Head-Mounted Display Depth Plane Control for Calibrated Users

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing VR, AR, and MR technologies face challenges in providing a comfortable and realistic presentation of virtual image elements due to accommodative conflicts and eye strain caused by mismatched depth cues, particularly when used by both calibrated and uncalibrated users.

Innovation Solution

A wearable display system that adjusts depth planes based on user identity, using content-based depth plane switching for uncalibrated users and dynamic calibration for calibrated users, combined with eye tracking and interpupillary distance measurement to ensure accurate depth perception and reduce eye strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If depth planes are fixed for all users, then device complexity is reduced, but user comfort and realism deteriorate due to accommodative conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoiddepth plane adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic depth plane adjustment by switching between discrete depth planes based on user identity (calibrated vs. uncalibrated). The system dynamically adapts the depth plane configuration according to whether the user has completed calibration, thereby resolving the contradiction between user comfort and device complexity through conditional dynamic behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the depth plane parameter based on user calibration status. For calibrated users, the system uses one depth plane configuration, while for uncalibrated users, it uses another configuration. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize for different user states without requiring continuous complex adjustment, thus improving comfort while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If content-based depth plane switching is used for uncalibrated users, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of use for uncalibrated usersVSAvoiddepth perception accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service depth plane selection for uncalibrated users by automatically detecting their calibration status and applying appropriate depth plane configuration without requiring manual input or calibration procedures. This self-service approach improves ease of operation while accepting limited measurement precision, as the system prioritizes user accessibility over precise depth measurement for uncalibrated users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If dynamic calibration is performed for calibrated users, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth perception accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration actions in advance during initial setup, storing the calibrated depth plane information for later use. By completing the time-consuming calibration process beforehand, the system avoids repeated calibration time loss during actual usage, thereby improving measurement precision when needed while minimizing time loss during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If eye tracking and interpupillary distance measurement are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye tracking accuracyVSAvoideye tracking system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses eye tracking and interpupillary distance measurement as intermediary data to infer user identity and calibration status. Rather than directly measuring all required parameters, the system uses these intermediary measurements to determine appropriate depth plane configuration, thereby improving measurement precision for depth perception while managing overall device complexity through indirect measurement approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4073689B1Systems and methods for operating a head-mounted display system based on user identity
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 MAGIC LEAP INC
  • EP4073689B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4073689B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4073689B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for depth plane selection in display system such as augmented reality display systems, including mixed reality display systems, are disclosed. A display(s) may present virtual image content via image light to an eye(s) of a user. The display(s) may output the image light to the eye(s) of the user, the image light to have different amounts of wavefront divergence corresponding to different depth planes at different distances away from the user. A camera(s) may capture images of the eye(s). An indication may be generated based on obtained images of the eye(s), indicating whether the user is identified. The display(s) may be controlled to output the image light to the eye(s) of the user, the image light to have the different amounts of wavefront divergence based at least in part on the generated indication indicating whether the user is identified.