US4703572A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animated ultraviolet display apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-10-21
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Granted: 1987-11-03
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Expires: 2005-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for animating illuminated signs and displays comprises sequentially illuminating with at least one source of radiant energy of a particular wavelength range at least two planar scenes, or three-dimensional objects, visibly responsive to radiant energy of the particular wavelength range used. Means are provided for shielding a non-selected planar scene or object from illumination during the time a selected planar scene or object is illuminated. In the preferred embodiment, invisible ultraviolet illumination is used to cause a plurality of scene-views to fluoresce visibly in a timed sequence which produces a visual sensation of apparent motion from one scene-view to another of an object depicted by the scene-views. Subjective brightness of scene-views may be enhanced by modulating the illumination of a scene at a perceptibly low frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 William L. Chapin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:34
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion in signs and displays comprising: (a) depicting with material visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation a first scene-view of a subject to be displayed, (b) depicting with a material visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation at least one alternate scene-view of said subject, (c) illuminating said first scene-view with ultraviolet radiation while simultaneously blocking illumination of said alternate scene-view with ultraviolet radiation, and (d) sequentially illuminating said alternate scene-view with ultraviolet radiation while simultaneously blocking illumination of said first scene-view with ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion in signs and displays comprising: (a) depicting with material visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation a first scene-view of a subject to be displayed, (b) depicting with a material visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation at least one alternate scene-view of said subject, (c) illuminating said first scene-view with ultraviolet radiation while simultaneously blocking illumination of said alternate scene-view with ultraviolet radiation, and (d) sequentially illuminating said alternate scene-view with ultraviolet radiation while simultaneously blocking illumination of said first scene-view with ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first and alternate scene-views are optically contacted wtih surfaces of first and alternate ultraviolet transmissive panels, respectively, and which panels are sequentially edge-illuminated with ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein non-selected scene-views in an illumination sequence are shielded from ultraviolet radiation falling on a selected scene-view in said illumination sequence by placing the non-selected scene-views outside of the geometric radiation pattern of ultraviolet radiation used to illuminate a selected scene-view.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first scene-view is responsive to a first type of ultraviolet radiation and each said alternate scene-view is responsive to an alternate type of ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said first type of ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength range of approximately 3000 Å to 4000 Å and said alternate type of ultraviolet radiation occupies a shorter wavelength region of the ultraviolet spectrum centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said first type of ultraviolet radiation has one polarization sense, and said alternate type of ultraviolet radiation has a polarization sense orthogonal to the polarization sense of said first type of ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) at least one source of ultraviolet radiation, (b) a first object visibly fluorescent to said ultraviolet radiation, (c) at least one alternate object visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation, and (d) means for selectably directing said ultraviolet radiation onto said first object while simultaneously blocking illumination of said alternate object with ultraviolet radiation, and (e) means for selectably directing said ultraviolet radiation onto said alternate object while simultaneously blocking illumination of said first object with ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) at least one source of ultraviolet radiation, (b) a first object visibly fluorescent to said ultraviolet radiation, (c) at least one alternate object visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation, and (d) means for selectably directing said ultraviolet radiation onto said first object while simultaneously blocking illumination of said alternate object with ultraviolet radiation, and (e) means for selectably directing said ultraviolet radiation onto said alternate object while simultaneously blocking illumination of said first object with ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for sequentially directing ultraviolet radiation onto said first and alternate visibly fluorescent objects comprises: (a) a plurality of visibly-transparent, ultraviolet-transmissive panels, one each in optical contact with a separate fluorescent object, and (b) a source of ultraviolet radiation adapted to coupling ultraviolet radiation into the interior of a selected panel by total internal reflection and through a panel surface by frustrated total internal reflection to said visibly fluorescent object in optical contact with said panel surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for shielding ultraviolet radiation directed towards a selected fluorescent object from falling upon a non-selected fluorescent object, said means comprising positioning non-selected objects outside of the geometric radiation pattern of said source of ultraviolet radiation used to illuminate a selected object.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) at least one source of a first type of ultraviolet radiation, (b) at least one first type object visibly fluorescent to said first type of ultraviolet radiation, (c) at least one source of a second type of ultraviolet radiation, (d) at least one alternate object visibly fluorescent to said second type of ultraviolet radiation, and (e) means for selectably directing radiation from said first and second types of ultraviolet radiation sources to said first and second types of visibly fluorescent objects, respectively, thereby producing a visual sensation of apparent motion between said first and alternate objects.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) at least one source of a first type of ultraviolet radiation, (b) at least one first type object visibly fluorescent to said first type of ultraviolet radiation, (c) at least one source of a second type of ultraviolet radiation, (d) at least one alternate object visibly fluorescent to said second type of ultraviolet radiation, and (e) means for selectably directing radiation from said first and second types of ultraviolet radiation sources to said first and second types of visibly fluorescent objects, respectively, thereby producing a visual sensation of apparent motion between said first and alternate objects.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first type of visibly-fluorescent object is responsive to ultraviolet energy in a wavelength range of approximately 3000 Å to 4000 Å, and said alternate visibly fluorescent object is responsive to ultraviolet energy in a shorter wavelength region of the ultraviolet spectrum centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein objects fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate wavelength range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å are rendered non-fluorescent to shorter wavelength ultraviolet radiation centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor by placing material transmissive to radiant energy in the 3000 Å to 4000 Å range, but opaque to shorter wavelengths, in overlying relationship to said objects.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first type of visibly fluorescent object is further defined as a planar image which is a graphical representation of a subject to be displayed, said planar image being applied with material fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate wavelength range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å on one side of a sheet of material transparent to visible light and ultraviolet radiation in the approximate wavelength range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å, but opaque to shorter wavelength ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first planar image is at least partially transparent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said transparent sheet is made selectably transmissive to short wavelength ultraviolet radiation by perforating said transparent sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second type of visibly fluorescent object is further defined as a planar image which is a graphical representation of a subject to be displayed, said planar image being applied with material fluorescent to ultraviolet with a wavelength range centered around the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor but which material is substantially unresponsive to ultraviolet radiation having wavelengths longer than about 3000 Å.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said second planar image is at least partially transparent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said short-wave responsive planar image is applied to the front side of a second sheet of material placed behind said perforated sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
An article of manufacture comprising: (a) a first perforated, visibly transparent sheet substantially opaque to short wavelength ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, but substantially transmissive to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å, (b) a first object or planar image visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å affixed to the rear side of said first sheet, and (c) at least one alternate object or planar range visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, said alternate object or planar image positioned behind said first sheet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
120 words
An article of manufacture comprising: (a) a first perforated, visibly transparent sheet substantially opaque to short wavelength ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, but substantially transmissive to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å, (b) a first object or planar image visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å affixed to the rear side of said first sheet, and (c) at least one alternate object or planar range visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, said alternate object or planar image positioned behind said first sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 19 wherein at least one of said first or alternate objects or planar images is at least partially transparent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
120 words
An article of manufacture comprising: (a) a visibly transparent sheet substantially opaque to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, but substantially transmissive to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å, (b) a first object or planar image visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å affixed to the rear side of said sheet, and (c) a second object or planar image visibly fluorescent to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, but substantially unresponsive to longer wavelength ultraviolet radiation, affixed to the front side of said sheet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
120 words
An article of manufacture comprising: (a) a visibly transparent sheet substantially opaque to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, but substantially transmissive to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å, (b) a first object or planar image visibly fluorescent to ultraviolet radiation in the approximate range of 3000 Å to 4000 Å affixed to the rear side of said sheet, and (c) a second object or planar image visibly fluorescent to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength range centered about the 2537 Å emission peak for mercury vapor, but substantially unresponsive to longer wavelength ultraviolet radiation, affixed to the front side of said sheet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 21 wherein at least one of said first or second objects or planar images is at least partially transparent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
10 words
The article of claim 21 where said sheet is perforated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first type of ultraviolet radiation has one polarization sense, and said alternate type of ultraviolet radiation has a polarization sense orthogonal to the polarization sense of said first type of ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said first type of ultraviolet radiation is further definded as being plane polarized, and said second type of ultraviolet radiation is further defined as being plane polarized at ninety degrees to the plane of polarization of said first type of ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for selectably directing ultraviolet radiation from said first and second type ultraviolet radiation sources to said first and second types of visibly fluorescent objects comprises: (a) means for making said first type of object responsive only to vertically polarized radiation, (b) means for making said second type of object responsive only to horizontally polarized radiation, and (c) means for selectably illuminating said first type and second type objects from said first and second radiation sources.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said means for making said first and second objects are made responsive only to vertically polarized and horizontally polarized radiation, respectively, comprises: (a) a first perforated sheet polarizer with its polarization axis vertically oriented and positioned within the overlapping radiation fields of both said first and second radiation sources in front of said first type objects, and (b) a second sheet polarizer with its polarization axis horizontally oriented positioned behind said first objects, and in front of said second second type objects.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) an ultraviolet energy source, (b) a rotatable plane polarizer mounted in front of said ultraviolet energy source, (c) means for rotating said polarizer, (d) at least one first type object visibly fluorescent to vertically polarized ultraviolet radiation and substantially unresponsive to horizontally polarized ultraviolet radiation, said first type object being positioned within the geometric radiation pattern of said ultraviolet energy source, and (e) at least one second type object visibly fluorescent to horizontally polarized radiation and substantially unresponsive to vertically polarized radiation, said second type object being positioned with the geometric radiation pattern of said ultraviolet energy source, whereby rotating said plane polarizer at least ninety degrees will cause said first and second type objects to alternately appear bright and dark.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) an ultraviolet energy source, (b) a rotatable plane polarizer mounted in front of said ultraviolet energy source, (c) means for rotating said polarizer, (d) at least one first type object visibly fluorescent to vertically polarized ultraviolet radiation and substantially unresponsive to horizontally polarized ultraviolet radiation, said first type object being positioned within the geometric radiation pattern of said ultraviolet energy source, and (e) at least one second type object visibly fluorescent to horizontally polarized radiation and substantially unresponsive to vertically polarized radiation, said second type object being positioned with the geometric radiation pattern of said ultraviolet energy source, whereby rotating said plane polarizer at least ninety degrees will cause said first and second type objects to alternately appear bright and dark.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherei said first type and second type objects are made responsive only to vertically polarized and horizonatally polarized ultraviolet radiation, respectively, by (a) a first perforated sheet polarizer with its polarization axis vertically oriented and positioned between said radiation sources and said first type objects, (b) a second sheet polarizer with its polarization axis horizontally oriented and positioned behind said first type objects, and in front of said second type objects.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) at least one visibly transparent, ultraviolet-radiation-transmissive panel in optical contact with a first type of visibly fluorescent object, (b) at least one first type source of ultraviolet radiation adapted to coupling ultraviolet energy into the interior of said ultraviolet-radiation-transmissive panel, said energy being transmitted through the interior of said panel by total internal reflection and transmitted through said panel to said visibly fluorescent object by frustrated total internal reflection, (c) at least one second type of visibly fluorescent object, (d) at least one second type of ultraviolet radiation source adapted to floodlighting said second type of visibly flourescent object, (e) means for shielding said first type of visibly fluorescent object from ultraviolet radiation emitted by said second type ultraviolet radiation sources, and (f) means for sequentially energizing said first and second type ultraviolet radiation sources, whereby said first and second types of objects are made to sequentially and visibly fluoresce.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for producing the visual sensation of apparent motion comprising: (a) at least one visibly transparent, ultraviolet-radiation-transmissive panel in optical contact with a first type of visibly fluorescent object, (b) at least one first type source of ultraviolet radiation adapted to coupling ultraviolet energy into the interior of said ultraviolet-radiation-transmissive panel, said energy being transmitted through the interior of said panel by total internal reflection and transmitted through said panel to said visibly fluorescent object by frustrated total internal reflection, (c) at least one second type of visibly fluorescent object, (d) at least one second type of ultraviolet radiation source adapted to floodlighting said second type of visibly flourescent object, (e) means for shielding said first type of visibly fluorescent object from ultraviolet radiation emitted by said second type ultraviolet radiation sources, and (f) means for sequentially energizing said first and second type ultraviolet radiation sources, whereby said first and second types of objects are made to sequentially and visibly fluoresce.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-02 | 1991-05-04 | 1991-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-02 | 1995-05-04 | 1995-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-02 | 1999-05-04 | 1999-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |