Abstract: A computer controlled animation projection system is described. The system permits the projection of animated images onto a three dimensional projection surface, whether or not the surface is originally designed as a projection surface. The system comprises an animation source that can be edited using a processing means, a projection means, and an interface for coupling the animation source to the projection means. In operation of the present invention, a projection surface is selected, and an animation sequence is projected onto the projection surface. Portions of the projection surface upon which no image is to be projected are identified. Using a paint program, the background or projected frame is edited to "black out" those regions of the projected image that are projected onto those identified portions. This is done while the image is still being projected, so that the changes are viewed as they are made.

Abstract: A motor control system accurately and reliably controls the speed of a motor so that the motor operates in accordance with a predetermined motor speed profile, and therefore does not exceed a predetermined safe speed, decelerates at a controlled rate, maintains a safe minimum speed, and does not turn in reverse. If the motor operates out of these limits, a malfunction is indicated and the control system halts operation of the motor. The motor speed is determined using an electronic tachometer that analyzes the current in at least two phases of the motor to provide extremely precise and reliable velocity information for the motor.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector for use in pyrotechnic displays. The connector uses a single piece conductor pin, a clamp and a spring. Wires from a pyrotechnic projectile are attached to the connector by pushing down on the clamp and compressing the spring, providing an opening in which bare wire may be placed. Releasing the clamp causes the spring to extend, thereby securing the wire between the head of the conductor pin and the clamp by spring tension. After the projectile has been launched, a wire may simply be pulled out by the operator without pushing down on the clamp. The improved connector is especially useful where the pyrotechnic devices and associated electric circuitry are mounted on or near the water. Because of its primarily stainless steel structure, the connector is corrosion-resistant. It also provides a watertight seal, preventing the introduction of water to the firing control system circuitry.

Abstract: A system and method for launching projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode in the air into a pyrotechnic display. The projectile includes a shell constructed from a binding agent and an explosive additive which explodes the shell into small particles. The explosive additive, which may be nitrocellulose, causes the exploded particles to be rapidly burned and consumed to form lightweight, inert flakes that fall harmlessly to the ground. The projectile is aimed and launched by a launcher using a compressed gas to rapidly expel the projectile from a launching tube. Once in the air at a predetermined location in the sky, an electronic fuse inside the projectile operates to detonate the projectile into its intended pyrotechnic display. The fuse is extremely accurate and enables detonation of the projectile at precise altitudes. An electronic control system controls launching and detonation of the projectiles in a precise and repeatable manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image that is subject to multiple distortions substantially without distortion is provided. The image is recorded from a first viewpoint and subject to a first distortion and played back from a second viewpoint and subject to a second distortion. The display surface may also be distorted (e.g., curved). By mapping back through the projector to the screen and through the camera (at the viewpoint), the image is transformed so that it can be viewed from the viewpoint with little or no distortion.

Abstract: A high quality voice transformation system and method operates during a training mode to store voice signal characteristics representing target and source voices. Thereafter, during a real time transformation mode, a signal representing source speech is segmented into overlapping segments, analyzed to separate the excitation spectrum from the tone quality spectrum. A stored target tone quality spectrum is substituted for the source spectrum and then convolved with the actual source speech excitation spectrum to produce a transformed speech signal having the word and excitation content of the source, but the acoustical characteristics of a target speaker. The system may be used to enable a talking, costumed character, or in other applications where a source speaker wishes to imitate the voice characteristics of a different, target speaker.

Abstract: A projection apparatus and method for vivid and realistic projection is disclosed, with applications to amusement and optical engineering. Contemplated applications of the invention also include video shopping applications and cosmetic applications. Graphics data is entered into a user interface and is processed to generate an output representing an image to be projected onto a three-dimensional object. This output controls a light filter, such as a plurality of optically superposed color composite liquid crystal panels, to selectively filter projected light so that an image having a desired appearance is projected upon the object. The projected image may be interactively modified and it may also be stored in memory and projected as part of an image sequence so as to create apparent motion in the object.