WO1990012336A1

WO1990012336A1 - Optical illusion system

Info

Publication number: WO1990012336A1
Application number: PCT/CA1990/000103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cyril Redford
Original assignee: Cyril Redford
Priority date: 1989-03-30
Filing date: 1990-03-28
Publication date: 1990-10-18
Also published as: AU5411690A

Abstract

An optical illusion system comprising a coloured light source (1) for generating a predetermined sequence of colours (4), and an object (7) such as a poster, carrying a sequence of patterns (9) in respective ones of the aforementioned sequence of colours, and positioned to receive the coloured light. Successive ones of the patterns become highlighted responsive to receiving the coloured light in the aforementioned respective ones of the sequence of colours, resulting in an appearance of motion.

Description

OPTICAL ILLUSION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to optical illusion systems, and more particularly to a colour controlled system for imparting an illusion of motion to a printed pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, an optical illusion system is provided for creating an illusion of motion on a printed object carrying a sequence of patterns in a respective sequence of colours. A light source is provided for generating coloured light according to the aforementioned sequence of colours. The object is positioned to receive the coloured light such that successive ones of the patterns become highlighted responsive to receiving the coloured light in the aforementioned respective ones of the sequence of colours, thereby resulting in an appearance of motion between the successive patterns.

In general, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical illusion system, comprising: a) means for generating coloured light according to a predetermined sequence of colours; and b) an object carrying a sequence of patterns in respective ones of the sequence of colours, and positioned to receive the coloured light, whereby successive ones of the patterns become highlighted responsive to receiving the coloured light in corresponding ones of the sequence of colours. resulting in an appearance of motion between the successive patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A more detailed description of the present invention_^ will be obtained with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the optical illusion system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2A to 2C are front elevation, side elevation and perspective views, respectively, of a light source and coloured gel arrangement according to a preferred embodiment; Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of light source and object according to a first alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a three- light system according to a second alternative embodiment;

Figures 5A and 5B are exploded perspective and front elevation views of a third alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 6A and 6B are perspective views of a fourth alternative embodiment;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a single light version of the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a triple light version of the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B;

Figures 9A and 9B are perspective and exploded perspective views, respectively, of yet a fifth alternative embodiment; Figures 10, 11 and 12 are perspective views of three-light, four-light, and tiered four and six-light versions, respectively, of the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 9A and 9B;

Figures 13A and 13B are perspective views and Figures 13C and 13D are plan views of a sixth alternative embodiment;

Figure 14A-14D are plan views of a seventh alternative embodiment;

Figure 15 is a side view of an eighth alternative embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a circuit for successively operating a plurality of light sources in accordance with a ninth alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning to Figure 1, the optical illusion system is shown comprised of a source of light 1, a rotatable gel 3 having a plurality of separately coloured segments 4 and positioned adjacent to source l for generating a beam of coloured light 5 according to a predetermined sequence of colours as contained in the gel 3, and an object 7 carrying a pattern 9 in respective ones of the aforementioned sequence of colours, and positioned to receive the coloured light. In operation, the series of coloured segments

4 is mechanically or otherwise successively positioned in the light beam path of source 1 for generating the aforementioned beam of coloured light 5 conforming to the segment illuminated. The beam of coloured light 5 impinges upon the object 7 such that successive portions of the pattern 9 become highlighted responsive to receiving the light beam 5 in respective corresponding ones of the sequence of colours, resulting in an appearance of motion. For the pie-shaped pattern of Figure 1, successive patterns (i.e. segments of the pie) correspond in colour to successive ones of the coloured segments 4, resulting in a clockwise appearance of motion responsive to clockwise rotation of the gel 3. More particularly, correspondence in colour between the light beam 5 and a predetermined one of the coloured patterns 9 results in visual highlighting of the predetermined pattern relative to the remaining patterns whereas the apparent colour of the remaining patterns is dictated by the light mixture of the actual colour of the pattern with the colour of the light 5. Thus, a yellow coloured pattern when illuminated by blue light would result in the pattern appearing as green, whereas a blue pattern illuminated by the blue light would appear as a strong blue which would be highlighted relative to the green (or other) coloured patterns.

A preferred embodiment of the light source and coloured gel arrangement is shown with reference to Figures 2A-2C. In particular, light source 1 is shown mounted to a carrier 2 within an enclosure 8. A mechanical spinner 6 is also mounted to the carrier 2 for continuously rotating the coloured gel 3 which, as shown in Figure 2A, is comprised of three coloured segments 4. The enclosure 8 is provided with an aperture 10 through which the aforementioned beam of coloured light 5 (Figure 1) escapes.

The pattern 9 of Figure 1 is shown for sake of simplicity as being pie-shaped. However, the object 7 preferably carries a substantially more interesting visual pattern, such as legs of a person walking, hands on the face of a clock, an airplane in flight, etc. Accordingly, the system of the present invention may advantageously be implemented in the form of a poster designed for illumination via a sequence of coloured lights. For example. Figures 3A and 3B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the optical illusion system comprising a transparent pattern 11 in the shape of a human profile with arms raised in one position and lowered in another, the pattern 11 being carried by object 13. The object 13 is mounted within an enclosure 15 and is backlit by means of a combined circuline fluorescent light 17, gel 19 and mask 21.

In operation, the gel 19 is rotated by means of a spinner 23 such that respective coloured segments 25, 27 and 29 successively align with apertures 31 of mask 21.

Thus, the pattern 11 becomes backlit with light of successive colours defined by segments 25, 27 and 29, with the result that the image defined by pattern 11 appears to repeatedly raise and lower its arms.

Other modifications and variations of the present invention are contemplated. For example, as an alternative to using a single source of white light in combination with a rotating gel having a plurality of coloured segments, a plurality of successively illuminated lights may be utilized. For example. Figure 4 illustrates three lights 41, 43 and 45 mounted to a track 47. A coloured gel 48 is positioned such that respective coloured segments 49 thereof overlie respective ones of the lights 41, 43 and 45. In operation, the lights 41, 43 and 45 are successively flashed on and off, resulting in generation of a coloured sequence of light.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a dual light system comprising a pair of lights 51 and 52 mounted within an enclosure 53, the enclosure being provided with a pair of apertures 54 and 55 positioned to receive a light beam from respective light sources 51 and 52. A coloured gel 56 is provided with a plurality of coloured segments 57, 58 and 59. Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a further alternative embodiment comprising a pair of light sources 60 and 61 mounted within an enclosure 62. A rotating wheel 63 surrounds the pair of lights 60 and 61, and is divided into a plurality of coloured gel segments 64. The wheel 63 rotates such that a beam of coloured light escapes through front and back apertures 65 and 67 of the enclosure 62.

A single light version of the two light source alternative embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B is shown in Figure 7, while a three-light version is shown in Figure 8, the third light and aperture being designated by reference numerals 81 and 83, respectively.

A further alternative embodiment of the light source and gel arrangement is illustrated with reference to Figures 9A and 9B, wherein a pair of light sources 91 and 92 are mounted to a track 93 within a housing or enclosure 94. A rotating gel 95 is provided in the form of a belt which is supported by and rotates around four rollers 96-99. The coloured segments of gel 95 rotate around the posts 96-99 in the path of light beams generated by light sources 91 and 92 such that coloured light beanos escape the enclosure 94 via apertures 100 and 101. Three-light and four-light versions of the alternative embodiment of Figures 9A and 9B are shown with reference to Figures 10 and 11, the additional light sources being identified by reference numerals 102 and 103. A multiple level light source version of the further alternative embodiment is shown with reference to Figure 12, wherein the portion illustrated with stippled lines indicates an extension of one tier of additional light sources 104 and 106. Another alternative embodiment of the light source and gel arrangement is shown with reference to Figures 13A-D. In particular, Figure 13A shows a light source 108 mounted on a stand 109, an additional optical light source 110 being shown with stippled lines. A further additional one or two light sources may also be incorporated. A cone-shaped gel structure 111 is provided having a plurality of coloured segments 112 which rotate around the one or more light sources 108, 110, etc. A pyramid-shaped enclosure 113 is shown in perspective with reference to Figure 13B. The cone- shaped structure 111 and light sources are housed within the enclosure 113 such that coloured light beams escape from circular apertures 114 and 115 (Figure 13B) , as well as through additional apertures 116 for the three- light enclosure of Figure 13C, and apertures 116 and 117 for the four-light version of Figure 13D.

An additional embodiment of the single light source and gel arrangement is shown with reference to Figures 14A-D, comprising a light source 118 connected to a track 119 in combination with a visor-shaped gel 120 on which a plurality of coloured segments 122 are mounted. As shown with reference to Figures 14B-14D, the visor-shaped gel 120 is rotated relative to the light source 118 such that a coloured light beam is produced, the colour of the beam being dictated by the colour of the gel segment immediately adjacent the light source 118.

Yet a further embodiment of the coloured light source in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 15, comprising three lasers 124, 125 and 126 for generating green, blue and red laser light beams, respectively. The respective coloured laser beams are diffracted via corresponding respective prisms 127, 128 and 129 for spreading or diffusing the narrow beams onto a wide image area or object 130. Thus, by pulsing the respective lasers 124-126 in sequential order, the object 130 is illuminated by respective primary coloured lights.

Turning finally to Figure 16, a circuit is illustrated for selectively triggering opposite pairs of lights sources arranged in a circular pattern.

Specifically, 12 light sources L1-L12 are arranged in a circle at equal intervals corresponding to the angular displacements normally found on the face of clock. Only light sources L6 and L12 are illustrated herein for convenience. The light sources are disposed within a suitable enclosure (e.g. similar to the enclosure 53 illustrated in Figure 5A but having 12 apertures such as 54 and 55 positioned to receive respective light beams for respective ones of the light sources L1-L12) . Intermediate the light sources L1-L12 and respective apertures is a coloured gel (e.g. similar to gel 56 illustrated in Figure 5A but having 12 sectors corresponding to respective ones of the light sources L1-L12) . However, instead of rotating the gel in accordance with the embodiments described above, according to the embodiment of Figure 16, the gel remains stationary and respective oppositely disposed pairs of light sources (e.g. L6 and L12) are successively enabled resulting in the identical function and result as in the above described embodiments, but with the absence of moving parts which may be susceptible to mechanical wear, etc.

The circuit of Figure 16 comprises a programmable digital delay timer 132 connected to a source of operating power +V and ground via power terminals Vss and Vdd, respectively. The digital delay timer 132 generates variable delay time ranging from a few milliseconds to the order of minutes as a result of selectively opening or closing successive switches in an 8 position DIP switch 134. Specifically, the delay is programmed by five binary inputs LSB, +1, +2, +3 and MSB which are connected to respective switches of DIP switch 134. Each of the opposite terminals of the respective eight switches are connected together and to the output OUT terminal of timer 132 via resistor 136 as well as to the oscillator input OSC of timer 132 via resistor 138. The frequency of an in internal oscillator of timer 132 is set by the combination of resistor 138 and capacitors 140 and 142 which, according to the preferred embodiment, comprise the following respective values: 47K ohms and 1 microfarad each.

Inputs A and B define the mode of operation for the timer 132. In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, the timer operates in a dual delay mode where the aforementioned binary input signals control the delay of turning on and off the signal output from the OUT terminal responsive to a negative transition on the trigger input TR.

According to a successful prototype for the circuit of Figure 16, an LS 7210 programmable digital timer was utilized.

The output signal from timer 132 is applied to a clock input CL of a decade counter/divider 144 which operates in a well known manner. According to the successful prototype, a CMOS 4017 inegrated circuit was utilized.

According to the configuration shown in Figure 16, respective counter outputs Q0-Q4 are successively pulsed for triggering successive pairs of the light sources L1-L12 (only light sources L6 and L12 being shown for convenience) .

For example, a trigger signal Tl appearing on the Q0 output of counter/divider 144 operates as a gate signal for enabling a TRIAC 146 which is connected via a fuse 148 to an AC power supply and the parallel connected light sources L6 and L12, thereby causing the light sources to illuminate. The parallel connected light sources are also connected to ground via a preferably 100K ohm resistor 150.

Upon receipt of the next output pulse from timer 132, counter/divider 144 enables the Ql output, thereby providing a further trigger signal (T2) for enabling,the next pair of oppositely disposed light sources (e.g. LI and L7) via an associated TRAIC. The Q6 output of counter/divider 144 is connected to a reset input RST such that the counting sequence recycles after all 12 light sources have been illuminated in respective pairs.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments in which coloured gels and coloured segments are utilized to create moving patterns relative to an object which carries a sequence of patterns in respective colour sequences, it is contemplated that, as a further alternative, the object may carry sequences of patterns in different polarization planes, with the coloured segments overlying the light sources being replaced by similar polarization orientation films.

All such modifications and variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS I CLAIM:

1. An optical illusion system, comprising: a) means for generating coloured light according to a predetermined sequence of colours; and b) an object carrying a sequence of patterns in respective ones of said sequence of colours, and positioned to receive said coloured light, whereby successive ones of said patterns become highlighted responsive to receiving said coloured light in corresponding respective ones of said sequence of colours, resulting in an appearance of motion between said successive patterns.

2. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises a plurality of coloured light sources which are successively illuminated for providing said predetermined sequence of colours.

3. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises a source of white light and a plurality of coloured gels which are successively positioned in the path of said source of white light for providing said predetermined sequence of colours.

4. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said object is a poster carrying at least one repeated image in said predetermined sequence of colours.

5. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further includes a light source, and a mechanical spinner for rotating a plurality of coloured gels in a light beam path of said light source.

6. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises a circuline fluorescent light source, a mechanical spinner for rotating a circular gel having a plurality of coloured segments in a light beam path of said light source, resulting in generation of a plurality of coloured light beams, a mask positioned proximate said circular gel and including a plurality of apertures for transmitting predetermined ones of said coloured light beams, and a housing for enclosing said light source, said mechanical spinner, said circular gel and said mask.

7. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 6, wherein said object further comprises a transparent multiple coloured pattern mounted in said housing adjacent said mask for receiving said predetermined ones of said coloured light beams.

8. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises at least one light source, a rotating wheel-shaped gel for rotating a plurality of coloured segments in a light beam path of said at least one light source, resulting in generation of a plurality of coloured light beams, and a housing for enclosing said light source and said rotating wheel-shaped gel, said housing including at least one aperture for transmitting at least one of said plurality of coloured light beams for reception by said object.

9. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises at least one light source, a gel in the form of a rotating belt for rotating a plurality of coloured segments in a light beam path of said at least one light source, resulting in generation of a plurality of coloured light beams, and a housing for enclosing said light source and said gel, said housing including at least one aperture for transmitting at least one of said plurality of coloured light beams for reception by said object.

10. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises at least one light source, a cone- shaped gel structure for rotating a plurality of coloured segments in a light beam path of said at least one light source, resulting in generation of a plurality of coloured light beams, and a pyramid-shaped housing for enclosing said light source and said cone-shaped gel structure, spinner, said pyramid-shaped housing including at least one aperture for transmitting at least one of said plurality of coloured light beams for reception by said object.

11. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises at least one light source, a oscillating visor-shaped gel for rotating a plurality of coloured segments in a light beam path of said at least one light source, resulting in generation of successive coloured light beams for reception by said object.

12. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises a plurality of pulsed lasers for generating a succession of differently coloured narrow light beams and a corresponding plurality of prisms for receiving and spreading said differently coloured narrow light beams into a corresponding succession of respective coloured wide angle light beams for reception by said object.

13. An optical illusion system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for generating coloured light further comprises a plurality of light sources arranged in oppositely disposed pairs, a circuit for respectively illuminating successive ones of said pairs, and a plurality of coloured gels successively positioned in the light beam path of successive ones of said light sources for providing said predetermined sequence of colours.

14. An optical illusion system, comprising:

(a) means for generating polarized light according to predetermined sequences of polarization planes; and

(b) an object carrying a sequence of patterns in respective ones of said sequence of polarization planes, and positioned to receive said polarized light, whereby successive ones of said patterns become highlighted responsive to receiving said polarized light in corresponding respective ones of said sequence of polarization planes, resulting in an appearance on motion between said successive patterns.