A mixed-reality showcase for multiple users from unconstrained viewing angles

Abstract

An ideal showcase should allow its viewers not only see the display object clearly, but also obtain sufficient information of the object by static texts or dynamic images. This extra information will enhance the impression the display object makes on viewers. For a 360-degree showcase, it is a challenging problem to provide proper virtual images for users at different viewing locations. In literature, [Kim et al.] proposed a pyramid-shaped showcase in which the display object is placed and half-silvered mirrors were employed to reflect the virtual image for four viewing directions (left, right, front, and rear). Though the user can observe both the virtual image and real object well in each of the aforementioned viewing directions, the geometry inconsistency would occur at the middle of the consecutive two viewing directions. Commercial product, Lite-Fast MAGIC [Kinoton], also developed a 360-degree mixed-reality transparent LED display, however it will result in ghost artifact when showing virtual information for different viewing directions due to its transparent material.