstract: A lateral animation display sequentially illuminates individual images of an animated sequence. The display may be carried on a useful article, such as an item of wearing apparel or the like. An array of light sources illuminates a corresponding array of image frames depicting a stop-action sequence, such as stop-action images of a person running. An optional array of baffles confines light from each of the light sources to a corresponding one of the image frames. The individual light sources are sequentially activated so as to sequentially illuminate the corresponding image frames and thereby present an animated display of the stop-action sequence. A semi-transparent layer over the image frames obscures the images except when illuminated by the corresponding light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lovitt Films, Inc.
    Inventor: Bert Lovitt
  • Patent number: 6353468
    Abstract: A system for providing visual art, entertainment and advertising in subway tunnels. The system illuminated brings into view successive pieces of artwork displayed within the tunnel such that passengers on a moving subway railcar will see an apparent motion picture effect. In an exemplary embodiment of the system, strobe lights coupled to the subway railcar or within the tunnel itself are flashed as a function of the speed of the railcar to sequentially illuminate the fixed pieces of artwork. In one embodiment, a rotatable scroll containing portions of plurality of separate artwork sequences enables remote selected of the artwork pieces. In another embodiment, the frames of artwork are displayed through a slide projection (129) system or a flat screen LED monitor linked to a remote control terminal for changing the displays. In an alternate embodiment, a soundtrack coordinated with the artwork plays along as the railcar passes by.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventors: Laura B. Howard, Charles J. Fletcher-Watson
  • Patent number: 6169368
    Abstract: A visual information system includes an array of light emitting elements located at the side of a train track. The elements are individually energizable by a controller in response to a predetermined program stored in a memory and representative of a predetermined visual image. The controller causes selected elements to be turned ON and OFF, some repetitively, in a predetermined sequence as dictated by the program with a time span of 0.015 seconds. A sensor activates the controller upon the approach of a train so that a passenger gazing at the array as the train passes will perceive the image apparently extending over an area substantially greater than the area of said array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Adflash Limited
    Inventors: Guy Edward John Margetson, Thomas Andrew Hedges, Roy Wyatt
  • Patent number: 6016183
    Abstract: A continuous motion picture system for operation in conjunction with a vehicle carrying passengers along a running path is disclosed. The system has screen boxes having a screen and a projector for displaying a still picture for a duration of a display period. The screen boxes are serially disposed at intervals of a given distance provided in place along the running path of the vehicle. The system also has a device for supplying picture signals of a sequence of fames, which depict motion when viewed sequentially, to the projectors of the screen boxes such that each of the projectors receives a respective one of the frames of the sequence of frames in correspondence with the serial disposition of the screen boxes. The system further has a sensor for sequentially triggering the screen boxes to individually display the respective one of the frames as a still picture for the display period in correspondence with the vehicle passing the screen boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Masaomi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5650794
    Abstract: A visually displayed message is repeated by reinitiation of an electronically progressively displayed message prior to the completion of the initial message while the initial message continues to move along the traveling path of observing persons moving in a common direction. The reinitiation of the message allows following observing persons moving in the common direction to see the beginning and remainder of the visually displayed message even though they could not see the message when forwardly located observing persons saw the message. The reinitiation of the visually displayed message occurs after a predetermined amount of time occurs from the initiation of the visually displayed message but before completion of the visually displayed message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: William F. Walsh
  • Patent number: 5108171
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a series of stationary images to form an animated display when seen from a moving subway train is presented. A series of image display panels are located along a length of subway track. These panels are momentarily illuminated each time a passing train window passes a predetermined point relative to the panel by means of a sensor device attached to each panel. The sensor device detects the presence of a nearby train window by means of a light signal received from each such window. The light signal may be derived either from a source associated with each window or from a reflector associated with each window reflecting light from a source attached to each stationary panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: William J. Spaulding
  • Patent number: 4383742
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating an animated image when viewed from a location in motion. The apparatus comprises a series of images; and at least one illumination device for emitting light flashes adapted to illuminate the images. Ignition devices are provided for causing a light flash to be emitted each time the location has moved a distance substantially equal to the spacing between two successive images. The illumination device is fixed relative to the images and is adapted to simultaneously illuminate an entire section including the series of images.A method of providing an animated image for viewing by a viewer at a location in motion relative to a series of stationary images. The method includes sensing the velocity of motion of the location relative to the series of images. A series of the images is illuminated for viewing from the location as the location moves past the images. The illumination device for flash illuminating the images is fixed relative to the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Inventors: Roland Brachet, Pierre Boismard
  • Patent number: 4179198
    Abstract: An installation for the animation of pictures for transportation systems, such as, for example, a railway system wherein a passenger vehicle moves through an unlighted area such as a tunnel. The installation comprises a series of pictures that are mounted along the side wall of the tunnel at regular intervals and at least one light-flash emitting device, the device being mounted on the passenger vehicle and directed toward the pictures. Electric circuitry causes the flash to be emitted each time the vehicle has covered a distance equal to the space between two successive pictures. The installation provides passengers riding the transportation system with animated pictures during the course of their journey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Inventors: Roland F. C. Brachet, Pierre M. Boismard
  • Patent number: 3951529
    Abstract: Apparatus for the transmission of visual information, comprising: a longitudinal row of spaced apart pictures, each picture containing separated animated figures in a frame depicting separated illuminated phases of a movement of the animated figures along a vehicle pathway, and a stroboscopic illumination means mounted in a fixed relation to the frame to sequentially illuminate each picture, variable control switch means energizes the stroboscopic illumination means to turn on illumination independently of moving in the vehicle along the vehicle pathway, and is adjustable for flashing periodically on and off at a rate between about 80 cycles per second and 100 cycles per second, the light pulses which illuminate each picture having a duration which is approximately a tenth of the viewing period for the selected picture of the moving viewer in said vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Inventor: Ricardo Tarrega Gandia