Apparatus and method for capturing and viewing images

1. A dual sided image capture and display device comprising,

a first image capture and display device having a first viewing panel and an associated first image capture device, wherein the first image capture and display device is controllable to capture an image and display an image;

a second image capture and display device having a second viewing panel and an associated second image capture device, wherein the second viewing panel is controllable to capture an image and display an image;

means for optically aligning and integrating the first and second viewing panels to provide a common optical axis to the first and the second image capture devices and wherein the first and the second viewing panels are positioned in an aligned back to back relationship to each other; and

a control device for controlling the first and second image capture and display devices so that an image captured by either image capture device can be shown on the first or second viewing panels.

2. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 1 , wherein an intermediate panel is positioned between the first and second viewing panels.

3. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 1 , further comprising an audio sensor for capturing and/or producing sound coupled to the first and second viewing panels.

4. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 1 , wherein an outer protective panel is positioned outward of each of the first and second viewing panels.

5. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 1 , wherein a digital image capture device is integrally formed in each of the first and second viewing panels for capturing an image in front of the respective viewing panel.

6. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 5 , wherein the digital image capture device is positioned with respect to the respective image capture and display device so as to capture the image along an axis which is in a substantial alignment with a viewing axis of the image capture and display device.

7. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 5 , wherein the image captured by the digital image capture device of the first or second image capture and display device is used to control the first and/or second image capture and display device.

8. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 7 , wherein the control comprises controlling a capture of an image by the first and/or second image capture and display device.

9. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 7 , wherein the control comprises controlling a display of an image on the first and/or second image capture and display device.

10. The dual sided image capture and display device according to claim 1 , wherein a sensor associated with the first and/or second image capture and display device is used to control the first and/or second image capture and display device.

11. A method for capturing and displaying images, comprising the steps of:

optically aligning and integrating the first and the second image capture and display devices;

capturing a first image by the first image capture and display device; capturing a second image by the second image capture and display device;

displaying the first captured image on the second image capture and display device; and

displaying the second captured image on the first image capture and display device;

wherein the first and second image capture and display devices are positioned in an aligned back to back relationship to each other to provide a common optical axis and wherein a first viewing direction of the first image capture and display device is opposed to a second viewing direction of the second image capture and display device.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein an intermediate panel is positioned between the first and second image capture and display devices.

13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising the step of producing a sound by an audio mechanism coupled to the first and/or second image capture and display devices.

14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein an outer protective panel is positioned outward of each of the first and second image capture and display devices.

15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the steps of capturing the first and second images is performed by a digital image capture device integrally formed in each of the first and second image capture and display devices.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the digital image capture device is positioned with respect to the respective image capture and display device so as to capture the image along an axis which is in a substantial alignment with a viewing axis of the image capture and display device.

17. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising the step of controlling the steps of capturing and displaying by a control device.

18. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of capturing the second image is controlled based on the step of capturing the first image.

19. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of displaying the second image is controlled based on the step of displaying the first image.

20. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:

displaying the first captured image on the first image capture and display device; and

displaying the second captured image on the second image capture and display device.