Magical image cups and containers with 3D displays

• US 8,046,941 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2010
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Schnuckle, Gary W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann; Joanne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Islam; Syed A
• Application Number:
  US12/871,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20100321638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 403/24, 403/26, 404/06, 403/06, 403/10, 220/703, 220/506, 446/47, 446/71, 446/219, 428/34.1, 428/13, 359/617, 359/616
• US Class Current: 40/324
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/08 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1001 Piston pumps B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/37 with decorative elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/40 giving the observer of a single two-dimensional [2D] image a perception of depth
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]

Abstract

An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Claims

1. A method for producing a multidimensional composite image, comprising:

providing a primary image proximate to a convex reflective surface and a background image spaced apart from the reflective surface;

illuminating the primary image and the background image; and

forming a composite image comprising light from the illuminated primary image and light from the reflective surface including light from the illuminated background image,

wherein the forming of the composite image comprises directing the composite image to a viewing port positioned proximate to the background image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is comprises a convex spherical mirror.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating comprises using a light source to direct light onto the primary image.

3. A method for producing a multidimensional composite image, comprising:

providing a primary image proximate to a convex reflective surface and a background image spaced apart from the reflective surface;

illuminating the primary image and the background image;

forming a composite image comprising light from the illuminated primary image and light from the reflective surface including light from the illuminated background image; and

providing a foreground image proximate to the background image and illuminating the foreground image and wherein the composite image further comprises light from the illuminated foreground image, whereby the primary image appears in the composite image to be located in front of the background image and the foreground image.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing comprises forming an object that includes the primary image, the background image, and the reflective surface.

6. A method for producing a multidimensional composite image, comprising:

providing a primary image proximate to a convex reflective surface and a background image spaced apart from the reflective surface;

illuminating the primary image and the background image;

forming a composite image comprising light from the illuminated primary image and light from the reflective surface including light from the illuminated background image; and

providing a rear projection screen layer adjacent the convex reflective surface, and wherein the providing of the primary image comprises operating a projector to project the primary image through the rear projection screen and through the convex reflective surface.

7. An apparatus for providing a multi-dimensional visual display, comprising:

a body having a front sidewall;

a mirror element spaced apart from the front sidewall within an interior portion of the body, the mirror element comprising a reflective surface facing the front sidewall that is convex relative to the front sidewall and wherein the mirror element comprises an opening or a light transmissive portion; and

a display device, positioned behind the reflective surface with reference to the front sidewall, displaying a primary image via the opening or light transmissive portion of the mirror element, wherein the reflective surface and the primary image are concurrently visible through at least a portion of the front sidewall.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the display device includes a primary image element positioned adjacent the opening or light transmissive portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the primary image element comprises a printed image or hologram image on the mirror element and the display device further comprises a light source lighting the printed or hologram image.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the primary image element comprises an electronic display device positioned within the body proximate to the mirror element and operable to display the primary image through the opening or light transmissive portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mirror element comprises a rear projection portion in the light transmissive portion that is light transmissive and wherein the display device includes a projector positioned in the body and operating to project the primary image onto the rear projection portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a framing element proximate to the front sidewall comprising background images facing toward the reflective surface and wherein the rear projection portion of the mirror element is metalized to perform as one-way glass to transmit light from the projector concurrently with reflection of the background images toward the front sidewall.

13. An apparatus adapted for producing multi-dimensional visual effects, comprising:

a display device displaying a primary image;

a mirror element comprising a reflective surface, the primary image being displayed through the reflective surface; and

a framing element spaced apart from the mirror element, the framing element comprising a background image element and a view port, the view port being positioned opposite a portion of the reflective surface displaying the primary image to provide a line of sight through the framing element to the displayed primary image and reflected images from the reflective surface associated with the background image element, whereby the reflected images appear to a viewer using the line of sight to be behind the displayed primary image, wherein the reflective surface includes a rear projection portion transmissive to light including the displayed primary image.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reflective surface has a convex shape relative to the framing element.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the display device includes an electronic display device displaying the primary image onto the rear projection surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electronic display device comprises a projector projecting the primary image onto the rear projection surface.

17. An apparatus adapted for producing multidimensional visual effects, comprising:

a display device displaying a primary image;

a mirror element comprising a reflective surface, the primary image being displayed through the reflective surface; and

a framing element spaced apart from the mirror element, the framing element comprising background image element and a view port, the view port being positioned opposite a portion of the reflective surface displaying the primary image to provide a line of sight through the framing element to the displayed primary image and reflected images from the reflective surface associated with the background image element, whereby the reflected images appear to a viewer using the line of sight to be behind the displayed primary image,

wherein the display device includes an image on a side of the reflective surface opposite the framing element, the display device further including a light source lighting the image to display the primary image through a portion of the reflective surface that is at least transmissive of light.

18. An apparatus adapted for producing multi-dimensional visual effects, comprising:

a display device displaying a primary image;

a mirror element comprising a reflective surface, the primary image being displayed through the reflective surface; and

a framing element spaced apart from the mirror element, the framing element comprising a background image element and a view port, the view port being positioned opposite a portion of the reflective surface displaying the primary image to provide a line of sight through the framing element to the displayed primary image and reflected images from the reflective surface associated with the background image element, whereby the reflected images appear to a viewer using the line of sight to be behind the displayed primary image,

wherein the mirror element includes an opening for displaying the primary image, wherein the reflective surface is convex relative to the framing element, and wherein the display device comprises an electronic display device providing the primary image on a display surface.