Nicholas Alan Baum

US Patent:

57934703, Aug 11, 1998

Filed:

May 22, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/447111

Inventors:

Eric C. Haseltine - Manhattan Beach CA
Marshall M. Monroe - La Canada CA
Bruce M. Schechter - Altadena CA
Bran Ferren - East Hampton NY
Nicholas F. Baum - East Hampton NY
Clinton B. Hope - East Hampton NY

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G03B 2114

US Classification:

353 20

Abstract:

A latent image projection system, and related method, for displaying entertaining visual effects and optical illusions by projecting a polarization-encoded latent image onto a polarization-preserving viewing screen. The latent image is revealed using a polarized analyzer having its polarization direction aligned with a polarization direction associated with the latent image. A "magic window" special effect is produced by sizing the analyzer to reveal only a portion of the latent image. A Pepper's Ghost image is created by orienting a dielectric plate so that its surface analyzes the latent image on the screen and superimposes it onto the image of a real object. A dielectric surface, such as a pond of water, placed between a viewer and the screen will analyze and reveal the latent image when the viewer views the reflection of the screen on the surface of the water. Selectively viewable subtitles for a movie are created by polarization encoding the light that illuminates the movie's film with alphanumeric images. The latent alphanumeric message are perceptible only to viewers viewing the screen using an analyzer.