Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B30/00—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
  • G02B30/40—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images giving the observer of a single two-dimensional [2D] image a perception of depth
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N2213/00—Details of stereoscopic systems
  • H04N2213/006—Pseudo-stereoscopic systems, i.e. systems wherein a stereoscopic effect is obtained without sending different images to the viewer's eyes

Definitions

• the field of the invention pertains to systems, devices, and methods for enhancing the visual perception of a viewer in a two-dimensional image, which includes enhancement of the viewer's perception of depth and clarity in a two-dimensional image.
• This field of invention is distinct from that of Garcia, U.S. Patent No. 5,510,832: synthesized stereoscopic imaging from two-dimensional images.
• Garcia adequately discusses the utility and merits of simulation of 3D video from two-dimensional video sources.
• the field of the present invention is also distinct from that of Ashbey, U.S. Patent No. 5,541,642: stereoscopic imaging with interlaced video through a lenticular decoder screen.
• Ashbey also discusses derivation of stereoscopic effects from a "monoscopic” source by simultaneously displaying successive frames of a motion picture with lateral displacement through his system.
• the use of the terms “two-dimensional”, “monoscopic”, and “monocular” have been used in the prior art to distinguish the viewing of single images from that which is “stereoscopic” — the quality of vision with which a human viewer with two normal eyes and the ability for stereopsis sees a scene in physical (three-dimensional) space with objects at varying distances from the viewer.
• the term "two-dimensional” as an adjective for the term "image” does not mean that the image does not represent a three-dimensional scene, i.e.
• the term "three-dimensional” or “3D” as applied to an image does not necessarily mean that it is stereoscopic, but may also mean that it is an image displayed on a two- dimensional surface, flat or curved, and/or which may be manipulated so that the objects represented therein are viewable at different angles, either by rotation of the object or the variation in the angle of view with an apparent change in position of the viewer;
• Le May uses a window screen type mesh in a device to be worn by a viewer through which a two- dimensional television image is viewed, and creates, according to its inventor, an "illusion".
• the present invention in its preferred embodiments, does not require any type of eye wear or worn device, and provides a natural stereo vision experience in the viewing of two-dimensional images of all kinds, including photographs, posters, drawings and paintings, signs, television and motion pictures, and projected images in general.
• the present invention does not rely upon an "illusion", but enhances the viewer's perception of depth in the monocular depth cues and perception of clarity in a two- dimensional image.
• the present invention should be distinguished from stereographic devices and methods providing stereoscopic vision which require simultaneous or alternated display of two images, still or motion picture, each image being of one of two monocular views, actual or simulated, of a binocular view of a scene, which must be viewed with special viewing glasses or display lens; whereas the present invention involves the display of only one image, still or motion picture, of a single monocular view of the scene.
• the stereo vision provided by the prior art is artificial in appearance as discussed in Garcia.
• Stereographic devices have been well known for many years, while the principle underlying the present invention, although not yet completely understood, is newly presented in this application.
• the present invention should also be distinguished from the well-known effect that is observed with monocular viewing of a two-dimensional image with monocular depth cues against a featureless or flat background without such cues.
• the same effect can also be observed by monocular viewing of a two-dimensional image at the end of an enclosed space. With such a viewing the monocular depth cues in the two-dimensional image become pronounced, albeit seen with only one eye.
• Such monocular viewing not only involves the discomfort of viewing with only one eye, but more importantly deprives the viewer of the accommodation reflex which occurs with binocular vision that gives the viewer the ability to accurately focus on the two-dimensional image.
• the present invention operates very differently: the viewer's depth perception and perception of clarity in a two-dimensional image is enhanced by inducing a retinal disparity in the viewer that results in a fusion experience.
• the two-dimensional image can be seen binocularly with the accurate focus of the accommodation reflex. Such accurate focus in turn heightens the fusion experience, and thus the enhancement of depth perception and perception of clarity afforded by the present invention.
• the present invention provides enhanced perception of clarity for the viewer in a two- dimensional image. This effect became known during the testing of the depth perception enhancement effect from the assertions of many viewer-subjects that the two-dimensional images they viewed with the invention were "clearer" than without the system. Such an effect appears to have a basis in the notions of eye dominance and binocular retinal rivalry.
• the enhancement of clarity of the present invention should be distinguished from eye wear, lens systems, and surgical procedures for gaining improved focus of images on the retina, which are all well-known. Distinction should also be made between the present invention and eye exercise systems, discussed extensively in Liberman, U. S. Patent Number 6,742,892 (along with an informative tract on eye anatomy, function and optics), which are primarily concerned with the improvement of eye tracking, convergence and accommodation.
• the present invention provides enhancement of a viewer's visual perception in a single two-dimensional image, which includes enhancement of the depth perception of a viewer in various types of two-dimensional images that include monocular cues for depth, and thereby the experience of stereo vision in the viewing by such enhancement of the viewer's perception of those monocular depth cues.
• Such an enhancement is effected by the present invention with the induction of a slight but sufficient retinal disparity in the viewer's view of the two-dimensional image.
• Such a retinal disparity is experienced by a viewer with a normal capacity for stereopsis as the fusion of retinally disparate images which include the two-dimensional image, the "enhancement effect" of the present invention.
• the present invention so enhances the viewer's perception of the monocular depth cues in a single two-dimensional image as to cause the viewer to experience the fusion of stereo vision. Also a part of the enhancement effect andincluded in the invention is the enhancement of the "clarity " with which the viewer perceives a two-dimensional image, that is, the increase in resolution of the two-dimensional image as perceived by the viewer.
• the present invention comprises the creation for the viewer of what is referred to herein as an "enhanced scene" which includes a single two-dimensional image.
• Such an enhanced scene may be created by the invention, examples of which are: 1) the placement in front of the two-dimensional image of a visually identifiable object; 2) the horizontal movement of the two-dimensional image on the surface upon which the two-dimensional image is displayed; and 3) the display and horizontal movement of a visually identifiable object, or an image of such, on or at the surface upon which the two-dimensional image is displayed. All of these ways may be effected mechanically, electronically, optically, or by computer programming, or by a combination of such means.
• the currently preferred way to create an enhanced scene is the first way stated above, such an enhanced scene being also be referred to herein as a "combined scene", i.e.
• the creation of the enhanced scene within which the two-dimensional image is presented for viewing causes a retinal disparity in the viewer of the two-dimensional image.
• the retinal disparity is induced spatially, by reason of the viewer's binocular viewing of the enhanced scene, and is slight but sufficient to cause the viewer to experience the enhancement effect.
• the retinal disparity is temporally induced, i.e. by the enhanced scene changing in time.
• the currently preferred visually identifiable object is frame a which completely or partially surrounds the viewer's area of interest in the two-dimensional image. Such a frame may have other features, such as illumination, shape, and color, that can add to the enhancement effect by combination and/or control with reference to the qualities of the two-dimensional image and the viewer's vision.
• the system may include means for obscuring the edge of the two-dimensional image, where the edge of the two- dimensional image is sufficiently well defined to detract from the enhancement effect; and may also include a background mask for the enhanced scene to prevent the diminution of the enhancement effect by the visual environment in which the system is operating.
• the present invention provides a system, device within a system, and method for enhancing a viewer's visual perception in a two-dimensional image, which enhances the depth perception of a viewer in various types of two-dimensional images that include monocular cues for depth, and enhances the "clarity" with which the viewer perceives a two-dimensional image.
• the term "clarity” is used herein to mean the resolution with which the two-dimensional image is perceived by the viewer, and not the focus of the two-dimensional image.
• the effect of these enhancements shall hereinafter be referred to as the “enhancement effect”.
• the enhancement effect being twofold, the aspects thereof shall be referred to as the “depth perception enhancement effect” and the “clarity enhancement effect” when the distinction is necessary. Otherwise, the term “enhancement effect” should be understood to mean either or both, depending on the context.
• the present invention is described herein as a "device within a system", rather than simply a “device", because the device that is employed receives its identity and function according to an interactive relationship with the other elements of the system and/or the visual system of a viewer.
• the term visual system shall be taken to mean the human visual system, including the eyes and all of their internal structures, the optic nerves, all neural structures associated with all other functions of eye movement, protection, or control; and all neural structures by which data collected by the eyes is processed, recorded and interpreted, including the human brain, particularly the visual cortex.
• Binocular visual field region of overlapping visibility for the two eyes.
• Point of Fixation Point or object on which the eyes are directed and one's sight is fixed.
• Fovea Point on the retina on which are focused the rays coming from an object directly regarded, i.e. from the point of regard.
• Monocular depth cues Visual cues which present information about the relative location of objects using one eye, which include: occlusion or interposition; aerial perspective (atmospheric perspective, aerial haze); linear perspective (convergence of parallel lines); relative height; texture gradients; shading and light; relative size; relative motion (monocular movement parallax); and familiar size.
• Retinal disparity Differences between two or more images projected on the retina of the eye with reference to the fovea of the retina.
• Fusion Neural process commonly referred to as stereoscopic vision (or stereo vision) thought to occur in the visual cortex that brings two retinal images to form a single image which is known as the single cyclopean image.
• Panum's fusional region Region in visual space over which humans perceive binocular single vision derived from the fusion of binocular retinal images. (Outside Panum's fusional region physiological diplopia occurs.)
• Panum's fusional area Area on the retina of one eye, any point on which, when stimulated simultaneously with a single specific slightly disparate point in the retina of the other eye, will give rise to a single fused image.
• Retinally disparate points Retinal points which can give rise to different principal visual directions, which, when within Panum's fusional area (zone of single binocular vision), can be fused resulting in single vision.
• Retinally disparate images Retinal images which are comprised of retinally disparate points.
• Retinal disparity The difference in the retinal images that results from retinally disparate points of retinal images detected in the visual cortex which, if within Panum's fusional area (zone of single binocular vision), can be fused resulting in single vision.
• Stereopsis Ability to perceive depth produced by retinal disparity within Panum's fusional area requiring properly functioning binocular cells thought to exist in the visual cortex: the ability to distinguish the relative distance of objects resulting from the lateral displacement of the eyes that provides two slightly different views of the same object (disparate images).
• Binocular retinal rivalry Alternating suppression of the two eyes resulting in alternating perception of the two retinal images.
• the present invention provides a viewer who has the capacity for stereopsis with the experience of stereo vision in the viewing of a single two-dimensional image, hereinafter referred to as the "2D image", by enhancing the viewer's perception of depth in the monocular depth cues in the 2D image. That is, the depth perception enhancement effect of the present invention so enhances the viewer's perception of the monocular depth cues in a single two-dimensional image as to cause the viewer to experience the fusion of stereo vision with respect to the content of that 2D image.
• the present invention provides a viewer who has the capacity for stereopsis with enhancement of the viewer's perception of clarity in viewing a 2D image, even without the presence of monocular depth cues therein.
• Such enhancements are effected by the present invention with the stimulation of a slight but sufficient retinal disparity on the Panum's fusional area of the viewer.
• a retinal disparity is experienced by a viewer with a normal capacity for stereopsis as the fusion of binocular views of the 2D image when viewed with the present invention.
• the theoretical foundation for the clarity enhancement effect also resides in the phenomena of eye dominance in humans, i.e., the dominant eye more strongly contributes to binocular vision than the other, and is said to be the eye that looks directly at an object; and the phenomena of binocular retinal rivalry, i.e., alternating perception of the two retinal images - indicating that the retinal image from only one eye at a time is being neurally recorded in the visual cortex. If it is the fusion of slightly disparate retinal images in the visual cortex that provides the experience of stereo vision, then a diminution of the strength of one of such images in the visual cortex must diminish the experience.
• the system is here exemplified in various embodiments: mechanical (static and dynamic), electromechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, and by computer programming. All of the embodiments are designed to produce the enhancement effect for the viewer of a 2D image by a fusion experience resulting from the viewing of an "enhanced scene", hereinafter referred to as such, that includes the 2D image and the device within the system, the viewing of which causes a retinal disparity in the viewer.
• such retinal disparity may be spatial and/or temporal: spatial retinal disparity resulting from creation of retinal images with different eye locations, as where an enhanced scene includes mechanical elements spatially arranged with the 2D image and is viewed binocularly (with separation of the viewer's eyes); temporal retinal disparity resulting from the creation of retinal images at different times, as when an enhanced scene changes over time with the motion of its elements and/or motion of the viewer's eye.
• FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 13-19 show different examples of the fundamental embodiment, with FIG. 1 showing the a simple frame example, FIG. 2 showing a hood- frame example, FIG. 3 showing a simple-frame projection example , and FIGS. 13-19 showing various partial frame examples for various forms of display, the partial-frames being pairs of vertically oriented panels which bound the 2D image only on the sides.
• the 2D image 1 is referred to as such because it is substantially representable using coordinates of only two dimensions, regardless of the shape of the image surface 3, such as on an embossed surface, having a discernable texture, or the surface of a relief.
• the 2D image may be of any kind, including photographs, posters, drawings, paintings, signs, television and computer images; and all forms of front and rear projection images, film or electronic, both still and motion; however viewed, either directly or by other means; or whether generated or displayed mechanically, optically, or electronically.
• the term "2D image” as used in this disclosure may represent a three-dimensional scene, which is a scene with one or more monocular depth cues related to objects and/or surfaces at varying apparent distances from the viewer.
• a 2D image need not have any monocular depth cues in order for it to be viewed with the clarity enhancement effect; but in order to be viewed with the depth perception enhancement effect where not representing a three-dimensional scene, the 2D image must have at a minimum some monocular depth cue, even if only contrived for that purpose.
• image surface 3 The surface upon which a 2D image is presented shall be referred to as the "image surface" 3, which may be flat, faceted, horizontally and/or vertically curved, spherical, some other shape, or as previously discussed herein, and may be a surface which is not associated with a solid physical object, such as a sheet flow, spray of liquid, or cloud of vapor; or may be a surface defined by the 2D image in physical space not associated with any physical object at all.
• image surface may be flat, faceted, horizontally and/or vertically curved, spherical, some other shape, or as previously discussed herein, and may be a surface which is not associated with a solid physical object, such as a sheet flow, spray of liquid, or cloud of vapor; or may be a surface defined by the 2D image in physical space not associated with any physical object at all.
• the term "horizontal”, as referred to in all its derivative forms as well shall mean a direction substantially parallel to the orientation of the viewer's eyes, i.e. in the direction of the line joining the center of the viewer's eyes, even though not horizontal in relation to the earth's surface; or the direction of a component of the distance vector between two points in space (from the vector representation of location, wherein the distance vector of a location is resolved into two component distance vectors at right angles, the magnitude of the resolved vector being the magnitude of the hypotenuse of the right triangle formed by the resolved distance vector with its components), which is substantially parallel to the orientation of the viewer's eyes.
• vertical as referred to in all its derivative forms as well (such as “vertically"), shall mean a direction substantially within the plane perpendicular to said horizontal direction and substantially perpendicular to the direction of view of the viewer.
• An object 6 upon which an image surface 3 may be displayed or otherwise exist shall hereinafter be referred to as the
• image object 6 may be solid, liquid or gaseous.
• the system for enhancement of visual perception includes a 2D image 1 which is displayed on an image surface 3, and a device within the system, which shall hereinafter be referred to as an "enhancer".
• the enhancer is a visually identifiable object, hereinafter referred to as a "VIO" 2, which is a physical object that is placed in front of the 2D image 1 (and thus in front of the image surface 3), visually discernable by the viewer as a distinct entity substantially separate from the 2D image 1, and not masked by confusion with the content of the 2D image 1 behind it.
• VIO visually identifiable object
• VIO in front of the 2D image does not imply that any part of a 2D image is blocked from the viewer's view by the VIO.
• the VIO 2 in front of the 2D image 1 be substantially within the depth of field of the viewer 9, i.e. substantially in focus for the viewer's 9 eyes 10 as they are focused on the 2D image 1, so that the entire enhanced scene 13 is also substantially in focus for the viewer 9. It is also preferable that the VIO 2 be located within the viewer's Panum's fusional region for the 2D image 1 , and the preferred location of the VIO 2 within the Panum's fusional region is in the boundary space of the Panum's fusional region: the space within the Panum's fusional region where the distance from the 2D image is significantly greater than the distance from the boundary of the Panum's fusional region in front of the 2D image.
• the VIO 2 may be opaque, translucent, transparent, or transparent with distortion.
• the preferred VIO 2 should have a clearly defined boundary 7 which can be readily focused upon when viewed by the viewer 9.
• the VIO 2 may obscure a part 11 of the 2D image
• VIO 2 should also be such that the clearly defined boundary 7 of the VIO 2 nearest to the viewer 9 is a sufficient distance away from the 2D image 1 to render two slightly disparate images of the enhanced scene 13 in the binocular view 8 of the viewer, one on the retina of each of the veiwer's 9 eyes 10 and in the Panum's fusional area of the viewer.
• the location of the VIO should also be such that the clearly defined boundary 7 of the VIO 2 nearest to the viewer 9 is a sufficient distance away from the 2D image 1 to render two slightly disparate images of the enhanced scene 13 in the binocular view 8 of the viewer, one on the retina of each of the veiwer's 9 eyes 10 and in the Panum's fusional area of the viewer.
• the 2 should preferably be, together with the 2D image 1 in the enhanced scene 13, substantially within the depth of field of the viewer's view of the 2D image 1, and/or within the boundary space of the Panum's fusional region of the viewer for the 2D image 1. Corresponding points of the enhanced scene 13 are thus projected on the Panum's fusional area of the viewer's 9 eyes
• Such a fused cyclopean image of the enhanced scene 13 in the viewer 9 gives the viewer 9 the experience of stereo vision, not simply by distinguishing distance between the 2D image 1 and the VIO 2, but within the 2D image 1 itself, by enhancing the viewer's perception of depth in the available monocular depth cues within the 2D image 1.
• This enhancement effect suggests that the human brain has the capacity to reconstruct and appreciate stereo vision in a two-dimensional image by the stimulation to fusion in the visual cortex of a retinal disparity presented by the binocular depth cue, substantially in Panum's fusional region, of the enhanced scene.
• the invention is designed to be effective to enhance depth perception and/or clarity perception in a 2D image for a viewer who has two eyes and a relatively normal ocular and neural capacity for stereopsis.
• the intensity of the enhancement effect will vary with the level of such capacity in the viewer.
• the invention may also serve as an experimental probe for the phenomena of visual perception, both binocular and monocular.
• a VIO may have any shape, and may also be made to be adjustable between flat, and horizontally and/or vertically curved.
• the placement of a VIO may be by any means, such as suspension in position or attachment to the image object 6, fixed or adjustable with respect to distance from and angle with the image surface 3.
• a VIO is operably associated with the image surface by a spatial relationship with and proximity to the image surface in order to produce the enhancement effect.
• Such status of a VIO is also intended to mean herein that the VIO is not physically connected to or with the viewer, either by attachment to or being worn by the viewer.
• a VIO may be a vertically oriented rod or tube, placed to the side and in front of the image surface; or may be a group of medallions strung above and in front of the image surface.
• the VIO may be a grid between the viewer and the 2D image with wide enough spacing between visible grid elements to minimize interference with the viewing of the 2D image.
• the VIO must be clearly present to the viewer as an integral part of the enhanced scene, the use of a grid as the VIO would probably interfere with the viewer's appreciation of the content of the 2D image as an entirety.
• a VIO 2 may be designed that is effective for that area of attention 5, such as a frame about the area of attention 5, which may partially obscure the rest of the image area, which shall hereinafter be referred to as a "VIO/frame" 2, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 1 -3.
• the term "area of attention” 5 is used here to mean the whole or part of a 2D image 1 that a viewer is focused upon and includes the viewer's 9 point of fixation.
• Such a VIO/frame 2 may be limited to a sufficient size to substantially bound the area of attention 5 for the viewer at a particular distance from the 2D image 1 , so that no well defined edges 4 of the 2D image 1 are available to the view 8 of the viewer 9, as shown in the example of FIG. 1.
• the preferred VIO/frame 2 is one that completely or partially surrounds the entire 2D image 1, with an aperture 12 that does not severely crop the 2D image 1 to the viewer 9.
• Such a VIO/frame 2 may have an adjustable aperture 12 in order to compensate for the viewer's 9 viewing position relative to the 2D image 1, the viewer's 9 angle of view, the shape of the image surface 3, the size of the 2D image 1 , and the distance of the viewer 9 from the 2D image 1.
• An adjustable aperture 12 may also be moved horizontally within the structure of a VIO/frame 2 for the purpose of intensification of the enhancement effect. Examples of VIO/frames that only partially surround the 2D image, such as partial-frame VIOs, are shown in FIGS.
• VIO/frames may be attached to the image object or image surface in various ways: as with clamps in FIGS. 13 (horizontal 24) and 14 (vertical 31) to which the panels 14 are attached by hinges 23; by attachment directly or with hinges 23 to the image surface 3 as in FIGS. 15 and 19; by attachment directly or with hinges 23 to the image object 6 as in FIGS. 16 and 18; or with display housings attached to or integrated with the image object as in FIG. 17.
• edge effect As indicated with respect to a VIO/frame which restricts the view of a viewer to a specific area of attention, the visibility to the viewer of well defined edges of a 2D image tends to announce the 2D image as flat in the space in front of the viewer, in contrast to other binocular cues within that viewing environment, and thus detracts from the enhancement effect. This tendency shall hereinafter be referred to as the "edge effect".
• the edge effect can be diminished by the diminution of the visibility of the edge of a 2D image, which shall hereinafter be referred to as "edge obscuring".
• a device employed to accomplish edge obscuring shall be referred to as an "edge obscuring" device.
• a VIO/frame 2 may be a simple-frame, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, or hood-like as shown in FIG. 2 with edge obscuring panels 14 producing a reflection 15 of part of the 2D image 1 toward the viewer 9.
• Such a hood-like VIO/frame 2 may also incorporate reflective edge obscuration on the inner surface of the hood, and a telescoping section 2a which can be used to adjust the distance between the 2D image 1 and the visually identifiable boundary 7 of the VIO/frame 2.
• a simple-frame VIO/frame 2 may be used with separate edge obscuring panels 14 as shown in FIG. 3, where the 2D image 1 is produced on an image surface 3 by a projector 16 on an area bounded by edge obscuring panels 14, or integrated with edge obscuring panels as shown in FIGS. 13-19 with partial- frame VIO/frames..
• the VIO 2 may also be itself an edge obscuring device by obscuring the edges 4 of the 2D image 1 from the immediate view 8 of the viewer 9, as in the case of a VIO/frame 2 shown in FIG. 1 , where the edges 4 of the 2D image 1 are cropped by the aperture 12 of the VIO/frame 2.
• the VIO/frame 2 may also be in the form of a hood around the 2D image 1 as shown in FIG. 2, in which the edge obscuring panels 14 are reflective and a part of the hood VIO/frame 2.
• obscuring the edges of a 2D image may be accomplished by various means that are integrated with or independent of the VIO, and are included in the invention.
• an edge obscuring device may also operate as an enhancing device in the same manner as a VIO.
• various means may be employed to obscure the edge of the 2D image 1 using the light from the 2D image 1.
• the 2D image 1 can be bounded at one or more of its edges 4 by edge obscuring panels 14 as in the example of FIG.2, so that light from the 2D image 1 near an edge 4 is wholly or partially reflected or transmitted toward the viewer 9.
• Such an edge obscuring panel 14 may have other optical qualities that diffuse or distort light reflected from the 2D image 1 in order to more smoothly obscure the edge of the 2D image 1.
• the 2D image 1 may also be similarly bounded by edge obscuring panels 14 which are translucent or transparent, with internal light transmitting properties, that similarly diffuse and distort the light from the 2D image I.
• the edge 4 of the 2D image 1 can also be obscured by being bounded at one or more of its edges 4 by a light source distributed along the edge 4.
• Another means of edge obscuring is shown in FIG. 9: the edge obscuring mask (or image) 18B, 18W (B and W indicating Black and White colored patterns respectively), which can be attached to or displayed on the image surface 3 along the edges 4 of the 2D image 1 to diffuse or break up the viewers view of the edges 4 of the 2D image 1.
• the preferred edge obscuring mask 18B, 18W is one that is transparent with a pattern printed on it, where the pattern may be either opaque, transparent, translucent, or a combination thereof. Such a pattern would probably be most effective if it is most dense at the edge 4 of the 2D image 1, with a gradual diminution of the density of the pattern from the edge to the interior of the 2D image 1, as shown in FIG. 9: the series of dots of a color close to that of the color of the image surface 3 bordering the 2D image 1, that are most densely packed on the edge obscuring mask (or image) 18B, 18W near the edge, so as to be almost solid, diminishing to zero in size and packing density toward the interior boundary of the mask.
• Another form of pattern would obscure the edge of the 2D image 1 not only by variation in density from outer to inner boundary, but also by its variation in coloration (other than black and white) which would change in appearance as the image shines through or upon it.
• Many such patterns are possible, the suitability of which may vary with the viewer's visual ability and taste, and there is no intent to have this disclosure limit the invention to any particular type of pattern.
• an edge obscuring image such as shown in FIG.
• the display 9 as 18B, 18W may be combined with the 2D image 1 , so that the display includes an image which effects edge obscuring.
• This may be accomplished by superimposing an electronically generated edge obscuring image on the 2D image in simulation of a transparency with a pattern as described above: either by including the edge obscuring image on the film print, in the case of film projection, or combining an electronically generated edge obscuring image with the 2D image for display.
• Such electronically generated edge obscuring images may be static and of various design, or dynamic, changing with time in design, size, color, frequency, etc. to intensify the enhancement effect as the nature of the 2D image may require.
• Embodiment No. 9 The image obscuring in the form shown in FIG. 9 may be practiced independently of Embodiment No. 3, and may be practiced with the fundamental embodiment and Embodiment No. 2.
• another form of mask for obscuring the edge 4 of the 2D image 1 can be affixed at the edge 4 of the 2D image 1 on that part of the image surface 3 that surrounds the 2D image 1.
• Such a mask may have an edge obscuring pattern printed on it similar to the series of dots for the mask 18B, 18W on the 2D image 1, but with a background close to the 2D image 1 in color, such a pattern being most densely packed on the mask furthest from the edge 4 of the 2D image, diminishing to zero in size and packing at the edge 4 of the 2D image 1.
• an edge obscuring device may also operate as an enhancing device in the same manner as a VIO;. That is, an edge obscuring device may be effective as a VIO if it has the attributes of a VIO previously described herein.
• an edge obscuring panel which has optical and/or electrical properties that cause the light from the 2D image to be reflected from and/or transmitted along the panel so as to provide a visually identifiable boundary of the panel within the Panum's fusional region would have some enhancement effect as a VIO, depending on its shape and other physical characteristics, as shown in FIGS. 13-19. For the examples in FIGS.
• such a panel 14 which is vertically oriented would so function at a vertical edge of a 2D image if it is mirror-like on the side exposed to the 2D image.
• a panel similar to the panel 14 in FIG. 18, would so function if it was partly mirror-like and partly light-transmitting, with the mirror-like part of the panel being curved and exposed to the 2D image at the edge of the 2D image, and the light-transmitting part, similar to the VIO 2 strip in FIG. 18, facing the viewer.
• a panel which may operate as an edge obscuring device and a VIO at the same time is a "live panel", a panel which is capable of displaying an image such as an LCD panel or plasma display as shown in FIG.
• Such a live panel could be of any shape, flat (as shown in FIG. 19) or curved (as shown in FIG. 18), with a surface on which an image could be displayed toward the viewer, such surface hereinafter being referred to as the "live face” and the image displayed thereon as the "face image” 27.
• the live panel, or a substantial part thereof, would preferably be disposed at a sufficient angle (more than 90 degrees) with the image surface 3 so that the viewer has an angular view of a substantial part of the face of the panel 14 when viewing the 2D image 1 directly.
• the face image may have an edge obscuring component and/or a VIO component.
• the edge obscuring component of the face image would blend with the 2D image and distort the 2D image to obscure the boundary with the 2D image, while the VIO component of the face image would provide a graphic that would be a clearly distinguishable VIO in contrast with edge obscuring component.
• the VIO aspect of the live panel may only be a function of the VIO component of the face image displayed on the live face, or the shape of the panel may contribute to the definition of the VIO as in FIGS. 17-19.
• Either or both the VIO and edge obscuring components of the face image may be displayed as fixed or in motion on the panel and may be varied in their respective properties in the manner disclosed herein for VIOs and edge obscuration generally.
• detraction from the enhancement effect may also occur with the "background effect”: the spatial contrast between the enhanced depth perception in the viewing of a 2D image and the scene of objects in the region of physical space within focus behind or beside the 2D image.
• a spatial contrast also occurs when the relatively confined region of space behind the 2D image is not greatly out of focus and contains easily visible and distinguishable objects that are distributed therein. Large spaces behind the 2D image with objects distributed therein that are not easily focused upon when viewing the 2D image do not tend to provide the spatial contrast of the background effect. That tendency is similarly avoided when the 2D image is displayed against or a short distance in front of a relatively flat wall, or a background with random textures, regular patterns, or visually indiscernible objects.
• background masking a mechanical or optical background for the enhanced scene to prevent the diminution of the enhancement effect by the visual environment in which the system is operating, which effects the conditions that avoid the spatial contrast of the visual environment with the enhanced scene.
• the enhancement effect may be intensified and/or maintained by illumination of the VIO for the viewer from the front, back, or internally, or where the VIO is itself in whole or in part an illuminating device. Illumination of the VIO may also be derived from the light emitted or reflected by the 2D image, in the case of video display or projection, using light transmitting or reflecting panels.
• the illumination of the VIO may be of various colors and intensities, and/or may be polarized; and the ' color, intensity and/or polarization of the illumination may be variable over time.
• Such variation in the illumination may be programably controlled with reference to the characteristics of the 2D image, such as brightness, coloration, resolution, shape, program material, monocular depth cues, etc.; and/or controlled with reference to the characteristics of the viewer's vision.
• Intensification of the enhancement effect may be achieved with a graphic pattern 19 visually discernable by the viewer
• the pattern itself may be illuminated, a graphic directly applied to the VIO 2, illuminated or otherwise, integrated with the illumination of the VIO, or applied to interrupt the illumination of the VIO 2 by blocking certain parts of such illumination of the VIO 2 to the viewer's 9 view.
• the pattern may be a group of VIOs arranged for the purpose, or a group of VIOs may be arranged to form such a pattern. Such a pattern may also operate to distribute the enhancement effect over the viewer's area of interest 5.
• the enhancement effect of the system and device may also be improved by illumination of the 2D image.
• illumination of the 2D image may be from sources attached to or independent of the VIO, and may be controlled in a manner similar to the illumination of the VIO.
• All of the various attributes of the 2D image and the VIO may be combined and controlled-to accommodate the position and vision characteristics for the viewer and to intensify and/or maintain the enhancement effect with respect to the various characteristics of the 2D image; and the entire range of such combination and control is included in the invention.
• Such control of the system may also be programmed to achieve specific effects in the 2D image, and/or associated with the generation of the 2D image, such as a broadcast signal, or on a recorded track, such as videotape, compact disc, digital video disk, digital video recorder, or on a motion picture film.
• Such programming may even be composed for presentation of the entire range of 2D images with which the system may be practiced, preexisting as well as contemporary with the composition.
• the method for enhancement of visual perception of the present invention may include the creation for the viewer of an enhanced scene.
• the method may therefore involves the selection of the elements of the enhanced scene: the 2D image which is the subject of the enhanced scene; the surface upon which it is to be displayed, and the enhancer.
• the 2D image For depth perception enhancement, it is necessary that the 2D image have monocular depth cues, but such monocular depth cues are not necessary for clarity enhancement.
• monocular depth cues to be considered in the selection for depth perception enhancement of a 2D image as the subject of an enhanced scene are occlusion or interposition, aerial perspective, linear perspective, relative height, texture gradients, shading and light, relative size, relative motion, and familiar size.
• other characteristics of the 2D image may be considered in the analysis, such as the inherent clarity of the 2D image, the level of illumination depicted within the 2D image, the number of objects in the 2D image, the similarity of objects in the 2D image, the randomness or order of the objects in the 2D image, and the inherent resolution of the 2D image; and, in the case of moving 2D images, the steadiness of the 2D image, the rapidity of movement within the 2D image, the duration of the cuts (the period of uninterrupted action) in the 2D image, and the length of time that monocular depth cues exist uninterruptedly in the scenes of the 2D image.
• the method may also include the taking into consideration of the size of the 2D image, the distance of the viewer from the 2D image, and the angle from which the 2D image is being viewed.
• the 2D image is then presented on an image surface selected for the 2D image.
• One or more enhancers to be used with the 2D image as displayed (its type, size, etc.), and its mode of operation (coloration, illumination, motion, programming, etc.) may then be selected for the desired enhancement effect.
• the enhancer is a VIO, it is preferred that it be operably associated with the image surface upon which the 2D image is displayed.
• the VIO together with the 2D image presents an enhanced scene to a viewer's visual system as an image on the retina of each eye of the viewer with a spatial retinal disparity.
• the other possible enhancers include a configuration of standard electronic, optical and/or mechanical components which moves said two-dimensional image horizontally with respect to a viewer's point of fixation on the image surface; and/or generates a horizontally moving two-dimensional image of a visually identifiable obj ect at or on the image surface which is seen by the viewer with said 2D image.
• the visual system of the viewer of the 2D image is caused by the constitution of the enhanced scene to be subjected to a slight but sufficient spatial retinal disparity in the retinal images of the 2D image detected by the viewer's visual system: if one of the other enhancers is used, the viewer of the 2D image is caused to be subjected to a slight but sufficient temporal retinal disparity in the retinal images of the 2D image.
• the viewer is thus caused to experience a single fused cyclopean image, a single vision resulting from a fusion of the retinally disparate images, in which the viewer' perception of depth in any monocular depth cue in the 2D image may have is so enhanced as to be experienced as a form of stereo vision, and in which the viewer's perception of clarity is so enhanced as to be experienced as an increase in resolution of the 2D image.
• the criteria for the analysis of the 2D image that is to be performed in conjunction with the method described above may be included in a rating system for 2D images the purpose of which is to inform the viewer and the parties involved with the presentation of the 2D image as to the level of qualification of the 2D image for the enhancement effect that may be expected with the present invention.
• a rating system may quantify the criteria used to rate the 2D image, and report the results thereof in a numerical, verbal, graphic, and/or summary form.
• the ratings thereby generated may also be used by the parties having a proprietary interest in the content of the 2D image to market same and to qualify for the use of the present invention.
• Embodiment No. 2 Electronic generation of a 3D VIO for a stationary 2D image.
• Embodiment No. 3 Electronic or mechanical horizontal movement of the 2D image relative to the image surface.
• Embodiment No. 4 Electronic or mechanical horizontal movement of a 2D VIO image relative to the image surface for a stationary 2D image.
• Embodiment No. 5 Horizontal movement of a mechanical VIO at the image surface for a stationary 2D image.
• Embodiment No.6 A computer program operating in a computer to provide horizontal movement of a 2D image relative to the image surface and/or horizontal movement of a 2D VIO image relative to the image surface for a stationary 2D image.
• Other embodiments are possible by various combinations of these with each other, including the fundamental embodiment, and with edge obscuring and/or background masking.
• Embodiments 2 through 5 may be practiced with enhancers which are various configurations of standard components: devices which are well known for the purpose for which they are designed and fabricated. Such devices are comprised of standard signal processing circuitry that generates, combines, modifies, and extracts the signals for the 2D image and the accessory images of which Embodiments 2 through 5 are comprised.
• a configuration of standard components is a utilization of standard components by combination in a relationship and/or connection to achieve an operation to which each contributes according to its respective purpose.
• the operations performed by the configurations of standard components disclosed herein do not appear to be known in the prior art.
• Embodiment No. 2 is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8, and is a system that operates essentially as the fundamental embodiment, but with a computer generated virtual 3D VIO image 17 (FIG. 8), instead of a mechanical VIO, which is
• the 3D VIO image 17 is generated by standard video image generation equipment 30 for viewing with a standard form of 3D viewing glasses, two color (usually for black and white 2D images), polarized, or shutter 130, the latter being controlled by a standard device 110 providing a control signal 120 in synchronization with alternating left-right frames of the 3D VIO image 17.
• the left-right components of the 3D VIO image 17 are generated 30 to make the 3D VIO image 17 appear outside and in front of the image surface 3 when viewed with 3D glasses
• the 3D VIO image 17 with the 2D image 1 is seen through the 3D glasses 130 by the viewer as a 2D image I on the image surface with a VIO 2 suspended in front of it as in the case of the fundamental embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
• the 3D VIO image 17 may incorporate edge obscuring for the 2D image 1 , or may itself obscure the edge of the 2D image 1.
• the 3D VIO image signal 40 which includes a synchronizing 3D VIO control signal 60, is sent to a standard video mixing device 50 for combination with the 2D image signal 35 input from a standard
• the synchronizing 3D VIO control signal 60 may be extracted from the combined image signal 70 with the processing in the device for converting the combined image signal for input to display 80, or sent directly to the device for controlling viewing glasses 110 from the device
• Embodiment No. 2 is not a preferred embodiment for normal viewing inasmuch as it suffers from the disadvantage of the necessity for eye wear, but may be of use in diagnostic and treatment applications of the present invention.
• Embodiment No. 3 shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 is a system which provides the enhancement effect by horizontal motion
• component of motion means the motion represented by one of the components of the velocity vector (well known from the 5 vector representation of uniform linear motion), wherein the velocity vector is resolved into two component velocity vectors at right angles, the magnitude of the resolved vector being the magnitude of the hypotenuse of the right triangle formed by the resolved velocity vector with its components.
• such a retinal disparity usually results in fusion of the retinal images in the viewer 9, and thus the enhancement effect.
• the horizontal movement 2OL, 2OR may be timed for the individual viewer in order to accommodate the viewer's alternating perception of the disparate retinal images.
• the system devices may be used to effect such horizontal motion 2OL, 2OR at any velocity consistent with the characteristics of the display 100, such as refresh rate.
• Such horizontal motion 2OL, 2OR may also be regulated with respect to distance, direction, and frequency, so that the 2D image 1 may be moved horizontally 2OL, 2OR back and forth on the image surface 3, either automatically, under the control of the viewer directly, or as programmed by the viewer.
• the frequency, the velocity, and the mode of such motion may be chosen to suit the viewer.
• Such control may also be coordinated with the content of the 2D image 1, provided with and as part of the 2D image signal 35, and/or be made subject to the preferences of the viewer.
• Embodiment No.3 of the system for horizontal motion 2OL, 2OR of the 2D image 1 may be mechanical, as in the case of a film projector, front or rear, motion or still. Such motion may be accomplished by the mechanical movement of certain components of a film projector, such as the film gate, aperture plate, or the projector optics; or electromechanically, electronically controlled electrically driven mechanical motion, all of which may be regulated in the same manner as the electronic system previously described.
• Embodiment No. 3 optionally lends itself to the use of viewing glasses of the type used with Embodiment No. 2. In this embodiment, however, the viewing glasses alternately shutter each eye as the 2D image 1 is horizontally moved 2OL, 2OR.
• the system of Embodiment No. 3 is designed to provide an adequate enhancement effect without the necessity for viewing glasses, but the use thereof is not excluded from use with the system.
• Embodiment No.3 may be employed with edge obscuring by combining an edge obscuring image signal 150 with the horizontally moving 2D image signal 180.
• An edge obscuring image signal 150 is produced by a standard device for generating 2D edge obscuring image 140 which is combined with the 2D image signal by a standard device 160.
• the combined image signal 70 is such that the edge obscuring image 18B, 18W (FIG. 9) displayed is relatively stationary relative to the image surface 3, while the 2D image 1 is in horizontal motion 20L, 20R. As shown in FIG.
• the color of the image surface border 3B, 3W should match the color and/or pattern of the edge obscuring image 18B, 18W.
• the border of the image surface 3 would usually have a color and/or pattern which would match the color and/or pattern of the edge obscuring image 18B, 18W).
• such an edge obscuring image 18B, 18W may also be dynamic in nature, and may be designed to intensify the enhancement effect for the particular 2D image 1 displayed.
• edge obscuring in the form shown in FIG. 9 may be practiced independently of Embodiment No. 3, and may be practiced with the fundamental embodiment and Embodiment No. 2.
• Embodiment No.4 shown in FIGS.7, 10, 11, and 12 is a system which induces the slight but sufficient retinal disparity required for the enhancement effect by horizontal motion 22L, 22R (L and R indicating Left and Right movement respectively) of one or more two-dimensional VIO images 21 , hereinafter referred to as 2D VIO images, the preferred form of which is a frame that may hereinafter referred to as "2D VIO/frame image" 21, which is displayed with the 2D image 1 to be viewed.
• the 2D VIO/frame image 21 may be other than the simple-frame shown in FIG. 10, and may be partial-frames 21 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 as a pair of vertical bars or patterns superimposed on or part ofthe 2D image 1.
• the horizontal motion of the 2D VIO/frame image 21 is with respect to a viewer's point of fixation on the image surface with a sufficient component of such motion parallel to the orientation of the viewer's eyes in both directions of such orientation, but is not significantly perceptible by the viewer. Such motion is of sufficient speed and frequency (left and right) to induce a temporal retinal disparity in the viewer.
• the 2D VIO/frame image 21 may be superimposed upon or surround the 2D image 1. As in the other embodiments disclosed, such a retinal disparity normally results in fusion of the retinal images in the viewer, and thus the enhancement effect.
• the horizontal motion 22L, 22R may be timed for the individual viewer in order to accommodate the viewer's alternating perception of the disparate retinal images.
• the system devices may be used to effect such horizontal motion 22L, 22R at any velocity consistent with the characteristics of the display 100, such as refresh rate.
• Such horizontal motion 22L, 22R may also be regulated with respect to distance, direction, and frequency, so that the 2D image 1 may be moved horizontally 22L, 22R back and forth on the image surface 3, either automatically, under the control of the viewer directly or as programmed by the viewer. That is, the frequency, the velocity, and the mode of such movement (such as: slowly to the right, and rapidly back to the left; rapidly to the right, and suddenly back to left to the original or another position; or, suddenly to the right, and back slowly to the left; etc.), may be chosen to suit the viewer.
• Such control may also be coordinated with the content of the 2D image 1, provided with and as part of the 2D image signal 35, and/or be made subject to the preferences of the viewer.
• the 2D VIO/frame image 21 completely or partially surrounds the 2D image 1
• the 2D image 1 may be reduced in size so that substantially all of the 2D image 1 is displayed within the frame, that is, without cropping by the frame.
• Embodiment No. 4 also includes the mechanical, electromechanical, or electronically controlled electrically driven mechanical horizontal motion of the 2D VIO image 21 , and the regulation thereof, which may be implemented in a substantially similar manner as that described for Embodiment No. 3.
• the system for horizontal movement 22L, 22R of the 2D/frame image 21 may be mechanical, as in the case of a film projector, front or rear, motion or still. Such motion may be accomplished by the mechanical movement of certain components of a film projector, such as the film gate, aperture plate, or the projector optics; or electromechanically, electronically controlled electrically driven mechanical movement, all of which may be regulated in the same manner as the electronic system previously described.
• Embodiment No. 4 also optionally lends itself to the use of viewing glasses of the type used with Embodiment No. 2. In this embodiment, however, the viewing glasses alternately shutter each eye as the 2D VIO/frame image 21 is horizontally moved 22L, 22R.
• the system of Embodiment No.4 is designed to provide an adequate enhancement effect without the necessity for viewing glasses, but the use thereof is not excluded from use with the system.
• Embodiment No. 4 may also be employed with edge obscuring images 18B, 18W (FIG. 9) by combining an edge obscuring image signal 150 (FIG. 6) with the signal of the horizontally moved 22R, 22L 2D VIO/frame image 21 as is accomplished for the combination in the case of Embodiment No. 3.
• An edge obscuring image signal 150 (FIG. 6) produced by a standard image generator 140 (FIG. 6) may also be combined with the 2D VIO/frame image signal 220.
• the combined image signal 70 after conversion for display 90, is such that the edge obscuring image 18B, 18W (FIG.9) displayed is relatively stationary with respect to the 2D image 1 and the image surface 3, as in Embodiment No.
• the 2D VIO/frame image 21 is in horizontal motion 22R, 22L.
• the 2D VIO/frame image 21 may be dynamic in nature in the same manner as a dynamic edge obscuring image 18B, 18W, and may be designed to intensify the enhancement effect for the particular 2D image 1 displayed.
• Embodiment No. 5 involves a mechanical VIO, and may be practiced in a manner similar to Embodiment No. 4, but without the flexibility afforded by the use of an electronically generated 2D VIO/frame image 21 (FIG. 10).
• Horizontal movement of a mechanical VIO at the image surface 3 may be accomplished by standard forms of mechanical actuation, electrically or mechanically motivated, and electronically or mechanically controlled. Otherwise, substantially the same types of VIO configurations and movements may be used as described for Embodiment No. 4 to produce the enhancement effect.
• the full range of edge obscuring techniques are employable to diminish the edge effect.
• Embodiment No. 6 is implemented by and within a computer program operating in a computer that generates and/or displays 2D images, such as for animation, art, simulation, graphical representation, and from processing and/or presentation of analog and digitized images generally.
• the term computer program as used herein shall mean a complete operational computer program, or a component thereof, such as a program overlay, a coded algorithm, or a subroutine.
• the computer program performs by instructions to the computer for the operations carried out by the configurations of standard components in Embodiments Nos. 3 and 4.
• Embodiment No. 6 makes the movement of the 2D image and/or the movement of the 2D VIO images practiced by Embodiments Nos.
• a computer program that generates or processes "still" 2D images may include with the generated video frames information for one or more 2D VIO images and their horizontal movement, and/or information for the horizontal motion of the 2D image. Edge obscuring image information may also be incorporated with the information for the generated frames of the 2D image.
• a computer program that generates or processes a "moving" 2D image i.e.
• Embodiments Nos.3 and 4 may also be practiced with Embodiment No.6, but controlled by the program and the inputs provided for thereby.
• Embodiments 2-4 and 6 of the invention disclosed herein may be practiced in their electronic or electromechanical form with any presently known form of signal transmission, such as electromagnetic broadcast, cable, and computer networking, or video recording; or presently known form of intermediate electronic processing thereof by devices interposed between the reception or production of a 2D image and the display of the 2D image; and the entire range of combination and control of such signal transmission and processing is contemplated for the practice of said embodiments and included in the invention.
• the foregoing practice as applied with respect to any control of the system and/or face image that may be used is also contemplated for the fundamental embodiment (Embodiment No. 1).
• the enhancement effect of the present invention has application to the study of vision, particularly in diagnostics and treatment. It has also been suggested that the principle upon which the present invention operates is newly presented here. In fact there are additional aspects to the enhancement effect of the present invention that plumb the depths of the currently unknown functions of the visual cortex and the operation of binocular retinal rivalry.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system with a simple frame VIO.
• FIG.2 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system with a hood-frame VIO with integrated edge obscuring.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system for front projection with a a simple frame VIO and separate edge obscuring.
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a first example of the system utilizing an electronically generated virtual 3D VIO.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second example of the system utilizing an electronically generated virtual 3D VIO.
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example of the system utilizing an horizontal image movement and edge obscuring.
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of the system utilizing horizontal frame image movement.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the system with a generated virtual 3D VIO.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of horizontal image movement with edge obscuring.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of horizontal simple-frame image movement.
• FIGFIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of horizontal partial-frame (vertical bars) image movement.
• FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of horizontal partial-frame (vertical pattern) image movement.
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system with a partial-frame VIO attached to an image object with a horizontal clamp.
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system with a partial-frame VIO attached to an image object by a vertical clamp.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system for front projection with a partial-frame VIO attached to an image surface.
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system with a partial-frame VIO attached to an image object.
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system with a partial-frame VIO of display housings.
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system with a partial-frame VIO of display panels.
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a mechanical embodiment of the system for front projection with a partial-frame VIO which is illuminated by the front projection.
• the best mode for carrying out the invention depends on the application, and the disposition of the viewer with respect to the particular embodiments disclosed. For entertainment, and cultural applications, it is believed that the fundamental embodiment in its various forms will provide the most satisfying experience where space permits. For computer and gaming applications, the best mode may be found in the various forms of Embodiment No. 6. For television and cable broadcasters, the best mode may be found in various forms of Embodiment No. 4. For medical imaging the best mode may be Embodiment No. 2.
• the use of the invention applies to all manner of display of two-dimensional images wherein the enhancement of depth perception of the viewer increases the intelligibility of the image to the viewer, such as medical imaging and computer graphic displays, as well as the entertainment (motion pictures and television), cultural (drawings, paintings, photographs, etc.), and commercial (posters, billboards, etc.) applications.
• the invention may also be used for scientific purposes as probe of the human visual system, particularly the visual cortex and the brain-eye connection, as well as the phenomena of vision generally.
• the principle objects of the invention are to provide: 1) enhancement of a viewer's visual perception in a single two-dimensional image, which includes enhancement of the depth perception of a viewer in various types of two-dimensional images that include monocular cues for depth, and 2)

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• 2005
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