Abstract: A liquid crystal display unit has a transmissive liquid crystal plate having a number of pixels arranged on a two-dimensional basis, on which an image is formed, and a light source unit emitting beams of light of a plurality of luminescent colors for irradiating said liquid crystal plate from back. An interface circuit receives an image signal representative of a color image to sequentially form on said liquid crystal plate a plurality of separation images in which the color image is separated in association with the plurality of luminescent colors of said light source unit. The interface circuit causes said light source unit to flash with a luminescent color associated with a separation image formed on said liquid crystal plate in synchronism with a sequential formation of the separation images onto said liquid crystal plate. Beams of light emanated from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate reproduce an image.

Abstract: Various camera arrangements are disclosed comprising a camera and an optical element. The camera is configured to record an image defined by light rays directed thereto. The optical element is configured to deflect rays from a scene to the camera for recording thereby. The optical element is further configured to deflect the rays such that, if the rays were undeflected, the rays would instead be tangent to a viewing device of predetermined shape, such as a circle. Optical elements may be in the form of curved mirrors or lenses. The camera arrangements are configured to record images in the form of left or right panoramic images of a stereo panoramic image pair, and several stereo panoramic camera arrangements are described, including one or more camera arrangements, for contemporaneously recording both left or right panoramic images of a stereo panoramic image pair.

Abstract: Liquid crystal for a right eye and liquid crystal for a left eye are not positioned in one plane, but are positioned to incline at an angle of 5°. To be concrete, both liquid crystal are inclined so that they become closer to the viewer's face as making toward the side of the face from the middle of the forehead. The inclination of liquid crystal as above-described to set the preferential direction of visual view of liquid crystal to be horizontal leads in that the direction by which the high contrast of liquid crystal can be obtained is toward the 3D display. It diminishes a phenomenon like cross-talk and allows the viewer to view the appropriate stereoscopic image. Liquid crystal for a right eye and liquid crystal for a left eye have the same construction. These liquid crystals make contrast with each other and then they are mounted on the liquid crystal shutter glasses portion. This makes it possible for each electrode to position in the center of liquid crystal shutter glasses portion.

Abstract: A substrate is arranged for presenting a three-dimensional optical image to a viewer. The substrate is formed with a multiplicity of pairs of spaced optical elements, with each pair of spaced optical elements being arranged for directing light incident thereon to a respective eye of the viewer, when the viewer is positioned at a predetermined angle of view or within a limited range of angles of view, for giving the viewer a perception of a point image located at a predetermined distance from a plane of the substrate at an intersection of lines followed by light rays from a respective optical element of a pair of spaced optical elements. The multiplicity of pairs of optical elements are arranged at different x and y orientations on the substrate, so that corresponding multiplicity of adjacent point images, so provided, together form the three-dimensional optical image for the viewer.

Abstract: A creative art kit is provided for producing and viewing stereoscopic images. The kit includes a pigmented medium that is adapted to be applied to a surface and which includes a luminescent material as a component thereof. The kit also includes a viewer through which a user may observe the images, and which has an optical element that is operative to disperse wavelengths of light passing therethrough at different dispersion angles depending on the spectral position of each wavelength. The kit may further be provided with various pigmented media, applicators, stencils, and instructions for producing and viewing the images. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for producing and viewing stereoscopic images, which comprises the steps of applying a pigmented medium that includes a luminescent material to a surface in a selected design and viewing the surface and the design through a viewer.

Abstract: A semi-spherical system holding mechanism 8 such as to cover the head portion of the user is provided in the upper portion of a user holding mechanism 9 such as chair, sofa, or the like. A display apparatus 7 is fixed in the system holding mechanism 8. In the display apparatus 7, a video image displayed on a display panel 14 is enlarged by a lens 13, so that a virtual image is formed. The virtual images which are observed by the right and left eyes of the user are arranged at the same position in a space.

Abstract: A semi-spherical system holding mechanism 8 such as to cover the head portion of the user is provided in the upper portion of a user holding mechanisms 9 such as chair, sofa, or the like. A display apparatus 7 is fixed in the system holding mechanism 8. In the display apparatus 7, a video image displayed on a display panel 14 is enlarged by a lens 13, so that a virtual image is formed. The virtual images which are observed by the right and left eyes of the user are arranged at the same position in a space.

Abstract: A displayer. The displayer comprises a sensor mechanism for identifying where N different eyes of V viewers are in space, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer and V is greater than or equal to 1 and is an integer. The displayer comprises a displaying mechanism for displaying N different images to N different eyes where each image is a function of where each eye is in space to which the respective image is associated. The displaying mechanism is remote and apart from and out of contact with the V viewers. The displaying mechanism is in communication with the sensor mechanism. The displaying mechanism includes a computer which receives information from the sensor mechanism identifying where each eye is in space and produces the images.

Abstract: Temporally interlaced first and second sequential pluralities of image frames are displayed and alternately directed along respected first and second optical paths to distinct viewing locations, for example the left and right eyes of a viewer, wherein the image frames of one of the sequential pluralities represent mirror images of the object being imaged. In one aspect, both sets of sequential pluralities of image frames are simultaneously distributed to both optical paths and first and second shutters are controlled in synchronism with the image display so as to display the respective sequential pluralities of image frames only at the corresponding viewing locations. In another aspect, respective first and second sequential pluralities of image frames are switched between the first and second optical paths by synchronously switching the polarization state of the image display and by a polarizing beam splitter.

Abstract: A method of producing three-dimensional imagery including displaying on a screen surface, imagery containing two or more spaced apart angles of view about a common centre of a subject of the imagery; and which angles of view have been segmented and separated; the segmented and separated angles of view being viewed through sections of a grid, of a size and shape corresponding substantially to the dimensions of the segments of imagery; the grid being placed at a distance from the screen where segments of imagery acquired left of the common image centre are seen through sections of the grid substantially by the left eye of the viewer, while segments of imagery acquired right of the common image centre are seen through grid sections substantially by the right eye of the viewer; the relationship of left and right segments of imagery, relative to the grid sections, being maintained when the imagery is displayed on the screen, by oscillation of the grid sections in synchronisation with an alternating display of alte

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display device for providing a stereoscopic image by displaying images with a parallax on a viewer's left and right eyes is disclosed. The display device comprises the following. (1) A light source with selectively variable light-emitting regions for emitting light, wherein the light-emitting regions are disposed at various positions from a center of the light source. (2) An optical element having an optical axis extending through the center of the light source for condensing light emitted from the light source to each of the viewer's left and right eyes. (3) Spatial modulation means, disposed on an optical path from the light source to the viewer, for spatially modulating the light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A stereoscopic viewing system provides stereoscopic viewing using a two dimensional lens system and without having to have two cameras. The system may be used over a wide range of frequencies, in fact all frequencies that can be used for producing or reproducing an image. The viewing system has an opaque leaf positioned between the two dimensional lens system and a camera in a single image path, the opaque leaf is movable laterally in the single image path from a left position to a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera. A switching device moves the opaque leaf between the two positions and retains the leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective.

Abstract: The present invention is usable as a stereoscopic visual unit capable of obtaining fine stereoscopic effects and also usable as binoculars, by provided with a first housing 11 that has a pair of convex lenses 12 and 13 and disposed at a specified space and having mutually almost parallel optical axes; and a second housing 20 that has a supporting part 25 supported swingable to the first housing for keeping a pair of pictures to be stereoscopically viewed on the optical axis of each convex lens in its first swing position, and a pair of concave lenses 26 and 27 disposed on the optical axis of each convex lens, a specified distance apart from each convex lens in its second swing position.

Abstract: A biocular image display apparatus in which the observer's left and right visual lines intersect at a position where the image as observed appears to be natural to the observer even in a corner of the image field, thereby enabling the observer to make observation with ease and without feeling incongruous even at a wide field angle. The apparatus has left and right display surfaces and left and right optical systems associated with the display surfaces, respectively, wherein enlarged images of the left and right display surfaces are observed through the left and right optical systems. The apparatus has a diopter setting mechanism (11), an interpupillary distance setting mechanism (12), and a vergence mechanism (13) that tilts the left and right optical systems, together with the left and right display surfaces, respectively, as one unit so that the optical axes of the left and right optical systems form a predetermined angle according to the set diopter and interpupillary distance values.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an image source that scans about two axes. To offset motion about a first of the axes during sweeps about the second axis, the apparatus includes a structure to produce offsetting motion about the first axis at a scanning rate equal to the twice-scanning rate about the second axis. The offsetting scan can be a ramp or other motion. In one embodiment, the offsetting motion is a resonant sinusoid. The offsetting motion may be produced by an auxiliary scanner such as a mechanical scanner, a piezoelectric scanner, a MEMs scanner or other scanner. Because the offsetting motion is very small, the auxiliary scanner can function with a very small scan angle.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image sensor may be formed of a single image sensor having a pair of fields formed therein. The fields may be closer to one another than are a pair of left and right image collectors. The close spacing may be achieved by using an image redirector to redirect image information from the spaced apart collectors to the less spaced apart fields on the image sensor. In some embodiments of the present invention, by using a single imaging sensor, a more compact structure may be achieved which may be of lower cost and may enjoy reduced processing complexity. In addition, because a single sensor is utilized, in some embodiments of the present invention, the left and right images may be captured essentially identically.

Abstract: A stereo-endoscope, by which two perspective views of an objective field are viewed, is provided. A divergent optical arrangement, positioned between the object field and two objective lenses, each of which forms a respective image of the object field, reduces the disparity between corresponding points in the two image fields, where such disparity is caused by distortion of the image formed.

Abstract: A display device includes an image bearing device for generating one or more viewable images, optical elements for generating one or more viewing zones for viewing the viewable images, and an optical element with positive optical power. The elements are arranged and constructed such that the optical element with positive optical power forms a real image of the or each viewing zone and a virtual image of the or each viewable image, whereby the or each virtual image is visible to a viewer only when a light ray can be traced from the viewer's eye through the real image of an associated viewing zone, the optical element and the viewable image. The display may be an autostereoscopic display.

Abstract: A displayer comprises a sensor mechanism for identifying where N different eyes of V viewers are in space, where N is greater than equal to 2 and is an integer and V is greater than or equal to 1 and is an integer. The displayer comprises a displaying mechanism for displaying N different images to N different eyes where each image is a function of where each eye is in space to which the respective image is associated. The displaying mechanism remote and apart from and out of contact with the V viewers.

Abstract: Low-cost complex plastic optics allow biocular viewing of video images generated by a single electro-optic display device, such as in a head-mounted display (HMD) for commercial or medical viewing applications. A dual off-axis configuration uses nearly collimated illumination optics and intermediate imaging optics to fill both eyepieces from a single display device without the need for a beamsplitter. Multiple illumination schemes are provided for either monochrome or color, and in either two-dimensional or time-sequential true stereographic presentation. Light from multicolor sources is superimposed, mixed, and homogenized by mixing light cones with diffractive collectors. Offsetting color overcorrection and undercorrection of individual optical elements achieves overall chromatic correction with minimal optical element complexity; A wireless video signal interface eliminates excess cabling.

Abstract: Observer tracking is provided in an autostereoscopic 3D display, for instance of the type including an LCD panel 2 behind a parallax barrier. An infrared sensor such as a position sensitive detector is provided on the LCD panel. The parallax barrier extends over the detector so as to form an image of the observer or of a reflective target worn by the observer on the detector. The parallax barrier is moved so as to keep the image at a constant position on the detector. The viewing zone thus track the observer.

Abstract: Displaying data private to a first user and data private to a second, collocated user on a single computer display is achieved by providing two pairs of stereoscopic glasses, one for each user, and modifying the glasses by swapping one of the lens from the first pair with one of the lens of the second pair so that the modified first pair of glasses allows viewing of the display in a first state and the modified second pair of glasses allows viewing of the display in a second state. The data private to the first user is displayed when the display is in the first state and the data private to the second user is displayed when the display is in the second state. The display is alternately switched between the first and second states many times per second, thereby providing private displays for each user. In one embodiment, the stereoscopic glasses are polarized glasses and the display includes a polarizing filter. In another embodiment, the stereoscopic glasses are shutter glasses.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel 1 for displaying a discrete Fourier transformed image and a slit panel 2 having a convex lens function in a horizontal direction and a plurality of slits 3 arranged in a zig-zag manner, which is disposed in front of the liquid crystal panel 1. Since a spatial image is generated by such a configuration, a wide viewing region can be obtained. Since the number of slits positioned in the horizontal direction is increased as that of a slit pattern of a conventional slit array, the deterioration of resolution in the horizontal direction is reduced. Furthermore, since the slits are arranged in a zig-zag manner, the area of each light-shielding portion between sampling positions is reduced, thereby preventing an optical means from obstructing the observation of images.

Abstract: A collapsible stereoscopic viewer includes a generally rectangular housing formed of parallel sides and top and bottom surfaces all pivotally secured to form a collapsible rectangular. A pair of internal walls are similarly secured between the top and bottom surfaces to form two optical channels within the housing. A pair of lens supports are pivotally coupled to the housing interior and may be secured therein using a tab and slot attachment. Each lens support receives and supports a conventional eyepiece lens. A pair of front walls are pivotally secured within the housing interior and may be locked into a vertical position by a tab and slot arrangement. Each front wall defines an aperture aligned with one of the eyepieces. The housing further includes a pair of downwardly extending curved arms which support a pivotally coupled planar image plane movable between a vertical and horizontal position upon the arms.

Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging arrangement comprises a) an optical device (1) having an objective (2) and further lens means (3) located remotely from but in the optical path of the objective and b) a stereoscopic imaging device (4) arranged to receive light from said further lens means and form an image on a photosensitive image plane (7), the stereoscopic imaging device having shutter means (5) arranged to selectively occlude light exiting from left and right regions of said further lens means to form right and left images on said image plane and having means for combining said right and left images to form a stereoscopic representation of the field of view of said objective. The image may be displayed on a monitor (9) and viewed stereoscopically with switching spectacles (10).

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for creating a three-dimensional effect, in which method the three-dimensional effect is created by viewing an object, for instance two disparate images, by way of an optical aid. To provide a simple implementation, the first image is viewed with one eye in a normal manner without impediment and the second image is viewed simultaneously with the other eye by way of a separate optical aid freely displaceable between the eye and the second image.

Abstract: A stereoscopic viewing system provides stereoscopic viewing using a two dimensional lens system and without having to have two cameras. The system may be used over a wide range of frequencies, in fact all frequencies that can be used for producing or reproducing an image. The viewing system has an opaque leaf positioned between the two dimensional lens system and a camera in a single image path, the opaque leaf is movable laterally in the single image path from a left position to a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera. A switching device moves the opaque leaf between the two positions and retains the leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective.

Abstract: In synchronism with a vertical synchronizing signal of a display for temporarily alternatively displaying a right eye picture and a left eye picture cooperative with each other to provide binocular parallax information, a shifter is controlled to shift a first parallax barrier by half a pitch of stripe regions thereof to effect a switching between a state in which every other stripe region is transparent and the remaining stripe regions are all shading and a reversed state thereof so that the right eye picture and the left eye picture are independently observable by a right eye and a left eye of an observer, respectively, through the first parallax barrier and a second parallax barrier composed of a plurality of stripe regions of which every other one is transparent while the remaining ones are all shading.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image communication apparatus displays a screen image for right eye and a screen image for left eye on LCD 105, outputs images of the viewer obtained by cameras 103 to the receiving side, and displays images corresponding to the right half face and the left half face of the viewer based on the viewer's images on LCD 107. The images displayed on the LCD 107 are used as figures for selectively introducing lights from the screen images on the LCD 105, by lens 106, to the right and left eyes of the viewer. This enables stereoscopic vision without glasses for separating images respectively for the viewer's right and left eyes, and allows the viewer to move from the initial position.

Abstract: An image display system for providing images such that a right eye and a left eye of an observer see different images, respectively. The image display system includes: a camera for taking a picture of said observer and then outputting an image of the observer; a pair of liquid crystal display devices transparent to light; an image generation device for generating a back-light image based on an image output signal provided by the camera; a pair of CRT devices for displaying a back-light image generated by the image generation device to illuminate the pair of liquid crystal display devices from their back sides; a mirror for combining images present on the pair of liquid crystal display devices into one image; and optical elements for giving directivity to back-light emitted by the pair of back-lighting devices so that one of the pair of CRT devices provides back-light illumination for the right eye and the other one of the pair of CRT devices provides back-light illumination for the left eye.

Abstract: The stereoscopic film cartridge is for a stereoscopic viewer having binocular eyepieces and a film driving device. It comprises a thermally formed elongated film tending to roll around itself; and a housing for housing the film, the housing being provided with a first opening arranged to permit engagement of the film driving device with the film when the cartridge is mounted onto the stereoscopic viewer. The housing includes two opposite compartments and a guiding channel extending between the inlets of the compartments, for guiding the film between the inlets. The channel has a front panel provided with right and left adjacent viewing windows, the front panel having an inner surface provided with a first pair of upper and lower parallel projecting bands; and a rear panel comprising translucent means, the rear panel having an inner surface provided with a second pair of upper and lower parallel projecting bands facing respectively the first pair of bands.

Abstract: An electronic stereoscope displays field-sequential stereoscopic images on a display screen at a predetermined field rate. The images are viewed through left and right electro-optical shutters driven out of phase with each other and synchronously with the field rate. Left and right lenses are also provided in correspondence with the left and right shutters to accommodate and converge the user's eyes on the display screen.

Abstract: The number of 2D views available to form an autostereoscopic 3D image is increased by using a beam combiner with two displays. Each display may comprise sequentially illuminatable light sources imaged by converging lenses for illuminating sequentially reproduced 2D images in spatial light modulators. The views are combined by the beam combiner so as to be visible to an observer in different directions corresponding to the directions from which the views were recorded during image capture.

Abstract: A stereo slide viewer comprising a stereo slide holder, first and second projection lenses held in a lens holder, first and second focusing plates held by respective first and second focusing plate holders. The lens holder is located between the stereo slide holder and the first and second focusing plate holders. Distance adjusting means are also provided for moving the focusing plates perpendicular to optical axes of the system.

Abstract: A stereoscopic objective lens system for video endoscopes and borescopes includes two full-diameter doublets and two identical half-diameter ball lenses. The full-diameter doublets collimate object points, imaging object points to infinity. The full-diameter doublets present equal-angle pairs from symmetrically disposed object points to the ball lenses. This equal-angle property enables accurate object/image mapping onto the final stereo image pair such that all parts of each left/right image can be mapped to within a fraction of a video pixel to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional display comprising an LCD projector, a diffusing plate arranged on a surface on which an image projected by the LCD projector is formed, and a parallax barrier having slits in the shape of vertical stripes which is arranged on the side of a viewer with respect to the diffusing plate, wherein a lenticular lens plate is arranged on the side of the LCD projector with respect to the diffusing plate, and an image having black portions each having a larger rate of the width than that of a black matrix on the LCD projector is formed on the diffusing plate without decreasing brightness by the function of respective lenses constituting the lenticular lens plate, thereby to increase the ratio of each of the slits of the parallax barrier at which there is no crosstalk region.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed which is integrally provided with two image pickup systems for respectively converting subject light into image signals and two displays for respectively displaying images relative to the image signals obtained by the two image pickup systems. In the disclosed imaging apparatus, since the operations of the two image pickup systems are synchronized, it is not necessary to insert an element, such as a prism, in each optical path. Further, since a common signal processing circuit is provided for performing predetermined processing of the image signals outputted from the two image pickup systems, the size of the imaging apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic image system involving a composite picture, a second filter containing horizontal alternately polarized and/or colored bands and a first filter containing vertical alternately polarized and/or colored bands. The first filter may be covered by a lenticular screen through which the image is perceived. The invention can bring about an improvement in the image depth and range of viewing angle of 3-D lenticular pictures.

Abstract: A stereoscopic viewer includes left and right lenses and sight blocks, all housed in the lightweight frame. A stereoscopic display, such as a computer monitor or a TV, includes left and right stereoscopic central images that are displayed side-by-side on the central portion of the display screen. The left and right central images have center spacings equivalent to normal interpupillary distances. However, the left central image is extended to the left to form a left peripheral zone and the right central image is extended to the right to form a right peripheral zone. A user employing the viewer integrates the central stereoscopic views with the left and right peripheral zones to form an apparent 3-dimensional image. Additional two-dimensional zones may be established outside of the stereoscopic central images for items such as menus, windows, tool icons, etc.

Abstract: A number of items present in a substantially linear queue are counted by examining two images of a scene including the queue that are taken from vantage points offset relative to each other. Depth information for portions of the scene is obtained by correlating equal sized patches in the images at a predetermined number of offsets, since closer objects will require more of an offset to align one image relative to the other than objects further away from video cameras creating the two images. A match score is determined at each offset. The best offset and the number of offsets to achieve it are stored for each patch. A plot is then created for offsets versus the number of patches at each offset having the best match. Peaks in the plot indicate the number of objects in the queue.

Abstract: A space modulation device 10 displays an image for right eye and an image for left eye. An observer image display device 12 displays an image of a half surface of an observer's face obtained by an imaging device 14 and a negative-positive reversed image of the image of the half surface of the face. A lens 11 allows the image for right eye or the image for left eye to be observed to the right eye or the left eye of the observer using the image of the half surface or the negative-positive reversed image thereof as an illumination for the spatial modulation device 10 from the back thereof.

Abstract: An optical convergence apparatus (10, 310) having a projection screen (12) with a plurality of display areas (14) for displaying a like plurality of images (16). The images (16) are viewed by a plurality of lens assemblies (18) placed between the projection screen (12) and the user's eye (20). Prisms (322) are optionally provided between the lens assemblies (18) and the user's eye (20) for directing the images (16) to the user's eye (20). A stereoscopic pair (424) of the optical convergence apparatus (10, 310) is provided to enable stereoscopic reference cues.

Abstract: A lenticular autostereoscopic display includes a first layer, containing a composite image frame. The composite image frame is generated by creating a plurality of random dot image frames. Closely related pairs of image frames form a stereoscopic image when viewed stereoscopically. The plurality of random dot image frames are interlaced into a plurality of alternating vertical strips, and a lenticular material is placed over the composite image frame, allowing a viewer to perceive the stereoscopic image or images created by the interlaced random dot image frames.

Abstract: Apparatus for masking a displayed image by mixing the image with a secondary image that is electronically generated to be related to the primary image that when combined with the primary image obscures viewing of the primary image. The primary image is generated in the form of a first set of wavelength bands and the secondary image is a second set of related wavelength bands. A filter is provided to absorb the second set of wavelength bands to permit secure viewing of the primary image.

Abstract: A stereoscopic video display device includes a left and a right video display for viewing by respectively the left and right eye of a viewer, a video driver circuit which alternates between driving the left video display and driving the right video display, and a view control circuit for providing a left-right signal which indicates which video display is currently displaying the video signal. A video signal source, such as a computer or a video game console, receives the left-right signal and provides a standard video signal. The stereoscopic display is usable with a source that provides a video signal that represents a left or right view according to the left-right signal, or with a source that ignores the left-right signal and provides a monoscopic video signal. The stereoscopic display is operable in both a stereo and a mono mode so that a user can select either monoscopic or stereoscopic video when the source is capable of providing stereoscopic views.

Abstract: An endoscope has a first end for insertion into a body, or other visually obscured area, with an optical image-forming lens device in the first end for forming two, side-by-side images of an object on opposite sides of the central axis of the endoscope. The images are transmitted to the opposite end of the endoscope, where they are received by a viewing device for three-dimensional viewing of the images by an operator. An image converging mechanism is provided in the image paths to provide a suitable convergence angle between the images at the viewing device.

Abstract: A stereoviewer and package for facilitating the immediate observation of a stereo pair of photographs and enabling all people to adjust the focal length to their own least distance of distinct vision. A box-shaped main body case for accommodating stereoscopic photographs and a lid case attached to the main body case so as to be slidable thereon serves as a package which is opened and closed by the sliding operation of both cases. A holder portion is provided on the rear surface, for example, of the main body case so as to position and hold the stereoscopic photographs in a standing state, and binocular lenses are disposed on the front surface of the lid case so as to view the stereoscopic photographs therethrough. The rear surface of the main body case and the front surface of the lid case are inclined in such a manner that the side surfaces of the stereoviewer are in a shape of a trapezoid when the main body case is attached upside down to the lid case at the time of observation.

Abstract: A stereoviewer for observing a stereo pair of photographs three-dimensionally through binocular lenses is shown and described. The stereoviewer comprises a box-shaped main body case having a space for accommodating stereoscopic photographs; a lid for covering the main body case; holder portions provided on one side surface of the box-shaped main body case so as to position and hold the stereoscopic photographs in a non-perpendicular standing state; and binocular lenses provided thereon are inclined in such a manner that the binocular lenses face the vertical center portion of the stereoscopic photographs. This stereoviewer also serves as a package and has a simple structure. The thickness of the binocular lenses are varied so that the focal distance is different between the upper portion and the lower portion of said binocular lenses and the binocular lenses are decentered outwardly in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a three dimensional viewing illusion in true color uses left and right images of a stereo pair which are designed to be viewed respectively by the left and right eyes of a viewer as a single three dimensional image. In synchrony therewith, light from a light source device is alternately shown to the right and left eyes of the viewer so that while the eyes do view both of the left and right stereo images, the contrast of the eye receiving both the light and the stereo image designed for the other eye is reduced. In the various embodiments, the light source device includes a left and a right light source. In one embodiment the light sources are collimated and suitably aimed at the respective eyes. Preferably, the position of the eyes are also tracked and the aiming of the sources is adjusted as the viewer moves. In another embodiment, the light sources are mounted adjacent the associated eye of the viewer on an object which is worn by the viewer.

Abstract: The invention is used with a display (10) of a left and right stereoscopic images in adjacent side-by-side array on a two-dimensional imaging surface such as the screen of a computer monitor or television. The left and right images (L and R) are rotated by 90 degrees in opposite directions from their normal upright orientations. A viewing device which includes a right pair of mirrors (2 and 4) and a left pair of mirrors (1 and 3) is placed between the viewer and the display. The mirrors are oriented at fixed and predetermined angular relationship to deflect the lines of sight from the viewer's eyes to the respective right and left images, and to rotate them by 90 degrees. As a result, the users left and right eyes see upright versions of the left and right images, respectively, creating a wide-field stereoscopic illusion of the images.