<title>Prototype magnified and collimated autostereoscopic displays</title>

Abstract

Experiments indicate that the volume of virtual space within which stereoscopic images can be seen comfortably, without eye discomfort, fusion difficulty, or inaccuracies in perceived depth, is dependent upon the eye to screen distance. This volume is maximized when the screen appears to be at infinity--that is, when it is collimated. With the image collimated, objects located within a virtual space extending from a few feet in front of the observer to infinity can be viewed comfortably. Collimation also reduces the distortion seen in stereoscopic images when viewing them from off axis locations. DTI is developing two magnified and collimated autostereoscopic displays. One uses a collimation module designed for out the window simulators to provide a very wide angle, immersive image that is potentially well suited to flight simulators and video games. Another, more compact version uses Fresnel lenses to magnify the images of a high resolution 13.8" diagonal LCD to the same angular size as a 21" display seen at 30". This variation may be more suited to desktop displays. It provides resolution, color palette, and apparent screen size equivalent to a high end CRT.