AR Object Outline Display for Scene Visibility in Headsets

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Solution Overview

Problem

In augmented reality environments, the visibility of a real-world scene can be impaired when a large number of augmented reality (AR) objects are displayed or when their display area is significant, and their color matches the real-world environment, leading to reduced visibility.

Innovation Solution

The AR objects are displayed as outlines with adjustable attributes such as color, thickness, and saturation, and the display attributes are adjusted based on the AR object's count and display area to improve visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a camera is mounted on a head-mounted display to capture images for augmented reality, then the field of view is limited by the camera's optical characteristics, but adding a wide-angle lens increases the size and weight of the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidweight of head-mounted display
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A mirror is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the camera and the display. The mirror reflects light from the camera at an angle, allowing the camera to capture a wider field of view without requiring a wider-angle lens. This resolves the contradiction by achieving extended field of view while avoiding the weight increase that would result from using a wider-angle lens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical path from a direct linear arrangement to a reflected path using a mirror. By altering the dimensionality of light propagation (adding reflection), the system achieves a wider effective field of view without increasing the physical aperture size of the camera lens, thus avoiding the associated weight penalty.

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

2Loss of time

If the camera is positioned close to the display to minimize delay, then the field of view is restricted by the camera's optical characteristics, but moving the camera farther away increases the time delay between capturing and displaying images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime delayVSAvoidfield of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror acts as an intermediary that allows the camera to be positioned at an optimal distance from the display while still maintaining a wide field of view. The reflected light path enables the camera to capture images from a position that provides both minimal time delay and extended field of view, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of moving object

If the camera is positioned at the center of the display, then the structure is simple, but the field of view is limited; if positioned at the edge, then the field of view is extended, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror is positioned at the edge of the display and serves as an intermediary that redirects light from the camera. This allows the camera to be positioned at the edge of the display (where it can capture a wider field of view) while the mirror handles the optical complexity of directing the light to the appropriate display location, thus extending field of view without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mirror is strategically positioned at a specific location (the edge of the display) where it provides the most effective optical benefit. By localizing the complex optical element to a specific position rather than distributing complexity throughout the entire system, the patent extends field of view while minimizing the impact on overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enhances the visibility of the real-world scene by clearly delineating AR objects as outlines, improving the user's perception of both the AR and real-world elements.

Implementation Method 1

a mirror is used to reflect light from the camera at an angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4582906B1Augmented reality object display method and electronic device supporting same
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4582906B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4582906B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4582906B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device configured to acquire an image by using a camera, based on that at least one of a count of an AR object to be displayed by using a display and a ratio of a display area of an AR object to a resolution of the display are greater than or equal to a threshold, determine to display the AR object, based on that a difference between at least one first representative pixel value for the AR object and a second representative pixel value for a first region of the image corresponding to a display position of the AR object is not included in a threshold range, display the AR object as an outline in accordance with a first display attribute which uses the at least one first representative pixel value, based on that the difference between the at least one first representative pixel value and the second representative pixel value is included in the threshold range, display the AR object as the outline in accordance with a second display attribute different from the first display attribute.