Volumetric linear gradient: methods for and applications of a simple volumetric display.

ABSTRACTWe present Volumetric Linear Gradient, a simple volumetric display. The display consists of a fiber-optic cylinder with a diffused surface and a light emitting diode (LED) on each end. Each LED emits a different color and the light is mixed within the light guide. It is possible to proportionally modify the two light colors within the medium through pulse-width modulation of the two LEDs. The result is similar to moving the stop points of a gradient in graphic design software. This volumetric display can be used as an information display, giving ambient clues about temporal or quantitative data. The display can take different shapes and can be composed of several of these elements in order to create a more complex display. Possible application uses are volumetric progress bars, energy indicators or, in combination with sensors, simple gravitational fluid metaphors.