Apple patents an inexpensive 3-D projection system

(PhysOrg.com) -- The U.S. patent office has granted Apple a patent for a 3-D projection system that doesn't require the use of bulky 3-D glasses. This gives the viewer more freedom of movement and viewing angles.

The name Apple has given to this simple 3-D system is called,"Three Dimensional Display System."This auto-stereoscopic system works by projecting each pixel onto a reflective, textured surface, which is then bounced into a viewer's left and right eye separately; this produces the 3D or stereoscopic effect. By sensing the locations of both eyes of each viewer, multiple viewers could observe the 3-D effect from a variety of angles.

Enlarge

Each pixel is aimed at a curved surface, where it reflects onto the correct eye.

Apple is not the only company that’s involved in auto-stereoscopic R&D; however Apple's patent has picked apart the limitations of three categories of auto-stereoscopic system:

1. Ghost like or transparent images in volumetric displays.
2. The viewer required to remain stationary using the parallax barrier method.
3. The use of holographic images requires greater computer power and larger bandwidth, keeping the commercial cost higher that is required for other auto-stereoscopic systems.

Enlarge

Apple's auto-stereoscopic system tracks where the viewer is located and tailors its display to your position.

Apple’s main objective is to develop a 3-D glass-free auto-stereoscopic system that would give viewers the freedom to move around without being tied down to bulky 3-D glasses.Apple’spatentalso promises to keep costs low and simplifying the system while maintaining performance.

Source

Let your beer mat do the talking

Enlarge

Forget speed-dating and the classifieds column– now you can leave it to your beer mat to make that all-important first move.

Beer mats have always provided endless entertainment in thebarand now a group of computer scientists from Newcastle University have developed a novel way of sparking upconversationwith a new generation of beer mat.

Using an interactive bar surface, camera-based technology tracks the specially-designed mats as they are moved around the bar.

When the mats are placed on the bar they 'chat' to each other in the form of visual text messages - the words scrolling across the surface like television news bulletins and triggering a response.

‘Talking’ amongst themselves, the mats send out a random selection of pre-programmed messages, the aim being they act as an ice-breaker and prompt conversation between the owners of the drinks.

The interactive mats are the brainchild of a group of Newcastle University PhD students from the university’s Culture Lab with the system being built by Tom Bartindale and Jack Weeden.

Being demonstrated for the first time at Culture Lab’s Jam45 event, the technology is part of a showcase of new and innovative audio/visual performances from across the North East.

Tom explains:“The idea is that the mats gain a personality when placed on the bar - some are funny, some are naughty, some are scared of other mats and some are out to talk to everyone.

“This is a twist on meeting new people in a public space.  I think most of us feel quite self-conscious and uncomfortable about starting a conversation with a stranger so what our mat does is make that first move and also provides a talking point.”

Tom says the group first came up with the idea while they were sat in a bar in Germany.

“We were looking around at all these isolated groups and started thinking about how we could get them talking to each other.  The interactive beer mats started off as a bit of fun and then we realised their potential for bringing people together.”

The technology works by using cameras to sense the positions of traditional beer mats that have been printed with markers on their underside.  Text and graphics are then displayed on the bar, allowing the beer mats to“talk” to each other.

The conversation starters have been drawn from a variety of phrases, including humorous chat up lines, serious questions and light-hearted banter. When a drink mat is removed, other mats will comment on this, and encourage conversation with new“un-known” mats.

Weeden adds:“In general, technology tends to kill conversation and trigger quite anti-social behavior– we bury ourselves in our text messaging, iPods or computer screens and never even look up to see who’s standing next to us.

“The focus of our work is to use technology to encourage interaction and relationships.  We want these very public text messages to break the ice and make people laugh.”

Source

Japan pitches mind-blowing high-tech 3D World Cup

Enlarge

Japan promised a high tech marvel in its final pitch to host the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday by paving 400 stadiums around the world with 3D flat screens to show life size matches thousands of miles away.

"I have to admit that the idea of this blows my mind away,"admitted Japan 2022 bid committee chief executive Kohzo Tashima.

"Three hundred and sixty million people could have a full stadium experience of matches; that's over 100 times the number of spectators at the 1994 World Cup in the United States,"he told FIFA's executive committee.

Backed by Sony chairman Howard Stringer, Japanese officials mirrored the promise of an electronics revolution for the next generation that would eliminate language problems in Japan by providing tiny real-time interpretation machines and constant connection to palm sized screens.

But the highlight of the presentation a day before the grandees of world footballs' governing body -- some of whom are in their 80s -- choose the hosts, was the idea of paving whole pitches including Wembley or the legendary Maracana stadium with flat screens.

They would project real-time hologram-likethree dimensional imagesof the game in life size and real time to crowds around the world.

"Our nation's bid is not about one nation hosting the games or two nations, but 208 regions and FIFA nations hosting the game together,"said Junji Ogura, chairman of the Japanese bid and a member of FIFA's executive committee.

"Create aWorld Cupfor the next generation to bring 208 smiles to the world,"he urged his fellow footballing offocials.

Although the idea seemed far fetched, Stringer insisted it was as realistic as the steps taken when the Walkman portable music player, home video cameras, or PlayStation were launched

"The truth is the world is changing faster than any of us can understand,"the Sony chief explained.

"I can tell you that this is not science fiction, in 2022 this will be science fact,"Stringer insisted, dressed in a Japan football jersey.

Japanese sports minister Kan Suzuki said the government was ready to give"absolute guarantees"not only for the political and financial pledges, but also the technological promise.

Ogura said:"The challenge for FIFA, for football, is to identify the next big idea."

Japan is vying with more traditional bids from Australia, the United States, Qatar, and South Korea to host the 2022 tournament.

Source