US4475126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual image display apparatus
Assignee: VIDEOSPHERE Inc A CORP OF OH
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Filing: 1982-08-16
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Granted: 1984-10-02
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Expires: 2002-08-16
Abstract
Abstract Four mirrors are arranged to diverge outwardly away from the image on a television screen and have their reflective surfaces facing inwardly. The illusion of a solid object having a spherical, polyhedral or other three-dimensional shape is created having a surface of adjoining, multifaceted duplicates and reversed duplicates of the image on the screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Kristine E. Akins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B30/00; G02B30/40; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/12; G09F19/16; H04N13/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A visual display apparatus comprising: (a) a primary image display surface; (b) means for varying the display on said surface; and (c) an array of four mirrors diverging outwardly away from said display surface, each mirror intersecting its adjacent mirrors at a right angle and having its reflective side facing toward the other mirrors; wherein an image is generated of an object having a surface composed of adjoining repetitions of the image of the primary display surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A visual display apparatus comprising: (a) a primary image display surface; (b) means for varying the display on said surface; and (c) an array of four mirrors diverging outwardly away from said display surface, each mirror intersecting its adjacent mirrors at a right angle and having its reflective side facing toward the other mirrors; wherein an image is generated of an object having a surface composed of adjoining repetitions of the image of the primary display surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A display apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said mirrors are planar and each intersects said image display surface at substantially the same angle to provide an apparent image of a polyhedron or sphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said display surface is planar and said display apparatus creates an image of a polygon each face repeating the image of said display surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A display apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said display surface is a portion of a spherical surface and said mirrors are aligned substantially along radials of said spherical surface whereby said display apparatus creates an image of a sphere having segments of its surface repeating the image of said display surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A display apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said display surface is the screen of a cathode ray tube and said display varying means comprises video means for generating time changing, moving images on said screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A display apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein computer image generating means is connected to said television means for generating said images.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A display apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said mirrors comprise four symmetrically positioned substantially trapezoidally shaped mirrors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A display apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said mirrors is a front surface mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a projection lense is positioned in front of said display surface for focusing an image of said object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a one way mirror is positioned forwardly of said display surface with its reflective side facing said display surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A visual display apparatus comprising a plurality of visual display apparatuses in accordance with claim 2 having their image display surfaces arranged in a central, outwardly facing orientation with their arrays or mirrors disposed adjacent each other.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |