Date: Jan 01, 2013 Author: press release Source: Company Data (
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Rochester, NY: NASA has selected Dimension Technologies Inc. (DTI) for a phase I contract to investigate the adaptation of DTI's new high resolution glasses free 3D technology to cockpit displays. Previous studies by the US Air Force and others indicate the use of 3D displays can increase situation awareness and improve hazard avoidance in aircraft, helicopters, and potentially spacecraft. DTI's new 3D display technology avoids the heavy resolution loss associated with other 3D displays, allowing the creation of 3D images with as much resolution as the LCD on which they are displayed. Furthermore, DTI's displays can easily be made sunlight readable, since they do not use slit barriers or other light blocking elements.
Other glasses free 3D displays use optics or barriers in front of LCDs to create 3D images. These limit resolution by dividing the available pixels between different perspective views visible from different positions in front of the display. DTI generates its 3D images using a backlight in combination with a fast, off the shelf LCD that sends light from all pixels to all viewing positions in a time sequential fashion, making full resolution images visible from all positions.
DTI is partnering with DAD Technologies of La Mesa, California in the NASA contract. DAD is a spinoff from L3 communications (Formerly Northrop Grumman, Litton Data Systems, and SAI Technology a Division of SAIC)). The staff at DAD was responsible for the design and manufacture of the MobileVu and the VideoVu lines of LCD based displays at L-3 Communications. These displays are used in numerous rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft, as well as police cruisers in several major metropolitan police departments. DAD is currently exploring the use of 3-D display technology for military and first responder applications with the intention of marketing products in this area.
DTI is also working with 3D International Media to modify an existing 2 view to multiview converter to work with the new high resolution technology. The converter analyzes 2D and two-view stereo video streams and converts them to multiple perspective views in real time, with very good results. This is of interest for hazard avoidance applications because the cameras used for that purpose are very expensive. It would be beneficial if one or two cameras could be used instead of four or more. The contract will include experimentation to determine the efficacy of such a system for hazard avoidance.
22" and 46" displays embodying DTI's new high definition glasses free technology and streaming conversion wowed visitors at the 2012 and 2013 Consumer Electronics Showa in Las Vegas. The displays attracted interest from several manufacturers. DTI is pursuing prototype development projects and licensing deals with several companies.
Arnold Lagergren, CEO of DTI states: "This NASA contract validates DTI's revolutionary technology. NASA wants only the best, cutting edge technology. We have performed on several NASA contracts in the past, and have won a Space Technology Hall of Fame Award and a NASA Hallmark of Success award in previous years for our work."
Vice President Jesse Eichenlaub states: "Other 3D displays get their 3D effects from physical barriers or lenses in front of the LCD. We use patterns of light behind the LCD to produce the 3D effect. Our Time Multiplexed Backlight System, in combination with today's fast LCDs, overcomes the problems associated with other no-glasses 3D technology, which include loss of resolution, light loss, and moiré effects. Our display can also switch between perfect 2D images and perfect 3D. We can also put moveable 3D windows in a 2D background and vice versa.
"We believe that this technology will finally allow glasses free displays to enter and then become standard in many markets for many applications: military, scientific, business, and consumer. Low resolution, sweet spots, and optical artifacts have kept glasses-free displays out of most markets. Now those are a thing of the past."
Founded in 1986, Dimension Technologies Inc. manufactures and licenses product differentiating autostereoscopic (3D without glasses) computer and video displays which are used in numerous government and commercial applications.
DTI's high resolution glasses free 3D display technology was originally developed under contract with the United States Department of Energy and NASA. This press release was prepared as an account of work sponsored by agencies of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.
