Abstract:
A system for producing and viewing a three-dimensional/stereoscopic image comprises a two-dimensional substrate having a number of blank regions that has been filled in/colored by a user with selected colors calculated to produce a stereoscopic image when viewed through a stereoscopic viewer. The colored regions are separated by black lines and together operate to form a desired image. The image has a background that is predominately black. The black lines and/or background can be provided before or after the user has colored in the blank regions. When the colored image comprising the black lines and black background is viewed through a stereoscopic viewer, the user perceives a three-dimensional image.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61/162,666 filed on Mar. 23, 2009, and 61/249,104 filed on Oct. 6, 2009, each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a system and method for generating a perceived three-dimensional image from a substrate having a pre-printed lined drawing which defines regions to be colored in by a user using a plurality of pigmented media. The perceived three-dimensional image results when a user views the colored substrate through a stereoscopic viewer. The system and method further includes instructions for generating a colored substrate which optimizes the resulting three-dimensional image perceived by the user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traditional drawing and coloring activities are limited to two-dimensional results. Children either lay down colors through various mediums such as crayons, markers, colored pencils or paints within the black lines of a predominately white sheet of paper, i.e., black line art on paper, wherein the black lines may form an outline of a particular image and/or certain features within the image that is cast against or on a predominately white background. Alternatively, children can lay down different colors in a free-form manner, i.e., without the use of preformed black outlining, thereby creating their own free-form art renderings. 
     The art resulting from either of these known approaches is viewed by the human eye as two-dimensional, thus results in producing a two-dimensional image. While this type of art has been known and practiced for years, it provides minimal play value in viewing the created artwork. It is, therefore, desired that a product and method for using the same be developed to enable a user to color or otherwise participate in the creation of an art image having an enhanced image when viewed, thereby providing an enhanced level of play. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a system for generating a three-dimensional image is provided. It is desired that such system provides a method for creating an image, e.g., art, that when viewed gives a three-dimensional illusion on an otherwise two-dimensional medium. Such system provides the added three-dimensional illusion of the image or art rendering only when viewed through stereographic glasses that are provided as part of the system. In an example embodiment, the illusion of the three-dimensional image or art on an otherwise two-dimensional medium through pre-set line drawings or free form art renderings. In this manner, the system operates to create an added play pattern to the traditional coloring and drawing process thereby increasing the play value. 
     In an example embodiment, the system comprises a substrate having a pre-printed lined drawing, preferably in black, defining regions to be colored in by a user. Alternatively, the substrate may lack some or all of the pre-lined features, and such features can be provided by the user in a free-form manner, e.g., through the use of black or darkly colored media. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate comprises a background that is predominantly black or otherwise provided in dark color, such as dark blue or the like. As noted below in greater detail, the use of an image having a predominately black background operates to enhance the three-dimensional viewing effect. 
     The system also comprises a plurality of pigmented media, such as markers, crayons, paint, wax, or the like adapted to apply color to the defined regions of the substrate. The media can be applied by hand, which can include any technique where a user directly or indirectly uses theirs hand(s) to apply the color, e.g., finger painting, drawing with a color delivery device or too, rubdown, or the like. Additionally, the media can be applied by brush, or by spray technique and the like. Preferably, the pigmented media comprises at least two colors which are either opposing or complementary on the color wheel spectrum. The system further comprises a stereoscopic viewer, which may be worn by the user to view the colored substrate and perceive the three-dimensional images resulting therefrom. 
     In another embodiment, a method for generating a three-dimensional image is provided. The method comprises obtaining a substrate having pre-printed lined indicia defining blank regions, applying at least two complementary colors using pigmented media to several of the blank regions, and viewing the resulting colored substrate through a stereoscopic viewer. 
     In a further embodiment, a virtual reality environment or game is provided. The virtual reality environment or game incorporates the colored substrate for generating a perceived three-dimensional environment that may be used as a scene backdrop. Additional props may be provided to further enhance the virtual or fantasy environment. The scene backdrops and props incorporating the colored substrate provide a three-dimensional environment or background in which a fantasy scene may be created or in which a multi-player game may be played. 
     A more complete understanding of system and methods disclosed herein will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a system for generating a three-dimensional image. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing exemplary steps in a method for generating a three-dimensional image. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the several figures and in the specification that follows, like element numerals are used to indicate like elements appearing in one or more of the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Disclosed herein are systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional image, and for using the same in connection with creating a virtual and fantasy environment or game, from an otherwise two-dimensional substrate. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a system  100  for generating a three-dimensional image. The system  100  comprises a substrate  130  comprising a pre-printed lined drawing defining blank regions  132   a, b  and  c . The substrate  130  may be made of any material on which a color may be applied, such as paper, fabric and the like. In an example embodiment, the substrate presents an image that is presented against a black background. 
     In a preferred embodiment, it is desired that the background be predominately black for the purpose of providing an enhanced three-dimensional viewing experience, as the black operates to absorb light. In an example embodiment, it is desired that at least 25 percent of the image background be black, preferably greater than 50 percent of the image background be black, and more preferably greater that 75 percent of the image background be black. While the use of black has been disclosed as a desired color for the background, it is to be understood that other dark colors (such as dark blue and the like) can be used if effective to absorb light to enhance the three-dimensional viewing effect. 
     Alternately, the substrate that is used may not include a preprovided black background. In such case the user may, or can be directed to, apply the black background to the image as part of the play task of creating the desired image. 
     The substrate comprises the blank regions  132   a, b  and  c , provided within black line borders, and which may include indicia indicating a suggested color to be applied. A plurality of pigmented media  140  is also provided to enable the user to apply at least two colors to the substrate  130 . Preferably, the plurality of pigmented media  140  includes at least two colors  142   a ,  142   b , which are considered to be opposed on the color wheel spectrum. Optionally, for ease of use, complementary colors may be provided on as a double-ended pen, marker or crayon, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     In an example embodiment, the pigmented media is provided in the form of a color delivery system that can be applied by hand, which can include the user physically using their hand to apply the pigmented or color media, or the user using their hand to rub down through an intermediary medium, or by using brush, spray or other traditional technique. The pigmented media may comprise colors selected from the primary colors of red, blue, orange, and green. In an example embodiment, the blank regions of the substrate can be colored by applying opposite colors of the color spectrum, e.g., starting with red and cyan followed by orange and blue and then yellow and green. The pigmented media may provide the colors in a manner such that the colors are opaque. The use of opaque coloring medium is useful to ensure that the black borders of the image remain visible if colored over. 
     If desired, the system can include a black, or otherwise darkly colored, pigmented media useful for outlining colored regions of the image. This outlining can include coloring over existing preprovided black lines, e.g., that may have been colored over, and/or providing black lines for the first time and separating differently colored regions that have been applied free form. Additionally, the black colored pigmented media can be used to provide the background of the image it the case where the black background is not already provided. In all cases, the presence and/or use of the black pigmented media operates to enhance the three-dimensional viewing effect. Dark colors other than black that are useful in this regard include those capable of absorbing light to enhance the three-dimensional viewing effect. 
     A stereoscopic viewer  120  adapted to be worn by a user  110  is also provided. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stereoscopic viewer  120  is a pair of eyeglasses having specially designed stereoscopic lenses  122 . Stereoscopic viewers known in the art, are suitable for use in connection with the system. Example stereoscopic viewers include ones having red-blue lenses. Preferred stereoscopic viewer include those referred to by the product name Chromadepth and available from Chromatek, and that are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,597,634; 4,717,239; and 5,002,364, which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     Instructions  150  may be provided along with the system  100 . The instructions  150  may be separately provided, as depicted in  FIG. 1  as part of or separate from the product packaging, or can be provided as part of the substrate. The instructions  150  may contain suggestions as to the manner and location in which the colors may be applied to the substrate  130  so as to optimize the three-dimensional effect that is created when the user  110  views the colored substrate  130  via the stereoscopic glasses  120 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing exemplary steps in a method  200  for generating a three-dimensional image. In step  210 , the user obtains a substrate having a pre-printed lined indicia defining blank regions. Next, in step  220 , the user applies complementary colors to various of the blank regions of the substrate using an appropriate pigmented media. Once the colors are applied to the substrate, in step  230 , the user may view the resulting colored substrate via a stereoscopic viewer. 
     As noted above, the process of creating the three-dimensional image may involve the use of a substrate not already having the black-lined image and/or black image background, in which case the user would apply the black colored lining and/or background, and the colored features, as part of a free-form coloring task to produce the desired three-dimensional image when viewed through the stereoscopic viewing device. 
     While the preferred embodiments are disclosed herein as including pre-printed lined drawings, it is understood that the preferred embodiments are not so limited. Other preferred embodiments may include, in place of or in addition to the pre-printed lined drawings, implements and devices which enable a user to create lined drawings suitable for use in connection with the invention. Such implements and devices may include, for example, a spirograph system or a tracing system, in which the user may create lined drawings on blank sheets of paper. The same is true for creating the desired black background. 
     The systems and methods disclosed herein may be used to create a virtual reality or fantasy environment that may be incorporated as part of a game. In accordance with this embodiment, the substrate is preferably of a sufficiently large size to provide a sufficient background that can be oriented in any manner desired to provide a play environment. In one embodiment, the substrate may be of a size large enough to substantially cover a 8×10 feet area on a wall. Additional props may be provided to further enhance the virtual or fantasy environment. The scene backdrops and props incorporating the colored substrate provide a three-dimensional environment or background in which a fantasy scene may be created, or in which a multi-player game can be played. Each of the players is preferably provided with a stereoscopic viewer to share in the virtual realty or fantasy scene that is created by the colored substrate. 
     Having thus described preferred embodiments for a system for generating a three-dimensional image, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the within methods and systems have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present technology.