Coupling retinal scanning displays to the human visual system: Visual system response and engineering considerations

A retinal scanning display (RSD) is a visual display that presents an image to an observer via a modulated beam of light that is directed through the eye's pupil and rapidly scanned in a raster-like pattern across the retina. As compared to conventional displays that create a real image for viewing, the RSD induces a virtual image only in the mind of the observer. The spatio-temporal characteristics of the RSD retinal stimulation are unique, as are the optical geometries of the small Maxwellian view exit pupil and the entry of image forming rays into the eye. This body of research examined the retinal and opto-physiological responses of the human visual system to RSD stimuli and derived human interface and engineering concepts founded upon unique visual system responses. The retinal response to RSD stimuli was found to be consistent with accepted theories of human visual response. The physiological response of the eye pupil to the Maxwellian view RSD was found to be different from natural view pupillary response models in literature. A broad set of RSD pupillary response models was empirically derived from experimental data. An examination of the RSD interface concept of arrayed small Maxwellian view exit pupils was conducted. The arrayed exit pupil concept was found to be a viable solution to some RSD interfacing challenges. Fundamental perceptual characteristics of arrayed exit pupil RSD's were qualified and basic human observer preferences for arrayed pupil parameters was modeled. Human factors engineering guidelines for implementation of arrayed exit pupil displays were derived.