[Philip Lelyveld comment: this appears to be an advanced version of a technology they have been showing at trade shows for a few years. The brief video is worth watching.]
[DigInfo]
This True 3D display technology, developed by Burton, uses a laser to creates luminous points of light at desired locations in air or underwater.
This system is an evolved version of technology co-developed by AIST and Keio University, first announced in 2006. It works by focusing laser light, to produce plasma excitation from the oxygen and nitrogen in the air. The researchers state that this is the world’s first technology to show pictures without the constraint of a screen. …
Watch the brief video and read the full story here: http://www.diginfo.tv/2011/11/14/11-0231-r-en.php