Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The push for advanced human-machine interfaces (HMI) is intensifying across industries, seeking solutions that enhance safety, hygiene, and efficiency. Traditional touch-based systems pose contamination risks and operational challenges in environments requiring gloves or sterile conditions. This technology provides a critical leap forward, offering intuitive, non-contact interaction that aligns with rising regulatory pressures for workplace safety and consumer demand for innovative, germ-free experiences. It enables businesses to future-proof operations and meet evolving market expectations.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Compensates for distortion in complex environments, enabling aerial image generation unaffected by transparent or reflective objects, expanding deployment possibilities.

02

Delivers high-precision real-time display by precisely controlling light paths via CG simulation-based distortion correction, ensuring stable, high-definition aerial images.

03

Offers broad market applicability, validated through standard prior art searches, enabling new customer experiences and operational efficiencies across diverse industries.

Market Opportunity
Smart Retail
$350M–$500M globally (AI est.)
Enhances customer experience and boosts purchasing intent through contactless product information display and interactive advertising, driving adoption in retail environments.
Retail technology solution providers Interactive display manufacturers Major retail chains
Medical and Healthcare
$200M–$300M globally (AI est.)
Contactless operation in operating rooms and cleanrooms directly improves hygiene and reduces infection risks. This technology could apply to surgical navigation and remote diagnostic support.
Medical device manufacturers Hospital system integrators Cleanroom equipment suppliers
Industrial HMI and Factory Automation
$250M–$400M globally (AI est.)
Provides intuitive contactless interfaces for equipment operation in factories and plants, improving efficiency and safety even when wearing gloves or in contaminated environments.
Industrial automation solution providers HMI display manufacturers Robotics and machinery OEMs
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects a system and method for generating distortion-free aerial images, even in environments with transparent or reflective objects, by utilizing CG simulation for precise distortion correction. It is a robust right, having overcome examiner objections during prosecution, ensuring low invalidation risk and stable long-term business deployment for licensees.

Competitive White Space

This patent primarily covers distortion correction for aerial images. White space exists in integrating advanced haptic feedback with aerial displays or developing novel retro-reflective materials for enhanced visual effects beyond clarity and immersion.

Economic Impact
~$200K/year estimated operational cost savings per facility (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

This technology could significantly reduce the deployment costs of aerial displays that traditionally required specialized optical design and environmental preparation. For instance, estimated savings include reduced installation costs due to fewer site constraints (~$65K per deployment, AI est.), lower annual maintenance (~$35K/year, AI est.), and decreased errors/rework due to higher precision (~$100K/year, AI est.), totaling over ~$200K in annual operational cost savings (AI est.).

Speed to Market
4× faster than in-house development
This technology benefits from an established, patented distortion correction algorithm based on optical simulation. This could reduce development time by approximately 3 years compared to developing similar technology from scratch. The core technology is designed for easy integration with existing image processing systems and optical modules, enabling rapid progress from proof-of-concept to prototype development and system integration.
Competitive Positioning

X: Environmental Adaptability (Distortion Correction)
Y: Visual Experience Quality (Immersion & Clarity)

Business Models & Applications
🤝 Technology Licensing
Licensing this technology enables companies to integrate unique aerial image generation capabilities into their products and services, achieving market differentiation.
💡 Joint Development
Develop specialized aerial image solutions for specific industries or applications through joint development with the University of Electro-Communications, co-creating new markets.
⚙️ Technical Component Supply
Provide core aerial image generation technology (distortion correction algorithms, optical system design guidelines) as modules, supporting integration into existing licensee systems.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🏥 Medical Equipment
Contactless Surgical Navigation Systems
Allows surgeons to manipulate CT/MRI images as aerial projections during operations without direct contact. Distortion-free, clear displays could enhance surgical precision and safety, potentially reducing infection risks by up to 20% in complex procedures.
🏭 Smart Factory
Remote Operation & Inspection Aerial HMI
Utilized for remote control panels on manufacturing lines or information display in non-destructive testing of precision equipment. Intuitive operation, even with gloves, could improve operational efficiency by 10-15% and reduce human errors in cleanrooms or hazardous zones.
🛍️ Smart Retail
Interactive Aerial Signage
Offers contactless, interactive aerial displays for in-store product information and advertising. Customers can access detailed information with a simple gesture, balancing hygiene with enhanced engagement, potentially boosting interaction rates by 1.5x for premium products.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 18-Month Deployment
Phase 1: Proof of Concept & Requirements
Duration: 3 months
Verify the aerial image generation and distortion correction capabilities based on specific licensee use cases. Define detailed system requirements and target performance.
Phase 2: Prototype Development & Evaluation
Duration: 9 months
Develop a prototype integrating the distortion correction algorithm and aerial image optical system based on defined requirements. Conduct real-world performance evaluation and optimization.
Phase 3: System Deployment & Optimization
Duration: 6 months
Based on prototype validation, proceed with integration into existing licensee systems and design for mass production. Perform final on-site adjustments and operational optimization.
Technical Feasibility
This technology combines an image processing unit that generates distortion-corrected images with a distortion-corrected image display light source and an aerial image optical system (including a retro-reflective optical element). This modular configuration suggests relatively easy integration into existing display systems and optical modules. The high technical feasibility is further supported by the distortion correction being software-dependent, allowing implementation without major hardware changes.
Success Scenario
Implementing this technology could enable contactless interactive signage in smart retail stores, potentially increasing customer engagement by 1.5 times. In medical settings, contactless information operation is estimated to reduce infection risks by 20% and improve surgical efficiency by 10%. This could simultaneously deliver new customer experiences and operational efficiencies.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2021-017987
REGISTRATION NO.
7693191
FILING DATE
2021/02/08
GRANT DATE
2025/06/09
EXPIRATION DATE
2041/02/08
PATENT HOLDER
国立大学法人電気通信大学
Examination History
2024年01月17日
出願審査請求書
2024年11月12日
拒絶理由通知書
2025年03月07日
意見書
2025年03月07日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2025年05月20日
特許査定