AR Headset Icons for Real and Virtual Object Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Augmented reality (AR) devices face challenges in accurately selecting between real-world and virtual objects due to overlapping content, leading to frustrating and unintentional selections, with current solutions being inadequate.

Innovation Solution

A headset with processing capabilities and storage that identifies user input to present icons indicating whether selected objects are real-world or virtual, allowing for precise selection through gestures or voice commands, and executing commands like cut or copy based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both virtual objects and real-world objects are visible to the user and might partially overlap each other, then the AR experience is enhanced, but accurately selecting the intended object becomes frustrating and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAR experienceVSAvoidobject selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies visual differentiation through distinct icons to indicate whether a selected object is virtual or real-world. When an object is selected, a first icon is displayed if it's a virtual object, and a second icon is displayed if it's a real-world object, enabling users to easily distinguish between the two types despite visual overlap in the AR environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If visual overlap between real-world and virtual objects occurs, then the AR display is comprehensive, but unintentional selections increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay comprehensivenessVSAvoidselection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses distinct visual icons to indicate the nature of selected objects. A first icon indicates a virtual object while a second icon indicates a real-world object, providing clear visual feedback that prevents unintentional selections and improves selection reliability even when objects visually overlap in the AR display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate visual feedback by displaying distinct icons that indicate whether the selected object is virtual or real-world. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify their selection intent before executing actions, thereby reducing unintentional selections and improving overall selection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If no indication is provided about object type, then the interface is simple, but user confusion between real and virtual objects increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidobject differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces minimal visual indicators in the form of distinct icons that appear when an object is selected. A first icon indicates a virtual object and a second icon indicates a real-world object. This addition maintains interface simplicity while significantly improving object differentiation and user understanding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS11537260B1Graphical indications and selectors for whether object being selected via AR device is real or virtual

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

In one aspect, a headset may include at least one processor, a display accessible to the at least one processor, and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage may include instructions executable by the at least one processor to identify user input regarding a particular object and, based on the user input, present an icon on the display. The icon may indicate whether the particular object is a real-world object or virtual object. Subsequent to presentation of the icon, the instructions may then be executable to execute a command related to selection of the particular object.