Fog display

Abstract: We present MistForm, a shape changing fog display that can support one or two users interacting with either 2D or 3D content. Mistform combines affordances from both shape changing interfaces and mid-air displays. For example, a concave display can maintain content in comfortable reach for a single user, while a convex shape can support several users engaged on individual tasks. MistForm also enables unique interaction possibilities by exploiting the synergies between shape changing interfaces and mid-air fog displays. For instance, moving the screen will affect the brightness and blurriness of the screen at specific locations around the display, creating spaces with similar (collaboration) or different visibility (personalized content). We describe the design of MistForm and analyse its inherent challenges, such as image distortion and uneven brightness on dynamic curved surfaces. We provide a machine learning approach to characterize the shape of the screen and a rendering algorithm to remove aberrations. We finally explore novel interactive possibilities and reflect on their potential and limitations.

Abstract: Fog screens have been widely used in theme parks and exhibition halls for entertainment and advertising purposes as the semi-transparent images suspending in the mid-air can create impressive pseudo 3D effect. However, conventional fog screens are flat and the projected images are not true 3D in nature. This paper suggests a new 3D fog display that exploits spatial projection mapping technique on a non-planar, reconfigurable fog screen to display volumetric data in real 3D space. The fog screen is composed of columns of upward-flowing laminar fog that are traveling on a set of linear motion platforms. The light beams from the projector are scattered at different depth positions on the fog screen, thus allowing the viewers to perceive three-dimensionality intuitively. The 3D fog display does not require any headgears or eye-tracking equipment while allowing full color 3D image to be observed by multiple simultaneous viewers. The immaterial nature of fog screens can also facilitate interesting tangible interactions in three physical dimensions. We have constructed a prototype display unit and developed a software platform to render the projection video and control the stepper motors of the linear motion platforms in order to synchronize the fog screen with the projection. The performance of the proposed display is verified by a number of real display examples.

Abstract: We present a new method to render aerial images by aerosol-based fog screens. Conventional fog screens are easily affected by the air flow and their generator occupy large areas. In this study, we propose to add new tradeoffs between limited display time and payloads. We employ aerosol distribution from off-the-shelf spray as a fog screen that can resist the wind, and has high portability. We present some application example; wearable application, multi-viewpoint display, display embedded in the environment, and aerial imaging with drone or radio-controlled model car. This study will contribute to the exploration of new application areas for fog displays and expand expressions of entertainments and interactivity.

Abstract: Until today, though interaction modalities with a computer have seen changes, the very way of accessing the digital information has not changed. To access, all the digital information is left behind a screen. The work of ours, in this paper, looks into the possibility of whether this digital information can be brought out of the screen and be interacted with, as if with a real object. In this paper we present a novel, 360-degree viewable 3D display which not only enables the user to visualize 3D content, but also facilitates 3D interactions and other interesting possibilities for more advanced applications. Two such applications, navigation through maps and application in the field of medicine are also presented in the paper. The display system is an ‘immaterial’ fog display which exploits the property of directional scattering of light by fog. Using multiple projectors, different perspectives of a 3D scene/object can be projected and viewed on the screen, making it an auto stereoscopic 3D display. The depth sensor in combination with the display enables 2D and 3D interactions by the users, with the objects on the screen that appear floating in air.