GB2254530A

GB2254530A - A frame or mask for a television display

Info

Publication number: GB2254530A
Application number: GB9106815A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard David Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-02
Filing date: 1991-04-02
Publication date: 1992-10-07
Also published as: GB9106815D0

Abstract

A frame or masking system is positioned in front of the picture screen so as to overlap and conceal the edges of the picture from the viewers line of sight. This provides the viewer with an impression of depth to the image. The frame or mask may be attached to the television or it may be freestanding.

Description

A frame for enhancing the viewing of television and other forms of visual display.

The images produced by conventional televisions are generally perceived by viewers as being flat and two-dimensional. Most previous attempts to produce three-dimensional (3-D) images for cinema and television have relied upon systems that require special stereoscopic filming techniques. But stereoscopic systems are not necessarily required to provide the viewer with an image which displays gives an impression of 3-D.

When viewers look at photographic, cinematic or television images they are usually visually aware of the spatial relationship between the edges of the picture and the page or screen on which the picture is presented. This presents the viewer with confusing visual information which the viewer generally perceives as being flat and two-dimensional.

If a frame or some other device is interposed between the observer and a visual display unit or a television screen, so that the frame overlaps and masks the borders of the screen, the edges of the image may be concealed from the viewers line of sight. This arrangement alters the viewers perception of the picture, and the viewer is more likely to be receptive to three-dimensional aspects of the picture. The change may enhance the viewers perception of the picture and reduce the eye strain and levels of fatigue which can be associated with viewing television and visual display units.

A suitable masking frame may be produced either by placing an opaque frame around the screen, or by placing a glass screen whose borders are masked by tape, paint, or some other means, in front of the television screen. The television screen (at the back of which the image is generated) could itself be masked, but the improvement to the viewers perception will be diminished if the masking frame is too close to the point where the television image is produced. To be effective the frame must conceal a certain amount of the picture generated at the edges of the screen, but as the masking frame need not be positioned too far in front of the picture the amount of the picture that is concealed will not unduly restrict viewing.

The extent to which the masking frame overlaps the screen should be substantial, and it should at least be sufficient to conceal all four edges of the screen image from a viewer watching from a position directly in front of the set, (assuming of course that the viewer is not unreasonably close to the set). For a family television the overlap should be sufficient to conceal the edges of the image from the line of sight of several viewers at once.

The viewers perception of the picture may be further influenced by altering the colour, shape, extent, texture and reflective quality of the masking frame. A frame whose surface is reflective and golden or silver in colour provides favourable background against which to view television images.

Claims

1. A frame or masking system either affixed to, or incorporated in a television which is interposed between the observer and the picture so that the edges of the image are generally concealed from the line of sight of the viewer. This frame or masking system can be positioned close to the screen so that the television can still be seen by several viewers at once.

2 A freestanding frame which is placed in front of a television screen, so as to overlap and generally to conceal the edges of the image from the line of sight of the viewer.

3 A frame or masking system incorporated in or, affixed to, a visual display unit which is interposed between the viewer and the picture so that the edges of the image are generally concealed from the line of sight of the observer.

A A freestanding detached frame or masking system which is placed in front of of a visual display unit, to overlap and generally to conceal the edges of the image from the observers line of sight.

5 A frame or masking system incorporated in, or affixed to, a television unit which is interposed between the viewer and the picture so that the edges of the image are generally concealed from the line of sight of the observer. The surface of the frame which creates the background within which the image appears being reflective and of a golden or silver colour.