PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR INCORPORATING 3D LENSES FOR USE WITH A 3D VISUALIZATION SYSTEM
Protective eyewear for protecting the eyes of a user, the protective eyewear comprising: at least one transparent surface for disposition in front of the eyes of the user, wherein the at least one transparent surface is formed out of a material adequate to constitute protective eyewear; and a frame for holding the at least one transparent surface in front of the eyes of the user; wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a left 3D lens for disposition before the left eye of the user and a right 3D lens for disposition before the right eye of the user.
1 . Protective eyewear for protecting the eyes of a user, the protective eyewear comprising:
at least one transparent surface for disposition in front of the eyes of the user, wherein the at least one transparent surface is formed out of a material adequate to constitute protective eyewear; and
a frame for holding the at least one transparent surface in front of the eyes of the user;
wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a left 3D lens for disposition before the left eye of the user and a right 3D lens for disposition before the right eye of the user.
2 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a first transparent surface and a second transparent surface, wherein the first transparent surface and the second transparent surface are separated by a gap, and further wherein the first transparent surface comprises the left 3D lens and the second transparent surface comprises the right 3D lens.
3 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a face shield, and further wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise regions of the face shield.
4 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise polarizers.
5 . Protective eyewear according to claim 4 wherein the polarizers comprise circular polarizers.
6 . Protective eyewear according to claim 5 wherein the left 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light in one of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the right 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light in the other of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
7 . Protective eyewear according to claim 4 wherein the polarizers comprise linear polarizers.
8 . Protective eyewear according to claim 7 wherein the left 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light a first linear direction, and the right 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light in a second linear direction, wherein the second linear direction is orthogonal to the first linear direction.
9 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise color filters.
10 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise liquid crystal shutters.
11 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the least one transparent surface is formed out of an impact-resistant material.
12 . Protective eyewear according to claim 11 wherein the impact-resistant material comprises high impact plastic.
13 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the least one transparent surface further comprises at least one prescription lens.
14 . Protective eyewear according to claim 13 wherein the at least one prescription lens is physically combined with at least one of the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens.
15 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the frame is configured to be worn over prescription eyewear.
16 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the frame is formed out of an impact-resistant material.
17 . Protective eyewear according to claim 16 wherein the impact-resistant material comprises high impact plastic.
18 . Protective eyewear according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises side splash guards.
19 . A system for enabling 3D visualization of an object, the system comprising:
a 3D monitor for presenting a 3D image of an object; and
protective eyewear for protecting the eyes of a user, the protective eyewear comprising:
at least one transparent surface for disposition in front of the eyes of the user, wherein the at least one transparent surface is formed out of a material adequate to constitute protective eyewear; and
a frame for holding the at least one transparent surface in front of the eyes of the user;
wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a left 3D lens for disposition before the left eye of the user and a right 3D lens for disposition before the right eye of the user.
20 . A system according to claim 19 wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a first transparent surface and a second transparent surface, wherein the first transparent surface and the second transparent surface are separated by a gap, and further wherein the first transparent surface comprises the left 3D lens and the second transparent surface comprises the right 3D lens.
21 . A system according to claim 19 wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a face shield, and further wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise regions of the face shield.
22 . A system according to claim 19 wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise polarizers.
23 . A system according to claim 22 wherein the polarizers comprise circular polarizers.
24 . A system according to claim 23 wherein the left 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light in one of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the right 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light in the other of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
25 . A system according to claim 22 wherein the polarizers comprise linear polarizers.
26 . A system according to claim 25 wherein the left 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light a first linear direction, and the right 3D polarizer is configured to polarize light in a second linear direction, wherein the second linear direction is orthogonal to the first linear direction.
27 . A system according to claim 19 wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise color filters.
28 . A system according to claim 19 wherein the left 3D lens and the right 3D lens comprise liquid crystal shutters.
29 . A method for enabling 3D visualization of an object, the method comprising:
providing a 3D monitor for presenting a 3D image of an object, and providing protective eyewear for protecting the eyes of a user, the protective eyewear comprising:
at least one transparent surface for disposition in front of the eyes of the user, wherein the at least one transparent surface is formed out of a material adequate to constitute protective eyewear; and
a frame for holding the at least one transparent surface in front of the eyes of the user;
wherein the at least one transparent surface comprises a left 3D lens for disposition before the left eye of the user and a right 3D lens for disposition before the right eye of the user;
presenting a 3D image of an object on the 3D monitor; and
viewing the 3D image presented on the 3D monitor through the protective eyewear.