Alternative Scenes Provided By Reflection From And Transmission Through Transparent Mirror Patents (Class 472/58)
  • Patent number: 7670230
    Abstract: A balance training apparatus includes a base and a driving device is connected to the base so as to drive a seat portion in different axes. The driving device has a power source, a swing portion, an active portion driven by the power source and a passive portion which is driven by the active portion. The active portion has a first axle which is driven by the power source of the driving device and cooperated with two eccentric wheels. The passive portion has a second axle which includes a straight section and two crank portions are connected to two ends of the straight section. The two distal ends of the two crank portions are rotatably engaged with the first and second blocks on the base. The active and passive portions drive the seat portion to simulate a horse-riding motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Pet Chent Hsu
  • Patent number: 7463415
    Abstract: A system (and its methods of use) for collecting and displaying images so as to create a visual effect and, more particularly but not by way of limitation, a three-dimensional visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Eugene Lee Shafer
  • Publication number: 20080146356
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in connection with a theatrical stage presentation for rendering an actor or object located on the stage visible or invisible at will. The apparatus used to create the illusion includes a strategically located, selectively transparent screen and a large, generally vertically extending mirror. In carrying out the method of the invention, the mirror is controllably moved across the stage at a location intermediate a rear wall and the selectively transparent screen from a first position out of sight of the audience to a second position wherein the mirror is disposed between the rear wall and the selectively transparent screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: John Gaughan
  • Patent number: 7222977
    Abstract: A combination mirror and amusement system for entertaining and amusing a child in a vehicle. A mirror assembly attachable to a vehicle seat includes a mirror and a frame surrounding the mirror. The frame has at least one ornamented portion and at least one appearing character portion. The appearing character portion in turn includes a sheet of plastic film having a visible front side and a reverse side. The sheet of plastic film has the characteristic of a “one-way” mirror which appears as a mirrored surface on the front side in the absence of illumination from the reverse side. A character image is printed on the reverse side A lamp behind the reverse side renders the character image visible from said front side when illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Blue Ridge International Products Company
    Inventor: Sandra M. Darling
  • Patent number: 6964614
    Abstract: A riding device includes an intermediate base pivotally assembled on a bottom base and having the opposite ends respectively provided with a front and a rear vertical spindle. The front spindle has each end fixed with a crank, and the rear spindle has each end movably connected with a swing arm. The cranks and the swing arms have their upper ends respectively connected with four feet of a seat plate. A transmission unit fixed on the intermediate base includes a motor for driving a first, a second and a third gear to rotate. The third gear is secured on the front spindle. A pull rod has its upper end connected with the second gear by a universal bearing and its lower end connected with the bottom base. When the motor started, the seat plate can be actuated by interaction to swing back and forth, up and down and left and right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Tonic Fitness Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Chang Tsai
  • Patent number: 6948999
    Abstract: A “magic mirror” wand toy has a body having a mirror element that is partially transparent. An image illuminating apparatus is mounted rearward of the mirror element. An image transport apparatus has a plurality of images that can be positioned selectively and alternately in front of the illuminating apparatus. When an image is stationary, it is lit up and an audible message associated with the image may be played. The wand can be operated in sampling mode, in which each of the set of images is displayed in sequence, and in an individual selection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Thinking Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Chan
  • Patent number: 6865023
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a system (and its methods of use) for collecting and displaying images so as to create a visual effect and, more particularly but not by way of limitation, a three-dimensional visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Eugene Lee Shafer
  • Patent number: 6834968
    Abstract: A teleprompter configured to project an image to a viewer at a viewer location comprises a single-beam teleprompter projector, configured to project an image to a focal plane, and a directional screen, disposed at the focal plane. The directional screen is configured to direct the image to a focal point at the viewer location, and diffuse the image within a limited viewing region surrounding the focal point, such that the apparent brightness of the image to the viewer at the viewer location is increased, and the visibility of the image to persons other than the viewer is reduced. Because the device concentrates the light at the viewer, it can be made much larger than conventional video monitors typically used in speech-prompter settings, while still maintaining very high brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Justin Peatross, Michael Ware, Robert H. Todd
  • Patent number: 6341868
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming images visible to audiences includes a system for forming virtual images and creating visual effects in a stage setting. This system may include a stage and first and second flat panel video displays. The first flat panel video display is visible to the audience through a portal mirror. The second flat panel video display is not visible to the audience; however, images displayed thereon are reflected off of the portal mirror and outwardly to the audience. Finally, a performance area between the back display and the portal mirror is provided for a person or object whereby the audience may see the composite image of the images from the first and second flat panel video displays and the person or object in the performance area on-stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: The Potomac Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gregory B. Shriver
  • Patent number: 6135599
    Abstract: A projection ornament, which includes a lens having a first side that admits light and a second side that reflects light, a light permeable element, which can be a transparent film having a design printed on it or a transparent resin disk having a sculpture embedded in it, adhered to the first side of the lend, and a light source controlled to emit light through the light permeable element into the first side of the lens, enabling the image of the design or sculpture in the light permeable element to be seen through the second side of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Chen-Tai Fang
  • Patent number: 6076638
    Abstract: An elevator for moving passengers from a first, outside level to a second, inside level at a theme park, and for providing themed special effects during the journey is provided. The elevator includes an elevator car divided into a passenger compartment and a special effects equipment compartment. The passenger compartment appears to the unsuspecting passenger to be a conventional elevator. However, at least one partition in the passenger compartment is opaque when the passenger compartment is illuminated and becomes transparent to reveal illuminated special effects when the lighting in the passenger compartment is extinguished. Special effects equipment can include a pair of video projectors for creating a virtual image which appears to be located outside of the elevator car, along with audio speakers for generating appropriate sound to accompany a video sequence for creating an active visual and audio presentation which can be appropriately themed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurence D. Gertz
  • Patent number: 6053576
    Abstract: A bank of seats for use in an amusement type environment has at least two seats arranged in side-by-side orientation with all seats facing in the same direction. The bank of seats has a substantially planar platform and upstanding, forward support arms attached to the platform in spaced apart positions adjacent at the front edge of the platform. In addition, upstanding, rearward support arms are attached to the platform at spaced apart positions adjacent to the back edge of the platform to form respective pairs of forward and rearward support arms. Each of the seats is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis that is adjacent to the distal ends of a respective pair of forward and rearward support arms. All of the seats are pivoted in unison about their respective pivot axes so that each seat sways from side to side in substantially the same pivotal movement as all other of the seats. Independent mechanisms raise and lower the front and back edges of the planar platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Michael J Jessee
  • Patent number: 5865519
    Abstract: An article such as for example a motor vehicle at a publicity function is to be represented in front of different viewers (38) in the background of a stage (28) in the form of a virtual image (26). A presenter (40) is to stand in the image and give explanations. Disposed above the stage (28) is an image source (12, 14). It projects an image, a film, on to a reflecting surface (18) on the floor (30) of the stage (28). Behind that reflecting surface (18) a transparent smooth foil (20) extends at 45.degree. from the ceiling (32) to the floor (30). The image produced by the image source (12, 14) appears to the viewers (38) as a virtual image (26) behind the foil (20). The presenter (40) stands behind the foil (20) and in the middle of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Uwe Maass
  • Patent number: 5351966
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a game stage formed by a three-dimensional model and a plurality of image synthesizing scopes disposed radially toward the game stage.Each of the image synthesizing scopes is adapted to synthesize and display the scene of the game stage superimposed on a video scene. The video scene is formed as a panorama scene which is displayed superimposing over substantially the entire area of the game stage. Each of the image synthesizing scopes is adapted to scrollingly display the window scene to be viewed through the viewing window while being superimposed on the actually viewed scene of the game stage, within the extent of the panorama scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Namco Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Tohyama, Hiroshi Igarasi, Takumi Ohgane
  • Patent number: 5291297
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating an illusion in which a setting is superimposed around a real image rather a reflected image being superimposed into the middle of the setting as is traditionally the case. More particularly, rather than images being superimposed into a setting by using a beam splitter in the traditional manner, a real, not a reflected image, is used and the setting is superimposed around the real image. In the apparatus of the invention, there are no dead or hidden areas and set proportions are not dictated by the angle of a beam splitter. Additionally, viewing angles do not dictate audience position and, so long as the audience can see inside the setting, the illusion can be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Jim Steinmeyer
  • Patent number: 5228879
    Abstract: A hand held two-way mirror assembly 10 having one or more hidden images 26 mounted behind the back surface of a two-way mirror 20, one of which images can be seen when a light 36 behind the image is lit. The mirror assembly includes a frame 12, 14, 16, there being a cavity 30 behind the mirror 20, which cavity receives the lights 36 and a circuit board 48. A speaker 50 is mounted on the board. One or more digitized voices is stored in a memory chip 54 mounted on the board. Electronic switches 52 and 56 select a lamp 36 to be lit when a manually engageable switch is operated, and also cause one of the digitized voice tracks to be broadcast through the speaker, the particular voice track being associated with the illuminated image, the lights and voices preferably being selected in a predetermined manner to follow a script.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Wayne G. Fromm
  • Patent number: RE35556
    Abstract: A figure placed into a first unit and watched through a transparent door is made to disappear and simultaneously to reappear in a remote second unit from which it may be removed. The first unit, also referred to as the sending unit, comprises a housing which includes a multi-chamber turntable which can contain one or more figures. A door in the first unit includes a half silvered mirror and an additional chamber so that a figure in a turntable chamber can be made to seem to dissolve and disappear. A second multi-chamber unit, also referred to as a receiving unit, substantially identical to the first, is connected to the first unit by wires. Selected chambers of the second unit are filled with figures substantially identical to the figures to be sent by the first unit. Initially, a first figure is placed into the first unit. The transparent door closes and locks and the figure seems to dissolve by the transfer of lighting to the additional chamber in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Inventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Weinreich