The
heliodisplay is an interactive planar display. Though the image it projects appears
much like a hologram, its inventors claim that it doesn't use holographic technology,
though it does use rear projection (not lasers as originally reported) to project
its image. It does not require any screen or substrate other than air to project
its image, but it does eject a water-based vapour curtain for the image to be
projected upon. The curtain is produced using similar ultrasonic technology as
used in foggers and comprises a number of columns of fog. This curtain is sandwiched
between curtains of clean air to create an acceptable screen.Heliodisplay moves
through a dozen metal plates and then comes out again. (The exact details of its
workings are unknown, pending patent applications.) It works as a kind of floating
touch screen, making it possible to manipulate images projected in air with your
fingers, and can be connected to a computer using a standard VGA connection. It
can also connect with a TV or DVD by a standard RGB video cable. Though due to
the turbulent nature of the curtain, not currently suitable as a workstation.The
Heliodisplay is an invention by Chad Dyner, who built it as a 5-inch prototype
in his apartment before founding IO2 technologies to further develop the product.