Zeotrope animation disc assembly

Zeotropic effects are created while an observer experiments with video data and speed controls of a rotary motor. A system facilitates user creation of a customized zoetrope animation disc by enabling a user to take a video of a repetitive motion (e.g., a person doing a jumping jack, a hand opening and closing, a person swinging back and forth on a swing, etc.). The system prompts a user to select a start point and end point to the video. The system further prompts the user to specify a number of frames desired for the animation disc. The animation disc is then printed for use on a rotary motor based on the user input.

I. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to instructional games, and more particularly, to a zoetrope and animation-effects related technologies.

With the prevalence of mobile computing devices, children are introduced to computing technology at a younger age. For example, it is common for a child to be proficient in operating a mobile telephone or a tablet computer. Thus, at a fairly young age, children often have familiarity with certain aspects of audio, video, and communications technology.

III. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In selected examples, a system includes a memory storing video data and program code and a controller having access to the memory. The controller executes the program code to receive user input setting a number of frames of the video data to be included in an animation disc. The controller automatically selects frames of the video data for inclusion in the animation disc based on the user input. The controller further initiates generation of a printable file that includes the animation disc.

In another aspect, a system includes a memory storing video data and program code and a controller having access to the memory. The controller executes the program code to receive user input that sets at least one of a start point and an end point of the video data to be included in an animation disc. The controller further automatically selects frames of the video data for inclusion in the animation disc based on the user input. The controller initiates generation of a printable file that includes the animation disc.

In another example, a system includes a rotary motor and a controller to receive user input setting at least one of a start point and an end point of the video data to be included in an animation disc to be actuated by the rotary motor. The user input additionally specifies a number of frames to be included in the animation disc. The controller automatically selects frames of the video data for inclusion in the animation disc based on the user input. The controller further initiates generation of a printable file that includes the animation disc.

Other features, objects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Zeotropic effects are created while an observer experiments with video data and speed controls of a rotary motor. A system facilitates user creation of a customized zoetrope animation disc by enabling a user to take a video of a repetitive motion (e.g., a person doing a jumping jack, a hand opening and closing, a person swinging back and forth on a swing, etc.). The system prompts a user to select a start point and end point to the video. The system further prompts the user to specify a number of frames desired for the animation disc. The animation disc is then printed for use on a rotary motor based on the user input.

FIG. 1is a system100that includes a strobe light104that emits a flashing light in a direction of an animation disc102, as shown at108. When the strobe light104and the speed of rotation of the animation disc102are out of synchronization with a single cycle of rotation (e.g., a flash at every full rotation, plus one sixth of a rotation), the design pattern appears to move in a particular direction to an observer. Animation of the design pattern is presented to an observer. Similarly, a flash that is coordinated to a fraction less than a full rotation causes the design pattern to appear to progress in another direction.

The system100includes a rotary motor controller112that controls a frequency of rotation of a motor (i.e., revolutions per second). The system100further includes a strobe flash controller120that controls a frequency of the strobe light (illuminations per second).

FIG. 1illustrates that, while the strobe light104is illuminating the animation disc102with pulsing light (as shown at108), the user adjusts a rotation speed of the animation disc102, as shown at114. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the rotation of the animation disc102is in a counterclockwise direction, as shown at116. The user adjusts the speed of rotation of the animation disc102using the motion controller112of the control unit110until the design pattern on the animation disc102creates an optical illusion (e.g., a travelling ball in this case), as shown at118.FIGS. 5-13(as described further herein) illustrate a sequence of views of the example animation disc102as the animation disc102rotates in the counterclockwise direction.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the control unit110includes multiple controls. For example, the control unit110include a power control (e.g., a volume knob) that is rotated in one direction (e.g., in a clockwise direction) to turn on the control unit110and is rotated in another direction (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction) to turn off the control unit110. In some instances, a light or other indicator is activated in order to identify to the user that the control unit110has been powered on (e.g., in response to the user rotating the power control). In the example ofFIG. 1, the control unit110further includes a first interface to receive a power cable. The power cable receives power from a power supply (not shown inFIG. 1). For example, the power cable is connected to a wall outlet (not shown inFIG. 1) in order to provide power to the control unit110. The control unit110also includes a second interface to receive a control cable. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, a first end of the control cable is electrically connected to the second interface of the control unit110, and a second end of the control cable is electrically connected to a motor adapter (partially obscured from view inFIG. 1).

Thus, the control unit110receives power from a power supply via the power cable and selectively provides current to a coil (see e.g., the coil206ofFIG. 2) via the control cable. Further, as described below with respect toFIGS. 3 and 4, the motion controller112(also referred to as a motion slider) allows a user to adjust a rotation speed by varying a current that is provided from the control unit110to the coil via the control cable (e.g., that is electrically connected to the wires408,410as shown inFIG. 4). In some cases, the user increases the current that is provided to the coil and thereby increases the rotation speed of the adjacent rotor by sliding the motion controller112in a first direction (e.g., toward a side of the control unit110that includes the interfaces to receive the power cable and the control cable). Alternatively, the user decreases the current that is provided to the coil and thereby reduces the rotation speed of the adjacent rotor by sliding the motion controller112in a second direction (e.g., toward another side of the control unit110).

Each of the motor frequency controller112and the strobe frequency controller120comprises a potentiometer, or slider-type control. The increases or decreases the frequency of the rotary motor by sliding the slider-type control, and likewise controls the frequency of the strobe light104by sliding the slide-type control120associated with the strobe light104.

FIG. 2is a view200of an example of the animation disc102ofFIG. 1that includes a design pattern. The design pattern creates the optical illusion118shown inFIG. 1when the animation disc102is rotated at a particular speed while exposed to a strobe light. The animation disc102includes a central hole202(e.g., a substantially square, rectangular, or circular hole) that allows the animation disc102to be coupled to a rotor204. The control unit110is used to control a speed of rotation of the rotor204and thereby control the speed of rotation of the animation disc102. Further, in some cases the user manually initiates rotation of the rotor204, and the control unit110subsequently controls the speed of rotation of the rotor204by varying the amount of current that is provided to a coil206.

In some cases, the animation disc102is a sheet of paper, thin plastic, cardboard, or some other lightweight material upon which the system has printed the design pattern based on instructions.FIG. 2illustrates a particular example in which the animation disc102includes a design pattern associated with a travelling ball.

As described further with respect toFIG. 1, the control unit110includes the strobe light104that is moved from a storage position to an operating position (as shown inFIG. 1) in order to illuminate the animation disc102. The animation disc102is moved at a particular rate such that the design pattern on the animation102creates the optical illusion118. In the case of the travelling ball design, the rotation of the animation disc102at a particular rate (and based on a pulse rate of the strobe light104) creates an optical illusion of a ball bouncing.

As another example (shown inFIG. 14), a design pattern creates an optical illusion of a galloping horse.

Due to the difficulty of illustrating an optical illusion, the particular animation disc102shown inFIG. 2includes a portion208that has been illustrated as substantially linear for references purposes only in order to describe the rotation of the animation disc102. However, it will be appreciated that the animation disc102has a substantially circular shape or some other shape. As shown inFIG. 2, a user positions the animation disc102such that the central hole202substantially aligns with the rotor204. In some instances, the central hole202has dimensions that correspond to a diameter of a disc (shown at the top of the rotor204inFIG. 2) such that the animation disc102is positioned adjacent to the rotor204and rotates at substantially the same speed as the rotor204(e.g., based on the amount of current that is provided to the coil206via the control unit110).

The rotor204includes a magnet that rotates around a pivot (e.g., a bearing that is positioned within a base structure beneath the rotor204, with the bearing obscured from view in the perspective view ofFIG. 2). A magnet support includes sections that snap together to allow the magnet to rotate around the pivot. The magnet support additionally snaps into the base structure. Similarly, the coil206is snapped into a coil support that snaps or otherwise attaches to the base structure. In some cases, the coil206is a single coil (e.g., comprising copper) that is wound by a user or that is pre-wound for the user. Current flowing through the coil206is manipulated such that the magnet is induced to rotate on the pivot. The coil206is coupled to wires for connection with a power source to provide direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) to the coil206, resulting in an electromagnetic rotary motor.FIG. 2illustrates that the coil206is positioned within the coil cradle such that the wires are positioned away from the rotor204in order to allow the magnet to rotate with respect to the base structure.

In some cases, the current flowing through the coil206induces the rotor204to rotate in a particular direction (e.g., counterclockwise in the example ofFIGS. 3 and 4). Alternatively, in some cases, the user manually initiates the rotation of the rotor204. For example, the user spins the rotor204by grasping a disc at the top of the rotor204between a thumb and a forefinger and spinning the rotor204in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the base structure. In either case, once the rotor204has begun to spin, the user adjusts a rotation speed using a motion controller112of the control unit110(as described further with respect toFIGS. 3 and 4).

FIG. 3is a view300of the animation disc102after the animation disc102has been positioned atop the rotor204ofFIG. 2(obscured from view inFIG. 3) such that the animation disc102rotates. As an illustrative, non-limiting example,FIG. 3illustrates that the control unit110provides current to the coil206(obscured from view inFIG. 3) such that the animation disc102rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as shown at302. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative instances, the control unit110causes the animation disc102to rotate in a clockwise direction. Further, as described above, the motion controller112of the control unit110is used to adjust the speed of rotation of the rotor204(and the attached animation disc102) by varying the amount of current that is provided to the coil206.

In some cases, the rotor204begins to shake in response to current being provided to the coil206from the control unit110. In other cases, the rotor204begins to rotate (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction in the example ofFIG. 3) responsive to the current being provided to the coil206. Alternatively, in some cases, the user manually spins the rotor204in order to initiate the rotation (e.g., by grasping the disc between a thumb and a forefinger and spinning the rotor204in a clockwise direction with respect to the base structure). In either case, once the rotor204has begun to spin, the user adjusts the rotation speed using the motion controller112of the control unit110.

FIG. 4is a view400of the animation disc102after the user has adjusted a speed of rotation using the motion controller112of the control unit110, as shown at402. In the example ofFIG. 4, the user has increased the speed of rotation of the animation disc102in the counterclockwise direction, as shown at404.FIG. 4illustrates that the increased rotation speed of the animation disc102causes the design pattern to appear blurry to the user.

FIG. 4further illustrates an example in which a control cable406of the control unit110is electrically connected to the coil206via alligator clips408and410. As described inFIG. 1, the control unit110includes the strobe light104that is shown in a storage position inFIG. 4, at412. A handle414is used to move the strobe light104from the storage position to an operating position (as shown inFIG. 1).

In some cases, the user decreases the rotation speed by moving the motion controller402in a second direction (e.g., in a downward direction). In this case, the movement of the motion controller112in the second direction results in the control unit110reducing the current that is provided to the coil206via the control cable. WhileFIG. 4illustrates an example in which the motion controller112is adjustable in an up/down direction, in alternative implementations the control unit110includes an alternative speed adjustment controller (e.g., a rotatable dial or a graphical user interface, among other alternatives).

Referring toFIG. 5, a first view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated500. As described above with respect toFIGS. 2 and 3, the portion208of the animation disc102that is illustrated as substantially linear is used as a reference point in order to show the relative positioning of particular portions of the design pattern as the animation disc102rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The view500illustrated inFIG. 5corresponds to a first position of the animation disc102with respect to the rotor204, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring toFIG. 6, a second view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated600. With respect toFIG. 5, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Referring toFIG. 7, a third view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated700. With respect toFIG. 6, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Referring toFIG. 8, a fourth view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated800. With respect toFIG. 7, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction.

Referring toFIG. 9, a fifth view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated900. With respect toFIG. 8, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Referring toFIG. 10, a sixth view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated1000. With respect toFIG. 9, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Referring toFIG. 11, a seventh view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated1100. With respect toFIG. 10, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Referring toFIG. 12, an eighth view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated1200. With respect toFIG. 11, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction.

Referring toFIG. 13, a ninth view of the animation disc102is illustrated and generally designated1300. With respect toFIG. 12, the animation disc102has rotated substantially forty-five degrees in the counterclockwise direction. As a result of the rotation, the animation disc102has completed a single rotation and has returned to the initial position illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 14shows an animation disc1402illuminated by a standalone strobe light1404. A design on the animation disc1402depicts a galloping horse. That is, the frequencies of the strobe light1404and a rotary motor1406are manually and automatically synchronized to create that optical effect of a horse galloping.

FIG. 15is a block diagram of a system1500that allows a user to create and experiment with a customized zoetrope. The system1500includes a video recording device1502, such as a phone camera. The video data1504is downloaded and stored in a memory1506of a controller1508. The controller1508comprises a computing device capable of storing and executing program code1510.

The program code1510is executed by the controller1508to enable the user to select a starting point and an ending point for the video data1504. A user is further prompted to select how many frames are desired on the animation disc. Based on this input, the controller1508selects frame from the video data1504for inclusion on the animation disc. The controller1508executes the program code1510to generate an animation disc file that is sent to a printer1512.

The user cuts out the animation disc from the printed paper and mounts the animation disc on the rotary motor1514. By manipulating the rotary motor1514and the strobe light1516(using a controller1506,1518,1520), the user is able to create the illusion of animation of their filed subject.

FIG. 16shows video frame data1600, such as that captured by the video recording device102shown inFIG. 15and as used to populate the sectors of a printed animation disc. The video frame data1600includes 60 frames recorded over a two second interval.

Using input controls, the user sets a beginning frame and an ending frame. For instance, the user selects frame1602as the first frame potentially used in the zoetrope, and frame1604as the last potentially included frame.

In an example, a user may elect to have 12 frames included in their customized zoetrope. In response to the user input, the system may determine that every fifth frame1602,1606,1608,1610,1612,1614,1616,1618,1620,1622,1624,1626of the video frame data1600should be used. That is, 60 video data frames divided by 12 zoetrope frames equals 5 frames. The zoetrope ofFIG. 3includes 12 frames, similar to what would be generated under the illustrative user specified parameters and with the bouncing ball video frame data1600. Where the number of requested zoetrope frames does not divide evenly into the number of video data frames, the system rounds to determine which video stills to sample.

FIG. 17is flowchart of a method1700of creating and using a customized zoetrope. At1702, a user films (e.g., using a mobile phone, tablet, digital camera, video recorder, etc.) a video of something in motion and preferably something in repetitive motion, such as a ball bouncing, a person doing a jumping jack, a child swinging on a playground swing, or a hand opening and closing.

After capturing the video, the user inputs via an interface at1704an ending and a beginning frame for the video, thus defining a period for the animation disc. The user is also prompted to specify at1706how many of the video frames they want printed on their animation disc. For example, the user may be permitted to select between 6 and 12 frames to print on their animation disc. Alternatively, the user may be permitted to enter the number of frames they'd like printed on their disc.

Based on the number of frames in the user-defined period and the number of images to be included in the animation disc, the system automatically selects at1708frames for inclusion. For example, the system may select the selected number of frames at equal intervals in the user-defined period. The selected frames are saved at1710in an animation disc format in a file that the user may send to a printer at1712. The animation disc is cut out and placed on the rotary motor at1714. The user manipulates the strobe light to create the desired animation effect.

Examples described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware implementation, an entirely software implementation, or an implementation containing both hardware and software elements. The disclosed methods are implemented in software that is embedded in processor readable storage medium and executed by a processor that includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.

Further, examples take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium includes an apparatus that tangibly embodies a computer program and that contains, stores, communicates, propagates, or transport s the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

In various examples, the medium includes an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable storage medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disc and an optical disc. Current examples of optical discs include compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disc-read/write (CD-R/W) and digital versatile disc (DVD).

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code includes at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories that may provide temporary or more permanent storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) of an example are coupled to the data processing system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters are also coupled to the data processing system of the example to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.

The previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed examples. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and features as defined by the following claims.