FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved technology for creating a virtual image on a stage, more particularly to the creation of 3D objects through virtual technology along with the real objects. This invention amalgamates the idea of stage lighting and theatre to create the 3D holographic effect of the image formed as a result of beaming a projected image on a rear projection holographic film.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Rapid developments in the fields of polymer films have resulted in the creation of a new flexible polymer film embedded with microscopic particles of glass and other materials that possess special optical properties. This film can be applied on a toughened glass or polycarbonate sheet in a manner that it adheres to the film permanently on the surface of the glass or polycarbonate sheet. This results in a clear transparent sheet of glass or polycarbonate where the polymer film is virtually invisible. However, when a projector beams an image on this polymer film from the rear side, a clear 'floating' image of the object in the projected screen is formed.

However even though the 'rear projection holographic film' possesses the ability to create a genuine illusion of 3D visual effect, current use of this film has been in shop windows and malls and public places. In these places no special effort is made to envelop the film inside a stage like setup where enhanced visual effects can be obtained. These images currently look two dimensional since no effort has been made to create a proper lighting and framing system that ensures a 'Z" depth into the vision- in short, create an illusion of a 3D Hologram. Hence the image suffers from lack of a third dimension and appears as a normal flat projection. EP2322990 entitled "Projection apparatus and method for pepper's ghost illusion" discloses an image projection apparatus including a projector, a frame and a partially transparent screen wherein the screen is inclined at an angle with respect to a plane of emission of light from the projector. This is a conventional system of projecting virtual imases in 2 dimensions without anv DroDer arraneement for the third dimension. WO2007072014 entitled "Projection apparatus and method" discloses an image projection apparatus which comprises of two projection devices, one to generate a virtual 3D image and another one to project a background image wherein the system helps in minimising transparency of the virtual image relative to the background image. This system does not talk about the how effectively a 3 dimensional image is created.

The present invention discloses a technology for creating a virtual image by eliminating the above mentioned drawbacks with the prior art. In a conventional method of projection, there will be a projection screen on which the image was first projected and the reflection of this image was again reflected off a polymeric foil. But in this invention, the projector directly beams the image on the 'rear projection holographic film' which result in a substantial saving of light lumens in turn resulting in a much less light intensive projector thereby saving huge costs. Also the sharpness and levels of detail in this invention is much more than in prior art as there is no generation loss in image quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved system and method of creating a 3D holographic image by beaming a projected image on a rear projection holographic film by creating a third dimension to the projected image so as to enable it project as a 3D image. The third dimension of the image or the 'z' depth is created physically and virtually by designing the background through selective positioning of lights and properties. This system and method eliminates the requirement of the foil where the reflection of the projected image is again reflected off to form the virtual image.

The system comprises of a rear projection device, glass/ polymer film surface with a frame placed at an angle of 90° to the stage surface, wherein the projector directly beams the image on the polymer film which results in a substantial saving of light lumens in turn resulting in a much less light intensive projector thereby saving huge costs. Moreover, the sharpness and levels of detail in this system is much more as there is no generation loss in image quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a rectangular stage which has been lighted from beneath for creating virtual image;

Figure 2 shows the stage with a semi-reflective screen surface or a glass surface placed at an angle of 90° to the stage surface; Figure 3 shows the front view of the stage with the placement of lights from behind the semi- reflective surface to create the third dimension of the image;

Figure 4 illustrates how the virtual image is projected on the semi-reflective screen along with the placement of the lights; and

Figure 5 illustrates the present invention that can be adapted in a transportable truck for a mobile entertainment system.

The invention has been represented where appropriate by conventional in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention. Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present disclosure, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of process steps and components of product. In this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, product, method, article, device or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, product, method, article, device, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises ...a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, product, method, article, device or apparatus that comprises the element. Any embodiment described herein is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described in this detailed description are illustrative, and provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure and not to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present system and method of creating improved virtual image without the requirement of the reflective screen. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a rectangular chamber which is the stage 201 where the virtual image 206 is projected. There is the light arrangement 204 created under the stage surface 202 for the creation of 3D virtual images. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the polymer film is applied with an adhesive to a glass or polycarbonate surface which acts as a semi-reflective surface 203, which is placed at an angle of 90° to the stage surface 202 as shown in Figure 2. The semi-reflective surface may be a polymer coated with a nano substrate of flexible glass silicon dioxide or hard semi reflective glass mirrors according to another embodiment. In this case, the screen component comprises a polymer surface above which 10-100 nm substrate composition of silicon dioxide is deposited by a spray pump, preferably the silicon dioxide is in liquid form. The amount of coating of flexible glass substrate is decided depending on the intended effects. The virtual image in. this case is formed on the nano coated foil and not on the naked polymer surface. The screen/foil surface obtained is hydrophobic in nature which cannot hamper the quality of the image projected as it is easy to clean the dust particles deposited in the nano coated surface with a piece of wet sponge and cleaning spray. In another embodiment of the invention, the reflective properties of the screen/foil can be enhanced by silver or aluminium spray coatings. Such silver and aluminium is sprayed on atleast 5% of the screen/foil.

The rear projection device 205 is placed on the roof of the stage and is adjusted into its precise position with mechanical or hydraulic support. This rear projection device is placed low enough to not affect the image, and also to appear concealed to the viewer.

The positioning of the projection areas is achieved through lens adjustment and projector positioning as opposed to key-stoning. The use of the key-stone reduces the luminosity of the projector, hence by substituting it by lens adjustment, allows the projection device to completely utilize its maximum luminosity.

In the case of a glass surface, the standard length may be much lesser than that, which is desired. To compensate for which, the glass surfaces may be attached together at the edge. The slight disparity at the edge may be covered by applying a coating of the flexible polymer film on it.

Figure 3 shows the semi-reflective surface 203 placed at an angle of 90° to the stage surface 202 such that a space of at least 10-20 feet is allowed behind polycarbonate surface, which allows the viewer to perceive depth. This 'z' depth 301 is created physically and virtually by designing the background through selective positioning of lights and props 302 behind the semi-reflective screen 203.

In another embodiment, 'z' depth 301 is created by placing real objects or persons 401 behind the screen 203 and lights 302 them up as shown in Figure 4. The viewer perceives the real and virtual objects together, which would give him a perception that the virtual image 206 is alongside a real image and is therefore also real.

The background design will consist of created shadow areas that will create a separation between the reflecting surface and the background, thereby creating the virtual 'z' depth according to yet another embodiment. This component can be used in a conventional stage performance and also it is compatible with mobile stage as shown in Figure 5 wherein the semi-reflective surface 203 is placed at an angle of 90° to the stage surface 202. Both the image of the real person 401 and virtual images 206 are perceived by the viewer as real images. The mobile system includes speakers 505, virtual projector device 205 and an extended platform 501 to increase the depth which can also be used for accommodating performers.