FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

1.INTRODUCTION
Inspired by science fiction movies such as Star Wars, two Finish virtual reality researchers created the Fog Screen to recreate some of the effects from these movies in real life. Fog Screen is an exciting new projection technology that allows to project images and video onto a screen of dry fog, creating the illusion that the images are floating in midair. Fog Screen is the worlds first immaterial walk-through projection screen. Its Qualities, in particular the walkthrough capability, set Fog Screen apart from other displays and thus created a seemingly successful market for its products. The Fog Screen is an innovative display technology that allows for projections on a thin layer of dry fog. Imagine the traditional pull down screen that is found in many classrooms today. Instead of a screen being pulled down from the ceiling, fog is pushed down and held in place by several small fans, allowing for a consistent surface for display.

Fig 1: Showing an image created due to Fogscreen

1.1Brief History
It was invented by two Finnish virtual reality researchers Fog Screen, which was initially known as WAVE(Walkthrough Virtual Environment), was announced in December 2001. The first public demonstration of Fog Screen was in Finland in October 2002. Till then it is in use in different areas and improvements are being done to increase its effectiveness. Fog Screen is a patented technology, which Rakkolainen, one of the senior researchers and founders behind this technology, describes as an immaterial projection screen that consists of air and a little humidity, and enables high-quality projected images in thin-air, as well as many new applications. The Fog Screen debuted at the 2002 Turku Science Fair

2. WHAT IS A FOGSCREEN
1/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

2.1 Basic Idea

Fog Screen is an exciting new projection technology that allows you to project images and video onto a screen of dry fog, creating the illusion that the images are floating in midair. Fog Screen is a just that, a 2D projection screen, but not a common opaque screen like hundreds of others in the market, rather an immaterial screen. The word immaterial in relation to display systems refers to those that create that sense of imagery floating in mid-air, usually created using water, smoke or fog. Fog screen is one such immaterial screen and uses the method of fog on which to project imagery. The Fog Screen is an innovative display technology that allows for projections on a thin layer of dry fog.

Fig2:Here the tea pot is generated on fog using fog generating device Imagine the traditional pull down screen that is found in many classrooms today. Instead of a screen being pulled down from the ceiling, fog is pushed down and held in place by several small fans, allowing for a consistent surface for display. A user may simply stand back and view the material but can also reach or walk through the fog. A user may also interact with objects displayed in the fog with the use of an input device like a data glove, a tracked wand, or simply using hands. Fog Screen is an exciting new projection technology that allows you to project images and video onto a screen of dry fog, creating the illusion that the images are floating in midair. You can literally use the air as your user interface by touching only the air with your bare hands. The screen is created by using a suspended fog generating device with no frame around, and works with video projectors. The fog they use is dry, so it does not make you wet even if you stay under the Fog Screen device for a long time. The fog is made of ordinary water with no chemicals
2/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

whatsoever. The Fog Screen is a display technology that instead of using a traditional screen uses a thin layer of dry fog as the display surface. The system starts with water that is held in a large plastic container or comes from a regular water pipe. This water is drawn through a plastic tube via a small engine. Users have the ability to control the density and flow of the fog and the strength of the sandwiching air streams.With two projectors, we can project different images on both sides of the screen. The basic components of the screen are a laminar, on-turbulent airflow, and a thin fog screen created this way, the fog screen is an internal part of the laminar airflow, and remains thin and turbulence.

Fig3. 4 Modular FogScreen Unit

2.2.Formation of Fogscreen
It is formed by using ordinary tap water and digital technology like ultrasonic device to create a thin layer of dry fog which is sandwiched between two air-curtains. The fog is created by suspended fog generating device. Fog Screen creates a dry fog by ensuring that the water droplets are in the range of 2-3 microns in size and are electro statically charged so that they move around and away from other objects. The fog is made within the device using water and ultrasonic waves. If you hold your hands in the fog flow, the fog feels dry and cool, and your hands do not get wet.
3/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

After the screen is formed, images can be projected onto it. The screen can be translucent or fully opaque. The fog we are using is dry, so it does not make you wet even if you stay under the Fog Screen device for a long time. The fog is made of ordinary water with no chemicals what so ever. With two projectors, you can project different images on both sides of the screen. The founders of the Fog Screen were intrigued with the prospect of creating an image that could float in the air and that people could walk through(that is the Princess Leia effect). They set out to make a projected image float in the air by using different media such as dust, water, fog. And then a mist of tiny water droplets. They then had to iterate their design repeatedly to ensure that people would not get wet and that the Fog Screen could operate within a broad range of environmental conditions. The ultrasonic transducer is used to divide the water into small and tiny water droplets as the fog which we are using here is completely dry and it is light. If we will take lager water droplets then it will create wet fog which cannot be used in the formation of screen. The fog we are using is dry, so it does not make you wet even if you stay under the Fog Screen device for a long time. With two projectors, you can project different images on both sides of the screen. Here in two side air flow is given to make a constant flow of fog for the display of image. Because if the outside air will enter then it may create disturbance in displaying the image. As the fog here we are using are dry and very light. hands do not get wet. After the screen is formed, images can be projected onto it. The screen can be translucent or fully opaque.

3. UNDER THE SURFACE

As already mentioned, the screen is made up of a layer of fog. It is therefore quite unique that such a substance could allow for clear and undisturbed image projection. The secret lies in how
4/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

this layer of fog in maintained. Palovuori (2006) writes that the Fog Screen creates a large nonturbulent airflow to protect a dry fog flow inside it from turbulence. The outer airflow may gets lightly turbulent, but the inner fog layer remains thin and crisp. In a sense, the outer air-flows are like air curtains that sandwich the fog flow and maintain its integrity. The Fog Screen works very much like an ordinary screen in terms of projection properties. Fog Screen is best when used for real projection situations. Distance between projector and screen should be a minimum of 2 meters.

4. HOW FOG MACHINE WORKS

Fog Screen technology is a high-tech version of the technology in a cool air humidifier. Tap water is pumped into the fog tank where it is blasted with ultrasound, turning it instantly into a thick fog made of tiny water particles 2-3 microns in diameter. The tanks internal design plus 3
5/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

sets of fans work together to create a very thin wall of mist about half of an inch thick. One set of fans blows the fog downwards while the other two sandwiches the fog between air curtains so that it becomes a smooth projection screen. Fog Screen works much like many screens in terms of its projection properties and requires a 2kw power supply. A major difference is the need for a water supply, with on screen using fifty litres of tap water per hour. The Device situated above the fog screen enables the purification of the water via a silverion channel and minerals within the tank are cleaned out through regular maintenance (Jordan Woods, 2007). The opacity will depend on a number of factors, mainly fog density, the projector, image brightness, and the background. It appears to be a very versatile technology and can be combined with many methods in order to achieve the imagery required, such as pseudo 3D display and mechanisms to allow further interactivity via tracking. The founders of the Fog Screen were intrigued with the prospect of creating an image that could float in the air and that people could walk through. They set out to make a projected image float in the air by using different media such as dust, water, fog, and then a mist of tiny water droplets. They then had to iterate their design repeatedly to ensure that people would not get wet and that the Fog Screen could operate within a broad range of environmental conditions.

Fig 4.The construction of the prototype fog screen.

5.RESULTS
When the screen is formed, images can be projected onto it by using either rear- or frontprojection. Although the experimental fog screen is an early prototype, it already demonstrates the principle with excellent results. The fog screen system forms a high-quality projection screen, and
6/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

its construction is quite simple and economic. The (dry) fog screen is harmless for projectors and other equipment, and feels like nothing for the skin. The screen can be made practically opaque, or semi-transparent. The projected image is slightly turbid compared to traditional projection screens when viewed off-axis, but otherwise and especially from a distance it looks much the same. With semi-transparent fog, the images seem to float in the air. Figure 4 shows the cell structure and the flatness of the screen.

Fig 5. The cell structure and the flatness of the fog screen. Fig 5 shows an image projected onto a partially translucent fog screen. Small irregularities in the fog density may be seen on the screen surface, but they have relatively little overall visual effect. The screen forming technology could also be further improved or compensated or alternatively - the irregularities could be measured at screen nozzle exits and compensated in the projected image.

Fig 6. Shows an image projected on fogscreen

6. HOW DOES FOG SCREEN MOVE THINGS FORWARD

7/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

It is important to recognize the uniqueness of Fog Screen technology. It is not the worlds first immaterial screen, but the first immaterial walk-through screen. This simple fact is what distinguishes Fog Screen from all other displays (Rakkolainen, 2007). Rakkolainen continues to explain the uniqueness of the technology by mentioning how other displays can create the floating imagery effect but none are penetrable. There are water screens creating huge displays for large audiences but they provide poor image quality. Such large water based displays are also we tend so impractical for indoors, and walk-through interaction. There have also been earlier technologies closely similar to Fog Screen making use of forgather than water. However, they are typically wet and turbulence affecting such screens seriously reduces the fidelity of imagery. To reiterate what has been mentioned above, FogScreen creates a non-turbulent airflow of dry fog, cool to the touch. Erdem (2006) mentions in an article on performing arts how this quality means that performers or anyone interacting with the screen for that matter will not be restricted by the fog layer. One can walk freely through the layer and the imagery will not be dispersed or distorted. FogScreen technology not only is unique as a stand-alone display. Its qualities, mainly the immaterial nature and walk-through capabilities, allow for very advanced interface design.(2006 have written that FogScreens dual-sided nature allows for new possibilities in multi-user face-toface collaboration and pseudo-3D visualization. Images can be projected on both sides of the screen creating a 3D visual effect as shown in figure 2 below.

Fig 7, support for dual-sided projection allows two independent images to be projected on each side, such that a 3D application can render two interactive views for a pseudo-3D effect.

7.APPLICATIONS
8/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY 1. Fog Screen has been used in live malls, product launches, museums, to attract more

and more peoples.

2. It is used in case of projection a 3D image esp. in studies. 3. It can be used in seminars to make it more interactive (we can walk through the screen).It

can be used in place of air curtain in clubs to make it attractive. Museums, events, trade shows, night clubs, casinos, TV shows, and amusement parks are a number of areas where Fog Screen has been put into effective use.
4. One industry where it excels is in advertising. Lugmayr(2007) describes how Fog Screen

can be used in conjunction with laser scanner drivers, interactivity and rendering modules, and a flash application. This creates an effective advertisement that entices a user to walkthrough.
5. Entertain your guests with FogScreen: Whether you are planning a rock concert, a

prize ceremony, an anniversary, any commercial or private event, we use the magical FogScreen. Guests can enter through the screen to an event!
6. Create a luxurious interior with Fog Screen. 7. Immersive projection technology could use CAVE like virtual rooms with fog walls

,making them effectively virtual rooms.

A WALK THROUGH SCREEN..

9/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

Fig 8.The person is standing in between the screen and is absolutely dry

8.ADVANTAGES
10/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY 1. The Fog Screen developers say the unique nature of Fog Screen will make it a memorable

experience for customers. Fog Screen is environmentally friendly, as it uses only water as requirement and produces chemical free fog.
2. Increase product skill and quality of products. 3. Safety for kids, fun and playtime for the

kids. It is Immaterial- you could walk

through it.
4. Increase production skills 5. Technology transfer. 6. Reduce competition 7. Increase quality of product 8. Enter to new market. (in different market.) 9. Increase for workers with an increase in marginal cost. 10. Fog Screen is working on new hardware products. Fog Screen with specialized capabilities

(that is live performances, retail environments, etc.). There are also significant enhancements being made to the interactivity and 3-dimensional imaging capabilities of the screen.

9.DISADVANTAGES
11/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY 1. Fog Screen works best indoors with a dark back ground that enhances the brightness

of the image on the FogScreen behind the projector. So, it cannot be used in daylight.
2. It is presently very much expensive, but the FogScreen.inc is working on providing it in a

reasonable price. 3. Price is one weakness, with the cost Fog Screen will have to cater for a specialized market, unlikely ever to be used in the normal household or to replace plasma/LCD displays(Watson, 2007).
4. Need 1kW of energy to produce 1m long fog screen and it produces 3-5 litres of water in

one hour which should be vent. And you can't make a high fog screen, because fog would diffuse with distance.

10.FUTURE WORK
12/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

In our future work we will improve the construction and create larger virtual room installations. Both the laminar airflow and the fog creation can surely be enhanced with more experimentation on various materials and methods of construction. Instead of using blowers, also natural wind could be used. If the laminar unit and fog nozzles are suspended over a bridge or such constructions, enormous vertical and/or horizontal fog screens become possible under suitable weather conditions. In principle, the flow and the screen could also be of different materials than air and water. Screens could also be created into laminar water streams etc., although this is harder to obtain. This could be useful in, e.g., aquariums. The fog screen forms a flat, possibly curved screen. As it is designed to diffusely reflect light, it is necessarily more or less opaque. However, in some applications it might be desirable that only the image would be visible, while the redundant parts of the image and the rest of the screen would be transparent or completely invisible. For example, in video conferencing the image of the other person could be presented floating in thin air like a ghost, generating a rather striking effect. One possible method for producing such a display would be using an ultraviolet (UV) image projected to a visually transparent, fluorescent screen. Given the advantages of non-solid screens, this could be realized as a laminar stream, similar to the fog screen, but consisting of fluorescent particles or vapor instead of fog. The fog screen could also be used to selectably and by demand block spaces visually with non-solid walls, or to reflect lights to modify illumination.

11.CONCLUSION
13/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY

Based on the information provided and researched, the Organic LED Displays offer the most possibility for future panorama displays. As the display technology creates a manufacturing infrastructure, similar to LCDs and CRTs, the economic and exhibition possibilities will gain a larger audience. Pass-through displays, while providing significant promise with a possibility for floor embedded housing and walk through screens, lack many of the more significant attributes needed in the vanity of screen presentation: gamut, resolution, and overall fidelity. The expense of entry and the issues outlined above should provide caution to individuals looking to create a panorama with the Pass-through displays currently manufactured. Projectors are the current choice for overall relevance in the consumer marketplace, flexible image placement, and quality of image. If care is taken in the construction and choices for the environment, projectors can provide a very good solution for the creation of a panorama environment. Lastly, one must truly consider the content of the image they will be displaying in a panorama environment. With the knowledge gained from understanding the different displays, different presentation styles may benefit the overall appearance of the panorama being displayed.

12.BIBLOGRAPHY
14/15

FOGSCREEN TECHNOLOGY 1. http://www.fogscreen.com 2. http://www.realfog.com

3. http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1255066 4. http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1130450 5. http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1101661 6. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?

15/15