Floating-image optical display hardware (continuation).
According to one implementation, a floating image display system includes a computing platform including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a system memory storing a software code. The system also includes one or more display screens controlled by the GPU, and a rotor coupled to the one or more display screens and controlled by the CPU. The CPU executes the software code to render a two-dimensional (2D) graphic on the one or more display screens using the GPU, and to spin the rotor and the one or more display screens about a vertical axis parallel to a display surface of the one or more display screens at a predetermined spin rate to generate a floating image of the 2D graphic. The floating image appears to be a three-dimensional (3D) floating image of the 2D graphic to a user viewing the floating image.
BACKGROUND(1) Advances in computer technology and software have made possible the creation of richly featured virtual characters capable of simulating interactivity with a human viewer of the virtual character. The illusion of interactivity can be further enhanced when the virtual character is displayed as a three-dimensional (3D) image, apparently independent of the display system generating it. For example, the image of the virtual character may be shown as a holographic image, or may be shown as an image that appears to float in space.(2) Conventional techniques for displaying holographic or floating images typically utilize sophisticated optical arrays to project the image for viewing, which can limit the environments and use cases in which providing such interactive 3D imagery is practical. Consequently, in order to make the enhanced entertainment value of interaction with a holographic or floating image more widely available, there is a need in the art for an imaging solution capable of displaying a floating image of a virtual character using readily available consumer electronics or relatively simple optical arrays.SUMMARY(3) There are provided floating image display systems, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.
1. A floating image display system comprising: a computing platform including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a system memory storing a software code; at least one display screen controlled by the GPU; a privacy screen affixed to a display surface of the at least one display screen; a rotor coupled to the at least one display screen, the rotor controlled by the CPU; the CPU configured to execute the software code to: render a two-dimensional (2D) graphic on the at least one display screen using the GPU; and spin the at least one display screen about a vertical axis parallel to the display surface of the at least one display screen at a predetermined spin rate to generate a floating image of the 2D graphic; wherein the floating image appears to be a three-dimensional (3D) floating image of the 2D graphic to a user viewing the floating image, and wherein the privacy screen restricts viewing of the at least one display screen outside of a predetermined viewing angle by restricting a number of spatially distinct images presented per unit of time by the at least one display screen to the user.
10. A floating image display system comprising: a computing platform including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a system memory storing a software code; a display screen controlled by the GPU; a privacy screen affixed to a display surface of the display screen; a plane mirror facing the display screen at an angle; a rotor coupled to the plane mirror, the rotor controlled by the CPU, the CPU configured to execute the software code to: render a two-dimensional (2D) graphic on the display screen using the GPU; and spin the plane mirror about an axis perpendicular to the display surface of the display screen at a predetermined spin rate to generate a floating image of the 2D graphic; wherein the floating image appears to be a three-dimensional (3D) floating image of the 2D graphic to a user viewing the floating image, and wherein the privacy screen restricts viewing of the display screen outside of a predetermined viewing angle by restricting a number of spatially distinct images presented per unit of time by the display screen to the user.
15. A floating image display system comprising: a computing platform including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a system memory storing a software code; a display screen controlled by the GPU; a privacy screen affixed to a display surface of the display screen; a floating image generation optics including a first plane mirror facing the display screen, a polarizing beam splitter situated between the display screen and the first plane mirror, and a quarter-wave plate situated between the polarizing beam splitter and the first plane mirror; the CPU configured to execute the software code to render a two-dimensional (2D) graphic on the display screen using the GPU; the floating image generation optics configured to generate a floating image of the 2D graphic rendered on the display screen, wherein the privacy screen restricts viewing of the display screen outside of a predetermined viewing angle by restricting a number of spatially distinct images presented per unit of time by the display screen to the user.