Retroreflector Display System Floating Image Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D projection technologies require special viewing glasses, which are inconvenient and costly, and existing volumetric displays without eyewear suffer from low contrast and small image sizes, limiting their effectiveness in providing eye-catching, depth-perceiving visuals in various settings.
Innovation Solution
A display system combining a beamsplitter and retroreflectors to create the illusion of a 2D or 3D image floating in space, allowing viewers to interact with the image without glasses, with the ability to produce large, bright, and clear images visible in various lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional 3D projection technologies are used, then depth perception is achieved, but special viewing glasses are required which are inconvenient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the depth perception function from the conventional 3D projection system by using a retroreflector to create a floating image that provides stereoscopic effect without requiring special viewing glasses. The system separates the depth perception mechanism from the glass-based solution, achieving binocular disparity through a different optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflector acts as an intermediary element between the display screen and the viewer's eyes. It creates a virtual floating image that serves as the mediator for delivering different images to each eye, enabling depth perception without direct viewing of the display screen or use of special glasses.
2Ease of operation
If volumetric displays without eyewear are used, then viewing convenience is improved, but image contrast and size are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of conventional display (high brightness, large size) with the benefits of volumetric display (no glasses required). By combining a standard display screen with a retroreflector, the system achieves both high image quality and viewing convenience simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional display screen to a three-dimensional floating image by using the retroreflector to create a virtual image in space. This dimensional transformation allows the image to appear to float in front of the screen while maintaining the original display's brightness and size characteristics.
3Shape
If scrim projection or Pepper's Ghost illusion is used, then floating image effect is achieved, but image contrast is low and images are small in size
Solution Approach 1:
The retroreflector creates a virtual copy of the display screen image that appears to float in space. This optical copying mechanism reproduces the original image at its full size and brightness while creating the floating effect, avoiding the size and contrast limitations of scrim and Pepper's Ghost methods.
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 creation of large, interactive, and high-brightness 2D or 3D floating images that can be viewed in both dark and well-lit environments, addressing the limitations of conventional 3D technologies by eliminating the need for special eyewear and enhancing visual impact.
Implementation Method 1
A retroreflector with a reflective surface facing the display surface
Implementation Method 2
a beamsplitter disposed between the display element and the retroreflector with a first surface facing the display surface to receive the first light
Data Source
AI summary
A display system is provided that combines the use of a display element with a beamsplitter and at least one retroreflector to provide an image (2D or 3D depending upon the output image from the display element) that appears to be floating in space some distance from the beamsplitter. For example, light that is bounced off/reflected and/or that is transmitted through the beamsplitter may be reflected from the reflective surface of the retroreflector toward the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter directs this light, through reflection or transmission, into a viewing space such that the 2D or 3D image can be viewed by a viewer as it appears to float a distance from the nearest surface of the beamsplitter and, typically, some distance above the ground/floor upon which viewers are walking. The floating image may be relatively bright so that it is viewable in low and brighter light conditions.