The influence of depth of focus on visibility of monocular head-mounted display symbology in simulation and training applications

Marc D. Winterbottom; Robert Patterson; Byron J. Pierce; Christine Covas; Jennifer Winner

doi:10.1117/12.602970

19 May 2005 The influence of depth of focus on visibility of monocular head-mounted display symbology in simulation and training applications

Marc D. Winterbottom, Robert Patterson, Byron J. Pierce, Christine Covas, Jennifer Winner

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5800, Helmet- and Head-Mounted Displays X: Technologies and Applications; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.602970
Event: Defense and Security, 2005, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS),is being considered for integration into the F-15, F-16, and F-18 aircraft. If this integration occurs, similar monocular head-mounted displays (HMDs) will need to be integrated with existing out-the-window simulator systems for training purposes. One such system is the Mobile Modular Display for Advanced Research and Training (M2DART), which is constructed with flat-panel rear-projection screens around a nominal eye-point. Because the panels are flat, the distance from the eye point to the display screen varies depending upon the location on the screen to which the observer is directing fixation. Variation in focal distance may create visibility problems for either the HMD symbology or the out-the-window imagery presented on the simulator rear-projection display screen because observers may not be able to focus both sets of images simultaneously. The extent to which blurring occurs will depend upon the difference between the focal planes of the simulator display and HMD as well as the depth of focus of the observer. In our psychophysical study, we investigated whether significant blurring occurs as a result of such differences in focal distances and established an optimal focal distance for an HMD which would minimize blurring for a range of focal distances representative of the M2DART. Our data suggest that blurring of symbology due to differing focal planes is not a significant issue within the range of distances tested and that the optimal focal distance for an HMD is the optical midpoint between the near and far rear-projection screen distances.

Citation Download Citation

Marc D. Winterbottom, Robert Patterson, Byron J. Pierce, Christine Covas, and Jennifer Winner "The influence of depth of focus on visibility of monocular head-mounted display symbology in simulation and training applications", Proc. SPIE 5800, Helmet- and Head-Mounted Displays X: Technologies and Applications, (19 May 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.602970

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