Abstract:
A device for decoding distorted images from a sheet which includes a reflecting geometric figure to be placed on the sheet and can include portions of the decoded image being permanently applied to the reflecting surface for combination with decoded distortion images from the sheet to form a complete image. A reflecting surface can be applied onto a beverage can to decode an anamorphic image applied onto a separate sheet. A reflecting canister can be used to decode distorted images and include a removable top to hold images therein and a light source to illuminate distorted images for reflection. A game is described which uses geometric reflecting pieces to decode commands of the game. A teaching game described having a question sheet with a distorted image representing the answer to the question which can be decoded by use of a geometric reflecting device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to anamorphic art and in particular to the application of anamorphic art to games, amusements, and teaching devices. 
     The word &#34;anamorphoses&#34; is derived from the Greek &#34;ana&#34; (again) and &#34;morphe&#34; (shape). The word describes a purposely distorted image wherein a person viewing the distorted image must re-form or reshape the image into a centralized or reorganized perspective in order to rationalize the relationship between that object and the viewer. By purposely distorting an original image, a viewer using a geometric reflecting device, or an image of such reflecting device on a computer screen, or by otherwise reshaping the image, can reshape that image into its original form for visual understanding by the observer. The process of &#34;properly&#34; distorting the original image so that it may be reshaped by the geometric reflecting device, to &#34;decode&#34; the original distorted image can be accomplished experimentally, geometrically and by computer imaging. The image can be produced in a pyramidal, rectangular, conical or cylindrical anamorphoses and then can be reshaped. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The concept of anamorphic sketching dates back to Leonardo DeVinci and his Codex c. 1485. Curved perspective, curved and discontinuous planes, perspective cabinets, perspective anamorphoses and their reflecting cones and cylinders were known in the 18th century. In the 19th century, these techniques were adapted to children&#39;s rooms and as exercises for artist in art schools. Some current computer programs also alter perspective, such as CAD-CAM software programs and art software, e.g., CORREL DRAW and SCIQUEST programs in the production of art for commercial usage. 
     Constructing perspective anamorphosis is a geometrical exercise and is analogous to traditional perspective construction. As an example, &#34;cone anamorphoses&#34; are created via geometric methods by inverting and expanding the original art via diagonals that make 45° angles with the picture plane and run into the so called distance point. Through the projection of a grid, like that of a checkerboard, in anamorphic perspective it is possible to transfer the image of any subject. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 demonstrate a known arrangement for producing a cylindrical anamorphosis using a cylindrical reflecting device. This image construction is attributed to Jean-Francois Niceron, La Perspective Curieus, Paris, 1638 reproduced from Hidden Images, Games of Perception, Anamorphic Art, Illusion, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishing, New York 1975. The image shown in the grid in FIG. 1 is cylindrically distorted according to the plot of FIG. 2. The square grids marked across columns a-l and down rows m-z shown in FIG. 1 are made arcuate and increasingly elongate outwardly according to FIG. 2, and like corresponding squares are marked according to rows m-z and columns a-l in FIG. 2. Placing a reflecting right circular cylinder upstanding from the circle C will result in an upstanding reflected image on the surface of the cylinder identical to that shown in FIG. 1. The selected image l shown in FIG. 1 is purposely distorted into the image l&#39; of FIG. 2 with each grid shown in FIG. 1 holding a corrected portion of the image l as a corrected portion of the corresponding grid of distorted image l&#39;. Thus, a distorted image can be created grid element by grid element to create the anamorphically corrected image. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 demonstrate a further anamorphic image using a cone reflecting device. The image shown in FIG. 3 can be purposely distorted as shown in FIG. 4. The sectors extending circumferentially around the image marked a-h proceeding radially from a center point i are inverted radially in the distorted image of FIG. 4. For example, between sectors a and h, the grid elements m, n, o, p shown in FIG. 3 are created by the corresponding distorted grid elements m&#39;, n&#39;, o&#39;, p&#39; in FIG. 4. When a cone is placed in the central circle C, the distorted image is reversed and an image such as shown in FIG. 3 is observed from an observation point directly above the cone looking down on an apex of the cone corresponding to the center point i. The locator makes a-h in FIG. 3 correspond to the marks a&#39;-h&#39; in FIG. 4. This example was taken from Jean DuBreuil, La Perspective Pratique, Paris, 1649, reproduced from Hidden Images, supra. 
     FIG. 5 demonstrates a further anamorphic exercise wherein a multi-image distorted flat sheets having four distorted images 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4  can be anamorphically converted to a single corrected image 1 5  by placing a square base pyramid P at a predisposed position in the center of the sheet S. As demonstrated in FIG. 5, the distorted images 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4  are corrected and combine to create the single corrected image 1 5  by viewing the rectangular pyramid downwardly upon its apex A. The images 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4  are reflected on the sides 10, 12, 14, 16 of the pyramid. This example was taken from Henry Kettle, Pyramid Anamorphosis: Four Male Portraits Become One, 1770, reproduced from Hidden Images, supra. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 demonstrate a further anamorphic technique wherein the viewer&#39;s perspective can render an otherwise imperceptible image into a perceptible image. FIG. 7 demonstrates a flattened pyramidal anamorphosis wherein if the image shown in FIG. 7 is constructed into a pyramid having an apex a and a base delimited by the line segments b-d, d-f, f-h, and h-b, an observer looking downward upon the apex a perpendicular to a square base delimited b, d, f, h views the distorted image l&#39; as the corrected image l. This anamorphoses is a development of a geometric anamorphoses wherein the plane of observation of each panel of the pyramid is observed from an oblique angular orientation by the observer, the four panels creating together a single image. This example was taken from Jean-Francois Niceron, Pyramidal Anamorphosis, Thaumaturgus Opticus, Rome 1646, reproduced in Hidden Images, supra. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a game, amusement device, teaching aid or marketing device embodying a procedure which provides a distorted image which can be corrected to a perceptible or matching image to achieve a function of the procedure. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for playing a game, amusement device, or teaching aid which provides a distorted image, not readily recognizable, and which as a result of playing the game, operating an amusement device or completing a teaching exercise can be decoded or reorganized to create a perceptible image. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a challenging visual art game, amusement device or teaching aid. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved reflecting device for decoding an anamorphic image which provides for decoding the image in the dark. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved reflecting device which provides convenient storage of the image within the reflecting device. 
     The objects of the invention are achieved in that a game, amusement device or teaching aid is provided wherein an image, either a complete image or a partial image, is distorted anamorphically and in undertaking the method of the game, amusement device or teaching aid, the image is completed, and reoriented and decoded to create a sensible image to the viewer, or the image is complete but distorted an din undertaking the method the image is decoded. The image can be distorted to be decoded by a cylindrical reflecting device, conical reflecting device, pyramidal reflecting device, or other device, or can be reoriented by reorienting the image itself such as by folding the image into a pyramid or cone and observing the reoriented image from a preselected perspective. 
     The object is achieved in that games are produced for playing by people for entertainment purposes, by governments for lotteries, by corporations for promotional campaigns, by collector card companies to sell sets of adventure, sports or other playing cards, by organizations for teaching, educating and reinforcing concepts, e.g., multi-dimensional flashcards for learning math, geography, languages, alphabets, art, history, etc., and for advertising and sales promotion agencies for legal games of chance. 
     The object is achieved in that a commodity holding package such as a beverage can, such as a soft drink or beer can, which is capable of having a reflecting surface such as an aluminum surface, and can serve the dual function of being a beverage can and being a cylindrical reflecting device to decode a cylindrical anamorphosis. A partial image or code can be preprinted on the can which when the can is placed in a proper orientation on a distorted image decodes the distorted image to be reflected onto the can to mesh with the preprinted image on the can to produce a perceptible image. As applied to a game or amusement device, players who obtain two matching playing pieces (such as the can and a distorted image on a sheet) wins if the correct perceptible image is created. The game can require a plurality of correct sheet matching cans on a single sheet, or a plurality of can and sheet combinations to complete a message. 
     As an added feature of the game to generate interest or to reduce the odds of winning, a scratch-off emulsion can be applied over a distorted image requiring a player to preselect an image from a number of images and match the CRD can onto that image to determine whether a perceptible image is created. 
     Advantageously, the distorted image can be applied to a box, the box holding inside the reflecting device for decoding the distorted image. This is advantageously applied in the case of a cereal box holding both cereal and the reflecting device within. 
     Distorted images can be produced in a series of teaching books wherein students use reflecting devices to reveal corrected images or messages. The distorted messages can be the correct answer to an academic question or for generating interest in art, optics, or perspective. 
     Additionally, an action game can be produced in a board game format wherein distorted images are applied to the board game and players can use reflecting devices to decode messages or characters for which a correct decoding of a distorted image influences the game. A correct reflecting device must be matched onto the image to obtain the results of that image. A replaceable surface or individual surfaces, can be applied to the game to create new distorted images for new permutations of the game. 
     The object of the invention is achieved in that a cylindrical reflecting device (&#34;CRD&#34;) is provided having a removable end cap for allowing insertion of distorted images in card form or in rolled scroll form into the reflecting device as a convenient way to ship, store and sell distorted images within its respective reflecting device. 
     A reflecting device such as a CRD can also feature an inventive light ring arranged around a base of the reflecting device powered by batteries to allow playing of games in the dark. This is particularly desirable for mystery games for enhanced atmosphere. Alternately, the light ring can be provided near a top of the CRD to direct the light downwardly. The light can be incorporated into the removable cover of the CRD. A light can also be incorporated into other shaped reflecting devices, e.g., cones, pyramids, etc. 
     As an analogous procedure to the mechanical decoding of anamorphic art described above, computer graphics can be utilized to produce interactive software games which lets players choose from a &#34;deck&#34;, a series of game pieces in many shapes and colors. The object is to be the first to decipher the complete image using a computer generated reflecting device that is won or earned by achieving the required level of points. The winner of the game correctly solves the image puzzle. A computerized graphic can also be created as a challenge for players by picking a series of shapes to fill in those puzzles with the pieces to create an on-screen anamorphosis or distorted image and then use his on-screen reflecting device to read the distorted message to lead him to another play level or reveal if he has won the game. A software system can be provided to develop anamorphoses producing exact specifications for the development of a precisely sized reflecting device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a prior art plan grid view of an image; 
     FIG. 2 is a prior art plan distorted grid view of the image of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a prior art plan view of an image reproduced by a reflecting cone; 
     FIG. 4 is a prior art plan view of a distorted image decoded by the cone of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a prior art plan view of a distorted image decoded by a reflecting pyramid; 
     FIG. 6 is a prior art plan grid view of an image applied onto a rectangular pyramid when viewed toward the apex perpendicular to a base of the rectangular pyramid; 
     FIG. 7 is a prior art distorted image of a flattened rectangle according to FIG. 6 when viewed perpendicularly to the flattened sides of the pyramid; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a can of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the can of FIG. 8 applied onto a distorted image; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the can of FIG. 8 applied onto a second distorted image; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cylindrical reflecting device applied onto a distorted image; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a further reflecting device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second can according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the can of FIG. 13 applied onto a distorted image; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cone reflecting device applied onto a distorted image; 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a further application of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a still further application of the present invention, and 
     FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a further alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a package for a commodity such as a beverage can 30 containing cola, or alternatively beer, or any food or non-food item. The can provides a top 32, a bottom 34 and a cylindrical wall 36. The cylindrical wall 36 is fashioned with a reflecting surface such as a high gloss aluminum, or a plated mirror surface to reflect an image thereon. Imprinted or embossed on the surface 36 is a portion of an image, such as a dot code represented by the dots a-f. The image can be a recognizable image, or can be a partial image to the extent that it is not recognizable as an image. 
     FIG. 9 discloses the can 30 set upon a game sheet or a game card 40 which can be a piece of paper, a coaster, a page of a newspaper or magazine, or any flat surface which can hold visual information. The flat surface includes a centrally located circle shown partially beneath a broke away section of the can 30. The circle 42 corresponds to the circumference 44 of the can 30 so that the can can be placed in proper position on the card 40. On the card are located a series of marks such as dots g, h, i, j, k, l, and m. Theses dots are arranged to reflect onto the surface 36 of the can 30. Thus, an image is formed on the surface 36 of the can 30 which includes both the pre-applied dots a-f and the dots from the card h-m. In FIG. 9, these combined groupings of dots create an image which is non-descript, i.e., scrambled. The card 40 in FIG. 9 contains a corrected image 44, or image intended to be matched which is in this case is the number &#34;14&#34;. In a hypothetical game, if the complete image reflected onto the cola can matched the number 14, a winning combination has been achieved. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a winning combination wherein the preprinted dots a-f in combination with the reflected dots h-n produce the number &#34;15&#34; which matches the image 44&#39; of the number &#34;15&#34; on the game card 40&#39;. Additional random dots such as 46, 48 and others shown, can be placed on the card at orientations such that these dots do not interfere with the image l created on the can 30. Therefore, with the plurality of dots on the card, and depending on the rules and directions to the game, proper orientation must also be discovered to obtain the image l. 
     For purposes of description and clarity a simplistic image such as the number &#34;14&#34; or the number &#34;15&#34; formed by dots has been described. However, more sophisticated and densely arranged dot patterns or graphical images can be used for either pictorials, graphics, or numbers which combine preprinted information on the can with reflected information on a substrate sheet. A dot matrix type portrait of a sports celebrity can be either partially printed on the can and completed by a decoded anamorphic image or be a complete decoded anamorphic image. Additionally, a wining combination can include a plurality of correctly matched cans with a plurality of sheets, or images upon a single sheet, or images at varying rotational position of the can on the single sheet as shown for example in FIG. 10. 
     It is therefore an advantage of the invention that a customer would need to purchase a number of cans of the commodity, such as cola, the cans having preselected and different patterns of dots, pictorial information, graphics or other information which is combined with the information on the card. The cards can be packaged with the commodity or provided separately at participating stores. Alternately, the beverage can can be a plain reflective surface and the complete distorted image can be contained on the game card 40&#39;. In such case, either a single winning game card would be required or a series required to qualify as a winner. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates additional aspects of the invention in an embodiment applied as an academic tool. A cylindrical reflecting canister 50 is provided with a cover 52 having a light element 54 powered by a battery 56. The cover 52 overhangs the cylinder 50 such that light can proceed downward from the cover 52 around the canister 50. This light element provides a convenience means for viewing distorted images in the dark for more dramatic visual effect. A question sheet 60 is provided with a distorted image l&#39; which, when reflected onto the cylindrical reflecting surface 62 of the canister 50 provides a corrected image l on the cylinder surface 62. A question box 66 can be provided with an academic question such as &#34;George Washington was the first president of what country?&#34; After responding to the question, the student can reveal the answer displayed as a corrected distorted image on the surface 62. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a practical embodiment of the invention wherein a canister 70 having a reflecting surface 72 is provided with a translucent panel 74 covering a light 76 powered by a battery 78 at a bottom of the canister. As in FIG. 10, for example, the canister is place upon a card or sheet to decipher a distorted image. The canister can be provided with a removable top 80 which closes an open end 82 of the canister for storing rolled distorted images 84 or cards within the canister 70. These rolled distorted images can be academic questions such as described in FIG. 11 or can be baseball cards, action hero cards, or other entertaining or educational pictorials. 
     FIG. 13 shows an alternate can 1 00 to the can shown and described in FIGS. 8-10. The can 100 is provided with a reflecting surface 102 and a partial image l&#39; permanently applied to the can. As shown in FIG. 14, a substrate 106 is configured to receive the can 100 within a predetermined location circle (not shown) which in FIG. 14 is covered by the can. When placed in the proper location and orientation, anamorphic images l&#34; and l&#39;&#34; combine with the image l&#39; to form the completed and decoded image l onto the can 100. As illustrated the image l being a dog, viewable in FIG. 14 but not viewable in FIG. 13. The substrate 106 can, for example, be a coaster or placemat in a drinking or eating establishment and which can contain advertising for the maker of the commodity held by the can 100 for promotional purposes. Additionally, as previously described in FIGS. 8-11, the configured image l can serve game or amusement purposes or be educational. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a further anamorphic design where instead of a cylinder reflecting device, a conical reflecting device is illustrated. The cone 110 is set upon a substrate 112 having a distorted image l&#39; which surrounds a central circle on the card 112 (not shown) covered by a circular base 114 of the cone 110, to precisely locate the cone 110 on the substrate 112. The image l&#39; surrounds the cone and is reflected onto a reflecting conical surface 116 extending upwardly into an apex 118 of the cone. When viewed from directly above the cone looking down on the apex 118, an image l, for example a simplistically drawn &#34;cartoon superhero,&#34; can be seen. The more precise description of creating the conical anamorphic art is described for example in FIGS. 3 and 4 above. As with FIGS. 8-14, the cone 110 can be used in games, amusements, and educational devices, and can include portions preprinted on the surface 116 of the cone 110 which are combined with distorted portions on the card 112, to form a complete and unscrambled image. 
     The embodiment of 15 and 16 is particularly advantageous to playing an inventive puzzle game. Arcuate removable grid pieces 119 having images printed thereon are arranged concentrically around the reflective device 110 accordingly to create the distorted image l&#39; on the substrate 112. The game can thus operate on two levels, the proper pieces must be selected from a supply of pieces placed correctly with respect to each other, and a correct anamorphic reflecting device must be selected to properly reflect the constructed distorted image into a perceivable corrected image l, reflected on the reflective device. The puzzle pieces can be selected from a &#34;deck&#34; of pieces including surplus nonmatching pieces. The pieces can be &#34;earned&#34; or &#34;bought&#34; by points or other selection processes. The player can then choose when to select an anamorphic device, cone, pyramid, cylinder, etc. to decode the complete or nearly complete puzzle. The game and its permutations can be a board game or computer graphic game analogous to the board game. The pieces 119 can be selected by keyboard or mouse commands and the anamorphic reflecting device can also be computer generated and selected by keyboard or mouse command. FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a computer screen 200 showing a computer-generated anamorphically distorted image 202 and a computer generated reflecting device 206 displaying a computer generated decoded image 208 thereon. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates an advantageous adaptation of the present invention wherein a back panel 120 of a cereal box 122 has imprinted thereon a distorted image l&#39; within an annular field 124 and includes a location circle 126. Within the box for sale would be included a reflecting device such as a pyramid 130, a reflecting cylinder 132, or a reflecting cone 134. When one of these devices is placed within the circle 126, the reflection of the distorted image l&#39; displays a decoded message or character or pictorial or graphic on the reflecting device 130, 132, 134. The reflecting device would be matched to the image l&#39;. Alternately, the reflector can be sold separately and the anamorphic images can be randomly chosen between the three named types or other shaped reflecting device. 
     FIG. 18 discloses a board game using a playing field 140 having a plurality of staging areas 142 which receive on them appropriately sized anamorphic image disks 144 each having a scramble anamorphic image thereon of a particular type such as conical, cylindrical, or pyramidal. The staging areas 142 are provided with means such as pegs or slots to fixedly hold the disks thereon (not shown). Game pieces can include three reflecting devices: pyramid 130, cylinder 132, and cone 134. The scrambled image l&#39; can be different on each staging area 142 such that only the appropriate anamorphic reflecting device would reveal a message contained on the scrambled image l&#39; to that player having the appropriate device. The devices can be plain reflecting devices or can have partial images imprinted on them to mesh with the decoded, reflected image. Between staging areas 142 can be incremental move steps 146 such that by roll of dice, or by other method the player can move his piece around the game path. The image l&#39; once decoded by the appropriate anamorphic reflecting device 130, 132, 134 can reveal clues to a game, or can give instructions as to moving ahead a number of spaces, or can reveal a character, giving that player certain powers over other characters determine move characteristics, etc. 
     Alternately, rather than the disks being decoded by a reflecting device, the disks themselves can be deformed or distorted such as by folding into a square pyramid, or other pyramid or shape and viewing the disk from a central perspective such as described in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.