Visual communications system

Claim 1

A method of preparing, aligning and registering a two-dimensional image which, when projected onto multiple projection-receiving surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being a three-dimensional represenatation of said image, projects as a distortion-free image of said representation, comprising photographing and projecting a grid axis consisting of equal sized squares onto a three-dimensional screen, photographing the projection on the three-dimensional screen from several angles and positions, and projecting onto the three-dimensional screen a two-dimensional photograph prepared from a single representation of each of the photographs of the grid, said representation having incorporated therein the distortions apparent in the grid as projected onto the three-dimensional screen, making two series of photographs of a representation consisting of evenly spaced lines on horizontal and vertical axes by moving said representation horizontally in one series and with each successive photograph moving the representation to the right or left the distance equal to the space between said evenly spaced lines, repeating the same procedure through the vertical axis, projecting each photograph onto the two-dimensional screen, selecting one photograph from the horizontal and vertical series, the lines from said photographs describing a rectangle which is part of the first image in a series used to align and register the images on the screen, placing a transparent overlay containing evenly spaced lines in horizontal and vertical axes over the first piece of art prepared for the three-dimensional surface, simultaneously photographing art for the two-dimensional screen, consisting of three rectangles, and the art prepared for the three-dimensional screen, holding the art for the two-dimensional screen stationary throughout the photographing procedure, making two series of photographs of the two pieces of art, moving the art for the three-dimensional screen through one axis and then through the other, projecting both series of photographs onto two-dimensional and three-dimensional screens, aligning the two-dimensional screen art for each image such that the outer rectangle is not visible, selecting one photograph from each of the horizontal and vertical series of the three-dimensional art, said photographs being the images which most precisely register with the contour of the three-dimensional surface, noting the veritcal and horizontal lines indicating the position from which the art for the three-dimensional screen was photographed, photographing the image to be projected on the two-dimensional screen and the image to be projected on the three-dimensional screen simultaneously to form a bifurcated image, said images comprising representations drawn within the boundaries determined by the rectangle on the two-dimensional screen and the boundaries defined by the photographs selected from the horizontal and vertical series of the three-dimensional art, said bifurcated image being the first image in any series of images made for projection onto said multiple projection-receiving surfaces, repeating said photographic process with each successive piece of art, said art being photographed in the same positions used to prepare the images which were precisely aligned and registered on both the two-dimensional and the three-dimensional screens.

Claim 2

A method of preparing, aligning and registering a two-dimensional image which, when projected onto multiple projection-receiving surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being a three-dimensional represenatation of said image, projects as a distortion-free image of said representation, comprising photographing and projecting a grid axis consisting of equal sized squares onto a three-dimensional screen, photographing the projection on the three-dimensional screen from several angles and positions, and projecting onto the three-dimensional screen a two-dimensional photograph prepared from a single representation of each of the photographs of the grid, said representation having incorporated therein the distortions apparent in the grid as projected onto the three-dimensional screen, making two series of photographs of a representation consisting of evenly spaced lines on horizontal and vertical axes by moving said representation horizontally in one series and with each successive photograph moving the representation to the right or left the distance equal to the space between said evenly spaced lines, repeating the same procedure through the vertical axis, projecting each photograph onto the two-dimensional screen, selecting one photograph from the horizontal and vertical series, the lines from said photographs describing a rectangle which is part of the first image in a series used to align and register the images on the screen, placing a transparent overlay containing evenly spaced lines in horizontal and vertical axes over the first piece of art prepared for the three-dimensional surface, simultaneously photographing art for the two-dimensional screen, consisting of three rectangles, and the art prepared for the three-dimensional screen, holding the art for the two-dimensional screen stationary throughout the photographing procedure, making two series of photographs of the two pieces of art, moving the art for the three-dimensional screen through one axis and then through the other, projecting both series of photographs onto two-dimensional and three-dimensional screens, aligning the two-dimensional screen art for each image such that the outer rectangle is not visible, selecting one photograph from each of the horizontal and vertical series of the three-dimensional art, said photographs being the images which most precisely register with the contour of the three-dimensional surface, noting the veritcal and horizontal lines indicating the position from which the art for the three-dimensional screen was photographed, photographing the image to be projected on the two-dimensional screen and the image to be projected on the three-dimensional screen simultaneously to form a bifurcated image, said images comprising representations drawn within the boundaries determined by the rectangle on the two-dimensional screen and the boundaries defined by the photographs selected from the horizontal and vertical series of the three-dimensional art, said bifurcated image being the first image in any series of images made for projection onto said multiple projection-receiving surfaces, repeating said photographic process with each successive piece of art, said art being photographed in the same positions used to prepare the images which were precisely aligned and registered on both the two-dimensional and the three-dimensional screens.