Holofan

Project Abstract

We will use the concept of persistence of vision to create an image with a high-speed fan. The fan will track where the user is looking from and update the angle it is facing as well as the displayed image so that a 3D hologram is shown. In the case of multiple users around the fan, a fiducial could be worn by the user that the fan should be focusing on. This could be used for advertising, decoration, or as an alternative for VR. Once a static object can successfully be displayed, the project could be extended to 3D animations.

Rough Project Diagram

Challenges

Software Challenges

Must develop scanline algorithm for rotary display
Must determine how to interface with game engine or computer graphics software
Must implement computer vision

Harware Challenges

Must precisely control speed and position for both motors controlling fan direction and spin
Need to source Slip Ring for providing electrical connections to spinning parts
Must use a sufficiently fast controller for writing to LED's

Proposed Methods

Software Solutions

Learn how rotary displays function. Then implement for our needs.
Try several engines such as Unreal, Unity, Blender, OpenGl, etc. and evaluate output quality and timing.
Test and learn frameworks for computer vision.

Hardware Solutions

Source controllers that are over-specced for the timing requirements.
Source a slip ring that can handle the need RPM (may need to be chemical, rather than brushed)
Use a raspberry Pi 4

Monetary Items

Item	Cost
LED Bar	$75
Brushless Motor w/ encoder	$215
Stepper motor	$20
Slip Ring	$122
Stepper Motor Controller	$30
Brushed Motor Controller	$40
Raspberry Pi 4	$35
Webcam	$9
Wire	$12
Connectors	$15
Housing	$5
Wall Adapter	$5
Total	$574

*Note: many parts will be sourced for free from a university professor.

Prototype Idea

Prototype slides

Prototype Goals

We will have stepper motor rotating with user
We will update display based on user position
We will track user's eye position with computer vision
We will use normal monitor with HDMI, rather than POV fan
We will use 8020 aluminum for the construction of most of the frame
We will able to display simple 3D objects by the end of the semester

Prototype Budget and Costs

Item	Cost
Raspberry Pi 4	$35
Webcam	$9
Wall Adapter	$5
Buck Converter	$20
Extraneous Mechanical Components	Sourced free from professor
8020 extruded aluminum	Sourced free from professor
Monitor	Sourced free from professor
Stepper motor	Sourced free from professor
Stepper Motor Controller	Sourced free from professor

Prototype Schematic

Protype Flow Diagram

Time Table

Team Collaboration Plan

Communications

Microsoft teams and in person when neccesary

Conflict Resolution

Talk it out, vote if neccesary

Maintaining Momentum

Follow project timeline and meet regularly

Budget Distribution

Split evenly

Accountability

Find outside resources for help and let other team members know if we're stuggling.

Team Members

Brandon Chen

Electrical

Brandon Chen is starting his third year studying Computer Engineering at the University of Utah. After completing the general education and pre requisite courses, he is now focusing on the upper division courses to graduate. Having the ability to adapt quickly while being resilient has helped him achieve success through college. He has also been a member of the University of Utah Men’s Club Soccer team for all three years. Balancing academics with soccer, Brandon likes to spend the rest of his free time enjoying nature with different types of outdoor activities.

Emmanuel Lotubai

Computer Vision

Emmanuel Lotubai is in his fourth year studying Computer Engineering at the University of Utah. He is expecting to graduate with a BS degree in fall of 2021. In his career, Emmanuel has focused on software development. In this project, he hopes to improve his hardware understanding by working closely with his team. Emmanuel's life long goal is to use the skills he acquires to help people.

Alexander Charters

Graphics

Alexander Charters is in his fourth year studying Computer engineering at the University of Utah. He has been a member of the Utah Student Robotics team for three years and has been the electrical lead for two of them. He has participated in many university sponsored hackthons, and won the 2019 "Useless Invention Hackathon", along with his team. He has also participated in a study abroad for a semester in germany and is actively researching Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) with the U's own Professor Cynthia Furse.