Dynamic Proximity Boundaries for XR Obstacle Awareness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users interacting with immersive extended reality (XR) content may be distracted from their surrounding physical environment, leading to unawareness of proximate objects due to the immersive nature of the experience.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically generates proximity boundaries around the user and their device, adjusting based on velocity, to detect and respond to proximate objects by initiating notifications or modifying virtual content presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If immersive XR content is presented to enhance engagement, then user engagement with XR content is improved, but user awareness of physical surroundings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of proximate objects using sensors before the user becomes aware of potential hazards. By continuously monitoring the physical environment and pre-identifying objects within a defined volume, the system can prepare appropriate responses (notifications or content modification) before the user interacts with or approaches the object, thus maintaining engagement while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by detecting user engagement levels and physical environment conditions, then adjusting XR content presentation accordingly. When proximate objects are detected or user engagement patterns indicate potential distraction, the system provides feedback through notifications or content modification to remind users of their physical surroundings, creating a closed-loop system that balances immersion with awareness.
2Device complexity
If a fixed proximity boundary is used to detect objects, then detection simplicity is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to user movement
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity boundary is transformed from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adaptive structure that moves with the user. By defining the boundary volume relative to the user's position and adjusting it based on movement velocity, the system maintains detection accuracy as the user moves through the environment. The boundary expands or contracts based on detected motion, ensuring continuous and accurate proximate object detection without requiring complex multiple-boundary systems.
3Reliability
If notifications are frequently displayed to alert users of proximate objects, then user safety is improved, but user immersion in XR content deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly interrupting XR content with notifications, the system applies localized modifications only in specific regions where proximate objects are detected. The XR content is modified locally around the detected object's position, allowing users to maintain immersion in the overall XR environment while receiving targeted safety alerts. This localized approach preserves the immersive experience while ensuring safety awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes parameters of XR content presentation based on detection conditions. Rather than binary on/off notifications, the system adjusts parameters such as content opacity, visibility, or interaction characteristics in response to proximate object detection. This parameter-based modulation allows safety warnings to be conveyed while maintaining XR immersion, as the content transitions smoothly rather than abruptly interrupting the experience.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing a visual treatment based on proximity to an obstruction includes collecting, by a device, a sensor data for an environment, and determining a velocity of the device. A boundary of a volume around the device is determined based on the velocity. If a physical object is detected within the boundary based on the sensor data, then a notification procedure is initiated. The boundary of the volume dynamically changes as the velocity of the device or user changes.