Optical Display System Offers Enhanced Resolution for Heads-Up Displays

Abstract

UCF researchers have invented a novel display apparatus that resolves the low image resolution issues associated with augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) heads-up systems. AR/VR display technology includes immersive video games and interactive 3D graphics. The new invention effectively doubles the resolution of head-mounted devices without requiring expensive or complex parts. One approach to resolving AR/VR low-resolution issues is to produce an offset to the display pixels using time-multiplexing (that is, displaying an image for the first frame, and then an offset image for the second, offset frame). However, such methods have only worked in projectors where the form-factor is not critical. Additionally, the methods use expensive birefringent crystals, moving shutters or complicated polarization systems, which are impractical for compact head-mounted displays. With the new invention, manufacturers can use the same image offset methods to provide high-resolution head-mounted AR/VR displays that are also optically and mechanically simpler, lighter and less expensive.

Technical Details

The invention for head-mounted displays encompasses a high-resolution optical system apparatus and methods for offsetting viewable pixels by a portion of a pixel width. The apparatus includes a programmable/controllable (virtual) image-generating component that synchronizes with an electrically switchable image offset component. For example, the image-generating component can be an LCD display that generates a polarized image output. The image-offset component can be a liquid crystal diffractive wave-plate that accepts output from the image-generating component. Using either direct voltage or the polarization of the displayed light, the system switches a displayed image between an offset and non-offset state to provide high-resolution output. For instance, by shifting an image by half a pixel width in one dimension faster than 25 hertz (cycles per second), the image resolution appears to increase.

Benefit

Market Application