US4952051A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing animated drawings and in-between drawings
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-09-27
•
Granted: 1990-08-28
•
Expires: 2008-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and system which enables an animator to make drawings and in-between drawings. Preceding and following tweens 74 and 75 are shown to the animator in such a way that they are distinguishable from each other and from the in-between drawing 73 on which the animator is working. Advantage is made of electronic graphics and display technology to assist the animator with drawing, editing, and coloring. The drawings are kept in an ordered list in which they can be arbitrarily inserted or deleted, drawn, and edited. The drawings can be viewed in animation immediately upon demand, yielding an instant pencil test for the animator. The drawings can also be output to a recording device according to the list.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas C. Lovell
- 👤 Rose M. Lorincz-Lovell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T13/00; G06T13/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for making animated films comprising: a. a list maintaining a sequential ordering of drawings on a storage device, b. means for interposing additional drawings or removing existing drawings at any selected position in said list, c. a display showing three or more drawings from said list together, in registration, d. means for creating and editing any one of the drawings on said display, and e. means for causing drawings from said list to be shown one after another on said display at a speed which gives the effect of animation, whereby the means for drawing and the means for experiencing the resulting animation are fully integrated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for making animated films comprising: a. a list maintaining a sequential ordering of drawings on a storage device, b. means for interposing additional drawings or removing existing drawings at any selected position in said list, c. a display showing three or more drawings from said list together, in registration, d. means for creating and editing any one of the drawings on said display, and e. means for causing drawings from said list to be shown one after another on said display at a speed which gives the effect of animation, whereby the means for drawing and the means for experiencing the resulting animation are fully integrated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, further including means for interposing reference markings with said drawings in said display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, further including means to display said drawings at a calibrated speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, further including means for transferring said contiguous drawings to a recording device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, further including means for moving forward and backward through the list to examine or edit individual drawings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 5, wherein preceding, following, and current drawings from said list, if present, are maintained on said display as the animator moves forward and backward through the list.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for making animated films comprising the steps of: a. providing an ordered list of digitally rendered drawings, b. displaying a combination of two or more of said digital drawings from said ordered list so that the drawings are superposed but distinguishable from each other, c. creating a new drawing or altering a current drawing in said combination such that said new or current drawing is distinguishable from other drawings in said combination, d. optionally displaying said drawings from said ordered list, including the new or current drawing, one after another at a speed which gives the effect of animation, and e. saving said new or altered drawing separately, but in sequence in the ordered list, whereby drawing and viewing the resulting animation may both be carried out during the act of creation, allowing the artist to check his or her work and make subtle changes while drawing.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for making animated films comprising the steps of: a. providing an ordered list of digitally rendered drawings, b. displaying a combination of two or more of said digital drawings from said ordered list so that the drawings are superposed but distinguishable from each other, c. creating a new drawing or altering a current drawing in said combination such that said new or current drawing is distinguishable from other drawings in said combination, d. optionally displaying said drawings from said ordered list, including the new or current drawing, one after another at a speed which gives the effect of animation, and e. saving said new or altered drawing separately, but in sequence in the ordered list, whereby drawing and viewing the resulting animation may both be carried out during the act of creation, allowing the artist to check his or her work and make subtle changes while drawing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7, further including interposing reference markings with said drawings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said drawings are sequentially displayed at a calibrated speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said drawings are sequentially transferred to a recording device.
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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) | 1993-08-27 | 1994-02-26 | 1994-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-27 | 1998-02-26 | 1998-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-27 | 2002-02-26 | 2002-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |