This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE proceedings volume 6558, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction (if any), and the Conference Committee listing.

Displays in the operational environment can be direct-view or virtual-view, and are analyzed in terms of a broad range of performance parameters. These parameters include image area, field of view, eye-relief, weight and power, luminance and contrast ratio, night vision goggle compatibility (type and class), resolution (pixels per inch or line pairs per milliradian), image intensification, viewing angle, grayscale (shades or levels), dimming range, video capability (frame rate, refresh), operating and storage altitude, operating and storage temperature range, shock and vibration limits, mean time between failure, color vs. monochrome, and display engine technology. This study further looks at design class: custom, versus rugged commercial, versus commercial off-the-shelf designs and issues such as whether the design meets requirements for the operational environment and modes of use, ease of handling, failure modes and soldier recommended upgrades.

ARINC 818 Avionics Digital Video Bus (ADVB) is a new digital video interface and protocol standard developed especially for high bandwidth uncompressed digital video. The first draft of this standard, released in January of 2007, has been advanced by ARINC and the aerospace community to meet the acute needs of commercial aviation for higher performance digital video. This paper analyzes ARINC 818 for use in military display systems found in avionics, helicopters, and ground vehicles. The flexibility of ARINC 818 for the diverse resolutions, grayscales, pixel formats, and frame rates of military displays is analyzed as well as the suitability of ARINC 818 to support requirements for military video systems including bandwidth, latency, and reliability. Implementation issues relevant to military displays are presented.

In an effort to reduce the effects of ambient light on the read-ability of military displays, the Naval Research Lab began investigating and developing advanced hand-held displays. Analysis and research of display technologies with consideration for vulnerability to environmental conditions resulted in the complete design and fabrication of the handheld Immersive Input Display Device (I2D2) monocular. The I2D2 combines an OLED SVGA micro-display with an optics configuration and a rubber pressure-eyecup which allows view-ability only when the eyecup is depressed. This feature allows the I2D2 to be used during the day, while not allowing ambient light to affect the readability. It simultaneously controls light leakage, effectively eliminating the illumination, and thus preserving the tactical position, of the user in the dark. This paper will focus on the upgraded I2D2 system as it compares to the I2D2 presented at SPIE 2006.

Soldiers involved in urban operations are at a higher risk of receiving a bullet or fragment wound to the head or face compared to other parts of their body. One reason for this vulnerability is the need for the soldier to expose their head when looking and shooting from behind cover. Research conducted by DSTO Australia, using weapon-mounted cameras, has validated the concept of off-axis shooting but has emphasized the requirement for a system that closely integrates with both the soldier and his weapon. A system was required that would not adversely effect the usability, utility or accuracy of the weapon. Several Concept Demonstrators were developed over a two-year period and the result of this development is the Off-Axis Viewing Device (OAVD). The OAVD is an un-powered sighting attachment that integrates with a red dot reflex sight and enables the soldier to scan for and engage targets from a position of cover. The image from the weapon's scope is transmitted through the OAVD's periscopic mirror system to the soldier. Mounted directly behind the sight, the OAVD can also be swiveled to a redundant position on the side of the weapon to allow normal on-axis use of the sight. The OAVD can be rotated back into place behind the sight with one hand, or removed and stored in the soldier's webbing. In May 2004, a rapid acquisition program was initiated to develop the concept to an in-service capability and the OAVD is currently being deployed with the Australian Defence Force.

Avionics displays, particularly for cockpit applications are associated with high performance and high cost solutions. COTS displays have well acknowledged limitations but provide a potential high value for money solution if this performance can be stretched to a level compatible with "fit for use". This paper will describe the initial design tradeoffs and decisions that formed the basis for development of a low-cost cockpit display for a military helicopter.

Many avionics displays, particularly for cockpit applications require NVG compatibility. Unusually, the mission definition for a new maritime helicopter has identified a need for NVG compatibility for all of the mission-system displays, including the 20.1" diagonal, SXGA resolution Tactical Workstation Display (TWD) located in the rear cabin. This paper will describe some design tradeoff considerations and describe both some required and measured performance parameters.

It is critical in surveillance applications to be able to extract features in imagery that may be of interest to the viewer at any time of the day or night. Infrared (IR) imagery is ideally suited for producing these types of images. However, even this imagery is not always optimal. Processing the imagery with a local area image operator can enhance additional features and characteristics in the image that provide the viewer with an improved understanding of the scene being observed. This paper discusses the development of two algorithms for image enhancement for infrared imagery using local area processing. The enhancement algorithm extends theory previously developed for medical applications. Algorithm differences addressed include application to IR imagery and to a panning camera rather than still imagery. It also discusses the obstacles encountered and overcome for insertion of this algorithm into a 10" gimbaled midwave infrared imaging system for a variety of real-time processing applications. This technology is directly applicable to driver's vision enhancement systems as well as other night visions systems such as night vision goggles.

A design flow for implementing a dynamic gamma algorithm in an FPGA is described. Real-time video processing makes enormous demands on processing resources. An FPGA solution offers some advantages over commercial video chip and DSP implementation alternatives. The traditional approach to FPGA development involves a system engineer designing, modeling and verifying an algorithm and writing a specification. A hardware engineer uses the specification as a basis for coding in VHDL and testing the algorithm in the FPGA with supporting electronics. This process is work intensive and the verification of the image processing algorithm executing on the FPGA does not occur until late in the program. The described design process allows the system engineer to design and verify a true VHDL version of the algorithm, executing in an FPGA. This process yields reduced risk and development time. The process is achieved by using Xilinx System Generator in conjunction with Simulink® from The MathWorks. System Generator is a tool that bridges the gap between the high level modeling environment and the digital world of the FPGA. System Generator is used to develop the dynamic gamma algorithm for the contrast enhancement of a candidate display product. The results of this effort are to increase the dynamic range of the displayed video, resulting in a more useful image for the user.

Through the trade-off temporal information, a significant increase in spatial resolution is obtainable. This improvement is quantifiable by using Airy's disc analysis against camera sensor pitch. Integrate the use of Airy's disc to quantify the image improvement in resolvability and ultimately system range. It this comparison that sets the ground works for realistic expectation. Our SR system is a natural tracker of moving vehicles with the addition of improved target resolvability. Super Resolution can capitalize on camera platforms instability. A by product of SR is digitally stabilize imagery to a fraction of a sub-pixel. Investigation in the sub-pixel remapping has lead to the developed of improved super resolve images. Another, approach has lead to the development of a window management scheme for further improvement. The cleaner, from a noise and structural point-of-view, the composite SR image is the more favorable it is to high-sharpening. Mapping into a transform space greatly reduces the correlation complexity which makes it easier to realize the complete algorithm into hardware. We have implemented this system into a real-time architecture. The hardware configuration is composed of an FPGA and supporting processor.

Progress in the performance of Spatial Light Modulators (SLM), Graphical Processing Units (GPU) and off the shelf high speed data busses have led to advances in the design of multiscopic 3D displays based on temporal multiplexing. Having developed a proof of concept prototype capable of displaying four independent viewing zones, we report on progress in the development of an improved system incorporating 8-12 viewing zones and a large format display. The designs under development employ a high speed LCD shutter operating synchronously with a high speed Deformable Mirror Device (DMD) based projector that forms multiple viewing zones via persistence of vision. Progress in the development of the optical design and corresponding hardware and software will be reported on.

With the introduction of the night-vision goggle (NVG) into vehicle cockpits, the transfer of visual information to the observer became more complex. This problem stems primarily from the fact that the image intensifier tube photocathode was sensitive to much of the visible spectrum. NVGs were capable of sensing and amplifying visible cockpit light, making the observation of the scene outside of the cockpit, the primary use for NVGs, difficult if not impossible. One solution was to establish mutually exclusive spectral bands; a band of shorter wavelengths reserved for transmission of visible information from the cockpit instrumentation to the observer and a longer wavelength region left to the night vision goggle for imaging the night environment. Several documents have been published outlining the night vision imaging system (NVIS) compatible lighting performance enabling this approach, seen as necessary for military and civilian aviation. Recent advances in short wave infrared (SWIR) sensor technology make it a possible alternative to the image intensifiers for night imaging application. However, application-specific integration issues surrounding the new sensor type must still be thoroughly investigated. This paper examines the impact of the SWIR spectral sensitivity on several categories of lighting found in vehicle cockpits and explores cockpit integration issues that may arise from the SWIR spectral sensitivity.

Active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) technology is one candidate to become a low power alternative in some applications to the currently dominant, active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD), technology. Furthermore, fabrication of the AMOLED on stainless steel (SS) foil rather than the traditional glass substrate, while presenting a set of severe technical challenges, opens up the potential for displays that are both lighter and less breakable. Also, transition to an SS foil substrate may enable rollable displays - large when used but small for stowage within gear already worn or carried or installed. Research has been initiated on AMOLED/SS technology and the first 320 x 240 color pixel 4-in. demonstration device has been evaluated in the AFRL Display Test and Evaluation Laboratory. Results of this evaluation are reported along with a research roadmap.

A characterization was performed on a monochrome, low-information content polymeric light emitting diode (PLED) display to determine the effects of ruggedization for military display applications. A summary of the environmental, mechanical, and optical characterization results show that a unique direct bonding method and night vision imaging system (NVIS) filter material can be used to ruggedize commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) PLED displays to operate in demanding military environments. Significant enhancements to a COTS PLED device are discussed in terms of impact resistance, enhanced sunlight readability, and compatibility with night vision operations.

Volumetric displays allow users to view freely three-dimensional (3D) imagery without special eyewear. However, due to low display resolution, many colors appear distorted compared to their representation on a flat-panel display. In addition, due to the unique nature of the display, some shapes, objects, and orientations can also appear distorted. This study examines the perceptual range of virtual objects in a Perspecta 3D volumetric display to determine which combination of object type, size, and color produces the best 3D image. Participants viewed combinations composed of three object types (vertical square plane, empty cube, filled cube) x three sizes (small, medium, large) x seven colors (aqua, blue, green, purple, red, white, yellow). They named the color of the object and then rated the uniformity of the color, the quality of the shape, amount of visual flicker, and the solidity of the object. All dependent measures except the rating of solidity exhibited various main and interaction effects among object type, size, and color.

There has been much research on many different aspects of image quality for 2D displays. These range from objective type metrics (e.g, luminance contrast, saturation contrast, resolution, etc.) to more subjective metrics (e.g,. "Rate the quality of the display from 1 - 5"), to metrics in between (subjective-objective) in which observers are asked to perform a task and their performance determines the "goodness" of the display. We would like to start identifying these similar types of metrics for 3D displays. In this case many of the traditional metrics do not work. We first discuss some of the more objective metrics including system specifications and measurable data. Secondly, we discuss both subjective (e.g., rating measures) and subjective-objective (e.g., experimental task) metrics that have been used in the past, and how well they may work for our situation. We also discuss developing new metrics of these types. We finally discuss what we feel is the way forward in the hopes of generating discussion for future research to help display manufacturers in their endeavors for designing new and innovative 3D displays.

The visual images of the natural world, with their immediate intuitive appeal, seem like the logical gold standard for evaluating displays. After all, since photorealistic displays look so increasingly like the real world, what could be better? Part of the shortcoming of this intuitive appeal for displays is its naivete. Realism itself is full of potential illusions that we do not notice because, most of the time, realism is good enough for our everyday tasks. But when confronted with tasks that go beyond those for which our visual system has evolved, we may be blindsided. If we survive, blind to our erroneous perceptions and oblivious to our good fortune at having survived, we will not be any wiser next time. Realist displays depend on linear perspective (LP), the mathematical mapping of three dimensions onto two. Despite the fact that LP is a seductively elegant system that predicts results with defined mathematical procedures, artists do not stick to the procedures, not because they are math-phobic but because LP procedures, if followed explicitly, produce ugly, limited, and distorted images. If artists bother with formal LP procedures at all, they invariably temper the renderings by eye. The present paper discusses LP assumptions, limitations, and distortions. It provides examples of kluges to cover some of these LP shortcomings. It is important to consider the limitations of LP so that we do not let either naive assumptions or the seductive power of LP guide our thinking or expectations unrealistically as we consider its possible uses in advanced visual displays.

In this paper, the foundations of radiometry and photometry, based on Second Principle of Thermodynamics are discussed, in terms of brightness (luminance), and etendue (Lagrange invariant) limitations of integrated lighting systems. In such a case, the brightness is defined as phase-space-density, and other radiometric/photometric quantities such as emittance, exitance, or irradiance/illuminance, power/flux, and radiant/luminant intensity, are also discussed, including examples of integrated lighting systems. Also, technologic progress at Luminit is reviewed, including 3D-microreplication of new non-diffuser microscopic structures by roll-to-roll web technology.

To facilitate decision making tasks it is necessary to be able to "see" the situation. An enormous array of intelligence gathering, database, and sensor sources of information are available. Methods for visualizing the information must be established and information presented in such a way that human attention is captured and maintained on the most critical aspects of the information. Visualizations need to adapt to the changing circumstances to show the most relevant information at that time. We are developing a system called Holistic Analysis, Visualization, & Characterization Assessment Tool (HAVCAT) that uses intelligent agents that interact with the user to provide the correct information at the right time. This cutting edge system will enable visualization researchers to investigate techniques for adjusting visualizations based on user performance HAVCAT will employ domain ontologies to determine relationships within the data. The HAVCAT evidence reasoning agent distills the data and extracts the most pertinent actions or consequences. This paper describes the HAVCAT concepts and also research issues related to development of HAVCAT and techniques for directing user attention.

This work presents a novel method for optical decrypted key production by screen printing technology. The key is mainly used to decrypt encoded information hidden inside documents containing Moire patterns and integral photographic 3D auto-stereoscopic images as a second-line security file. The proposed method can also be applied as an anti-counterfeiting measure in artistic screening. Decryption is performed by matching the correct angle between the decoding key and the document with a text or a simple geometric pattern. This study presents the theoretical analysis and experimental results of the decoded key production by the best parameter combination of Moire pattern size and screen printing elements. Experimental results reveal that the proposed method can be applied in anti-counterfeit document design for the fast and low-cost production of decryption key.

In this paper, we propose a novel performance-enhanced computational integral imaging reconstruction (CIIR) system by use of elemental image array (EIA) obtained by using a simultaneous pickup scheme of far three-dimensional (3-D) objects from the lenslet array in both real and virtual image fields. In the proposed system, an imaging lens between lenslet array and 3-D objects to overcome limitation of pickup range is introduced, the EIA through additional imaging lens is recorded with image sensor, and the pickuped EIA is reconstructed by use of CIIR technique. Additional imaging lens produces an image shift effect of 3-D objects located far away from the lenslet array. To show the usefulness of the proposed system, some experiments are carried out for real 3-D objects and its results are presented.