Transparent Cloak!

Look! Seeing from this peephole, the background can

be seen through!

Why?
This transparent cloak makes you see as if the cloak is transparent by projecting
the shooting image behind the person onto the cloak. So, actually, the cloak is
not really transparent.

How does it work?

First, putting the video camera behind the person in the cloak, and capturing
his background. Then, projecting the captured image onto the cloak from the
projector. So, if you see from the peephole, you will see as if the cloak is
transparent. Because the image is projected by the technology called
Retro-reflective Projection Technology (RPT), you can see the reflection only on
the cloak and clearly even in brightness.

(5) Half Mirror (6) Cloak

Reflecting the light The image from Real Scene
partly, and let the projector is projected
rest through here

(4) Peephole
Seeing from here,
you will see as if the
cloak is transparent!
(1) Camera
Capturing the scene
behind the person

(2) Computer
(3) Projector Processing the captured
Projecting the image image as like you see the
onto the cloak real scene
The Secret of Transparent Cloak

Cloak’s secret!
The special material is used as screen for RPT. That’s Normal Screen Retro-reflective Material
The light scatters in various The light reflects only in the
different from the screen in the cinemas. This material directions. same direction as it has come.
is called ‘Retro-reflective Material’, and also used for the
cloak. The surface of Retro-reflective Material is
covered with very small beads. If the light strikes the
material, the light reflects only in the same direction as
it has come. So, the image is reflected clearly even in
brightness.
In fact, you can find a lot of things using
Retro-reflective Material around you. Traffic signs,
bicycle’s reflector and the lighting part of the raincoat
are made from Retro reflective Material. As like the
transparent cloak, it can be seen from far away
because they shine brightly by little light of the cars.
Using it for what?
For example, if this technique is used in
cockpit for making the floor transparent at
landing, the pilot can land safely with seeing
runway. Also, use for other vehicles like car. If
you can see through the back of car, you will
put the car into the garage successfully.
This technique was invented from the study
that skillfully mixing the real world and the
world made artificially, and trying to let your
life and work convenient.

Tachi Lab., The Univ. of Tokyo URL: http://www.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Mail: media3@star.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
M. Inami, D. Sekiguchi, S. Tachi, Le manteau transparent! (Transparent Cloak!), Brochure of
Demonstration at Laval Virtual 2003, Laval Virtual 2003, France, May 13-18, 2003