Optical: systems and elements – Kaleidoscope
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-10-23
Mahoney, Christopher E. (Department: 2851)
Optical: systems and elements
Kaleidoscope
C446S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305808
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a kaleidoscope, and more particularly to a kaleidoscope on which users can view ever-changing patterns visually, while listening to some music and smelling something fragrant.
BACKGROUND ART
A conventional kaleidoscope comprises a polygonal tubular casing that has a mirror inside and a peephole at one end, through which the user can enjoy himself or herself by looking at ever-changing beautiful patterns that are formed by loose bits of colored glass, colored paper, or the like placed inside, as the tubular casing is rotated (as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Patent No. 3027750). In this kaleidoscope, the tubular casing is placed in an outer housing, which is simply decorated beautifully. In general, what attracts the attention of users is only the beautifully decorated appearance of the outer housing, and nothing more that pleases users can be obtained from the kaleidoscope itself.
There is also a kaleidoscope that is designed to present variously changing colors, patterns and the like that can be viewed visually through the peephole. There is no kaleidoscope, however, that is designed to allow users to associate any particular information that may be perceived visually from the look of the kaleidoscope with the content or information that may be viewed visually through the peephole, and to give all users some consistent impression and pleasure as a whole.
Very often and over time, users will become tired of using the kaleidoscope because they find it unpleasant and monotonous.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a kaleidoscope that is designed to present a particular visual object on the outer wall of the tubular casing forming the kaleidoscope, and to produce a particular sound and/or fragrant smell associated with the visual object presented on the outer wall when the user is looking into the kaleidosope through the peephole. It allows users to see ever-changing beautiful patterns through the peephole at one end of the tubular casing, while listening to a particular music and/or smelling a particular fragrant smell associated with the visual object on the outer wall, all of which may be produced from the kaleidoscope. Thus, the kaleidoscope can give users double and/or triple pleasures.
In addition, the present invention provides a kaleidoscope that is designed to present a particular visual object on the outer wall of the tubular casing forming the kaleidoscope, and to allow users to see ever-changing patterns through the peephole at one end of the tubular casing and to visually view a graphical object associated with the visual object presented on the outer wall, while listening to a particular sound and/or smelling a particular fragrant smell associated with the visual object presented on the outer wall, all of which may be produced from the kaleidoscope. Thus, the kaleidoscope can give users double and/triple pleasures.
The present invention solves the problems associated with the conventional kaleidoscope by providing the kaleidoscope as embodied and described below.
In one specific form of the kaleidoscope proposed by the present invention, the kaleidoscope comprises a tubular casing that presents a particular visual object on the outer wall thereof, including means for generating a particular sound associated with the particular visual object presented and/or means for generating a particular fragrant smell associated with the particular object presented that are provided within the tubular casing.
In a second specific form of the kaleidoscope proposed by the present invention, the kaleidoscope comprises a tubular casing that presents a particular object on the outer wall thereof, including a light transmission plate that may be removably inserted into the tubular casing and on which a graphical object, such as a picture or image, associated with the particular visual object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing is presented, whereby users can see the graphical object on the light transmission plate by looking into the tubular casing through a peephole at one end of the tubular casing.
In a third specific form of the kaleidoscope proposed by the present invention, the kaleidoscope is a variation of the second kaleidoscope, wherein means for generating a particular sound associated with the particular visual object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing and/or means for generating a particular fragrant smell associated with the particular object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing are provided within the tubular casing.
In a fourth specific form of the kaleidoscope proposed by the present invention, the kaleidoscope comprises a tubular casing that presents a particular visual object on the outer wall thereof, including a light transmission plate on which a number of graphical objects, such as pictures or images, associated with the particular visual object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing are arranged concentrically at regular intervals for presentation, and which are mounted pivotally within the tubular casing. Users can see one of the graphical objects presented on the light transmission plate by looking into the tubular casing through a peephole at one end of the tubular casing.
In a fifth specific form of the kaleidoscope proposed by the present invention, the kaleidoscope is a variation of the fourth kaleidoscope, wherein means for generating a particular sound associated with the particular visual object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing and/or means for generating a particular fragrant smell associated with the particular visual object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing are provided within the tubular casing.
In all of the specific forms of the kaleidoscope, the visual object to be presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing may include one or more of animals, insects, plants, constellations, dolls, and characters that are usually represented by pictures. For example, animals may include birds and beasts, such as Japanese nightingales, skylarks, cats and the like, that are commonly known as singers of beautiful and charming sounds, insects may include crickets and other insects that are commonly known as singers of beautiful and charming sounds, and plants may include all plants, such as plum, rose and the like, that are commonly known as producers of fragrant smell, or flowers, stems and leaves of those plants. Other objects may include characters or dolls that are well known to kids or children, such as heroes or heroines that appear in particular comics or animations, or particular theme music in such comics or animations, or constellations, or pictures such as scenes that gives users comfort and easiness.
The particular visual objects, such as the animals, insects, plants, constellations, dolls, and characters mentioned above, may be presented in the form of respective pictures on the outer wall of the tubular casing forming the kaleidoscope, while the particular music and/or fragrant smell associated with those particular objects presented may be available from the kaleidoscope. More specifically, the sound associated with the particular object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing, such as the sound of the particular crying animal or singing, insect, the music associated with the particular constellation, and the main theme music associated with the particular comic or animation where characters appear, may be available from the kaleidoscope. The kaleidoscope may also provide the fragrant smell associated with a particular visual object presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing, such as the fragrance produced from a particular plant, the fragrance that gives users mental comfort, and the fragrance that relieves users of mental or physical stress.
It should be noted that visual objects may be presented on the outer wall of the tubular casing in several ways. For example, a particular visual object may be drawn or printed on the outer wall, or a photographic pic
Mahoney Christopher E.
Ochi International KabuShiki Kaisha
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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