Head-Mounted Projection Display Technology and Applications

Recent advances in microelectronics and the rapid growth of digital information have led to exciting new display technologies which are suitable to a wide variety of application domains. Head-mounted projection display (HMPD) has been actively developed in the recent decade as an alternative to conventional eyepiece-type head-mounted displays. HMPD replaces the eyepiece-type optics with a projection lens and employs a retroreflective screen instead of the diffusing screens typical to standalone projection-based systems. This unique combination of projection and retroreflection gives HMPD technology several remarkable advantages that make it suitable for collaborative visualization and augmented reality applications. In this chapter, we will review the fundamentals of HMPD technology and outline design considerations relating to the human visual system. We will summarize recent technological advancements, including efforts to improve the field of view and enhance image brightness. We will examine the significance of the retroreflective materials and their effects on imaging resolution and user perception. Finally, we will discuss a variety of application directions and user interface capabilities that have been enabled through HMPD technology.