Generating digital content overlays in relation to real-world objects via a display case with a multi-layered transmissive display

A display case for presenting computer-generated digital content overlaid on a view of tangible objects within the display case by way of a multi-layered transmissive display, the display case comprising:

• a display housing comprising an open face and an internal cavity within the display housing;
• a display screen fixably attached to the display housing to cover the open face, wherein the display screen alternates between an emissive state where the display screen filters light waves from a diffuser direct light source to display an emitted light image and an attenuating state where the display screen filters light waves from the internal cavity to display a transparency mask image, wherein the emitted light image and the transparency mask image are controllable for a red color band of the display screen, a green color band of the display screen, and a blue color band of the display screen independently of each other;
• a diffuser element affixed to the display screen and adjacent to the internal cavity and that diffuses light and alternates between a transparent state and a scatter state such that a digital overlay is superimposed on a view of the internal cavity;
• and
• a synchronizer that sets a display rate to trigger alternating the display screen and the diffuser element between states at a first point in time and a second point in time by:
• setting, at the first point in time, the display screen to the emissive state and the diffuser element to the scatter state;
• and
• setting, at the second point in time, the display screen to the attenuating state and the diffuser element to the transparent state.

A method for displaying a digital content overlay for a tangible object displayed within a display case, the method comprising:

• providing, at a first point in time, an emitted light image for display by way of a display screen, wherein the display screen renders the emitted light image by filtering light emitted from a diffuser element scattering light provided by a diffuser direct light source while the display screen is in an emissive state, wherein the diffuser element is affixed to the display screen and is adjacent to an internal cavity;
• providing, at a second point in time, a transparency mask image for display by way of the display screen, wherein the display screen renders the transparency mask image by filtering light from an ambient light source while the display screen is in an attenuating state;
• and
• utilizing a synchronizer to:
• toggle, based on a display rate, the display screen between the emissive state at the first point in time and the attenuating state at the second point in time;
• toggle, based on the display rate, the diffuser element between a scatter state at the first point in time and a transparent state at the second point in time;
• alternate, based on the display rate, the diffuser direct light source between an on state at the first point in time and an off state at the second point in time;
• and
• alternate, based on the display rate, the ambient light source between a second off state at the first point in time and a second on state at the second point in time.