Optical filter device

• US 4,357,771 A
• Filed: 04/30/1980
• Issued: 11/09/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mobius Communication Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mobius Communication Incorporated
• Inventors: Olds, Howard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foycik, Jr., Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US06/145,252
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 40/444, 40/579, 40/560, 40/580, 353/75, 350/317, 350/318, 350/319
• US Class Current: 40/444
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 29/89 Optical or photographic arrangements structurally combined or co-operating with the vessel H01J29/866 and H01J29/868 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/72 Modifying the appearance of television pictures by optical filters or diffusing screens

Abstract

An optical filter transforms defined color light images from television sets, projectors, and the like, into an endless variety of color abstracts. A plurality of light-collector channels conduct light from a color image to a translucent display screen, each channel diffusing and averaging light passing therethrough.

Claims

1. An optical filter disposable so as to intercept a defined color image from a source and transform said defined color image into a color abstract, said defined color image emitting a plurality of light rays associated therewith, said filter comprising a light-collector means having a plurality of light-collector channels extending therethrough, a light translucent display screen having a front surface and a rear surface said display screen being composed of a translucent light diffusing material;

said light-collector channels each having an input end and an output end;

said display screen rear surface being disposed in confronting relation with said light-collector channels output ends, said light-collector channels input ends being disposable to intercept at least a portion of said light rays emitted from said color image, each of said light-collector channels diffusing and averaging said portion of intercepted light rays being passed therethrough from said input end to said output end for impinging said diffused and averaged portion of said intercepted light rays upon said rear surface of said display screen, said display screen further diffusing said impinging light rays for providing a diffused color abstract on said front surface comprising a diffused color composite of said intercepted color image.

2. The optical filter as defined in claim 1, wherein said light-collector means and said display screen are oriented in parallel planes.

3. The optical filter as defined in claim 2, wherein said light-collector means is in abutting relation with said display screen.

4. The optical filter as defined in claim 2 further comprising:

a means for spacing said display screen from said light-collector means, whereby said display screen is spaced apart a sufficient distance from said light-collector means so as to cause said diffused color abstract to appear to be a soft, pastel color.

5. The optical filter as defined in claim 1, wherein said light-collector means comprises a solid opaque body.

6. The optical filter as defined in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of light-collector channels are plugged with transparent material.

7. The optical filter as defined in claim 6, wherein said transparent material is colored.

8. The optical filter as defined in claim 5 wherein said light-collector channels are circular.

9. The optical filter as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of light-collector channels is conically tapered so as to define light-collector channel having a first diameter at said input end thereof and a second diameter at said output end thereof.

10. The optical filter as defined in claim 1, wherein said light-collector means comprises a plurality of individual light-collector members.

11. The optical filter as defined in claim 10, wherein said individual light-collector members are affixedly secured to each other.

12. The optical filter as defined in either claims 10 or 11, wherein said individual light-collector members are solid translucent rods.

13. The optical filter as defined in claim 10, wherein said individual light-collector members comprise hollow tubular members having opaque side walls.

14. The optical filter as defined in claim 10, wherein said individual light-collector members comprise hollow tubular members having translucent side walls.

15. The optical filter as defined in claim 1 wherein said display screen has a thickness sufficient to diffuse said defined color image, whereby as the thickness of said light-collector means increases the amount of light diffusion which occurs as said light rays emitted from said defined color image pass through said one light-collector channel also increases.

16. The optical filter as defined in claim 1 wherein said display screen has a translucent polycarbonate type light diffusion property.

17. The optical filter as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an input screen, said input screen being in a confronting relation with said light-collector means input end.

18. The optical filter as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a fully silvered rear mirror having a front surface and a rear surface and having at least one light transmitting gap, said rear mirror being in confronting relation with said front surface of said display screen;

a partially silvered front mirror having a front surface and a rear surface and disposed in parallel relation with said rear mirror;

a means for spacing said rear mirror from said front mirror a distance sufficient to allow any light passing through said light transmitting gap in said rear mirror to be reflected between said rear mirror and said front mirror, whereby at least a portion of said composite color abstract displayed on said display screen is transmitted through said light transmitting gap and reflected back and forth between said front and rear mirror for creating an illusion of depth when viewed through said front mirror.

19. The optical filter as defined in claim 5, wherein said light collector means has a plurality of large and small circular light collector channels arranged in a regular pattern.

20. The optical filter as defined in claim 5, wherein said light collector means has a plurality of large and small circular light collector channels arranged in an irregular pattern.

21. The optical filter as defined in claim 5, wherein said light collector means has a plurality of diamond shaped light collector channels arranged in a regular pattern.

22. The optical filter as defined in claim 5, wherein said light collector means has a plurality of hexagonal shaped light collector channels arranged in a regular pattern.

23. The optical filter as defined in claim 5, wherein said light collector means has a plurality of circular and triangular shaped light collector channels arranged in an irregular pattern.