The Future of Mobile Apps – How it Will Affect Our Lives (updated)

Smart devices have become the new standard for personal communication, networking, and

productivity… and corporate efficiency and collaboration.

Everywhere we look, smart technology has become the must have for everything from communication, networking, personal productivity, personal comfort, even mission critical tasks… and app developers can only move forward in creating a world that is more mobile, hands free, dynamically integrated and cross-functional.

With children playing on their tablets for fun, and business executives on their smartphones looking for apps to configure and standardize the workplace, the future trend over the next few years is going to not only push the limits of how we interact with mobile technology, but how mobile technology can interact with us.

Major companies like Microsoft─ with Microsoft Surface and mobile functionality in Windows 8, and Google─ with its Google Glass technology, are showing a renewed focus on design for mobile devices that not only affect tablets and smartphones you’re using today.  They’re also talking about the smartwatches, visors, pico projectors, and God knows what else we’ll be using next year and the year after that.

Mobile was an add-on. Today, mobile is just as, if not more, important than the traditional desktop PC… and who knows what’s around the corner with wearable computing?

It would be crazy not to be looking at all these new devices and new ideas, from things hitting the market now like…

• Google Glass,
• MicroVisions Laser PicoP Display Engine in every single mobile device,
• or things that are just rumors like Apple’s watch.

Our growing reliance on the Cloud and big data streaming has only accentuated what mobile technology can do. Apps are better looking, more versatile and make connecting with people easier and essential. Looking ahead further into 2014, a few mobile trends are beginning to become extremely visible.

The Cloud:

SD cards and internal storage are still essential for personal computing technology, but what about cross-platform mobile accessibility? I remember the days when carrying a floppy disk or USB stick was the only ways to keep my data on me at all times.  As I got older, I started emailing things to myself. But now with apps like DropBox or my Google Drive, sharing and archiving my data from any smart device is as easy as uploading a file.

Now, this same model is being applied to basically every app, from content streaming applications to niche utility apps… and being able to save your data somewhere other than your device for sharing and retrieval is paramount. Apps that used to offer options for social media sharing are starting to adopt DropBox availability and drive accessibility as a basic feature for more efficient apps.
Access to online storage is not only making data easier to get to regardless of device, but encouraging more personal connections through networking.

Mobile Sharing:

Playing on-line games with friends from far away lands to sharing your content with others via your mobile device is becoming the standard for workplace and social networking. Just look at any website as evidence for this model of mobile trending. You cannot find an article online, for example, that does not have an option for sharing a link or assorted media on basically any social networking site imaginable. Mobile sharing goes beyond social engagement… it can, if done right, spread your message like wild fire.

As mobile technology and its ubiquitous use continue to multiply, configuring apps to keep everyone connected, regardless of mobile platform, is the most important step to keeping our personal smart technology as efficient as it can be.

Cross-platform Apps Configuration:

This trend is more applicable to the corporate setting; where apps not only need to be focused and efficient in bringing out the best from the workforce… but also allow standardization across the entire user base for fluid communication from the bottom up. Apps that are developed for corporate use must be designed and be natively intuitive for multiple types of devices and be able to efficiently communicate throughout a large collection of personal smart devices, to ensure that the mobile network is not only transparent but also works as it should.

The workplace demands streamlined communication, specifically the accessibility to embedded analytic for corporate, departmental or local office operations. On the spot reports may be a luxury right now, but when everyone is standardized on an app, reports can be as easy as inputting data and watching it trend throughout the office. Executives looking for the quickest way to provide accurate analysis are turning to apps developed specifically to create trends for essential data. Whether employees are using personal mobile smart devices or their personal work computers, apps that mimic the office environment online are a company’s best bet for efficient data management and communication.

Also, cloud-based employee management apps that consolidate employee information, interaction, business expenses, and production into an easy to access database are continuing to pick up speed.

High Definition Laser Pico Projector Display Engine in Mobile Devices  

The combination of a mobile device and a built-in HD laser pico projector offers ultimate in mobility… functionality… video sharing… and the cool factor ownership of an interactive and 3D projector display.

MicroVision unveiled their latest HD Laser pico projector with focus-free touch Interactive and 3D display. This second generation laser PicoP display engine has higher screen resolutions than the original. MicroVision describes the PicoP Gen 2 engine and PicoMagic display applications as “ideal for various consumer and commercial mobile applications such as entertainment, advanced gaming, business projection, and education.” 

Focus-free touch interactive displays will allow users to instantly interact with a projected image on any surface, as well as, create Multi-user applications such as virtual whiteboards. For business users, touch interactive technology will provide the convenience to conduct business presentations with only the touch of their fingertips on a large display surface. Avid mobile gamers would also benefit from touch interactive technology by interacting with projected images with high response levels, making mobile gaming more realistic.

This technology is sure to engage the creative imagination of thousands of app developers, and we can hope to see many thousand of apps that will be useful in business, entertainment, and educational field. 

Self-care Healthcare for Global Markets:

Present day medical technologies are far advanced over those available to our ancestors─ and as a result we suffer far less than they did. Yet modern medicine can achieve little in comparison to what scientists know is possible for the future. Despite amazing advances in understanding and treating conditions [such as cancer, heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and many others], it is still the case that, for basically healthy people, no presently available therapy or tool can produce even a fraction of the long-term benefits to health and life expectancy provided by awareness, prevention, nutrition, regular exercise, a calorie restricted diet, natural therapy, and natural supplements.

Self healthcare behavior is the new paradigm; and an up close and personal choice that is as unique [in scope and strategy] as you and I and billions other on this planet decide to choose.  Developing a suite of comprehensive self healthcare mobile apps with such diversity is a complex proposition… unless you follow the old mantra of “one-size-fits-all” recommendations based on books, articles, and blogs that talk generalities and quote statistics.

Self-care behavior, a key concept in healthcare, refers to decisions and actions that an individual can take to cope with a health problem or to improve his or her health. Examples of self healthcare behaviors include seeking information (e.g., reading books, searching the Internet, attending classes, joining a self-help group); exercising; seeing a doctor on a regular basis; getting more rest; lifestyle changes; following low fat diets; monitoring vital signs; and seeking advice through lay and alternative care networks, evaluating this information, and making decisions to act or even to do nothing.

Self-care is generally viewed as a complement to professional health care for persons with chronic health conditions. Self-care behavior is, however, broader than just following a doctor’s advice. It also encompasses an individual’s learning from things that have worked in the past.

Presumed benefits of self-care include lower costs for the health care system; more effective working relationships between patients and physicians and other health care providers; increased patient satisfaction; and improved perceptions of one’s health condition. Self-help behaviors have been shown to lessen pain and depression and to improve quality of life. Generally, health care practitioners encourage and support patients to practice self-care behaviors because patients then actively participate in their own care. However, many practitioners experience difficulty in offering advice on self-care behaviors because they are not aware of specific techniques, strategies, and supports their patients can use.

Self-care is seen as empowering and with acquisition of self-care skills, people are able to participate more actively in fostering their own health and in shaping conditions that influence their health.
There are several apps under development that focus on mind and body fitness and will allow the subscriber to establish his/her own personal scope and strategy for self healthcare… and serve as the guiding light for their personal journey to health, wellness, and longevity.

We believe there is a massive awareness and movement underway where individuals want to take charge and get-on with a personal journey to enhance their health and wellness… and prevent onset of chronic diseases. Self-care healthcare apps will help them understand, facilitate and support this journey.

Cognitions Bridge, for example, is a suite of apps for education, entertainment, brain fitness, cognitive development, and prevention of age related cognitive decline and dementia.

These apps are examples of where apps are going. Some are paid and others are free, but are evidence that the mobile apps are no longer meant to just improve the day-to-day tasks of using a smart device.

Future mobile apps will be more interactive, offer more cloud-based models, work across smart devices, and keep people engaged… to entertain, educate, network, and bring about a paradigm shift in self-care healthcare.

According to IDC report published in 2011, app downloads are projected to grow from 10.7 billion (in 2010) to more than 182 billion (in 2015).  Reports also show that mobile advertising spending is increasing 20-30% annually in the developed markets. We are finally at the stage where mobile is seriously considered as one of the channels for marketing.

Anant Goel

Producer CEO – RKNet Studios

Microvision: CEATEC 2010 Japan

Microvision is at CEATEC 2010 Japan... booth #2A38.

That’s in the Home & Personal Zone at the Digital Network Stage.

Some of the other major global CE firms are its neighbors…
• OKI
• Toshiba
• Sony
• Sharp
• Panasonic
• Hitachi
• Fujitsu
• Cisco Systems
• NTT Docomo
• NEC

Some nice exposure to OEM community is expected due to Microvision booth proximity to these “shakers and bakers” of the Consumer Electronics industry.

Auri Rahimzadeh, President of The Auri Group, is the American journalist covering Microvision. This is what he had to say about Microvision after day 1 at the CEATEC Japan…

720P Laser Pico Projector from Microvision

Claiming to be the “smallest pico projector capable of 720p", Microvision showed off a pretty wicked solution for business professionals and those who need a low-power, super portable OEM-ready product. 15 lumens and 720p, and it’s smaller than 8 postage stamps.

PicoP also showed off a laser-based in-car heads-up display, with a full 120 degree field of view.

*****

Here’s the link to his blog post from Day 1…

http://www.windowslive.com/Connect/Post/d982845e-ef83-4d1d-9fc1-d50ac5e5db76

This year, it’s all about the 3D display technology with Pico projectors getting very little attention.

Anant Goel

Microvision: New Product Development Using IPM and PDE

On several occasions, Alex Tokman, CEO of Microvision, has stated that he doesn’t want the company to be just a commodity supplier of IPMs [Integrated Photonic Modules] and PDEs [PicoP Display Engines] to global consumer electronic firms. He wants to position the company as an applications and value –add powerhouse with a broad array of high margin products.

Here’s my take on the future at Microvision…

There are three areas that I would like to focus on…

1. SHOWwx is just the beginning of things to come

2. Laser PicoP Technology as “Core” vs. “Commodity” Technology

3. More Purchase Order to Confirm Rapid Ramp-up of Green Laser Production.

SHOWwx Just the Beginning of Things to Come:
On March 24th, Microvision started selling its laser PicoP projector SHOWwx to the US market… selling them directly; from its on-line web store for a handsome profit. When you sell directly; your margins are always better because of the savings in middleman’s commission. By the next earnings conference call; we should find out for sure what sales revenues and profit margins are from sale of SHOWwx.

At the 2010 Annual Shareholders Meeting, Microvision CEO confirmed the receipt of purchase orders worth $16.7 million dollars for SHOWwx and the ultra miniature PDE… and that is the part that confirms my view that SHOWwx and the $16.7 million in purchase orders is the just the beginning of things to come.

http://www.slideshare.net/lautiffany/microvision-asm-2010-highlights
[Note: Please review slide 21]

Here’s why…

Potential markets for laser based PicoP Display Engine technology is not only huge… but it is also a high margin market opportunity.

If you were to consider the high-end Media Player market alone… the possibilities are enormous…

Low Power Front Projection Media Players for the Third World Countries:

Think about 2.5 billion people in India and China... as they represent the potential buyers of a low power front projection portable TV/Media Player that offers a large screen [60'' to 100''] high definition always in focus vivid and bright color viewing experience. Extremely low ENERGY consumption [like 10 watts or less] and portability is the key market demand factor here. Energy will become more and more scarce and expensive by leaps and bounds…whereas the portability allows for sharing of resources among friends and family.

Low Power Front Projection Media Player for the Master Bedroom:

Think about a billion bedrooms globally that could use a ceiling projector... for adding another dimension to the various ways of media consumption for information and entertainment. We have desired the bedroom viewing of television for ever, so it seems, and some of us may have installed televisions in the bedroom. However, now it is possible to add, by the millions, a low power media player with built-in PicoP projector in our bedrooms… that offers short throw ratio, wide screen, high definition, bright and vivid color, and always in focus viewing experience. Media player/projector runs on low power batteries... so no risk of electrocuting yourself. No significant heat... so you won't burn yourself. No heavy duty TV to install on the bedroom wall.

Low Power Portable Projection Media Player for Every Bedroom in the House:

All you need is one portable Media Player with built-in PicoP projector… that gets moved around from room to room when and where it’s needed. It certainly is a cheaper alternative than buying a TV for each room of the house. This portable Media Player can also be the one you pack with your bags… when you are on the go.

Market Size for Portable Media Players with built-in PicoP Projectors is huge… like in billions world-wide. The most recent orders for $16.7 million from the Consumer Electronic companies are just the beginning of what’s to come... and not the end.

Laser PicoP Technology as “Core” vs. “Commodity” Technology:
Some have questioned the laser PicoP as “core” [like CPUs from Intel] vs. “commodity” technology [like cell phone touch screen and cameras].

My take on the subject is as follows...

The IPMs and PDEs [the generic version] are an enabling technology and therefore a commodity... no question about that.

However, laser PicoP is a core technology and that's how it is being positioned by Microvision. Pico technology from TI or 3M will not create [or capture] as large a market as laser PicoP would... due to inherent image quality and differenciating functionality [like always-in-focus] that is only possible due to lasers being used as the light source.

Microvision laser PicoP technology will capture its fair share of the captive markets but it would go-on-further and create markets that are only possible because of laser PicoP. And that's not the commodity markets by any means. Microvision recognizes that right from the beginning; and therefore is positioning the PicoP Display Engines accordingly… by using the “Image by PicoP” insignia on every thing related to its technology.

There will be others with laser pico technology down the road... and that's why Microvision is churning out these patents by the hundreds… to protect its IP turf. Also, the "Image by PicoP" is part of this marketing strategy that positions Microvision PicoP technology as a "core" and not "commodity" right from day one. From what I have seen, and there is plenty of evidence for you to see as well, Microvision is charging a premium price for its PicoP technology. Just look at SHOWwx Commercial Edition currently for sale at $549.

I hope you can appreciate the difference... because it’s worth billions of dollars when it is executed with knowledge, passion, and gumption

Currently, there are several products in development at Microvision… and two of the most visible ones are…

Video and Console Gaming:

Microvision’s wireless 720p laser pico projector-based game controller prototype is being developed in collaboration with Intel. Over the last year, we have heard so much about the “PicoP First-Person Shooter Gaming Gun Prototype” that addresses the multi-billion dollar gaming market.

http://www.microvision.com/displayground/?p=1729

Laser Imaging and Laser Camera:

Microvision and Johnson & Johnson worked on this application for years… going back a few years ago.

Why has nothing ever come of this technology? J&J Ethicon has been working on an endoscope design for years with a number of patents that were awarded along the way. Nothing has ever come of this, I suppose, because they have been waiting on a RGB laser engine like the Microvision PDEs? And now that we have green lasers available, and the supply chain is ramping-up quickly, can we finally expect to see an endoscope or laser camera become reality?

Until recently, the Company was focused on bringing the SHOWwx to market and every thing else was on the back burner. Now that we have had a commercial launch of SHOWwx; and green laser technology and supply has improved, I see a renewed interest in the Laser Imaging and Laser Camera applications of Microvision IPM [photonic modules] and PDE [display engines]. Laser Imaging and Laser Camera is a multi-billion dollar market... and is a captive market for a cost effective innovative solution like what Microvision offers.

The following information is based on an article by a Microvision patent expert [Chris Wiklof, Director of patents from 2000-2006] that explains the Microvision’s Laser Camera concept. Richard Rutkowski, former CEO of Microvision, was a young hippie when this article was published, that's how old it is. There were two "camera" applications that he loved to talk about: confocal cameras and endoscopes, the latter got a lot of attention when Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon Endo division signed a contract with Microvision, back in 2005.
http://sis.windhover.com/buy/abstract.php?id=200520002&utm_source=company

Here’s the edited version of information on Microvision Laser Camera from the "past era of days gone by"…

Microvision has developed an innovative imaging platform that uses scanned beams of light and is in effect a versatile “laser camera.” Leveraging technology originally developed for its scanned-beam displays, like the laser projector SHOWwx, Microvision has developed a scanned-beam imaging [such as in laser endoscopes] design that meets demanding size constraints (5-mm total diameter) while also delivering good resolution (currently 720p HD). While recent developments have centered on biological and medical applications, the technology represents a unique and extensible imaging architecture that has applicability across a broad range of medical and non-medical markets, including barcode scanning, machine vision, microscopy, and scientific imaging.

In a conventional digital camera, a field of view is flood illuminated. A small portion of the illumination power impinges upon any particular spot. The rays that impinge upon the spot can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected, or scattered. A very small portion of the light scattered from the spot is imaged through a lens and aperture to a conjugate light-sensor element, where the photons are converted to electrons. To form an image, the process is repeated in parallel, with a small portion of light from each spot simultaneously imaged onto each of a typically large array of corresponding light sensors.

Compared to a conventional digital camera; a laser camera works in reverse. A laser beam illuminates a single spot while a large-numerical-aperture non-imaging detector receives the scattered light energy and converts it to an electrical signal. Because all the illumination energy falls on the particular spot of interest, there is no need to form a conjugate image plane and no need to exclude light from elsewhere in the field of view with a lens and aperture. To form an image, the process is repeated sequentially, moving the beam to illuminate the next spot and the scattered energy is again measured.

Comparing the two technologies, one can see that the direction of light propagation is reversed. Whereas the resolution-determining step in a conventional digital camera involves selectively receiving light energy from a spot, the resolution-determining step in a laser camera involves selectively illuminating a spot. The reversal of the rays does not affect the final image; for example, a spot that looks semitransparent and pinkish to a conventional digital camera looks semitransparent and pinkish to a laser camera.

Whereas conventional digital photography places a technology burden on the CCD or CMOS sensor array, laser photography requires a high-performance beam scanner. The beam scanner must be able to scan at high frequency to provide a high frame rate. Microvision currently uses proprietary single-crystal bulk-micro-machined silicon Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) scanner technology developed for its scanned-beam pico projector.

Here’s the link to information on CCD and CMOS senor array used in digital cameras:

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cameras-photography/digital/question362.htm

Unique Attributes of Laser Camera:

A laser camera is intrinsically self-illuminating, which means that a laser camera cannot capture daylight images taken at long distances. Instead, a laser camera is a strong candidate to capture images at moderate to short distances, and especially high-magnification images. While daylight does not interfere with a laser camera’s operation─ the beam scan rate is so high that the processor simply ignores DC light levels and rejects noise from artificial illumination─ it also does not help it. The image captured by the laser camera is one produced by the laser camera’s scanned beam. Thus, a laser camera will not capture the appearance of speckled sunlight transmitted through leaves. Instead, the laser camera will capture the appearance of a leaf as viewed from the perspective of the light source.

Though not suitable for general-purpose, like ambient-light photography, a laser camera has many attributes that are valuable to a range of medical, commercial and scientific applications.

• No motion blur: Because the dwell time that the beam remains on any given spot is very short (about 20 ns); there is virtually no motion blur evident in any one pixel for most types of images. Thus, it is possible to capture fast moving objects without requiring complex and bulky strobe illumination. Movement in the image that occurs during the frame time will be expressed as a skewing of the image, an artifact that can be removed during image processing.

• Controlled specular reflection: Because the illumination source is a point, the amount of specular reflection [cause of glare] in the image can be reduced significantly. For example, with a ring illuminator typically used for close-up conventional photography; many subjects exhibit a white halo that washes out important details. With a laser camera, even though the detector occupies a relatively large area, glare is virtually nonexistent.

• Small and self-contained laser camera with illumination: Whereas a conventional sensor array must occupy an area large enough to fit its pixels, a laser camera only requires a small sensor area and a scanning mirror. A scanning laser endoscope [for example] capable of 720p resolution is only 5 mm in diameter. Furthermore, because a laser camera is self-illuminating, all the necessary components can be placed in a single package, thus requiring no field engineering to select, install, and adjust a light source. Such a small and self-contained package is useful for many medical, scientific, and industrial applications.

• Long range/large depth of field: Because there is virtually no light lost from the illumination beam, a laser camera has greater range than the illumination range of a conventional digital camera. Similarly, conventional systems using artificial illumination at long range are typically operated with a relatively large aperture to maximize light collection, resulting in reduced depth of field. Conversely, a laser camera detector does not image the returned light and there is no need for an aperture. The laser illumination beam of a laser camera can be substantially collimated across a wide range of applications such that focus stays constant with distance, resulting in significantly improved depth of field.

• Wavelength agility: If the passband of a conventional digital camera filter is narrowed, the amount of light reaching a detector is severely reduced, resulting in a low signal-to-noise ratio. Conversely, the laser illuminators typically used with a laser camera have a very narrow spectral width. This allows the system designer to select particular wavelengths with which to probe and image the field of view. Depending upon individual system architecture, it is possible to allow for a large number of imaging wavelengths, a property that lends the laser camera high specificity with respect to dye or pigment measurements. This may be especially useful in advanced medical and scientific techniques such as photodynamic therapy.

• Large color gamut: Because of the narrow spectral width of the illumination sources, a laser camera’s color sensitivity is placed closer to the perimeter of a C.I.E. chromaticity diagram than the wider band filters used by a conventional digital camera to separate colors. This results in a larger triangle (for an RGB, three-color system) within the color space, which results in the ability to capture greener greens, redder reds, and bluer blues… giving higher 200% NTSC rating to Microvision laser PDEs.

• Variable field of view: The laser camera’s field of view consists of the range of spots to which the scanner directs the illumination beam and is thus determined by the drive waveform delivered to the scanner. Thus, lossless electronic zoom and variable aspect ratio may be achieved by dynamic modification of the scanner drive.

• High magnification: A laser camera’s magnification can be quite high, depending upon beam shape. For example, the laser-beam waist can be made quite small and the scan angle reduced to produce a high-magnification image of a small field of view. By placing a beam splitter between the light-beam source and the scan mirror, and picking off a return image, the laser camera can be easily configured as a tiny confocal microscope and deliver magnification sufficient to resolve embedded objects a few hundred nanometers in diameter or map the surface profile of an integrated circuit.

Laser Camera ─ the New Frontier

The laser-camera technology offers many new performance capabilities and benefits by exploiting a fundamentally new architecture for capturing images. These capabilities, taken individually or in combination, are expected to open a new design frontier for imaging systems with requirements that cannot be cost-effectively met by conventional integrated matrix imagers… in this multi-billion dollar market.

Anant Goel

Microvision: Patents Laser 3D Projector with PicoP Display Engine (Part 1)

3D TVs started to arrive in consumer electronic stores in early March to great fanfare, and consumers are intrigued...but are also curious. The big question, of course, is whether these new TVs can transport the 3D excitement from movie theaters to our homes.

Based on excitment generated by the first available HDTV models with 3D video capabilities, the answer is a resounding yes.

Research has shown that users prefer wide screen, high definition, 2D/3D motion pictures with fast refresh [without motion blur] and always in focus images for all forms of video [static, streaming, and broadcast] communications.

3D Content Meets 3D Laser Projector:

3D content is proliferating rapidly. Movies, games and increasingly live sports and concert videos are being filmed in 3D. One unique challenge facing this emerging category is the lack of in-home 3D displays. The 120Hz LCD panels and plasma screens typically require shutter glasses for viewing 3D content, but next generation display technologies employ passive 3D glasses… which are lighter weight, cost less and are more acceptable to the wearer.

Microvision's laser scanning PicoP Display technology platform enables 3D content in the home that is viewed through lightweight passive glasses… all without the purchase of a new, large, expensive flat panel monitor. Recently, in June of 2009, Ben Averch of Microvision made a presentation at the 2009 Projection Summit. His presentation addressed the burgeoning 3D content market and the unique value proposition for a mobile 3D laser projector…using Microvision’s PicoP Display Engine.

In March 2009, Microvision received a patent on laser PicoP based 3D projector. That means the laser PicoP Display Engine of today will have upward growth mobility to High Definition projection [first] and then to 3D projection using passive glasses. That’s an exciting growth road map for the little master of the pico projector domain.

Here’s the information on the patent…

Title: THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE PROJECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract:
An image projection system having an optical projector and a method for projecting an image. The image projection system enables viewing the images in three dimensions and securely viewing the images in a public forum. The image projection system may include a portable, handheld optical projector that is spaced apart from a display screen and that redirects an image signal to the display screen. The image signal is scattered by the display screen and transmitted to a viewer’s eyes through a set of eyewear worn by the viewer. The display screen preserves the polarization state of the image signal. The portable handheld optical projector may be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a portable computer, or the like that includes one or more sets of light emission systems capable of projecting the image signal. The optical projector may be portable and handheld, or stationary or semi-stationary.

Here’s the link to the patent document…
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20090079941.html

This is great news for the simple reason...

The next big thing that the display industry is going into is 3D. Look at the number of 3D movies coming out lately… they have dramatically increased. Here’re some quotes from the patent application…

3D Technology:

“In addition to displaying images in two-dimensions, projection display manufacturers have developed systems for displaying images in three-dimensions. One technique for creating three dimensional (“3D”) projection display systems is to create two separate monochromatic images…

Although these systems are inexpensive to implement, the color reproduction of the images is poor and the filters may not completely block the adjacent eye’s image, which causes ghosting. Further, the technique uses large immobile equipment to project the images.”

“Another technique for creating a 3D image is to project separate images having different polarization states…

This technique offers better color reproduction than the red-blue monochromatic technique, however the projection displays are large, stationary, expensive to implement, and, because about half the light is lost, inefficient.”

“Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a three-dimensional display system and a method for displaying three-dimensional images that is; cost efficient to manufacture, makes efficient use of light, and may be either stationary or portable.”

“The portable handheld optical projector may be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a portable computer, or the like that includes one or more sets of light emission systems capable of projecting the image signal. The optical projector may be portable and handheld, or stationary or semi-stationary.”

Microvision 3D Projector patent states…

“In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an image projection system comprises a light emission system and a scanning device, wherein the light emission system includes a plurality of light sources. For example, the light sources may be two sets of red-green-blue (“RGB”) lasers, where one set of lasers transmits light in a first polarization state and the other set of lasers transmits light in a second polarization state that is different from the first polarization state. Thus, this embodiment comprises two red lasers, two green lasers, and two blue lasers, where the red lasers emit light having different polarization states from each other, the green lasers emit light having different polarization states from each other, and the blue lasers emit light having different polarization states from each other. The light can be linearly polarized or circularly polarized. In the case of a linear polarization state, the light transmitted to one filter may be vertically polarized and the light transmitted to the other filter may be horizontally polarized. In the case of a circular polarization state, the light transmitted to one filter may be right circularly polarized and the light transmitted to the other filter may be left circularly polarized. It should be noted that the light may be coherent light or non-coherent light.

The light from one set of lasers is combined and redirected towards a display screen using a scanning device and the light from the other set of lasers is combined and redirected towards the display screen using the same scanning device as the first set of lasers or a different scanning device. The scanning device spatially modulates the light to vary the color and intensity of each pixel. The scanned beam displays are configured to slightly vary the content between the two two-dimensional images as they are projected into a viewer's eyes. The brain uses this difference in content to create an illusion of depth. More particularly, the light from one set of RGB lasers is in a first polarization state and the light from the other set of RGB lasers is in a second polarization state that is the opposite of the first polarization state. The light from all the lasers may be combined into a single light beam and spatially modulated in unison. Thus, all the light sources are scanned through the same angular extent. The three-dimensional image may be created by temporally delaying the video signal and modulating the intensity of each laser. The scattered light strikes eyewear worn by a viewer, wherein the eyewear includes a filter associated with the viewer's left eye and a filter associated with the viewer's right eye.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, privacy in a public forum may be provided by the image projection system. The eyewear worn by the viewer is configured to decode polarized light. The light can be linearly polarized or circularly polarized. The portable handheld source of electromagnetic radiation projects an image in a first polarization state and an inverse image in a second polarization state that is complementary to the first polarization state. The viewer wearing the eyewear can filter one set of images seeing only the desired content transmitted by the portable handheld source of electromagnetic radiation, whereas others see a “white image” on the display screen. Thus, the viewer can view projected images that are of a personal nature or confidential while others are prevented from viewing or decoding the images. Alternatively, privacy in a public forum can be achieved by using eyewear that is synchronized to the polarization states of the light.”

The display screen is a polarization preserving screen. Thus, the light striking display screen and the light scattered by display screen have the same polarization state. In accordance with one embodiment, display screen comprises a microlens array coated with a layer of aluminum. In accordance with another embodiment, display screen comprises a surface having a silver finish. Suitable screens may be available from Da-Lite Screen Company, Warsaw, Ind., 46581.

Eyewear set comprises of a frame having bow, temples, and filters that transmit images to the left and right eyes. Filters are configured to decode polarized light. The polarized light can be linearly polarized light or circularly polarized light. Filters comprise a quarter-wavelength plate laminated to a polarizer. It should be noted that the type of plates laminated to polarizer are not limitations of the present invention. For example, plates can be waveplates, polarizer filters, combinations of polarizers, combinations of waveplates, polarizing optics, or the like. In addition, the polarization transmission characteristics of filters are not limitations of the present invention. Filters may be configured to decode vertically or horizontally polarized light or right or left circularly polarized light. Techniques for coupling plates to polarizers are known to those skilled in the art.

Here’s what I think…

The PicoP Display Engine will first go with High Definition images and then progress to 3D projection. That looks like the growth path for the next 2 to 3 years with huge revenue growth potential.

Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/