Hey folks this is a great thread...But I've got an interesting proposition for those of you interested in personal displays (things like the Head-Mounted Display) but also hand held devices and displays for portable systems.
How about No Panel Displays instead of flat panels?
..In a personal display we are typically projecting a virtual image (one which appears larger than its source...(yes its a convenient lay definition but bear with me)) so that we can get the visual effect of a larger display in a small package...camcorders, helmets, goggles, eyeglasses, or even cellular phones.
In order to achieve this effect we are using optics to relay the image into the eye so that it is projected onto the retina. And there's the rub...
For this type of application it is just plain inefficient to build up this parallel matrix array of pixels on some screen/substrate outside the eye, when the retina itself can be directly addressed by a serial stream of photon pixels moving rapidly through the viewing angle.
In other words, why not scan pixels (red, green and blue for full color)directly onto the world's most dynamic, inexpensive and high-quality screen, the retina of the eye? The logic is simple, since we already have a built-in screen, we can eliminate the need for a second one.
This is the approach that my company (I am CEO) Microvision (MVIS Nasdaq National Market system) uses...We have demonstrated prototypes which posess very good resolution, (Full-color VGA (not 1/3 VGA)and outstanding dynamic range and brightness. We are preparing to scale resolution and display performance to higher levels (SVGA, XVGA, HDTV)..Another characteristic of this technology is its scalability...
The technology is sufficiently developed that we are targeting shipping products during 1998...I will defer a complete discussion of the business model for the moment..but will mention that we are in discussions with prospective partners and product developers in application categories including defense and aerospace, Industrial (image-guided maintenance and manufacturing), Medical (image-guided surgery), wireless communications, and consumer entertainment.
Miniaturized image sources for personal displays must deliver a broad range of performance characteristics at a reasonable cost...Almost all matrix element approaches end up trading-off one or more performance characteristics because of inherent inefficiencies and complexities in forming a physical screen to essentially duplicate an integrating function which the retina performs extremely well.
As a result FEDs, AMLCDs, AMELs and the rest can typically deliver a few performance features at the expense of others or at great cost. In contrast, direct retinal scanning should provide the full range of performance characteristics at the most reasonable cost.
We believe that Microvision's Virtual Retinal Display (VRD)can dominate the personal display category.
Microvision has pioneered this field and been covered by EETimes, Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Aviation Week and Space Technology, Reuters and Associated Press all within the past several months.
Interested parties should contact the company at (206)623-7055 for reprints and additional information. You may also want to check the thread on this website in the under $5 section.
Bob, I will be sure to tell my scientists to stay tuned and reply to questions in response to my provocation...Thanks for indulging us... |
