Heliodisplay
Encyclopedia
The Heliodisplay is a free-space display
developed by IO2 Technology. A projector is focused onto layers of air and micro-spheres in mid-air, resulting in a two-dimensional display that appears to float. This is similar in principle to the cinematic technique of rear projection and can appear three-dimensional when using appropriate content. As dark areas of the image may appear invisible, the image may be more realistic than on a projection screen
, although it is still not volumetric
. Looking directly at the display, one would also be looking into the projector's light source. The necessity of an oblique viewing angle (to avoid looking into the projector's light source) may be a disadvantage.
Heliodisplay can work as a free-space touchscreen
when connected to a PC by a USB cable. A PC sees the Heliodisplay as a pointing device, like a mouse. With the supplied software installed, one can use a finger, pen, or another object as cursor control and navigate or interact with simple content.
The air-based system is formed by a series of metal plates, and the original Heliodisplay could run for several hours although current models can operate continously. 2008 model Heliodisplays use 80 ml to 120 ml of water per hour, depending on screen size and user settings, although the medium is primarily air.
The Heliodisplay was invented by Mr. Dyner, who built it as a five-inch prototype in 2001 before patenting the free-space display technology, and founding IO2 Technology LLC to further develop the product.
The Heliodisplay is sold directly worldwide by IO2 Technology.
. The interactive M2i version includes virtual touchscreen capability.
Apart from displaying at a standard ratio of 4:3 in addition it also displays 16:9 widescreen ratio. There is also an interactive version called the M3i.
The M30 is the updated version of the M3, which fits into the current model numbering system, 30 designating the diagonal screen size.
Free-space display
A free-space display is a device that projects images into a volume of free space . Commonly a set of lasers with rotating mirrors are used . Such displays have limited imaging capability but are 3D. Alternately a powerful projector may be focused on a narrow wall of suspended aerosol...
developed by IO2 Technology. A projector is focused onto layers of air and micro-spheres in mid-air, resulting in a two-dimensional display that appears to float. This is similar in principle to the cinematic technique of rear projection and can appear three-dimensional when using appropriate content. As dark areas of the image may appear invisible, the image may be more realistic than on a projection screen
Projection screen
A projection screen is an installation consisting of a surface and a support structure used for displaying a projected image for the view of an audience. Projection screens may be permanently installed, as in a movie theater; painted on the wall; or semi-permanent or mobile, as in a conference room...
, although it is still not volumetric
Volumetric display
A volumetric display device is a graphical display device that forms a visual representation of an object in three physical dimensions, as opposed to the planar image of traditional screens that simulate depth through a number of different visual effects...
. Looking directly at the display, one would also be looking into the projector's light source. The necessity of an oblique viewing angle (to avoid looking into the projector's light source) may be a disadvantage.
Heliodisplay can work as a free-space touchscreen
Touchscreen
A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus...
when connected to a PC by a USB cable. A PC sees the Heliodisplay as a pointing device, like a mouse. With the supplied software installed, one can use a finger, pen, or another object as cursor control and navigate or interact with simple content.
The air-based system is formed by a series of metal plates, and the original Heliodisplay could run for several hours although current models can operate continously. 2008 model Heliodisplays use 80 ml to 120 ml of water per hour, depending on screen size and user settings, although the medium is primarily air.
The Heliodisplay was invented by Mr. Dyner, who built it as a five-inch prototype in 2001 before patenting the free-space display technology, and founding IO2 Technology LLC to further develop the product.
The Heliodisplay is sold directly worldwide by IO2 Technology.
M1
The original M1 units produced by IO2 were advanced prototypes and proof-of-concept, but a few were sold to early adopters.M2
The second-generation M2 Heliodisplay supports a 30" image with 16.7 million colours and a 2000:1 contrast ratioContrast ratio
The contrast ratio is a property of a display system, defined as the ratio of the luminance of the brightest color to that of the darkest color that the system is capable of producing...
. The interactive M2i version includes virtual touchscreen capability.
M3 and M30
The new third-generation M3 version launched on February 28, 2007 has the same basic specifications as the M2 but is said to be much quieter, with improved brightness and clarity and more stable operation with an improved tri-flow system.Apart from displaying at a standard ratio of 4:3 in addition it also displays 16:9 widescreen ratio. There is also an interactive version called the M3i.
The M30 is the updated version of the M3, which fits into the current model numbering system, 30 designating the diagonal screen size.
M50 and M100
In late 2007, IO2 Technology introduced two larger Heliodisplays, the M50 and M100. The M50 has a 50" diagonal image, equivalent to displaying a life-size head-and-shoulders person. The M100 has a 100" diagonal image, equivalent to displaying a large full-body person (about 2 meters tall).External links
- The IO2 website
- "Interactive 3D Display: It's here!" article from OhGizmo.com
- Sci-fi projections Article from CBC, March 22, 2007
Early footage (~2002)
- Display of a wristwatch
- A famous clip showing the Heliodisplay's interactive navigation using a map display
- Display of a car's exterior