Abstract: Disclosed is a viewing system (30) for displaying and viewing stereoscopic images to a viewer's full field of view. The viewing system includes an image display assembly (32) including display surfaces (34) for displaying images primarily to the viewer's area of visual attention and display surfaces (36) for displaying images primarily to the viewer's area of peripheral vision. The display surfaces are mounted in relatively close proximity to the viewer's eyes. The viewing system further includes an optical component (33) having optical systems (40 and 42) for focusing images displayed on the display surfaces (34 and 36), respectively, to the viewer's eyes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying and viewing full field-of-vision stereoscopic images is disclosed. The apparatus includes left and right display components including curved screens. The screens are suitable for mounting in a fixed position relative to the viewer's head and close to the viewer's eyes. The screens provide the normal single-eye full field of vision of 120.degree. vertically and 180.degree. horizontally. Each screen has a spherical central surface and a cylindrical temporal surface that extends from the central surface along the side of the viewer's head. The screens are mounted close to the viewer's eyes and optical components are provided to cause the viewer's eyes to be focused at the central surface. Contact lenses are suitable optical components. Contact lenses do not limit the viewer's field of vision and are continually oriented with the movements of the viewer's eyes.