Huge 3D displays from TriLite Technologies allow you to view 3D images without 3D glasses

    Welcome to our readers on the iCover Blog Pages . Very soon, our reality may be supplemented by another invention, strongly associated in the imagination with the futuristic trilogy “Back to the Future”. We will tell you about the development of the combined team of TriLite Technologies and specialists from the Vienna University of Technology and a brief history of its creation in this article.



    The relatively young but already managed to make itself known technology company TriLite Technologies, together with scientists from the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) intend to fulfill the dream of Marty McFly in our very near future. Of course, we are not talking about creating a means for traveling in the space-time continuum. But the successful implementation of one of the futuristic ideas so figuratively and boldly presented by Robert Zemeckis in the second part of the “Back to the Future” trilogy seems like it's time to talk.

    Work on the 3D display project of TriLite Technologies and TU Wien was launched in 2013. In accordance with the stated idea, the new display should make the projected image accessible to the viewer’s eye without using any additional technical means. The first prototype created on the basis of theoretical calculations, although it was distinguished by more than a modest resolution of 3-5 pixels, was able to confirm the correctness of the chosen direction and theoretical calculations in practice. And just at the development stage, to demonstrate the operability of the concept and the final transition to the final stage of practical implementation, the specialists managed to create two working prototypes.

    Today, all the main preparatory work on the 3-D display project, including the development of hardware and software, and their testing have been successful. This most likely sets us up to the fact that in the very near future we will be able to enjoy viewing high-quality three-dimensional images without using 3D glasses.

    How it works


    An autostereoscopic 3D display consists of arrays of individual image elements called “trixels” by the authors. Each image element is produced due to the collaboration of integrated individually controlled laser diodes, cylindrical microlenses and a system of rotating microelectro-mechanical mirrors (MEMS). Mirrors are designed to deflect the laser beam in a given direction and scan the entire area from left to right. The modulation of the laser beam occurs in accordance with the requirements of the reproduced “picture”. The effect of three-dimensionality without the use of 3D glasses is achieved due to the fact that each eye of the viewer receives a “dosed" part of the image.

    Thus, trixels make it possible to create 3D images in space, similar to how two-dimensional pixels form a picture on the screen of our home television and monitor.



    Hundreds of images at once


    3D movies in our cinemas show only two different images - one for each eye. A display from TriLite Technologies can project hundreds of images at once. Moreover, observing the display from different viewing points, the viewer will be able to get exactly the same idea of ​​the object, as it would be observed in reality.

    According to Franz Fiedler, movies recorded and played in 3D can be reformatted for new displays, but to unleash the full potential of the displayed 3D image, a special format will be used that is already being developed by specialists: "Today’s 3D movies can be converted to our 3D format, but we expect that new frames will be created specifically for our displays - perhaps with a lot more cameras. "

    Ability to use in open spaces


    The stereoscopic displays presented by modern industry cannot be used in open space due to limitations in size, brightness, number of available 3D viewing zones and allowable distances at which the 3D effect is observed. Compared with the 3D image broadcast on the usual movie screen, the picture quality on the new display is much higher, the picture is juicier and brighter. This allows you to use the screen in open spaces, even in bright sunlight.

    The developed modular autostereoscopic laser system proposed by a joint team of specialists will be able to project a high-quality 3D image in daylight at a distance of up to 70 m.



    First of all, the new technology will reveal its potential for spectacular 3D presentations and targeted advertisements. And here it is very important that the generated image does not lose quality when viewed from different angles of view. This will allow, for example, "... to reach customers leaving the store across the street or to place an ad for people waiting at the bus stop," says Ferdinand Sankt Julien, CEO of TriLite Technologies.

    When to expect?


    "We are very pleased that the project has become so successful in such a short period of time," says Ulrich Schmid. It took us only three years to get from the first prototypes to a fully working prototype. Currently, the technology is patented and presented in several scientific publications. The commercial release of futuristic 3D displays is scheduled for very real dates and is due to take place in 2016. The promised project deadlines are impressive and encouraging, especially if you recall that McFly’s time travel took him exactly from 1985 to 2015.



    More details about the development principle can be found here .

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