Patent US5601353A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5601353A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panoramic display with stationary display device and rotating support structure
Assignee: Vulcan Patents LLC
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Filing: 1995-12-20
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-12-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention causes a panoramic view to be realistically displayed to a viewing audience. A fixed display device displays a portion of the panoramic view and a rotating support structure supports the viewing audience. The orientation of the portion of the panoramic view shown by the display device changes in coordination with the rotation of the support structure, while the viewing audience changes its viewing direction to continue looking at the display device. The characteristics of the system (in particular, the rotation of the support structure) are controlled so that the viewing audience is not conscious of the movement of the support structure, but thinks, instead, that the display device (and the displayed portion of the panoramic view) is moving about the support structure as the viewing audience changes its viewing direction. The invention can be implemented as a non-interactive system in which the system operates independently of the viewing audience. Alternatively, the invention can be implemented as an interactive system in which the orientation of the displayed portion of the panoramic view and the position of the support structure rotate in response to viewer input. The interactive system can be implemented either as a direct control system or a feedback control system.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Naimark
- 👤 Lee Felsenstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:51
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B37/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the means for displaying; means for rotating the means for supporting so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; and means for synchronizing operation of the means for rotating and the means for controlling the means for displaying so that the means for supporting is rotated in a synchronous manner with the rotation of the orientation of the portion of the panoramic view displayed by the display device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the means for displaying; means for rotating the means for supporting so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; and means for synchronizing operation of the means for rotating and the means for controlling the means for displaying so that the means for supporting is rotated in a synchronous manner with the rotation of the orientation of the portion of the panoramic view displayed by the display device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein the means for rotating rotates the means for supporting with a rotational velocity having a magnitude such that, if the viewing audience continually changes its viewing direction so as to continually look at the means for displaying while the means for supporting is rotating, the viewing audience does not perceive the physical sensation of rotation of the means for supporting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 2, wherein the rotational velocity is 1 rpm or less.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting further comprises a platform for supporting one or more viewers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting further comprises a chair for supporting a viewer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting further comprises a support harness for supporting a viewer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewer, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewer so that the viewer can look at the means for displaying; means for rotating the means for supporting so that the viewer must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; means for sensing a change in the viewing direction of the viewer; and means for controlling the means for rotating and the means for controlling the means for displaying in response to the sensed change in viewing direction of the viewer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewer, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewer so that the viewer can look at the means for displaying; means for rotating the means for supporting so that the viewer must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; means for sensing a change in the viewing direction of the viewer; and means for controlling the means for rotating and the means for controlling the means for displaying in response to the sensed change in viewing direction of the viewer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 7, wherein the means for sensing further comprises a sensor mounted on headgear worn by the viewer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 7, wherein the means for sensing further comprises an optical sensor that senses the positions of the pupils of the eyes of the viewer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 7, wherein the means for sensing further comprises a sensor that senses scapular pressure and motion.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the means for displaying; means for rotating the means for supporting so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; means for enabling a viewer to directly control the means for rotating so that the viewer can rotate the means for rotating to a desired rotational position; and means for sensing the rotational position of the means for supporting, the sensed rotational position being used to control the means for controlling the means for displaying to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the means for displaying; means for rotating the means for supporting so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; means for enabling a viewer to directly control the means for rotating so that the viewer can rotate the means for rotating to a desired rotational position; and means for sensing the rotational position of the means for supporting, the sensed rotational position being used to control the means for controlling the means for displaying to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
159 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the means for displaying, the means for supporting being rotatably mounted such that when the means for supporting is rotated the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; and means for sensing the rotational position of the means for supporting, the sensed rotational position being used to control the means for controlling the means for displaying to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
159 words
A system for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising: means for displaying a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view, the means for displaying being fixed in position; means for controlling the means for displaying so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; means for supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the means for displaying, the means for supporting being rotatably mounted such that when the means for supporting is rotated the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the means for displaying as the means for supporting rotates; and means for sensing the rotational position of the means for supporting, the sensed rotational position being used to control the means for controlling the means for displaying to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewing audience on a support structure so that the viewing audience can look at the display device; rotating the support structure so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; and synchronizing the steps of rotating and controlling so that the support structure is rotated in a synchronous manner with the rotation of the orientation of the portion of the panoramic view displayed by the display device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewing audience on a support structure so that the viewing audience can look at the display device; rotating the support structure so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; and synchronizing the steps of rotating and controlling so that the support structure is rotated in a synchronous manner with the rotation of the orientation of the portion of the panoramic view displayed by the display device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein the step of rotating further comprises rotating the support structure with a rotational velocity having a magnitude such that, if the viewing audience continually changes its viewing direction so as to continually look at the display device while the support structure is rotating, the viewing audience does not perceive the physical sensation of rotation of the support structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 14, wherein the rotational velocity is 1 rpm or less.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewer, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewer so that the viewer can look at the display device; rotating the support structure so that the viewer must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; sensing a change in the viewing direction of the viewer; and controlling the step of rotating and the step of controlling the display device in response to the sensed change in viewing direction of the viewer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewer, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewer so that the viewer can look at the display device; rotating the support structure so that the viewer must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; sensing a change in the viewing direction of the viewer; and controlling the step of rotating and the step of controlling the display device in response to the sensed change in viewing direction of the viewer.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the display device; rotating the support structure so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; enabling a viewer to directly control the step of rotating so that the viewer can rotate the means for rotating to a desired rotational position; and sensing the rotational position of the support structure, the sensed rotational position being used to control the step of controlling the display device to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the display device; rotating the support structure so that the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; enabling a viewer to directly control the step of rotating so that the viewer can rotate the means for rotating to a desired rotational position; and sensing the rotational position of the support structure, the sensed rotational position being used to control the step of controlling the display device to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the display device, the support structure being rotatably mounted such that when the support structure is rotated the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; and sensing the rotational position of the support structure, the sensed rotational position being used to control the step of controlling the display device to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for displaying a panoramic view to a viewing audience, comprising the steps of: displaying on a fixed display device a portion of the panoramic view that corresponds to a particular rotational orientation of the panoramic view; controlling the display device so that various portions of the panoramic view can be displayed; supporting the viewing audience so that the viewing audience can look at the display device, the support structure being rotatably mounted such that when the support structure is rotated the viewing audience must change viewing direction to continue looking at the display device as the support structure rotates; and sensing the rotational position of the support structure, the sensed rotational position being used to control the step of controlling the display device to cause a portion of the panoramic view to be displayed that corresponds to the sensed rotational position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |