A high-resolution optical see-through head-mounted display with eyetracking capability

Abstract

A head-mounted display system with fully-integrated eyetracking capability offers multi-fold benefits, not only to fundamental scientific research but also to emerging applications of such technology. A key limitation of the state-of-the-art eyetracked head-mounted display (ET-HMD) technology is the lack of compactness and portability. In this paper, we present an innovative design of a high resolution optical see-through ET-HMD system based on freeform optical technology. A prototype system is demonstrated, which offers a goggle-like compact form factor, non-obstructive see-through field of view and true high-definition image resolution for the virtual display. The see-through view, via the combination of a freeform prism and corrector, achieved better than 0.5 arc minute of angular resolution for the central region of approximately 40-degrees to ensure minimal impacts on the see-through vision of an HMD user.

Effects of Optical Combiner and IPD Change for Convergence on Near-Field Depth Perception in an Optical See-Through HMD

“…Furthermore, with the advancement of technology, HMDs with an angular resolution higher than 2.1 arc minutes are becoming more readily available. For instance, Hua et al [9] demonstrated a high-resolution OST-HMD with an angular resolution nearly 1 arc minute, which affords much better granularity of depth than the example shown above. The ray-shift phenomenon therefore is anticipated to play a larger role in depth perception errors in such high resolution displays.…”

Optical Design of an Eyetracked Head-mounted Display Using Freeform Waveguide

“…In the virtual display path, the light from the microdisplay is coupled into the waveguide by reflecting off the top surface S3. After total-internally reflecting inside the waveguide twice, the light is coupled out by S2 which is coated with half-mirror coating and a magnified virtual image is presented to the viewer's eye [3]. Like in our previous design, the eyetracking path also uses the same freeform waveguide.…”

Design of a Low Distortion Head-Mounted Display with Freeform Reflective Mirror Based on Two Ellipsoids Structure

“…Developing a see-through head-mounted display (HMD) system with wide field of view (FOV), long eye relief, and low distortion is desirable for many applications, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, training and entertainment industries [1,2]. It has been a great challenge to designers for decades, since the design process should simultaneously consider practical human use and technical requirements.…”