Focus-Adaptive AR Information Display for Reduced Eye Fatigue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing augmented reality displays often cause visual miscues and eye fatigue due to vergence-accommodation mismatches, where the eye focuses at a different depth than the displayed information, leading to discomfort and poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

The method, apparatus, and computer program product determine the focus distance of a user and adjust the representation of information on the display based on this distance, using optical and non-optical techniques to align the focus of virtual information with the user's gaze, thereby reducing or eliminating visual miscues and eye fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual information is overlaid on the physical world in augmented reality displays, then information presentation capability is improved, but visual miscues and eye fatigue occur due to vergence-accommodation mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation presentation capabilityVSAvoidvisual miscues and eye fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the focal plane adjustable and movable to match the user's gaze direction. The display system dynamically changes the focal distance of virtual information based on real-time detection of user gaze, allowing the focal plane to adapt to different viewing distances and directions, thereby resolving the vergence-accommodation mismatch that causes visual fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the display system by adjusting the focal plane position and focal distance according to user gaze. This involves modifying the optical path and focal characteristics of the augmented reality display to ensure that virtual information is presented at the correct focal distance, eliminating visual miscues while maintaining enhanced information presentation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the focal plane is fixed in augmented reality displays, then device complexity is reduced, but visual miscues occur when user gaze distance changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocal plane configurationVSAvoidvisual accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using gaze detection to monitor user viewing behavior and automatically adjusting the focal plane position accordingly. The system receives feedback from gaze detection sensors and modifies the focal distance of virtual information in real-time, ensuring visual accuracy is maintained without requiring complex manual configuration of the focal plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If virtual information is presented at a fixed distance, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but user comfort deteriorates due to focus mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay assembly precisionVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming the fixed focal distance into an adjustable parameter that responds to user gaze. Instead of requiring high manufacturing precision to achieve perfect focus at a single fixed distance, the system dynamically adjusts the focal plane to match user viewing conditions, significantly improving user comfort while reducing stringent manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2839331B1Method and apparatus for determining representations of displayed information based on focus distance
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2839331B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2839331B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2839331B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided to facilitate determining representations of displayed information based on focus distance. In the context of a method, a focus distance of a user is determined. The method may also determine a representation of the data based on the focus distance. The method may also cause a presentation of the representation on a display.