Optics: motion pictures – Individual picture plate type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-01
2001-06-12
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Optics: motion pictures
Individual picture plate type
C352S099000, C040S530000, C040S531000, C040S534000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246461
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to an image positioning device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With an image positioning device, the spatial aspect of images can be varied. In the following, the term “image” is to be understood as a flat presentation either transparent or opaque, being made, for instance, by photography or printing.
An image positioning device for example, can be used for the flipping through plates of books, photo albums and the like. Especially however, it is employed for moving picture animation. In the case of a moving picture animation, the observer undergoes the effects called up by a continually changing image, i.e., an animated picture. For this purpose, a plurality of images which are non-changing during a time period (motionless images) is used. Such images are exhibited to the observer in quick sequence. Images in sequence differentiate themselves respectively only infinitesimally from one another, but from the view point of an observer, the impression of fluid motion arises.
An image positioning device has been disclosed by WO 93144-85. This proposes to employ a plurality of strips superimposed on one another running over a pair of rollers. Each strip exhibits a rapid sequence of images, each being a still-image, but providing a sense of motion. Seen from the exposed surface, there arises the impression of a combined moving image, which composes itself from the aligned, visually superimposing, single moving images of the sequence of still-images of each strip. Among other things, the complicated manipulation and the considerable expense of the associated device are disadvantageous.
A less expensive image positioning device is, for example, a so-called “Thumb-movie”. In this case there are several flat surface elements, for instance several paper pages, arranged one above the other and rotatably coupled at one end with each other. In each case, the front sides, and/or the rear sides of the paper plates carry images, that is, still-images for a moving image animation. The complicated circumstances of handling this arrangement is also a disadvantage.
DE-PS-9 21 734 discloses an expensive image positioning device, in which image carrying, zig-zag prefolded strips, with the help of a pulling roller, are unfolded and again refolded together.
DE-OS 15 22 271 brings into common knowledge an equally expensive image positioning device where the ends of a plurality of surface elements, each carrying an image and coupled on a carrier band, are run over a roller and a guide bar.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention makes available a completely new image positioning device or animation device, which creates further advantages, among which it is easily manipulated and is of small expense.
This favorable state is arrived at by an image positioning device possessing surface elements wherein the front sides and/or the rear sides carry images and respectively one end of a first surface element and a front side of a second surface element are turnably coupled along a first rotational axis. Then, one end of the second surface element and one front side of a third surface element are turnably coupled along a second rotational axis. The said first and the second rotational axes are, essentially, parallel.
Further, one end of the third surface element and one front side of a fourth surface element are coupled along a third rotational axis, and so on.
The surface elements are advantageously relatively thin and essentially are comprised of two flat surfaces, which are parallel to one another, which form the front and back sides of the surface elements.
Each surface element has also two rotational axes: a first rotational axis on its lead end (which is turnably coupled to a previous surface element) and a second rotational axis on one of its ends (by which it is turnably coupled on the lead end of an immediately following surface element). Particularly advantageously, the combined rotational axes of the image positioning device are parallel.
In a start-position of the image positioning device, the front and rear sides of the respective coupled surface elements are at rest. All front sides are directed then, in a first direction, and all rear sides in a second, opposite direction. Particularly advantageously, the surface elements are coupled in such a manner, that in this start-position, all rotatably coupled ends lie on the respective same side of the surface element.
The image positioning device can then be advantageously operated in the following described manner:
In the start-position, for instance, the front sides preferably of the stacked surface elements face upward and the undersides downward. If a force acts horizontally upon the first element, that is, the surface element lying on top, then this first element rotates about the rotational axis at its end (by which end the lead end of the second surface element is coupled). This second surface element remains motionless. The rotational motion of the first surface element ends, when it has turned over, almost 180°. At this point, the front side of the first surface element faces downward, and the back side upward.
If the force continues, then the first surface element slides itself in a horizontal direction and transmits the force to the second surface element. This leads to a rotation of the second surface element about its axis of rotation at its end by which it is coupled to the front side of the next sequential surface element, and so on. The force acts in this way to effect a successive flipping of the surface elements.
During the first half of this inversion, the rear side of the last surface inverted respectively faces upward, as does the front side of the following about-to-be inverted surface element. During a second half of the inversion, the rear side of the now inverted surface element, and the front side of the immediately following surface element face upward.
To an observer, then, the images appear sequentially, one after the other, front and back sides. If the force works in the reverse direction, then the above procedure is likewise reversed. The last flipped surface element is tipped back, and then the subsequent surface element is reversed, etc.
The image positioning device has, in summary, the advantages of simple construction and simple manipulation.
Particularly advantageously, in the case of the image positioning device, the front sides and/or the rear sides show still-images to be combined for a moving animation. When the image positioning device is operating, an observer would be shown in alternating rapidity the front and back sides. The observer has, as was mentioned above, the impression of a continually self-changing moving image.
Where the image animation is concerned, by the reversal of the force acting on the surface elements, in a simple way, the animation direction is likewise reversed. Besides this, the flipping frequency and thus the animation tempo can be changed by the degree of force exerted.
Particularly advantageous is an embodiment, which is shown by respectively the front side and the rear side of coupled surface elements of an entirely still-image. As above described, upon the operation of the image positioning device in accordance with the invention, respectively, a rear side of a surface element and a front side of a thereupon following, coupled surface element, face upwards. This can also indicate at times, a part of a complete still-image.
Contrary to conventional moving images, it can be pointed out that for the same cost, the surface of the entire moving image is larger and for the same area of the entire moving image, the expense is less.
Particularly advantageously, the respective rotational axes of the surface elements are placed close to one another or adjacent to one another.
In the initial condition, the image positioning device takes up relatively little room. Moreover, by means of the positional displacement of the rotational axes, the tempo of the animation can also be altered. The closer the rotational axes are to each other, jus
Adams Russell
Fuller Rodney
Hooker, P.C. Thomas
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