Large Autostereoscopic Multiview 2D/3D Switchable Desktop Display

Dimension Technologies Inc. Large Autostereoscopic Multiview 2D/3D Switchable Desktop Monitor Principal Investigator: Jesse Eichenlaub Topic 51: Scientific Visualization and Data Understanding, Subtopic a) Collaborative Data Analysis and Visualization. Scientists and engineers must view increasingly complex computer generated multi- dimensional data sets and simulations based on those data sets, often in collaborative environments where several researchers at remote locations are viewing the data. This is true in energy related fields such as oil and gas exploration and efficient engine design. Such data sets are usually rendered in three dimensions, and due to their complexity it is often necessary for researchers to view them in stereoscopic (3D) form to gain the sense of depth required to see where various points, structures, and other representations are positioned and oriented relative to one another. At present, researchers typically wear 3D glasses to view such representations. This tried and true stereo viewing technique has many limitations, including its inability to render distortion free images for more than one person in one position. Autostereoscopic displays also exist, but existing models either introduce observer position restrictions or else sacrifice the resolution to create 3D images. The goal of this Phase II project is to build prototype autostereoscopic (3D without glasses) displays capable of two to three times the 3D resolution of existing autostereoscopic 3D images. The displays will allow several observers to observe immersive high resolution 3D images from across a wide area. The Phase I program proved the feasibility of both the innovative autostereoscopic technology and its compatibility with existing PC technology. The proposed Phase II program will be used to build and test two prototypes: the first will be a 22