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The proliferation of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) has resulted in a need for the capability to see the operational environment in stereo. In a previous paper the theoretical underpinnings for new types of stereoscopic and autostereoscopic flat-panel displays with full-time, full-resolution images (i.e., no temporal multiplexing and no spatial multiplexing) were presented. Recently, a stereoscopic prototype has been constructed at the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile RDEC and testing is underway. The research presented here describes the application of two liquid crystal displays (LCD) sandwiched together to form a compact, rugged stereoscopic display. Polarized glasses are used to view the image in stereo. The prototype provides a full-time, full-resolution stereoscopic 3D display in a package slightly thicker, but no larger, than the standard liquid crystal display used in laptop computers. The LCDs have been characterized using a Stokes vector polarimeter. The characterization results were very interesting and led to some changes in the encoding algorithms. Significant improvements in the display quality were achieved through these adaptations.

A stereoscopic or autostereoscopic display based on this technology provides full resolution and freedom of movement, but with no flicker. Simply put, the display is neither spatially nor temporally multiplexed. It sounds unbelievable, but it's true -- an autostereoscopic display where each eye sees every displayable pixel on the screen at all times. This technology is designed for flat-panel displays, such as LCDs and has the following characteristics: (1) The display is not spatially multiplexed. Each eye sees the full native resolution of the entire screen. (2) The display is not temporally multiplexed. The image for each eye is visible continuously, i.e., at all times. (3) In its simplest form, this technology provides a full-time, full-resolution stereoscopic display for multiple viewers wearing passive polarizing glasses. (4) A variation of this technology can be used to make a full-time, full-resolution stereoscopic projection system for viewers wearing passive polarizing glasses using just a single projector. (5) With the addition of a dynamic aiming mechanism, and an adjustment in the display's output, we can create a single-user, full-time, full-resolution autostereoscopic display requiring no glasses and providing full freedom of movement. Software applications can use the same information about viewwer position to provide natural, full "look-around." (6) A hybrid version of the display can alternate between autostereoscopic (single-user, no glasses) and stereoscopic modes (multi-user, passive glasses).

This novel autostereoscopic technology can be used with any light-emitting display, such as CRT, and is intended for single-user applications. Its characteristics include: Full resolution, full freedom of movement with no mechanical latency, and compatibility with existing stereoscopic media. The hardware is contained within a relatively thin layer, which can be produced as a stand-alone product to be placed in front of an existing screen, or built into the front of a standard display device at assembly. This layer allows us to time-share the display between the two eyes (temporal multiplexing). Each image of the stereo pair is shown at the full native resolution of the display. By using self- contained, electronic controls to dynamically adjust the optical geometry within the layer, we control what each eye sees at any moment. This allows full freedom of movement with no mechanical latency. The same information about viewer position can be used to provide a natural look-around effect. In summary, we have created a field-sequential stereo display functionally identical to that provided by LCS glasses - but without the glasses system is compatible with all existing field-sequential stereoscopic media and software.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.