Heliodisplay In Production

David writes "News of a 3D display that projects an interactive image into thin air, the Heliodisplay, is not exactly fresh. What is new however, is that this once far-fetched conceptual object is now real, working and being sold. For those of you who have forgotten, the Heliodisplay from company IO2Tech projects into the air (without a need for special screen) images fed to it from a variety of sources. In a way, it's a working version of R2D2s holographic projection system." A similar product, the Pocket Beamer was previously covered on Slashdot.

Comments

Damn that was quick.

[MrCopilot]

Karma, its not just for whoring anymore.

http://mirrordot.org/stories/0e4768d9cefb72835cc26 04c911d6919/index.html

Nifty Display though. Cost anyone?

Re:Slashdot Effect in 3D!

[confuted]

Here's a Mirrordot Link

Google cache

[Anonymous Coward]

Google cached page Images

Re:Phfft

[3-State Bit]

Holographic, as in

Although the HelioDisplay uses lasers, the images are not holographic.

It is, however, an hovering 2D image which is as cool now as the first time I saw it (1986)

Do you mean the image had no depth values? (Was a hovering plane?)

Here is the article text (with links):

Interactive 3D Display: Its Here!
Posted on 08.17.05 @ 7:05 am
  Story by Asim Waqar

Originally mentioned at Gizmodo as a prototype in 2003, IO2 Technology has just completed the production unit and provided the details behind the revolutionary HelioDisplay which produces interactive 3D dsiplays in thin air (via lasers) from common sources.

The HelioDisplay technology page lists some of its remarkable features:

Inputs from most regular sources: PC,TV, DVD, HDTV, Video game consoles
Projects a 22 to 42 (depending on model) diagonal image that floats above the device
It is interactive, like a virtual touch screen: a hand or finger can act as a mouse
Although the HelioDisplay uses lasers, the images are not holographic
Possible uses for this product include advertising, entertainment facilities, design prototyping, teleconferencing etc. Obviously the applications for such a product are endless. Most importantly it may convince my wife to finally allow the purchase of the Brook Burke Swimsuit calendar for testing purposes! This of course relies heavily on pricing (TBD) and other more, um, personal matters.

Apparently the product is ready for release; visit the product page here which looks like its being updated right now.

Visit the IO2TECHNOLOGY company homepage here.

Re:Practicality

[FLAGGR]

Should've RTFA. It's a 2d image projected into the air, and since you don't have the flat surface as a screen to aid in your eyes depth perception, it appears 3D

Re:What i really want to know is...

[Bimo_Dude]

Here is the patent for their Method and system for free-space imaging display and interface

Interesting read.

Not 3D, 2D

[saddino]

In a way, it's a working version of R2D2s holographic projection system.

This is simply 2D projection onto a moving air stream, so "in a way" it's nothing like a hologrpahic projection system.

From their site: Although the HelioDisplay uses lasers, the images are not holographic

It is pretty nifty though.

2D Projected Onto A Mist

[BRock97]

It actually works by shooting a mist into the air and projecting an image onto said mist. Some videos of the display in action are located here and here.

That said, I am glad that the technology from SeaQuest DSV has finally made it. Now, everyone can have a conversation with a creepy old guy or a deceased relative in the comfort of their own home!

Approx. cost

[soccerace09]

According to http://www.overclockersclub.com/, the Heliodisplay will cost you a hefty $22,500, as right now all of the avaliable models are just prototypes.

Never mind...

[jpellino]

I'd asked how it was going to make an image with nothing to reflect off of - and it doesn't.
It's a fog screen - a really neat one that concentrates condensate out of the ambient air, but a fog screen nontheless. No pot of water, no Disney lagoon.
According to the patent, it relies on cold air condensate blown up in a laminar layer.
Good thing - had it relied on blowing *hot* air, they'd have been denied due to prior art from SCO.