Volumetric Display Using Trapped Particles for Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional volumetric displays are monochromatic, produce loud noises due to plasma ionization, require high-power and costly lasers, and lack the ability to create occlusion effects due to isotropic light emission.

Innovation Solution

A system using particles that emit light in response to stimulation by light beams, with one source trapping and orienting particles in a potential well and another source illuminating them with different colors to create a full-color, volumetric display capable of occlusion, utilizing beam scanning to rapidly translate focal points in three-dimensional space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If plasma is used to create volumetric displays, then three-dimensional display capability is achieved, but the display becomes monochromatic and produces loud popping sounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay capabilityVSAvoidnoise and color limitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light-emitting function from plasma and transfers it to trapped particles. Instead of ionizing air to create plasma for both 3D positioning and light emission, the invention uses particles that are trapped by optical forces and illuminated separately by laser beams, eliminating the harmful popping sounds and enabling full-color display while maintaining 3D capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces particles as intermediary objects that mediate between the trapping light field and the illumination light source. These particles serve as carriers that can be positioned in 3D space by one laser beam and simultaneously illuminated by another laser beam to produce colored light, resolving the contradiction between 3D display and noise-free operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If high-power lasers are used to create plasma, then volumetric display is achieved, but the cost and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolumetric display capabilityVSAvoidlaser power and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the functions of light generation and particle positioning into separate laser beams. Instead of using one high-power laser to create plasma for both purposes, the invention uses lower-power lasers for trapping and separate lower-power lasers for illumination, reducing overall power consumption and cost while maintaining volumetric display capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive particles (such as polystyrene beads or other dielectric particles) as the light-emitting medium instead of requiring expensive high-power lasers. These particles can be easily manipulated and illuminated, providing a cost-effective alternative to plasma-based volumetric displays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Illumination intensity

If particles emit light isotropically, then light emission in all directions is achieved, but the ability to create occlusion effects is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emissionVSAvoidocclusion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making particles anisotropic in their light emission properties. Instead of isotropic emission in all directions, the particles are designed or positioned to emit light preferentially in certain directions, enabling occlusion effects where particles can block light from reaching certain viewing angles, thus creating depth perception and realistic 3D imagery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 full-color, occlusion-capable volumetric displays that can present three-dimensional images and video data without noise, using lower-cost lasers and achieving rapid image creation and interaction with physical objects.

Implementation Method 1

a first light source configured for generating a first light beam that traps the particle in a potential well created by the light beam in air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical tweezers: Optical Tweezers

Implementation Method 2

The emission light can include fluorescence light emitted in response to stimulation by the second light beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

The emission light can include scattered light from the second light beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 4

The first light beam can exert a force on the particle that orients the particle in a predetermined direction in space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical torque:

Data Source

PatentUS10129517B2Full-color freespace volumetric display with occlusion

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIV

AI summary

A system includes a particle configured for emitting light in response to stimulation by a light beam, a first light source configured for generating a first light beam that traps the particle in a potential well created by the light beam in air, and a second light source configured for generating a second light beam that stimulates the particle to emit emission light.