The Army has initiated a flexible display research program. This program is part of the Army's strategy to create technologies that will enable revolutionary designs and transformational weapons systems for the Objective Force. The ARL flexible display program is more general than just for the dismounted soldier-it will also have implications for air and vehicular crews, and for the other services, even though it is not a DoD tri-service program per se. “Flexible” is defined in the program as displays that operate under conditions from conformal applications, limited flexing, to rollable displays for compact storage. The Army program will include display manufacturing concepts that enable roll-to-roll processes reduce cost, to tap a strong U.S. domestic industrial strength, and, eventually, to enable fabrication of very large sizes. There is commercial interest in flexible displays for applications ranging from wearable electronics for road-warriors and gamers to large screen 71-in. 1920x1200 color pixel consumer high definition television sets for walls. Industry willingness to cost share will be a key criterion in identifying investment opportunities that are necessary and timely from among all that may be envisioned. Some anticipated military applications and a roadmap are presented that identify the technology barriers at the materials, device and manufacturing levels to the creation of flexible display technology.
This paper reports the development of a complete eyeglass- mounted computer interface system including display, camera and audio subsystems. The display system provides an SVGA image with a 20 degree horizontal field of view. The camera system has been optimized for face recognition and provides a 19 degree horizontal field of view. A microphone and built-in pre-amp optimized for voice recognition and a speaker on an articulated arm are included for audio. An important feature of the system is a high degree of adjustability and reconfigurability. The system has been developed for testing by the Military Police, in a complete system comprising the eyeglass-mounted interface, a wearable computer, and an RF link. Details of the design, construction, and performance of the eyeglass-based system are discussed.
DoD has established many simulation programs and it has been concluded that an integrated head-mounted display (HMD) system can enhance situational awareness and augment operational performance of military units in the aforementioned fields. This paper will highlight the accomplishments of the advanced research, development, operational experiments and demonstrations over the past decade and will report on the current status of HMD integration.
A combat vehicle visualization system is described that enhances the situation awareness of the vehicle commander. The system consists of a 360 degree(s) panoramic sensor, a gimbaled 8 - 12 micrometers infrared sensor, and a helmet-mounted display with head tracker. The helmet-mounted display can display the fused sensor data to aid the commander in vehicle maneuvering and threat acquisition while buttoned up. It can also display situation awareness information down-loaded from the tactical internet while standing in the hatch. Construction and operation features will be described.
The Maintenance and Repair Support System (MARSS) is a new, revolutionary platform for mobile computing and communications designed for the soldier operating on the digital battlefield of the future. MARSS is the first major research and development program that addresses the issues of mounting mobile computing apparatus directly onto the human body and represents an important leap forward toward hands free man-machine interface. The goal of the program was to develop a system capable of workstation level performance in a package that fits comfortably with the human body and enhances the user's ability to perform complex tasks that would otherwise require extensive learning and time to accomplish. The MARSS system uses advanced micro-optical displays such as the active matrix electroluminescent image source for near real time video display across a spectrum of rugged technology that can benefit both military and commercial users. The MARSS effort is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program in collaboration with the US Army Soldier Systems Command (SSCOM) executed by McDonnell Douglas under SSCOM contract number DAAK60-95-C2029.
A number of programs are attempting to validate the advantages and disadvantages of miniature flat panel displays compared to CRTs for use in rotary wing helmet mounted displays. This paper will explore the unique requirements of rotary wing helmet mounted displays and will assess the applicability of miniature flat panel displays for meeting these requirements. Remaining technical challenges will be discussed and potential solutions identified.
In 1991, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) established a head-mounted display (HMD) program as part of their High Definition Systems Program. The goals were to investigate, then develop new display technologies that would overcome the technical challenges of cathode-ray tubes, and satisfy DoD needs for improved HMDs. A Joint Services Working was formed to identify and define display specifications through common program goals. The technologies, Active Matrix Electroluminescent and Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display were selected as the candidate display technologies. The Combat Vehicle Crew-HMD program resulted as the testbed for integrating the new display technologies. Many military systems leveraging the ARPA-developed technologies have emerged as a result of the ARPA HMD program. The dual-use applications of these technologies comply with ARPA and user goals to have HMD systems that will have wide acceptance meeting the requirements of the military, medical, commercial, and consumer markets.
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