Polarization-Gated Transparent Display for Broadcast Talent Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sports analysis and talk-show television productions, on-screen talent faces challenges interacting with video and information while maintaining eye contact with the audience, as touch-screen monitors or green-screen backgrounds often obscure their view and require coordination with computer-generated content, which can be difficult, especially for those unfamiliar with green-screen technology.
Innovation Solution
A polarization or wavelength-gated transparent display system that allows the talent to see interactive content and their own annotations on a transparent screen while the camera and audience see only their image, using optical filtering to separate the talent's view from the camera's view, enabling natural interaction and eye contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a transparent display screen is used to show content to the talent, then the talent can see interactive content, but the camera will also capture the computer-generated content blocking the talent's image
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the visual information into two distinct channels: one for the talent viewing interactive content through the transparent screen, and another for the camera capturing only the talent's image. This is achieved by projecting computer-generated content onto the transparent screen while using optical filtering to prevent the camera from capturing this projected content, thus separating the talent's view from the camera's view.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent display screen acts as an intermediary element that allows selective visibility. It enables the talent to see interactive content while remaining transparent to the camera's view of the talent. The screen serves as a mediator that differentiates between the talent's perspective (seeing content) and the camera's perspective (seeing only the talent).
2Loss of information
If a touch-screen monitor or green-screen background is used, then interactive content can be displayed, but the talent's face visibility and eye contact with the audience are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the talent in front of a traditional opaque screen or green screen, the system inverts the approach by using a transparent display screen. This allows the talent to face the camera and audience directly while interactive content is projected onto the transparent screen behind them, enabling simultaneous eye contact and content interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional opaque screen or green screen to a three-dimensional transparent display that allows light transmission. This dimensional change enables the talent to interact with content in one dimension (through the transparent screen) while maintaining visibility and eye contact in another dimension (facing the camera and audience).
3Ease of operation
If computer-generated content is displayed on a transparent screen, then the talent can interact with the content, but the camera captures both the talent and the content creating visual obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the optical parameters of the camera setup by introducing polarizing filters or wavelength-selective filters. These filters are configured to block the specific polarization state or wavelength range of the projected computer-generated content while allowing the talent's natural light reflection to pass through, thus separating the content visibility from the talent visibility in the camera view.
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 the talent to interact naturally with viewers and content by allowing them to see relevant graphics and annotations without the camera capturing the computer-generated content, improving production quality and reducing visual issues associated with standard transparent screens.
Implementation Method 1
A polarization or wavelength-gated transparent display system that allows the talent to see interactive content and their own annotations on a transparent screen while the camera and audience see only their image, using optical filtering to separate the talent's view from the camera's view
Implementation Method 2
A polarization or wavelength-gated transparent display system that allows the talent to see interactive content and their own annotations on a transparent screen while the camera and audience see only their image, using optical filtering to separate the talent's view from the camera's view
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent display system is provided where broadcast talent (or presenter) can see interactive content, tool palettes, prompts (and the like) as well as their own sketches and annotations, but a viewing audience sees only the broadcast talent and content intended for the viewing audience with the talent's annotation thereof. A transparent scattering screen together with optical filtering or gating of a first optical property of the light (e.g., polarization-based or wavelength-based) is used such that the first property of the light is projected onto the screen so the talent can see the projection, and a camera-side filter blocks the first property of the light so it is not seen by the camera. Simultaneously, a broadcast talent (or presenter) is illuminated by light having properties other than the first property, which allows the talent image to pass through the screen and the camera-side filter allowing the talent to be seen by camera. In some embodiments, a transparent “two-sided” display screen allows people on opposite sides of the screen to see each other, as well as independent 2D or 3D content from each person's side of the screen.