Light Blue Optics says its holographic laser projection (HLP) technology employs algorithms to transform an image into sets of diffraction patterns, which are shown on a tiny internal microdisplay. "Eye-safe" red, green, and blue lasers are used to illuminate this display, thereby projecting light onto an external surface.
Light Blue's HLP technology
(Click to enlarge)

It's said the HLP technology offers a throw angle that can exceed 90 degrees, and can project images onto any chosen surface -- curved, angled, or flat. As an additional benefit, images remain in focus at any distance from the projector, the company says.

In the case of the Light Touch -- described as an OEM concept product that will be commercialized by third parties -- the surfaces used need to be flat. That's because in addition to its HLP projector, the device includes an IR optical sensor claimed to be capable of looking at a user's hands and recognizing a variety of multi-touch gestures, including pointing, clicking, dragging, and more. According to Light Blue optics, any flat surface may be turned into a 10.1-inch, WVGA touchscreen display, as pictured below and in the video at the end of our story.

The Light Touch

Interestingly, the projector's brightness varies according to whether it's showing video, or just displaying simple lines and text. Light Blue says that with video, brightness is 15 lumens, whereas "typical symbology content" is shown with up to 35 lumens.

Presumably future HLP-based multitouch displays will be created that simply connect up to an external PC. In its current incarnation, however, the Light Touch is a full-fledged computer running Windows CE, and features a user interface crafted using Adobe Flash Lite, Light Blue says.

According to Light Blue, which did not disclose the CPU being used, the Light Touch has 802.11b/g wireless networking, 2GB of flash storage, and a microSD expansion slot. Capable of accepting external composite video input, the device has a USB On-the-Go port and a stereo headphone jack, the company adds.

Light Blue says the Light Touch weighs just 14 ounces (400g), measures 6.5 x 3.85 x 1.37 inches (165 x 98 x 35mm), and operates via a rechargeable 3600mAh lithium-ion battery.

Chris Harris, CEO of Light Blue Optics, stated, "The opportunities for Light Touch extend beyond consumer electronics into retail spaces, the workplace and the home -- profoundly changing the way people interact with multimedia content and the built environment. By enabling such diverse and compelling use cases, LBO aims to become the world's leading supplier of miniature projection systems."

Steven Bathiche, director of research in Microsoft's applied research group, stated, "Microsoft envisions a future of ubiquitous computing where every surface becomes a computer, and as part of this vision we collaborate on development with numerous third parties, including Light Blue Optics. We are pleased that Light Blue Optics has incorporated some of our research into Light Touch, ... bringing the future of surface computers everywhere closer."

A demonstration of the Light Touch
Source: Switched

Availability

Light Blue Optics, based in Cambridge, England, did not provide pricing or availability information regarding the Light Touch, and said the product will be sold by "OEM customers and other strategic partners." The device is being demonstrated at the company's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) booth, #21747.

More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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