Holographic Keypads Float Into View

prostoalex writes "The New York Times tells the story of a Connecticut-based company called HoloTouch that is developing input devices that literally "float in the air". The technology will be licensed for information kiosks in New York city. Some other sample applications are available from the company's Web site. HoloTouch already managed to secure the patent on its technology."

Comments

real, or just killing real invention?

[frovingslosh]

already managed to secure the patent

But have they really been able to build one, or are they just patenting the idea with hopes someone else will and they they can sue and get rich? I see nothing on their website (other than very obviously mocked up fake pictures) or in the patent that says they really know how to do this.

Re:real, or just killing real invention?

[saddino]

tell me how The holographic image generator 200 actually manages to display a real time changing holographic image

Good question, but that's not the issue. People seem to be believe this company has invented a new type of holographic technology -- they haven't. What they've done is invented a method to accept tactile-less input from a hologram, regardless of the holographic techonology. That's why the images are fakes.

What this company needs now is a partner who has some good holographic technology in the works.

Re:Is that legit?

[clary]

I thought part of the patent law process was that you had to have a working model, in order to be awarded a patent?

According to Scientific American, the requirement for a working model was rescinded in 1800, except for perpetual motion machines. ;-)

Re:look before leap

[merlin_jim]

You can't see a hologram with only one eye

Poppy cock. Of course you can see a hologram with only one eye!

You just can't see a stereoscopic vision allowing you to definitely position the object in three dimensional space. But the eyes use other cues than stereoscopic vision to determine position, cues like parallax and brightness, as well as ocular focus.

Optical Illusion workaround

[MickLinux]

Okay, just assuming that this is a case in which they haven't invented anything, and it is actually a good idea [neither of which I feel able to judge], here is a workaround, NOW PUBLIC DOMAIN!

Instead of making holographic keypads, make use of the double-parabolic-mirror optical illusion. You know the kind, shown in Edmund Scientific, where there are floating coins in the air. That is clearly not a hologram, but it would work just as well.

If you feel at all inclined to make something, bookmark this reply!

- MickLinux

Summary of actual hardware

[asmithmd1]

Here is a summary of some people who have a real live working invention, not something they just thought up that might be possible one day

Killer App for PDA's

[jafac]

Right now, the main limiting factor in PDA adoption (IMHO) is size. They're too darned big, they don't fit nicely into my pocket. Perhaps something the size of a credit card would be well protected in my wallet - but then the screen and input devices are too small -

Hence - this device would be the savior of the PDA industry.

Re:Comments about device

[merlin_jim]

Well, from http://nths.newtrier.k12.il.us/academics/math/Conn ections/light/hologrsn.htm

Amazingly, a hologram may be cut in half and you will still see the entire image. And you can cut one of the pieces in half again and again and see the entire image. Every part of the hologram has received and recorded light from the entire object!

Now how does it work? Basically, a film hologram is more than just a fancy trick you are playing with light; the entire piece of film is involved in recreating the image. Every piece of film holds all of the information about the object and they all contribute to the whole. By reducing the size of the film; you simply reduce the size of the object.

A better explanation: http://www.emergentmind.org/miller-webbI3b.htm

oh and as for other neat treaks with film holograms? Let's say you have a complicated, fussy optics array. You spend days tuning it and getting it perfectly in focus. Now let's say this optics array is going to be used to focus the aiming laser on an abrams tank. Or as the projection lens for the periscope in a submarine.

You COULD ruggedize the whole setup, and field tune it occasionally.

But you could also use holography; you take a hologram of the entire setup, and the hologram acts exactly like the original optics, up to the resolution of the hologram, at the wavelength you used. You can make what's called a whitelight or broadband hologram.

I don't know why the eyeglasses companies haven't latched onto this. Cheap, light eyeglasses that don't need to be ground or anything. Just cut out the shape to fit the eyepiece, patch it in, and go.