Integral image display

Abstract

 An integral image display assembly (2), comprising:

an integral image element (4) carrying at least first and second integral images;

a base (10) which can sit against a surface (40), the base (10) having a support (12) which holds the integral image element (4) so that it faces in a forward direction, and which support (12) allows the element (4) to pivot along a first direction between first and second positions while holding the element (4) stable in a direction transverse to the first direction, in which first and second positions the first and second images, respectively, can be seen from the same forward viewing location.

A base of the foreoing assembly is also provided which can accomodate an integral image element.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to the field of integral image elements which may disPlay depth, motion or other images, and methods of making such elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Integral image elements which use a lenticular lens sheet, fly's eye lens sheet, or barrier strip sheet and a three-dimensional integral image aligned with the sheet, so that a user can view the three-dimensional image without any special glasses or other equipment, are known. Such imaging elements and their construction, are described in "Three-Dimensional Imaging Techniques" by Takanori Okoshi, Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1976. Integral image elements having a lenticular lens sheet (that is, a sheet with a plurality of adjacent, parallel, elongated, and partially cylindrical lenses) are also described in the following Unites States patents: US 5,391,254; US 5,424,533; US 5,241,608; US 5,455,689; US 5,276,478; US 5,391,254; US 5,424,533 and others; as well as allowed US patent application Serial Number 07/931,744. Integral image elements with lenticular lens sheets use interlaced vertical image slices which, in the case of a three-dimensional integral image, are aligned with the lenticules so that a three-dimensional image is viewable when the lenticules are vertically oriented with respect to a viewer's eyes. The image may be conveniently laminated (that is, adhered) to an integral or lenticular lens sheet. Similar integral image elements, such as described in US 3,268,238 and US 3,538,632, can be used to convey a number of individual two-dimensional scenes (such as unrelated scenes or a sequence of scenes depicting motion) rather than one or more three-dimensional images.

[0003] Integral image elements using reflective layers behind the integral image to enhance viewing of the integral image by reflected light, are also described in US 3,751,258, US 2,500,511, US 2,039,648, US 1,918,705 and GB 492,186.

[0004] It is well appreciated different images on integral image elements can be viewed from different angles with respect to the element by the viewer moving relative to the element. It has also been disclosed in US 3,562,941, to move a lenticular image with respect to a lenticular lens sheet so that different images could be viewed from the same location. However, this arrangement requires complex motorized means, and it would be difficult to keep the image in alignment with the lens at all times (particularly for smaller images). It would therefore be desirable to have some relatively simple device which can display the different images of an integral image element to a viewer, without having to resort to having the viewer change location, methods such as changing the alignment of the image with the lens, or a user holding and tilting the image. It would be particularly desirable if such a device could rest or mount on a fixed surface, such as a vertical or horizontal surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, one aspect of the present invention provides an integral image display assembly, comprising:

an integral image element carrying at least first and second integral images;

a base which can sit against a surface, the base having a support which holds the integral image element so that it faces in a forward direction, and which support allows the element to pivot in a first direction between first and second positions while holding the element stable in a direction transverse to the first direction, in which first and second positions the first and second images, respectively, can be seen from the same forward viewing location.

[0006] In a particular aspect of the present invention there is provided an integral image display assembly, comprising:

an integral image element carrying at least first and second lenticular images;

a base which can sit on a horizontal surface, the base having a support which holds the integral image element so that it extends upwardly and faces in a forward direction, and which support allows the element to tilt between laterally stable forward and backward positions in which the first and second images, respectively, can be seen from the same forward viewing location.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a base of the types described above.

[0008] The present invention then, provides, a relatively simple device which can display the different images of an integral image element to a viewer even when the image is adhered to the integral lens sheet or barrier strip sheet, without the viewer having to change location, or the user having to hold and tilt the image. Devices of the present invention can conveniently rest or be mounted on a fixed surface, such as a vertical or horizontal surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an integral image display assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative integral image display assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view or a top view, of the integral image display assembly of FIG. 2 mounted on a surface;

FIG. 4 is a side view or a top view of a further alternative integral image display assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a still further alternative integral image display assembly of the present invention.

[0010] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It will be appreciated in the present invention, that while the integral image element could use a fly's eye lens sheet or a barrier strip sheet, it is more preferably a lenticular lens sheet with lenticules on a front surface. Alternatively, the integral lens sheet could have regions of varying indices of refraction through its volume configured in such a way as to provide (in conjunction with the surfaces of the sheet, such as a curved external surface, flat external surface or some other shape) the same optical deflection of light rays as would be provided by a conventional fly's eye or lenticular lens sheet. Also, the back surface of the lens sheet may also be curved so as to either strengthen the lens effect or compensate for the curved focal plane which may be inherent in the lens construction. Consequently, the curvature on the back side may be of such a shape as to match the curvature of the focal plane of the lens. Further, by an "integral" image is referenced an image composed of segments (interlaced lines, in the case of a lenticular image) from at least one complete image (and often more than one image), which segments are aligned with respective individual lenses so that each of the one or more images is viewable when a user's eyes are at the correct angle relative to the imaging element.

[0012] In this application, by a "three-dimensional image", is meant an integral image which, when viewed through the lens, has a visible depth element. A depth element means the ability to at least partially look around an object in the scene. This can be obtained by interlacing lines from different perspective views of the same scene. The formation of suitable lenticular composite images by interlacing lines from different scenes, and their exposing or writing to the back side of integral imaging elements, is described for example, in US 5,278,608, US 5,276,478 and US 5,455,689. Thus, a three-dimensional image necessarily includes at least two views of a scene. By a two-dimensional image is referenced an image which, when viewed in the product, does not have any viewable depth element. A "two-dimensional image" though, is not one of the views of a three-dimensional image.

[0013] It will also be understood in the present application that words such as "front", "upper", "lower" and other words indicating directions, are used in a relative manner only (although they are used typically to indicate the directions in relation to the assembly as normally used).

[0014] Turning now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 an integral image display assembly is generally designated by numeral 2. Assembly 2 has integral image element in the form of a lenticular image element 4, a front surface of which carries a series of horizontally oriented parallel lenticules 6. Behind lenticules 6 is positioned a lenticular image, in a well known manner. Element 4 will have at least first and second integral images viewable from different angular positions with respect to the element. Typically, element 4 will have many images, for example 24 images. These images will be two-dimensional images and some or all could contain common scene elements (such as in images illustrating motion of some scene object), or some or all of the images may have no elements in common. However, if a fly's eye lens sheet was used with a matching integral image, the images could be three-dimensional. In particular, each of such images can be viewed from a fixed viewing position 30 relative to assembly 2 when the vertical viewing angle 32 between the position 30 and element 4 is altered. Element 4 is retained in an elongated slot 14 in a support 12 (which support 12 defines base 10). Support 12 has a convex lower surface 16 as well as an elongated stop 18 at a front end, and another elongated stop 20 at a back end.

[0015] In operation, assembly 2 of FIG. 1 is placed on a horizontal surface 40 and a user can manually tilt support 12 forward or backward from a rest position shown in FIG. 1 at least until stop 18 or 20, respectively, encounters surface 40. On release, support 12 will repetitively pivot backward and forward in direction of arrow 33 about the rest position and repetitively displaying the different images on element 4. The shape of support 12 (particularly the convex lower surface 14) acts as a means for causing the foregoing repetitive pivotting after the initial manual tilting from a rest position of support 12 and element 4 shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] Turning now to FIG. 2, the embodiment of the assembly 2 shown therein, has an elongated base 10 which includes a support 12a in the form of two clips on a swivel. Base 10 also includes a fixed section 11 which has a back surface 11a which is either magnetized or has an adhesive layer. Magnetized or adhesive back surface 11a allows section 11 to be stable attached to a vertical surface 50. Assuming that FIG. 3 is a view from the side, then the different images on element 4 can be viewed as element 4 pivots in the direction of arrow 34 about support 12a in the vertical direction. On the other hand, assembly 2 could be mounted so that FIG. 3 is a top view, in which case the different images on element 4 can be viewed as element 4 pivots in the direction of arrow 34 about support 12a in the horizontal direction. The pivoting motion can be started manually from a rest position (shown in solid lines in the Figures) and, if element 4 is pivoting vertically (that is, FIG. 3 is a side view) could be sustained for a time by proper balancing of element 4. If element 4 is pivoting horizontally, on the other hand, the motion could be sustained by suitable springs (not shown) or some other suitable mechanism. The suitable balancing, springs, or some other mechanism, would as a means for causing the repetitive pivotting.

[0017] The embodiment of FIG. 4 is essentially the same as that of FIGS. 2 and 3. However, in the FIG. 4 embodiment the support includes both a flat member 12b as well as swiveling clips 12c. Element 4 is positioned on member 12b by any suitable attachment means (such as adhesive). It will be seen in this case that the axis about which pivoting occurs need not be on or adjacent to element 4. While that axis may be co-planar with planar element 4, this is not essential. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 4 can either be a view from the top (in which case the different images on element 4 are viewed as it pivots horizontally in the direction of arrow 36), or a view from a side (in which case the different images on element 4 are viewed as it pivots vertically in the direction of arrow 36). It should also be noted that if FIG. 4 is considered a side view, assembly 2 could be inverted 180 degrees on surface so that member 12 b and element 4 would be extending downwardly from swiveling clips 12c (rather than upwardly as viewed in FIG. 4). In either event, the reciprocating swiveling motion could be maintained by suitable counterweights, springs, or other mechanism (not shown; which would act as a means for causing the repetitive pivotting after an initial manual displacement of element 4).

[0018] Turning to the embodiment of FIG. 5, this embodiment is similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the assembly 2 in FIG. 5 is provided with a fixed base 13 which is intended to simply rest on a horizontal surface. The various images on element 4 will be observed as it reciprocally pivots about clips 12c in the direction of arrow 38.

[0019] It should be noted that in any of the above embodiments of the present invention, the reciprocating pivoting motion of element 4 can be initiated and/or sustained by means of a suitable motor drive (not shown; which would act as a means for causing the repetitive pivotting with or without an initial manual displacement of element 4 from a rest position). Additionally, an electric light could be attached to base 10 so as to be behind element 4 (when element 4 can be viewed by transmitted light).

[0020] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

PARTS LIST

[0021] 

2

Assembly

4

Element

6

Lenticules

10

Base

11

Fixed Section

11a

Back Surface

12

Support

12a

Support

12b

Flat Member

12c

Clips

13

Fixed Base

14

Elongated Slot

16

Convex Lower Surface

18

Elongated Stop

20

Stop

30

Viewing Position

32

Viewing Angle

34

Arrow

36

Arrow

38

Arrow

40

Horizontal Surface

50

Vertical Surface

Claims

1. An integral image display assembly, comprising:

an integral image element carrying at least first and second integral images;

a base which can sit against a surface, the base having a support which holds the integral image element so that it faces in a forward direction, and which support allows the element to pivot along a first direction between first and second positions while holding the element stable in a direction transverse to the first direction, in which first and second positions the first and second images, respectively, can be seen from the same forward viewing location.

2. An integral image display assembly according to claim 1 additionally comprising means for causing the element to repetitively pivot along the first direction about a position.

3. An integral image display assembly according to claim 2 wherein the means cause the element to repetitively pivot along the first direction after an initial manual displacement of the element from a rest position.

4. An integral image display assembly according to claim 1 wherein the integral image element is a lenticular image element.

5. An integral image display assembly, comprising:

an integral image element carrying at least first and second lenticular images;

a base which can sit on a horizontal surface, the base having a support which holds the integral image element so that it extends upwardly and faces in a forward direction, and which support allows the element to tilt between laterally stable forward and backward positions in which the first and second images, respectively, can be seen from the same forward viewing location.

6. A lenticular image display assembly according to claim 5 wherein the support has a convexly curved lower surface which can rest directly on a horizontal surface and allow the support to rock between the forward and backward positions while remaining laterally stable.

7. A lenticular image display assembly according to claim 6 additionally comrpsing means for causing the element to repetitively rock in a forward and backward direction after an initial manual displacement of the element from a rest position, wherein the means is a balanced support.

8. An integral image display member for holding a planar integral image element which carries at least first and second integral images viewable from different angular positions with respect to the element, the member comprising:

a base which can sit against a surface, the base having a support for retaining the planar integral image element so that it faces in a forward direction;

wherein the support allows the retained element to pivot in a first direction between first and second positions while holding the element stable in a direction transverse to the first direction, in which first and second positions the first and second images, respectively, can be seen from the same forward viewing location.

9. An integral image display member assembly, for holding a planar integral image element which carries at least first and second integral images viewable from different angular positions with respect to the element, the member comprising:

a base which can sit on a horizontal surface, the base having a support which retains the integral image element so that it extends upwardly and faces in a forward direction, and which support allows the retained element to tilt between laterally stable forward and backward positions in which the first and second images, respectively, can be seen from the same forward viewing location.

10. An integral image display member according to claim 9 wherein the support has a convexly curved lower surface which can rest directly on a horizontal surface and allow the support to tilt between the forward and backward positions while remaining laterally stable.

Drawing