US6329987B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lenticular image and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-12-02
•
Granted: 2001-12-11
•
Expires: 2018-12-02
Abstract
Abstract The creation of computer generated lenticular images involves the computer manipulation of at least a first and second source image. The images can be of the same object and can be sequential in time or sequential in spatial perspective, or completely unrelated. The images can be scanned into a computer memory and are interlaced. The input can be any source of image. Likewise, the output can be manipulated to any resolution. The output interlaced image is then printed onto a substrate, such as the back surface of a lenticular lens. The frequency of the interlaced image can be matched to the geometry of the lenticules. Thus, the viewer will see the first image from a first viewing perspective and the second image from a second viewing perspective. The invention also provides quality control methods useful in the manufacture of lenticular lenses and lenticular devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Phil Gottfried
- 👤 Scott Brosh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:48
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/12; G09F19/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of producing a lenticular image comprising, in the order indicated, the steps of: a. interlacing at least first and second source images with a computer to form an interlaced image; b. dithering on said computer said interlaced image to form a dithered interlaced image having a first resolution; and c. printing said interlaced image on a bottom surface of a lenticular lens having a lenticular frequency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of producing a lenticular image comprising, in the order indicated, the steps of: a. interlacing at least first and second source images with a computer to form an interlaced image; b. dithering on said computer said interlaced image to form a dithered interlaced image having a first resolution; and c. printing said interlaced image on a bottom surface of a lenticular lens having a lenticular frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) is conducted by: creating an interlaced image with at least first and second source images wherein said interlaced image includes a plurality of combined image strips each comprising alternating individual image strips of said at least first and second source images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: (b′) sizing said interlaced image, that has been dithered, prior to step (c) such that a frequency of combined image strips in said interlaced image matches said lenticular frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A lenticular image made according to the method of claim 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said interlaced image has a frequency of combined image strips that is less than and within 10% of said lenticular frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said interlaced image comprises at least three dithered source images.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 2 , wherein said interlaced image has a frequency of said combined image strips which matches said lenticular frequency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A lenticular image made according to the method of claim 7 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: (d) applying a substrate under said interlaced image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said substrate is at least opaque.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least first and second source images are at least one of sequential in time and sequential in space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first resolution substantially matches a second resolution of an output device which will be used to print said interlaced image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A lenticular image made according to the method of claim 12 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least first and second source images are converted to at least first and second converted source images prior to being interlaced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of converting the first and second source images includes converting the resolution of the first and second source images.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of converting the first and second source images includes converting the dimensions of the first and second source images.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A lenticular image made according to the method of claim 1 .
Claim 19
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of producing a lenticular image comprising the steps of: (a) interlacing at least first and second source images on a computer to form an interlaced image having a first resolution and a first frequency of combined image strips; (b) matching said first resolution of said interlaced image to a resolution of an output device by dithering said interlaced image on said computer; c) adjusting the size of said interlaced image to form a sized interlaced image having a frequency of combined image strips that is within 10% of a frequency of lenticules in a lenticular lens; and (d) outputting said sized interlaced image to form an output interlaced image.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of producing a lenticular image comprising the steps of: (a) interlacing at least first and second source images on a computer to form an interlaced image having a first resolution and a first frequency of combined image strips; (b) matching said first resolution of said interlaced image to a resolution of an output device by dithering said interlaced image on said computer; c) adjusting the size of said interlaced image to form a sized interlaced image having a frequency of combined image strips that is within 10% of a frequency of lenticules in a lenticular lens; and (d) outputting said sized interlaced image to form an output interlaced image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said sized interlaced image is output to at least one of a rear surface of said lenticular lens, a substrate, a computer monitor, a display, and a television.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said combined image strips each comprise alternating individual image strips of said at least first and second source images.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein at least one of said at least first and second source images is dithered prior to interlacing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein at least one of said frequency of combined image strips: 1. matches said frequency of lenticules; and 2. is less than and within 10% of said frequency of lenticules.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
75 words
A lenticular device comprising: a lenticular lens having a first frequency of lenticules; and a dithered interlaced image comprising at least first and second source images; wherein, said interlaced image has been dithered after said at least first and second source images have been interlaced; and said interlaced image has a second frequency of combined image strips, said combined image strips comprising alternating individual image strips of said at least first and second source images.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
75 words
A lenticular device comprising: a lenticular lens having a first frequency of lenticules; and a dithered interlaced image comprising at least first and second source images; wherein, said interlaced image has been dithered after said at least first and second source images have been interlaced; and said interlaced image has a second frequency of combined image strips, said combined image strips comprising alternating individual image strips of said at least first and second source images.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lenticular device of claim 23 , wherein said dithered interlaced image has been printed on at least one of a surface of said lenticular lens, and a substrate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lenticular device of claim 23 , wherein said dithered interlaced image forms one or more of a three dimensional and an action lenticular image when said dithered interlaced image is viewed through said lenticular lens.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lenticular device of claim 23 , wherein said dithered interlaced image has a resolution which matches the resolution of an output device used to output said dithered interlaced image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
The lenticular device of claim 23 , wherein one of said first frequency of lenticules: (1) matches said second frequency of combined image strips; (2) is less than and within 10% of said frequency of lenticules; and (3) is within 10% of said frequency of lenticules.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lenticular device of claim 23 , wherein said lenticular lens has a lenticule pitch which is less than a combined image strip pitch of said dithered interlaced image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lenticular device of claim 23 , wherein one or more of said at least first and second source images has been dithered prior to being interlaced.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of quality control for the manufacture of lenticular devices comprising the steps of: generating a sized interlaced image, comprising plural combined image strips, bounded on a first side by a sized first mask and bounded on an opposing second side by an unsized second mask, wherein said sized first mask has a first strip frequency which matches a combined image strip frequency of said sized interlaced image, said unsized second mask has a second strip frequency different than said first strip frequency, and said first and second masks are disposed along opposing ends of said combined image strips; and viewing said sized interlaced image through a lenticular lens having a frequency of lenticules to determine whether said frequency of lenticules matches said first strip frequency or said second strip frequency; whereby a lenticular lens device is of acceptable quality when said frequency of lenticules matches said first strip frequency.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of quality control for the manufacture of lenticular devices comprising the steps of: generating a sized interlaced image, comprising plural combined image strips, bounded on a first side by a sized first mask and bounded on an opposing second side by an unsized second mask, wherein said sized first mask has a first strip frequency which matches a combined image strip frequency of said sized interlaced image, said unsized second mask has a second strip frequency different than said first strip frequency, and said first and second masks are disposed along opposing ends of said combined image strips; and viewing said sized interlaced image through a lenticular lens having a frequency of lenticules to determine whether said frequency of lenticules matches said first strip frequency or said second strip frequency; whereby a lenticular lens device is of acceptable quality when said frequency of lenticules matches said first strip frequency.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of quality control of claim 30 , wherein said method is used in assembling said sized interlaced image with said lenticular lens.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for rapidly determining the quality of a lenticular lens, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a lenticular lens comprising a plurality of lenticules and having a lenticular frequency and a first geometry, said lens being required to meet a first set of specifications; obtaining one or more interlaced images having a known combined-image strip frequency, each interlaced image comprising at least a first source image and a second source image; and viewing said one or more interlaced images through said lenticular lens to determine whether a desired lenticular image is formed, wherein a lenticular lens is of acceptable quality when a desired lenticular image is formed.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for rapidly determining the quality of a lenticular lens, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a lenticular lens comprising a plurality of lenticules and having a lenticular frequency and a first geometry, said lens being required to meet a first set of specifications; obtaining one or more interlaced images having a known combined-image strip frequency, each interlaced image comprising at least a first source image and a second source image; and viewing said one or more interlaced images through said lenticular lens to determine whether a desired lenticular image is formed, wherein a lenticular lens is of acceptable quality when a desired lenticular image is formed.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein a desired lenticular image is formed when said lenticular frequency matches said combined-image strip frequency.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein said first source image consists essentially of a first color and said second source image consists essentially of a different second color.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein said first color is a dark color and said second color is a light color.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein said desired lenticular image consists essentially of one of said first source image and said second source image.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein at least two interlaced images having different and known combined image strip frequencies are used.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein said lenticular frequency of said lenticular lens is determined by determining which of said at least two interlaced images forms a desired lenticular image with said lenticular lens.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein said viewing step is conducted by at least one of a visual method and an electronic method.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein said method is conducted while said lenticular method is being manufactured.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein said method is conducted prior to one of: (a) printing an interlaced image on a rear surface of said lenticular lens; and (b) attaching to a rear surface of said lenticular lens a substrate bearing an interlaced image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2514814A
Cited
US3119195A
Cited
US3538632A
Cited
US3937565A
Cited
US4082433A
Cited
US4927238A
Cited
US4935335A
Cited
US5113213A
Cited
USRE35029E
Cited
US5098302A
Cited
US5197886A
Cited
US5695346A
Cited
US5364274A
Cited
US5494445A
Cited
US5206761A
Cited
US5438429A
Cited
US5311329A
Cited
US5479270A
Cited
US5461495A
Cited
US5568313A
Cited
US5543964A
Cited
US5488451A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-10 | 2005-06-11 | 2005-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | 2009-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-10 | 2013-06-11 | 2013-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |