H. A.’ SMITH.
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FP’WFUCING PICTURES BY PROJECTION.
APPLICATION FILEL DEC 30. I920.
Patented (Eat. 25, 1921.
3 SHEETS—SHEET 1.
ATTORNEYS
H. A.. SMITH. .
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FoR PRODUCING PICTURES BY PROJECTION.
APPLICATION FILED DEC 30. I920.
Fatented ROI. 2*, m1,
3 SHEFTS SHEET 2.
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ATTORNEYS
H. A. SI‘IIIIH.
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PICTURES BY FRDJE'C'I'ION.
1,394,797;
APPLICATION FILED DEC 3% I920.
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BY
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ATTORNEYS
NlTED
HERMAN ARMOUR SMITH, 01E‘ YONKERS, NEW_ YORK, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALE‘ ‘TF0
EDGAR J. MARSTON, 0F GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT.
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING- PICTURES BY PEOJECTTQN.
...1,3941,'?97.
Speci?cation of Letters Patent.
Application ?led December 30, 1920.
Patented (Bot. 25, @321.
Serial No. 434,087.
To all whom it may concern:
simple, efficient and economical manner and
‘ Be it known that I, HERMAN ARMOUR to obtain the production of a picture which
SMITH, a citizen of the United States, resid
closely approximates a view which the spec
ing at Yonkers, county of Westchester, and tater would have of the scene itself, and to
State of New York, have invented new and do this without the installation of special
useful Improvements in Methods of and Ap appliances.
paratus for Producing Pictures by Projec
10
In addition, I am enabled to produce many
tion, of which the following is a speci?cation. new and beautiful effects; and, by combining
My invention relates to certain new and my’present methods with those employing
useful improvements in the method of and mirrors, 1 am enabled to obtain illusions and
apparatus for producing pictures by pro results which have been heretofore impos
sible.
>
face. Such projected pictures, especially in To afford a better understanding of my in
the form of photographic motion pictures, vention, I would ?rst call attention to certain
jection upon a screen or other suitable sur
15
have gone into extensive'use and serve many optical laws and phenomena.
65
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useful purposes, but, as they are merely the
The appearance of solidity, relief and per 70
projection upon a plane surface of photo spective, belonging to ordinary vision, is un
graphic views, they possess the usual char doubtedly attributable in part, at least, to
20
25
acteristics of a photograph, and the subjects the phenomena of binocular vision. Tn such
disclosed appear flat and unplastic and lack case, two images of an object are formed on
any appearance of solidity or relief.
the retinas of the two eyes, which images
It has long been recognized that, if this differ slightly from each other because of
feature or limitation could be overcome, and the divergence of the rays from each point
a projected picture made which would have of the object. The effect of these two im
the characteristics of solidity, depth and ages upon the brain, however, is that of a
perspective attendant upon ordinary or bi single object seen in perspective relief. My
nocular vision, the results would be most dc: experiments, however, seem to indicate that
sirable; and many attempts have heretofore the e?ect of binocular vision involves a fur
been made to that end.
exhibiting photographic pictures) but no to which the attention is directed. In ordi
satisfactory application of this instrument, nary vision, the eye unconciously focuses
or of its principles, has heretofore been made itself upon that portion of the view which is
to the art of projected pictures. Good ‘ at that particular time under observation,
stereoscopic effects, however, have been pro whether it is in the foreground, middle dis
duced upon a screen by means of re?ecting tance, or extreme distance; and thus the ob
mirrors and the like. Such apparatus and ject viewed is seen with approximately the
methods, however, do not meet all commer maximum sharpness of which the eye is ca-v
cial requirements, as they involve the use of pable.
more or less cumbersome and special appa
ratus.
80
ther circumstance, namely, that resulting
Such effects have. been produced by means from the unconscious automatic focusing of
of an instrument known as .a stereoscope (in the eye upon the particular object or image
40
75
A photographic ‘view, especially one ir
volving considerable range of distance, ob
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95
It is an object of this present invention to viously fails to more than approximate a
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50
overcome these difficulties and to provide a brain picture of the same natural view; for‘
method and means for projecting pictures the ordinary photographic lens, while af
upon a- screen,—.which pictures will possess fording sufficient de?nition of some particu 100
the appearance of solidity, depth and per lar object upon which it is focused, neces
spective of a stereoscopic view,—and to ac sarily leaves other objects at different dis
complish this result with simple, standard tances more or less out of focus. Thus, only
and inexpensive apparatus, and without the those parts of a photographic picture, which
necessity of a considerable investment in are in accurate focus, approximate the ap 105
new and special appliances.
pearance of an ocular view thereof, and, in
By my present methods and apparatus, I the making of photographs and moving pic
am able to produce the desired result in a tures, it is customary to focus upon the ob
1,394,797
jects which are regarded as most important. thereon is ‘carefully considered; and care 1s
Sometimes, where objects at different dis taken to see that all portions of the back
tances are of equal or comparable impor ground, against which the superposed pic
tance, a compromise in focus is made, and, ture is to be projected, are darker in color
in fact, this is very frequently done.
or value than the adjacent portion of th;
In the production of most projected pic picture it is proposed to superpose.
tures, a photographic print or positive is em photographic negative is then made of the
70
ployed which is known as a “slide” or “?lm”. picture to be superposed; for instance, a
Light-rays, originating at some source of moving picture of a dancer; and this latter
light, are directed through suitable lenses picture is taken against a light-absorbing
75
character that substantially all of the inci tive, and, upon its being projected simul
dent rays impinging upon it are diffused, taneously with the background slide upon the
V15 and each point of the screen becomes a sepa same screen, the resulting view will be start
80
scene or objects depicted, the high lights latter ?lm, will have the appearance of
being represented by more or less trans solidity and relief, and very closely approxi
parent sections, whereas the shadows are mate the effect obtained by binocular vision.
86
to substantial transparency, and the light of my invention, and that not only two but
rays passing through the slide or ?lm reach several pictures may be superposed upon a
the screen in an intensity corresponding to single screen to produce a. composite or uni
90
10
and such a slide or ?lm to impinge upon a background, such as a curtain of black vel
suitable screen. The screen is of such a vet. A positive is then made from this nega
rate source of re?ected light. The slide or lingly lifelike and distinct; and, in addition,
?lm contains a photographic record of the the object, forming the subject-matter of the
20
more or less opaque. The density of the him
It will be understood that the foregoing
or slide will vary from complete opaqueness description constitutes the one simple form
25
30
the transparency of the particular portion tary result. 'In such cases it s of course
of the slide through which they pass. Thus necessary to see that the light values of the
the rays which strike a high light or trans several pictures contain sufficient contrast at
parent portion are substantially unobstruct adjacent points-to insure the proper de?ni
ed; while those rays which strike the opaque tion. By this method, each of the several
portion of the slide are completely inter
rupted and do not reach the screen at all,
rendering it black or shaded at those points.
Hence the picture produced upon the screen
35 results from the contrast effected by the dif
ferent intensities of the illumination of the
several portions thereof; and this amount
is governed by the varying character of the
slide.
40
.
In order to obtain the necessary illumina
pictures to be superposed‘ may be focused
as sharply as desired so that the composite
picture will more closely approximate the
natural view of the subjects.
It will be understood that in practising
this method a plurality of pictures may be
50
55
imposed either from the front or rear, or
with 'one or more from the other side.
\Vhere all of the pictures are projected from
light color, although metallic coated screens at least having a translucent section, will be
re uired.
spective of the particular character. of the
n all such cases the light intercepting and 11Q
screen used, the pictures projected thereon controlling devices, e., the ?lms, plates,
will contain high lights and shadows, verg color screens, etc., associated with each pro
ing onto theikdark or even black; and I have jecting machine are carefully selected, ar
discovered that it is possible to project a plu ranged and correlated so that a preconceived 115
rality of pictures upon a single scfeen in image is produced thereby. Furthermore the
such a way as to produce a unitary result, image so conceived is unlike the other image
giving the effect of but a single picture; and or images to be superposed by simultaneous
by so doing I obtain a picture which not only projectlon of ‘the two images. The arrange
possesses a greater de?nition,—-and therefore ment in general is such that any part of the
view.
65
105
have been found to serve the purpose. irre
a more nearly natural appearance,—but one screen is illuminated by one and the only one
which‘ also possesses to a high degree the projecting machine producing an image in
character of a stereoscopic or binocular contrast with the surrounding ?eld of dark
60
100
one or more from either side in combination
. tion, the screen should possess high diffuse the front an opaque screen may be employed,
re?ective properties, and those which have but where one or more of them are projected
proven most satisfactory are white or of a from the rear, a translucent screen, or one
45
95
I
.
ness as determined by the other machine or
Generally stated, one method is as follows: machines.
A photographic picture is taken of the
In the drawings I have illustrated dia
view which is to form the background and a grammatically several typical forms of my
background slide or ?lm is made therefrom. invention, but it will be understood that
In the making of this picture, the nature these are but illustrations of the many which
of the picture which may be superposed
120
may be used.
In these drawings,
' V
125
130
Leeann-r
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a This method of producing the action affords
screen and supporting platform in section much clearer de?nition thereof than may be
and the means for simultaneously projecting obtained from a ?lm wherein the entire
two pictures upon the rear of the screen;
scene, including the background, has been
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but it reproduced photographically, becausein the
illustrates a method of simultaneously pro former case extreme sharpness of detail
70
jecting two pictures upon opposite faces of may be had by closely focusing on the single
the screen, a portion of the latter being subject, whereas in the latter case, owing to
translucent and the remainder opaque;
the same sharpness of focus on the subject
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the rendering the background so much out of
projection of three pictures upon the same focus as to seriously impair or destroy the
entire picture, an adjustment of the focus
side of a screen;
'
Fig. a, a similar diagrammatic view show placing the subject somewhat out of focus is
ing the projection of three pictures upon taken as a compromise.
one side of a screen and a fourth picture
upon the opposite side, and
The background scene may be an interior,
landscape or any desired subject suitable to
Fig. am an illustration of a composite pic
the presentation, and should preferably be
ture which I will hereinafter more particu
of a nature in which a true, or substantially
lar describe.
true, perspective is obtainable, as I have
found that the value of the illusion is greatly
enhanced where perspectives are employed.
bimilar characters of reference designate
like parts throughout the several views. Re
ferring now to the drawings in detail, and
especially to the illustration of Fig. 1, 7 in
dicates a suitable supporting surface, such
in the preparation of the background
scene, if photography is used, it is manifest
that the subject of the background may be
25 as a stage or platform of a theater or other
brought out with great clarity of definition,
20
30
exhibition hall, and 8 the screen, which is owing to the fact that the background alone
preferably supported at the rear of the pro (like the foreground action) is the subject
scenium indicated at 9. Located behind the of the photograph, and, therefore, isnot sub
screen, so that they are concealed from the servient to anything which may subse
vision of the audience or spectators, are the quently appear in the foreground thereof.
projecting machines 10 and 11, the former
The background scene, which may be a
of which is shown as a moving picture ma
chine and the latter as a stereopticon.
80
85
90
95
black and white, but, preferably a colored
photograph, or a painted scene in the form
It will be observed that the cone of light of a lantern slide, is projected upon the rear
35
indicated by the dot-and-dash lines 12, and surface of the screen 8 by the stereopticon
that indicated by similar lines 13 projected 11. Simultaneously, the foreground action
by the machines 10 and 11, respectively, reg which may be the action of a story, play, or
ister or “frame” upon the rear surface of the like, photographed as ‘previously de
100
the screen 8, or any part thereof.
scribed, is projected upon the same surface
The screen 8, as used in the embodiment of of the screen 8 by the motion picture ma 105
my invention shown in Fig. 1, is translucent, chine 10, both of'the machines 10 and 11 be
and may be formed of ground glass, or any ing so located and focused relative to the
fabric or other material which is suitable to screen 8 as to produce registration of the
the purpose. I have found that a screen cones of light 12, 13, upon said screen 8 in a
45 which gives highly satisfactory results, in manner whereby the action of the story and 110
40
the practising of my invention, may be made the background in superposed relation will
of satin-?nish cotton-cloth in white, light form a complete scene within the frame of
tan, or light blue coated or impregnated
with para?in.
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60
65
said screen.
'
' In the projection of the background and
the foreground, action upon the screen 8, as 115
In the utilization of my invention, accord
ing to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the just described, the illumination of the fore
complete scene thrown upon the screen 8 ground action may if necessary be intensi
consists of a background and a foreground, ?ed relatively to that of the background
the latter of which is in motion and appears
to be in front of the background. To obtain
this foreground action, I have found it de
sirable to~ photograph‘ the subject of the “ac
scene by the use of lamps, or the like, of a
sufficiently higher candle-power in the pro
jecting machine 10 than in the stereopticon
11. It must be understood, however, that
tion” against a light-absorbing background, the clarity of the background scene need
such, for instance, as black velvet or other not be impaired thereby, .as the relative
suitable material. This will obviously pro intensity of the illumination of the two pro
duce in the positive print a ?lm or picture, jecting machines used may be so regulated
wherein the “action” only will appear, the as to preserve the full values of both pic
images of the subjects‘, which are transpar tures.
'
ent or nearly so, being clearly de?ned owing
When the background scene and the fore
to the remainder of the ?lm being opaque, ground action are superposed and presented
120
12.
130
4:
1,394,797.
to the visionof the audience or‘ onlookers, proper values of the projected images, and
in the plane of the screen 8, the method of present the complete scene to the best pos
photography and projection which ‘I em sible advantage.
ploy imparts to the foreground actlon an
same effects which are obtainableby
appearance of solidity or plasticity, the ?g theThe ractising
of my invention with a
ures or other objects in such action appar transliicent screen, as shown in Fig. 1, may
ently possessing the three dimensions of be obtained by the use of an opaque screen
length, breadth and thickness. F urther made of any suitable material, upon which
more, the accentuation of the subjects in the the background and foreground pictures are
foreground action by the proper propor simultaneously projected from the front of
tioning of the illumination produced by the the
theater. Under these circumstances, the
two machines 10 and 11, gives to such ac means
employed for projecting the pictures
tion the appearance of transpiring in a plane will, of course, be known to the onlookers
1. 5
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75
in front of the background scene. In other or spectators, but the illusion in the pres
words, by the methods of photography and entation itself will not be destroyed or
projection which are used in obtaining the seriously impaired. In some instances, the
foreground action, the ?gures in this action structure of the theater or other audi
80
have a stereoscopic or relief effect and ap torium, or the like, in which the exhibi
pear to occupy a plane or zone forward of tion or presentation is to be made will not
20 the background scene.
,
permit of the total concealment of the appa
As the subject of the story or action moves ratus used, and in consequence the so-called
or traverses the screen in the presentation, front projection as just described must be
this effect is constantly maintained irrespec resorted
to.
'
tive of the coloring or light effects of the
In the modi?cation illustrated in Fig. 2, I
25 various portions of the background scene.
have shown a means of carrying out the ob
This will be readily understood from the jects
of my invention by simultaneously
fact that the action possesses a preponder projecting
two pictures upon a screen, which
30
35
40
ant degree of brilliancy which renders in is ‘partly translucent and partly opaque,
visible the portions of the background, as
indicated at 14 and 15, respectively. The
which it covers from time to time.
background scene is projected from the front
In practising my invention, I have found of the theater or auditorium by the stereop
that various highly satisfactory effects or ticon
while the foreground action is pro
presentations may be obtained by the use jected11,
from the rear of the screen upon the
of black and White pictures for producing
portion 14 thereof, by the pro
both the background and foreground action. translucent
jecting machine 10. The illumination in
In such cases, the background may be tinted, this method of carrying out my invention
toned, or otherwise colored so as to form a must be regulated similarly to that hereinbe
pleasing and harmonious contrast to the ac
fore described and the results obtained are
The highly
although it is apparent
latter, being more highly illuminated thus that thesatisfactory,
scope of movement of the fore
stands out in bold relief. Many color con ground action upon the screen is limited by
trasts or blends may be produced whereby the
size or dimensions of the translucent
85
90
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100
tion or subjects in the foreground.
spot-light and various other stage lighting
portion 14.
105
-
effects may be obtained in the practising of
The projection of the two pictures simul
45 my invention. It will, of course, be under
taneously from the front and rear of the 110
stood that the foreground scene or ‘action screen, as just described, may also be prac
may be black and white, while the back tised with a translucent screen, in which
ground is colored by the use of spot-light event
the background projected from the
vor other coloring effects.
front of the theater or auditorium covers or
50'
In the form of myinvention shown in ?lls the entire screen, while the foreground
115
Fig. 1, I have illustrated and described a subject
or action projected from the rear of
presentation embodying a. still background
projected by the stereopticon 11 and a mov the screen covers only such portion or por
ing foreground scene projected by the mov tionsthereof asare required in the presen
55 ing picture machine 10. I would have it
It is obvious that as the'light cones from 120
understood, however, that both the back both
machines cover the entire screen, there
tations
_
>
ground scene and the foreground scene may is no limitation as to the placeswhere any
be moving pictures, or that the background of the subjects in either
may be _
scene may be in motion and the foreground made'to appear, the only picture
requirement be
60
stationary or still. Furthermore, in some ing that there shall be a sufficient contrast
125
instances, it may be found desirable to have
in lighting effect between, the adjacent
.a secondary foreground action, in which points
of the subjects on the several pictures.
event an additional projecting machine may
In Fig. 3, I have illustrated diagram-.
be used, the relative proportions of the illu
65 nnnation belng regulated to ‘obtain the matically the projection upon a single screen
of three superposed views, machines 10 and 130
1,394,797
5
16 being moving picture machines and ma
sults obtained can be varied to meet almost
chine 11 a stereopticon. As shown, the every natural condition.
latter instrument is employed to project the Where several pictures are employed
slide representing the background and its showing objects in distant and near zones,
cone of light 13 covers the entire screen. The the picture of the subject-matter in each
10
cones of light 12 and 17 from the moving zone may be sharply focused and thus the
picture machines are projected and super combination picture will have the appear
posedupon portions of the screen only and ance of depth and perspective, which is ex
may be used to present any desired sub tremely lifelike and closely approximates
jects.
a similar view seen by ordinary vision.
In Fig. 4, a still further combination of
This application is a continuation in part
machines is employed. For instance, stere
opticon 11 by a light cone 13 covers sub
16
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75
of my co~pending application for Letters
Patent ?led August 14th, 1920, Serial No.
stantially the entire screen; while moving 403,566 and is ?led as a continuation and
picture machines 10 and 16 present light substitute for so much of said application
80
cones 12 and 17, respectively, upon the same as relates to subject-matter common to both.
side of the screen; whereas, the moving
It will be apparent that my invention is
picture machine 18 throws a cone of light 19 susceptible. of diversi?ed uses as hereinbe
and picture upon a portion of the opposite fore set forth. As an example my method
20 side of the screen.
and apparatus may be employed for produc
In Fig. 5, I have represented a typical ing scenic effects in threatrical and other
85
scene such as would be produced by the productions, in which the story or action is
apparatus and method shown in Figs. 1 and carried out, or performed by living actors.
2. If two machines are employed, the back Under such circumstances, it might be found
25 ground may be thrown by the stereopticon desirable to employ two still pictures, one to 90
upon the entire screen and would cover the
30
provide the background effect while the
entire surface. It will be understood that other produces the foreground, the back
the complete picture will consist of the dis ground and foreground apparently occupy
tant, 2'. 6., the mountains, clouds and the ing different planes or zones and producing
heavy-foliage, (which upon the background a scenic effect similar to that which would
screen would be dark in color all the way be obtained by a stage set. This and other
down to the bottom 20). Upon the dark uses of my method and apparatus will pre
background is thrown the moving picture sent themselves to'those skilled in the art,
95
scene which would contain the floor of the to which this invention appertains, and I
platform, the horse and the human ?gure. would have it clearly and distinctly under
The‘?oor being much lighter than the lower stood that all such uses, together with such
part of the ?xed scene, would appear clearly changes in the preparation and projection
100
as in the illustration, and so long as the of ?lms or slides, as may be necessary or
horse remained su?iciently in the foreground desirable to carry out the objects of my
as not to re ister with any of the dark por invention, are clearly within the spirit and
tion of the background, he would stand out scope thereof as de?ned in the following
105
distinctly as shown. Similarly, the human claims.
?gure will appear distinct anywhere upon
lVhat I claim is:
the platform against the darker background,
1. The method of producing the appear
ance of solidity or relief in projected pic
sesses the characteristic that the back-ground tures, wherein the images of a plurality of
appears to begin only at the rear of the sharply focused photographs, each repre
and a scene employing such a floor pos~
platform.
senting subject-matter unlike to that of the
Assuming that the scene of Fig. 5 is pro other disposed in a distinct zone and hav
50 duced by means of two moving picture ma ing a different focal distance, are superposed 115
chines, then a similar result is obtained. upon a screen.
The background ?lm may represent the
2. The method of producing the appear
mountains, sky, clouds, foliage, etc., the lat ance of solidity or relief in projected action
ter of which may be moving in the breeze, pictures wherein the images of a plurality
456
the foreground of this picture being su?i
ciently dark, the second moving picture, de
picting the platform, horse and human
?gure, will be projected thereon, and the
of Sharply focused photographs, each repre
senting subject-matter unlike to that of the
120
other disposed in a distinct zone and having
a different focal distance, are superposed
characters will stand out with a similar de upon a screen, one of the photographs be
60 gree of ,distinctness providing the relative
lighting of the two pictures is properly;7
,ing of the moving; picture type.
3. The method of producing the appear
regulated.
ance of solidity or relief in projected action
It will be obvious that various combina— pictures wherein the images of a plurality
of sharply focused photographs, each repre
ing picture views, may be used, and the re senting subject<matter unlike to that of the
tions of scenes, whether still life or mov
125
1,394,797
6
other disposed in a distinct zone‘and having ing ‘subject-matter in a foreground zone, at
a different focal distance, are superposed a nearer focal distance, and adjusting the
upon a screen, one of the photographs be— relative intensity of illumination of the
ing of the moving picture type, and the rela images.
10.. The method of producing the appear
tive intensity of illumination of the images
is adjusted.
ance of solidity or relief in projected pic
10
at. The method of producing the appear
ance of solidity or relief in projected pic
tures, which comprises producing upon av
screen an image portraying a closely fo
70
tures, which comprises projecting upon a
single screen a plurality of sharply focused
photographic views in superposed relation,
each photographic view representing sub
75
cused scene representing subject-matter in a ject-matter in sharp focus in a zone different
distant zone, and rendering portions there from the zone of focus of the other photo
of invisible by simultaneously producing
graph.
>
upon the same screen an image portraying
11. The method of producing the appear?
15 a closely focused scene representingsubject ance of solidity or relief in projected action 80
matter of contrasting characier in a fore pictures, which comprises projecting upon a
ground zone.
single screen a plurality of sharply focused
‘5. The method of producing the appear photographic views in superposed relation,
ance of solidity or relief in projected action each photographic view representing sub
20 pictures. which comprises producin~ upon a ject-matter in sharp focus in a zone different
screen an image portraying a scene repre from the zone of focus of the other photo
senting at one focal distance subject-matter graph, at least one of the subject-matters
in a distant zone, and rendering portions represented being in action.
thereof invisible by simultaneously produc
12. The method of producing the appear
25 ing upon the same screen an image portray ance of solidity or relief in projected action
85
90
ing a closely focused scene at a nearer focal pictures, which comprises projecting upon a
distance representing moving subjeit-ma-tter single screen a plurality of photographic
of contrasting character in a foreground views in superposedrelation, each photo
zone.
30
'
graph representing subject-matter in sharp
6. The method of producing the appear-I focus in a zone different from the zone of
ance of solidity or relief in projected action focus of the other photograph, the subject
95
pictures. which comprises producing upon a 'matter in a remoter zone being “still” and
screen an image portraying a closely focused that in a nearer zone being in action.
scene representing subject-matter in a dis
13. The method which comprises the pro
35 tant zone, rendering portions thereof invis jection upon a single screen of a plurality 100
ible by simultaneously producing upon the of ocular views, reproduced in the form of
sharply focused photographs, ‘each of unlike
focused scene representing moving subject contrasting subject-matter in a different zone
same screen an image portraying a closely
matter of contrasting character in a fore
40
ground zone, and adjusting the relative in
tensity of illumination of the images.
7. The method of producing the appear
ance of solidity or relief in projected pic
tures. which comprises illuminating com
45 paratively dark portions of a screen image
and taken at different focal distances, to pro
duce a scene having the appearance of solid— 105
ity or relief.
14. The method which comprises the pro
jection upon a single screen of a plurality of
ocular views, reproduced in the form of
sharply focused still and moving photo
110
portraying a closely focused scene repre graphs. each of unlike contrasting subject
senting subject-matter in a distant zone by matter in a different zone and taken at dif
brighter portions of an image of another ferent focal distances. to produce a scene
closely focused scene in a foreground zone. having the appearance of solidity or relief.
50
8. The method of producing the appear
15. The method of producing the appear 115
ance of solidity or relief in projected action ance of solidity or relief in projected pic
pictures. which comprises illuminating com
tures, comprising the projection of a series
paratively dark portions of a screen image of closely focused photographic views of un
representing subject-matter in one zone at like subject-matter in different zones and
one focal distance by brighter portions of taken’ at different focal distances upon a
an image of a closely focused scene of mov single screen simultaneously and in super
ing subject~matter in another zone at an posed relation, each of the views being of
other focal distance.
such a cha 'acter that high light portions of
9; The method of producing the appear one register with naturally substantially
60 ance of solidity or relief in projected action darker portions of the other pictures, so
pictures, which comprises illuminating com that the said high light is thrown upon a
paratively dark portions of a screen image relatively unilluminated portion of the
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representing subjectanatter in a distant zone
at one focal distance by brighter portions of
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screen.
16. The step in the method of producing
an image of a closely focused scene of mov~ the appearance of solidity or ielief in pro 130
1,394,797 .
j ected pictures, which consists in eliminating focal distances, whereby said subject-mat
dark foreground portions of a screen image ters may be superposed on?'the screen, said
portraying a closely focused view of a back designs being so interrelated that their re
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ground scene by projecting thereon high spective images appear in relief when super
lights representing closely focused action in posed, at least one of the said projecting
a foreground zone.
machines being a moving picture machine.
17. The method of producing pictures by 21. An illusion producing apparatus, com
projection, comprising ?rst producing a plu prising a screen, a stereopticon trained upon
rality of closely focused pictures of sepa said screen and having a light-intercepting
rately viewed objects at substantially differ and controlling means associated therewith,
60
ent focal distances, and then simultaneously said means constituting a representation at
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projecting said pictures in superposed rela one focal distance of‘a background scene,
tion on ‘a common screen, whereby the and a background scene, a moving picture
merged pictures bear an appropriate per machine also trained on said screen and hav
spective to each other and create the optical ing a ?lm carrying closely focused photo
impression of distance between forwardly graphs associated therewith said photo
and rearwardly located objects, to effect the graphs representing a moving picture of
appearance of relief of predetermined por
tions of the combined picture.
18. The method of producing the appear
ance of solidity or relief in projected pic
tures which comprises producing upon a
subject-matter having a focal distance dif
ferent from that of the background scene,
sharply focused scene at a predetermined
22. The combination with a screen, and a
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whereby the subject-matters of the two pic
tures may be superposed on the screen so
that their respective images appear in relief.
focal distance, an image depicting a scene plurality of projecting ‘machines trained
and then rendering portions thereof invisi thereon, of closely focused photographic
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ble by simultaneously producing upon the light-intercepting and controlling devices
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same screen an unmasked image depicting associated with each machine, said devices
another sharply focused scene at a different being unlike one to the other and represent
focal distance, said scene being of a con ing subj cot-matter disposed in different zones 80
trasting character.
and at different focal distances, said devices
19. An illusion producing apparatus, com being so interrelated that high-light por
prising a screen, a plurality of projecting tions of one scene do not register with sub
machines trained on the screen, each project stantially similar high-light portions of an
ing machine being provided with a light other scene, whereby the combined picture
intercepting and controlling device, each de projected will produce upon the screen dis
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vice being of preconceiveddesign and repre tinct images which possess the appearance of
senting at sharp focus subject-matter in dif solidity or relief.
ferent zones and at different focal distances,
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23. An illusion producing apparatus com
whereby said subject-matters may be super prising a screen, projecting instrumentalities
posed on the screen, said designs being so in trained on the screen, and light-intercepting
terrelated that their respective images ap and controlling devices associated with the
90
20. An illusion producing apparatus, com graphs taken at different focal distances and
prising a screen, a plurality of projecting representing unlike subject-matter of pre
machines trained on the screen, each project determined design disposed in different
ing machine being provided with a closely zones, whereby the illusion of solidity or re
95
pear in relief when superposed, one of said projecting instrumentalities, said devices be
devices being a closely focused photograph. ing in the form of sharply focused photo- '
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focused photographic light-intercepting and lief is produced by simultaneous projection
controlling device, each device being of pre onto the screen.
conceived design and representing subject
matter‘in different zones and at different
HERMAN ARMOUR SMITH.