Binocular Display Alignment Using Depth-Based Vertical Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Binocular display systems in mixed-reality (MR) systems suffer from vertical misalignment issues, leading to user discomfort, blurred vision, and double vision due to software and hardware inaccuracies, which current correction methods can be disruptive to the user experience.

Innovation Solution

A head-mounted display (HMD) system with a misalignment detection system and controller that analyzes the distance to foreground and background objects to determine a vertical misalignment correction strategy, adjusting the display alignment based on the relative distances and coplanarity to minimize perceptibility of corrections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vertical misalignment correction is applied in mixed-reality systems, then image fusion quality improves, but user discomfort may increase due to noticeable corrections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage fusion qualityVSAvoiduser discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different correction strategies based on the depth location of virtual objects. For distant objects, aggressive correction is applied since they have less visual impact. For nearby objects, conservative correction is used to maintain image stability and avoid causing user discomfort. This local differentiation of correction intensity resolves the contradiction between achieving good fusion quality and minimizing discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The correction approach dynamically adjusts based on scene depth characteristics. The system continuously analyzes the depth distribution of virtual objects and adapts the correction magnitude accordingly. When objects are far away, larger corrections are applied; when objects are nearby, smaller corrections are applied. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain fusion quality while minimizing noticeable disruptions that cause discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If aggressive vertical misalignment correction is applied, then fusion quality improves, but image stability deteriorates causing noticeable disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefusion qualityVSAvoidimage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements depth-based differential correction where the correction magnitude is locally adapted to the depth of virtual objects. Distant objects receive stronger correction forces to achieve good fusion, while nearby objects receive weaker correction to maintain stability. This resolves the contradiction by applying aggression only where it won't cause noticeable disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the correction parameter (magnitude of vertical adjustment) based on the depth parameter of virtual objects. By making the correction strength a function of object distance, the system achieves high fusion quality for distant objects while preserving image stability for nearby objects, thus resolving the contradiction between fusion quality and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If conservative vertical misalignment correction is applied, then image stability is maintained, but fusion quality deteriorates leading to user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidfusion quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies conservative correction only to nearby virtual objects where stability is critical, while allowing more aggressive correction for distant objects where fusion quality is more important. This spatial differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate correction intensity to the appropriate depth regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The correction magnitude dynamically varies with virtual object depth. The system transitions from conservative correction for nearby objects to aggressive correction for distant objects, optimizing both stability and fusion quality across different depth regions simultaneously, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If depth-based differential correction is applied, then overall system performance improves, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the virtual scene into depth-based regions (near and far objects) and applies different correction strategies to each segment. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall performance by optimizing correction for each depth region independently, while keeping the computational approach modular and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses depth distance as a parameter to control correction magnitude, creating a continuous or discrete correction profile. This parameter-based approach improves system performance by adapting to scene characteristics, while the computational complexity remains manageable through the use of simple depth comparisons and lookup tables or predefined correction curves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12627787B2Distance-based vertical misalignment correction
Publication Date: 2026.05.12 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US12627787B2 patent drawing
  • US12627787B2 patent drawing
  • US12627787B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for correcting vertical misalignment in a binocular display system comprises receiving a signal from a misalignment detection system comprising information related to vertical misalignment between a left eye display and a right eye display of the binocular display system. Image content displayed via the binocular display system is analyzed to determine a distance to a foreground virtual object in the image content at which a user is gazing. The method further comprises analyzing depth image data to determine a distance to a background object in a real-world environment. A vertical misalignment correction strategy is determined based at least upon the distance to the foreground virtual object and the distance to the background object. Based upon the vertical misalignment correction strategy, the binocular display system is controlled to correct the vertical misalignment.