Mirror wedge illusion system and method

Abstract

We provide a double-sided mirror for the mirror wedge illusion. [Solution] A double-sided mirror 80 for the mirror wedge illusion. The double-sided mirror includes a reflective material layer 84, a thin glass layer 82 covering the front surface 90 of the reflective material layer 84, a dark mask layer 86 covering the back surface 92 of the reflective material layer 84, and a thick glass support layer 88 bonded to the dark mask layer 86.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] 〔Cross - Reference to Related Applications〕 This application claims priority and the benefit thereof to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 152,173, entitled "Mirror Wedge Illusion System and Method", filed on February 22, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Background Art

[0002] This section is for introducing the reader to various aspects of technologies that may be related to the various aspects of the present disclosure described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in showing the reader the background circumstances and facilitating a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, these descriptions should be read from the above perspective rather than as an admission of prior art.

[0003] Mirrors are sometimes used in entertainment attractions to provide special effects. For example, mirrors can be used in entertainment attractions to create optical illusions that make observers believe they are seeing a side of a scene that is actually a reflection. Traditional mirror illusions (for example, the illusion known as the floating door illusion) involve mirrors framed along their edges so that guests in the entertainment attraction cannot easily identify the mirrors. In the floating door illusion, mirrors can be positioned so that, even though the interior of a room is visible through a door leading into the room, the door appears to be floating (and essentially has no associated outer wall). In such illusions, the door frame can play a role in concealing the properties of the mirror by hiding its edges, thus maintaining the mirror illusion. However, it is now recognized that if mirrors are used without framing the edges, the edges of the mirror become quite visible, and the properties or principles of the illusion become apparent to the target audience. When the principle of the illusion becomes easily apparent to the target audience, the illusion can be considered to have collapsed, and the entertainment value of a collapsed illusion is limited. Therefore, it is now recognized that improved systems and methods for providing mirror illusions are desirable. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The following summarizes several embodiments that fall within the same scope as the subject matter of the original claims. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather to outline some of the disclosed embodiments. In practice, the disclosure may include a variety of forms that are similar to or different from the embodiments shown below.

[0005] In one embodiment, the two-sided mirror includes a reflective material layer, a thin transparent layer covering the front surface of the reflective material layer, a dark-colored mask layer covering the back surface of the reflective material layer, and a support layer bonded to the dark-colored mask layer.

[0006] In one embodiment, the mirror wedge system includes a first mirror portion defining a first trapezoidal wall of the mirror wedge, a second mirror portion defining a second trapezoidal wall of the mirror wedge, and the apex of the mirror wedge where the first and second mirror portions join. The first and second mirror portions each include a dipfaced mirror, the dipfaced mirror including a reflective material layer, a thin transparent layer covering the front surface of the reflective material layer, a dark mask layer covering the back surface of the reflective material layer, and a support layer bonded to the dark mask layer.

[0007] In one embodiment, the mirror wedge illusion system includes a mirror wedge and a plurality of walls arranged as a portion of the faces of an n-gonal prism. The plurality of walls include a front surface that cooperates to define a portion of the concave face of the n-gonal prism. The mirror wedge extends from a portion of the front surface into the concave face and toward the vertex edge of the mirror wedge. The mirror wedge includes a first mirror side and a second mirror side that are joined to each other at the vertex edge. The first mirror side and the second mirror side include a reflective material layer, a thin glass layer covering the front surface of the reflective material layer, a dark mask layer covering the back surface of the reflective material layer, and a thick glass support layer bonded to the dark mask layer. The mirror wedge is configured to reflect portions of the plurality of walls, thereby creating the illusion that the mirror wedge is part of the plurality of walls.

[0008] One embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a two-sided mirror. The method includes assembling a dark mask layer on a support layer, assembling a reflective material layer on the side of the dark mask layer opposite the support layer, and assembling a thin transparent layer on the side of the reflective layer opposite the dark mask layer. The method may include vacuum sputtering the deposits to form a thin transparent layer on the side of the reflective layer opposite the dark mask layer. Furthermore, a thin transparent layer, which may include a thin glass layer, can be deposited across the interface between the two mirror portions.

[0009] A better understanding of these and other features, aspects and advantages of this disclosure will be gained by reading the following detailed description while referring to the attached drawings, which indicate the same parts throughout with the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a mirror wedge illusion system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic plan view of the mirror wedge illusion system shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic elevation view of the mirror wedge illusion system shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a schematic exploded cross-sectional view of the two-sided mirror of the mirror wedge illusion system shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view of the mirror wedge of the mirror wedge illusion system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following describes one or more specific embodiments of this disclosure. For the sake of brevity, this specification may not describe all features of the embodiments. In developing any such embodiments, as can be seen in any engineering or design project, it should be understood that numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific objectives, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary by implementation. Furthermore, while such development efforts can be complex and time-consuming, it should nevertheless be understood as routine design, fabrication, and manufacturing for an average engineer interested in this disclosure.

[0012] When describing elements of the various embodiments of this disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of these elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be comprehensive and mean that there may be further elements other than those listed. Furthermore, any reference to “one embodiment” or “a certain embodiment” in this disclosure should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of further embodiments, including the features described.

[0013] The techniques disclosed herein relate to special effects that use mirrors to produce optical illusions. These embodiments can be employed for purposes such as creating interesting images and concealing the functional aspects of a show. Specifically, these embodiments relate to a mirror wedge illusion that functionally surpasses the conventional mirror effect. More specifically, these embodiments relate to a system and method for providing a mirror wedge illusion via dual-surfaced mirrors. Unlike first-surface mirrors, which are generally defined as including a silver layer on a black back mask placed on a glass substrate, dual-surfaced mirrors include a thin transparent layer placed over a reflective layer located on a dark-colored mask layer on a support. This thin transparent layer, which can be as thick as a few tens of micrometers or a few thousandths of an inch, protects the reflective layer while also limiting the visibility of the edges or seams where the two mirror surfaces meet. In some embodiments, the advantages of the thin transparent layer can be enhanced by providing the thin transparent layer as a continuous layer covering the edge between the two mirror surfaces.

[0014] The mirror wedge in the mirror wedge illusion can be configured to reflect objects so that the observer sees the mirror wedge not as a mirror wedge, but as an object itself (e.g., an extension of the wall). For example, the mirror wedge illusion can be placed as part of an entertainment attraction to give a visual impression (e.g., the illusion that a prop is floating in mid-air). The mirror wedge illusion can also be used to hide objects such as control lines inside the mirror wedge and behind the prop so that guests of the entertainment attraction see the prop as moving independently, without any prominent control lines attached to it.

[0015] In the mirror wedge illusion system according to this embodiment, various types of mirrors can be used. For example, a standard mirror can be used in the mirror wedge illusion system. A standard mirror may include a thick glass support layer as its top surface. A reflective material layer may cover the back surface of the thick glass support layer, and a dark mask layer may cover the back surface of the reflective material layer. However, a standard mirror may not be suitable for maintaining the mirror wedge illusion under certain conditions. For example, the edges of a standard mirror can be exposed and beveled so that the ends of the standard mirror converge to form a wedge, but even then, the depth of the thick glass layer, which is the top layer of the standard mirror, may still be easily visible to the guest of the mirror wedge illusion system, potentially destroying the mirror wedge illusion. In addition, a front surface mirror can also be used in the mirror wedge illusion system according to this embodiment. This front surface mirror (also called a first surface mirror) may include a reflective material layer as its top surface, a dark mask layer covering the back surface of the reflective material layer, and a thick glass support layer covering the back surface of the dark mask layer. However, in entertainment attraction environments, the components of the reflective material layer on the upper surface of the surface mirror are exposed, making it impossible to maintain the surface mirror alone. Therefore, the disclosed technology includes a double-sided mirror that facilitates the operation of a mirror wedge illusion system, taking into account the shortcomings of various mirrors.

[0016] Specifically, the disclosed technology includes using a double-sided mirror to form a mirror wedge in a mirror wedge illusion system. For example, a mirror wedge illusion can include a double-sided mirror in the wedge configuration and be positioned to reflect a landscape (e.g., a wall) so that it appears to guests of an entertainment attraction as a reflected landscape rather than a mirror. As those skilled in the art will understand, the mirrors in a mirror wedge illusion system can be positioned so that the reflected wall appears to the observer as an extension of an adjacent wall. For example, the reflected wall may appear to form a room or part of a room together with the wall itself. Thus, the mirrors in a mirror wedge illusion system can produce a spatial illusion. The double-sided mirror includes a reflective material layer, a thin transparent layer (e.g., a thin glass layer) covering the front of the reflective material layer, a dark mask layer covering the back of the reflective material layer, and a support layer (e.g., a thick glass support layer) bonded to the dark mask layer. The thin transparent layer is the top layer of the double-sided mirror, followed below by the reflective material layer, the dark mask layer, and the support layer, respectively. The double-sided mirror differs from a standard mirror or surface mirror. For example, unlike surface mirrors which have a reflective material layer such as silver or aluminum on top, a double-sided mirror has a thin transparent layer (e.g., thin glass) as its top layer. The thin transparent layer of a double-sided mirror reduces the maintenance required on the front portion of the mirror, thus extending its service life.

[0017] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mirror wedge illusion system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mirror wedge illusion system 10 may be part of an amusement park attraction. The mirror wedge illusion system 10 includes a plurality of walls 12, a mirror wedge 14, and props 16 (e.g., anime figures) located near the vertex edges 18 of the mirror wedge 14. The mirror wedge 14 is configured to reflect at least a portion of the plurality of walls 12 to provide the mirror wedge illusion. The mirror wedge illusion may include the mirror wedge 14 appearing to be aligned with and positioned along the plurality of walls 12 so that the mirror wedge 14 is not detected by guests (e.g., observers) of the mirror wedge illusion system 10.

[0018] The aspects of the mirror wedge illusion system 10 will be described further below. The operation of this mirror illusion is supported by geometric relationships. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, various axes and geometric relationships between the features of the wedge illusion system 10 will be mentioned. However, such mentions should be interpreted as not necessarily requiring strict mathematical relationships. For example, a statement that one structure is parallel to another should be interpreted contextually (e.g., roughly parallel) and not as a complete mathematical relationship.

[0019] The mirror wedge illusion can operate based on the optical and geometric properties of an n-gon (e.g., a multi-sided regular closed polygon) and / or an n-gon prism. In other embodiments, curved surfaces can also be employed. However, for the sake of clarity, an example relating to an n-gon prism is given. The basic premise of the mirror wedge illusion is to angle the sides of the n-gon reflected by the mirror wedge so that they align with the wall behind the mirror wedge. For example, a mirror wedge with walls intersecting at 30° will have a reflected wall corresponding to the actual wall reflected in the mirror at -30°. Thus, the reflected wall shown by the mirror wedge appears to be located along the actual wall, continuous with the reflected wall. Visual consistency can be enhanced by utilizing a consistent pattern on the wall.

[0020] Based on this, multiple walls 12 are arranged as parts of an n-sided prism (e.g., a 14-sided prism, a 16-sided prism). The multiple walls 12 include front surfaces 20 (e.g., walls) that define a concave surface 22 of the n-sided prism. Each front surface 20 can be aligned as a side or face of the n-sided prism. Each front surface 20 of the multiple walls 12 is angled relative to the adjacent front surface. By angling the front surfaces 20 of the multiple walls 12, the mirror wedge illusion can be maintained for multiple guest viewing angles.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror wedge 14 extends into the concave surface 22 from one or more front surfaces 24 of a plurality of walls 12. For the plurality of walls 12 (specifically, the (single and multiple) front surfaces 24 adjacent to the mirror wedge), the corresponding widths exist along an axis generally parallel to the axis 27 shown in Figure 1. The mirror wedge 14 extends across this width in a direction away from the (single and multiple) front surfaces 24. The mirror wedge 14 includes a first mirror portion 26 (e.g., the first mirror side) and a second mirror portion 30 (e.g., the second mirror side) that extend away from the (single and multiple) front surfaces 24 into the concave surface 22. As shown, the first mirror portion 26 defines the first trapezoidal wall of the mirror wedge 14 and extends into the concave surface 22 from the first edge 28 of the mirror wedge 14 adjacent to the (single and multiple) front surfaces 24. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the second mirror portion 30 defines the second trapezoidal wall of the mirror wedge 14 and extends into the concave surface 22 from the second edge 32 of the mirror wedge 14 adjacent to the (single or double) front surface 24. The first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 extend toward the center of the n-sided prism and intersect at the vertex edge 18 which extends approximately parallel to the axis 31 shown in the figure. As a result of the arrangement of the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30, the mirror wedge 14 as a whole extends into the concave surface 22 approximately along an axis parallel to the axis 41 shown in the figure.

[0022] The longitudinal length ((single or plural front surfaces 24 of) the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30) extending into the concave surface 22 can be approximately equal to the outer radius of the virtual n-sided prism. Although the n-sided prism has a closed shape, only a part of the n-sided prism (for example, a part of the surface) physically exists, and this can also be used as a part of the mirror wedge illusion system 10. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of walls 12 form a part of the n-sided prism. Various props (for example, pictures, patterns, objects, lighting) can be coupled to the plurality of walls 12 or provided on the plurality of walls 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the prop 23 represents various props according to this embodiment. In the perspective view shown in FIG. 1, the reflection angles of the reflection portions of the n-sided prism on the mirror wedge 14 are all aligned with the predicted angles of the opposing portions of the n-sided prism. Therefore, by aligning the reflected image with the opposing physical structure on the mirror wedge 14, the mirror wedge 14 can be made undetectable by the guest. In practice, as shown, the reflection 19 on the mirror wedge 14 is aligned with the predicted floor angle behind the mirror wedge 14, the reflection 21 is aligned with the prop 23 behind the mirror wedge 14, and the reflection 25 is aligned with the angle of the wall among the plurality of walls 12 behind the mirror wedge 14.

[0023] As described above, the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 are joined (e.g., joined) at the vertex edge 22 of the mirror wedge 14. The vertex edge 22 is located on the central axis of the n-gonal prism and can be aligned approximately parallel to the axis 31. The mirror wedge 14 is configured to reflect at least a portion of the multiple walls 12, so that the reflected portion coincides with the interior angle of the n-gonal prism, and thus gives guests the illusion that the reflected portion is located along the multiple walls 12 and that the mirror wedge 14 does not exist. In this way, the mirror wedge 14 can produce the illusion that it does not exist and does not occupy space. For example, the pattern of a wall located within the reflection zone of the mirror wedge 14 among the multiple walls 12 may be incident on the mirror wedge 14 and reflected from the mirror wedge 14 into the guest's line of sight. Thus, the mirror wedge 14 and the multiple walls 12 are arranged so that the reflected wall shown by the mirror wedge 14 appears to be located along the multiple walls 12 rather than in the concave surface 22 formed by the multiple walls 12. In reality, to a guest observing the mirror wedge illusion system, the mirror wedge 14 appears not to exist. That is, the mirror wedge 14 is configured such that, for multiple guest viewing angles, the reflections formed by the mirror wedge 14 appear to be located along the front surfaces 20 of multiple walls 12. In this way, the observer can observe a continuous pattern on the multiple walls 12, or more precisely, a pattern that is not interrupted by the presence of the mirror wedge 14, which is actually located within the guest's line of sight.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the length 34 of the rear portion of the mirror wedge 14 (across the triangular bottom surface formed by the mirror wedge 14) extends generally parallel to the axis 31 along the height of the front face 24 of the plurality of walls 12. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the length 34 of the rear portion of the mirror wedge 14 is shorter than the height of the walls of the plurality of walls 12. The plurality of walls 12 can support the mirror wedge 14 via structural support features (e.g., screws, nuts). Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the width 36 of the rear portion (the triangular bottom surface formed by the mirror wedge 14) of the mirror wedge 14 is approximately equal to the width of the front face 24 of a particular segment of the plurality of walls 12. Also, the width of each of the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 of the mirror wedge 14 (the dimension extending into the concave surface 22 from the plurality of walls 12) can be less than or approximately equal to the radius (e.g., outer radius) of the virtual n-sided prism.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the walls of the multiple walls 12 are angled to compensate for the angle 37 of the mirror wedge 14. However, some embodiments may employ different angles (e.g., a square room or smoothly curved walls). Nevertheless, the mirror wedge illusion can be maintained and designed for multiple guest viewing angles 38 corresponding to the positions of the guest 40 around the mirror wedge illusion system 10 throughout the observation period. For example, in an amusement ride including the mirror wedge illusion system 10, the ride vehicle of the amusement ride may be configured to move the guest 40. As the guest moves, it is desirable to maintain the mirror wedge illusion for each position occupied by the guest. The mirror wedge illusion can also be maintained for multiple guest heights. In practice, different guests 40 (e.g., adults, children) can view the mirror wedge illusion system 10 from different heights parallel to the axis 31. To maintain the mirror wedge illusion for multiple guest heights, the length of the vertex edge 18 can be designed to accommodate various viewing angles along an axis parallel to the axis 31. Therefore, the attraction engineer can configure the shape of the mirror wedge illusion system 10 based on the permissible guest viewing angle 38 of the entertainment attraction in order to maintain the mirror wedge illusion.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 are diply mirrors. Therefore, the upper surface of the diply mirror is a thin transparent layer. The thin transparent layers of the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 can be joined at the vertex edge 18. In some embodiments, the diply mirror is manufactured by vacuum sputtering a thin glass layer onto the upper surface of a surface mirror (e.g., a silver surface mirror). In these cases, the thin glass layer helps to reduce maintenance of the diply mirror and extend its service life without being easily noticed by an observer of the mirror wedge illusion system 10.

[0027] The mirror wedge illusion system 10 also includes a prop 16 (e.g., an anime figure) positioned close to the vertex edge 18 of the mirror wedge 14. The prop 16 includes and / or is coupled to a control line for operating the prop 16. The control line is hidden by the mirror wedge 14 in close proximity to its position along the vertex edge 18. The control line can emerge through an opening along the vertex edge 18 behind the prop 16. The mirror wedge illusion system 10 is configured to hide the control line behind the prop 16 so that an observer can operate the prop 16 without detecting the operating equipment. The reason the mirror wedge illusion system 10 can hide the control line of the prop 16 is that the mirror wedge 14 reflects the front surface 20 so that the observer observes reflected walls on the mirror wedge 14 that appear to be positioned along multiple walls 12, rather than detecting the mirror wedge 14 as an object in the concave surface 22. In reality, the mirror wedge is camouflaged to appear as if it were part of multiple walls 12 (for example, part of the side of an n-sided prism).

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the prop does not conceal the entire length of the vertex edge 18. Instead, prop 16 conceals a portion of the vertex edge 18 from the guest's view. Further props may be used to conceal other portions of the vertex edge 18. In practice, the mirror wedge illusion system 10 may include further props or designs (e.g., fixed or movable) configured to camouflage a portion of the vertex edge 18 so that the vertex edge 18 appears to be the prop itself (e.g., a stream of water flowing over the vertex edge).

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the mirror wedge illusion system 10 of Figure 1. Figure 2 shows multiple walls 12 arranged as part of an n-sided polygon. As shown, the first mirror portion 26 (e.g., the first surface) and the second mirror portion 30 (e.g., the second surface) are not terminated by a frame such as a mirror frame. Instead, the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 are joined at a point 60 located close to the center or radius of the n-sided polygon to provide a desired viewing angle, representing the vertex edge 18 as viewed from above. The first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 can be joined at the vertex edge 18 at the bevel or cut of the diagonal mirror of the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30. However, the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 can also share all or part of their respective diagonal mirror layers. For example, in order to achieve a seamless connection between the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion at the vertex edge 18, at least the outer visible layers (e.g., a thin transparent layer and a reflective layer) of the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 can be formed together.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic elevation view of the mirror wedge illusion system 10 of Figure 1. In the illustrated embodiment representing a view from a specific viewpoint, the mirror wedge 14 appears identical to multiple walls 12. Furthermore, the mirror wedge 14 is configured to appear identical to multiple walls 12 from various positions or viewpoints. For example, the mirror wedge 14 can be positioned relative to other aspects of the mirror wedge illusion system 10 so that guests in an amusement attraction ride vehicle can see and experience the optical illusion provided by the mirror wedge illusion system 10 at all viewpoints or angles through which they pass. In practice, an observer cannot easily detect the mirror wedge 14 due to the illusion at a given viewing position. This facilitates the implementation of the desired effect with a ride that can include many viewing positions. Furthermore, the vertex edges 18 facilitate the provision of an illusion that allows a small prop 16 to appear as if it is floating or standing unsupported within the mirror wedge illusion system 10 compared to the mirror wedge 14.

[0031] The first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 are diply mirrors. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the layers of the diply mirror 80 of the mirror wedge illusion system 10 of Figure 1. The diply mirror 80 includes a thin glass layer 82, a reflective material layer 84 (e.g., silver), a dark mask layer 86, and a thick glass support layer 88. The thin glass layer 82 and the thick glass support layer 88 can be replaced with other materials having desired properties (for example, the thin glass layer 82 can be replaced with a thin transparent plastic layer, and the thick glass support layer 88 can be replaced with a plastic panel). The thin glass layer 82 covers the front surface 90 of the reflective material layer 84. The dark mask layer 86 covers the back surface 92 of the reflective material layer 84. The thick glass support layer 88 is bonded to the back surface 94 of the dark mask layer 86. The thick glass support layer 88 can be thicker than the thin glass layer 82. The thin glass layer 82 can include a vacuum sputtered layer (e.g., vacuum sputter deposition). In other words, the thin glass layer 82 can be a thin layer of vacuum sputtered glass. The thin glass layer 82 can help reduce maintenance of the two-sided mirror 80 and extend its service life. In some embodiments, the thickness of the thin glass layer 82 is 0.06 mm to 0.09 mm. The thickness of the thin glass layer 82 can be similar to the thickness of a human hair. Thus, the thin glass layer 82 can be substantially invisible to an observer of the mirror wedge illusion system 10. In some embodiments, the thin glass layer 82 is deposited on the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 simultaneously or in a series of process steps to form a seamless texture on the vertex edge 18.

[0032] In some embodiments, to ensure that the more delicate visible layers on the thick glass support layer 88 are not damaged or broken by tools during the manufacturing process of the double-sided mirror 80, the thick glass support layer 88 can be beveled or cut at a specific angle before other layers (e.g., substrates) on the thick glass support layer 88 are applied. This beveling or cutting can also facilitate the joining of two mirrors, such as the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30, to form the mirror wedge 14. While at least a portion of the layers of the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30 can be formed individually, using the same material for each layer can provide consistency and maintenance advantages. For example, the material forming the layers can behave to consistently avoid damage due to environmental changes. Furthermore, the sandwich structure of the double-sided mirror 80, including the thin glass layer 82 on the top surface and the thick glass support layer 88 on the back surface, can promote the expansion and contraction of the double-sided mirror 80 at the same rate. This can help prevent the double-sided mirror 80 from cracking with temperature fluctuations. In some embodiments, the mirror wedge 14 can be formed as a single structure, including by providing a shared layer for the first mirror portion 26 and the second mirror portion 30.

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the mirror wedge 14, showing various features of the mirror wedge 14. As shown, an opening 100 exists near or through the vertex edge 18 of the mirror wedge 14. In some embodiments, the mirror wedge 14 may include multiple openings. Multiple openings may accommodate control lines 102 for controlling one or more further props or other features. A prop 16 is coupled through the opening 100 to the control lines 102, which are configured to cause the prop 16 to perform various special effects, such as movement of the prop 16 (e.g., an animated character) in one or more directions, based on commands from an automated controller 104 (e.g., a programmable logic controller, a local controller, or a programmed computer). When the mirror wedge illusion system 10 is used in an entertainment show, such an arrangement is used to conceal the control lines 102 from the audience's view. For example, the control lines 102 can be concealed from view by the presence of the prop 16 in front of the opening 100 and the mirror wedge 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the vertex edge 18 is longer than the height of the anime figure. In some embodiments, the length of the vertex edge 18 can be approximately equal to or shorter than the height of the prop 16. In these embodiments, the amount of the vertex edge 18 that can be observed by the observer can be reduced.

[0034] While the embodiments described herein are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, the drawings illustrate specific embodiments as examples, and these are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to be limited to any specific form disclosed. This disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims below.

[0035] The claimed technologies described herein refer to and apply to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical, but which certainly improve the art. Furthermore, if any of the claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as "...means for performing [function]" or "...steps for performing [function]," such elements should be interpreted in accordance with 112(f) of the United States Patent Act. On the other hand, any claim containing elements designated in any other form should not be interpreted in accordance with 112(f) of the United States Patent Act. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 10 Mirror Wedge Illusion System 12 Multiple walls 14 Mirror Wedge 16 Props 18 vertex edges 19 reflection 20 Multiple walls in front 21 reflection 22 Part of the concave surface of the prism 23 Props 24 Multiple walls in front 25 reflection 26 First mirror section 27 axes 28. The first edge of the mirror wedge 30 Second mirror section 31 axes 32 Mirror Wedge's Second Edge 34. Rear length of the mirror wedge. 36 Rear width of mirror wedge 37. Mirror wedge angle 38 guest field of view 40 Guests 41 axis

Claims

1. A two-sided mirror system for the mirror wedge illusion, A reflective material layer, A thin transparent layer covering the front surface of the reflective material layer, A dark-colored mask layer covering the back surface of the reflective material layer, A support layer bonded to the aforementioned dark mask layer, A two-sided mirror system characterized by including the following.

2. The aforementioned thin transparent layer includes a glass layer that has been vacuum sputtered. The two-sided mirror system according to claim 1.

3. The reflective material layer contains silver, and the dark mask layer contains a black mask layer. The two-sided mirror system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned thin transparent layer has a thickness of 0.06 mm to 0.09 mm. The two-sided mirror system according to claim 1.

5. The reflective material layer, the thin transparent layer, and the dark mask layer each cover and are continuous with the bevel or cut portion of the support layer. The two-sided mirror system according to claim 1.

6. Including the first surface of the first mirror portion and the second surface of the second mirror portion joined at the vertex edge of the two-sided mirror, The two-sided mirror system according to claim 1.

7. Includes an operable prop positioned at the vertex edge of the two-sided mirror and coupled to a control line passing through the two-sided mirror, The two-sided mirror system according to claim 6.

8. The prop includes an anime figure, and the control line is configured to supply signals from an automated controller for the operation of the anime figure. The two-sided mirror system according to claim 7.

9. The first surface and the second surface are joined together so as to define a part of the acute-angle prism. The two-sided mirror system according to claim 6.

10. It is a mirror wedge system, The first mirror portion that defines the first trapezoidal wall of the mirror wedge, The second mirror portion that defines the second trapezoidal wall of the mirror wedge, The vertex of the mirror wedge where the first mirror portion and the second mirror portion are joined, The first mirror portion and the second mirror portion each include a double-sided mirror, and the double-sided mirror is A reflective material layer, A thin transparent layer covering the front surface of the reflective material layer, A dark-colored mask layer covering the back surface of the reflective material layer, A support layer bonded to the aforementioned dark mask layer, including, A mirror wedge system characterized by the following features.

11. The prism includes a plurality of walls arranged as part of the surface of an n-sided prism, the rear portion of the mirror wedge is coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls, and the mirror wedge is configured to reflect at least a portion of the plurality of walls. The mirror wedge system according to claim 10.

12. The width of the rear of the mirror wedge is approximately equal to the width of at least one of the multiple walls. The mirror wedge system according to claim 11.

13. The mirror wedge further includes an opening along the vertex, the opening being configured to receive a structure configured to support an animation prop. The mirror wedge system according to claim 11.

14. The thin transparent layer includes a glass layer that has been vacuum sputtered. The mirror wedge system according to claim 10.

15. The thin transparent layer is continuous across the vertex, The mirror wedge system according to claim 10.

16. It is a mirror wedge illusion system, Multiple walls arranged as some of the faces of an n-sided prism, Mirror wedge and, The plurality of walls include fronts that cooperate to define the concave portion of the n-sided prism, the mirror wedge extends from a portion of the fronts into the concave portion and toward the vertex edge of the mirror wedge, and the mirror wedge is The vertex edge includes a first mirror side and a second mirror side joined to each other, and each of the first mirror side and the second mirror side is A reflective material layer, A thin glass layer covering the front surface of the reflective material layer, A dark-colored mask layer covering the back surface of the reflective material layer, A support layer bonded to the aforementioned dark mask layer, The mirror wedge is configured to reflect a portion of the plurality of walls, thereby creating the illusion that the mirror wedge is part of the plurality of walls. A mirror wedge illusion system characterized by the following features.

17. The aforementioned n-sided prism is at least a decagonal prism. The mirror wedge illusion system according to claim 16.

18. The thin glass layer and the reflective material layer are continuous across the vertex edge. The mirror wedge illusion system according to claim 16.

19. Includes an animation prop coupled to a support that penetrates an opening adjacent to the aforementioned vertex edge, The mirror wedge illusion system according to claim 16.

20. The height of the vertex edge of the mirror wedge is longer than the height of the anime figure. The mirror wedge illusion system according to claim 19.

Images