Aerial 3D/2D composite display: depth-fused 3D for the central user and 2D for surrounding audiences

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel optical system to show an aerial 3D image for a user in front of the display and to show its 2D image for the surrounding viewers. Our optics forms two-layered aerial images that are visible in a limited viewing area. Outside the viewing area, only the rear aerial 2D image is visible. The viewing area is controlled by the area of a retro-reflector in AIRR (Aerial Imaging by Retro-Reflection). The center perceives depth in the aerial screen based on DFD (Depth-Fused 3D) display.