Laser technology changes advertising: large naked-eye 3D screen

Recently, Austrian researchers announced that they have developed a laser system that can project different images into each eye, allowing people to see 3D images without glasses. Using this technology, New York Times Square may see 3D large-screen advertisements for the first time.

The researchers said that this breakthrough also means that it will no longer be necessary to wear bulky glasses when watching 3D movies, and 3D sports events can be broadcast live on large outdoor screens, allowing thousands of people to see the images at the same time. It is reported that this system can project lasers in different directions, so different images can be seen at different angles. The angular resolution of these images is very high, so that the images seen by each eye are different, creating a 3D effect.

The idea for the new display came from startup TriLite Technologies in 2013, and the company has been working with the Vienna University of Technology to produce a first prototype since then. Although the first generation of 3D screens had a low resolution, they clearly showed that the system was feasible.

Currently, the research team is developing the second generation of 3D screens, which will be able to display color images with higher resolution. The most critical point is to ensure the work of individual laser pixels, and it is not difficult to display these pixels on the screen. Each 3D pixel (called Trixel) consists of a laser and a movable lens. The lens can adjust the direction of the laser beam as it passes through the field of view, from left to right. During the movement of the lens, the laser intensity can also be adjusted to ensure that different lasers are projected in different directions.

To experience the 3D effect, the viewer needs to keep a certain distance from the screen. If the distance is too large, the images received by the two eyes will be the same as 2D images. However, the distance for viewing the 3D effect can be adjusted according to the requirements of different places.

When a cinema plays a 3D movie, it can only show two different images, one for each eye. However, the newly developed screen can show hundreds of images. When walking past the screen, people can see different sides of the displayed object, just like walking past a real object.

However, to achieve this effect, a completely new video format is needed, which researchers are currently developing. Franz Fidler, chief technology officer of TriLite Technologies, said: "Current 3D movies can be converted to our 3D format, but we hope to have movies shot specifically for this screen - perhaps with a larger number of cameras."

Compared to traditional movie screens, the new screen will be very vivid and lively. It can be used outdoors, even in bright sunlight. People can watch 3D advertisements played by this screen from different angles.

It took the researchers only three years to go from the first designs to the first prototype. The technology has been patented and published in several scientific publications. The second prototype is expected to be completed by the middle of this year, and commercial sales are scheduled for 2016.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.