Portable Handheld Video Monitors Adapted for Use in Theatrical Performances

摘要

Disclosed is a system for generating and synchronizing video across multiple displays during a theatrical performance. In particular, the disclosure relates to individual handheld video monitors that can be arranged to create larger images or video. The system is adapted for use in theatrical performances during which performers manipulate and selectively arrange the monitors to produce differing visual effects. Each of the video monitors includes a computer and associated software for playing back still or video images. A control computer can wirelessly access each of the individual laptops to increase or decrease the rate at which the video or images appear. This allows all of the video monitors to be synchronized during the course of a performance.

主权项

1. A system for generating and synchronizing video during a theatrical performance by a number of individual performers, the system comprising:
a series of handheld video monitors, each video monitor being manipulated by one of the performers during the theatrical performance, each video monitor adapted to display a sub-image, with the sub-images from the series of video monitors collectively forming a larger composite image, each video monitor comprising:
an upper edge, a lower edge, and opposing side edges, a front screen for displaying the sub-image, and a rear mounting surface, a bracket secured to the rear mounting surface, a pair of opposing grips secured to each end of the bracket, each grip being positioned adjacent one of the opposing side edges, a lower handle positioned between the two opposing grips and adjacent the lower edge, a flexible neoprene computer case with a zippered opening, the computer case being secured to the bracket;a laptop computer with a wireless controller and a battery, the laptop computer secured within the computer case, a video cable interconnecting the laptop to the video monitor, the laptop adapted to run video playback software for controlling the speed at which the sub-images are displayed; a controller in wireless communication with the wireless controllers of each of the laptops, the controller selectively controlling the video playback software of each laptop and thus and the speed at which the sub-images are displayed, whereby the controller can synchronize the sub-images across all of the video monitors during the course of a performance.