AR Display Apparatus Grouping Objects Spatially

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing augmented reality technologies face challenges in displaying information about multiple objects in a simple and visually appealing manner, particularly when detailed hierarchy information or object priority is not available, leading to cluttered and confusing displays.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus and method that groups objects in a reality or virtual space, generating a distribution display showing the arrangement and density of objects, using a control unit to present this information in a field of view, with options to adjust transparency, color, and mode switching for detailed information, and employing probability density functions to enhance visibility and simplicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If additional information of multiple objects is displayed in one field of view, then information completeness is improved, but display clarity deteriorates due to overlay and clutter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddisplay clutter
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display of multiple objects by creating distinct visual groups based on spatial distribution. Objects are divided into separate clusters in the field of view, with each cluster representing a group of related objects. This segmentation prevents overlay clutter while maintaining information completeness by allowing users to see multiple object groups simultaneously in different spatial regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional overlay display to three-dimensional spatial distribution display. By utilizing depth and spatial positioning in the field of view, multiple object groups can be displayed at different distances and positions without overlapping. This dimensional change eliminates the clutter problem inherent in 2D overlay while preserving all information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If hierarchy information or object priority is used to determine display order, then information organization is improved, but system complexity increases due to information acquisition requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation organizationVSAvoidinformation acquisition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service organization by allowing objects to automatically form groups based on their inherent spatial distribution characteristics. The system acquires basic position information of objects and automatically clusters them according to spatial proximity and distribution patterns, without requiring external hierarchy or priority metadata. This eliminates the need for complex information acquisition while achieving effective information organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the organizational parameter from hierarchical metadata to spatial distribution parameters. By using position coordinates and spatial relationships as the basis for grouping, the system simplifies information requirements while maintaining effective organization. Objects are grouped based on spatial clustering algorithms that analyze position data, eliminating dependency on complex hierarchy information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If detailed information about each object is displayed, then information completeness is improved, but visibility of reality space deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject information completenessVSAvoidreality space visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple object information displays into unified spatial groups. Instead of displaying detailed information for each individual object separately, the system combines objects into clusters where shared characteristics and spatial relationships are highlighted. This merging reduces the total visual information load while preserving essential object information through group-level attributes and representative displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial information display by showing essential object characteristics at the group level rather than complete detailed information for each object. The distribution display provides sufficient information for spatial understanding and object identification without overwhelming the user with excessive details, maintaining the balance between information completeness and reality space visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10878629B2Display apparatus, information processing system, and control method
Publication Date: 2020.12.29 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US10878629B2 patent drawing
  • US10878629B2 patent drawing
  • US10878629B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display apparatus, an information processing system using the same, and a control method that are capable of providing information on a plurality of objects. A display apparatus includes a control unit and a display unit. The control unit groups a plurality of objects distributed in a reality space or a virtual space around a user and generates a distribution display, the distribution display displaying a region in which the grouped objects are distributed. The display unit presents the distribution display in a field of view of the user.