Stereoscopic imaging apparatus incorporating a parallax barrier

A stereoscopic imaging apparatus for providing a stereoscopic image for viewing by a viewer having two eyes, the apparatus comprising:

• a generally planar display comprising a two-dimensional array of uniformly spaced pixels;
• and
• a generally planar parallax barrier having an area substantially coextensive with the display and spaced a prescribed uniform distance from the display, on the side of the display opposite the viewer, wherein the parallax barrier includes alternating first and second vertically oriented regions;
• wherein the first vertically oriented regions of the parallax barrier are configured to transmit light to the viewer's first eye along light paths defined through only a first subset of the pixels and, simultaneously, to transmit light to the viewer's second eye along light paths defined through only a second subset of pixels;
• wherein the second vertically oriented regions of the parallax barrier are configured to block light transmission transmit light to the viewer's second eye along light paths defined through the first subset of pixels and, simultaneously, to block light transmission to the viewer's first eye along light paths through the second subset of pixels;
• and wherein the second vertically oriented regions of the parallax barrier effect the blockage of light transmission by reflecting light in directions away from the display.