Development of Low-Cost Augmented Reality Head Mounted Display

PhaseSpace proposes a 2 to 4 megapixel foveated head mounted display (HMD) with an apparent resolution of up to 18 megapixels per eye. Using state of the art HDTV projection display technology developed for business projectors and cell phone pico projectors, PhaseSpace will create a custom see-through HMD solution that can be used indoors and outdoors. This HMD will stimulate peripheral vision with a wide viewing angle of 140 x 40 degrees for both eyes. The see-through beamsplitting reflective goggles will provide a high resolution image for viewing augmented reality characters superimposed over the natural view. PhaseSpace intends to dual purpose the proposed optical design for a lower resolution (apparent resolution of 3.6 megapixels using 4 low cost 800 x 500 pixel displays) commercial system that will sell for under $5,000 per unit. These units are possible due to recent improvements in high resolution display devices, increased brightness LED breakthroughs, and increased integration of display controllers.