Project Title:

Three-Dimensional Displays with A 360ø View for Space Crew

92-1-12.08-3088                                                   NAS02-13787
Three-Dimensional Displays with A 360ø View for
     Space Crew
Physical Optics Corporation
20600 Gramercy Place, Suite 103
Torrance, CA  90501
Tin Aye                                              (310-320-3088)

Abstract:

     The firm will develop a class of innovative, real-time,
autostereoscopic, three-dimensional displays capable of providing
a 360ø view of an observer's immediate surroundings as would be
perceived from a distant, back-shifted imaginary platform. This
approach is especially beneficial for space crews performing dy-
namic maneuvering tasks (such as docking or robot control),
because they will be able to view their spatial location with
respect to their immediate surroundings and, therefore, will
maintain peak situational awareness. The firm will implement this
concept by using a multiplexed-volume, holographic display panel
as well as simple projection systems that have conventional
optics. Due to the specificity of holographic optical elements,
the display will provide bright, full-color, high-resolution,
three-dimensional images with many perspective views and will
overcome the drawbacks of current state-of-the-art, three-
dimensional display devices. The device is compatible with current
liquid-crystal-projection TVs or AMLCD technologies and, because
of its possible reflective mode, it can also be integrated on top
of a conventional display panel. Phase I research will involve a
thorough study of three-dimensional display concepts that have a
real-time, 360ø view for space crew onboard systems and for robot
management.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  Because it uses real-time, the
firm's three-dimensional holographic display system will find a
wide range of applications in military and commercial space
products. Near future applications include surveillance
photogrammetry training and simulation, three-dimensional video
and cinema, molecular modeling, telerobotics, industrial
inspection, and CAD applications in manufacturing and medical
imaging.

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