AR Virtual Object Display Priority and Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Augmented reality (AR) devices, such as head-mounted displays (HMDs), face challenges in maintaining visibility of virtual objects while reducing power consumption to minimize battery size and weight, as decreased lumen output affects the visibility of virtual objects displayed over real-world scenes.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adjusting the color, brightness, and position of virtual objects based on the real-world scene's luminosity, movement, and user preferences, with a 'window manager' controlling these adjustments to conserve power, particularly by prioritizing regions for virtual object placement and modifying display settings as battery charge levels decrease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the lumen output of the HMD is decreased to reduce power consumption, then battery size and weight are reduced, but the visibility of virtual objects is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidvisibility of virtual objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different brightness levels to different virtual objects based on their importance and the characteristics of the real-world background. Critical virtual objects maintain higher brightness while less important ones use lower brightness, allowing the HMD to operate at reduced overall lumen output while preserving visibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The brightness and visibility of virtual objects are dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of user attention (eye tracking), movement detection, and scene analysis. When the system detects the user is not actively viewing a virtual object or when movement is detected, brightness is reduced to save power while maintaining visibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If the lumen output of the HMD is decreased to extend battery operational time, then duration of action is improved, but visibility of virtual objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational timeVSAvoidvisibility of virtual objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system periodically assesses the need for high brightness by monitoring user attention through eye tracking, detecting movement, and analyzing scene changes. Brightness is maintained at higher levels only when necessary (when virtual objects are being viewed or when critical information is displayed) and reduced during periods of inactivity, thereby extending operational time while maintaining visibility during active use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes display parameters (brightness, contrast, visibility) based on detected conditions such as user attention level, movement detection results, and scene characteristics. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to extend battery operational time by using lower brightness levels during non-critical periods while ensuring visibility is maintained when virtual objects need to be viewed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If virtual objects are displayed in high-priority regions, then visibility and user interaction are improved, but power consumption increases due to higher brightness requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is segmented into multiple priority regions, with critical virtual objects placed in high-priority regions and less important objects in lower-priority regions. The system selectively applies higher brightness only to high-priority regions when needed, while using reduced brightness in lower-priority regions, thereby maintaining ease of operation for critical interactions while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2920766B1Modifying virtual object display properties
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2920766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2920766B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2920766B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Various arrangements for organizing virtual objects within an augmented reality display are presented. A display may be provided and configured to present a virtual field-of-view having multiple virtual objects superimposed on a real-world scene. Priorities may be assigned to multiple regions of the virtual field-of-view based on real-world objects present within the real-world scene. A priority of a region of the multiple regions may be based on one or more real-world objects identified in the region. The multiple virtual objects may be displayed within the virtual field-of-view arranged based on the prioritized multiple regions.