First activities in project development included development and optimization of Multi Focal Optical Element (MFOE) - Liquid crystal composition improvements has been performed and completed. Production of initial samples for testing completed. Materials for another formulation, which have wider temperature range, was developed in supply process too. Along with liquid crystal materials also manufacturing process was developt. Development and optimization work of multi focal optical element was accomplished. The redesigned MFOF drawing and specification has been drafted with several thickness options. Lamination trials with glass models shows that process has been optimized also for thinner glass. Thinner glass samples have been manufactured and tested. Process specification has been finalized – overall work completed.
It followed by Headset product development and engineering. Detailed engineering specification and requirements document and specification have been developed. Important specifications were included, including definition of number and positions of optical focal planes, head tracking technology and eye tracking technology. Optimal fast data transfer and MFOE driving platform development has started including work on optimized data transfer. The image formatter PCB has been redesigned and prototypes built that improves image quality, reproduction and data interface (using standard Display Port 1.4 specification) to the image source (GPU computer) and to interface the DLP unit (also image display unit based on micro-OLED displays) with PCB connection. This has been achieved by improving image data transfer (up to 24Gbps) and introduction of high-speed INTEL FPGA based data formatter processor chip.
Development and optimisation of AR projection optics of NGEAR3D has been performed to ensure required optical performance, functionality, dimensions, weight and manufacturability. The NGEAR3D has been redesigned to be lighter, with an optical combiner that will limit parasitic reflections. Signal data path development started, including small size data source device development. Task involves the development of a compact graphical computer for transfer of image data for the NGEAR3D headset. Optionally a single PCB are in design process to carry out required functionality. Several interim prototypes have been tested and connectivity data transmission path has been developed to verify key parts.
Further development of rendering engine was continued including developmentof the computing pack platform including rendering pipeline and control of the NGEAR3D headset device, with minimal motion-to-photon latency. The firmware stack data path development started with high-speed digital signal transfer implementation over appropriate carrier (USB-C, DisplayPort, or WiFi6E).
Inittial work started un industrial design of the product and packaging for user experience and ergonomics. Work include modeling and manufacture prototypes.
The patent portfolio of Lightspace has grown by 6 new inventions securing innovation potential for further improvements of multi-focal technology
