Abstract:
Various ways are provided to visually distinguish one pair of TV 3D glasses from another in a home, including numbering the glasses, providing a white space on each pair of glasses that can be marked, color coding the glasses, and providing a visually unique band for each pair of glasses that can be engaged with the stem of the glasses.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to distinguishing 3D TV glasses in a home environment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    If 3D TV is provided, the various occupants of a home typically must don 3D glasses to view video on the TV in pseudo-three dimensions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As understood herein, it would be advantageous to provide a means for distinguishing one home viewer&#39;s 3D TV glasses from another viewers. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, an apparatus has a lens frame and left and right stems extending parallel to each other from the frame. Each stem is configured to engage a respective human ear. Left and right lens elements are held by the frame with a center-to-center distance approximating the distance between human eyes. Each lens element is a 3D lens element. A visual index is associated with the frame and/or at least one stem to uniquely identify the apparatus from a like apparatus with a different visual index. 
         [0005]    The visual index may be numbering, and/or the visual index may include a white space that can be marked. Yet again, the visual index may include color coding by means of a respective color, and/or the visual index can include a respective visually unique band that can be engaged with a stem. The lenses can be polarized lenses, or each lens element can include at least one lens shutter. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, a method for distinguishing a first pair of TV 3D glasses from a second pair includes numbering the glasses with respective first and second numerals, and/or providing a respective white space on each pair of glasses that can be marked, and/or color coding the glasses with respective colors, and/or providing a respective visually unique band for each pair of glasses that can be engaged with a stem of a pair. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a system includes TV system with processor, tuner, and display controlled by processor to present video signals from the tuner. First 3D glasses are wearable by a person and are identifiable from first visual indicia associated with the first 3D glasses. Also, second 3D glasses are wearable by a person and are identifiable from second visual indicia associated with the second 3D glasses. The first indicia are different from the second indicia. 
         [0008]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a 3D TV with internal components shown schematically, and showing two pair of 3D viewing glasses; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view partially cut away of a first glasses stem with visually distinguishing means; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view partially cut away of a second glasses stem with visually distinguishing means; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view partially cut away of a third glasses stem with visually distinguishing means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a system  10  includes a TV system  12  that in one implementation includes a TV chassis  14  holding a TV display  16  such as a standard definition and/or high definition display, e.g., a matrix-type flat panel display. The display  16  under control of a TV processor  18  in the chassis  14  presents signals from a TV tuner  20  in the chassis  14 , it being understood that the above components may be implemented in concert with, e.g., a set-top box. 
         [0014]    The processor  18  accesses a computer-readable medium  22  such as solid state storage or disk-based storage that in some embodiments may embody a 3D software module  24 , which can be executed by the processor  18  to cause a 3D-type image to be presented on the display  16  in accordance with 3D video principles known in the art. To facilitate the 3D experience, a first viewer may wear a first 3D pair of glasses  26  while a second viewer may wear a second 3D pair of glasses  28  that is visually distinguished from the first pair  26  in accordance with principles below. While only two pair  26 ,  28  are shown for simplicity, present principles apply to a greater number of 3D glasses that may be supplied for 3D viewing. 
         [0015]    Except for the different visual indicia, the pair  26 ,  28  may be substantially identical, so taking the pair  26  as an example, the pair  26  includes a lightweight typically plastic frame  30  that when worn extends across the bridge of the wearer&#39;s nose. The frame  30  supports left and right stems  32 ,  34  extending parallel to each other from the frame  30  in the same direction, with each stem  32 ,  34  being configured to engage a respective human ear by means of, e.g., a respective end loop  36 . The stems  32 ,  34  may be hinged to the frame  30 . 
         [0016]    Left and right lens elements  38 ,  40  are held by the frame  30  with a center-to-center distance approximating the distance between human eyes. Each lens element is a 3D lens element. In one implementation, the lens elements are polarized lenses. In another implementation, each lens element includes at least one lens shutter. An example non-limiting embodiment of such a lens shutter arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,569, incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0017]    In accordance with present principles, a visual index is associated with the frame  30  and/or at least one stem  32 ,  34  to uniquely identify the first pair  26  from the second pair  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the visual index may be numbering, e.g., the first pair  26  may be labeled with a “1” or an “A” as shown at  42  whereas the second pair  28  may be labeled with a “2” or a “B” as shown at  44  that is different from the index shown at  42 . The numbers or letters  42 ,  44  may be embossed on a respective stem as shown. 
         [0018]    In addition or alternatively, the frame and/or stems of the first pair  26  may be molded of a different color plastic than the frame and/or stems of the second pair  28 , or the first pair  26  may be painted a different color than the second pair  28 . 
         [0019]    In addition or alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2  on the inside surface of a stem  32   a  a white matte area  50  may be painted or molded, and a person can use an indelible pen  52  to mark a number or letter or symbol uniquely identifying the stem (and, hence, pair of glasses to which it belongs). Yet again, as shown in  FIG. 3  on the inside surface of a stem  32   b  a respective non-white color area  54  may be painted or molded. Thus, a first pair of glasses may have a blue area  54 , a second pair a green area  54 , a third pair a red area, and so on with each pair having its own unique color in the area  54 . 
         [0020]    In addition to or in lieu of the visual indicia above, as shown in  FIG. 4  each pair  26 ,  28  of 3D glasses may be provided with a uniquely identifiable loop or band  60 . The loop or band  60  may be elastically deformable to slip onto the stem of the pair  26  and then tightly grip the stem when released, or the loop or band  60  may be inelastic and may simply be slipped over the stem and then glued thereto. In any case, each loop or band  60  is uniquely distinguishable from the other loops or bands of the remaining glasses, e.g., is of a unique color or bears a unique number or letter from the other loops or bands. 
         [0021]    While the particular DISTINGUISHING 3D TV GLASSES is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.