AR User Engagement Indicator for Social Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable augmented reality (AR) devices can create socially uncomfortable situations as users interacting with virtual content may be invisible to others, leading to misunderstandings in public or social settings, as there is no clear indication of their engagement with virtual or real content.
Innovation Solution
An AR user engagement indicator device that generates signals (visual or auditory) to inform onlookers about the user's activity, using a monitoring module to process data on user interaction, gaze direction, and virtual content to activate indicator modules for parameters like recording, immersion, focusing, and space activity, preventing miscommunication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AR devices provide immersive virtual content experience, then user engagement with virtual content is improved, but social visibility and clear indication of user activity to onlookers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an indicator device as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's immersive AR experience and the social environment. The indicator module generates visible signals (such as LED indicators or display elements) that convey information about user activity state to onlookers, allowing the user to remain immersed while providing social visibility through this intermediate communication channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring user activity data (such as gaze direction, interaction state, and immersion level) and using this information to dynamically control the indicator module. This feedback loop ensures that the indicator accurately reflects the user's current engagement state with virtual content, providing real-time social visibility without breaking immersion.
2Illumination intensity
If AR devices block external light for pure virtual reality, then virtual content visibility is improved, but awareness of real-world surroundings and social interaction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator device serves as an intermediary signal system that compensates for the isolation caused by blocking external light. By providing visible indicators of user state to the external environment, the system maintains social awareness and prevents misunderstandings even when the user's visual access to the real world is restricted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes or light emission from indicator modules to communicate different user activity states. Different colors or lighting patterns can indicate various states such as immersed, interacting, or paused, allowing onlookers to understand user intent without the user needing to visually engage with them.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are directed to an indicator device of user activity in Augmented Reality (AR). The indicator device comprises an indicator module being configured and operable to generate at least one signal being indicative of at least one social relevant parameter related to the user activity to at least one user's onlooker, and a monitoring module connectable to the indicator module and being configured and operable to receive and process data related to user activity, determine whether the user is in a certain condition corresponding to a certain social relevant parameter, and activate the indicator module upon identification of the certain user condition.