The objective of the proposed effort is to demonstrate the feasibility of the scalable 3D display technology proposed by Zebra Imaging to produce realistic auto-viewable 3D images for Air Force applications related to air, space and cyberspace. A display producing such holographic images can provide intuitive visualization of three-dimensional (3D) data and scene information from a wide range of applications. Zebras technology will allow for rapid, interactive viewing of all types of 3D data, converting 3D scene data into a spatial image that occupies a 3D image volume, much like the holographic images produced by traditional (recorded) optical holograms. Animations and interactive content are displayed as bright true-3D images, viewed automatically (i.e., no special viewing apparatus), with full parallax for proper 3D perspective from every viewer position. The core technology combines custom (and off-the-shelf) components to control the amount and direction of emitted light-field. As will be shown in the Phase 1 effort, it provides accurate, unencumbered, scalable and updatable presentation of critical data for multiple users. It will provide the scalable, auto-viewable display that is necessary to depict multi sensor-acquired GIS and associated data, allowing real-time multi-user interactivity.
Benefit: By producing spatial images with holographic realism, Zebra 3D displays become a valuable visualization tool. The display can be integrated with existing applications to facilitate communication of intelligence for team-based training, battle space management, mission planning and rehearsal, and interpretation of real-time data. This technology is therefore suitable for a wide spectrum of Department of Defense (DoD) applications, ideally those that include graphically-intense applications. The 3D display will accurately and intuitively present complex real-world data to facilitate rapid discernment and clear communication of intelligence to support decision making. It will satisfy an immediate and long-term growing need in a broad swath of sectors in the military, for operation mission planning and reconnaissance. As the number and sophistication level of sensors in the military theater increase, potentially critical data can lose utility without a means for rapid discernment and contextualization. Most of this data is co-located, visual, and occupies a three-dimensional volume, particularly urban data. Most display technologies that claim to provide 3D images fall short when visualizing this kind of data: they lack depth cues and therefore accuracy; many are not practical for multiple users; most are not scalable.
Keywords: Holographic Display, Spatial Display, Volume Image, Natural Interaction, 3d Interaction, Gestural Interaction, Visualization, Situational Awareness, Command And Control
