Dynamic Light-Emitting Gift Artifact With Layered Artwork

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dynamic gift artifacts can only display two simple states of illumination and are limited to outlined shapes, failing to enhance static graphic content with multiple illuminated states or animation-like effects, especially for naturally dynamic features like facial expressions and cartoon characters.

Innovation Solution

An electrically-powered gift artifact with a light-emitting component capable of emitting two or more different colors, a translucent substrate with multiple layers of artwork, where each layer's visibility changes responsive to the light emission, allowing for 2, 3, or more illuminated states, and optionally synchronized audio signals to create an animation effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light emitting component is used to illuminate artwork, then the artwork becomes visible and dynamic, but only two simple states (illuminated/not illuminated) can be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of artworkVSAvoidnumber of illuminated states
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The artwork is divided into multiple translucent layers, each layer containing different graphic content. By selectively illuminating through specific layers, multiple distinct visual states are achieved. Each layer acts as an independent segment that can be revealed or hidden through controlled light transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a single-plane illumination approach to a multi-layered three-dimensional structure. Light travels through multiple stacked translucent layers, each contributing different visual information. This dimensional expansion enables more than two visual states by controlling which layers are illuminated at any given time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If light emitting components are placed behind translucent substrate, then outlined shapes are illuminated, but artwork inside the outline cannot be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of outlined shapeVSAvoidartwork content inside outline
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The artwork containing text and detailed graphics is segmented into separate translucent layers positioned behind the outlined shape layer. When light is emitted, the outline layer is illuminated first, then subsequent layers are illuminated to reveal the detailed artwork inside, preventing information loss while maintaining the outline structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple layers of artwork are nested within each other in a stacked configuration. The outermost layer contains the outlined shape, while inner layers contain the detailed artwork. By sequentially illuminating through these nested layers, the outline is established first, then the content inside is revealed without obscuring the boundary definition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layers of artwork are used with different light colors, then multiple illuminated states are achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of illuminated statesVSAvoidmulti-layer artwork structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple layers of artwork with different light transmission properties are merged into a single stacked assembly. The light emitting component is positioned to illuminate all layers simultaneously or selectively through color filtering. This merging approach achieves multiple illuminated states while managing structural complexity through integrated layer design rather than separate mechanisms for each state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the creation of dynamic graphic content with multiple illuminated states, enhancing the perception of animation in the artwork, particularly for features like facial expressions and cartoon characters, by sequentially switching the light emission profiles to reveal different layers, thereby transitioning between various expressions or actions.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting component adapted switchably to emit light of two or more different colors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a translucent substrate on which two or more individual layers of artwork are disposed, wherein: the light emitting component is located for projection through the translucent substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through translucent material: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the visibility of each layer of artwork changes responsive to emissions by the light emitting component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective light absorption and transmission: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

They are overlaid or superimposed, one over the other so forming a multilayered artwork. The artwork layers are preferably printed, one over the other.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBack-illumination: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2248674B1Electrically powered dynamic gift artifact
Publication Date: 2015.07.01 TRIGGERED EMOTIONS PATENTS
  • EP2248674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2248674B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2248674B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns an electrically-powered, dynamic light-emitting gift artifact comprising: a light emitting component adapted switchably to emit light between two or more different colors, a translucent substrate window on which two or more superimposed layers of artwork are disposed, wherein the light emitting component is located for projection through the translucent substrate, and the visibility of each layer of artwork in the window changes responsive to emissions by the light emitting component.