Foveated integral imaging system for near-eye 3D displays

Abstract

Integral imaging displays have been presented as the most effective solution to reduce the visual discomfort in three-dimensional (3D) images caused by vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC). However, due to the resolution degradation, it is still challenging to adapt the integral imaging system to near-eye display (NED) devices. In this paper, we propose a resolution-enhanced integral imaging NED using foveated imaging system with two display panels and an optical combiner. We use a microdisplay combined with a lens array to provide the integral imaging 3D images with relatively high pixel density to the central foveal area. And the peripheral area is covered by an additional display panel which offers background images with wide field-of-view (FOV). Combining these two images with an optical combiner, the foveated integral imaging system results in highly resolution- enhanced integral imaging 3D images concentrated on the foveal area. The proposed NED system effectively provides integral imaging 3D images with approximately 4.5 times improved resolution in the foveal area through an optimally designed foveated imaging system.