Motorized rotatable treadmill and system for creating the illusion of movement

Abstract

A motorized, rotatable treadmill and a system for creating the illusion of user movement while the user is stationary with respect to an environment as the user walks or otherwise moves on an endless track of the treadmill. The user can then travel an unlimited distance in unlimited directions while remaining stationary in physical location. The speed of the treadmill is precisely controlled and/or precisely matched with movement of a camera and a real-world speed of movement of the user and the distance the user travels on the belt to create the illusion of movement of the person being filmed. When the treadmill is provided within an LED virtual film set or green screen set, background imagery is added to further supplement the movement in a selected environment.

1 . A motorized treadmill comprising:
 a travel deck supporting a treadmill belt arranged in an endless loop wherein the treadmill belt is configured for linear movement in forward and reverse directions and wherein the travel deck is configured for angular movement in forward and reverse directions;   a turntable for rotating the travel deck, wherein the turntable is rotatable 360 degrees or more in both a forward and reverse direction;   a cordless rotating mechanism for operation of the turntable and allowing for infinite rotation of the turntable and travel deck;   one or more sources of vibration provided below the belt and for providing selected localized vibration to one or more locations on the belt; and   a floor base for supporting the travel deck, turntable, and one or more vibration sources.   
     
     
         2 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein in the one or more vibration sources comprises adjustable vibration motors. 
     
     
         3 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein a rigid phenolic resin sheet is provided below the treadmill belt, allowing the belt to slide thereacross as the belt is moved and wherein the vibration sources are secured to an underside of the phenolic resin sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the treadmill is configured to provide a user a surface for movement in forward and reverse directions via the belt, and wherein the angular direction of the forward and reverse movement is selectively adjustable via rotation of the turntable for directionally unlimited movement in an X-Y plane. 
     
     
         5 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein the vibration sources are provided in a grid formation below the belt and in vibrational contact with the belt such that the vibration sources provide haptic feedback to a user on the treadmill. 
     
     
         6 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 5 , wherein the vibration sources are in communication with a controller and wherein one or more vibration sources can be actuated to indicate initiation or ceasing of movement of the belt, initiation or ceasing of rotation of the turntable, a user's position on the belt, a cue related to the scene being filmed, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the turntable comprises a removable cover which provides a floor space to a user and one or more handles for removing the turntable from the floor base. 
     
     
         8 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the floor base operably supports the turntable thereon and wherein the base comprises a plurality of roller wheels for centering and supporting the turntable thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 8 , wherein the turntable operably supports the travel deck and wherein the turntable supports a motor for controlling operation of the belt. 
     
     
         10 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 8 , wherein the floor base houses a motor, drive belt and roller and drive wheel assembly for operation of the turntable. 
     
     
         11 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 10 , wherein the cordless rotating mechanism comprises a slip ring for powering one or more electrical components housed within the turntable, for powering the treadmill belt, for providing power to a user on the assembly, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the treadmill comprises one or more monochrome surfaces for use of the treadmill in a digital environment, wherein the monochrome surface allows for digital isolation of a user on the treadmill. 
     
     
         13 . The motorized treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the treadmill has dimensions sufficient to allow the treadmill to replace a section of LED flooring from a pre-existing LED floor tile system of an LED virtual film set or wherein the treadmill is configured for use in a standard green screen film studio. 
     
     
         14 . A system for use in connection with virtually rendered settings, the system comprising:
 an endless track operably supported on a rotatable turntable;   at least one camera spaced apart from the turntable;   a controller configured for controlling at least one of the speed of the endless track, the direction of travel of the endless track, an angle of incline of the endless track, a speed of rotation of the turntable, a direction of rotation of the turn table and combinations thereof; and   one or more sensors integrated into the endless track, turntable, worn by a user, or a combination thereof for tracking user movement on the endless track.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the one or more sensors and adjust at least one of the speed of the endless track, the direction of travel of the endless track, an angle of incline of the endless track, a speed of rotation of the turntable, a direction of rotation of the turn table and combinations thereof in response thereto. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the camera is mounted for movement around the turntable about an axis located on the endless track, turntable, or user thereon.