BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Advertisements are important for manufacturers of goods and for service providers, in order to induce consumers to purchase their respective products. Advertisements may inform the consumer of particularly useful, important or desirable features of the product. In addition, or alternatively, advertisements may attempt to create an image of the product which increases the attractiveness of the product to the consumer. For example, advertisements may attempt to induce a feeling of success, attractiveness or desirability in the consumer, such that the consumer wishes to purchase and use the product in order to sustain this feeling. Furthermore, advertisements are also useful for"branding", or brand identification, both for individual products and for store chains.

Vendors of products, such as owners of physical"brick and mortar"shops, also use advertising in order to attract consumers. One form of advertising for"brick and mortar"shops is the shop window. Such a window typically features a large pane of glass, with a shelf or other display area directly behind the glass window. The shop owner can create various types of displays which are related to the goods being sold, and/or which are attractive to the consumer.

However, one difficulty of creating such displays is that they must currently be physically constructed and rearranged frequently, in order to maintain the interest of passing consumers.

Advertising on the Internet is relatively more easily performed, since vendors at Web sites need only create their advertising electronically. For example, a vendor at a Web site could change an advertisement on a Web page frequently, even every minute if desired. Such a change would simply involve changing a particular file which contains the advertisement. The vendor

at the Web site could also easily add visual effects and sound effects, if desired, in order to attract and retain the attention of the consumer.

In order for"brick and mortar"shops to maintain their attractiveness to the consumer, these shops must provide interesting and dynamic displays, which are frequently changed. If such physical shops could implement the advertising methods of vendors at Web sites, these displays could easily be created and changed. Unfortunately, currently available technologies do not permit such dynamic creation of physical shop displays through the Internet or other network.

If such a technology would be available, it would potentially be useful as a solution for a number of different applications. For example, home users or other users could subscribe to a service for receiving different three-dimensional scenes. Such scenes would be highly suitable for decorative purposes. Alternatively, such home users could choose to broadcast such scenes, for example showing the grandchildren to their grandparents. Therefore, a number of implementations would be possible if such a solution would be available. Unfortunately, currently no such system is available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The background art does not teach or suggest a system and a method for creating dynamic shop displays through a network such as the Internet, in which the display would include a three-dimensional scene, such that the scene could be changed rapidly and easily, and such that the scene could also optionally be adapted for other uses as well. In addition, the background art also does not teach or suggest a system and method for providing scenes to home users and other users as part of a subscription service. The background art also does not teach or suggest a mechanism for enabling these users to broadcast the scenes to others, for example in order for family members to view their relatives in three-dimensional scenes.

The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the background art by providing a system and method for electronically displaying a three-dimensional scene, such that the scene is a"virtual"three-dimensional image rather than an actual three-dimensional collection of physical objects. The three-dimensional scene is optionally and preferably used for creating a dynamic advertisement, for example for a shop display, which can be easily changed in order to attract the attention of the consumer. The advertisement could be used for differential advertising for example, in which individual stores may receive content from a central source, which is then adjusted to meet the requirements of the individual store. It can also preferably be used for a

three-dimensional display in home theater systems.

Three-dimensional displays are potentially useful in any size, from the very small, as for gaming devices, to very large, as for windows of any size in private dwellings or public institutions for displaying any desired scenes. In that respect, three-dimensional displays for home theater systems present a considerable improvement over existing two-dimensional systems.

The scene itself is preferably displayed as a"window", such that the appearance of a three-dimensional scene is constructed as though the viewer is looking at the scene through a window. Displaying the scene through such a window is optionally and preferably implemented with various types of simulator hardware and software, which are known in the art.

According to other implementations of the present invention, optionally the scenes could be provided as part of a subscription service, in which the subscriber would preferably choose either one or more specific scenes, or one or more types of scenes, for delivery from a central server. In addition, optionally these scenes could be displayed in a private dwelling, for example as broadcast scenes from other family members, so that relatives could see each other in three- dimensional scenes. According to yet another implementation, the scene could be displayed with a device which also produces light emissions in the full natural spectrum of sunlight, for example in order to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The present invention is also useful for providing a more rich and complete learning experience, through"e-learning", by displaying three-dimensional scenes of a pedagogical nature to students.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for displaying a three- dimensional scene for an advertisement to a user, the scene featuring video data, the system comprising: (a) a receiver for receiving the video data for the advertisement; (b) a projector for projecting the video data to form projected video data, the projected video data having a three- dimensional appearance; and (c) a screen for receiving the projected video data, such that the advertisement is displayed on the screen as the three-dimensional scene. Preferably, the screen includes a mirror for receiving a reflected image from a reflecting screen, such that the projector first projects the image onto the reflecting screen. The mirror is optionally a collimating spherical and/or parabolic (or a combination) mirror. The image appears to be a three- dimensional display in the mirror.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for displaying a three-dimensional scene to a user, the scene featuring video data, the video data being received as a subscription service, such that the video data includes a plurality of different

types of video data, the system comprising: (a) a receiver for receiving the video data for the three-dimensional scene; (b) a projector for projecting the video data to form projected video data; (c) a screen for receiving the projected video data, such that the three-dimensional scene is displayed on the screen; (d) a server for serving the video data; and (e) a network connected to the server and to the receiver for transmitting the video data from the server to the receiver.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for displaying an advertisement as a three-dimensional scene, the advertisement featuring video data, the video data being received as a subscription service, such that the video data includes a plurality of different types of video data, the video data being transmitted through a network, the method comprising the stages of : selecting a type of video data from the plurality of different types of video data of the subscription service; transmitting the type of video data through the network to form transmitted video data; and displaying the transmitted video data to form the three-dimensional scene of the advertisement.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a window device for displaying a scene, comprising: (a) a scene screen for displaying video data for the scene; (b) a first lens adjacent to the scene screen for collimating light from the scene screen; (c) a second lens, positioned after the first lens, for receiving the collimated light and for dispersing the collimated light to form dispersed light; and (d) a window simulator for receiving the dispersed light and for displaying the dispersed light.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a home theater device for displaying video data, the system comprising: (a) a projector for projecting the video data to form projected video data; (b) a first screen for receiving the projected video data; and (c) a concave mirror for receiving projected video data from the first screen, such that the video data is displayed on the concave mirror.

Hereinafter, the term"video data"refers to continuous/streaming video data and timely discrete video data, and also includes both digital and analog media.

The term three-dimensional image refers to a collimated picture, giving the effect of a three-dimensional picture.

Hereinafter, the term"product"refers to both tangible, physical goods and to intangible services.

Hereinafter, the term"advertisement"includes any inducement or persuasion to a consumer, with respect to purchasing, using or otherwise interacting with a product.

Hereinafter, the term"shop display"includes any advertisement which is displayed in the

context of a physical"bricks and mortar"store or shop.

Hereinafter, the terms"computing platform"and"computational device"both refer to a computer hardware system or to a software operating system, and more preferably refer to a combination of computer hardware and the software operating system which is run by that hardware.

For the implementation of the present invention, a software application could be written in substantially any suitable programming language, which could easily be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. The programming language chosen should be compatible with the computing platform according to which the software application is executed. Examples of suitable programming languages include, but are not limited to, C, C++ and Java.

In addition, the present invention could also be implemented as firmware or hardware.

Hereinafter, the term"firmware"is defined as any combination of software and hardware, such as software instructions permanently burnt onto a ROM (read-only memory) device. As hardware, the present invention could be implemented as substantially any type of chip or other electronic device capable of performing the functions described herein.

In any case, the present invention can be described as a plurality of instructions being executed by a data processor, in which the data processor is understood to be implemented according to whether the present invention is implemented as software, hardware or firmware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an exemplary system according to the present invention ; FIG. 2 shows an exemplary background art system for projecting a three-dimensional scene for use with the system of Figure 1; FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method according to the present invention; FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary subscription system according to the present invention; FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary window device according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is of a system and method for electronically displaying a three- dimensional scene, such that the scene is a"virtual"three-dimensional image (a collimated picture, giving the effect of being three-dimensional) rather than an actual three-dimensional collection of physical objects. The three-dimensional scene is optionally and preferably used for creating a dynamic advertisement, for example for a shop display, which can be easily changed in order to attract the attention of the consumer. More preferably, the advertisement is changed in order to be relevant to currently available merchandise and/or promotional campaigns. Most preferably, data about the relevant merchandise and/or promotional campaigns is added to the scenes for display.

The scene is preferably displayed as a"window", such that the appearance of a three- dimensional scene is constructed as though the viewer is looking at the scene through a window, although alternatively the scene could optionally be displayed by a"home theater"device (described in greater detail below). Displaying the scene through such a window is optionally and preferably implemented with various types of simulator hardware and software, which are known in the art. For example, such a system is described in U. S. Patent No. 5,873,726, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein. An illustrative example of such a system is described in greater detail with regard to Figure 1 below.

Optionally, such a system features a receiver for receiving the video data, optionally and preferably with other types of data such as audio data for example ; at least one projector for projecting the video data; and at least one screen onto which the video data is projected. The system also preferably includes an optical system, as described herein, using various types of lenses, such as collimating mirrors, prisms or other types of lenses (all of which are collectively referred to herein as"lenses"). Other optional but preferred embodiments include a connection to the Internet or other network as at least part of the receiver, such that the video data and optionally other types of data are sent from a server to the receiver through the network. For example, a server connected to the Internet could optionally send such data to a plurality of receivers.

According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the receiver may optionally and preferably be controlled by a human user, who may optionally and more preferably subscribe to such a service. For example, the user could choose to receive video data, optionally with other types of data, according to a subscription fee. More preferably, the user

could choose from a plurality of different types of video data. Most preferably, such video data includes"live camera"video data, which is collected by a video camera positioned to capture video data from an actual scene, such as an outdoor landscape scene, for example. A plurality of such cameras could optionally be installed in a variety of locations in order to capture video data from a variety of scenes.

An example of an implementation for the present invention could optionally combine video data from at least one, but preferably a plurality of, actual scenes with digital commercial data. For example, a shop window advertisement could feature video data from a first outdoor scene showing a lake, over which video data from a second outdoor scene, showing birds, would be digitally superimposed. The commercial data could feature digital images of necklaces which would also be digitally superimposed as though they were being"worn"on the necks of the birds. This combination would be particularly attractive to the consumer, and could also be created to fit the needs of a particular store.

Although the system and method are particularly useful for advertisements, such as for shop windows for example, other possible implementations of the present invention include, but are not limited to, displays of three-dimensional scenes in public or private institutions, and/or private dwellings, for example for purely decorative purposes; teaching and pedagogical displays to students, for example as a visual aid to discussions of distant countries, and/or to enable students located at a physically separate location from the teacher to receive a more"realistic" teaching experience; and for displaying video data of human beings, for example in order to permit distant relatives to interact visually, and/or for the purposes of medical diagnosis.

According to other implementations of the present invention, optionally the scenes could be provided as part of a subscription service, in which the subscriber would preferably choose either one or more specific scenes, or one or more types of scenes, for delivery from a central server. Preferably, the subscriber could choose a"pay per view"arrangement, in which the subscriber would pay to view a certain scene or group of scenes for a predetermined period of time. Optionally, a flat panel two-dimensional display could be used for displaying the scene as part of the subscription system, although a three-dimensional display is preferred.

In addition, optionally these three-dimensional scenes could be displayed in a private dwelling, for example as broadcast scenes from other family members, so that relatives could see each other in three-dimensional scenes. Those individuals who wished to broadcast the scenes would simply need to position at least one, but preferably a plurality of, cameras in the room or rooms from which the broadcast is to occur.

According to yet another implementation, the scene could be displayed with a device which also produces light emissions in the full natural spectrum of sunlight, for example in order to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This implementation would be particularly suitable with outdoor scenes from cameras positioned at a variety of locations, such that the user could view the"outdoor"environment as augmented with light in the natural sunlight spectrum.

Other uses of the system and method of the present invention are possible of course, such as three-dimensional displays for home theaters, with varying and practically unlimited screen sizes, and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The principles and operation of a method and a system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a system 10 according to the present invention for displaying a three-dimensional scene. System 10 features a receiver 12 for receiving at least video data from a network 14. Network 14 could be the Internet, for example.

Receiver 12 is connected to a server 16 through network 14. Server 16 serves at least video data, but optionally also serves audio data, to receiver 12.

Receiver 12 then passes the received data to a projector 18, which could include for example at least one camera. Projector 18 then projects the data onto a screen 20, which optionally and preferably includes a plurality of screen sections. Screen 20 is arranged such that projector 18 is able to project the video image for display as a (perceived) three-dimensional scene. Preferably, screen 20 features a first screen for receiving the image from projector 18, and a mirror onto which the image is reflected from the first screen (not shown; see below for more details). The apparent three-dimensional image is then displayed by the mirror, which is optionally a parabolic and/or concave mirror, for example.

Preferably, server 16 transmits data, including at least video data but more preferably also including audio data, to receiver 12 as part of a subscription service. For example, such a service could optionally incorporate the choice of a plurality of different types of video data, from which the user controlling receiver 12 could then select a particular type of video data.

More preferably, at least one type of video data would involve data which is collected by a "live"camera 22, which could also optionally be implemented as a plurality of live cameras from which video data may optionally be selected. Live camera 22 is preferably a digital camera which captures video data, and then passes such data to server 16, more preferably as a"real time"data feed. In other words, preferably live camera 22 captures such video data and then passes the data to server 16 with little or no delay. However, data transmitted through cable,

satellite or Internet is limited by width of waveband etc, therefore potentially limiting the quality of picture for the end user. It may therefore optionally be useful to screen also directly filmed material or taped analogically or digitally, so as to be able to screen the full amount of data registered without the potential limitations imposed by transmission technology.

As an example of a use for live camera 22, live camera 22 could optionally collect video data for an outdoor scene, such as a natural landscape or a cityscape, for example. Such live cameras 22 are currently known in the art for collecting video data for transmission over the Internet, and are also termed"Web cams". In the case of the present invention, however, live camera 22 transmits such"real time"video data for incorporation into the displayed scene which is projected onto screen 20. The viewer could thus enjoy a pastoral landscape, a view of a site of particular cultural, religious or historical importance, or even video data of personal importance, such as of relatives and family members, for example.

According to optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, the area around screen 20 for a display area 24 is optionally and preferably decorated with one or more additional elements. Examples of such additional elements include, but are not limited to, graphical images, text, additional displays of video data and so forth. Additional audio data may also optionally be incorporated into display area 24, which could include an audio device for playing the audio data. For this implementation, preferably live camera 22 would also feature at least one audio device for capturing audio data from the scene. Thus, according to the present invention, display area 24 includes at least screen 20, but optionally and preferably may incorporate other elements as well.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, network 14 is a dedicated network for distributing the video data and/or other data for display according to the present invention, such as a LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network), rather than the Internet. For example, network 14 could optionally be a dedicated network which connects one or more physical"brick and mortar"stores to a central provider of shop displays. Such an implementation is preferred for a chain of such stores, since each individual store in the chain of stores could optionally receive a preselected shop display for display area 24, thereby providing a consistent set of shop displays for the chain of stores for example. Network 14 could also optionally be implemented as a network within a particular"brick and mortar"store building, such as for a large department store for example. For this implementation, the central server for the store could control shop displays throughout the different departments in the store building, which would be connected through network 14 as a LAN

According to still other preferred embodiments of the present invention, display area 24 is used to create the effect of"windows"for a physical location which would otherwise not feature windows. Examples of such a physical location include, but are not limited to, an underground room or area, and an internal room of a building, for which visual access to the outside of the building is difficult or impossible. Since windows provide a pleasant visual effect, and may also contribute to a more comfortable environment, the ability to add the visual effect of windows, without requiring the addition of physical apertures to the outside of the building, is an optional and useful implementation of the present invention. For example, a restaurant could be more easily located in an underground location with the addition of display areas 24 according to the present invention, since such display areas 24 would provide the appearance of "windows". Such display areas 24 could even optionally feature different exotic scenes, such as natural landscapes of distant countries, in order to further increase the attractiveness of the display. Thus, the present invention may enable different types of physical spaces to be more effectively used, in a more pleasant and comfortable environment.

Figure 2 shows an illustrative embodiment of projector 18 of Figure 1, for use with the present invention. As previously described, projector 18 may be implemented as is known in the art for visual simulators, such as for flight simulators for example. One example of a visual simulator system is described in US Patent No. 5,873,726, which was previously incorporated by reference. Other such visual simulator systems could also easily be substituted by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Briefly, visual simulators which are known in the art may involve the use of one or more mirrors, in order to avoid the use of a flat two-dimensional display. The problem with a flat display is that the viewer is able to determine that the display lacks a third dimension according to light divergence from the display. The angle of divergence of the light from the display to the eye of the viewer depends on the distance between the display and the eye. Light from objects which are closer to the eye diverges more than light from more distant objects. Thus, for a flat display, the divergence for the displayed"objects"enables the viewer to determine that such objects are actually being shown on a flat display, rather than being part of a three-dimensional actual scene.

One example of a background art visual simulator system involves the reflection or transmission of light from a display onto the concave surface of a spherical mirror. The spherical mirror then collimates the light into parallel rays, thereby giving the impression that the light from the spherical mirror has its origin at infinity. The viewer thus perceives an

apparently realistic three-dimensional scene of distant objects, rather than perceiving the displayed scene as having a single flat visual origin.

However, spherical mirrors may be difficult and expensive to produce, due to the high levels of optical accuracy needed. An alternative background art system is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,873,726, which uses two mirrors, each of which is singly curved. This means that the surface of each mirror is curved but any point on the surface has a tangent plane which meets the surface at a line. The two mirrors are positioned so that light from the projector passes from one mirror to the other, and then to the eye of the viewer.

As described in US Patent No. 5,873,726, such singly curved mirrors may be formed by bending a plane flexible sheet using bending moments and forces applied to two opposite edges only. The sheet can thus be bent by mounting it in a frame that exerts bending moments and forces close to its edges, to give the mirror a singly curved shape. The sheet may be provided with a reflective layer either before or after bending. Similar effects may also be obtained with other optical devices, for example by incorporating Fresnel lenses.

As shown in Figure 2, projector 18 features a display generator 26, such as a computer monitor for example. A first cylindrical mirror 28 is mounted below display generator 26 and a second cylindrical mirror 30 is mounted adjacent to first cylindrical mirror 28. Display generator 26 generates an image to be viewed, such as a scene for example. The actual video data is received from receiver 12 as previously described.

Light from display generator 26 passes to first cylindrical mirror 28. That light diverges relative to the vertical axis X-X, and if viewed directly would be seen by the viewer as originating at a relatively close location (i. e. the location of display generator 26). Therefore, in order to incorporate the perspective of a remote distance for the three-dimensional scene, the light must be collimated, or turned into a parallel beam with substantially no divergence.

In order to perform such collimation and as shown in Figure 2, first cylindrical mirror 28 is curved about a horizontal axis, corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The light diverging from display generator 26 can be considered as diverging about two horizontal axes relative to the vertical axis X-X, one of those axis being in the plane of the paper in Figure 2 and the other being perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Because the mirror is cylindrical, first cylindrical mirror 28 converges the light in a vertical plane, and if display generator 26 is positioned appropriately, that convergence is sufficient to collimate the light in the vertical plane. The light continues to diverge in the horizontal plane, because the component of the light which is perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 2 encounters a plane surface at first

cylindrical mirror 28 and therefore its divergence continues.

The light reflected by first cylindrical mirror 28 then passes to second mirror 30. Second mirror 30 is also a cylindrical mirror, curved about a vertical axis. Hence, second mirror 30 tends to converge light incident thereon in a horizontal plane, but would not affect the convergence or divergence of light in a vertical plane.

Since the axis of curvature of first and second cylindrical mirrors 28 and 30, respectively, are perpendicular, one such mirror converges the beam in a vertical plane and the other such mirror converges the beam in a horizontal plane. The net effect of these two actions is to generate a collimated beam from second mirror 30. Again, this depends on suitable positioning of second mirror 30 relative to first mirror 28. Having generated a collimated beam by reflection at second mirror 30, that beam then passes towards first mirror 28. If the image thus generated is to be viewed, first mirror 28 must therefore permit that beam to pass through, and for this reason first mirror 28 is only semi-reflective. If second mirror 30 is viewed from a viewing point 32, the light from display generator 26 reaching that viewing point 32 is collimated, and therefore a viewer at that viewing point sees display generator 26 as being located at infinity or the horizon.

In turn, the scene projected by display generator 26 has the appearance of being at a remote site, rather than being close to viewing point 32. The viewer therefore sees the image as a simulation of the view of the scene which would be received when looking out of a window for example.

First mirror 28 and second mirror 30 could also optionally be implemented as two cylindrical mirrors, which are placed perpendicularly to one another.

Figure 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary and preferred method according to the present invention for displaying a scene of at least video data, in which the video data is received through a network such as the Internet according to a subscription.

In stage 1, the viewer selects a type of video data to be displayed. As previously described, such video data could optionally be of a landscape scene, such as a natural landscape or a cityscape for example. Other types of scenes could also be used, again as previously described.

In stage 2, the video data is transmitted through a network such as the Internet.

Optionally, if the displayed scene is for an advertisement and/or shop display, the network could also be a dedicated network, such as a LAN or WAN for a particular organization or chain of stores, for example.

In stage 3, the video data is received at the local site where the scene is to be displayed.

In stage 4, the received video data is projected onto a screen. In stage 5, the video data is then

reflected from the screen by the optical system, and then to the viewer's eye as a collimated picture, having the three-dimensional effect. In stage 6, the viewer then views the displayed scene as an apparently three-dimensional scene.

Figure 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary subscription system according to the present invention. A subscription system 40 again features receiver 12, projector 18 and screen 20, as well as server 16 and optionally live camera 22. As for Figure 1, live camera 22 may also optionally be implemented as a plurality of cameras from which video data may be selected. However, for subscription system 40, now receiver 12 receives the video data from a computational device 42 which is connected to network 14. Network 14 is particularly preferably the Internet. Computational device 42 is in communication with server 16 in order to receive the video data.

More preferably, server 16 operates a subscription module 44 for determining whether the user operating computational device 42 is a subscriber. Most preferably, subscription module 44 receives a request from the subscriber through computational device 42, for example for a particular scene or type of scene. If the request is for a"pay per view"service, then preferably the request includes payment details, such as a credit card number and expiration date for example. Next, subscription module 44 optionally and preferably verifies the details of the subscriber and of the requested scene (s). Subscription module 44 then obtains the requested video data, for example from optional live camera 22. The requested video data is then sent to computational device 42, which passes the video data to receiver 12 for display to the subscriber.

Optionally, receiver 12, projector 18 and screen 20 could be replaced by a flat panel two- dimensional display, which could be controlled by computational device 42 for example.

Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary window device according to the present invention. An exemplary window device 50 features a scene screen 52, for receiving the projected video data for the scene. Light from scene screen 52 is collected and collimated by a first lens 54 (labeled"lens 1"). The collimated light is then dispersed by a second lens 56 (labeled"lens 2"), for display through a window simulation 58. Window simulation 58 is optionally a simple aperture, for example. An eye 60 of the viewer can then view the scene, as shown.

First lens 54 is preferably a convex lens, while second lens 56 is preferably a concave lens. However, either lens could be replaced by a mirror or a prism, such that"lens"collectively refers to a lens, a mirror or a prism. Examples of suitable mirrors include, but are not limited to, parabolic, spherical, cylindrical or other concave mirror, for achieving a collimating effect, and

for directing the collimated light rays from scene screen 52 to the viewer's eyes. Both first lens 54 and second lens 56 are preferably at least the size of the display shown through window simulation 58, although first lens 54 is more preferably larger than the size of the display while second lens 56 is more preferably about the size of the display.

The advantage of window device 50 is that the display of the scene through the "window"is relatively free of distortion, which may be apparent with smaller lenses.

Figure 6 shows a schematic block diagram of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for providing a collimated image for a"home theater"device. The"home theater"device of the present invention is intended for any display of video data as a collimated image display, in any environment, although a preferred implementation of this device is as a consumer device. Furthermore, although a preferred implementation of the device of the present invention is described below, it is only intended as an illustration of such a"home theater" device; many other implementations would be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

A home theater device 62 features a projector 64 for projecting video data onto a first mirror 65. Unlike existing home theater systems, in which the image data is projected from first mirror 65 to the back of a screen for display, home theater device 62 instead features a hidden screen 66. The video data is reflected from first mirror 65 onto hidden screen 66. This video data is then reflected by a concave mirror 68, causing an"imaginary", enlarged and collimated image to be formed at a distance behind concave mirror 68 (more specifically, to the left of concave mirror 68). Concave mirror 68 may optionally be any type of concave mirror, including, but not limited to, a parabolic or spherical mirror. To the eye of the viewer, such an image has its source at infinity, thereby producing the effect of a three-dimensional picture.

Home theater device 62 has the advantage of achieving collimation with a single such mirror, without the need for additional intermediary optical elements such as half-way mirrors.

The resultant system provides good quality three-dimensional images in a more cost-effective manner.

The size of hidden screen 66 may optionally be varied to achieve the best results for displaying the image. Other factors which may optionally be controlled in order to obtain the best results include, but are not limited to, the distance and angle of hidden screen 66 relative to concave mirror 68. The size of the picture which is formed on hidden screen 66 is considerably smaller than the size of concave mirror 68, as concave mirror 68 has the additional effect of enlarging the size of the source image.

The distance between hidden screen 66 and the surface of concave mirror 68 is preferably smaller than the distance between concave mirror 68 and its focal point. Thus, the reflection in concave mirror 68 forms an"imaginary"picture at the back of concave mirror 68, which is perceived as having its source at infinity and which is therefore perceived as a three- dimensional picture by the viewer.

The volume of space from which the collimated picture can be viewed with optimal results of definition and focus, is limited and dependent on several factors. One factor is the size of the enlarged imaginary picture forming at the back of the concave mirror 68. The size of the picture is in turn dependent on the distance between hidden screen 66 and the surface of concave mirror 68, and also on the distance of the viewer from concave mirror 68, which serves as a screen for the viewer.

In order to more specifically determine the important parameters with regard to the components of home theater device 62, the following calculation may optionally be employed: U is the distance between hidden screen 66 and concave mirror 68; and V is the distance between the imaginary picture formed at the back of concave mirror 68 and the surface of concave mirror 68; F is the distance between the surface of concave mirror 68 and its focal point; X is the size of hidden screen 66; and Y is the size of the imaginary picture forming at the back of concave mirror 68.

The distance of the image in concave mirror 68 is then calculated according to the following formula: V= UP divided by U minus F.

The size of the imaginary image is then: Y= (V divided by U) multiplied by X.

Knowledge of the size of the imaginary picture enables the correct size to be chosen for an optimal display to the viewer, depending upon the viewer's distance from home theater device 62.

The focus, definition and distortion of the three-dimensional picture are also dependent upon the viewer's distance from concave mirror 68, which in turn is connected to such factors as the distance of hidden screen 66 from the surface of concave mirror 68, the relative size of hidden screen 66 and of the picture on hidden screen 66. The present invention therefore preferably also includes an electronically controlled adjustment system, which is able to easily

adjust and control the distance of hidden screen 66 from concave mirror 68, according to the viewer's distance and position.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.