SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
A NEW MICRO-BEAM SCANNING HEAD MOUNTED DISPLAY
Technical Abstract:
NASA has stated a need for an innovative approach in information
displays for use in extravehicular activity (EVA) space missions.
The specific requirements include reduced system weight, volume,
cost, and increased comfort and productivity for the human
operators. In order to meet these needs, Physical Optics
Corporation (POC) proposes an innovative head-mounted display
(HMD) technology that will enable the near-term development of
high resolution low-weight, wide field-of-view (FOV), high speed
(update rate), compact, full-color HMDs based on the three
following innovations: 1) an electro-optic (i.e., liquid crystal)
tunable micro scanner based on POCs recently demonstrated tunable
micro refractive optics concept; 2) multiplexed (for three colors
(RGB)) holographic aspheric reflective optics based on POCs well
developed volume holographic technology; and 3) a diffraction-free
Bessel beam generation technology previously demonstrated at POC
for long distance beam propagation. By writing images directly on
the retina of the observer, the limitations imposed through
display screens will be overcome. In Phase I, POC will
investigate the feasibility of the proposed concept through
analysis and experimentation, and will provide a proof-of-concept
demonstration at the end of Phase I.
Potential Commercial Applications:
of the proposed HMD include
virtual reality, telepresence in robotics, medicine, avionics,
education, and CAD applications in the private sector. Video
conferencing, movies, and video games have huge potential mass
markets for compact, high resolution, and low cost HMDs.
Name and Address of Offeror:
Physical Optics Corporation
Applied Technology Division
2545 West 237th Street, Suite B
Torrance, CA 90505
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The SBIR/STTR EMS site is maintained by Steve
Hu, Hughes STX.
For comments and questions, contact
webmaster@sbir.hq.nasa.gov.
Updated: Feb. 7, 1996