IMAGE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to devices for producing three dimensional images particularly adapted for advertising methods.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Devices for generating three dimensional (3-D) images are well known in the art and already used in many applications.

In the field of Video games, theatrical films, and DVDs for instance, it is well known to use the anaglyph 3D process. Anaglyph images are used to provide a stereoscopic 3D effect, when viewed with 2 color glasses, each lens having a chromatically opposite color, usually red and cyan. Images are made up of two color layers, superimposed, but offset with respect to each other to produce a depth effect. Usually the main subject is in the center, while the foreground and background are shifted laterally in opposite directions. The picture contains two differently filtered colored images, one for each eye. When viewed through the "color coded" "anaglyph glasses", they reveal an integrated stereoscopic image. The visual cortex of the brain fuses this into perception of a three dimensional scene or composition.

Nevertheless, this kind of projection device is not adapted for advertising methods because it needs special glasses or lenses to view the 3D images.

Moreover, Holography allows generating a 3D image that can be viewed from any point of view. Holography is a technique that allows the light scattered from an object to be recorded and later reconstructed so that it appears as if the object is in the same position relative to the recording medium as it was when recorded. The image changes as the position and orientation of the viewing system changes in exactly the same way as if the object was still present, thus making the recorded image, called hologram, appear in a three dimensional. Holograms can also be made using other types of waves.

Hologram presents different drawbacks. Said hologram has a small brightness and involves a high cost. Consequently, holograms are not adapted for advertising methods. Projection devices are known in the art that project images so that they appear to float in the air and further, these images can be viewed with the naked eyes.

The two most common methods of producing floating objects have been by either reflecting an object from one or more curved mirrors (i.e., parabolic) or viewing an object property positioned behind one or more lenses. These methodologies are termed reflective or transmissive spatial object devices, respectively.

It is the case, notably, of US 5,257,130, US 5,311 ,357, US 4,671 ,625, US 5,782,547 and US 5,993,005.

Furthermore, US 6,055,100 discloses a free space imaging system utilizing a doublet form of optic. The doublet is configured with two large Fresnel lenses configured such that their echelon groove components are mutually oppositely disposed within the optical path of the system. The method includes an arrangement wherein the output focal plane is deliberately curved and generated with a relatively wide field of view to evoke an emulation of three-dimensionality.

US 6,809,891 describes an image display device having a luminous image source operably positioned within a housing for projecting a projected image. The housing has a lens aperture covered by a lens assembly. The lens assembly is spaced apart from the luminous image source so that the lens assembly functions to projecting the luminous image outside of the internal chamber and beyond the lens assembly to appear as the image bubble that includes the projected image. The lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens adjacent to the first lens, and a third lens adjacent to the second lens. The first lens has a first focal length that is approximately one-half of a focal length of the second or third lenses.

US patent application N° 2008/0192207 discloses a device comprising three Fresnel lenses that can be integrated in a luminary or in a device presenting objects in a three-dimensional perspective. The device consists of a monolithic case including two zones: a "back lighting" zone and an "object" zone. The zones are separated by a curved semi translucent sheet sanded and/or diffusing (anti- reflecting). The object is laid out in the hollow of sheet and possibly on a support linked to an engine located in the "lighting" zone. Sources of light object are masked above by bent masks which can also serve as light reflectors. A light source can be installed in the back "lighting" zone of sheet to illuminate the back of object, making it possible to accentuate the sustentation effect of "intangible" object. The optical device is placed at a correct distance from object to form an image of it within the sphere. This device more particularly applies to the presentation of objects and could be integrated in a totem or any presentation device designed for advertising or sale: display unit, box embedded in ground.

All these devices have the drawback to project images having a poor brightness in such a way that these images cannot be viewed with the naked eyes from any point of view.

In view of the above described drawbacks of conventional imaging devices, a need exists for a simple and inexpensive imaging device that will produce 3D images with a sufficient brightness for advertising methods notably.

SUNIM ARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide device for displaying a physical object as a three dimensional image comprising a housing including a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel, a top panel and two lateral panels, a Fresnel lens doublet fixed to the front panel and including a first Fresnel lens and a second Fresnel lens, a reflector system including a curved translucent member placed into the housing, the concavity of the curved translucent member facing the front panel, a third Fresnel lens positioned between the Fresnel lens doublet and the curved translucent member, a first lighting system positioned between the third Fresnel lens and the curved translucent member, second lighting system positioned between the curved translucent member and the third Fresnel lens, and a securing means which secures the physical object between the curved translucent member and the third Fresnel lens ; said device is remarkable in that it comprises a frame holding the third Fresnel lens, positioned at a distance D from the Fresnel lens doublet and obtained in roughened translucent material and in that the concave face of the curved translucent member and the inner side of bottom panel, top panel and the two lateral panels are obtained in a roughened translucent material.

Preferably, the curved translucent member and the inner side of bottom panel, top panel and the two lateral panels are obtained in sand blasted translucent plastic material.

The translucent material may be colored, and preferably colored in blue. Additionally, the third Fresnel lens is spaced at a distance of approximately 15 cm away from the Fresnel lens doublet. Advantageously, the securing means is adjustable and mounted onto a first horizontal shaft passing through the curved translucent member, said axis being driven in rotation by an electric motor. Additionally, the securing means is adjustable and mounted onto a second vertical shaft extending from the bottom panel, said axis being driven in rotation by an electric motor.

Preferably, the securing means consists of a paddle mounted at the distal end of the shaft and comprising hook and/or loop fastener, the said hooks and/or loops fastener being capable of cooperating a loop and/or hook fastener attached to the physical object and vice versa to form a Velcro® type attachment.

Moreover, the second lighting system consists of two swivelling light sources respectively placed at vicinity of the inner side of the frame, at the opposite side of the interior of the housing, respectively upward and downward.

Furthermore, the first lighting system consists of at least one light source attached to the inner side of the top panel and oriented in direction of the bottom panel.

Said light sources may be LEDs bulb such as colored LEDs bulb or Multi- Color LED Lightbulb.

The device according to the invention may comprise means to adjust the intensity and/or the brightness of each light source.

Advantageously, the first Fresnel and the second Fresnel lens are positioned opposite of each other so that a set of echelon grooves of the first Fresnel lens and a set of echelon grooves of the second Fresnel lens face each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, references should be made to the following drawings in conjunction with the accompanying descriptions and operations, wherein:

- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the device for displaying a physical object as a three dimensional image according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a sagital cross-section view of the device represented in figure 1 ,

- Figure 3 is a symmetrical sagital cross-section view of the device represented in figure 1 ,

- Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the device for displaying a physical object as a three dimensional image according to the invention while said device is operating without a physical object, - Figure 5 is a schematic top view of the device for displaying a physical object as a three dimensional image according to the invention while said device is operating with a physical object,

- Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the Fresnel lens doublet and the third Fresnel lens of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

Moreover, when the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, the reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same part throughout. It should be understood that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the disclosure, and they should not be construed as limiting the disclosure.

Referring to figure 1 , the 3D imaging device includes a housing 1 having a cubic shape and comprising a front panel 2, a back panel 3, a bottom panel 4, a top panel 5 and two lateral panels 6. The housing 1 may have dimensions in a range of 30-60 cm in length, width and depth and may be constructed from a metal, alloy, plastic, polymer or any suitable material or mixture of materials as long as the material will be durable to withstand the everyday use that the device will potentially endure. It is obvious that the housing 1 could be shaped circular, conical, triangular, rectangular, etc... to fit into which it will be used. Moreover, the housing 1 can have any appropriate dimensions depending of dimensions of the physical object that will be used without departing of the scope of the invention.

The housing 1 has an opening 7 positioned in the top panel 5 which provides access to the interior of said housing 1. Said opening 7 has a mating cover 8 able to close the housing 1. The inner side of said mating cover 8 has a material layer 8' obtained in a roughened translucent material.

It should be noted that, depending of the shape of the housing, the positioning of the mating cover can be in any other location that will provide convenient access to the interior of the device.

Furthermore, the back panel 3 of the housing 1 includes a vented zone 9 consisting of a plurality of parallel rectangular holes 10 which provide ventilation and cooling for the elements of the device. The front panel 2 includes an optical doublet 11 comprising a first Fresnel lens 12 and a second Fresnel lens 13 supported by a frame 14 able to be attached onto the housing 1 by securing means 15 (figure 2 and 3), such as screws for example. The first and second Fresnel lenses 12 and 13 may have a square or rectangular shape and are approximately the same length and width. For example, the first and second Fresnel lenses 12 and 13 both have a length in the range of 200-500mm, preferably a length of 310mm, and width in the range of 200-500mm, preferably a width of 310mm. The focal length of the first Fresnel lens 12 is 230mm and the focal length of the second Fresnel lens 13 is 326mm. Moreover, the first lens has a 0.5 graving or facet spacing. It is reminded that a Fresnel lens is a lens which includes a set of concentric annular sections known as Fresnel zones and a series of echelon grooves between the concentric annular sections. The Fresnel lenses used in the device according to the invention may be micro- structured, glare free, positive aspheric Fresnel lenses. Referring to figure 6, the first Fresnel lens 12 and the second Fresnel lens

13 of the optical doublet 11 are positioned opposite of each other in such a manner that the echelon grooves of the Fresnel lenses 12,13 face each other. This orientation of the Fresnel lenses 12,13 produces a curved focal plane that enhanced the quality of the projected 3D image. Moreover, referring to figure 1 , the device comprises a separable portion 16 that can be withdrawn from the remainder of the housing 1. The separable portion is embodied as a rack 16 that can be slid into and out the housing 1 , allowing a quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the device, via tracks and grooves, slidable bearings or any suitable systems not shown on figures. The rack 16, referring to figure 1 to 3, includes a front panel 17 comprising a frame 18 holding a third Fresnel lens 19 and a curved translucent member 20 placed in the middle part of the rack 16. Similarly to the first and second Fresnel lens 12,13, the third Fresnel lens 19 has a square or rectangular shape and is approximately the same length and width as the first and second Fresnel lens 12,13. For example, the third Fresnel lens 19 has a length in the range of 200- 500mm, preferably 310mm, and width in the range of 200-500mm, preferably 310mm. Moreover, the third Fresnel lens 19 has a focal length of 326mm and a 0.5 graving or facet spacing.

When the rack 16 is slid into the housing 1 , the Fresnel lenses 12,13 and 19 are positioned in series and the third Fresnel lens 19 is spaced at distance D' of approximately 15 cm away from the Fresnel lens doublet 11. Moreover, referring to figure 6, the third Fresnel lens 19 has the same orientation than the first Fresnel lens 12 of the optical doublet 11. The addition of this third Fresnel lens 19 increases the visibility of the 3D images projected by the device according to the invention. While the visibility of the 3D image provided by a sole optical doublet the prior art's devices is approximately 50°, the addition of a third Fresnel lens 19 to the optical system will increase the visibility of the 3D image to a greater range up to 120°. In regard to the advertising of a particular product using the device according to the invention including a third Fresnel lens 19, such a larger viewing audience could potentially lead to increased sales.

The curved translucent member 20, referring to figures 1 to 5, has a hyperbolic shape that faces the series of Fresnel lenses 19,12,13. Therefore, when light is diffused by the curved translucent member 20 and reflected through the Fresnel lenses 19, 12 and 13, the 3D image of a sphere is projected out of the housing 1 (figure 4) at a distance P of about 22cm. It should be noted that in the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the curved translucent member 20 does not extend to the edges of the housing 1 in such a manner that there is a gap between the top panel 5 of the housing 1 and the ends of the curved translucent member 20 ; nevertheless, the curved translucent member 20 could extend all the way to the housing walls.

Referring to figures 2 to 5, the device according to the invention comprises a first lighting system 21 that will illuminate the interior of the housing 1 between the curved translucent member 20 and the third Fresnel lens 19. Said first lighting system 21 includes two swivelling light sources 22 and 23 respectively placed at vicinity of the inner side of the frame 18 holding the third Fresnel lens 19, at the opposite side of the interior of the housing 1 , respectively upward and downward. Each light source 22 and 23 is secured to poles by adjustable mechanism, such as clamp, able to swivel around two axes to provide the best lighting scenario for the particular physical object that is inserted between the curved translucent member 20 and the third Fresnel lens 19. In order to limit the amount of heat produced by the first lighting system 21 , each light source 22 and 23 is preferably white LEDs bulb or colored LEDs bulb or Multi-Color LED Lightbulb. To enhance the quality of the 3D sphere, the device according to the invention includes, referring to figures 2 to 5, a second lighting system 24 that will illuminate the portion of the housing 1 between the curved translucent member 20 and the back panel 3 of the housing. The second lighting system 24 may include two light sources 25 and 26 respectively placed at the top of the rack 16, close to the inner side of the top panel 5 of the housing 1 , at the opposite side of the interior of the housing 1 , and directed at the bottom of the rack 16. In order to limit the amount of heat produced by the second lighting system 21 , in the same manner as the first lighting system 21 , each light source 25 and 26 is white LEDs bulb or colored LEDs bulb or Multi-Color LED Lightbulb.

Advantageously, referring to figure 3, the device according to the invention comprises means to adjust the intensity and/or the brightness of each light source 22,23,25 and 26. Said means consists for example in a dimmer switch 27 positioned between the curved translucent member 20 and the back panel 3 of the housing 1 , on-off switch 28 for each lighting system 21 and 24 or for each light source 22,23,25 and 26 being placed at the back of the housing 1. In this manner, the intensity and the brightness, and in consequence the quality, of the projected 3D images can be controlled.

Moreover, referring to figures 2 and 3, the device according to the invention includes securing means which secure the physical object between the curved translucent member 20 and the third Fresnel lens 19. Said securing means is adjustable and mounted onto a first horizontal shaft 29 passing through the curved translucent member 20, in the sagital plane of said curved translucent member 20 and housing 1 , said shaft being driven in rotation by an electric motor 30. Said securing means consists of a paddle 31 mounted at the distal end of the shaft 29 and comprising hook and/or loop fastener 32, the said hooks and/or loops fastener 32 being capable of cooperating a loop and/or hook fastener attached to the physical object and vice versa to form a Velcro® type attachment. The shaft 29 is advantageously telescoping in order to adjust the position of the physical object between the curved translucent member 20 and the third Fresnel lens 19 providing an optimum quality for the 3D image of the physical object. The advantage of this embodiment of the securing means is that it can be used to accommodate most physical object.

It is obvious that other forms of the securing means which are generic to the physical object such as snap fit securing means, magnetic securing means, flat tip interfacing means, etc... can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention. Advantageously, referring to figures 2 and 3, the device according to the invention includes a second securing means which secures the physical object between the curved translucent member 20 and the third Fresnel lens 19. Said securing means is also adjustable and mounted onto a vertical shaft 33 extending from the bottom panel 4 of the housing 1, in the sagital plane of the curved translucent member 20 and housing 1 , said shaft being driven in rotation by an electric motor 34. Said securing means consists of a paddle or plate 35 mounted at the distal end of the shaft 33 and comprising hook and/or loop fastener 36, the said hooks and/or loops fastener 36 being capable of cooperating a loop and/or hook fastener attached to the physical object and vice versa to form a Velcro® type attachment. The shaft 33 is advantageously telescoping in order to adjust the height of the physical object between the bottom and the top panel of the housing 1. It should be noted that the rotation of the physical object enhances the visual effect of the 3D image by adding that additional element of motion to the spectacle of the floating 3D image in order to attract the attention.

Accessorily, the physical object can be contained in a transparent gyroscope-type securing means which can be attached on both the first and second securing means. In this manner, the physical object can be rotated in both vertical and horizontal directions simultaneously and/or sequentially.

Moreover, the device according to the invention includes an electrical system for operating each of the first and second electric motor 30 and 34 that includes separate switches 37 and 38 so that each of the first and second lighting system 21 and 24. Alternatively, or additionally, the electrical system may include adjustable switches which will control the rotation speed of each electric motor 30 and 34.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the concave face of the curved translucent member 20 and the inner side of bottom panel 4, top panel 5 and the two lateral panels 6 are obtained in a roughened translucent material to enhance the quality of the 3D images projected. The curved translucent member 20 and the inner side of bottom panel 4, top panel 5 and the two lateral panels 6 are preferably obtained in sand blasted translucent plastic material. Nevertheless, the roughness can be obtained by any suitable process well known by the man skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Moreover, the translucent material is colored, and preferably colored in blue, to enhance the eye's attraction of the projected 3D image.

The color can be chosen to contrast with the physical object in order to provide even more definition to the 3D image of the physical object.

I should be noted that the convex face of the curved translucent member 20 is not roughened contrarily to the concave face of said curved translucent member 20. Said convex face of the curved translucent member 20 is preferably glaze or smooth to be much reflective as possible. Accessorily, referring to figure 1 , the device according to the invention may include a detector 39 such as a motion detector lead, an infrared sensor for example, connected to an emitting source 40 such as a sound emitting source and/or a fragrance emitting source for example, in such a manner that when, a person is detected by the detector 39 in a predetermined area, said area being at vicinity of the projected 3D image, a sound and/or a fragrance is emitted in direction of said person.

It should be noted that the device according to the invention is highly portable and can be positioned upright at a point of sale such as a display table, or kiosk for example.

Moreover, the device according to the invention includes advantageously a voltage transformer 41 suitable to transform 110V and/or 220V into 12V. In this way, the device according to the invention is universal, i.e. it can be used anywhere in the world, and is saving energy.

An explanation will now be given of how the device according to the invention operates, with reference to figure 4 and 5.

Referring to figure 4, when the housing 1 is empty and the second lighting system 24 is turned on, the blue light emitted by blue LEDs bulbs 25 and 26 of the second lighting system 24 tints in blue the 3D sphere 100 provided by the Fresnel lenses 19, 12 and 13. Said 3D sphere 100 is projected out of the housing 1 at a distance P of about 22cm from the second Fresnel lens 13 and presents a diameter of about 26 cm, for a first and second Fresnel lens 12,13 having respectively a focal length of 326mm and 230mm. It should be noted that, for a first and second Fresnel lens 12,13 having both a focal length of 326mm, the 3D sphere 100 will have a diameter of about 19 cm.

Alternatively, the curved translucent member 20 can be obtained in a white translucent material and the second lighting system 24 can include Multi-Color LED Lightbuib controlled by a remote control. In this manner, 16 different colors of the 3D sphere can be obtained without departing from the scope of the invention.

Then, referring to figure 5, a physical object 200 is introduced in the housing 1 via the mating cover 8 and fastened into the securing means. The first lighting system 21 is turned on to light up the physical object. In consequence, a 3D image 300 of the physical object 200 is projected out of the housing 1 at a distance of about 22 cm in such a manner that the 3D image 200 of the physical object is included in the 3D sphere 100.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such changes, substitutions and alterations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.