Selective real image obstruction in a virtual reality display apparatus and method

Abstract

A virtual reality system (200-322) stereoscopically projects a virtual reality images including a three dimensional image (245) having an interface image (250′) in a space observable by a user (100). The display system includes a substantially transparent display means (200) which also allows real images of real objects (850) to be combined or superimposed with the virtual reality images. Selective areas or characteristics of the real images are obstructed by a selective real image obstructer (860) to enhance viewing of selected virtual reality images while providing for viewing or real images or virtual images combined with real images in other viewing areas. The display system includes either a stereoscopic headset display system or a heads-up display system. The selective real images obstructer is a gray scale liquid crystal display included with the display system providing for adjustment of the size, shape and/or transparency of the obstruction of real images. The obstruction of real images may be adjusted in response to information for generating the virtual image, manual inputs or processing of real images by video cameras (310′ and 320′). Other selective real image obstructions include filtering a portion of the spectrum of visible light associated with the real images.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.