GB2314192A

GB2314192A - Display having apparent depth

Info

Publication number: GB2314192A
Application number: GB9612422A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Francis Dean
Original assignee: Central Research Laboratories Ltd
Current assignee: Central Research Laboratories Ltd
Priority date: 1996-06-13
Filing date: 1996-06-13
Publication date: 1997-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-13
Also published as: GB2314192B; GB9612422D0

Abstract

A display having apparent depth comprises a) an anterior pattern and b) a posterior pattern, the patterns being spaced from one another and superimposed. The posterior pattern comprises a light coloured or light transmissive region (1, Figure 2) having an outline defined by a dark or opaque region (2). The anterior pattern comprises a further region 3 which is superimposed upon the light coloured or light transmissive region of the posterior pattern. This further region is light transmissive and has an optical density which varies from place to place. When both patterns are viewed together through the anterior pattern the anterior pattern appears as shading on the posterior light coloured or light transmissive region.

Description

DISPLAY HAVING APPARENT DEPTH This invention relates to a display having apparent depth. There has been much activity in recent years to develop ways of producing an image which appears to be three dimensional. One such way is to make a hologram, another an autostereogram. However both techniques are difficult to achieve using simple print techniques.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display having apparent depth using simple printing techniques.

According to the invention there is provided a display having apparent depth comprising an anterior pattern and a posterior pattern, the patterns being spaced from one another and superimposed, the posterior pattern comprising a light coloured or light transmissive region (1) having an outline (2) defined by a dark or opaque region, the anterior pattern comprising a further region (3) which is superimposed upon the light coloured or light transmissive region of the posterior pattern, the further region being light transmissive and having an optical density which varies from place to place within the further region such that when both patterns are viewed together through the anterior pattern the anterior pattern appears as shading on the posterior light coloured or light transmissive region.

In this way a very effective three dimensional affect can be achieved using simply printed patterns. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figure 1 shows an anterior pattern according to the invention Figure 2 shows a posterior pattern according to the invention Figure 3 shows a second anterior pattern according to the invention Figure 4 shows a second posterior pattern according to the invention In a first embodiment, the display consists of two layers of black ink dots printed in registration on either side of a transparent sheet 4mm in thickness. In this example the transparent sheet provides the spacing between the patterns. As an alternative the two layers may both be printed on transparent sheets, or the anterior pattern may be printed on a transparent sheet and the posterior pattern printed on a sheet of white paper. In the alternative arrangement the two sheets must be spaced apart and secured with the patterns in registration.

In the present example the posterior pattern shown in Figure 2 has a light transmissive region (1) which is circular, although other outline shapes such as triangular or square may be used as an alternative. Almost any shape of outline (2) can be used. Figures 3 and 4 show the shape of an arrow as an alternative embodiment.

The same shape is then printed as a shaded area to form the further region(3) of the anterior pattern shown in Figure 1. When the two patterns are viewed together through the anterior pattern, each eye of an observer receives a slightly different image by virtue of the parallax caused by the spacing between the two patterns. The anterior pattern merges with the posterior pattern but with different relative displacement viewed from the left and right eye of an observer. This effect depends upon the spacing between the two images and the viewing distance, being optimal for a viewing distance of 1 meter with a spacing of a few millimeters.

The resultant effect is that the combined image appears to be a single object having a solid presence rather than being two discrete images. It also exhibits some motion parallax if the patterns are moved relative to the observer or the observer moves relative to the patterns.

The effect is enhanced if the regions are repeated in a two dimensional array.

The printing may be performed by a laser printer or by screen printing or other techniques used in the field of the graphic arts.

Although a white sheet of paper has been used in the above example coloured paper having either a constant colour or a colour which varies from place to place may be used as an alternative.

Claims

1. A display having apparent depth comprising an anterior pattern and a posterior pattern, the patterns being spaced from one another and superimposed, the posterior pattern comprising a light coloured or light transmissive region having an outline defined by a dark or opaque region, the anterior pattern comprising a further region which is superimposed upon the light coloured or light transmissive region of the posterior pattern, the further region being light transmissive and having an optical density which varies from place to place within the further region such that when both patterns are viewed together through the anterior pattern the anterior pattern appears as shading on the posterior light coloured or light transmissive region.

2. A display having apparent depth substantially as described herein.