Open-Air Volumetric Display Using Laminar Particulate Flows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional holographic displays are limited by requiring screens or containment, have restricted viewing angles, and lack interactivity, often relying on illusions and not allowing true 3D interaction with digital content in real-world space.
Innovation Solution
A Voxel-Atmosphere Stabilization Terminal (VAST) system that generates parallel columnar laminar flows of particulate and air, combined with laser beams to create mid-air, volumetric, interactive 3D objects without containment, enabling scalable, interactive, and visible light objects that can be touched and viewed from multiple angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional holographic displays use screens or containment structures, then the display structure is stable and defined, but the viewing angle is restricted and interactivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conventional containment structure (box-like enclosure with screens) entirely, extracting only the essential function of light manipulation. The display volume is defined by laser beams and atmospheric particles alone, eliminating physical boundaries while maintaining stable light patterns through precise optical control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from 2D screen-based displays to true 3D volumetric displays in mid-air. By using three intersecting laser beams to define a display volume, the system creates a spatially distributed light field that viewers can observe from any angle, converting the display from a surface phenomenon to a volumetric phenomenon.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional volumetric displays use plasma explosions to create visible voxels, then the display is bright and visible, but the technology is unsafe and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical process of plasma generation with an optical process. Instead of using high-voltage electrical discharges to create plasma voxels, the system uses three laser beams whose electromagnetic fields intersect to define the display volume, with visibility achieved through atmospheric scattering rather than plasma emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces atmospheric particles (dust, water droplets, or intentionally introduced aerosols) as an intermediary medium. These particles scatter the laser light within the display volume, making the voxels visible without requiring the light itself to emit radiation. The atmospheric medium acts as a passive scattering screen that converts invisible laser beams into visible light patterns.
3Extent of automation
If conventional holographic displays rely on persistence of vision, then the hardware can function with simple components, but true 3D interaction and real-time updates are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect user interactions with the volumetric display and feeds this information back to the control system in real-time. This enables dynamic adjustment of the laser beam patterns and atmospheric conditions based on user presence and interaction, allowing for true real-time 3D interaction rather than static or pre-programmed displays.
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 VAST system provides a scalable, interactive, and visible 3D display that can be viewed from any angle, is safe, economical, and functional in various lighting conditions, allowing for real-time updates and touch interaction, overcoming limitations of conventional holographic technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam array projection system that transmits an array of laser beams which are controlled to overlap one or more of the base unit generated parallel columnar laminar flows to illuminate particulate contained within a desired volumetric columnar laminar flow which is associated with an image rendering of an object projected by the laser beam array projection system
Implementation Method 2
a first laminar flow grid to receive the input atmosphere air flow and generate a plurality of parallel columnar laminar atmosphere air flow streams
Data Source
AI summary
Volumetric display systems, methods, and devices for generating a holographic image within an ambient atmosphere air display volume using a columnar laminar flow generation system. According to an example embodiment, a volumetric display method and system includes a columnar laminar flow generation system combining an input ambient atmosphere air flow with at least one particulate flow to generate a plurality of parallel columnar laminar atmosphere air flow streams and a plurality of parallel columnar laminar atmosphere particulate flow streams extending through an ambient atmosphere air display volume; and a laser projection system outputting a plurality of laser beams representative of the holographic image, each of the plurality of laser beams aligned to overlap a section of a single columnar laminar particulate flow within the ambient atmosphere air display volume to illuminate a target particulate flow within the respective overlapping section of the single columnar laminar particulate flow.