Abstract:
A system for delivering information to a user&#39;s eyes and ears such that the information is processed most efficiently or effectively by the human brain. The system includes a field-of-view inhibiting mechanism, an audio mechanism, and a program of information formatted in accordance with left and right brain theory.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to a method and apparatus for presenting information, instructions and/or entertainment in audio and visual form in a manner that enhances learning, memorization and/or enjoyment.  
           [0002]    It is known that the human brain processes visual and auditory information hemispherically. That is, the left and right hemispheres of the brain process information differently. The human eye contains a divided retina at the back of the eye. The retina includes a left most portion that transmits information to the left hemisphere of the brain, and a right most portion that transmits information to the right hemisphere of the brain. Through many studies conducted in which images have been flashed to one side or the other of the eyes of test participants, it has been demonstrated that images will be processed by one brain hemisphere or the other depending on which side the image was viewed. Studies have shown that the brain&#39;s left hemisphere is better at processing logical or analytical tasks, including language, while the brain&#39;s right hemisphere is better at processing artistic concepts and spatial relationships. Whether the information is presented visually or audibly, the left/right brain dichotomy appears to hold. Various devices, such as shaded contact lenses and eyeglasses, have been developed to ensure that during testing, images will be viewed by only a selected portion of the test participant&#39;s visual field. In addition, such devices have been described for use during therapy for troubled patients.  
           [0003]    Based on the concept that the left and right hemispheres of the human brain process information differently, the present invention provides a system in which information is tailored and presented to an individual in such a way that, based on the particular characteristics of the information, the more optimal hemisphere of the brain receives the information for processing. If it is desired that the left hemisphere of the brain be addressed, the information is presented to the person&#39;s right ear and the nasal (inboard) portion of the retina of the right eye. Similarly, if the right hemisphere of the brain is to be addressed, the information is presented to the left ear and the nasal (inboard) portion of the retina of the left eye.  
           [0004]    In any unrestricted audio and visual environment, information of interest for either the left or right hemispheres exists without discrimination. The eyes, along with ones attention, shift from one point of interest to another. Uninhibited, the visual fields sensed by the left and right components of the retina of an individual&#39;s eyes overlap. The ears may hear things spatially but it is non-selective hearing; both ears hear the same information. Because of all these factors within the audio and visual environment, information that might be processed more efficiently by one hemisphere of the brain is instead experienced by both hemispheres.  
           [0005]    In an unrestricted audio and visual presentation, these same factors impede discrimination of left and right information. Because such a presentation is smaller than the entire environment, the present invention can address these limitations by providing a novel approach to a system for presenting targeted left and right information to a user.  
           [0006]    The invention consists of a field-of-view (FOV) inhibiting apparatus that inhibits a portion of the visual field to which the user is attentive. The invention includes designated hemispheric programming (DHP) that is designed for use with the FOV inhibiting apparatus. The DHP creatively presents visual information tailored to the characteristics of the left and right hemispheres of the user&#39;s brain. Finally, the DHP is designed for use with existing stereo audio means to deliver dichotic audio information to the separate hemispheres of the brain of the user. Dichotic audio differs from stereo audio in that each ear hears an independent stream of audio information, thus assuring hemispheric separation. Stereo audio, on the other hand, presents audio information for one ear that contains some components of information available to the other ear.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In accordance with the invention there is provided a method and apparatus for delivering information to the appropriate set of eye and ear such that the human brain processes the information most efficiently or effectively. More specifically, the apparatus is embodied as a field-of-view (FOV) inhibiting apparatus in the form of a head-mounted viewer having movable vanes. The vanes are adjustable, and when properly adjusted, permit a user&#39;s left and right eye to view only the information intended for that eye&#39;s nasal retinal pathway while inhibiting or blocking the temporal retinal pathway. Its purpose is to ensure that each eye will see a limited field of view of a screen or other presentation such that the left eye sees only the left side of a screen or presentation and the right eye sees only the corresponding right side of a screen or presentation. Ultimately, the left hemisphere of the brain receives the visual information displayed on the right side of the screen, and the right hemisphere receives the visual information displayed on the left side of the screen.  
           [0008]    The present invention further includes an apparatus to present left and right dichotic audio information corresponding to the left and right visual information. This may be accomplished through the use of a user&#39;s existing stereo headphone arrangement or by an apparatus integrating the head-mounted viewer and earphones.  
           [0009]    The present invention further includes a method for tailoring or programming the information in such a way that each hemisphere of the brain receives the information in an optimized form. This designated hemispheric programming (DHP) is designed such that this information may be delivered by a variety of means, including, for example, film, videotape, DVD, television and cable broadcast, multimedia presentation, computer program and the Internet. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a system for presenting information, in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]    FIGS.  2 A-E are various views of an embodiment of a field-of-view inhibiting apparatus which may be used in the system of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a portion of the system of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a side view of an additional embodiment of a field-of-view inhibiting apparatus that may be used in the system of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a field-of-view inhibiting apparatus that may be used in the system of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is graphic depiction of a programming example that may be used in the system of FIG. 1; and,  
         [0017]    FIGS.  7 - 9  are graphical depictions of screenshots that may be used in the system of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    Turning now to a more detailed description of a preferred form of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a system  10  for presenting information to a user, not shown. The system includes a program  12  of visual information  14  and audio information  16 . The program can include, for example, both fiction and non-fiction television entertainment, films, video programs, and instructional presentations, self-help media, and Internet content. A more detailed description of a representative program  12  will be included below. The visual  14  and audio  16  information is transmitted to a presentation apparatus  18  for presenting the information to a user. Presentation apparatus  18  includes a display mechanism  20  for processing and presenting visual information to a user. The display mechanism  20  is formed having a left hand display portion  21  and a right hand display portion  23 . Suitable display mechanisms  20  may include, but are not limited to, video displays, such as a CRTs or television, or film or video projection screens. Presentation apparatus  18  also includes a stereo audio mechanism  22  for processing and presenting dichotic audio information to a user. Visual information  14  is depicted as being transmitted to display mechanism  20  via connection  24 . Similarly, dichotic audio information  16  is depicted as being transmitted to stereo audio mechanism  22  via connection  26 . These connections may be in the form of hard-wired connections, or wireless connections. Presentation apparatus  18  further includes a stereo earpiece  30  allowing a user to hear dichotic signals transmitted from stereo audio mechanism  22  via connection  32 . Again, the connection may be a hard-wired or wireless connection. Finally, the system  10  also includes a field-of-view (FOV) inhibiting apparatus  28  for controlling the field-of-view of a user viewing display mechanism  20 . The FOV inhibiting apparatus  28  will be described with reference to FIGS.  2 A-D later.  
         [0019]    Turning to a description of the FOV inhibiting apparatus  28 , FIG. 2A depicts a head mounted viewer type apparatus intended to be worn by a user while viewing the left hand display portion  21  and the right hand display portion  23  of display mechanism  20  described above. Worn in the manner of spectacles or glasses-type mechanisms, the apparatus  28  includes a brow element  40  having end portions  42  and  44 , and a central portion  45 . The brow element depicted in FIG. 2A is formed as a type of headgear, including a left support arm  46  attached to end portion  42  and a right support arm  48  attached to end portion  44 . The support arms  46  and  48  can be attached to the brow element  40  via a hinge or fixed attachment mechanism. In keeping with a glasses theme, the arms are preferably attached via a hinge. A nosepiece  50  is also attached to the brow element at the central portion  45 . A left vane  52  and a right vane  54  are attached to the brow element  40  via a hinge  56  fixed to the central portion  45 . The vanes can be adjusted to any position from a closed position, depicted in the frontal view of FIG. 2D, to an open position, depicted in the frontal view of FIG. 2E. Depending on the degree to which the vanes  52  and  54  are opened, a portion of the images viewed by the user is occluded or inhibited. More specifically, image information is prevented from falling upon the temporal, or outboard, portion of the retinas within each of the user&#39;s left and right eyes. This will be discussed below in more detail. The adjustments of interest with regard to the inventive system for presenting information will also be discussed below.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate additional views of the FOV inhibiting apparatus  28 , including a side view, FIG. 2B and a top-down view, FIG. 2C.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3, not drawn to scale, depicts a top view of a user  19  using the FOV inhibiting apparatus  28  to view a display  20 . Display  20  is used to present preformatted information to the user  19 , via left and right hand screen portions  21 ,  23 . The display  20  includes a centerline portion  22 . As was discussed above, and as will be discussed in more detail later, the designated hemispheric programming, DHP, is designed so that information is presented to a user in such a way that each side or hemisphere of the user&#39;s brain will receive the appropriate type of information suitable for the processing associated with that particular side. Brow element  40 , worn by the user includes adjustable vanes  52 ,  54  for inhibiting or limiting the field of view of the user&#39;s eyes. The vanes  52 ,  54  are depicted in their properly adjusted state. That is, the user&#39;s left eye  60  cannot view the right hand side  23  of the display  20 , and the user&#39;s right eye  62  cannot view the left hand side  21  of display  20 . The vanes  52 ,  54  are attached to the brow element  40  via, for example, a hinge  56  such that they may be angularly adjusted with respect to the brow element.  
         [0022]    In more detail, information displayed on the left hand side  21  of display  20  is transmitted to the user&#39;s left eye  60 , as illustrated using rays  64  and  66 , via the eye&#39;s lens  68  that focuses the information on a retina  70  at the back of the eye. The retina is divided, forming a temporal aspect  72  and a nasal aspect  74 . The drawing depicts the left vane  52  properly adjusted to an angle  75  such that information presented on the right hand side  23  of the display is blocked from view by the user&#39;s left eye  60  at point  76 . Information is received by the nasal aspect  74  of the retina  70  of the user&#39;s left eye  60  and not received by the temporal aspect  72  of the retina  70  of the user&#39;s left eye  60 . Similarly, information displayed on the right hand side  23  of display  20  is transmitted to the user&#39;s right eye  62 , as illustrated using rays  78 ,  80 , via the eye&#39;s lens  82  that focuses the information on the retina  84  at the back of the user&#39;s eye. The retina  84  is divided, forming a temporal aspect  86  and a nasal aspect  88 . The drawing depicts the right vane  54  properly adjusted to an angle  85  such that information presented on the left hand side  21  of the display  20  is blocked from view by the user&#39;s right eye  62  at point  90 . Information is received by the nasal aspect  88  of the retina  84  of the user&#39;s right eye  62  and not received by the temporal aspect  86  of the user&#39;s right eye  62 .  
         [0023]    To reiterate, information presented on the left hand side  21  of display  20  is presented to the nasal aspect  74  of the retina  70  of the user&#39;s left eye, and information presented on the right hand side  23  of display  20  is presented to the nasal aspect  88  of the retina  84  of the user&#39;s right eye. As has been shown by researchers, the nasal aspects of the left and right eye&#39;s retinas  74  and  88  are connected, respectively, to opposite brain hemispheres,  96  and  92  via optic nerve portions  100 ,  102 , respectively. The temporal aspects  72  and  86  of the user&#39;s left and right eye&#39;s retinas, respectively, transmit information to the user&#39;s left and right brain hemispheres. The temporal aspect  72  of retina  70  of left eye  60  is connected to the left hemisphere  92  via optic nerve portion  94 , and the temporal aspect  86  of retina  84  of right eye  62  is connected to the right brain  96  via optic nerve portion  98 .  
         [0024]    Generally, the screen  20  will display its content split vertically, 50% left and 50% right. Variations in screen size, the user&#39;s distance from the information presented, and variations in the width or spacing of the user&#39;s eyes will be accommodated by vanes  52 ,  54  on the FOV inhibiting apparatus  28 . The vanes are hinged, allowing them to be spread apart or telescoped to ensure proper visual field spacing and separation. In combination with the centerline  22  of the programming aspect of the invention, they also aid in the promotion of defocusing of the user&#39;s eyes.  
         [0025]    With regard to the audio aspects of the present invention, FIG. 3 depicts a user  19  wearing an earpiece apparatus  30  consisting of a left speaker  102  and a right speaker  104  connected to an audio stereo device  22  via connections  106  and  108  respectively. Dichotic audio information provided to the left ear  110  of the user  19  is transmitted to the right hemisphere of the brain  96  via auditory pathway  112 . Similarly, dichotic audio information provided to the right ear  114  of the user is transmitted to the left brain portion  92  via auditory pathway  116 .  
         [0026]    In addition to the specific embodiment described above, other variations can provide an appropriate field-of-view blocking. For example, one variation, depicted in FIG. 4, will attach to a user&#39;s existing glasses via a clip  120  or some other suitable attaching means. The clip-on version performs the same function as the headgear above, and allows the use of an individual&#39;s existing glasses framework. In addition, FIG. 5 depicts a glasses or spectacles type framework combined with integral stereo earpieces  43 ,  47 .  
         [0027]    Programming, in the form of video tapes, DVD&#39;s, broadcast media, Internet content and other similar processes that will be viewed and listened to by the user, is designed to create an engaged and receptive user. Once a subject has been chosen, a decision regarding program length, including breaks, is made. Decisions must then be made to ensure proper formatting for targeting hemispheres. For example, visual attributes are considered. Such attributes can be, for example, general, descriptive or temporal. General attributes describe characteristics like background, mid-ground, foreground, text, detail, color, brightness, contrast, size, position, color, and opacity. Also, overlays, graphics and other effects are considered. Descriptive attributes can be, for example, font, wording, meaning, appearance, mood, overtness and subliminalness. Temporal attributes relate to the temporal flow of the program and can include, for example, dissolves, timing, rhythm, pacing and pattern. Similarly, audio attributes are considered. They may include, for example, echo, reverb, intonation, vocalization, volume, bass, treble, timbre, tempo, rhythm, beat, effect, graphic equalization, and spatial and temporal relationships.  
         [0028]    To each item on the list of visual and audio attributes, a decision is made as to whether that attribute will be synchronous, synonymous, or asynchronous to its counterpart being delivered to the opposite hemisphere. The decision on how different or how similar one is to the other is guided by an understanding of left and right brain theory. For example, synchronous information may be presented initially during the program. That is, the video and audio information of the left side is identical and contemporaneous with that of the right side. As the program continues, slight changes in wording, in both audio and visual form, and changes in imagery, create synonymous information. Synonymous information occurs when the visual and audio information of the left side differs yet means the same as that of the right side.  
         [0029]    The progression of the programming is designed to create initial acceptance of the information presented to the user. As the program advances, the user will be led to a state of receptivity while the brain is engaged in the content. In this regard, the width of the area that separates the left and right visual information can be controlled to encourage defocusing of the eyes to help create the state of receptivity in the user.  
         [0030]    The decisions regarding formatting are made on an instant-by-instant, or frame-by-frame basis, in consideration of the desired look, feel, and flow of the program. Changes are possible at any point in the creative process.  
         [0031]    Once the creative decisions are made, the program can be rendered onto an appropriate media. As has been mentioned above, information, instructions and/or entertainment is presented in audio and visual form. Left and right dichotic audio will arrive by headphones or “ear buds” ensuring that audio information intended for processing by the left side of the brain is heard by the right ear and audio information intended for processing by the right side of the brain is heard by the left ear. This will work in conjunction with the FOV inhibiting apparatus to ensure corresponding visual information intended for processing by the left side of the brain is displayed on the right side of a screen and only seen by the nasal portion of the retina of the right eye, and visual information intended for processing by the right side of the brain is displayed on the left side of a screen and seen only by the nasal portion of the retina of the left eye.  
         [0032]    A sample, representative program, in conjunction with related Figures, will now be described. The program provides written instructions for basic layout, text and timing in a manner that will be familiar to those skilled in the art. Of particular interest with respect to the subject invention, the described program includes dual, left and right sets of programming instructions.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 provides a graphical display of examples used in the following program description. The figure is a description of the initial portion of a program, and depicts a timeline, including the relative level of background and foreground visual information, the relative levels of background and foreground audio information, and spatial relationships at different points in time. Time column  200  depicts the relative passage of time, including specific points in time of interest to the programmer. The Left Background Audio  202  and Left Spoken Text  204  columns describe what is to be heard by a user through the left side audio. For example, Left Background Audio column  202  indicates that the program provides for a background audio of continuous wind and leaf rustling, while Left Spoken Text column  204  indicates spoken text heard by the user. LBA column  206  and LST column  207  are provided to indicate the relative levels of the left background audio and left spoken text, respectively, to be played into the left audio channel. In this example, the levels are indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, minimum to maximum. For example, at the start of the program, time 0, a 0 in each of the LBA  206  and LST  207  columns indicates that the sound levels are set at a minimum level. As the program progresses, spoken text is introduced into the left audio channel, as depicted in Left Spoken Text column  204 , and background audio is introduced into the left audio channel, as depicted in Left Background Audio column  202 . At first, these sounds are introduced at a full level, indicated 100. Later, the left spoken text is lowered in level, first to a mid-level, indicated 50, then subsequently to an even lower value, indicated 10. Left Visual Text  208  and Left Background Visual  210  columns describe what is to be displayed on the left side of the display screen. For example, the program starts with a left background visual of a “point of view” passage through a forest setting. Text is displayed on the screen, in this particular program, in time with the left spoken text. LVT column  211  and LBV column  212  are provided to indicate the relative intensities or levels of left visual text and left background visual, respectively, as seen by the user. For example, initially the program begins with no text and no background visual displayed, as is indicated by 0 in each of the LVT  211  and LBV  212  columns. Subsequently, text is displayed keyed over the background visual, each at a full level, indicated 100. Later, the left visual text is lowered in level, first to a mid-level, indicated 50, then to an even lower level, indicated 10. The Left Screen Shot column  214  depicts representative screen shots at given points in time. Although this column is usually not necessary, the depicted screen shots in this example provide a storyboard effect that helps the programmer visualize that which the user is supposed to see. Information displayed on the left side of the display is intended for processing by the right hemisphere of the user&#39;s brain. Thus, as described in the Left Background Visual column  210  and depicted in the Left Screen Shot column  214 , images displayed should be “organic” or “natural”, without straight lines. This will be described in more detail later in the discussion regarding FIGS.  7 - 9 .  
         [0034]    The Right Background Audio  216  and Right Spoken Text  218  columns describe what is to be heard by a user through the right side audio channel. For example, Right Background Audio column  216  indicates that the program provides for a right background audio identical to the left background audio, i.e. the sound of continuous wind and leaf rustling, while Right Spoken Text column  218  indicates spoken text heard by the user. RBA column  220  and RST column  221  are provided to indicate the relative levels of right background audio and right spoken text, respectively, to be played into the right audio channel. For example, at the start of the program, time 0, a 0 in each of the RBA  220  and RST  221  columns indicates that the sound levels are set at a minimum level. As the program progresses, spoken text is introduced into the right audio channel, as depicted in Right Spoken Text column  218 , and background audio is introduced into the right audio channel, identical to the Left Background Audio. At first, these sounds are introduced at a full level, indicated 100. Later, the right spoken text is lowered in level, first to a mid-level, indicated 50, then subsequently to an even lower level, indicated 10. Right Visual Text  222  and Right Background Visual  224  columns describe what is to be displayed on the right side of the display screen. For example, the program starts with a right background visual identical to that of the left background visual described previously, i.e. a “point of view” passage through a forest setting. Text is displayed on the screen, in this particular program, in time with the right spoken text. RVT column  225  and RBV column  226  are provided to indicate the relative intensities or levels of right visual text and right background visual, respectively, as seen by the user. For example, initially the program begins with no text and no background visual displayed, as is indicated by 0 in each of the RVT  225  and RBV columns. Subsequently, text is displayed keyed over the background visual, each at a full level, indicated 100. Later, the right visual text is lowered in level, first to a mid-level, indicated 50, then to an even lower level, indicated 10. The Right Screen Shot column  228  depicts representative screen shots at given points in time. As was described above, this column is usually not necessary, although the depicted screen shots provide a storyboard effect that helps the programmer visualize that which the user is supposed to see. The information displayed on the right side of the display is intended to be processed by the left hemisphere of the user&#39;s brain. Thus, as described in Right Background Visual column  224  and depicted in Right Screen Shot column  228 , images displayed should be “manmade” in appearance, with straight lines. Again, this will be described in more detail later in the discussion regarding FIGS.  7 - 9 .  
         [0035]    The DIV/SW column  230  provides an indication of the relative amount of centerline division, DIV, with respect to the screen width, SW. For example, depending on a user&#39;s familiarity with using the subject invention, or depending on the specific type of information to be presented to a user, more or less centerline division may be necessary to ensure proper left/right separation. The DIV/SW column  230  provides guidelines with regard to the centerline division.  
         [0036]    FIGS.  7 - 9  graphically depict representative screenshots described in the program description. FIG. 7 depicts left and right visual text becoming more subliminal as the program progresses. FIG. 8 depicts background visual information including examples of synchronous and synonymous information and dissolves between images. FIG. 9 provides examples of the background visual information and foreground textual information, both with dissolves, and including an example of synchronous background and text.  
         [0037]    What follows is a sample program for Subliminal Suggestion and Self-Help. Comments not normally provided in such a program description are interspersed with program text below to provide clarification of some of the concepts described.  
         [0038]    Sample Program for Subliminal Suggestion and Self-Help Approximate Run Time: 6 Min.  
         [0039]    LEFT VISUAL: Consists of film, video, and/or computer-generated Steadicam-type footage of forest scenes flowing past a point-of-view perspective. Care is taken to show only natural scenery with few or no straight lines. Dissolves are to be smooth and as seamless as possible to provide an uninterrupted flow. Text is keyed on top in overt, solid lettering and follows the designated left synonymous text. Font is chosen for lack of straight lines, and as “organic” as possible. As the program progresses, the text becomes less and less solid and takes on the appearance as seen on network “bugs” e.g. FOX, TLC. Such appearance will be in transparent shadow or transparent drop-shadow form.  
         [0040]    RIGHT VISUAL: Again film, video, or computer-generated Steadicam-type footage of scenery flowing past a point-of-view perspective. Scenery allows straight lines and man-made objects and images. Text is keyed on top in overt, solid lettering and follows the designated right synonymous text. Font is chosen to be similar to the left font, but allows more straight lines. As the program progresses the text follows the progression of appearance of the left text.  
         [0041]    At this point, notice that FIG. 8 depicts the forest scenes described above. Left and Right panel views change as time progresses. Panel A depicts the left and right views are of the same scene, i.e. synchronous. Panel B depicts related, yet dissimilar “synonymous” visual information. Panel C depicts a dissolve from panel B to panel D, with panel D depicting a new “synonymous” scene.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 7 depicts left and right visual text becoming subliminal as the program progresses. Notice that the displayed text starts out at 100% density, panel A, and eventually progresses to a transparent shadow appearance.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9 depicts left and right visual text keyed on top of the background view. Starting with panel A, a synonymous background is provided with synchronous text. Although two different fonts are used, the text is identical. Panel B provides an example of a dissolve from panel A to panel C. Panel C depicts a completed dissolve, resulting in synonymous background and synchronous text. Panel D depicts an example of synonymous background and synonymous text.  
         [0044]    LEFT AUDIO: Spoken instruction will follow visual text as designated for the left hemisphere through synonymous word choice. Background sound may be of non-specific identity. That is, “white noise”, sounds of sea surf, restaurant babble, etc. Spoken audio is initially overt and obvious to the listener. As the program progresses, it becomes less evident and more subliminal to the background audio and thus more subliminal to the user.  
         [0045]    RIGHT AUDIO: Spoken instruction will follow visual text as designated for the right hemisphere through synonymous word choice. Background sound is identical to the left background audio and follows its progression through the program.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 depicts the relationship between the spoken audio, the background audio, and the various screenshots formed over time, including text and background images.  
         [0047]    CENTER DIVISION: Pre-striped and black in color to match the color of the viewing apparatus vanes. May become wider as the program progresses to facilitate de-focusing of the eyes.  
         [0048]    In the following program text, synonymous information is shown in the form: “L/R text/text”. Hence, “L/R feeling/word” means that the word “feeling” is spoken in the left L audio and displayed on the left screenview, while at the same time, the word “word” is spoken in the right R audio and displayed on the right screenview.  
         [0049]    Body of the Text  
         [0050]    “We will start with an inventory of the state of your body. Begin by noticing your head and how it feels now. Next, notice how your shoulders and back feel. Continue and feel how your whole upper body feels. Now, notice how your hips and legs and feet feel. Notice how your entire lower body feels. Now put it all together and notice your whole body in its entirety and how it feels.  
         [0051]    Now focus on your hands that are resting on your thighs. Notice how they feel. The feeling has a word, and the word is heavy. Your hands feel heavy on your thighs. Silently repeat the word heavy and notice the feeling and the word together. The feeling and the word are one and the same. Begin to allow the L/R feeling/word to pass from your hands into your lower body. Down through your hips, thighs, legs, knees, calves, ankles, and then to your feet. The L/R feeling/word is now filling your feet and toes.  
         [0052]    Now the L/R feeling/word is moving upwards. As it moves upwards each part of your body lets go and relaxes as it passes. From your feet up your ankles and calves and knees and upwards past legs, thighs, hips and into the stomach and lower back. All of your body is relaxing as it passes. As it reaches your lungs, the L/R feeling/word becomes L/R connected/synchronous to your breathing. Your breathing and the L/R feeling/word become one. Now that the L/R feeling/word has become a part of your body, you L/R can/will change the L/R feeling/word into L/R peaceful/calm. As you inhale, L/R peaceful/calm moves upward and fills your neck, your jaw, your face, your eyes, and your forehead. As you relax as it fills your head, know that you are in a place of L/R comfort/safety. You will know that you have permission to live a L/R peaceful/serene life in the face of L/R adversity/trouble.  
         [0053]    Knowing that that is true, you will now return from this place of L/R comfort/safety and bring this knowledge with you. You will count from 1 to 5. When you reach 5 you will be wide awake, alert and ready to face the day. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . . 5 Eyes wide open, you are wide awake, and feeling fantastic.” 
         [0054]    In the above programming example, there are, of course, L and R components of both visual and audio information. In the case of audio information, the L and R dichotic components are combined with the background audio. The background audio is the same for the L and R ear. However, in the visual part, the L and R components are combined with a L and R background visual. The purpose of this arrangement of apparatus and programming is to induce a state of acceptance by initially presenting the audio information congruent and synchronous with the visual information. As the presentation progresses, the use of synonymous information, both audio and video, induces a state of suggestibility and light hypnosis, providing an enhanced effectiveness for imparting information.  
         [0055]    Alternatively, an example of a variation of the programming would be to present the separate L and R visual components with a single, full-screen background visual component. This allows the user to view an apparent single image while maintaining the delivery of L and R targeted information. In this variation, the FOV inhibiting apparatus would still be worn, a center line is laid over any appropriate full-screen video, and the L and R components are then “keyed” over the video. Keyed is a term of art in television describing overlaying one video over another i.e. video mixing. In this case, the background image is not L or R. Clinically, the video seen by both eyes still combines into one picture because of the corpus callossum, the neural pathways which allow the exchange of information between hemispheres. However, use of the field-of-view inhibiting device allows L and R targeted components to still address the separate hemispheres at a subliminal level. The extra milliseconds it takes for the background visual information to exchange between hemispheres allows the L and R targeted information to remain effective.  
         [0056]    An additional variation relates to the center division. The division in the above programming example is pre-striped and black in color to match the color of the viewing apparatus vanes. Also, as described above, the division may become wider as the program progresses to facilitate de-focusing of the eyes. With use over a period of time, a user of the inventive system may benefit from a disappearing line. Such a system may be more user-friendly for some users. A user may find that the learning curve evolves such that a user needs it less and less over time and by habit remains in appropriate position to separate the hemispheric L and R components.  
         [0057]    In an additional variation, the benefits and advantages provided by the present invention, as discussed above, may be accomplished without using a stereo means to deliver dichotic audio information. Providing visual information tailored to the characteristics of the left and right hemispheres of a user&#39;s brain, without audio, should not negate the positive effects described above. In fact, hearing-impaired individuals may experience an enhanced benefit using only the visual information given their enhanced visual acuity resulting from a loss of their sense of hearing.  
         [0058]    By utilizing these and other techniques, the invention can enhance the entertainment value of books, plays, movies, television programming and other such works. Educational programs such as academic classes and product instruction will be improved. Enhancements extend to the area of self-help programming such as those for weight loss, smoking cessation, relaxation and increased self-esteem. Delivery via Internet is possible, as are websites containing any of the aforementioned uses.  
         [0059]    While there have been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope of the invention.