Virtual Object Transparency Control for AR Navigation Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The visibility of real objects within a user's visual field is reduced due to the presentation of virtual objects, making it difficult for users to intuitively grasp the location of destinations, especially when they are hidden behind other objects or require navigation through complex environments.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that acquires user and destination position information, adding virtual objects to the user's visual field based on this data and controlling their transparency to prioritize the visibility of real objects, allowing users to easily locate destinations by adjusting the virtual object's opacity and display based on the user's position and environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If virtual objects are presented to enhance user convenience, then user convenience is improved, but visibility of real objects is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidvisibility of real objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the transparency characteristics of virtual objects based on their spatial relationship with real objects. Virtual objects that overlap with real objects are rendered with higher transparency, while those in open spaces maintain lower transparency for better visibility. This localized adjustment of transparency properties resolves the contradiction by preserving real object visibility in critical areas while maintaining virtual object utility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making virtual object transparency adjustable and responsive to user interaction and environmental context. The transparency of virtual objects can be dynamically modified based on user preferences, lighting conditions, and the density of real objects in the field of view. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different situations, balancing virtual object visibility with real object observability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If virtual objects are added to indicate destination location, then navigation information is improved, but visual clutter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation informationVSAvoidvisual clutter
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs color changes as a primary mechanism to differentiate virtual objects from real objects and to encode navigation information. Virtual objects are rendered with distinct colors, transparency levels, and visual styles that make them easily distinguishable from the real environment. Color-coded indicators show destination locations, route directions, and points of interest without creating excessive visual clutter, as the color system provides intuitive information hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing navigation information into discrete, spatially distributed virtual objects rather than presenting a single complex overlay. Destination markers, route indicators, and information points are segmented and placed at their respective geographic locations within the user's field of view. This segmentation allows users to process navigation information in manageable chunks scattered throughout the environment rather than as a dense集中 display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11403806B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2022.08.02 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US11403806B2 patent drawing
  • US11403806B2 patent drawing
  • US11403806B2 patent drawing

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus that presents a virtual object useful for a user while suppressing a reduction in visibility of a real object. The information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires position information of a user and position information of a destination; and a display control unit that adds a first virtual object in association with a position of the destination within a visual field of the user on the basis of the position information of the user and the position information of the destination, in which the display control unit controls transparency of a predetermined virtual object within the visual field on the basis of the position information of the user.