Virtual Retinal Display - Comparison To LCDs and Other Display Devices

Comparison To LCDs and Other Display Devices

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) currently are the primary active display devices for the presentation of entertainment and information. An image that is generated electronically is viewed with the optical system of the eye. The image you see is subject not only to the quality of the optical system of the eye, but also to the quality of the display and the environment in which the display is located.

With a VRD, defects in the eye's optical system, such as damaged cornea and lens and reduced retinal sensitivity could be bypassed, as well as the problems of the display environment, such as ambient brightness, angle-of-view and display brightness. Additionally, the seen image could be augmented with other information and brightness of the system doesn't affect the image formed on the retina

Although the VRD is an output device, the technology lends itself to augmentation with eye tracking or eyegaze systems for input. Eye tracking is currently used in advanced still and video cameras for focusing on the object you wish to record.

This approach produces several advantages over conventional display devices:

• Potentially very small and lightweight, glasses mountable
• Large field and angle of view, greater than 120 degrees
• High resolution, approaching that of human vision
• Full color with better potential color resolution than conventional displays
• Brightness and contrast ratio sufficient for outdoor use
• True stereo 3D display with depth modulation
• Bypasses many of the eye's optical and retinal defects