We were asked by our academic adviser to create a device that demonstrates some form of artistic expression for Sonoma State's Green Music Center. To fulfill this request, we developed the idea of creating a device we now call The Laser Vortex Cannon. The Laser Vortex Cannon is a special affects device that uses a 2D Laser scanner to eliminates smoke rings. The optics combined with smoke creates an illusion of a traveling vortex laser ring. Once the concept is developed, the user could then decide that instead of a laser ring, they cant to display a different artistic pattern. Which can be achieved by changing a few lines of code.

Currently there is no single device on the market that allows for such artistic functionality. The closest alternative to this project is to purchase a smoke machine to flood any given area and then purchase a special affects lighting systems to project a random pattern on the smoke. This alternative is used by many entertainment organizations and is very costly. The current systems also do not allow for much of an artistic expression. The user is not able to have more control over the product and project a design on the smoke.

At this time, we would like to focus on marketing this device to the entertainment industry: (DJs, clubs, concert halls, theaters, art museums, special effect stores, and people who throw parties). We have chosen the entertainment industry due to its demand for special affects equipment. As mentioned before, many entertainment industries currently use fog machines and some form of lighting system, which limit their creativity for special effects and entertainment. Therefore, we would like to take advantage of the limitations placed on them and provide them with an alternative solution.

We feel this problem is important to the entertainment industry because the current systems do not allow them to provide customized affect for different artist and performers. This in turn limits the creativity of the artist/performer by forcing them to uses the same affects as the previous artist/performer. In addition to just being more artistic our project will be able to create special effects for plays and events that other alternate products cannot do. The people would care about this problem would be anybody who wants to put on a play, concert, decorate, or even just enjoy the beauty of lights and patterns of lights being reflected off smoke rings.

We feel that by making this project, we are also allowing for future development to the world of special affects. Future development could include: illuminating the rings with multiple colors at one time, increase the complexity of patterns in which the rings are illuminated, interface the device with a computer or phone to allow user to design their pattern right there and see it change making it very easy to personalize each pattern.