The Fox Report
Barry Fox’s technology column
Hypergram hype
V
ictoria rail station in London
often stages pop-up promotions.
Usually they are product sample
giveaways – a free packet of biscuits or
canned drink is thrust at everyone rushing for a train. But sometimes a new gadget, for cleaning or cooking or somesuch,
is on show.
Recently, I stopped dead in my tracks
and nearly missed my train when I saw
what looked like a hologram floating in
the concourse space. It was brighter and
more colourful than any hologram I’ve
ever previously seen.
The company behind it, Disturbed
Media, is in the attention-grabbing business. Their web site is very long on hyperbole and short on hard fact: https://www.
disturbedmediagroup.com/hypertouch/
Buried in the promo-gloss you’ll find
reference to a system called Hypergram,
with clear reference to ‘hologram’ technology but virtually zero technical fact:
experiences to life. Without the need for
a screen, these 3D objects can literally
float in mid-air and be perceived as truly
3-dimensional.
Whether it’s a product, a person, or a
complex 3D story, our hypergram experiences makes it possible. With no boundaries and unlimited potential for 3D projects,
we will transport you into new worlds of
3D creative exploration.
Hypergram has its own website (https://
www.ingagemedia.co.uk/hypergram),
with similar opaque gloss:
Hypergram brings you the future of OOH
consumer entertainment and engagement.
Specifically engineered for the human
eye, Hypergram is the latest innovation
in HD Holographic technology.
Viewable without the need for any apps
or glasses, Hypergram makes objects float
in the air, coming out of the screen and
towards the viewer.
The future of holographic technology
Our hypergram experiences utilise the latest holographic technology, revolutionizing
3D experiences by bringing holographic
Practical Electronics | October | 2024
Obviously, like stage magicians, the
companies promoting the technology
want to create an air of mystery. So it’s
understandable that their websites give
away no technical secrets, or names of
inventors to make patent searching eaiser.
Of course it’s usually possible, given the
time and need, to search out any patent
for anything (other than classified military
technology, which can be sealed from
public view).
In this case, there is no need to go that
route because one of the demonstrators at
Victoria was perhaps naively forthcoming.
Also, fast shutter photos reveal much of
how the system works.
The ‘hologram’ is created by an array of
fans, with long, straight, dark strip blades
that carry very bright coloured LEDs. The
blades spin fast as the LEDs are triggered
by appropriately switched signals from a
laptop operated from alongside the rig.
The blades rotate fast enough to become
invisible to the human eye, while the LEDs
paint a bright video picture, apparently
hanging in space.
The idea is ingenious and works well; far
better than previous systems that relied on
projecting conventional video images on
fog, water mist or semi-transparent screens.
I guess we will soon see it used at music
events and stage shows. Hobbyists may
want to experiment with similar ideas.
The system may neatly combine
the invisible fan concept with the
increasingly-often seen flexible LED
screen ‘wallpaper’ that lets a bare theatre stage set become a city, landscape
or spacescape at the flick of a switch.
The rotating fans could perhaps be
coated with video wallpaper.
The Menier Chocolate Factory theatre in London was one of the first UK
venues, a few years ago, to use this
kind of active wallpaper.
PE
7
