Automatic swappable image frame with DIY kit

Abstract

A swappable image frame includes a frame housing and a light filter. The film housing has a receiving compartment for framing an image film, and a window communicating with the receiving compartment for allowing the images of the image film to be seen through the window. The light filter, which is mounted on the film housing at the window thereof, has a plurality of light transmitting channels and a light blocking channels at intervals of the light transmitting channels, wherein the light filter is adapted for selectively swapping the two images of the image film that when the light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels of the first image while the light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels of the second image.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a photo frame, and more particularly to an automatic swappable image frame which is capable of dynamically and sequentially displaying at least two images through a single image film in a sequential manner.

2. Description of Related Arts

A conventional photo frame typically comprises a supporter, and a frame body supported by the supporter to be erected on a predetermined surface, wherein the frame body has a through displaying opening formed at a central portion of the frame body, and an accessing slot elongated formed on the frame body to communicate with the through displaying opening. Therefore, a user is able to put a photo into the frame body via the elongated accessing slot, wherein the photo is then displayed to viewers through the through displaying opening.

There are several disadvantages for this kind of conventional photo frame. First, the above-mentioned displaying opening is only capable of displaying one particular image and if the user wishes to change the image displayed, he or she needs to take out the photo from the photo frame and replace it with another photo on which a different image is formed. As one may easily imagine, this problem is inherent in the conventional photo frame and nothing has been developed to cater for this inconvenience.

Second, the photo displayed by the conventional photo frame usually dull, lacks of dynamic feeling and excitement. The reason is that the image contained in the photo is inevitably a stationary image which by its very nature, cannot move to produce any dynamic effect. As a result, the user needs to change photos very frequently in order to keep afresh the feeling brought by the photo as displayed by the conventional photo frame.

Third, some conventional photo frames are equipped with locks or clips for retaining the photo within the photo frame in a predetermined position, and when the user needs to change the photo very frequently, there is a great deal of hassles when the user endeavors to unlock and relock the locks or clips on the conventional photo frame. At time goes by, the user may simply be frustrated in dealing with these hassles.

As a matter of fact, there exist electrically powered image swapping devices which are capable of swapping two or more images. Those devices however, are expensive, bulky in size and absolutely not suitable for domestic use. As a result, domestic users are left with facing with the above-mentioned problems when using conventional photo frames.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide an automatic swappable image frame which is capable of dynamically and sequentially displaying at least two images through a single image film in a controlled manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic swappable image frame comprising a light filter which is driven to swap one of the two images contained in the image film for allowing the swappable image frame to selectively display particular image in a sequential manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic swappable image frame which is electrically or manually powered to swap two images displayed by the image frame, so as to maximize the dynamic feeling of the images displayed by the image frame of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic swappable image frame which is simple in structure, light in weight, compact in size. In the words, the present invention is specifically designed for use in domestic environment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic swappable image frame which is accompanied with a tailor-made means for forming image channels on an image film so as to allow user to adopt a wide variety of images to be displayed by the present invention as he or she wishes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of swapping at least two images through a swappable image frame which comprises a light filter, wherein the swappable method allow a user to produce and display swappable images with the automatic swappable image frame.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a swappable image frame for an image film having a plurality of image channels and at least two images overlappingly formed on the image film at the image channels in an interval manner, wherein the swappable image frame comprises:

a film housing having a receiving compartment for framing the image film, and a window communicating with the receiving compartment for allowing the images of the image film to be seen through the window; and

a light filter, which is mounted on the film housing at the window thereof, having a plurality of light transmitting channels and a light blocking channels at intervals of the light transmitting channels, wherein the light filter is adapted for selectively swapping the two images of the image film that when the light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels of the first image while the light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels of the second image, only the first image of the image film is seen through the light filter, and when the light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels of the second image while the light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels of the first image, only the second image of the image film is seen through the light filter.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a swappable image frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the swappable image frame according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are sectional side views of the swappable image frame according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic views of the swappable image frame according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an alternative mode of the swappable image frame according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a method of swapping at least two images through a swappable image frame according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B of the drawings, a swappable image frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the swappable image frame is for an image film 70 having a plurality of image channels 71 and at least two images overlappingly formed on the image film 70 at the image channels 71 in an interval manner. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swappable image frame comprises a film housing 10, and a light filter 20.

The film housing 10 has a receiving compartment 11 for framing the image film 70, and a window 12 communicating with the receiving compartment 11 for allowing the images of the image film 70 to be seen through the window 12.

The light filter 20, which is mounted on the film housing 10 at the window 12 thereof, has a plurality of light transmitting channels 21 and a light blocking channels 22 at intervals of the light transmitting channels 21, wherein the light filter 20 is adapted for selectively swapping the two images of the image film 70 that when the light transmitting channels 21 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the first image while the light blocking channels 22 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the second image, only the first image of the image film 70 is seen through the light filter 20, and when the light transmitting channels 21 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the second image while the light blocking channels 22 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the first image, only the second image of the image film 70 is seen through the light filter 20.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light transmitting channels 21 and the light blocking channels 22 are horizontally formed on a front side of the light filter 20 in an interval manner for adjustably aligning with the image channels 71 horizontally formed on the image film 70. In other words, the light transmitting channels 21 and the light blocking channels 22 are substantially aligned in a predetermined direction so that the light transmitting channels 21 and the light blocking channels 22 are adapted to be selectively adjusted for attenuating unwanted images while highlighting desired image to be displayed through the window 12 of the film housing 10.

On the other hand, the light filter 20 is preferably made of transparent material with a ripple face, and has a plurality of concave surfaces 23 forming the light blocking channels 22 respectively, and a plurality of convex surfaces 24 forming the transmitting channels 21 respectively, wherein the convex surfaces 24 are adapted for highlighting the corresponding image channels 71 while the concave surfaces 23 are adapted for attenuating the corresponding image channels 71 so as to selectively display one of the images and hide another the image formed on the single image film 70.

In other words, each of the convex surfaces 24 is adapted to magnify light impinging thereto so as to highlight the corresponding image channel 71 aligned therewith, whereas each of the concave surfaces 23 is adapted to diverge the light impinging thereto so as to attenuate the corresponding image channel 71 aligned therewith.

It is worth mentioning that the transmitting channels 21 and the light blocking channels 22 are alternatively formed with respect to each other so as to allow convenient swapping of the two images by slightly altering the relative position between the image film 70 and the light filter 20, which are both supported by the film housing 10.

The swappable image frame further comprises a swapping device 30 for automatically swapping the two images, wherein the swapping device 30 comprises a power source housing 31 supported by the film housing 10 for receiving a power source 32, a motor 33 which is powered by the power source 32 and has a driving shaft 331 eccentrically extended to the receiving compartment 11 for movably coupling with the image film 70 such that when the motor 33 is activated, the driving shaft 331 is adapted for moving the image film 70 following an eccentric locus of the driving shaft 331 to selectively align the image channels 71 with the light transmitting channels 21 and the light blocking channels 22 so as to automatically swap the two images formed on the image film 70.

It is then worth mentioning that the power source 32 is preferably embodied as a rechargeable battery or at least one disposable battery received in the power source housing 31 so as to provide sufficient power to selectively activate the motor 33. Alternatively, the power source 32 may be embodied as a transformer which is extended to an external power source for connecting with regular AC power socket.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B of the drawings, the image film 70 further has a through power slot 72 formed thereon for the driving shaft 331 of the motor 33 to be extended through the power slot 72 in such a manner that when the driving shaft 331 is driven to rotate eccentrically, the image film 70 is also driven to displace in a vertical direction so as to selectively yet sequentially aligning the image channels 71 with the light transmitting channels 21 for swapping between the images formed on the image film 70.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swapping device 30 further comprises a guiding unit 36 having a guiding slot 361 formed on the image film 70 and comprising an adjusting arm 38 rotatably mounted on the film housing 10 to couple with the guiding slot 361 for adjustably guiding an alignment of the image film 70 with respect to the light filter 20 for swapping between the two images. Consequently, a diameter of the of the adjusting arm 38 is substantially the same as a width of the guiding slot 361 so that the adjusting arm 38 is adapted to be fittedly inserted through the guiding slot 361 for guiding a displacement of the image film 70.

Moreover, the swapping device 30 further comprises a complimentary guider 34 comprising a guiding pin 35 provided on a bottom edge portion of the film housing 10 in the receiving compartment 11 to couple with the corresponding top edge portion of the image film 70 so as to stabilize a swapping displacement thereof. More specifically, the image film 70 has a complementary guider slot 341 formed on the bottom edge portion of the image film 70 for the guiding pin 35 to be movably coupled therewith for guiding a vertical motion of the image film 70.

In order to control the swapping displacement of the image film 70, the swapping device 30 further comprises a control unit 37 received in the power source housing 31 for controlling an operation of the motor 33 so as to swap the two images in a controlled manner. The control unit 37 comprises a control circuit board 371 mounted in the power source housing 31 to electrically connect with the motor 33 and the power source 32, and a control actuator 372 provided on the film housing 10 to electrically connect with the power source 32 for selectively switching the power source 32. In other words, the user is able to selectively turn on or off the swapping operation by switching the control actuator 372. For example, the control circuit board 371 is adapted to control a rotational speed of the motor 33 so as to control the frequency of the swapping of the images created on the image film 70.

In order to ensure that the swappable image frame of the present invention is imparted with Do-it-yourself (DIY) feature, it further comprises means for forming the plurality of image channels 71 on the image film 70, wherein the two images are overlappingly formed on the image channels 71 in an interval manner, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. As such, the user is able to develop his or her own image film 70 by the above-mentioned image forming means.

More specifically, the image forming means comprises an image divider 41 adapted for dividing each of the images into a plurality of image rows as the image channels 71 respectively, and an image transformer 42 for transforming the image rows of the two images on the image film 70 in an interval manner so as to overlap the two images on the image film 70 (as shown in FIG. 6).

It is worth mentioning that the image forming means may be formed by a specifically designed software for dividing each of the images into a plurality of image rows as the image channels 71 respectively, and transforming the image rows of the two images on the image film 70 in an interval manner so as to overlap the two images on the image film 70. As a result, a user simply needs to install the software into his or her computer and then produce the image film 70 by himself or herself utilizing his or her own digital photos.

It is also worth mentioning that, as a slight alternative, the light transmitting channels 21, the light blocking channels 22, and the image channels 71 may be formed vertically with respect to the film housing 10 so that the light filter 20 is adapted to be driven to displace horizontally with respect to the film housing 10 for swapping the two images formed on the image film 70.

Furthermore, the image frame of the present invention may be mounted onto a wall or supported on a flat surface for displaying the images created on the image film 70. For the latter, the image frame may further comprise a frame supporter mounted at a rear side of the film housing 10 for supporting it standing on the flat surface.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, an alternative mode of the swappable image frame according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the image film 70′. According to the alternative mode, the image film 70′ comprises a first and a second film elements 73′ overlappedly supported within the film housing 10 for creating two images by image channels 71′ formed on the respective first and the second film elements 73′. As a result, the light filter 20 is adapted to be displaced in the above-mentioned fashion for swapping between the two images formed on the first and the second film elements 73′ respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, a method of swapping at least two images through the swappable image frame which comprises the light filter 20 is illustrated. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of:

(a) overlapping the two images on the image film 70, wherein the image film 70 has a plurality of image channels 71 that the two images are formed on the image channels 71 in an interval manner;

(b) overlapping the light filter 20 on the image film 70, wherein the light filter 20 has the plurality of light transmitting channels 21 and a light blocking channels 22 at intervals of the light transmitting channels 21;

(c) swappably displaying the first image of the image film 70 only when the light transmitting channels 21 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the first image while the light blocking channels 22 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the second image; and

(d) swappably displaying the second image of the image film 70 only when the light transmitting channels 21 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the second image while the light blocking channels 22 are alignedly overlapped with respect to the image channels 71 of the first image.

Step (a) comprises the steps of:

(a.1) dividing each of the images into a plurality of image rows as the image channels 71 respectively; and

(a.2) transforming the image rows of the two images on the image film 70 in an interval manner so as to overlap the two images on the image film 70, wherein the image rows are transformed on a single photo paper as the image film 70.

Alternatively, in step (a.2), the image rows are transformed on at least two transparent films respectively and arranged in such a manner that when the two transparent films are overlapped to form the image film 70, the image rows on the transparent films are located in an interval manner. In other words, the above-mentioned first and second film elements 73 are preferably embodied as two transparent films.

Moreover, the method further comprises a step of automatically swapping the two images for a predetermined time interval. Alternatively, the method comprises a step of manually moving the image film 70 to selectively swap the two images.

From the forgoing descriptions, it can be shown that the above objects have been substantially accomplished. The present invention successfully provides an automatic swappable image frame and a method thereof, wherein the swappable image frame is capable of dynamically and sequentially displaying at least two images through a single image film 70 in a controlled manner.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A swappable image frame for an image film having a plurality of image channels and at least two images overlappingly formed on said image film at said image channels in an interval manner, wherein said swappable image frame comprises:

a film housing having a receiving compartment for framing said image film, and a window communicating with said receiving compartment for allowing said images of said image film to be seen through said window; and

a light filter, which is mounted on said film housing at said window thereof, having a plurality of light transmitting channels and a light blocking channels at intervals of said light transmitting channels, wherein said light filter is adapted for selectively swapping said two images of said image film that when said light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said first image while said light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said second image, only said first image of said image film is seen through said light filter, and when said light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said second image while said light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said first image, only said second image of said image film is seen through said light filter.

2. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said light transmitting channels and said light blocking channels are horizontally formed on a front side of said light filter in an interval manner for aligning with said image channels horizontally formed on said image film.

3. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said light filter, which is made of transparent material with a ripple face, has a plurality of concave surfaces forming said light blocking channels respectively and a plurality of convex surfaces forming said light transmitting channels respectively, wherein said convex surfaces are adapted for highlighting said corresponding image channels while said concave surfaces are adapted for attenuating said corresponding image channels so as to selectively display one of said images and hide another said image.

4. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 2, wherein said light filter, which is made of transparent material with a ripple face, has a plurality of concave surfaces forming said light blocking channels respectively and a plurality of convex surfaces forming said light transmitting channels respectively, wherein said convex surfaces are adapted for highlighting said corresponding image channels while said concave surfaces are adapted for attenuating said corresponding image channels so as to selectively display one of said images and hide another said image.

5. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a swapping device for automatically swapping said two images, wherein said swapping device comprises a power source housing supported by said film housing for receiving a power source, a motor which is powered by said power source and has a driving shaft extended to said receiving compartment for movably coupling with said image film such that when said motor is activated, said driving shaft is adapted for moving said image film to selectively align said image channels with said light transmitting channels and said light blocking channels so as to automatically swap said two images.

6. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a swapping device for automatically swapping said two images, wherein said swapping device comprises a power source housing supported by said film housing for receiving a power source, a motor which is powered by said power source and has a driving shaft extended to said receiving compartment for movably coupling with said image film such that when said motor is activated, said driving shaft is adapted for moving said image film to selectively align said image channels with said light transmitting channels and said light blocking channels so as to automatically swap said two images.

7. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a swapping device for automatically swapping said two images, wherein said swapping device comprises a power source housing supported by said film housing for receiving a power source, a motor which is powered by said power source and has a driving shaft extended to said receiving compartment for movably coupling with said image film such that when said motor is activated, said driving shaft is adapted for moving said image film to selectively align said image channels with said light transmitting channels and said light blocking channels so as to automatically swap said two images.

8. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 5, wherein said swapping device further comprises a guiding unit having a guiding slot formed on said image film and comprising an adjusting arm rotatably mounted on said film housing to couple with said guiding slot for adjustably guiding an alignment of said image film with respect to said light filter to swap between said two images.

9. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 6, wherein said swapping device further comprises a guiding unit having a guiding slot formed on said image film and comprising an adjusting arm rotatably mounted on said film housing to couple with said guiding slot for adjustably guiding an alignment of said image film with respect to said light filter to swap between said two images.

10. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 7, wherein said swapping device further comprises a guiding unit having a guiding slot formed on said image film and comprising an adjusting arm rotatably mounted on said film housing to couple with said guiding slot for adjustably guiding an alignment of said image film with respect to said light filter to swap between said two images.

11. A swappable image frame for an image film having at least two images, comprising:

means for forming a plurality of image channels on said image film, wherein said two images are overlappingly formed on said image channels in an interval manner;

a film housing having a receiving compartment for framing said image film, and a window communicating with said receiving compartment for allowing said images of said image film to be seen through said window; and

a light filter, which is mounted on said film housing at said window thereof, having a plurality of light transmitting channels and a light blocking channels at intervals of said light transmitting channels, wherein said light filter is adapted for selectively swapping said two images of said image film that when said light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said first image while said light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said second image, only said first image of said image film is seen through said light filter, and when said light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said second image while said light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said first image, only said second image of said image film is seen through said light filter.

12. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 11, wherein said image forming means comprises an image divider adapted for dividing each of said images into a plurality of image rows as said image channels respectively and an image transformer for transforming said image rows of said two images on said image film in an interval manner so as to overlap said two images on said image film.

13. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 11, wherein said light filter, which is made of transparent material with a ripple face, has a plurality of concave surfaces forming said light blocking channels respectively and a plurality of convex surfaces forming said light transmitting channels respectively, wherein said convex surfaces are adapted for highlighting said corresponding image channels while said concave surfaces are adapted for attenuating said corresponding image channels so as to selectively display one of said images and hide another said image.

14. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 12, wherein said light filter, which is made of transparent material with a ripple face, has a plurality of concave surfaces forming said light blocking channels respectively and a plurality of convex surfaces forming said light transmitting channels respectively, wherein said convex surfaces are adapted for highlighting said corresponding image channels while said concave surfaces are adapted for attenuating said corresponding image channels so as to selectively display one of said images and hide another said image.

15. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 11, further comprising a swapping device for automatically swapping said two images, wherein said swapping device comprises a power source housing supported by said film housing for receiving a power source, a motor which is powered by said power source and has a driving shaft extended to said receiving compartment for movably coupling with said image film such that when said motor is activated, said driving shaft is adapted for moving said image film to selectively align said image channels with said light transmitting channels and said light blocking channels so as to automatically swap said two images.

16. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 12, further comprising a swapping device for automatically swapping said two images, wherein said swapping device comprises a power source housing supported by said film housing for receiving a power source, a motor which is powered by said power source and has a driving shaft extended to said receiving compartment for movably coupling with said image film such that when said motor is activated, said driving shaft is adapted for moving said image film to selectively align said image channels with said light transmitting channels and said light blocking channels so as to automatically swap said two images.

17. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 14, further comprising a swapping device for automatically swapping said two images, wherein said swapping device comprises a power source housing supported by said film housing for receiving a power source, a motor which is powered by said power source and has a driving shaft extended to said receiving compartment for movably coupling with said image film such that when said motor is activated, said driving shaft is adapted for moving said image film to selectively align said image channels with said light transmitting channels and said light blocking channels so as to automatically swap said two images.

18. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 15, wherein said swapping device further comprises a guiding unit having a guiding slot formed on said image film and comprising an adjusting arm rotatably mounted on said film housing to couple with said guiding slot for adjustably guiding an alignment of said image film with respect to said light filter to swap between said two images.

19. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 16, wherein said swapping device further comprises a guiding unit having a guiding slot formed on said image film and comprising an adjusting arm rotatably mounted on said film housing to couple with said guiding slot for adjustably guiding an alignment of said image film with respect to said light filter to swap between said two images.

20. The swappable image frame, as recited in claim 17, wherein said swapping device further comprises a guiding unit having a guiding slot formed on said image film and comprising an adjusting arm rotatably mounted on said film housing to couple with said guiding slot for adjustably guiding an alignment of said image film with respect to said light filter to swap between said two images.

21. A method of swapping at least two images through a swappable image frame which comprises a light filter, comprising the steps of:

(a) overlapping said two images on an image film, wherein said image film has a plurality of image channels that said two images are formed on said image channels in an interval manner;

(b) overlapping said light filter on said image film, wherein said light filter has a plurality of light transmitting channels and a light blocking channels at intervals of said light transmitting channels;

(c) swappably displaying said first image of said image film only when said light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said first image while said light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said second image; and

(d) swappably displaying said second image of said image film only when said light transmitting channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said second image while said light blocking channels are alignedly overlapped with respect to said image channels of said first image.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, in step (a), further comprising the steps of:

(a.1) dividing each of said images into a plurality of image rows as said image channels respectively; and

(a.2) transforming said image rows of said two images on said image film in an interval manner so as to overlap said two images on said image film.

23. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein, in step (a.2), said image rows are transformed on a single photo paper as said image film.

24. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein, in step (a.2), said image rows are transformed on at least two transparent films respectively and arranged in such a manner that when said two transparent films are overlapped to form said image film, said image rows on said transparent films are located in an interval manner.

25. The method, as recited in claim 21, further comprising a step of automatically swapping said two images for a predetermined time interval.

26. The method, as recited in claim 22, further comprising a step of automatically swapping said two images for a predetermined time interval.

27. The method, as recited in claim 21, further comprising a step of manually moving said image film to selectively swap said two images.

28. The method, as recited in claim 22, further comprising a step of manually moving said image film to selectively swap said two images.

29. The method, as recited in claim 21, wherein said light filter, which is made of transparent material with a ripple face, has a plurality of concave surfaces forming said light blocking channels respectively and a plurality of convex surfaces forming said light transmitting channels respectively, wherein said convex surfaces are adapted for highlighting said corresponding image channels while said concave surfaces are adapted for attenuating said corresponding image channels so as to selectively display one of said images and hide another said image.

30. The method, as recited in claim 26, wherein said light filter, which is made of transparent material with a ripple face, has a plurality of concave surfaces forming said light blocking channels respectively and a plurality of convex surfaces forming said light transmitting channels respectively, wherein said convex surfaces are adapted for highlighting said corresponding image channels while said concave surfaces are adapted for attenuating said corresponding image channels so as to selectively display one of said images and hide another said image.

31. The method, as recited in claim 28, wherein said light filter, which is made of transparent material with a ripple face, has a plurality of concave surfaces forming said light blocking channels respectively and a plurality of convex surfaces forming said light transmitting channels respectively, wherein said convex surfaces are adapted for highlighting said corresponding image channels while said concave surfaces are adapted for attenuating said corresponding image channels so as to selectively display one of said images and hide another said image.