Immersive theater

Abstract

An immersive theater is provided having a screen oriented with respect to a pitched seating area to provide an immersive theater experience for all of the viewers. The theater can include a three-dimensional, concave shaped screen, defining a central axis that extends perpendicularly from the center point of the concave screen directed toward the seating area. The screen is oriented at a prescribed pitch angle (α) relative to the horizontal. The theater has a seating area having a plurality of seats for viewers and is set up in a stacked arrangement along a planar region and pitched at a prescribed angle (β). The seating area is further confined within a viewing area that is centered on the central axis of the screen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A theater comprising:
 a three-dimensional, concave shaped screen having an outer peripheral edge, the screen defining a central axis that extends perpendicularly from a center point of the concave screen, the screen oriented at a prescribed nonzero pitch angle (α) relative to a horizontal plane through said screen; and   a seating area having a plurality of seats for viewers, the seating area having a stacked arrangement along a planar region and pitched at a prescribed angle (β); the seating area confined within a viewing area that is centered on the central axis of the screen.   
     
     
         2 . The theater as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of projectors aimed at the screen from various angles, wherein each projector's projection occupies a segment of the screen; each segment of the screen having an overlap with adjacent segments in order to provide a seamless image as projected from the projectors. 
     
     
         3 . The theater as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the seats are separated into rows; the rows are separated into seat groups; each seat group having a plurality of seats, and a motion simulation apparatus supporting each seat group; the motion simulation apparatus capable of moving each seat group, in unison, up and down, back and forth, and tilting the seat groups to various angles, pitches, and orientations to achieve a desired feeling on an audience. 
     
     
         4 . The theater as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the prescribed pitch angle (α) is between 5 and 25 degrees relative to the horizontal; whereby the central axis is directed downward towards the viewers, such that the screen is disposed substantially above the seating area. 
     
     
         5 . The theater as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the seating area provides the seats fixed in tiered rows, such that the pitch of the seating area is transverse to the central axis of the screen. 
     
     
         6 . The theater as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the seats of the seating area are spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the screen by at least ⅓ of the radius of the screen. 
     
     
         7 . The theater as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the seats are arranged in rows; the orientation of the rows having a nonzero curvature (δθ) relative to the screen. 
     
     
         8 . A theater, comprising:
 a screen assembly having three-dimensional, concave shaped screen having an outer peripheral edge, the screen defining a central axis that extends perpendicularly from a center point of the screen, the screen oriented at a prescribed nonzero pitch angle (α) relative to a horizontal plane through the screen; and   a seating assembly having a loading orientation and a viewing orientation, the seating assembly having a first seating area and a second seating area coupled to each other, the seating assembly defining an axis of rotation between the first seating area and the second seating area, such that the seating assembly rotates about the axis of rotation causing the first seating area to raise and the second seating area to lower, to achieve the viewing orientation of the seating assembly in which the first and second seating areas are positioned at a prescribed pitch angle (β)   
     
     
         9 . The theater as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first seating area and the second seating area are aligned horizontally in the loading orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The theater as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the axis of rotation is parallel to the horizontal plane and transverse to the central axis of the screen. 
     
     
         11 . The theater as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first seating area and the second seating area both include at least one row of seats, the first seating area and the second seating area couple together via a rotatable support structure that is mounted to a base support, in which the rotatable support structure rotates about the axis of rotation to achieve the viewing orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The theater as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the seating area includes seats; the seats are arranged in rows; the orientation of the rows having a nonzero curvature (δθ) relative to the screen. 
     
     
         13 . The theater as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the seating area includes seats; the seats are spaced from the peripheral edge of the screen by at least ⅓ of the radius of the screen. 
     
     
         14 . A theater, comprising:
 a screen assembly having a screen, the screen having an outer peripheral edge, the screen defining a central axis that extends perpendicularly from a center point of the screen, the screen attached to a screen support;   a seating area having a plurality of seats for viewers;   a seating assembly coupled to the screen support such that the seats are disposed in a fixed orientation relative to the screen;   a support structure configured to move the screen assembly and seating assembly in unison, the support structure having:
 a base that controllably rotates about a vertical axis to rotate the screen assembly and the seating assembly; and 
 a first support arm projecting up from the base, the support arm having a controllable pivot attached to the screen support, rotatable about a horizontal axis to rotate the screen assembly and the seating assembly about the horizontal axis. 
   
     
     
         15 . The theater as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the screen support is configured as a structural lip about a peripheral edge of the screen assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The theater as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the seating area is coupled to the structural lip so as to move the seating area with the screen in unison. 
     
     
         17 . The theater as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the screen is three dimensionally concave, and the seating area is positioned relative to the screen such that the seating area is aligned with the central axis of the screen. 
     
     
         18 . The theater as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the seats are arranged in rows; the orientation of the rows having a curvature (δθ) relative to the screen. 
     
     
         19 . The theater as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the seating area is spaced from a peripheral edge of the screen by at least ⅓ of the radius of the screen. 
     
     
         20 . The theater as defined in  claim 14 , the support structure further having a second support arm projecting up from the base on an opposing side of the screen assembly, the second support arm having a controllable pivot attached to the screen support to rotate the screen assembly about a horizontal axis and the seating assembly about the horizontal axis.