Adjustable Viewing Angle Mid-Air Screen Using Particle Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mid-air image presentation techniques using fog screens created by vaporizing water have a fixed viewing angle of around 5 to 10 degrees, which cannot be varied, leading to issues with privacy and visibility, as the angle cannot be narrowed or widened effectively.

Innovation Solution

A screen forming apparatus that selects particles with different scatter characteristics to form a mid-air screen, using coarse particles for narrow angles and superfine particles for wide angles, allowing for adjustable viewing angles through the use of a particle source selecting unit, vaporizing unit, and image projecting unit with multiple projectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fog screen created by vaporizing water is used, then a screen can be formed in mid-air, but the viewing angle is fixed to around 5 to 10 degrees and cannot be varied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle variabilityVSAvoidapparatus configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the particles used in the fog screen, specifically using particles with different sizes and scatter characteristics to vary the viewing angle. By selecting particles with appropriate scattering properties, the viewing angle can be adjusted without adding multiple projectors or complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the viewing angle is fixed at 5 to 10 degrees, then the screen can be viewed by multiple observers, but the image may also be seen by those around the observer, compromising privacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle adjustabilityVSAvoidprivacy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the viewing angle parameter by changing particle characteristics. When privacy is a concern, particles with narrower scatter characteristics can be selected to restrict the viewing angle, ensuring that only intended observers can see the image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the viewing angle is fixed at 5 to 10 degrees, then the apparatus configuration remains simple, but it is difficult for multiple observers to see the image due to poor visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus configuration simplicityVSAvoidviewing angle adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains apparatus simplicity while achieving viewing angle adaptability by changing particle parameters rather than adding complex mechanical or optical components. Different particle types can be selected to widen or narrow the viewing angle as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple projectors are used to widen the viewing angle, then the viewing angle can be increased, but the complexity and size of the apparatus configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle rangeVSAvoidapparatus configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent avoids the complexity of multiple projectors by changing the particle parameters in a single fog screen. By selecting particles with appropriate scatter characteristics, the viewing angle can be widened or narrowed without adding multiple projection devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables flexible adjustment of the viewing angle for improved privacy and visibility, allowing users to control whether an image is visible to themselves or others by selecting appropriate particles for the screen, enhancing usability and visibility range.

Implementation Method 1

a vaporizing unit which vaporizes particles acquired from the particle source selected by the particle source selecting unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a particle source selecting unit which selects a particle source to be used from a plurality of particle sources having different characteristics regarding a viewing angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS11163228B2Device and method for forming screen, program, and video presentation device

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A screen forming apparatus 20 includes: a particle source selecting unit 24 which selects a particle source to be used from a plurality of particle sources 22 having different characteristics regarding a viewing angle; a vaporizing unit 26 which vaporizes particles acquired from the particle source selected by the particle source selecting unit 24; and a screen forming unit 28 which forms a screen using the particles vaporized by the vaporizing unit 26.