Abstract: A system for the creation and viewing of custom interlaced images with a camera lens, a digital camera unit, electronic memory, image processing computer software, and a shutter actuator retained by a camera body for selectively capturing images over a time period and creating interlaced images. Interlaced images can be created by automatically electronically slicing each of a plurality of images of a given image sequence and placing slices thus created in an interlaced sequence. Interlaced images are printed by a printer disposed within the camera body for viewing within a viewing device having an image decoding panel. Interlaced images can be viewed on a display screen retained by the camera body and then selected for printing. The viewing device has a biasing mechanism for biasing printed interlaced images into contact with the image decoding panel. Pre-animated, pre-interlaced scenes can be selectively merged with captured image sequences.

Abstract: A convex-lensed zoetrope for providing bright, clear, and straight-on animation. An image hub retains images in series for animation, and an outer drum concentrically rotates with the image hub. The outer drum is at least partially transparent, and a plurality of convex Fresnel lenses retained along a ring shape form a lens structure retained by the outer drum. During rotation of the outer drum, the lens structure, and the inner image hub, the animation of images retained on the image hub can be viewed in a straight-on manner through the transparent outer drum and the convex lenses retained thereby. The Fresnel lenses can comprise lens sheets with an outwardly-facing lensed surface and an inwardly-facing flat surface. Animation members, such as animation strips, can be selectively applied to encircle the image hub, and alignment formations of the animation members and the image hub promote alignment of the images with the lenses.

Abstract: A manually-operated coded image animation device a coded image viewer with a front panel, a reception area, such as a slot open on three sides or a channel, behind the front panel, and coded image decoding elements disposed on the front panel. A coded image card with a plurality of coded images can be manually inserted into the reception area in the coded image viewer. Animation of the coded images can be realized by a sliding movement of the coded image card in relation to the coded image viewer or by a rearward and forward rocking of the coded image viewer in relation to a podium by manual activation. A pivoting structure can be formed by a lever arm, a counterweight, and the coded image viewer with the lever arm received through a slot in the podium. A biasing system biases the coded image card into face-to-face contact with the front panel.

Abstract: A lenticular animation device for animating coded images. A viewing device has a base structure and a pivotally coupled cover structure. A lenticular plate defines a viewing area, and a manually-operated actuation mechanism, such as a crank system, produces longitudinal, reciprocating relative movement between the platen and the lenticular plate. Lateral edge guides maintain alignment. Corresponding alignment formations retained adjacent to the platen and alignment formations in the coded image member cooperate to maintain alignment of the coded image member. Coded images can include user-completed portions, potentially in combination with non-coded images sharing a unified theme, for being colored by a user. Coded images can be exposed by removing an obscuring overlay or applying a reagent or assembled as puzzle pieces to permit user participation in the creation and animation of coded images. Opposed alignment pegs and holes can lock the cover structure against displacement relative to the base structure.

Abstract: A manually-operated coded image animation device a coded image viewer with a front panel, a reception area, such as a slot open on three sides or a channel, behind the front panel, and coded image decoding elements disposed on the front panel. A coded image card with a plurality of coded images can be manually inserted into the reception area in the coded image viewer. Animation of the coded images can be realized by a sliding movement of the coded image card in relation to the coded image viewer or by a rearward and forward rocking of the coded image viewer in relation to a podium by manual activation. A pivoting structure can be formed by a lever arm, a counterweight, and the coded image viewer with the lever arm received through a slot in the podium. A biasing system biases the coded image card into face-to-face contact with the front panel.

Abstract: A rotatable stroboscopic animation device with a rotatable base portion and at least one light source. An angular-velocity-dependent flashing system flashes the at least one light source according to a predetermined flash mode dependent on the angular velocity of the base portion to produce coherent, automatic stroboscopic animation of images retained by the base portion. The flashing system can comprise an angular velocity determination system in cooperation with an illumination system. Angular velocity can be determined by an orienting system, such as a compass, in combination with a sampling system, a gyroscope, or a rotational sensor. A flash mode selection mechanism, which can be manual or automatic, permits a selection of a flash mode from among a plurality of flash modes. A manual flash mode selection mechanism can be formed by relatively pivotable upper and lower disks of the base portion. Animation disks can have indications of predetermined flash modes.

Abstract: A rotatable stroboscopic animation device with a rotatable base portion and at least one light source. An angular-velocity-dependent flashing system flashes the at least one light source according to a predetermined flash mode dependent on the angular velocity of the base portion to produce coherent, automatic stroboscopic animation of images retained by the base portion. The flashing system can comprise an angular velocity determination system in cooperation with an illumination system. Angular velocity can be determined by an orienting system, such as a compass, in combination with a sampling system, a gyroscope, or a rotational sensor. A flash mode selection mechanism, which can be manual or automatic, permits a selection of a flash mode from among a plurality of flash modes. A manual flash mode selection mechanism can be formed by relatively pivotable upper and lower disks of the base portion. Animation disks can have indications of predetermined flash modes.

Abstract: A coded image display and animation system with an image decoding panel and a coded image panel, one such panel comprising an actuated panel. The image decoding panel comprises a shutter element panel or a lenticular panel. A progressive drive mechanism, such as a sloped surface, advances the actuated panel progressively, and a rapid-return mechanism, such as a biasing member, rapidly retracts the actuated panel when it is periodically freed to move in a longitudinally retracting direction. The sloped surface can be that of a wheel, and the actuated panel can be freed to retract by a ridge in the wheel. The sloped surface can be a helical formation in a rotatable member, and the rapid-return mechanism can be a longitudinal formation in the rotatable member contiguous with the helical formation. The actuated panel can be advanced and retracted by a distance equal to the width of one image cluster.

Abstract: A coded image display and animation system with an illuminated shutter element device that permits the user, by placing individual coded image members and combinations of coded image members upon it, to create collages, puzzles and fantasy worlds that instantly appear to come to life and move realistically. Coded image members can be chosen and selectively repositioned, overlapped, and combined for varying displays and display effects. Larger, window-sized displays with or without coded image portions can be exploited, potentially to provide moving backgrounds, such as falling snow or moving clouds, upon which the coded image members can be positioned thereby permitting the user to create multi-member displays and animations, including animated stories and animated fantasy worlds. Coded image members and non-coded image members can have open portions for permitting the application of images or image portions by users, such as by erasable marking implements.

Abstract: An animation system with adjustable support of posable figures. A rotatable platform retains the posable figures along a circumference of a circle through adjustable supports. An animation mechanism, such as a slotted drum or a faceted, mirrored hub, is supported by the platform. The adjustable supports can comprise plastically deformable elongate posts to permit pivoting and longitudinal turning of the figures, adjustment in supported height of the figures, and lateral movement of the figures along the circumference of the circle and radially inward and outward. The elongate posts and the figures can have plastically deformable cores, such as bendable wires, at least partially encased in flexible bodies of material. Each figure can have a torso and a repositionable head and appendages. The elongate posts can have distal ends received by apertures in the platform along the circumference of the circle, proximal ends fixed to the figures, and bendable body portions.

Abstract: An animation device for producing animation of interlaced coded images with inner and outer sleeves retained for concentric rotation, a plurality of coded images retained by one sleeve, and a plurality of spaced shutter elements and interposed viewing elements retained by the other sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves are retained by a base structure with one sleeve rotatable in relation to the base structure and the other sleeve fixed against rotation relative to the base structure. A light source can be disposed within the inner sleeve, and a motor can rotate a platform that retains the rotatable sleeve. The fixed sleeve can be encased and fixed in position by a frusto-conical sleeve forming a fixation member. The inner and outer sleeves can be precisely formed by alignment of registration apertures on a peg board with registration pegs.

Abstract: An illuminated animation device with staggered sources of illumination with a rotatable member rotatable about an axis of rotation, first and second pluralities of sources of illumination retained to rotate with the rotatable member that are actuatable between illuminated and non-illuminated conditions. The first and second pluralities of sources of illumination are staggered so that the sources of illumination will produce individual paths of illumination to permit image display with enhanced. The rotatable member can be a rotatable panel with first and second arrays retained relative to first and second halves thereof, and the sources of illumination can be longitudinally and laterally staggered, such as by one-half a distance between adjacent sources of illumination. The sources of animation can alternatively be disposed in opposed, radially spaced straight line arrays. The device can be handheld and can include a motor and a power source.

Abstract: An animation system with adjustable support of posable figures. A rotatable platform retains the posable figures along a circumference of a circle through adjustable supports. An animation mechanism, such as a slotted drum or a faceted, mirrored hub, is supported by the platform. The adjustable supports can comprise plastically deformable elongate posts to permit pivoting and longitudinal turning of the figures, adjustment in supported height of the figures, and lateral movement of the figures along the circumference of the circle and radially inward and outward. The elongate posts and the figures can have plastically deformable cores, such as bendable wires, at least partially encased in flexible bodies of material. Each figure can have a torso and a repositionable head and appendages. The elongate posts can have distal ends received by apertures in the platform along the circumference of the circle, proximal ends fixed to the figures, and bendable body portions.

Abstract: An illuminated animation device with staggered sources of illumination with a rotatable member rotatable about an axis of rotation, first and second pluralities of sources of illumination retained to rotate with the rotatable member that are actuatable between illuminated and non-illuminated conditions. The first and second pluralities of sources of illumination are staggered so that the sources of illumination will produce individual paths of illumination to permit image display with enhanced. The rotatable member can be a rotatable panel with first and second arrays retained relative to first and second halves thereof, and the sources of illumination can be longitudinally and laterally staggered, such as by one-half a distance between adjacent sources of illumination. The sources of animation can alternatively be disposed in opposed, radially spaced straight line arrays. The device can be handheld and can include a motor and a power source.

Abstract: A stroboscopic animation system with a handheld stroboscopic light with a light source that emits stroboscopic flashes, a manually rotatable top, and images to be animated retained on the upper surface of the top, such as on an animation disk. The frequency of the stroboscopic flashes can be varied, such as by a rotatable dial, with the “on” portions remaining constant and the “off” portions being adjusted. The flashes can have a lower limit of 10 to 20 flashes per second and an upper limit of 100 to 110 flashes per second, the “on” portions of the flashing sequence can be between one-900th and one-1100th of a second, and the luminous intensity of the light source can be between 65 and 130 foot candles. An orientation switch can automatically induce an “off” condition when the light is disposed outside a predetermined angular range of orientation.

Abstract: A kit of parts and method for forming a praxinoscope with a base, an outer wall to be secured to the base in a cylindrical configuration, and a mirrored inner wall to be secured to the base in a faceted, substantially cylindrical configuration concentric with the outer wall. Image strips with sequential images disposed thereon can be disposed within the outer wall, and an axle member concentrically disposed through the base and the upper panel permits a rotation of the praxinoscope to produce animation. The inner and outer walls can be secured to the base by teeth that project from their lower longitudinal edges in combination with inner and outer rings of apertures disposed in ring shapes in the base. An upper panel can be similarly retained atop the inner wall. Notches at the proximal ends of the teeth can positively engage the apertures in the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for making temporary colorful birefringent displays. In its preferred embodiment, cellophane 104 is laminated between self-adherent vinyl sheets 108 with non-water soluble adhesive 112 and desired shapes 212 are cut therefrom. Plane polarizing filter 213 is similarly laminated between sheets of self-adherent vinyl 214. One of the polarizer laminations is adhered to a gloss surface such as a window 217. Shapes 212 cut from the cellophane-vinyl laminations are adhered to the polarizer lamination 215. Colors created by the polarized light passing through the birefringent cellophane laminations 100 are viewed through a polarizing analyzer 230 which can be a second lamination of polarizer between self-adherent vinyl sheets and placed over the completed design, or through analyzers held separately from the design such as polarized glasses 218 or hand held viewers 222, 230. Transmissive 214 and reflective 304 and transflective 604 types are disclosed.

Abstract: A rotatable animation device with a first substrate member rotatable relative to a second substrate member. A plurality of coded images are disposed on one substrate member, and a plurality of shutter elements and interposed viewing sections are disposed on the other substrate member to establish a viewing area. The coded images are sequentially completed in response to a relative rotation between the substrate members. The first substrate member can be flexible to enable a deflection into contact with the second substrate member. The inner surface of the first substrate member can have a resiliently compressible concave portion, which can include at least a ring portion of the first substrate member. The concave portion can be induced by at least one biasing surface deformation, such as a crease. A case, a centrally disposed fastening arrangement, or another mechanism can induce a compression of the first substrate member.

Abstract: A moveable animated display device for displaying a plurality of images with a pressure plate carrier, a pressure plate retained in relation to the pressure plate carrier, a plurality of coded images, a plurality of shutter elements slidably retained in relation to the plurality of coded images, and at least one biasing formation, such as a crease, in the pressure plate for inducing a biasing of the pressure plate toward the pressure plate carrier. The display device can have the pressure plate slidably retained relative to the pressure plate carrier, and the biasing formation can be parallel or orthogonal to a path of travel of the pressure plate in relation to the pressure plate carrier. The display device can comprise a card wherein a pivoting of a cover member relative to a base member induces animation as an animation layer slides in relation to the pressure plate.

Abstract: A visual display device for providing a continuous, non-reversing animated sequence of displayed images to an observer with a separation member; a plurality of interposed coded images fixed to a first surface of the separation member to form an image member; a plurality of shutter elements fixed to the second surface of the separation member, and a plurality of viewing elements interposed between the plurality of shutter elements to form a shutter member. The coded images, the plurality of shutter elements, and the plurality of viewing elements can share a common orientation and a given pitch. The image member may be transparent except for the plurality of coded images. A strand of flexible material may be provided for suspending the visual display device for continuous rotation.