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EP0336551A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for improved image formation

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-02-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-02-27
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Abstract

Abstract A device for imaging an object to be photographed or projected comprises a sheet of rigid transparent material having a central portion constituting an object surface. This central portion has opposed edge portions that extend into downwardly projecting side portions that have end edges for supporting the device on a support surface, with the object surface lying in a plane displaced from and substantially parallel to the support surface. The object surface is intended for receiving the object to be imaged. The device is preferably uninterruptedly transparent throughout, and includes a base member interconnecting the end edges of the side portions. This base member has an opaque upper surface to provide a background surface that can either be lit by light sources arranged on two sides of the device, or can be black.

Inventors

  • 👤 Wilfred Bokman

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 13:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6207; G03B27/323

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 68 words
A device comprising a sheet of rigid transparent material having a central portion constituting an object surface, said central portion having opposed edge portions extending into projecting side portions having end edges for supporting the device on a support surface with said object surface lying in a plane displaced from and substantially parallel to said support surface, said object surface being for receiving an object to be imaged.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 68 words
A device comprising a sheet of rigid transparent material having a central portion constituting an object surface, said central portion having opposed edge portions extending into projecting side portions having end edges for supporting the device on a support surface with said object surface lying in a plane displaced from and substantially parallel to said support surface, said object surface being for receiving an object to be imaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is uninterruptedly transparent throughout.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 43 words
A device according to claim 1 including a base member interconnecting the end edges of the side portions, said base member providing an opaque upper surface constituting a background surface lying in a plane substantially parallel to and displaced from the object surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein said device is uninterruptedly transparent throughout.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said side portions diverge downwardly, the background surface having a larger area than the object surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 40 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said background surface is light reflective whereby, when illuminated from one or more sides of the device, to provide background light for an object on the object surface viewed from above.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said background surface is non-light reflective whereby to provide a dark background for an object on the object surface viewed from above.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 46 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the base member includes means for mounting a camera or projector at an elevated position such that an optical axis extends from the lens of such camera or projector through the object surface to the background surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 32 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the base member includes means for mounting a pair of light sources directed towards the object surface from respective sides of the device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 44 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the base member includes means for mounting a pair of light sources directed towards the object surface from respective sides of the device, wherein each said light source is movable arcuately about the object surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the central portion and the side portions are of unitary construction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 30 words
A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the central portion and the side portions are separately constructed and connected to each other, such connection being uninterruptedly transparent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the central portion and the side portions together define a frusto-conical shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 51 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said side portions comprises a pair of flat sheets extending from the object surface, including mounting means for a pair of light sources such that light from said sources shines on said object surface and through said sheets to the background surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 104 words
A method of image formation using a device according to claim 1 or 2, said method comprising (a) mounting said device with the end edges of said side portions on a support surface, (b) mounting an object to be imaged on said object surface, (c) directing a framed lens at said object, and (d) illuminating said object by means of at least one light source directed towards the object from a side of the device, each light source being so positioned that a shadow of the object thrown on said support surface by such source lies outside the field of view of the lens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 103 words
A method of image formation using a device according to claim 3 or 4, said method comprising (a) mounting said device with its base member on a support surface, (b) mounting an object to be imaged on said object surface, (c) directing a framed lens at said object, and (d) illuminating said object by means of at least one light source directed towards the object from a side of the device, each light source being so positioned that a shadow of the object thrown at the plane of said base member by such source lies outside the field of view of the lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 112 words
A method of image formation using a device according to claim 3 or 4, said method comprising (a) mounting said device with its base member on a support surface, (b) mounting an object to be imaged on said object surface, (c) directing a framed lens at said object, and (d) illuminating said object by means of at least one light source directed towards the object from a side of the device, each light source being so positioned that a shadow of the object thrown at the plane of said base member by such source lies outwardly of a side edge of the base member whereby not to appear on said background surface.

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