Apparatus for simulating a three-dimensional image by use of plural image producing surfaces

Claim 2

Apparatus for producing a pseudostereoscopic light image when viewed from a predetermined viewing area, comprising a. first image producing means for directing a first light pattern corresponding to said image toward the viewing area, said first image producing means including a first generally planar surface having said image permanently recorded therein, and b. second image producing means for directing a second light pattern toward the predetermined viewing area, said second image producing means including a second generally planar surface positioned forward of, parallel to and in axial alignment with said first generally planar surface, said second generally planar surface including at least one portion of said image permanently recorded in an area axially aligned with a corresponding portion of said image recorded on said first generally planar surface and further including a transparent area axially aligned with the remaining corresponding portion of said image recorded on said first generally planar surface, said second planar surface permitting the first light pattern to pass therethrough to said predetermined viewing area, whereby a three dimensional sensation is created when said first and second patterns are visually integrated.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each said generally planar surface includes a continuous tone photographic film transparency.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including light means for projecting a beam of light through said film transparencies to cause said first and second surfaces to emit predetermined light images.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said film transparencies are each less than normal density and contrast.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first generally planar surface includes a continuous tone photographic film transparency, and wherein said second generally planar surface includes a line gradient photographic film transparency containing a plurality of spaced strips, each said strip containing visual information identical to the visual information contained in corresponding areas of said continuous tone film transparency.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first generally planar surface includes a continuous tone film transparency, and wherein said second generally planar surface includes a half-tone film transparency.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defiNed in claim 5, wherein said continuous tone film transparency contains a color image.

Claim 9

A composite pseudostereoscopic film transparency for producing a simulated three-dimensional image sensation when perceived within a predetermined viewing area, comprising a. light means for directing a beam of light toward the predetermined viewing area; b. first means for forming a light pattern containing visual information in two-dimensional form, said first means including a first film transparency positioned within the light beam formed by said light means, said film transparency containing a two-dimensional photographic reproduction of the desired image recorded from a first predetermined position; and c. second means for modifying the image created by said first means to produce a three dimensional image sensation, said second means including at least one line gradient film transparency containing a plurality of spaced strips, each strip containing photographically recorded visual information identical to the visual information contained in corresponding areas of said first film transparency of said first means, said line gradient film transparency being parallel to and positioned forward of and in axial alignment with said first film transparency, said line gradient film transparency permitting the light passing through said first film transparency to pass through said line gradient film transparency, whereby a three dimensional sensation is created when the light pattern emerging from said second means is visually perceived by a viewer positioned within said predetermined viewing area.

Claim 10

A composite pseudostereoscopic film transparency for producing a simulated three-dimensional image sensation when perceived within a predetermined viewing area, comprising a. light means for directing a beam of light toward the predetermined viewing area; b. first means for forming a light pattern containing visual information in two-dimensional form, said first means including a first film transparency positioned within the light beam formed by said light means, said film transparency containing a two-dimensional photographic reproduction of the desired image recorded from a first predetermined position; and c. second means for modifying the image created by said first means to produce a three dimensional image sensation, said second means including at least one line gradient film transparency containing a plurality of spaced strips, each strip containing photographically recorded visual information identical to the visual information contained in corresponding areas of said first film transparency of said first means, said line gradient film transparency being parallel to and positioned forward of and in axial alignment with said first film transparency, said line gradient film transparency permitting the light passing through said first film transparency to pass through said line gradient film transparency, whereby a three dimensional sensation is created when the light pattern emerging from said second means is visually perceived by a viewer positioned within said predetermined viewing area.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said first film transparency is a continuous tone positive.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said first means for forming a light pattern includes a second film transparency in the form of a less than normal density continuous tone positive, and further wherein said first film transparency is also less than normal density.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said second means includes a second line gradient film transparency containing a plurality of spaced strips, each strip containing visual information identical with visual information contained in corresponding areas of a two-dimensional reproduction of the desired image photographically recorded from a second predetermined position laterally displaced with respect to said first predetermined position.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said first and second line gradient film transparencies contain 30 to 50 strips per inch of film.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said strips of said first and second line gradient film are arranged horizontally with respect to the desired images.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said film transparencies are parallel and axially spaced by a distance from one-eighth to one-half inch.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said film transparencies are each mounted on 1/8 inch thick transparent sheets which are secured together to form a composite.

Claim 18

Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said first means includes a second film transparency and wherein said first and second film transparencies are each a gradient film transparency containing a plurality of spaced strips, each strip containing information identical to the visual information contained in corresponding areas of the desired image, said film transparencies of said first and second means having graduated densities relative to each other, the forward film transparency being the least dense and the rear film transparency being the most dense, the densities of said transparencies being additive to approximate the normal density of the desired image.