CA2268221A1 - Three-dimensional imaging system - Google Patents
Three-dimensional imaging system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2268221A1 CA2268221A1 CA 2268221 CA2268221A CA2268221A1 CA 2268221 A1 CA2268221 A1 CA 2268221A1 CA 2268221 CA2268221 CA 2268221 CA 2268221 A CA2268221 A CA 2268221A CA 2268221 A1 CA2268221 A1 CA 2268221A1
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- dimensional
- recessed
- imaging system
- recessed surfaces
- lighting source
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
- B44F7/00—Designs imitating three-dimensional effects
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Abstract
An imaging system and method for creating a three-dimensional illusion.
The imaging system includes a lighting source and a recessed surface formation.
The recessed surface formation is a three-dimensional object having recessed sections and raised sections The placement of the lighting source and recessed surface formation is designed so that a viewer looking at the recessed surface formation from a specific, predetermined vantage point within a range of viewing angles will perceive an inversion of the recessed sections and raised sections with respect to one another. As the viewing angle becomes more acute, the recessed surface formation will appear to tilt towards the viewer. The method includes the steps required so as to produce the three-dimensional illusion. A
reflective coating on the recessed surface formation, specifically the sidewalls thereof, is used to enhance perception of the illusion. Raised sections for casting shadows are equally important in defining form for the illusion.
The imaging system includes a lighting source and a recessed surface formation.
The recessed surface formation is a three-dimensional object having recessed sections and raised sections The placement of the lighting source and recessed surface formation is designed so that a viewer looking at the recessed surface formation from a specific, predetermined vantage point within a range of viewing angles will perceive an inversion of the recessed sections and raised sections with respect to one another. As the viewing angle becomes more acute, the recessed surface formation will appear to tilt towards the viewer. The method includes the steps required so as to produce the three-dimensional illusion. A
reflective coating on the recessed surface formation, specifically the sidewalls thereof, is used to enhance perception of the illusion. Raised sections for casting shadows are equally important in defining form for the illusion.
Description
THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of Invention The present invention relates to the field of apparatus for relief illusion.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a system of physical configurations for providing optical illusions with respect to relief characteristics in the presence of certain lighting conditions. More particular yet, the present invention involves an imaging system, where the physical configurations are three-dimensional generally-concave designs within a relatively flat surface and the lighting conditions are predetermined from a fixed source.
Description of Prior Art Design and fabrication of structures for creation of visual effects typically involve various two-dimensional or three-dimensional surfaces. An example of such a structure is a wall mosaic having a relief-image molded onto the visible surface. On a different scale, minted coins -- e.g., a penny bearing a raised image of Abraham Lincoln -- are another example of three-dimensional surface effects. However, the usefulness of such structures is not limited to decorative visual effects. Visual or tactile sensation of three-dimensional surface structures can be educational and communicative. A relief-map of mountainous terrain is one such structure related to visual and tactile sensation for educational and/or communicative purposes. The alphabetic system of Braille is one such structure related to tactile sensation for primarily communicative purposes. Thus, three-dimensional imaging not only creates interesting visual effects but also creates visual effects that have both communicative and educational aspects.
Enhancement of the desirable aspects of three-dimensional surfaces is typically achieved through coloration and texturing. For instance, the relief-map discussed above is enhanced by the use of green in the recessed areas to connote valleys, various shades of brown in the raised areas to connote hills and mountains, and white in the crests of the tallest raised areas to connote glacial mountains. Textural variations in any given colored area could also be used.
In this case, the green area of the relief-map may be roughly textured yet still green to connote a heavily wooded area. Further, another portion of the green area may be smoothly textured to connote a grassy field. In this way, the visual effect of the structure includes enhanced educational, communicative, and decorative aspects.
One prior-art surface device is that of Kapusta (USP #4,681,481), which involves a tile with multiple faces. One of the faces includes a recessed area having five exposed surfaces. These exposed surfaces interrelate with one another and yield varied visual effects by the interplay of light with the five exposed surfaces. Although interesting lighting effects such as shimmering and reflecting can be accomplished, the three-dimensional surface of Kapusta fails to yield any optical effects that could be considered useful in terms of educational or communicative value. Accordingly, the device of Kapusta is little more than a decorative tile.
Concurrent with the development of the prior-art three-dimensional surfaces and tiles described above, other tile surface structures have been developed with the goal of increased aesthetics in surface coverings.
Typically, such tile surface structures have focused on two-dimensional patterning characteristics used on an inherently three-dimensional tile. Three representative prior-art devices are those of Penrose (USP #4,133,152), Osborn (USP
#5,520,388), and Lalvani (USP #5,575,125). Still further, illusional artwork by the mathematician and artist M.C. Escher provides another example of three-dimensional illusions in two-dimensional designs.
The device of Penrose includes a set of two-dimensional tiles for covering a surface. Only two types of tiles are used to compose the set. The pattern that the set forms is commonly referred to as Penrose Tiling. An example of a Penrose Tiling is shown in prior-art FIGURE 1. The pattern that forms the set is non-repeating, which is the stated aesthetic appeal of the Penrose device.
However, the Penrose device is limited to a two-dimensional pattern with little more than decorative usefulness. The device of Osborn includes a set of tiles similar to Penrose but one having only one type of zoomorphic tile shape. The device of Lalvani includes a family of tile shapes similar to Penrose but being able to fill a planar surface in a periodic or non-periodic manner. As seen in the device of Penrose, the devices of Osborn and Lalvani and illusional artwork of M.C. Escher are limited to two dimensions and especially do not convey any qualities further than aesthetic attributes.
Accordingly, the prior art fails to provide any surface structure that utilizes lighting from a source to create a three-dimensional illusion with a three-dimensional object. Therefore, what is needed is an imaging system that provides an aesthetically appealing three-dimensional object. What is also needed is such an imaging system that includes attributes that may be educational and/or communicative. Further, what is needed is such an imaging system that may convey all its desired attributes through the use of a single lighting source.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging system that provides aesthetically appealing repeating or non-repeating patterns viewable in a three-dimensional form. Another object of the present invention is to provide such an imaging system that is not only aesthetically appealing but may also include educational and/or communicative attributes. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an imaging system to create the three-dimensional form using a defined lighting source. Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an imaging system that allows all desired attributes to be visually conveyed to a user. Moreover, an object of the present invention is to create an illusion that converts recessed regions to raised regions and vice-versa. Still further, an object of the present invention is to provide recessed sections that will orient their face to the viewer as the viewing angle becomes more acute to the outer surface.
The imaging system of the present invention includes one or more recessed, or otherwise substantially-concave, surfaces having a simple geometric shape or a shape of a particular design. The particular design may be a simple golf-ball-shaped or sun-face-shaped design, though any similar relatively-concave form may be used. Also, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is discussed in terms of a simple recessed section with mostly aesthetic utility;
however, it should be understood that the recessed section is not intended to be limited to a simple shape. Instead, the focus of the invention is on the creation of an object that permits a viewer to perceive it as having two distinct configurations. Further, there is produced with the present invention a luminous effect in that it appears that the device is creating light by shifting the observer's perception of the location of a light source.
The invention may be utilized in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, providing an object for psychological evaluation, the study of physiological optics and the like, or simply as an object to be observed. Moreover, it may be used to form puzzles, to create structural surfaces, including, but not limited to, the exterior of a building wall, or simply to create works of art.
According to the present invention, a surface is formed upon a relatively flat surface. The surface may be any desired shape or form so long as one or more recessed sections and one or more raised sections are formed and that the recessed sections maintain a general concavity with respect to an outermost surface. Secondary-recessed-surface-features within the recessed sections can also be added as supplemental designs. Periodic or non-periodic patterns may be used when multiple recessed sections are formed.
Important elements of the imaging system as a whole are further defined by strategic placement of a lighting source and coating of the interior walls of the recessed sections with a reflective material. The outermost surfaces may also be coated with the reflective material. The reflective material may be any suitably . light-reflective material such as, but not limited to, flat white paint. The lighting source is important only in that it provides sufficient lighting to enable the visual effect of distending the recessed surface design outward and oriented towards the viewer, and the raised surfaces inwards. Thus, each recessed surface feature of the design visually becomes raised and oriented facing the viewer and each raised surface feature surrounding the recessed surface feature becomes recessed. For purposes of this specification, this illusion is simply referred to as inversion. In the imaging system of the present invention, the lighting source and the recessed surface design are kept substantially stationary relative to one another. However, there is a range of positions of the viewer relative to a variety of positions for the lighting source and the recessed surface design. This is well adapted for situations such as art-viewings and in the analysis of the effect on the mind of visually observed objects, where the imaging system has beneficial uses, particularly as a means of providing "flash-over" imaging, wherein an object initially observed can be seen as a different object substantially in an instant rather than in a gradual way. Further, increasing the depth of each recessed section will increase the range at which the inversion effect can be viewable.
It is to be understood that other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent by the following description of the drawings according to the present invention. While a preferred embodiment is disclosed, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the general principles set forth herein are considered to be merely illustrative of the scope of the present invention and it is to be further understood that numerous changes may be made without straying from the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a diagram view of prior-art non-periodic Penrose tiling.
FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of the imaging system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a vantage point, a recessed surface design, and a lighting source.
FIGURES 3 and 4 are frontal views of two possible variations of recessed surface designs for use within the imaging system as shown in FIGURE 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIGURE 2, an imaging system device 20 is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The imaging system 20 involves a lighting source 21 and a specially designed three-dimensional-surface-means 22, strategically arranged with respect to a vantage point 23 indicated by an illustration of a user's eye. The imaging system 20 is arranged for viewing a surface-design 22a located on the three-dimensional-surface-means 22. In operation, the three-dimensional-surface-means 22 selectively reflects light 21a from the lighting source 21 to the vantage point 23. This produces an inversion of surface features that is perceptible by an individual located at the vantage point 23.
FIGURES 3 and 4 show two particular types of three-dimensional-surface-means 32 and 42. These illustrate the point that any particular pattern may be used without straying from the underlying inventive concept -- i.e., recessed surface structures. In FIGURE 3, secondary recess structures in the form of a golf-ball 34, a sun-face 35, and primary recesses 33 are shown. The three-dimensional-surface-means 32 includes a base plane 32b and an outer-surface plane 32a. The recesses 33, 34, 35 are formed between the outer-surface plane 32a and extend inwardly toward the base plane 32b. The primary means for presenting a flash-over image is the use of the primary recesses 33 that can be patterned in a periodic manner as shown in FIGURE 3. However, it is to be understood that non-periodic patterns such as Penrose Tiling may also be used.
In the three-dimensional-surface-means 32 of FIGURE 3, it is most important to coat the interior walls of primary recesses 33, and any other interior walls for which flash-over is desired, with a reflective material. Additionally, each portion of the outer-surface-plane 32a, and recesses 34 and 35 may be coated with the reflective material, which is preferably simply flat white paint. This increases the reflectivity of the surfaces and thus enhances the inversion illusion discussed with respect to FIGURE 2 above.
FIGURE 3a shows, in cross-sectional detail, the secondary recessed surface structure in the form of the sun-face 35. The primary recesses 33 are shown in the three-dimensional-surface-means 32 in relation to the outer-surface plane 32a. The generally-concave nature of the recessed surface structure 35 is visible by this cross-section in that the recessed surface structure 35 extends inwardly from the outer-surface-plane 32a. The walls of each recessed surface structure 35 are preferably curved or otherwise angled in order to reflect light back toward the viewer located at the vantage point 23. While only one vantage point 23 is shown, it should be understood that a range of vantage points is possible. The curvature or angle of the reflective walls may be substantially anywhere in the range between about 1 ° and about slightly less than 90°, with an angle of about 75° shown in FIGURE 3a.
Similar to FIGURE 3, FIGURE 4 shows additional secondary recesses in the form of a cross 44, a medallion 45, and primary rhomboid recesses 43. The three-dimensional-surface-means 42 includes a base plane 42b and an outer-surface plane 42a. The recesses 43, 44, 45 are formed between the outer-surface plane 42a and extend inwardly towards the base plane 42b. As with the other design, it is important that the interior walls of the recesses be coated with the reflective material. Optionally, the outer-surface-plane 42a and each cross 44 and medallion 45 may be coated with the reflective material, which is, again, preferably flat white paint.
In producing an inversion illusion through the imaging system 20 as shown in FIGURE 2, a method is utilized that involves first positioning the lighting source 21 at a desired location. Next, the three-dimensional-surface-means 22 is positioned with respect to the lighting source in order to selectively reflect the light 21 a from the lighting source 21. Lastly, a user of the imaging system 20 is positioned in a reflective range (shown for illustrative purposes at a predetermined distance x) from the three-dimensional-surface-means 22. Such positioning is made relative to the lighting source 21 such that the three-dimensional-surface-means 22 produces an inversion illusion viewable by the user upon reflection of the light 21 a from the lighting source 21 by one or more recessed surfaces structures 22a.
It should be understood that the preferred system embodiment and method if using that embodiment mentioned here are merely illustrative of the present invention. Numerous variations in design and use of the present invention may be contemplated in view of the following claims without straying from the intended scope and field of the invention herein disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of Invention The present invention relates to the field of apparatus for relief illusion.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a system of physical configurations for providing optical illusions with respect to relief characteristics in the presence of certain lighting conditions. More particular yet, the present invention involves an imaging system, where the physical configurations are three-dimensional generally-concave designs within a relatively flat surface and the lighting conditions are predetermined from a fixed source.
Description of Prior Art Design and fabrication of structures for creation of visual effects typically involve various two-dimensional or three-dimensional surfaces. An example of such a structure is a wall mosaic having a relief-image molded onto the visible surface. On a different scale, minted coins -- e.g., a penny bearing a raised image of Abraham Lincoln -- are another example of three-dimensional surface effects. However, the usefulness of such structures is not limited to decorative visual effects. Visual or tactile sensation of three-dimensional surface structures can be educational and communicative. A relief-map of mountainous terrain is one such structure related to visual and tactile sensation for educational and/or communicative purposes. The alphabetic system of Braille is one such structure related to tactile sensation for primarily communicative purposes. Thus, three-dimensional imaging not only creates interesting visual effects but also creates visual effects that have both communicative and educational aspects.
Enhancement of the desirable aspects of three-dimensional surfaces is typically achieved through coloration and texturing. For instance, the relief-map discussed above is enhanced by the use of green in the recessed areas to connote valleys, various shades of brown in the raised areas to connote hills and mountains, and white in the crests of the tallest raised areas to connote glacial mountains. Textural variations in any given colored area could also be used.
In this case, the green area of the relief-map may be roughly textured yet still green to connote a heavily wooded area. Further, another portion of the green area may be smoothly textured to connote a grassy field. In this way, the visual effect of the structure includes enhanced educational, communicative, and decorative aspects.
One prior-art surface device is that of Kapusta (USP #4,681,481), which involves a tile with multiple faces. One of the faces includes a recessed area having five exposed surfaces. These exposed surfaces interrelate with one another and yield varied visual effects by the interplay of light with the five exposed surfaces. Although interesting lighting effects such as shimmering and reflecting can be accomplished, the three-dimensional surface of Kapusta fails to yield any optical effects that could be considered useful in terms of educational or communicative value. Accordingly, the device of Kapusta is little more than a decorative tile.
Concurrent with the development of the prior-art three-dimensional surfaces and tiles described above, other tile surface structures have been developed with the goal of increased aesthetics in surface coverings.
Typically, such tile surface structures have focused on two-dimensional patterning characteristics used on an inherently three-dimensional tile. Three representative prior-art devices are those of Penrose (USP #4,133,152), Osborn (USP
#5,520,388), and Lalvani (USP #5,575,125). Still further, illusional artwork by the mathematician and artist M.C. Escher provides another example of three-dimensional illusions in two-dimensional designs.
The device of Penrose includes a set of two-dimensional tiles for covering a surface. Only two types of tiles are used to compose the set. The pattern that the set forms is commonly referred to as Penrose Tiling. An example of a Penrose Tiling is shown in prior-art FIGURE 1. The pattern that forms the set is non-repeating, which is the stated aesthetic appeal of the Penrose device.
However, the Penrose device is limited to a two-dimensional pattern with little more than decorative usefulness. The device of Osborn includes a set of tiles similar to Penrose but one having only one type of zoomorphic tile shape. The device of Lalvani includes a family of tile shapes similar to Penrose but being able to fill a planar surface in a periodic or non-periodic manner. As seen in the device of Penrose, the devices of Osborn and Lalvani and illusional artwork of M.C. Escher are limited to two dimensions and especially do not convey any qualities further than aesthetic attributes.
Accordingly, the prior art fails to provide any surface structure that utilizes lighting from a source to create a three-dimensional illusion with a three-dimensional object. Therefore, what is needed is an imaging system that provides an aesthetically appealing three-dimensional object. What is also needed is such an imaging system that includes attributes that may be educational and/or communicative. Further, what is needed is such an imaging system that may convey all its desired attributes through the use of a single lighting source.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging system that provides aesthetically appealing repeating or non-repeating patterns viewable in a three-dimensional form. Another object of the present invention is to provide such an imaging system that is not only aesthetically appealing but may also include educational and/or communicative attributes. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an imaging system to create the three-dimensional form using a defined lighting source. Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an imaging system that allows all desired attributes to be visually conveyed to a user. Moreover, an object of the present invention is to create an illusion that converts recessed regions to raised regions and vice-versa. Still further, an object of the present invention is to provide recessed sections that will orient their face to the viewer as the viewing angle becomes more acute to the outer surface.
The imaging system of the present invention includes one or more recessed, or otherwise substantially-concave, surfaces having a simple geometric shape or a shape of a particular design. The particular design may be a simple golf-ball-shaped or sun-face-shaped design, though any similar relatively-concave form may be used. Also, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is discussed in terms of a simple recessed section with mostly aesthetic utility;
however, it should be understood that the recessed section is not intended to be limited to a simple shape. Instead, the focus of the invention is on the creation of an object that permits a viewer to perceive it as having two distinct configurations. Further, there is produced with the present invention a luminous effect in that it appears that the device is creating light by shifting the observer's perception of the location of a light source.
The invention may be utilized in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, providing an object for psychological evaluation, the study of physiological optics and the like, or simply as an object to be observed. Moreover, it may be used to form puzzles, to create structural surfaces, including, but not limited to, the exterior of a building wall, or simply to create works of art.
According to the present invention, a surface is formed upon a relatively flat surface. The surface may be any desired shape or form so long as one or more recessed sections and one or more raised sections are formed and that the recessed sections maintain a general concavity with respect to an outermost surface. Secondary-recessed-surface-features within the recessed sections can also be added as supplemental designs. Periodic or non-periodic patterns may be used when multiple recessed sections are formed.
Important elements of the imaging system as a whole are further defined by strategic placement of a lighting source and coating of the interior walls of the recessed sections with a reflective material. The outermost surfaces may also be coated with the reflective material. The reflective material may be any suitably . light-reflective material such as, but not limited to, flat white paint. The lighting source is important only in that it provides sufficient lighting to enable the visual effect of distending the recessed surface design outward and oriented towards the viewer, and the raised surfaces inwards. Thus, each recessed surface feature of the design visually becomes raised and oriented facing the viewer and each raised surface feature surrounding the recessed surface feature becomes recessed. For purposes of this specification, this illusion is simply referred to as inversion. In the imaging system of the present invention, the lighting source and the recessed surface design are kept substantially stationary relative to one another. However, there is a range of positions of the viewer relative to a variety of positions for the lighting source and the recessed surface design. This is well adapted for situations such as art-viewings and in the analysis of the effect on the mind of visually observed objects, where the imaging system has beneficial uses, particularly as a means of providing "flash-over" imaging, wherein an object initially observed can be seen as a different object substantially in an instant rather than in a gradual way. Further, increasing the depth of each recessed section will increase the range at which the inversion effect can be viewable.
It is to be understood that other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent by the following description of the drawings according to the present invention. While a preferred embodiment is disclosed, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the general principles set forth herein are considered to be merely illustrative of the scope of the present invention and it is to be further understood that numerous changes may be made without straying from the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a diagram view of prior-art non-periodic Penrose tiling.
FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of the imaging system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a vantage point, a recessed surface design, and a lighting source.
FIGURES 3 and 4 are frontal views of two possible variations of recessed surface designs for use within the imaging system as shown in FIGURE 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIGURE 2, an imaging system device 20 is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The imaging system 20 involves a lighting source 21 and a specially designed three-dimensional-surface-means 22, strategically arranged with respect to a vantage point 23 indicated by an illustration of a user's eye. The imaging system 20 is arranged for viewing a surface-design 22a located on the three-dimensional-surface-means 22. In operation, the three-dimensional-surface-means 22 selectively reflects light 21a from the lighting source 21 to the vantage point 23. This produces an inversion of surface features that is perceptible by an individual located at the vantage point 23.
FIGURES 3 and 4 show two particular types of three-dimensional-surface-means 32 and 42. These illustrate the point that any particular pattern may be used without straying from the underlying inventive concept -- i.e., recessed surface structures. In FIGURE 3, secondary recess structures in the form of a golf-ball 34, a sun-face 35, and primary recesses 33 are shown. The three-dimensional-surface-means 32 includes a base plane 32b and an outer-surface plane 32a. The recesses 33, 34, 35 are formed between the outer-surface plane 32a and extend inwardly toward the base plane 32b. The primary means for presenting a flash-over image is the use of the primary recesses 33 that can be patterned in a periodic manner as shown in FIGURE 3. However, it is to be understood that non-periodic patterns such as Penrose Tiling may also be used.
In the three-dimensional-surface-means 32 of FIGURE 3, it is most important to coat the interior walls of primary recesses 33, and any other interior walls for which flash-over is desired, with a reflective material. Additionally, each portion of the outer-surface-plane 32a, and recesses 34 and 35 may be coated with the reflective material, which is preferably simply flat white paint. This increases the reflectivity of the surfaces and thus enhances the inversion illusion discussed with respect to FIGURE 2 above.
FIGURE 3a shows, in cross-sectional detail, the secondary recessed surface structure in the form of the sun-face 35. The primary recesses 33 are shown in the three-dimensional-surface-means 32 in relation to the outer-surface plane 32a. The generally-concave nature of the recessed surface structure 35 is visible by this cross-section in that the recessed surface structure 35 extends inwardly from the outer-surface-plane 32a. The walls of each recessed surface structure 35 are preferably curved or otherwise angled in order to reflect light back toward the viewer located at the vantage point 23. While only one vantage point 23 is shown, it should be understood that a range of vantage points is possible. The curvature or angle of the reflective walls may be substantially anywhere in the range between about 1 ° and about slightly less than 90°, with an angle of about 75° shown in FIGURE 3a.
Similar to FIGURE 3, FIGURE 4 shows additional secondary recesses in the form of a cross 44, a medallion 45, and primary rhomboid recesses 43. The three-dimensional-surface-means 42 includes a base plane 42b and an outer-surface plane 42a. The recesses 43, 44, 45 are formed between the outer-surface plane 42a and extend inwardly towards the base plane 42b. As with the other design, it is important that the interior walls of the recesses be coated with the reflective material. Optionally, the outer-surface-plane 42a and each cross 44 and medallion 45 may be coated with the reflective material, which is, again, preferably flat white paint.
In producing an inversion illusion through the imaging system 20 as shown in FIGURE 2, a method is utilized that involves first positioning the lighting source 21 at a desired location. Next, the three-dimensional-surface-means 22 is positioned with respect to the lighting source in order to selectively reflect the light 21 a from the lighting source 21. Lastly, a user of the imaging system 20 is positioned in a reflective range (shown for illustrative purposes at a predetermined distance x) from the three-dimensional-surface-means 22. Such positioning is made relative to the lighting source 21 such that the three-dimensional-surface-means 22 produces an inversion illusion viewable by the user upon reflection of the light 21 a from the lighting source 21 by one or more recessed surfaces structures 22a.
It should be understood that the preferred system embodiment and method if using that embodiment mentioned here are merely illustrative of the present invention. Numerous variations in design and use of the present invention may be contemplated in view of the following claims without straying from the intended scope and field of the invention herein disclosed.
Claims (12)
1. An imaging system for viewing a three-dimensional object, said imaging system composing:
a) a lighting source; and b) a three-dimensional-surface-means for selectively reflecting light from said lighting source to a vantage point of a viewer of said imaging system, said three-dimensional-surface-means having one or more recessed surfaces with interior walls, and one or more raised surfaces, wherein at least said interior walls are substantially coated with a reflective material;
wherein said recessed surfaces are capable of appearing to be raised and said raised surfaces appear to be recessed upon reflection of said light from said lighting source by said reflective material.
a) a lighting source; and b) a three-dimensional-surface-means for selectively reflecting light from said lighting source to a vantage point of a viewer of said imaging system, said three-dimensional-surface-means having one or more recessed surfaces with interior walls, and one or more raised surfaces, wherein at least said interior walls are substantially coated with a reflective material;
wherein said recessed surfaces are capable of appearing to be raised and said raised surfaces appear to be recessed upon reflection of said light from said lighting source by said reflective material.
2. The imaging system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said recessed surfaces are further designed such that they appear to be oriented to face a viewer as the viewer moves through a range of viewing angles.
3. The imaging system as claimed in Claim 1, said three-dimensional-surface-means comprising:
a) a base plane; and b) an outer-surface plane;
wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are formed in said outer-surface plane and extend towards said base plane.
a) a base plane; and b) an outer-surface plane;
wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are formed in said outer-surface plane and extend towards said base plane.
4. The imaging system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein at least one of said recessed surfaces further includes a secondary-recessed-surface-design extending toward said base plane.
5. The imaging system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are patterned in a periodic tiling pattern.
6. The imaging system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are patterned in a non-periodic tiling pattern.
7. A method for viewing a three-dimensional object, said method comprising the steps of:
a) positioning a lighting source at a first location;
b) positioning a three-dimensional-surface-means for selectively reflecting light from said lighting source, said three-dimensional-surface-means having one or more recessed surfaces and one or more raised surfaces; and c) positioning a viewer at a predetermined distance from said three-dimensional-surface-means and relative to said lighting source such that said three-dimensional-surface-means produces an inversion illusion viewable by said viewer upon reflection of said light from said lighting source by said one or more recessed surfaces.
a) positioning a lighting source at a first location;
b) positioning a three-dimensional-surface-means for selectively reflecting light from said lighting source, said three-dimensional-surface-means having one or more recessed surfaces and one or more raised surfaces; and c) positioning a viewer at a predetermined distance from said three-dimensional-surface-means and relative to said lighting source such that said three-dimensional-surface-means produces an inversion illusion viewable by said viewer upon reflection of said light from said lighting source by said one or more recessed surfaces.
8. The method as claimed in Claim 7, said three-dimensional-surface-means comprising:
a) a base plane; and b) an outer-surface plane, wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are formed in said outer-surface plane and extend towards said base plane, wherein each of said one or more recessed surfaces includes interior walls, and wherein said interior walls are coated with a reflective material.
a) a base plane; and b) an outer-surface plane, wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are formed in said outer-surface plane and extend towards said base plane, wherein each of said one or more recessed surfaces includes interior walls, and wherein said interior walls are coated with a reflective material.
9. The method as claimed in Claim 8 wherein at least one of said recessed surfaces further includes a secondary-recessed-surface-design extending towards said base plane, said secondary-surface-design-being coated with said reflective material.
10. The method as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are patterned in a periodic tiling pattern.
11. The method as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said one or more recessed surfaces are patterned in a non-periodic tiling pattern.
12. The method as claimed in Claim 7 further comprising the step of changing the viewing angle of said viewer through a range of acute angles.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2268221 CA2268221A1 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 1999-04-01 | Three-dimensional imaging system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2268221 CA2268221A1 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 1999-04-01 | Three-dimensional imaging system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2268221A1 true CA2268221A1 (en) | 2000-10-01 |
Family
ID=29588703
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2268221 Abandoned CA2268221A1 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 1999-04-01 | Three-dimensional imaging system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2268221A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11754237B2 (en) | 2021-06-12 | 2023-09-12 | Lucifer Lighting Company | Retention, adjustability and maintenance for a recessed component such as a recessed luminaire |
-
1999
- 1999-04-01 CA CA 2268221 patent/CA2268221A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11754237B2 (en) | 2021-06-12 | 2023-09-12 | Lucifer Lighting Company | Retention, adjustability and maintenance for a recessed component such as a recessed luminaire |
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