UAV-Suspended Projection Screens for Dynamic Aerial Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial display technologies are limited by the need for fixed, static surfaces, which restrict creativity and height, and are only applicable in urban areas with tall buildings, making it difficult to create dynamic aerial displays over sports stadiums or theme parks where such structures are absent.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support and position flexible, portable projection screens or scrims, controlled by a ground station with a fleet management module to choreograph their movement and projector operations, allowing for dynamic aerial displays with moving imagery over various locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed building surfaces are used for projection displays, then large scale displays can be created, but the display location and size are restricted and cannot be applied in settings without tall buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static building surface into a dynamic aerial display by using movable projection screens suspended in air spaces. The screens can be positioned at various heights and locations without requiring fixed infrastructure, enabling displays over stadiums, theme parks, and other venues without tall buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the display from traditional 2D building surfaces into 3D air space. By suspending projection screens in aerial environments and using multiple support points, the system creates displays that utilize vertical and horizontal dimensions simultaneously, allowing positioning over ground-based venues.
2Ease of operation
If static projection surfaces are used, then simple infrastructure is required, but creativity and display height are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The projection surface is divided into multiple separate screens that can be independently supported and positioned by different aerial vehicles. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of display shapes and sizes while maintaining operational simplicity through modular deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerial display system serves multiple functions: it provides projection surfaces at various heights, creates dynamic shapes and configurations, and adapts to different venues. The same basic system architecture can be used for stadium displays, theme park shows, and other aerial presentations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tall buildings are used as projection surfaces, then high altitude displays are achieved, but the system is only applicable in urban areas with suitable architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aerial vehicles and suspension systems as intermediaries between the ground and projection surfaces. These mediators enable the creation of high-altitude displays without requiring tall buildings, as the screens are actively positioned and supported in air spaces above ground-based venues.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for presenting an aerial display over an audience of spectators. The system includes a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a plurality of flexible projection screens. Each of the screens is supportable in a display air space by the UAVs. The system includes a ground control system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. During operation during a display time period, the UAVs execute the flight plans to move and to position the flexible projection screens within the display air space. The flexible projection screens each may include a mesh body configured to have low wind resistance and to provide a projection surface for reflecting light. The system may include a projector projecting light onto the projection surface of at least one of the flexible projection screens during the display time period.