Abstract: A rotating turbulent display device is disclosed as comprising a transparent display cell having an outer surface and an inner chamber which may be filled with various substances and structures including liquid, granular particles or a rigid member adapted to displace the substances within the inner chamber of the display cell. The device is mounted within a base unit having a complementary aperture for receiving the outer surface of the display and a motor therein which operates to rotate the display cell at a predetermined rotational speed and direction to simulate the passage of time thereby creating a visible flow pattern within the inner chamber of the display cell.

Abstract: A digital cartoon or animation creation process, alternately describable as digital rotoscoping. Images are obtained in digital format by set-up steps (32, 44), image capture steps (34-36 and 46), and image storage (38, 48). The rotoscoping process (10) includes an image to line art rendering sub-process (14) which optionally may be followed by a specialized line art rendering sub-process (16) or a coloring sub-process (18). The line art rendering sub-process (14) includes a series of filters, particularly including a high-pass filter (68) using a gaussian blur convolution matrix. The specialized rendering sub-process (16) has particular use for carrying image regions having particularized detail through into final images in a manner that such detail is not lost, and the coloring sub-process (18) permits creation of colorized final images.

Abstract: A decorative lighting display composed of ornaments, each having a form resembling a snowflake and illuminated by a light or lights. The illumination of the ornaments is sequenced by an electronic controller to create the illusion of falling snow when the display is mounted on a house, tree or other surface. The ornaments may be connected electrically by multi-conductor connectors which are wired in a configuration that maintains the proper sequence of ornament illumination as additional ornaments are added to the display. The controller has features that allow for adjustment of the sequencing rate and direction.

Abstract: A system, container, and a label for monitoring the use of a container. The label is ideally inserted into the wall of the container. The label preferably includes an indicating ink that incrementally changes color or changes shade when certain external energy sources are applied. The labeled container can be used in a system of monitoring, characterizing, and recording information and traits regarding containers wherein the incremental changes in the indicating ink are measured. The information, such as counting cycles of container use, is preferably machine-readable, as well as human-readable.

Abstract: A sign board for displaying an image so that the image can be viewed from various viewing angles without appearing distorted is disclosed. The sign board includes a first layer of material having light transmitting portions and light blocking portions arranged over a second layer of material bearing multiple distorted copies of the image. The copies are distorted by being compressed near their edges. The first layer is arranged over the second layer so that the image is visible to a viewer through the light transmitting portions substantially idependently of the angle at which the sign board is viewed.

Abstract: A color display device in which a plurality of units are arranged in a matrix, each unit having collectively disposed three light emission diodes of three colors, for example, red, yellowish green, and blue, and in which emission intensity and a luminous color of each light emission diode can be controlled by supplying each light emission diode with a time series electric pulse while varying its intensity and width. In the device according to the present invention, the electrodes are provided collectively on one side of the flexible insulator substrate and multilayer wiring is formed by evaporation or plating on the substrate so that the device has an advantage which could not obtained in the conventional display devices in that the display portion thereof can be rolled.

Abstract: A three dimensional impression pin screen has two parallel axially aligned perforated spaced plates. Apertures of each plate have a plurality of pins passing through them which have a head on one end and a cap on the other. The heads and caps prevent the pins from passing out of the plates given any orientation of the pin screen. Magnetic strips or pressure strips equal in width to the spacing between the plates contact the shanks of rows or a row of pins between the plates. Strips magnetized on both sides are used to contact the shanks of pins of two adjacent rows. Each magnetic strip is longer than the pin filled apertures of adjacent rows. Each pressure strip contacts a single row of pins. The strips are of a thickness less than the spacing between the shanks of pins in adjacent rows which have the same aperture spacing. Pins are held in displaced positions by attraction to the magnetic strips or by resistance against the pressure strips.

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.

Abstract: An ornamental liquid container for creating dynamic views is provided. The container mainly includes a hollow housing divided into top, middle and bottom chambers and a base connected to and separated from the bottom chamber by an elastic and soft diaphragm. The top and the bottom chambers communicate with each other via a hollow tube extended through the middle chamber, so that colored water can be stored in the bottom chamber and move into the top chamber via the hollow tube and clear oil can be stored in the middle chamber and the hollow tube above the colored water. A cam is mounted in the base and rotated by a driving unit to intermittently pat the diaphragm above it, causing the diaphragm to locally project into the bottom chamber and compress the colored water therein to move into the top chamber via the hollow tube and then drips down into the middle chamber to move along a water dispensing member and produce dynamic views in the hollow housing.

Abstract: A dual message advertising display system having a variable electronic display and a fixed printed display formed on a shared display screen. The display screen includes fixed information printed thereon, such as an advertisement, logo, or other message. The display screen further includes a plurality of apertures formed there through to provide visual access to an electronic display positioned behind the display screen. The apertures are formed a predetermined spacing apart from each other so that the fixed information printed on the display screen remains easily perceivable and non-distorted to an onlooker. The predetermined spacing of the apertures is also selected to cause the message appearing on the electronic display to obscure the fixed printed information on the display by causing the onlooker to focus upon the electronic display message when activated.

Abstract: A container has a label or decoration in the container and unattached to any interior surface. The label or decoration is in the form of a monolayer film or a laminate film with the decoration and other materials under a coating or within the laminate layers. A preferred mode is for the container to be a pump container having a constricted opening. The film will be of an elliptical to a rectangular shape. If rectangular the film will have rounded lower edges or a parabolic lower portion for ease of insertion into container openings. The container preferably will have grooves, projections or other techniques for stabilizing the film in the container. Monolayer films will have the decoration printed onto the surface and will have a protective coating over this surface. Laminate films can be of the same or dissimilar films with the printed surface between the laminate films. The useful adhesives for the films are those that are not affected by the product in the container.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing greeting card having a light transmitting carrier with a scene printed on both sides of the front cover thereof inserted and adhered between two substantially equal sized folded over sections with substantially equal sized cutouts therethrough. The scenes are identical with one being the reverse of the other so that when viewing through the cutouts and the light transmitting carrier from either side thereof toward a light source one bright common scene is viewed with one side having a reverse scene from the other side. The greeting card has a solid back either with printed indica thereon or left blank for the user to inscribe thereon.

Abstract: A versatile three-dimensional billboard capable of remote control operation, animation, and color accentuation. The billboard includes a board defining a plurality of holes arranged in a matrix. A plurality of rods are slidably mounted in the holes. At least one actuator is operatively coupled to the rods, the actuator being capable of moving each of the rods independently of the other rods. A controller is coupled to the actuator, the controller being operable to move the rods to desired positions such that outer ends of said rods define a three-dimensional display. This billboard has a broad range of uses, for example from a corner grocery store display to a giant advertising billboard at a major downtown location such as Times Square in New York City.

Abstract: A simulated soup bowl entertainment attraction, comprising: a bowl-shaped member having a top bounded by a top rim, a bottom permitting light transmission therethrough, and sidewalls connecting the top rim with the bottom; a fog generator producing a fog layer at the top of the bowl-shaped member; and an imaging device producing an image within the bowl-shaped member, the image viewable from a viewing position looking down into the top of the bowl-shaped member. Preferably, the bowl shaped entertainment attraction includes an image controlling apparatus coupled to the imaging device for changing the image viewable from the viewing position. Optionally, apparatus producing sound within the bowl-shaped member may be provided. The bowl shaped entertainment attraction may include a sound controlling apparatus coupled to a sound system for selectively changing the sound heard from within the bowl-shaped member.

Abstract: A shadow box type transparency display device that has a reflective surface and at least one transparency panel having a visual image thereon spaced from and in superimposed relationship with at least a portion of the reflective surface such that the visual image is visible in the reflective surface thereby creating a unique view that includes the visual image and the reflected visual image.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a light source, an image carrier and an effervescence generator that includes a liquid-containing unit and propagation unit for gas and for liquid contained in the liquid-containing unit. The effervescence generator and the light source are arranged at a first side of the image carrier, and light is projected through at least a part of the effervescence generator and through the image carrier in order to obtain a combined image at the second side situated opposite the first side of the image carrier. The liquid is purified water to which a surface tension-reducing agent has been added.

Abstract: An image bearing composite optical material is formed as a laminated flexible sheet having an image bearing photographic quality film layer variously bonded between outer and inner translucent layers of paper, fabric, or synthetic materials. The composite optical material provides two sharply distinct appearances dependent upon being viewed under backlit or ambient illumination conditions. Full-colored and precisely detailed images are produced under backlighted conditions; a plain appearance is produced otherwise. Improved embodiments include a nonbilateral structure wherein a middle image bearing film layer is bonded over its entire adjacent surface with an outer translucent layer, and is bonded at widely separated points or along thin lines with an inner translucent layer to produce an air gap there between. The air gap embodiment negates image transmission under nonbacklit viewing conditions.

Abstract: A container has a label or decoration in the container and unattached to any interior surface. The label or decoration is in the form of a monolayer film or a laminate film with the decoration and other materials under a coating or within the laminate layers. A preferred mode is for the container to be a pump container having a constricted opening. The film will be of an elliptical to a rectangular shape. If rectangular the film will have rounded lower edges or a parabolic lower portion for ease of insertion into container openings. The container preferably will have grooves, projections or other techniques for stabilizing the film in the container. Monolayer films will have the decoration printed onto the surface and will have a protective coating over this surface. Laminate films can be of the same or dissimilar films with the printed surface between the laminate films. The useful adhesives for the films are those that are not affected by the product in the container.

Abstract: A display and viewing unit, for use with a printed insert card bearing at least one pair of interlaced images and having a reference edge, comprises a base bearing flexible fingers and a cover member having at least one transparent lenticulated section, a seating area for receiving the printed insert card, and an abutment against which the reference edge of the card can be placed. The base and the cover member pivot relative to one another between an open position and a closed position in which the flexible fingers lie adjacent the seating area, and in which the base and the cover member snap fit together to keep them in this closed position. Also, in this closed position, a slot is left between the base and the cover member so that the card can be inserted between them and viewed through the lenticulated section. The display permits cards to be readily inserted and removed.

Abstract: A digital cartoon or animation creation process, alternately describable as digital rotoscoping. Images are obtained in digital format by set-up steps (32, 44), image capture steps (34-36 and 46), and image storage (38, 48). The rotoscoping process (10) includes an image to line art rendering sub-process (14) which optionally may be followed by a specialized line art rendering sub-process (16) or a coloring sub-process (18). The line art rendering sub-process (14) includes a series of filters, particularly including a high-pass filter (68) using a gaussian blur convolution matrix. The specialized rendering sub-process (16) has particular use for carrying image regions having particularized detail through into final images in a manner that such detail is not lost, and the coloring sub-process (18) permits creation of colorized final images.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for producing an illusory effect. The assembly comprises a substantially transparent front wall having a rear surface and a front surface. A reflective surface is spaced from and faces the rear surface of the front wall. A plurality of first dots are disposed on the front wall in a sufficiently constant density over a given area to produce a substantially constant tinted appearance to the front wall when observed through the front surface. A plurality of second dots are disposed on the first dots and face the reflective surface, the second dots being smaller than the first dots. An image is defined by the second dots wherein the image is substantially invisible to an observer looking through the front surface other than as a reflected image in the reflective surface.

Abstract: A container has a label or decoration in the container and unattached to any interior surface. The label or decoration is in the form of a monolayer film or a laminate film with the decoration and other materials under a coating or within the laminate layers. A preferred mode is for the container to be a pump container having a constricted opening. The film will be of an elliptical to a rectangular shape. If rectangular the film will have rounded lower edges or a parabolic lower portion for ease of insertion into container openings. The container preferably will have grooves, projections or other techniques for stabilizing the film in the container. Monolayer films will have the decoration printed onto the surface and will have a protective coating over this surface. Laminate films can be of the same or dissimilar films with the printed surface between the laminate films. The useful adhesives for the films are those that are not affected by the product in the container.

Abstract: An image, eg of an advertising or promotional nature, is depicted in an inverse perspective form on a playing field (10) for a sporting event. The playing field is imaged by means of a video camera (12) whose line of sight (14) corresponds to the line of sight used in transforming the image to its inverse perspective form, and the output of the camera then broadcast or diffused in a television broadcasting or diffusion service.

Abstract: A board usually resembling a PCB or a PWB mounts a display element, whose appearance in a viewing direction is controlled by the sense of magnetization of a core which extends through a bore in the board. A conducting coil formed on the surface of said board is located so that current in said coil will magnetize the core.

Abstract: A baseball cap having distorted graphics applied to the upwardly facing surface of the cap's visor, wherein the graphics are distorted in such a manner as to compensate for perspective and become more easily readable when viewed from a particular viewing position, more particularly, a frontal viewing position. The graphics may be text or pictorial views, and are distorted in such a manner that the distortion compensates for the distortion that normally exists when the visor is viewed from the frontal position whereby the graphics are easier to read or understand when so viewed.

Abstract: An improvement is added to the existing concept of using a mirrored surface to reflect a half symmetrical image which is printed on an adjoining card. The improvement is adding a perspective drawing of a related vertical object on the mirrored surface. The vertical object is positioned to interact in a coherent manner with the reflection of the half symmetrical image. The interaction between the images provides an enhanced 3-D phenomena. Additionally objects such as a ball seem to float out of the 3-D image. One embodiment further adds a movable tab which allows modifying the overall image. The invention can be used for greeting cards, books, baseball hat peaks, and assorted novelty items.

Abstract: A display device with a light source and an effervescent effect generator. The effervescent effect generator has a housing with a light transmissive portion that is filled with a liquid and a gas and is sealed closed. A pump and hose form bubbles of the gas that is sealed in the housing in the liquid in the housing so that the liquid appears to be effervescent when viewed at the light transmissive portion.

Abstract: A board usually resembling a PCB or a PWB mounts a display element, whose appearance in a viewing direction is controlled by the sense of magnetization of a core which extends through a bore in the board. A conducting coil formed on the surface of said board is located so that current in said coil will magnetize the core.

Abstract: A border for a substantially two-dimensional image comprises an anterior pattern and a posterior pattern, the patterns being space one from the other and being arranged to form, when viewed together, a resultant apparent pattern in a different plane to that of the image. The patterns each comprise relatively brighter and relatively darker regions, but each usually has a different pitch. The posterior pattern may advantageously comprise an array of reflective dots printed onto a major surface of a light transmissive sheet which may be edge lit by a light source. The border brightness can then be independent of ambient light conditions and simple to manufacture.

Abstract: The merchandising device includes an elongate track that defines a pathway extending therealong to support a row of articles, an arrangement for feeding the articles toward the front end of the track as leading articles in the row are successively removed one by one from the pathway, a stopper provided at the front end of the track, an attraction device for performing an attention-attracting activity, and a sensor for detecting movement of the articles in the row. The articles when supported by the track are movable along the pathway and are removable therefrom via the front end of the pathway. The stopper engages the leading articles so that all the articles in the row are prevented from being accidentally removed via the front end of the track. Due to the stopper, the leading articles are stopped and presented for removal from the pathway when arriving at the front end of the track.

Abstract: This optical illusion device is of the type which has a sculpted or relief image-forming surface resembling in shape a negative of the object whose image is to appear when the image-forming surface is viewed. The device is improved to yield a more attractive image by providing altered shading to the negative image-forming surface. The contour of the image forming surface is exposed or unframed to provide a free standing contour. The relief of the image-forming surface is altered to control shadowing when illuminated from a predetermined illumination angle. The substrate on which the image-forming surface is provided is similarly sculpted in detail on an opposite side to provide both a visually appealing sculpture as well as a good image providing surface on the negative, and the substrate is mounted for viewing from either side.

Abstract: A three-dimension shadow box. It has a frontwardly lying sheet of transparent glass and a rearwardly lying mirror placed in a generally parallel orientation in a box structure. Graphic indicia is positioned on the frontwardly lying glass, and the graphic indicia has a first layer, having a first color and pattern, viewable only from the front, and a second layer, having a second color and pattern, viewable as the reflection off of the mirror. Two-dimensional visual indicia is placed adjacent to the mirror. The graphic indicia is viewable from the front of the frontwardly lying sheet of glass and a reflection of a rear side of the graphic indicia reflects off of the rearwardly lying mirror so as to appear as lying behind the two-dimensional visual indicia, giving the two-dimensional visual indicia the appearance of floating in the box structure.

Abstract: A motor is secured in the interior of an enclosed housing. The motor shaft extends outside of the housing. A turntable is connected to the motor shaft on the outside of the housing. The turntable is located in a recess in the housing. An illusionary disk is held on the turntable. A potentiometer controls the speed of the motor and thus the speed of the turntable to produce different optical illusions from the illusionary disk. A light is located in the housing near the turntable. The light flashes through openings in the illusionary disk to produce additional optical illusions as the illusionary disk rotates.

Abstract: A frame that includes a depth image lenticular photograph as the frame surrounding a planar print or object of interest to the viewer. The frame can be a reflection print or a backlit transparency of a real object or a graphical creation.

Abstract: Image displays are provided with mechanical and optical features that permit them to be easily configured for a variety of different display modes for a variety of aesthetic or commercial environments while having the capability of displaying multiple images in any of the available modes. The inventive displays are an alternative to and improvement over other methods such as standard picture frames (wood, plastic, metal), pins, buttons, badges, or cards (i.e., baseball cards, souvenirs, etc.).

Abstract: An expandable apparatus for displaying multiple panoramic scenes includes a multiplicity of plates and a plurality of folded segments disposed between and attached to opposite lateral end portions of the plates. The plates includes a front plate containing a viewing aperture, a rear plate containing a background scene thereon, and a plurality of intermediate plates disposed consecutively between the front and rear plates. The intermediate plates contain a variety of scenes thereon being complementary to the background scene on the rear plate. The intermediate plates have respective cutouts therein for permitting observing through the viewing aperture the scenes on the rear plate and consecutive ones of the intermediate plates closer to the rear plate than to the front plate.

Abstract: The device according to the present invention allows the timed lighting in following phases of the structure and of the signals provided on two kinds of emergency triangles, a first one (2) provided on the vehicle, and a second one (3) that may be seen at distance, when the vehicle is forced to stop due to a damage.

Abstract: A coin concealment and back screen are disposed upright on a coin-receiving case. Two mirrors are provided on the coin concealment, and camouflaging members and an oscillating coin chute are provided on the coin concealment. Since the mirrors reflect the surface of the back screen, so an illusion that the coin concealment done exist and only the camouflaging members and the back screen stand there. As a result, when a coin is put in to the coin concealment via the coin chute, the coin is hidden behind the coin concealment, so an illusion that the coin is missing will be given. Also, as the coin moves, the coin chute oscillates reciprocally. Namely, the motion of the coin chute adds to the illusion of coin missing to enhance the fun to see.

Abstract: An art forming mat having at least one interior space to receive a picture or art object and with a border around and defining the interior space including at least one additional interior space formed in the border and each interior space surrounded by parallel embossed interspersed strips between and adjacent the spaced strips.

Abstract: A talking contribution box for receipt of charitable contributions having a visual display of the cause for contribution. The apparatus includes a pedestal with a annular volume for housing a programmable voice driver and a transparent hollow enclosure coupled to the pedestal defining an interior for location of the visual display and further acting as a contribution receiving chamber. Placement of money through a slot provided in the enclosure operates the programmable voice or video driver for acknowledging receipt thereof.

Abstract: A natural daylight window simulation unit includes a thin supporting structure, a sheet of transparent material with imprinted indicia thereon representing a view, supported in this structure, and a thin, natural-like daylight backlighting system provided in supporting structure for supplying evenly diffused backlighting to the sheet of transparent material, to create in combination with the imprinted transparency a simulation unit supplying natural daylight especially to a windowless interior. The simulated daylight window units can be made in the form of a window or a skylight or a door with window panels.

Abstract: A pseudo-luminous panel has a substrate and a thin film optical color filter formed all over the main surface of the substrate with or without a reflecting film interposed therebetween. The main surface of the substrate is formed by obliquely downward and upward band-like surface portions alternately arranged side by side in a vertical direction. Obliquely downward band-like surface portions of the reflecting film, formed on the obliquely downward band-like surface portions of the substrate, or the obliquely downward band-like surface portions of the substrate are each a smooth reflecting surface. Obliquely upward band-like surface portions of the reflecting film, formed on the obliquely upward band-like surface portions of the substrate, or the obliquely upward band-like surface portions of the substrate are each an irregular or uneven reflecting surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are several embodiments (10, 30, 40, 50, 60) of an award assembly having a colorized and reflective appearance. The award assemblies include a base (11, 36, 84, 62) having a reflective surface (18, 87, 72). The award assemblies have three-dimensional uprights or prisms (10, 31, 32, 33, 40, 50, 88, 61) which are made of transparent acrylic. A solvent (25) such as methylene chloride fuses the prism to the base. Also disclosed is a method for making award assemblies.

Abstract: A pseudo-luminous panel has a substrate and a thin film optical color filter formed all over the main surface of the substrate with or without a reflecting film interposed therebetween. The main surface of the substrate is formed by obliquely downward and upward band-like surface portions alternately arranged side by side in a vertical direction. Obliquely downward band-like surface portions of the reflecting film, formed on the obliquely downward band-like surface portions of the substrate, or the obliquely downward band-like surface portions of the substrate are each a smooth reflecting surface. Obliquely upward band-like surface portions of the reflecting film, formed on the obliquely upward band-like surface portions of the substrate, or the obliquely upward band-like surface portions of the substrate are each an irregular or uneven reflecting surface.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprises a housing, a first ejection mechanism in the housing for ejecting a first entertainment device from the housing, a second ejection mechanism in the housing for ejecting a second entertainment device from the housing, and a control unit operatively connected to the first ejection mechanism and the second ejection mechanism for sequencing the operation of the first ejection mechanism and the second ejection mechanism. Upon lapse of a predetermined interval after ejection of the first entertainment device such as confetti or streamers from the housing, a second entertainment device such as sparklers or fireworks spinners is automatically ejected from the housing. Predetermined sound effects such as music may be generated in a predetermined synchrony with the ejection of the entertainment devices.

Abstract: A decorative glass body for viewing objects that are disposed on the base surface of the decorative glass body but seem to be floating inside the glass.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an illuminated fiber ornament which can be interconnected to like ornaments to form a multitude of shapes. The ornament has stiffened optic fibers which provides rigidity not found in the prior art while retaining flexibility and resilience. The ornament can be made in specific, permanent shapes, such as a child's toy stuffed teddy bear. The ornament can also be provided as modular units which can be assembled and modified to provide personalized designs. The light transmission and light dispersion patterns of the ornament may be varied by the inclusion of light altering material in the ornament and by deforming the ends of the optic fibers. Preferred materials include synthetic polymers for a central solid member, and polystyrene filament for optic fibers. The preferred stiffener for the optic fibers is acrylic coating.

Abstract: Trading cards are made interactive with the user by concealing under a coating the secondary indicia portion of an image comprising both primary and secondary indicia, and selectively altering the coating to reveal the secondary indicia in the presence of the primary indicia to complete the image. A thermochromic coating material responsive to temperature change from ambient temperature, as by rubbing the coating with the fingers, enables the local exposure of the secondary indicia.

Abstract: A portable window view decoration assembly for the enhanced perspective representation of decorative scene including a window frame having an enclosed housing attached to its backside. The housing has several angled panels on which are decorative scenes. The scenes are enhanced by their being displayed on the angled panels, and because a window sash is arranged in the window frame in front of the scene, adding to the depth , reality and sense of perspective of that scene.

Abstract: A panel which comprises a substrate of transparent or translucent material having applied to one or both sides a design superimposed on, or forming part of, an opaque pattern so that the design on one side of the panel cannot be seen from the other side. This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of a Reexamination Certificate No. B1 4,673,609, dated Jul. 25, 1995, Request No. 90/003,201, Sep. 21, 1993.