Abstract: An image forming medium changing device includes a changing unit configured to change a characteristic of an image forming medium on which projected light is focused, wherein the projected light is refocused on an aerial space image forming section by a light guide optical system. A spatial projection apparatus including the image forming medium changing device includes multiple image forming media having different characteristics, and the changing unit is configured to be driven to dispose one image forming medium selected from the multiple image forming media on an image forming effective area interposed between a light source of the projected light and the light guide optical system.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional object may contain tunnels passing through the object so that when the object rotates, if the object is viewed from a certain angle, the tunnel is only visible for the moment that the tunnel is pointed directly at the viewer's eye. This system of tunnels can be used to create an animated system of dots when the shape rotates, and the dots can be positioned so that they create the animated illusion of dots moving along the surface of the shape in the opposite of the true direction of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for providing an animated image for a viewer, which apparatus comprises: (i) a device (4, 6, 10, 12) for providing the animated image; and (ii) securing means (14) for securing the apparatus (2) to a part (16) of a structure (18) such that the apparatus (2) is fixed with respect to the structure (18), and such that the device (4, 6, 10, 12) is operable by the viewer in order for the viewer to see the animated image.

Abstract: A method for face modeling and related products are provided. The method includes the following. Multiple first images of a face of an object at multiple different angles are obtained when the face rotates, where each first image is obtained at a different angle. Face detection is performed on any first image of the multiple first images, and the any first image is divided into a first face region and a first background region. Multiple depth images corresponding to the multiple first images are obtained and each of the multiple depth images is segmented according to the first face region and the first background region to obtain multiple face region images. Three-dimensional (3D) face modeling is performed according to the multiple face region images to obtain a 3D face image.

Abstract: A non-limiting example game system comprises a processor incorporated in a main body apparatus, and the processor displays, in a battle scene, a battle screen including a player character, an enemy character and a board face object on a display. The board face object having a circular board face that is formed with multiple partial objects that are sectioned by multiple concentric circles and multiple lines extended radially. A player makes the multiple partial objects move in a circumferential direction or a radial direction so as to change arrangement of multiple enemy characters placed on the multiple partial objects, thereby causing the player character to perform an attack.

Abstract: A system encourages experimentation with audio frequency and speaker technologies while causing an inanimate object to appear to lip-sync. The system applies a bandpass filter to an incoming audio stream to determine a magnitude of audio content in a frequency band of interest. For example, the system may filter results directed at the voice band, associated with speech. A controller controls a strobe light to flash at a particular point of travel of a platform reciprocating at a known frequency. An illusion is created that a sculpture, such as a piece of paper formed into a ring, is lip-synching to music.

Abstract: An animation device for producing the perception of animation within a slotted cylinder. The animation device has a rotatable platform, and a slotted cylinder with wall segments at least partially separated by longitudinal slots retained to rotate concentrically with the platform. Images, such as two-dimensional or three-dimensional figures, are retained to rotate with the platform along a circumference substantially concentric with but greater than the circumference of the slotted cylinder whereby the slotted cylinder is disposed radially inward of the images. The images, which can be sequential, could be retained by elongate support members, by an image cylinder, or by any other support. When the platform is rotated, an observer looking through the slots in the slotted cylinder can perceive an animation of the plurality of images within the slotted cylinder. Multiple, separate pluralities of images can be retained, potentially along different circumferences, to produce distinct animations.

Abstract: A driven wheel with a rotational axis comprises an annular rim member 13 with an annular inner surface 12 supporting a series of progressively changing representations 17A and with a series of apertures 15 through which the representations can be seen from outside the rim. The driven wheel includes drive means 20 to impart horizontal force to the wheel axis, in use, said wheel can be placed on a surface and said drive means causing the wheel to rotate about its axis as the wheel moves over the surface, the representations providing an animated image when in motion. The wheel takes to form of a zoetrope. The driven wheel may be part of a push along toy (FIG. 1) or a child's tricycle (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A toy image projector includes a housing including a peripheral wall, an accommodation chamber surrounded by the peripheral wall and a transparent view window at the peripheral wall, a rotating body accommodated in the accommodation chamber and including a peripheral wall, multiple sets of patterned holes formed in the peripheral wall and a space surrounded by the peripheral wall, a driving mechanism operable to rotate the rotating body relative to the housing, and a light-emitting device accommodated in the space within the rotating body and adapted to emit light through one set of patterned holes and the transparent view window to the outside. Thus, by means of rotating the rotating body, different image patterns can be projected to the outside of the toy image projector, increasing consumer interest in playing the toy image projector.

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: A zoetrope configured for user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support that pivotally supports a holographic disc or other projection element containing a plurality of images. A positioning mechanism rotates the holographic disc at a predetermined speed or positions the projection element in numerous positions. The disc or projection element is illuminated by an illumination source in such a manner as to selectively make the images contained therein be projected in a sequence that provides a projected object that may be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. The zoetrope may read out holographic images in response to a user's voice input to project a 3D object that appears to be speaking the words or song input by the user such as by illuminating the disc once per revolution in a particular angular orientation associated with a desired one of the holographic images.

Abstract: A zoetrope configured for user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support that pivotally supports a holographic disc or other projection element containing a plurality of images. A positioning mechanism rotates the holographic disc at a predetermined speed or positions the projection element in numerous positions. The disc or projection element is illuminated by an illumination source in such a manner as to selectively make the images contained therein be projected in a sequence that provides a projected object that may be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. The zoetrope may read out holographic images in response to a user's voice input to project a 3D object that appears to be speaking the words or song input by the user such as by illuminating the disc once per revolution in a particular angular orientation associated with a desired one of the holographic images.

Abstract: A 3D zoetrope that allows for storytelling and user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support such as a disk that supports a plurality of objects. In one embodiment, the object support mechanism rotates the plurality of objects at a predetermined speed. The objects are illuminated and obscured by an illumination source in such manner as to make the objects appear to be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. For example, the zoetrope may include an input interface for receiving external signals that may affect the operation of the animation sequence. The external signals may include audio, video, digital, or analog signals.

Abstract: A zoetrope configured for user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support that pivotally supports a holographic disc or other projection element containing a plurality of images. A positioning mechanism rotates the holographic disc at a predetermined speed or positions the projection element in numerous positions. The disc or projection element is illuminated by an illumination source in such a manner as to selectively make the images contained therein be projected in a sequence that provides a projected object that may be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. The zoetrope may read out holographic images in response to a user's voice input to project a 3D object that appears to be speaking the words or song input by the user such as by illuminating the disc once per revolution in a particular angular orientation associated with a desired one of the holographic images.

Abstract: A 3D zoetrope that allows for storytelling and user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support such as a disk that supports a plurality of objects. In one embodiment, the object support mechanism rotates the plurality of objects at a predetermined speed. The objects are illuminated and obscured by an illumination source in such manner as to make the objects appear to be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. For example, the zoetrope may include an input interface for receiving external signals that may affect the operation of the animation sequence. The external signals may include audio, video, digital, or analog signals.

Abstract: Animation apparatus and methods wherein two- or three-dimensional individual animation items are carried by a support movable incrementally through an endless path composed of a plurality of segments or sections of uniform length. The number of animation items may be the same as, or more or less than, the number of incremental segments of such path. The frequency of movement and the speed of such movement during each segment, and the dwell period between successive segments, are such as to produce animation of the items via the persistence of vision phenomenon.

Abstract: An entertainment device which may be used as a promotional vehicle for the sale of beverage products includes a bottle having a sidewall and a vertical axis and a support member rotatably coupled to the bottle for enabling a rotation of the bottle about the axis. A series of closely related fixed images is disposed in a circular array on the sidewall for presenting a user with an apparently moving image during a rotation of the bottle about the axis.

Abstract: An entertainment device which may be used as a promotional vehicle for the sale of beverage products includes a bottle having a sidewall and a vertical axis and a support member rotatably coupled to the bottle for enabling a rotation of the bottle about the axis. A series of closely related fixed images is disposed in a circular array on the sidewall for presenting a user with an apparently moving image during a rotation of the bottle about the axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying motion pictures. In one embodiment, a cylindrical body with vertical facets ringed by a series of motion-picture images within or around the cylinder (that independently turn within or around the cylinder). When the images spin within or around the substantially fixed cylinder, to the viewer looking through the cylinder's faceted field, the background images pass (or “flip”) through two or more of the cylinder's facets, producing a “shutter-like” effect, such that each image is replaced by an adjacent one of the series of motion-picture images (to produce an animated effect).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying motion pictures. In one embodiment, a cylindrical body with vertical facets and then a motion picture image affixed to each facet (creating a series). In this embodiment, the images are substantially flat against a glossy background, and there is a reflected light source cast upon them. When the cylindrical body is rotated about its longitudinal axis, to the viewer, a reflection of the images “hovers” just above the underlying images, and the spinning (or “flipping”) of the facets produces a “shutter-like” effect, such that each reflected image is replaced by an adjacent one of the series of motion-picture images (to produce a magical animated effect).

Abstract: A collapsible zoetrope having a base and a side wall. The zoetrope is held erect by hinged junctures and mutually engageable tabs and slots between the base and the side wall.

Abstract: A gyroscopic, arcuate and multi-positional reflector and Cinematograph, or cinematographic reflector, is disclosed which in hand-held embodiments reflects an image or motion-like illustration or image along an arcuate viewing field by virtue of a repeating sequence where an acute angle and dihedral relationship of opposing reflective and viewable image surfaces provides a perceptible image at diverse sight lines and tiltable positionings of the invention. And in mechanized, stationary, multi-panel embodiments, utilizes the same repeating sequence and critical reflective angle between image and reflective surfacing to provide an event viewing area along one or more perceptible sight lines of a viewer or user.

Abstract: A method of combining a series of inanimate three dimensional objects(2), a rotational surface (4), and a strobe light(8) in order to achieve the illusion of animation. In the present invention a plurality of objects(2) are demountably fixed, in cyclical order, to a rotational surface(4), each within its own staging area(6). Each successive object(2) is subtly different in shape, size, color or pose to that of the prior object(2) in the sequence. A strobe light(8) is disposed facing the objects(2) as they revolve on the rotational surface(4). The strobe light(8) pulses with consistent periodicity so as to act like a visual shutter. This causes a pulsing illumination of the objects(2) as they cycle on the rotational surface(4). To achieve the optimum effect of animation, the rate of pulse should be one flash of light per object(2) as it traverses through each stationary staging area(6). Due to the persistence of vision, the illusory appearance of sustained movement is achieved.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for displaying motion pictures. In one embodiment, a substantially transparent and faceted cylindrical body includes a series of motion picture images imprinted on each one of the facets of the cylindrical body. When the cylindrical body is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body, the images on the opposite side of the cylindrical body to a viewer are observed through the interior of the cylindrical body through the facets of the cylindrical body near the viewer. When the cylindrical body is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the facets of the cylindrical body wipe across in front of the images behind the facets on the opposite side of the cylindrical body such that each image is dissolved into a neighboring or an adjacent one of the series of motion picture images to produce an animated effect.

Abstract: A device for displaying an animated motion picture in which an elongated web of material is provided for receiving images in predetermined, spaced relation. The web may be supported in wound configuration on a reel, and the predetermined, spaced relation of the images is such that the images line up substantially behind one another when the web is wound on the reel. The web has a trailing end disposed at the radially inward end of the winding and a leading end which is disposed at the radially outward end of the winding. The reel is supportable in a generally horizontal orientation to allow unwinding of the web from the reel in a controlled, downward spiral under the influence of gravity, upon release of the leading end of the web, to display the images in rapid succession to present an animated motion picture to a viewer.

Abstract: A photographic method and apparatus for producing a motion picture including moving a film unit in one direction and the optics system along an arcuate path generally laterally thereto so as to produce a plurality of images on the film unit. The camera utilizes means for intermittently moving the film unit, such as a film card, in a first direction with the image produced in sequence in a plurality of parallel, arcuate rows generally laterally of the first direction. Alternate rows of images are produced along a first lateral direction while intervening rows thereof are produced along a second lateral direction opposite to the first one.

Abstract: An improved motion picture apparatus for use with a card-like film unit and being of the type including a rotatable barrel cam for reciprocally driving the optical output end of a pivoting periscope boom, forming part of a scanning optical system, stepwise along a given locus over a row of sequential image positions at the film plane wherein the improvement comprises structure for axially displacing the barrel cam to adjust the location of the given locus so that at each of the steps the output end is in registration with a corresponding one of the image positions.