Abstract: The invention concerns an endoscopic instrument having a three-dimensional optical viewing system. Images from an interior body region are transmitted through image transmission elements contained within the endoscope probe to a prism arrangement. The prism maintains the images in upright position regardless of the rotation of the instrument. A shutter system operating at a predetermined frequency alternately opens and closes the optical path of each image. These images are converted to electrical pulses in accordance with the requirements of the three-dimensional television system used to display an image of the body region.

Abstract: Three-dimensional images are produced from a sequence of images generated by a single camera mounted on a platform moving at constant velocity and spacing with respect to a subject to be imaged. Stereoscopically related images in the sequence are presented for viewing alternately at a rate of about ten per second so that the image seen by an observer is perceived as having depth. By recording the stereoscopically related images alternately on the same film, the images produced when the film is projected are perceived as three-dimensional. A video camera may be used to generate the original sequence of stereoscopically related images, in which case the images are digitized, stored, read out alternately at a rate of about ten per second and displayed to produce an image which is perceived by an observer as having depth.

Abstract: The illusion of three-dimensional images is achieved by having a first video camera oriented to view the subject from one point of origin, a second video camera oriented to view the subject from another point of origin, a switching device for alternately coupling first and second series of composite picture frames to a display device including a viewing surface for converting the signals at the output terminal into a visual display on the viewing surface. A composite picture frame includes a first field corresponding to the output of the first video camera and a second field corresponding to the output of the second video camera. A special effects generator can be included to mix the output of the switching device with either the output of the first camera or the second camera to generate a image having a substantial and continuously present component of the images produced thereby.

Abstract: Development of a three-dimensional illusion through sequential displaying on a viewing surface of images of the subject as viewed alternatively first from one point of origin and then, time displaced, from another point of origin at a rate within a range of 4 to 30 changes between the points of origin per second. The effect of the illusion is maximized by having the points of origin vertically aligned with respect to one another and having the points of origin displaced from one another a distance less than normal interoccular distance.