Abstract:
The invention described herein represents a significant improvement for the concealment of objects and people. It integrates a three-dimensional encompassing display means with a three-dimensional encompassing light receiving means. Thousands of light receiving three-dimensional pixels and sending three-dimensional pixels are affixed to the surface of the object to be concealed Each receiving three-dimensional pixel divides light along the focal curve of one or more lens surfaces according to incident trajectory. Pixels along the focal curve of each lens surface each receive colored light from a respective section of the background around the object. In a first embodiment, individual receiving pixels detect this incident light electronically such that its trajectory, color and intensity are quantified. Light from each respective receiving pixel is then electronically reproduced by a corresponding respective sending pixel positioned along the focal curve of a second three-dimensional pixel so as to mimic the light with regard to trajectory, color, and intensity. In a second embodiment, incident light is divided into respective origination trajectories by a lens and then channeled by flexible light pipes to one or more respective opposite sides of the object where it is released at its original trajectory closely resembling its original intensity and color. The light which was incident on a first side of the object traveling at a series of respective trajectories is thus redirected and exits on at least one second side of the object according to its original incident trajectories. Both embodiments capture and emit light which mimics trajectory, color, and intensity in many concurrent directions such that an observer can “see through” the object to the background. In both embodiments, this process is repeated many times, in segmented pixel arrays, such that an observer looking at the object from any perspective actually “sees right through the object to its background” corresponding to the observer&#39;s perspective. The object having thus been rendered “invisible” to the observer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/757,053 filed Jan. 8, 2001 and of 09/970,368 filed Oct. 2, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The concept of rendering objects invisible has long been contemplated in science fiction. Works such as Star Trek and The Invisible Man include means to render objects or people invisible. The actual achievement of making objects disappear however has heretofore been limited to fooling the human eye with “magic” tricks and blending in type camouflage. The latter often involves coloring the surface of an object such as a military vehicle with colors and patterns which make it blend in with its surrounding.  
           [0003]    The process of collecting pictorial information in the form of two-dimensional pixels and replaying it on two-dimensional monitors has been brought to a very fine art over the past one hundred years. Prior cloaking devices utilize two-dimensional pixels presented on a two-dimensional screen. The devices do a poor job of enabling an observer to “see through” the hidden object and are not adequately portable for field deployment.  
           [0004]    More recently, three-dimensional pictorial “bubbles” have been created using optics and computer software to enable users to “virtually travel” from within a virtual bubble. The user interface for these virtual bubbles are nearly always presented on a two-dimensional screen, with the user navigating to different views on the screen. When presented in a three-dimensional user interface, the user is on the inside of these bubbles. These bubbles are not intended for use as nor are they suitable for cloaking an object.  
           [0005]    The present invention creates a three-dimensional virtual image bubble on the surface of an actual three-dimensional object. It uses three-dimensional receivers or “cameras” and three-dimensional senders or “displays”. The “cameras” and “displays” are affixed to the surface of the military asset to be cloaked or rendered invisible. By contrast, observers are on the outside of this three-dimensional bubble. This three-dimensional bubble renders the object invisible to observers who can only “see through” the object and observe the object&#39;s background. The present invention can make military and police vehicles and operatives invisible against their background from nearly any viewing perspective.  
           [0006]    This continuation in part describes more complex architecture to further expand the capabilities and fidelity of the inventor&#39;s prior disclosures.  
         BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR INVENTION  
         [0007]    The concept of rendering objects invisible has long been contemplated in science fiction. Works such as Star Trek and The Invisible Man include means to render objects or people invisible. Prior Art illustrates the active camouflage approach used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,631. This approach is also described in “JPL New Technology report NPO-20706” August 2000. It uses an image recording camera on the first side of an object and a image display screen on the second (opposite) side of the object. This approach is adequate to cloak an object from one known observation point but is inadequate to cloak an object from multiple observation points simultaneously. In an effort to improve upon this, the prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,162 uses a curved image display screen to send an image of the cloaked object&#39;s background and multiple image recording cameras to receive the background image. All of the prior art uses one or more cameras which record two-dimensional pixels which are then displayed on screens which are themselves two-dimensional. These prior art systems are inadequate to render objects invisible from multiple observation points. Moreover, they are too cumbersome for practical deployment in the field.  
           [0008]    The process of collecting pictorial information in the form of two-dimensional pixels and replaying it on monitors has been brought to a very fine art over the past one hundred years. More recently, three-dimensional pictorial “bubbles” have been created using optics and computer software to enable users to “virtually travel” from within a virtual bubble. The user interface for these virtual bubble are nearly always presented on a two-dimensional screen, with the user navigating to different views on the screen. When presented in a three-dimensional user interface, the user is on the inside of the bubble with the image on the inside of the bubble&#39;s surface.  
           [0009]    Also known in the prior art are “three-dimensional” displays which attempt to display a first image stream to the right eye of observers and a second image stream to the left eye of observers. In actuality two streams can only achieve stereoscopic displays. Specifically, stereoscopic displays present the same two image streams to all multiple concurrent observers and are therefore not truly three-dimensional displays. The three-dimensional display as implemented using the technology disclosed herein provides many concurrent image streams such that multiple observers viewing the display from unique viewing perspectives each see unique image streams.  
           [0010]    Using concurrent image receiving three-dimensional “cameras” and image sending “displays”, the present invention creates a three-dimensional virtual image bubble on the outside surface of an actual three-dimensional object. By contrast, observers are on the outside of this three-dimensional bubble. This three-dimensional bubble renders the object within the bubble invisible to observers who can only “see through the object” and observe the object&#39;s background. The present invention can make military and police vehicles and operatives invisible against their background from nearly any viewing perspective. It can operate within and outside of the visible range.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY  
         [0011]    The invention described herein represents a significant improvement for the concealment of objects and people. Thousands of directionally segmented light receiving pixels and directionally segmented light sending pixels are affixed to the surface of the object to be concealed. Each receiving pixel segment receives colored light from one point of the background of the object. Each receiving pixel segment is positioned such that the trajectory of the light striking it is known.  
           [0012]    In a First, electronic embodiment, information describing the color, intensity, and trajectory of the light striking each receiving pixel segment is collected and sent to a corresponding sending pixel segment. Said sending pixel segment&#39;s position corresponding to the known trajectory of the said light striking the receiving pixel surface. Light of the same color and intensity which was received on one side of the object is thus sent on the same trajectory out a second side of the object. This process is repeated many times such that an observer looking at the object from nearly any perspective actually sees the background of the object corresponding to the observer&#39;s perspective. The object having been rendered “invisible” to the observer.  
           [0013]    In a second, fiber optic embodiment, the light striking each receiving pixel segment is collected and channeled via fiber optic to a corresponding sending pixel segment. Said sending pixel segment&#39;s position corresponding to the known trajectory of the said light striking the receiving pixel surface. In this manner, light which was received on one side of the object is then sent on the same trajectory out a second side of the object. This process is repeated many times such that an observer looking at the object from nearly any perspective actually sees the background of the object corresponding to the observer&#39;s perspective. The object having been rendered “invisible” to the observer.  
         Objects and Advantages  
         [0014]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional receiver of light (camera). It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional sender of light (display). It is an object of the present invention to provide an integration architecture to integrate the three-dimensional light receiver function together with the three-dimensional light sender function for concurrent real-time operation. It is an object of the present invention to create a three-dimensional virtual image bubble surrounding or on the surface of objects and people. Observers looking at this three-dimensional bubble from any viewing perspective are only able to see the background of the object through the bubble. This enables military vehicles and operatives to be more difficult to detect and may save lives in many instances. Likewise, police operatives operating within a bubble can be made difficult to detect by criminal suspects. The apparatus is designed to consume little or no energy, be rugged, reliable, and light weight.  
           [0015]    The electronic embodiment can alternatively be used as a three-dimensional recording means and/or a three-dimensional display means. The present invention provides a novel means to record three-dimensional visual information and to playback visual information in a three-dimensional manor which enables the viewer of the recording to see a different perspective of the recorded light as he moves around the display surfaces while viewing the recorded image.  
           [0016]    Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the enclosed figures and specifications. 
       
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 prior art illustrates the shortcomings of prior art using a two-dimensional image display.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 prior art illustrates the shortcomings of prior art using a two-dimensional image display with fuzzy logic.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a deployed three-dimensional display of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic three-dimensional electronic pixel cell of the present invention in the first embodiment.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is an electronic pixel cell receiving light and cooperating with an electronic pixel cell sending light.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 depicts the cooperating 2-D pixels of FIG. 5 with controlling electronic archiecture.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 a  illustrates that pixel elements outside of the visible range can be integrated within electronic sending and receiving architecture.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 b  illustrates how prior art electronic sending architecture can be integrated into the present architecture.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 a  illustrates a CCD receiver and LCD sender providing a two-dimensional view of the prior art.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 b  shows a CCD receiving and focal curve LCD three-dimensional display of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 c  shows a CMOS/APS receiver and LCD two-dimensional display of the prior art.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 d  shows a CMOS/Aps receiver and focal plane narrow field three-dimensional display of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 a  depicts a means for alternately sending and receiving light in the sending mode.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 b  depicts a means for alternately sending and receiving light in the receiving mode.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 a  depicts a first architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the sending/receiving mode.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 b  depicts the first architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the receiving/sending mode.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 a  depicts a second architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the sending/receiving mode.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 b  depicts the second architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the receiving/sending mode.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 depicts a single three-dimensional pixel cooperating with multiple three-dimensional pixels.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 a  illustrates an array (plurality) of three-dimensional pixels.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 13 b  illustrates an array of three-dimensional pixels being observed by multiple concurrent observers.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 14 depicts multiple three-dimensional sending and receiving pixels on a first side of an asset cooperating with multiple three-dimensional sending and receiving pixels on a second side of an asset.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 15 illustrates the off axis limit of a single surface pixel lens of the present invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 16 a  depicts a single multi-surface pixel lens of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 16 b  depicts an array (plurality) of multi-surface pixel lenses.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 16 c  illustrates the off axis limits of a single multi-surface pixel lens of the present invention in cross section.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 17 illustrates a single two-dimensional pixel sending light in conjunction with a CCD receiver.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 18 a  shows a multi-state flow chart for FIG. 10 a.    
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 18 b  shows a multi-state flow chart for FIG. 10 b.    
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 19 illustrates a flexible light pipe pixel cell of the present invention in the second embodiment.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 20 illustrates two cooperating three-dimensional pixel segments in the second embodiment.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 21 a  illustrates multiple cooperating three-dimensional pixel segments in the second embodiment.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 21 b  is a close-up of the sending/receiving injection surface architecture of the present invention in the second embodiment.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 22 a  is a soldier outfitted in a suit incorporating the present invention.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 22 b  is a cross section of the helmet and goggles of FIG. 22 a.    
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 23 a  and FIG. 23 b  illustrate a three-dimensional pixel cell relationship testing process.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 24 illustrates the multiple surface relationships of a single pixel cell.  
         [0054]    Numerals In Figures  
         [0055]    [0055] 30  first color changing asset  
         [0056]    [0056] 31  concurrent background X  
         [0057]    [0057] 31   a  light from point on background X  
         [0058]    [0058] 31   b  light from second point on background X  
         [0059]    [0059] 31   c  light from third point on background X  
         [0060]    [0060] 32   a  light from second light pipe  
         [0061]    [0061] 33  concurrent observer X  
         [0062]    [0062] 33   a  concurrent observer X′ 
         [0063]    [0063] 35  first two-dimensional concurrently viewed surface  
         [0064]    [0064] 37  concurrent background Y  
         [0065]    [0065] 39  concurrent observer Y  
         [0066]    [0066] 39   a  concurrent observer Y′ 
         [0067]    [0067] 41  light sensor  
         [0068]    [0068] 43  fuzzy logic concurrently viewed surface  
         [0069]    [0069] 45  second color changing asset  
         [0070]    [0070] 47  second concurrent background Y  
         [0071]    [0071] 49  three-dimensional concurrently viewed surface  
         [0072]    [0072] 51  three-dimensional pixel lens  
         [0073]    [0073] 51   a  seven surface lens  
         [0074]    [0074] 53  concurrent view Y  
         [0075]    [0075] 55  transparent asset  
         [0076]    [0076] 57  three-dimensional light sensors  
         [0077]    [0077] 57   a  second three-dimensional pixel cell  
         [0078]    [0078] 58  second three-dimensional pixel lens  
         [0079]    [0079] 58   a  two-dimensional CCD as light receiver  
         [0080]    [0080] 58   b  two-dimensional CMOS—APS as light receiver  
         [0081]    [0081] 59  concurrent view X  
         [0082]    [0082] 61  rigid focal curve shaped substrate  
         [0083]    [0083] 62  light from observer X  
         [0084]    [0084] 62   a  light to background X  
         [0085]    [0085] 62   zz  light received by helmet  
         [0086]    [0086] 63  two-dimensional sending pixel X  
         [0087]    [0087] 63   a  two-dimensional sending pixel with infrared  
         [0088]    [0088] 63   b  two-dimensional pixel cell with stacked architecture  
         [0089]    [0089] 63   c  first integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  
         [0090]    [0090] 63   d  three-dimensional first LCD two-dimensional pixel  
         [0091]    [0091] 63   e  second integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  
         [0092]    [0092] 64  two-dimensional receiving pixel  
         [0093]    [0093] 64   a  two-dimensional receiving pixel with infrared  
         [0094]    [0094] 65  two-dimensional sending pixel Y  
         [0095]    [0095] 65   a  second LCD two-dimensional pixel  
         [0096]    [0096] 66  two-dimensional LCD  
         [0097]    [0097] 67  wires to sending pixel X  
         [0098]    [0098] 68  wires from second three-dimensional pixel cell  
         [0099]    [0099] 69  wires to sending pixel Y  
         [0100]    [0100] 70  first three-dimensional pixel cell  
         [0101]    [0101] 70   a  LCD three-dimensional pixel on Focal Curve  
         [0102]    [0102] 70   b  LCD three-dimensional pixel on focal plane  
         [0103]    [0103] 70   c  three-dimensional pixel in display application  
         [0104]    [0104] 71  first light from sending pixel  
         [0105]    [0105] 71   a  light from second sending pixel  
         [0106]    [0106] 71   b  light from third sending pixel  
         [0107]    [0107] 71   c  light from fourth sending pixel  
         [0108]    [0108] 71   n  first off axis limit is observer space  
         [0109]    [0109] 72  two-dimensional light from LCD without lenses  
         [0110]    [0110] 75  electronic processing circuitry and logic  
         [0111]    [0111] 75   a  CCD/two-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  
         [0112]    [0112] 75   b  CCD/three-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  
         [0113]    [0113] 75   c  CMOS APS/two-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  
         [0114]    [0114] 75   d  CMOS APS/three-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  
         [0115]    [0115] 75   e  mirrored electronic processing circuitry and logic  
         [0116]    [0116] 77  third two-dimensional pixel  
         [0117]    [0117] 81  analog multiplexer  
         [0118]    [0118] 83  analog to digital converter  
         [0119]    [0119] 85  digital processor  
         [0120]    [0120] 87  conversion logic  
         [0121]    [0121] 89  digital to analog converter  
         [0122]    [0122] 91  analog demultiplexer  
         [0123]    [0123] 92  rigid wall  
         [0124]    [0124] 94  two-dimensional LCD pixel on focal plane  
         [0125]    [0125] 101   a  light sent to background  
         [0126]    [0126] 101   zz  light emitted from cloaking goggles  
         [0127]    [0127] 102  window layer  
         [0128]    [0128] 104  emission layer  
         [0129]    [0129] 106  depletion region  
         [0130]    [0130] 108  detection layer  
         [0131]    [0131] 110  forward bias lead through circuit  
         [0132]    [0132] 112  reverse bias lead through circuit  
         [0133]    [0133] 113  second switch in receiving mode  
         [0134]    [0134] 113   a  second switch in sending mode  
         [0135]    [0135] 114  first switch in sending mode  
         [0136]    [0136] 114   a  first switch in receiving mode  
         [0137]    [0137] 115  third switch in receiving mode  
         [0138]    [0138] 115   a  third switch in sending mode  
         [0139]    [0139] 117  fourth switch in sending mode  
         [0140]    [0140] 117   a  fourth switch in receiving mode  
         [0141]    [0141] 119  bistable multivibrator switch in state I  
         [0142]    [0142] 119   a  bistable multivibrator switch in state II  
         [0143]    [0143] 161  low pass filter  
         [0144]    [0144] 162  variable power source  
         [0145]    [0145] 163  green LED  
         [0146]    [0146] 164  band pass filter  
         [0147]    [0147] 165  upper energy band  
         [0148]    [0148] 167  red LED  
         [0149]    [0149] 168  lower energy band  
         [0150]    [0150] 170  blue LED  
         [0151]    [0151] 201  third integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  
         [0152]    [0152] 203  fourth integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  
         [0153]    [0153] 205  first wire bundle  
         [0154]    [0154] 206  second wire bundle  
         [0155]    [0155] 207  fifth integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  
         [0156]    [0156] 209  sixth integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  
         [0157]    [0157] 211  first focal curve off axis limit  
         [0158]    [0158] 212  lens plane  
         [0159]    [0159] 213  second focal curve off axis limit  
         [0160]    [0160] 215  seven surface lens plurality  
         [0161]    [0161] 217  first off axis lens surface  
         [0162]    [0162] 218  first off axis pixel array  
         [0163]    [0163] 219  second off axis lens surface  
         [0164]    [0164] 220  second off axis pixel array  
         [0165]    [0165] 221  third off axis lens surface  
         [0166]    [0166] 231  flexible light pipe bundle  
         [0167]    [0167] 233  flexible light pipe map board  
         [0168]    [0168] 235  second flexible light pipe bundle  
         [0169]    [0169] 236  upper adjoining cell  
         [0170]    [0170] 238  lower adjoining cell  
         [0171]    [0171] 251  first hexagonal lens  
         [0172]    [0172] 257  second hexagonal lens  
         [0173]    [0173] 258  three-dimensional light pipe pixel  
         [0174]    [0174] 259  plurality (array) of three-dimensional light pipe pixels  
         [0175]    [0175] 261  rigid focal curve substrate for light pipes  
         [0176]    [0176] 263  first focal curve light pipe injection lens  
         [0177]    [0177] 265  second focal curve light pipe injection lens  
         [0178]    [0178] 267  first flexible light pipe  
         [0179]    [0179] 269  second flexible light pipe  
         [0180]    [0180] 273  sixth focal curve light pipe injection lens  
         [0181]    [0181] 274  seventh focal curve light pipe injection lens  
         [0182]    [0182] 277  third focal curve light pipe injection lens  
         [0183]    [0183] 277   a  fourth focal curve light pipe injection lens  
         [0184]    [0184] 277   b  fifth focal curve light pipe injection lens  
         [0185]    [0185] 278  third flexible light pipe  
         [0186]    [0186] 301  Transparent Helmet  
         [0187]    [0187] 303  cloaking three-dimensional goggles  
         [0188]    [0188] 304  invisible armor  
         [0189]    [0189] 305  sensor joints  
         [0190]    [0190] 307  cloaked weapon  
         [0191]    [0191] 309  extreme off axis ray incident  
         [0192]    [0192] 311  extreme off axis ray exit 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0193]    [0193]FIG. 1 prior art illustrates the shortcomings of prior art using a two-dimensional image display. A first color changing asset  30  has integrated a first two-dimensional concurrently viewed surface  35 . The visual information display of  35  is detected by a light sensor  41  such as a CCD (not shown) on the opposite side of the asset. The image displayed on  35  is a reproduction of a concurrent background X  31 . To a concurrent observer X  33 , the  30  is well cloaked since the  35  matches the  31  against the background from  33 &#39;s perspective. Meanwhile the  30  is not concealed from a concurrent observer Y  39  who can easily see the  30  since the  35  is incongruent with a concurrent background Y  37 . From  39 &#39;s perspective, the  30  stands out because the  35  image is totally incongruent with the background according to  39 &#39;s perspective.  
         [0194]    [0194]FIG. 2 prior art illustrates the shortcomings of prior art using a two-dimensional image display with fuzzy logic. A second color changing asset  45  uses a sensor such as  41  to detect background colors. A fuzzy logic concurrently viewed surface  43  presents a series of patches calculated to cause the asset to blend in with its background. A fuzzy logic computer program has calculated which patches of color to display in what pattern. To  33 , the fuzzy logic pattern stands out against the background because it incorporates colors incongruent with the background according to  33 &#39;s perspective. Also to  39 , the fuzzy logic pattern stands out against the background because it incorporates colors incongruent with the background according to  39 &#39;s perspective.  
         [0195]    [0195]FIG. 3 illustrates a deployed three-dimensional display of the present invention. A transparent asset  55  uses three-dimensional light sensors  57  (later described) to present three-dimensional images representative of the panoramic background on a three-dimensional concurrently viewed surface  49 . The  33  observer sees a concurrent view X  59  which accurately resembles background  31  from  33 &#39;s perspective. Meanwhile on the same surface,  39  sees a concurrent view Y  53  which accurately resembles a second concurrent background Y  47  from  39 &#39;s perspective. Thus two concurrent observers both see images on the surface of the same asset which are each respectively indistinguishable from the back ground from each of their relative perspectives. In practice many such observers from different perspectives will concurrently each see a unique view on the surface of the asset such that the asset is invisible from each of their relative perspectives. A three-dimensional pixel lens  51  is one of thousands of three-dimensional pixel cells that cover all surfaces of  55  to receive light and to send light as described herein.  
         [0196]    First Embodiment—Electronic Implementation  
         [0197]    [0197]FIG. 4 illustrates a three-dimensional electronic pixel cell of the present invention in the first embodiment. The  51  is a single three-dimensional pixel cell lens as seen in FIG. 3. The  51  is a rigid hexagonal converging optic shown in cross section. Affixed to the  51  is a rigid focal curve shaped substrate  61 . The  61  is an opaque rigid structure fabricated from metal or plastic to form the shape of the focal curve of the  51  lens. Deposited along the focal curve are an array (or plurality) of spots (two-dimensional pixels) which are capable of producing light, receiving light, or producing and receiving light. Light emitted from each pixel segment is sent on a specific trajectory by  51 . For example, a two-dimensional sending pixel X  63  produces a first light from sending pixel  71  which is sent to the  33  of FIG. 3. Likewise, a two-dimensional sending pixel Y  65  produces a light from second sending pixel  71   a  which is sent to the  39  of FIG. 3.  63  is a light emitting material such as a semi-conductor, LED, and/or OLED which has been deposited on  61  in layers using masks in a combination of steps, so as to produce electrodes, p-type and n-type junctions, color filters, and/or color changing materials. Likewise, adjacent to  63  is a light receiving material such as a semi-conductor, photo diode which has been deposited on  61  in layers using masks in a combination of steps, so as to produce electrodes, p-type and n-type junctions, color filters, and/or color changing materials. Examples of matrix array deposition processes of materials that can efficiently convert electrons into photons (for sending light) of desirable wavelengths and of materials that can efficiently convert photons into electrons (for receiving light) being known in the fields of semi-conductors, LEDs, OLEDs, and photo-diodes. One company supplying technology to achieve the deposition being AIXTRON, Inc. of Aachen, Germany. Kodak of Rochester, N.Y., and Universal Display of Ewing, N.J. both being licensees of patents describing suitable OLED materials, layers, electronic controlling mechanisms, and deposition processes. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,351 Brown et al describes a semi-conductor deposition process. The only novel aspect of the deposition required herein is that it occurs on a focal curve shaped substrate instead of a flat substrate.  
         [0198]    A wires to sending pixel X  67  supplies the electrical energy to produce the  71   a.  A wires to sending pixel Y  69  supplies the electrical energy to produce the  71 .  
         [0199]    The first three-dimensional pixel cell  70  is a unit which combines light trajectory segmentation, light receiving elements, and light sending elements. Many thousands of similar units on the surface of the asset to be concealed, acting cooperatively through controlling electronic circuitry and logic render the asset invisible. The naming convention used here refers to  70  as a three-dimensional pixel while  63  is a two-dimensional pixel Each three-dimensional pixel such as  70  incorporates hundreds of two-dimensional pixels such as  63 . This achieves the effect of segmenting the light in the observer field such that observers in different positions each observe different light from the same three-dimensional pixel. It should be noted that in all diagrams, light can flow in the reverse direction of what the arrows are indicating. This is literally true if the light emitting pixels also function as light sending pixels as is described in FIG. 9. If however, the light emitting pixels and the light sending pixels are distinct, then adjacent to  63  are receiving pixels that receive light from a trajectory nearly opposite that of the X Light. Thus the arrows can operate in nearly a reverse fashion.  
         [0200]    If the  51  operates efficiently (discussed later) across a 0.5 steridians field in observer space, and if the system is to have a resolution of two degrees, then forty five receiving and forty five sending pixels are needed in each of  180  planes within the  70 . (Each receiving and sending pixel representing adequate colors in the visible and non-visible ranges for suitable performance.) An arbitrary number of pixel segments are shown for illustrative purposes.  
         [0201]    It should be noted that while only two sending pixels are shown sending light, in practice all of the sending pixels in  70  send light concurrently and all of the receiving pixels in  70  receive light concurrently.  
         [0202]    [0202]FIG. 5 is an electronic pixel cell receiving light and cooperating with an electronic pixel cell sending light. A second three-dimensional pixel cell  57   a  receives a light from point on background X  31   a.    57   a  being identical to  70  but shown in a light receiving mode. In practice, all of the light receiving segments of  57   a  are concurrently receiving light, each from a different trajectory. A second three-dimensional pixel lens  58  causes the  31   a  to focus on a third two-dimensional pixel  77 .  77  converts the  31   a  into an electric signal which is transferred via a wires from second three-dimensional pixel cell  68  to an electronic processing circuitry and logic  75  (discussed later). Said electric signal indicative of the red, green, and blue intensities in the received light. The  75  produces a corresponding electric current for red, green, and blue which are carried via  67  to  63  which emits light  71 . Note that  71  mimics  31   a  in trajectory, color, and intensity. To an observer the  71  light appears to be coming from the back ground such that  55  appears is transparent. A two-dimensional receiving pixel  64  is shown adjacent to  63 . In practice the  57   a  and the  70  switch between two states as described later. Note that a single receiving pixel such as  77  within a three-dimensional pixel has a corresponding relationship with a single sending pixel such as  63  within a corresponding pixel.  
         [0203]    [0203]FIG. 6 depicts the cooperating 2-D pixels of FIG. 5 with controlling electronic architecture.  71  is shown to have red, green, and blue sections each of which are receiving light  31   a . The  31   a  is converted into corresponding electron currents indicative respectively of red, green, blue light intensity. The current being received by an analog multiplexer  81 . The  81  is monitored in a time-programmed serial sequence according to a clock and a digital processor  85 . The electrical signal is transferred to an analog to digital converter  83  so as to be read by  85 .  85  employs a conversion logic  87  to convert the received digital signal to an appropriate response digital signal. The logic takes into account the receiving inefficiencies and sending inefficiencies to ensure that the true intensity of  31   a  is translated into an accurate representation (mimic) at  71 . The processor accordingly controls a digital to analog converter  89  to produce a corresponding electric signal carried through a analog demultiplexer  91  to power each element of the  63  such that red, green, and blue light is produced at  71  to mimic  31   a.  The  71  light exiting on the same trajectory as the  31   a  as previously discussed. The  64  receives a light from observer X  62  which is processed identically as described above although on a subsequent sequence.  
         [0204]    To improve sequencing speed, in practice, multiple units similar to  75  can be used to cloak the same asset in faster serial sequencing cycles. Much prior art is dedicated to the electronic architecture of light receiving arrays such as CCDs, CMOS, and photodiode arrays which are suitable for use herein. Likewise, much prior art is dedicated to processing electronic signals from such arrays and to sending corresponding signals to control displays such as LED displays, OLED displays, and LCD displays. Such prior art being suitable for use herein. Some examples of prior art electronic architecture are described in works such as;  Electronic Measuring Systems,  2 nd  ed, VanPutten, A. 1996, Institute of Physics, London;  Image Processing System Architecture,  Kittler, J. and Duff, M., 1985, Research Studies Press, Hertfordshire, England;  Digital Control Systems,  Houpis, C., Lamont, G., 1992, McGraw-Hill, New York; and  Digital and Analog Data Conversions,  Malmstadt, H., Enke, C., Crouch, S., 1973, W. A. Benjamin, Inc. Menlo Park.  
         [0205]    [0205]FIG. 7 a  illustrates that pixel elements outside of the visible range can be integrated within electronic sending and receiving architecture. A two-dimensional sending pixel with infrared  63   a  is integrated into the sending pixel to send infrared electromagnetic energy representative of that received. Also a two-dimensional receiving pixel with infrared  64   a  receives infrared light within  62 . In practice, enemy night vision and infrared sensing detectors within weapons aiming systems generally operate within specific known IR bands. It is therefore possible to fit IR receivers and senders within the three-dimensional cloaking pixel architecture such that the asset is cloaked within these specific bands as well as within the visible range. The  63   a  pixel can replace the  63  pixel and the light to background X  62   a  pixel can replace the  62  pixel.  
         [0206]    [0206]FIG. 7 b  illustrates how prior art electronic sending architecture can be integrated into the present architecture. A two-dimensional pixel cell with stacked architecture  63   b  produces the  71  light with red, green and blue components from its entire surface area.  63   b  describes the prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,552 Kimura et al. The  63   b  pixel architecture can replace the  63  architecture to improve efficiency.  
         [0207]    [0207]FIG. 8 a  illustrates a CCD receiver and LCD sender providing a two-dimensional view of the prior art. A two-dimensional CCD as light receiver  58   a  receives light from the background which is processed by a CCD/two-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  75   a  and sent to a two-dimensional LCD  66  which produces a two-dimensional light from LCD without lenses  72 . Light produced by this method is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that this architecture lacks the lens in front of the sending side and therefore can not produce true three-dimensional images.  
         [0208]    [0208]FIG. 8 b  shows a CCD receiving and focal curve LCD three-dimensional display of the present invention. The  58   a  can be used with the present invention, particularly when several CCDs in combination sense information from the background. A CCD/three-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  75   b  combine the information from multiple CCDs in computer modeling software to produce light from an LCD three-dimensional pixel on Focal Curve  70   a    70   a  is the present invention with an LCD on the focal curve substituted for the semiconductor display pixels on the focal curve. Note that the combination of having  51  and having the sending LCD on the focal curve enables the LCD sender to operate as a three-dimensional pixel with light segmented within the observer space.  
         [0209]    [0209]FIG. 8 c  shows a CMOS/APS receiver and LCD two-dimensional display of the prior art. A two-dimensional CMOS—APS as light receiver  58   b  receives light  31   a  from the background. The signal produced by  58   b  is processed by a CMOS APS/two-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  75   c  and a corresponding signal is sent to  66 . This system has no lens and is not capable of operating as a three-dimensional pixel.  
         [0210]    [0210]FIG. 8 d  shows a CMOS/Aps receiver and focal plane narrow field three-dimensional display of the present invention. A CMOS APS/three-dimensional LCD electrical architecture and logic  75   d  processes the electronic signal from  58   b  and preferably from other similar CMOS/APS&#39;s and sends corresponding signals to an LCD three-dimensional pixel on focal plane  70   b.  The light sending LCD in  70   b  is on the focal plane of lens  51 . This produces a three-dimensional view over a more narrow portion of the user space than does placing the LCD on the focal curve (as in FIG. 8 b ). A rigid wall  92  connects the  51  to the LCD and a two-dimensional LCD pixel on focal plane  94  is a sample pixel from the LCD.  
         [0211]    [0211]FIG. 9 a  depicts a means for alternately sending and receiving light in the sending mode. A first integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  63   c  is shown in the sending state (State I). The  71  is produced when a first switch in sending mode  114  is in a first position, thus causes first forward bias within the  63   c  and connection on the first side of  75 .  
         [0212]    The  63   c  can be used in place of the  63 . Examples of prior art patents describing the means to perform receiving of light and sending of light in one unit are described in the prior art including U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,299 Donhowe et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,051 Whitehead et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,960 Simms et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,265 Hunsperger to name a few.  
         [0213]    [0213]FIG. 9 b  depicts a means for alternately sending and receiving light in the receiving mode. The  63   c  is shown in the receiving state (State II). A  114   a  first switch in receiving mode causes a reverse bias within the  63   c  and causes the a connection on the second side of  75 . FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  illustrate the  63   c  operating alternately between a light sending state and a light receiving state. Arrays of such semiconductors appropriately doped and/or filtered for red, green, and blue light receiving/emission operate both efficiently and at high fidelity for producing accurate three-dimensional sensing and representation of the two pi steridians background surrounding a cloaked asset. The  63   c  architecture enables tighter packing of both sending and receiving pixel segments within each three-dimensional pixel.  
         [0214]    [0214] 10   a  depicts a first architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the sending/receiving mode. A second integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  63   e  is identical to  63   c  except that it operates in the opposite state so as to cooperate with  63   c.  When a second switch in receiving mode  113  is in a first position,  31   a  light is received by  63   e  which coverts it into an electric current, which is processed by  75  which produces a corresponding current sent through  114  to power  63   c  and produce  71 .  
         [0215]    [0215] 10   b  depicts the first architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the receiving/sending mode A second switch in sending mode  113   a  reverses the circuit together with  114   a  such that  63   e  now sends light corresponding to the light sensed by  63   c.  Thus a light sent to background  101   a  is produced in response to  62 .  
         [0216]    [0216]FIG. 11 a  depicts a second architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the sending/receiving mode. A mirrored electronic processing circuitry and logic  75   e  is identical to  75  except reverse. Thus switching between  75  and  75   e  as in FIG. 11 b  enable the  63   c  and the  63   e  to operate as both receivers and senders of light alternately.  
         [0217]    [0217]FIG. 11 b  depicts the second architecture to drive the sending and receiving two-dimensional pixel of FIG. 9 in the receiving/sending mode.  
         [0218]    [0218]FIG. 12 depicts a single three-dimensional pixel cooperating with multiple three-dimensional pixels.  31   a  light from a first trajectory is sensed by  77  which sends a corresponding current via first wire bundle  205  to  75  where it is processed. A corresponding current is sent via second wire bundle  206  to  63  where it emerges as  71 . The  71  resembling the  31   a  in trajectory, color and intensity. Note that in a rigid three-dimensional cloaking system, the relationship between  77  and  63  is a fixed one. For example, light received by  77  will always be responded to by  63 . (The invention described herein applicable to both rigid and non-rigid systems as later described.) Meanwhile, a light from second point on background X  31   b  is received by a third integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  201 . The  201  produces an electric current which is processed by  75  and responded to by a fifth integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  207  which emits a light from third sending pixel  71   b.  The  71   b  mimics the  31   b  in trajectory, color, and intensity. Similarly, a light from third point on background X  31   c  is sensed by a fourth integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  203 . The  203  sends a current to  75  which produces a corresponding current powering a sixth integrated sender/receiver two-dimensional pixel  209 . The  209  producing a light from fourth sending pixel  71   c  which mimics  31   c  in intensity, color and trajectory. Thus one three-dimensional pixel has corresponding relationships with many other three-dimensional pixels. In practice each three-dimensional pixel corresponds with hundreds of pixels. Each constituent two-dimensional pixel having a relationship with one other two-dimensional pixel By reproducing light many thousands of times in this manner, the  55  is rendered invisible to observers located in any viewing position relative to the  55 .  
         [0219]    [0219]FIG. 13 a  illustrates an array (plurality) of three-dimensional pixels. In effect the  49  in this illustration is a three-dimensional display which happens to be on the surface on an asset. Such a display can also be used as a television monitor, computer screen, or movie theater screen. It is comprised on many hexagonal pixels each of which has a  51  lens which segments outgoing light. As a three-dimensional light receiver, each  51  also segments incoming light.  
         [0220]    [0220]FIG. 13 b  illustrates an array of three-dimensional pixels being observed by multiple concurrent observers, Though an observer at point X and an observer at point Y both look at the same  51  lens surface, each observer sees a different color being omitted. This is because the out going trajectories of light are segmented according to focal point along the focal curve as previously described. Each pixel cell also receives light from segmented trajectories.  
         [0221]    [0221]FIG. 14 depicts multiple three-dimensional sending and receiving pixels on a first side of an asset cooperating with multiple three-dimensional sending and receiving pixels on a second side of an asset. Note that in the electronic embodiment, the three-dimensional information that is processed can also be used to drive a three-dimensional viewing display for occupants of  55 . For example, a three-dimensional pixel in display application  70   c  inside of the  55  produces light output for occupants within  55 . (In practice many such pixels within the asset are used in combination to produce a display.)  70   c  however need not have any light receiving capability. Interior walls of the  55  can have corresponding displays affixed thereto or alternately occupants can wear position sensing displays which produce a virtual view “through the sides” of the asset.  57   a  detects light from  31   n  trajectories where n is the number of sensors positioned along the focal curve.  57   a  sends light to  101   n  trajectories where n is the number of emitters positioned along the focal curve.  70  detects light from  31   n  trajectories where n is the number of sensors positioned along the focal curve.  70  sends light to  101   n  trajectories where n is the number of emitters positioned along the focal curve.  
         [0222]    [0222]FIG. 15 illustrates the off axis limit of a single surface pixel lens of the present invention. At a first focal curve off axis limit  211 , the three-dimensional pixel cell is at its limit. If further pixels were placed higher up the curve, light they produce will not efficiently pass through the lens. One constraining factor is that the diameter of the three-dimensional pixel can not be greater than the diameter of the lens. A first off axis limit in observer space  71   n  is a circle in user space. An observer within the efficient zone sees light emitted by the emitters on the focal curve and the asset is concealed but an observer in the inefficient zone can not see any light emitted from emitters on the focal curve and instead can see the lens and therefore the asset is not concealed. This problem is a constraint of the architecture discussed heretofore where all of the lens surfaces on a given side of the asset have had parallel optical axes. The problem is solved when some of the optical surfaces have different optical axes such as in FIG. 16 c.    
         [0223]    [0223]FIG. 16 a  depicts a single multi-surface pixel lens of the present invention. A seven surface lens  51   a  has at its center the  51  as its first surface. In additional to  51  the  51   a  has multiple additional optical surfaces which have optical axes not parallel to that of  51 &#39;s. A first off axis lens surface  217 , a second off axis lens surface  219 , and a third off axis lens surface  221  each being examples of optical surfaces residing in non-parallel planes.  
         [0224]    [0224]FIG. 16 b  depicts an array (plurality) of multi-surface pixel lenses. The  51   a  type lenses are arrange in arrays as were those previously discussed (as in FIG. 13 a ). A seven surface lens plurality  215  being a small sample of how the  51   a &#39;s fit together. The  215  being manufactured from a semi-rigid material transparent in desirable ranges of electromagnetic radiation. Plastic panels can be readily manufactured and affixed to the surface of assets.  
         [0225]    [0225]FIG. 16 c  illustrates the off axis limits of a single multi-surface pixel lens of the present invention in cross section. Note that surface  217  has its own focal curve pixel set, a first off axis pixel array  218 ,  51  has its own focal curve set, and  219  has its own focal curve pixel set, a second off axis pixel array  220 . Each pixel on each focal curve operates as previously described herein. While each of the surfaces has similar limits to those described in FIG. 15, when operated together the lens produces excellent cloaking across a pi steridian observer field. The observation field can be broken down into two types of zones. Observers in the VZ 1  zone see emitted light from 100% of the observable lens surface. Observers in the VZ 2  zone see emitted light from approximately 80% of the observable lens surface and no emitted light from approximate 20% of the observable lens surface. It is believed that the VZ 2  zones can be eliminated with further tweaking.  
         [0226]    [0226]FIG. 17 illustrates a single two-dimensional pixel sending light in conjunction with a CCD receiver. This architecture supports the three-dimensional pixel described in FIG. 8 b.    
         [0227]    [0227]FIG. 18 a  shows a multi-state flow chart for FIG. 10 a.  A bistable multivibrator switch in state I  119  is specified as switching the circuit between State I and State II. This is similar to FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b.    
         [0228]    [0228]FIG. 18 b  shows a multi-state flow chart for FIG. 10 b.    
         [0229]    Second Embodiment—Light Pipe Implementation  
         [0230]    [0230]FIG. 19 illustrates a flexible light pipe pixel cell of the present invention in the second embodiment. A first hexagonal lens  251  divides light similarly to  51  as previously discussed. Located along the focal curve of  251  is a rigid focal curve substrate for light pipes  261 . Mounted to the surface is a number of lenses similar to first focal curve light pipe injection lens  263  and second focal curve light pipe injection lens  265 . A blown up light pipe injection lens is shown in FIG. 21 b.  The  263  is shown sending light from a first flexible light pipe  267 , through  251  and out as  31   a  in the direction of X′. It should be noted that all light pipes send and receive light in exact opposite directions concurrently. Similarly, a second flexible light pipe  269  sends light through  265 , which passes through  251  to become a light from second light pipe  32   a  (light sent in the Y′ direction). As will become apparent, the  31   a  and  32   a  light are examples of light that was incident upon the surfaces of other pixels and was transferred by flexible light pipes. Many such three-dimensional pixels operating cooperatively renders the asset invisible. One manufacture of flexible light pipes which are suitable for this application is Bivar, Inc. of Irvine, Calif., their off the shelf products have diameters which are excessive, but they have the capability to make smaller diameters suitable for use herein.  
         [0231]    [0231]FIG. 20 illustrates two cooperating three-dimensional pixel segments in the second embodiment.  31   a  light which is received from a background trajectory is concentrated by a third focal curve light pipe injection lens  277  for injection into a third flexible light pipe  278 . The  278  is patched into a  233  flexible light pipe map board such that it is paired with  267 . Thus light that was incident upon  257  at the  31   a  trajectory reemerges across the surface of  251  as  31  a light. The  31   a  light emerges at its original trajectory, color, and intensity. The  233  provides a means to map flexible light pipes together in a rigid permanent relationship such that for example light incident upon  277  will always emerge from  263  and light incident upon  263  will always emerge from  277 .  
         [0232]    [0232]FIG. 21 a  illustrates multiple cooperating three-dimensional pixel segments in the second embodiment.  31   b  and  31   c  light have been added. They are incident respectively upon a fourth focal curve light pipe injection lens  277   a  and a fifth focal curve light pipe injection lens  277   b.  The  31   b  and  31   c  light emerges respectively from a sixth focal curve light pipe injection lens  273  and a seventh focal curve light pipe injection lens  274 . Many thousands of such relationships cause observers to “see through” the cloaked asset.  
         [0233]    [0233]FIG. 21 b  is a close-up of the sending/receiving injection surface architecture of the present invention in the second embodiment. The  267  is secured within the  261 . Affixed to the face of  261  is the  263 .  31   a  light emerging in a narrow field from  267  is spread by the  263  before being incident upon the entire surface of  251  (not shown). As previously stated, light goes exactly in the opposite direction concurrently.  
         [0234]    The second embodiment can use any lens and lens focal curve or focal plane architecture that was described for the first embodiment.  
         [0235]    [0235]FIG. 22 a  is a soldier outfitted in a suit incorporating the present invention. The suit can be comprised of either electronic three-dimensional pixels and/or of flexible light pipe three-dimensional pixels. The former are preferable to enable a sensor joints  305  to sense the positions of movable parts relative to one another. This enables the  75  processor and logic to make arms and legs invisible even as they move relative to the rest of the cloaked assets. Thus rigid parts can flex while still being cloaked.  
         [0236]    [0236]FIG. 22 b  is a cross section of the helmet and goggles of FIG. 22 a  The  31   a  and  31   c  enter a cloaking three-dimensional goggles  303 . The goggles reproduce the sensed  31   a  and  31   c  on the inside of the goggles as  71  and  71   c  respectively. Thus the goggles provide a panoramic three-dimensional display means to the soldier. Since the  71  and the  71   c  are produced electronically, they can be amplified as desired, or they can transform the frequencies from non-visible parts of the spectrum to visible light. Note that to fulfill the cloaking means, a transparent helmet  301  also reproduces the  71  and the  71   c  on their original trajectories, colors, and intensities. Similarly a light received by helmet  62   zz  is sensed and a light emitted from cloaking goggles  101   zz  is produced to mimic its trajectory, color and intensity. Note that even an extreme off axis ray incident  309  is efficiently sense and mimicked as extreme off axis ray exit  311 . This extreme off axis sensing and reproduction can be achieved in either the electronic or the flexible light pipe embodiments using the seven surfaced lens of FIG. 16 a ,  16   b , and  16   c.    
         [0237]    [0237]FIG. 23 a  and FIG. 23 b  illustrate a three-dimensional pixel cell relationship testing process. A first mapping laser  323  produces a light which is detected at a surface of a first corresponding three-dimensional pixel cell N  325 . A second mapping laser  329  is detected on a surface within a three-dimensional pixel cell M  327 . The beam of  323  is exactly opposite to that of  329 . This tells us that (assuming a cloaked asset  321  is a rigid structure) a corresponding relationship exists between the surface of N and the surface of M. In the electronic embodiment, this relationship can be recorded in memory. In the flexible light pipe embodiment, this relationship can be hard wired by patching these two light pipes together on the  233 .  
         [0238]    [0238]FIG. 24 illustrates the multiple surface relationships of a single pixel cell. Multi trajectory light is shown incident upon one three-dimensional pixel cell. A light will exit at A′ on a second surface, B at B′ on a third surface, C at C′ on a fourth surface, D at D′ on a fifth surface, and E at E′ prime on a sixth surface. Thus one three-dimensional pixel cell has corresponding relationships with all of the other surfaces of the cloaked asset. In practice, each single pixel cell may have relationships with all other pixel cells except those which are in a similarly facing parallel plane. The direction of all incident and exiting light operates in reverse direction as well.  
         [0239]    Operation of the Invention  
         [0240]    The second flexible light pipe embodiment has the advantage of being able to transfer full spectrum light in both directions concurrently with no energy input. The first electronic embodiment has the advantage of being able to produce displays (for occupants of the asset) from sensed information while concurrently producing cloaking from sensed information. Also it can be used as an unoccupied surveillance vehicle by recording and transmitting information about the electromagnetic energy it senses.  
         [0241]    The preceding section also describes detailed operation of the invention.  
         [0242]    Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope  
         [0243]    Thus the reader will see that the Three-Dimensional Receiving and Displaying Process and Apparatus With Military Application of this invention provides a highly functional and reliable means for using technology to conceal the presence of an object (or asset). This is achieved electronically in a first embodiment and optically in a second embodiment.  
         [0244]    While the above description describes many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of two preferred embodiments thereof, Many other variations are possible.  
         [0245]    Lenses which enable wide angle light segmentation at the pixel level can be designed in many configurations and in series using multiple elements, shapes and gradient indices. Light can be directed by a lens to form a series of focal points along a focal plane instead of a along a focal curve. A fiber optic element with internal reflection or refraction means that performs substantially equivalently can replace a light pipe. Photodiodes and LED&#39;s can be replaced by other light detecting and light producing means respectively. The mapping means can consist of a simple plug which connects prefabricated (and pre-mapped) segmented pixel array components designed to fit onto a particular asset.  
         [0246]    The electronic embodiment segmented pixel receiving array (trajectory specific Photo diode array) can be used as input for a video recording and storage means. (This is a novel camera application of the present invention.) The electronic embodiment segmented pixel sending array (trajectory specific LED array) can be used as an output means for displaying video images which enable multiple users in different positions to view different perspectives simultaneously on a single two-dimensional or three-dimensional video display device. Alternately, one or more viewers moving around relative to the display will see different images as they would moving around in the real world. (This is a novel video display application of the present invention.)  
         [0247]    The flexible light pipe embodiment segmented pixel receiving array (trajectory specific fiber array) can be used as input for a video recording and storage means. (This is a novel camera application of the present invention.) The fiber optic embodiment segmented pixel sending array (trajectory specific fiber array) can be used as an output means for displaying video images which enable multiple users in different positions to view different perspectives simultaneously on a single video display device. Alternately, one viewer moving around relative to the display will see different images as they would moving around in the real world. (This is a novel video display application of the present invention.)  
         [0248]    When the electronic embodiment is operating as a camera, a memory may be provided to store three-dimensional information received by the three-dimensional pixels. The receiving pixels described herein can form a three-dimensional camera without any cloaking function or sending pixels integrated therewith.  
         [0249]    When the electronic embodiment is operating as a three-dimensional display, the visual information played may be drawn from a memory which must be provided for that purpose. The sending pixels described herein can form a three-dimensional display without any cloaking function or receiving pixels integrated therewith.