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Custom Video Overlay Goggles — Parallax Forums

Custom Video Overlay Goggles

Sigma XSigma X Posts: 38
edited 2012-06-18 14:24 in Propeller 1
Greetings it's been a while since I posted here, that's largely due to college and what not
but, I have a interesting project as the title says I wish to create a custom graphic video overlay
in goggles. I already know what difficulties await and I can solve them as I go. Now I would like to get this project
started in terms of materials.

currently my layout starts with a parallax propeller backpack having the custom overlay programmed
next a daughter board with custom sensors linking to the backpack nothing special maybe a compass
G.P.S accelerometer a camera and a LCD screen to display all of this now of cource this may be impossible but
a lot is possible but right now I just need some expert opinion and advice.

Comments

  • wjsteelewjsteele Posts: 697
    edited 2011-09-15 03:45
    If you're going to have a goggle based display, you don't want to use an LCD... use a tiny OLED display instead that way you have a great contrast ratio. Learn optics, too, as simply reflecting it off the eye piece won't work, you need to get it focused correctly as to appear several feet in front of the observer.

    Bill
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-09-15 08:27
    You can simply buy the video goggles. They come in a wide range of prices and features:

    As long as you are satisfied with a character overlay, what you propose should be very straightforward, without any changes necessary to the overlay object.

    -Phil
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2011-09-15 09:18
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?133284-Mini-CRT-for-a-Prop-or-whatever
    A cheap starting point to test with ...

    look up the Xyybernaut HMDs as they are VGA rez and are in the 100$ range . but you will need to tweak the pinouts as the plug is not COTS .


    peter
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2011-09-16 06:19
    640X480 (old VGA) looks terrible. Most current offerings are the bare minimum.
    Newer iPhone displays have smaller pixels, so can have greater pixel density, but this start to get expensive. The iPhone displays are larger, so they can't easily be mounted directly on the glasses. Which is ok, the Air Force heads up prototypes have the displays offset and viewed via a prism system. The helmet looks pretty big and heavy, but seem to give a better field of view and higher resolution.
    Also, a single prop gets filled up with higher resolutions, consider multiple props or moving up to the prop2 when available.
    Consider including adjustements for eye-base (interpupilary distance) and focus (I.E. perscription glasses) and viewing distance (percieved distance from eye to screen).
    Horizontal parallax gives the 3D affect, vertical parallax gives one sever headaches and can cause damage. Alignment is crucial.

    I've been collecting parts for a rig like this for years but it still hasn't come to gether for me. I'll be watching your progress!
  • Sigma XSigma X Posts: 38
    edited 2011-09-20 10:50
    Basically I have a good idea where to start for cost effectiveness and function,
    currently I bought my micro camera and downloaded the 4d systems oled object.
    What I have in mind is to have an adjustible prism system.
    Simple graphics will be used mainly for the compass and G.P.S and maybe an accelerometer
    for tilt, maybe the hydra gaming development code can help?
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2011-09-20 12:41
    Sigma X,

    I'm not clear on what you want to do.

    Are you planning on using a camera and display the image (with overlay) in the goggles? Or did you want the overlay to be seen on a see-through screen (like a pilot's Heads Up Display).

    How are you going to use the micro camera with a 4D Systems OLED? Which OLED? The ones I'm aware of that have objects in the OBEX can't display video from a camera (at least I'm pretty sure they can't).

    I've often wondered about such a system myself. I've been taking the wait and see approach. It seems like the technology keeps getting better and less expensive so I thought I'd wait to make a system until I really needed it (which I presently don't).

    I'm curious to see what you come up with.

    Duane
  • Sigma XSigma X Posts: 38
    edited 2012-06-18 14:24
    I won't need a link sprite camera to use but now my problem is an
    NTSC display that is an oled size but I did find a camera that can help
    http://www.amazon.com/LYD-CM203CA-Mini-Camera-Audio/dp/B003SX0RMM/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img_b
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