Transparent Display Dynamic Mask 3D Volumetric Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D projection technologies require special eyewear and suffer from issues like semi-transparency, low contrast, and projector spill, which limit the effectiveness of volumetric displays in creating a solid and immersive illusion without casting shadows.
Innovation Solution
A transparent display system with a dynamic mask, utilizing a scrim and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel positioned behind the scrim, which controls light transmission to prevent background bleed-through and projector spill, allowing for high-contrast, shadow-casting virtual objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a scrim projection is used to create volumetric display, then the display allows placement of virtual character within real world scene, but the virtual character has low contrast and is semi-transparent causing background to be seen through the character
Solution Approach 1:
A dynamic mask element is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the scrim and the background. This mask selectively blocks light paths that would cause background visibility through the character, while allowing the character projection to pass through. The mask acts as a mediator that resolves the contradiction by enabling high contrast characters while maintaining the volumetric display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic mask applies local quality control by creating spatially varying transparency patterns. In regions where the virtual character is displayed, the mask becomes opaque to block background light. In other regions, the mask remains transparent to allow background visibility. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying different optical properties to different spatial zones.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a scrim projection is used to create volumetric display, then the display provides 3D illusion, but projector spill is transmitted through the scrim onto background props and surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic mask serves as an intermediary that intercepts and blocks projector spill light before it can reach the background props and surfaces. Positioned between the scrim and background, the mask selectively absorbs or reflects stray light while allowing the intended character projection to pass through, thus eliminating the harmful spill effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic mask converts the harmful projector spill into a beneficial control mechanism. By strategically positioning the mask, the light that would normally cause bleed-through is instead redirected or absorbed, and the mask itself becomes the element that defines the visual boundaries of the display, turning a defect into a feature.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional 3D projection technologies are used, then 3D images can be displayed, but viewers must wear special viewing glasses which adds cost and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the requirement for special viewing glasses from the system. By using a transparent scrim with dynamic mask that projects 3D images directly into the viewer's field of vision, the system removes the necessary eyewear component while maintaining the 3D display capability, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and ease of operation.
4Illumination intensity
If a transparent display with dynamic mask is used, then high-contrast shadow-casting virtual objects are created, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic mask element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks background light to create contrast, prevents projector spill from reaching the background, and maintains the transparent display characteristic. By making this single component multi-functional, the system achieves high contrast without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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
The system enables the creation of high-contrast, shadow-casting virtual objects that appear solid and immersive, without the need for special eyewear, providing greater design flexibility and visual impact.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel positioned behind the scrim, which controls light transmission to prevent background bleed-through
Implementation Method 2
A transparent display system with a dynamic mask, utilizing a scrim
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent display with a dynamic mask for generating three dimensional (3D) imagery. The display or apparatus includes a display element that is transmissive and that is selectively operable to display an image on the display element. The apparatus includes a dynamic mask element that is transmissive to light and that is positioned adjacent to the display element. The dynamic mask element is selectively operable to provide a mask with a shape and a size corresponding to the displayed image. The mask is positioned on the dynamic mask element so as to be adjacent to the first location, e.g., to be behind the displayed image, and, typically, the mask includes portions that are semi-transparent or opaque to block light from passing from the background through the displayed image and from passing through the display element at the location of the displayed image into the background to avoid double imaging.