Heliodisplay

The Heliodisplay is a free-space display developed by IO2 Technology. A projector is focused onto a layer of mist 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. 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. The 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 mist is formed by a series of metal plates, and the original Heliodisplay could run for several hours on one liter of tap water. [David Bernstein. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E1DC163FF93BA25751C1A9659C8B63 Making Something Out of Nothing.] December 18, 2003.] 2008 model Heliodisplays use 80 ml to 120 ml of water per hour, depending on screen size and user settings, and can be built with any size water tank.

The Heliodisplay was invented by Chad Dyner, who built it as a five-inch prototype in his apartment 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.

Models

M1

The original M1 units produced by IO2 were advanced prototypes and proof-of-concept, but a few were sold to early adopters through channels such as eBay.

M2

The second-generation M2 Heliodisplay supports a 30" image with 16.7 million colours and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. The interactive M2i version includes virtual touchscreen capability.

M3 and M30

The new third-generation M3 version launched on February 28th 2007 [ [http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/28/io2-technology-intros-floating-m3-heliodisplay-screen/ IO2 Technology intros floating M3 Heliodisplay screen] ] 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 [ [http://www.io2technology.com/salesinquiry IO2Technology M3] ] .

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).

References

External links

* [http://www.io2technology.com/ The IO2 website]
* [http://www.ohgizmo.com/2005/08/17/interactive-3d-display-its-here "Interactive 3D Display: It's here!"] article from OhGizmo.com
* [http://www.woehburk.de/index.php?bereich=produkte Woehburk - "visible perfection"] Heliodisplay retailer
* [http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/tech/sci-fi-projections.html Sci-fi projections] Article from CBC, March 22, 2007

Media

Early footage (~2002)

* [http://www.idemployee.id.tue.nl/g.w.m.rauterberg/Movies/helio-1.avi Display of a wristwatch]
* [http://www.idemployee.id.tue.nl/g.w.m.rauterberg/Movies/helio-2.avi A famous clip showing the Heliodisplay's interactive navigation using a map display]
* [http://www.idemployee.id.tue.nl/g.w.m.rauterberg/Movies/helio-3.avi Display of a car's exterior]

More recent footage

* [http://www.io2technology.com/video IO2 Technology video page]
* [http://www.youtube.com/devicefan IO2 Technology's YouTube page]
* [http://www.sinepisodes.com/files/blog_060322.zip Sin Episodes Ritual Entertainment's "Sin Episodes" shown on the Heliodisplay]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOSx7v87JCA YouTube clip of Heliosdisplay: Touchscreen Computer Display Floats in Mid-Air]