Graphics Scene Description and Application Interface for Heterogeneous 3D Display Environments

The purpose of this research is to develop a common Field of Light Display (FoLD) interface that allows for the integration of multi-view displays into AEGIS Display Systems. The research will support the Navy in seeking data visualization techniques that consider human capabilities and limitations in product design to capitalize upon human sensory and perceptual attributes. The Navy currently utilizes two dimension (2D) display technology for conveying data and information to sailors performing both non-tactical and tactical operations on AEGIS Destroyers and Cruisers. Three dimension (3D) visualization technologies provide the opportunity to promote improved operator task accuracy, faster operator response time, and reduce cognitive overload, but there is no common standard similar to the 2D API that allows for the cost-effective integration of 3D display technologies. Our solution will employ a common optimized 3D graphics standard/API that can be understood and adopted by novel 3D display developers encompassing as many 3D visualization technologies as possible. Our solution will provide for an AEGIS display environment that allows the operator the flexibility to choose the best display device for the visualization task without an expensive and time-consuming integration or development effort. The API will support accelerated 3D rendering for novel multi-view display