Improved Head-Mounted Displays for Immersive Virtual Reality

"In response to the need for new high-performance immersive display technology, n¿vision proposes to develop a new state-of-the-art head-mounted display utilizing lightweight projection optics and high-resolution microdisplays.Prototypes of this device have been developed and tested at the School of Optics/CREOL at the University of Central Florida. The technology has the potential to deliver a field-of-view greater than 100¿ per eye using optical components weighing only afraction of conventional eyepiece optics used in existing head-mounted displays.In addition to weight and performance, another issue limiting immersive display technology today is mobility. Users are typically restricted to a radius of less than 6 meters, tethered to bulky and awkward cables. Current wireless systems are limited tolow-resolution broadcast video standards. As an optional Phase 1 effort, nvision proposes a collaboration with the Integrated Media Systems Center of the University of Southern California. This will leverage their research and current off-the-shelfnetworking components and software to develop a new digital interface that would extend the range immediately by using an Ethernet interface to transmit video, audio, and other data, over a small LAN. This technology would have far-reaching benefits byallowing integration with emerging wireless LAN technologies. The goal for Phase 1 of this project is to investigate the design of an affordable, lightweight, wide field-of-view immersive display. In addition to high-fidelity military applications such as Close Quarters Battle training, other industries will findthis new technology appealing.Product engineers can benefit from 3D collaborative design, exploring complex assemblies and interacting with movable parts. Architects will have an economically compelling solution for offering a virtual walk-through of home and office space interiorsprior to construction. Automotive designers will have an alternative to the large, expensive projector walls used today and allow themselves and their manager