Sony has announced an augmented reality headset based on a single-lens OLED display module, similar to the Google Glass headset. Sony announced the SmartEyeglass device and the software development kit earlier in September 2014, however the latest announcement shows a different device and some exciting display technology at the same time.
The latest images shown by Sony, show a device similar to Google Glass. It has only one display module of the see through type and puts the electronics and the battery in compartments along the sides of the arms.
The unit is more or less introduced as a display module rather than a consumer device. The picture above shows the potential use in sports as an augmented reality headset. It does, in comparison to Google Glass, seem to have a very small vertical height. From the size and aspect ratio of the optical unit shown in the image, the suggested augmented reality insert seems not to match the optical unit output, unless it has a built in lens function.
The specifications as released by Sony are shown below.
The 0.23″ display has a resolution of 640 x 400 pixels and creates a brightness of 800 cd/m2. Sony also claims a contrast ratio of 10,000 to 1. The display module weighs about 40g in total (22g on the display arm and 18g on the secondary arm). This compares to a weight of approximately 42g to 50g for the Google Glass device. The battery on the Sony device is specified as 400 mAh compared to 570 mAh for Google Glass. On the other hand, the Sony module does not mention a camera module.
The OLED display used in the module also brings some new sub pixel layout as shown in the following image.
The new pixel layout has an aperture ratio of 96% compared to 55% of the old RGB strip layout. The pixel consists of a row of alternating red and blue subpixels followed by a row of blue pixels. Sony has also reduced the effective pixel size from a 9.9 x 9.9 micrometer to 7.8 by 7.8 micrometer pixel dimension. This new layout would very easily lend itself to sub pixel rendering. Sony has not disclosed if it is using this technology in this panel or not.
Display Daily Comment
Sony is very careful to call this a display module and not a device. This indicates that the company is willing to sell the module to other device manufacturers. Maybe this is a change of direction within Sony or just a way to capitalize on the immense R&D cost Sony has spent on its display developments? Perhaps Sony is following the Samsung model of being both a brand and a display manufacturer. – Norbert Hildebrand
