Image frame

• US 5,629,796 A
• Filed: 07/12/1994
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Central Research Fund Limited
• Original Assignee: Central Research Fund Limited
• Inventors: Shanks, Ian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dzierzynski, Paul M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, AUDREY Y
• Application Number:
  US08/256,438
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 359/40, 359/463, 359/464, 359/466, 359/477, 359/601, 359/619, 40/154, 40/158.1
• US Class Current: 359/463
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/0616 Ornamental frames, e.g. with illumination, speakers or decorative features
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/002 comprising magnifying properties
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 7/00 Designs imitating three-dimensional effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0056 arranged along two different directions in a plane, e.g. honeycomb arrangement of lenses G02B3/0043 takes precedence; miniaturised objectives for electronic devices employing wafer level optics G02B13/0085
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0068 arranged in a single integral body or plate, e.g. laminates or hybrid structures with other optical elements G02B5/1885, G02B17/002, G02B30/27 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays

Abstract

A frame 2 for an image such as a picture 16 is formed from a microlens array. Such an array produces an apparent optical plane which is not coplanar with the real plane of the array. This produces the visual effect of the picture 16 being divorced from the frame 2 and an illusion of depth is created as between the frame 2 and the picture 16.

Claims

1. A frame for substantially enclosing the circumference of an image, the frame comprising a pair of arrays each comprising a plurality of paraboloidal or spherical lens type structures having a radial dimension within the micrometer to millimeter range, the arrays being superimposed on and spaced from one another, said arrays combining to form a resultant "bubble-like" pattern in a different plane to either array.

2. A frame according to claim 1 wherein the pair of arrays is one of a plurality of pairs of arrays arranged substantially in a common plane in juxtaposition such that the resultant patterns from respective pairs of arrays lie on opposite sides of said common plane.

3. An image together with a frame according to claim 1 or claim 2.