Increased 3D Virtual Image Opaqueness and Contrast Resolution in Optical See-Through Head Mounted Displays

Mixed-augmented reality displayed via a head-mounted display (HMD) provides a new paradigm for military training. Soldiers may train in real environments but interact with virtual enemy combatants and material that are generated in software. However, a major issue is that virtual objects are often simply superposed over the background scene, and can therefore appear ghostly and semi-transparent due to the lack of occlusion. Methods to incorporate occlusion such as optical-relay and video-relay schemes have serious challenges. . In the proposed effort a new concept for automatic opaqueness generation in a see-through HMD for military training application will be implemented in hardware and software. Under the Phase II year -1 effort, a prototype HMD with opaqueness tethered to a PC will be designed, assembled, and demonstrated to the customer in laboratory environment. The performance including see-through transmission and contrast generation in the presence of background light will be characterized. In the year-2 effort, the design will be improved and a stand-alone, portable, battery-powered HMD prototype with opaqueness generation will be built. The prototype will be demonstrated in real environments and delivered to the customer.