Head-Mounted Display Peripheral Vision Enhancement for User Focus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current augmented reality and virtual reality display systems face challenges in providing a comfortable and natural presentation of virtual image elements within real-world imagery, particularly in enhancing visibility of objects in the peripheral vision field and maintaining user focus during tasks requiring concentration, such as surgery or driving.

Innovation Solution

A head-mounted display system that uses waveguides and image modification techniques to enhance visibility of objects in the peripheral field of view by adjusting image content based on lighting conditions and de-emphasizing central content, allowing users to focus on central objects while maintaining awareness of peripheral objects with improved resolution and contrast.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If virtual image elements are presented with high visibility enhancement, then peripheral object visibility is improved, but central object clarity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperipheral object visibilityVSAvoidcentral object clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different image processing qualities to different spatial regions: peripheral regions receive enhanced visibility processing (brightness adjustment, contrast enhancement, edge detection) while the central foveal region maintains original high-fidelity image quality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing peripheral visibility enhancement without compromising central object clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If image processing is applied to enhance peripheral vision, then awareness of peripheral objects is improved, but computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperipheral awarenessVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The field of view is segmented into three distinct regions: central foveal region, intermediate region, and peripheral region. Image processing is selectively applied only to the peripheral region for awareness enhancement, while the central region remains unprocessed. This segmentation reduces computational resources by limiting processing to only the necessary peripheral areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of processing the entire field of view uniformly, the system applies partial processing only to the peripheral region where awareness enhancement is needed. This partial action approach minimizes computational overhead while achieving the desired effect of improved peripheral object detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple image processing functions are applied simultaneously, then comprehensive image enhancement is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage enhancement capabilityVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts which image processing functions are applied based on real-time conditions such as lighting environment, user gaze direction, and task requirements. Processing parameters like brightness adjustment, contrast enhancement, and edge detection are dynamically modified or activated/deactivated as needed, providing comprehensive enhancement capability while managing system complexity through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to maintain focus on central objects while simultaneously viewing peripheral objects with enhanced visibility and resolution, reducing the need to constantly shift attention and improving task performance in demanding environments.

Implementation Method 1

A head-mounted display system that uses waveguides and image modification techniques to enhance visibility of objects in the peripheral field of view

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentEP3488283B1Head-mounted display system
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 MAGIC LEAP INC
  • EP3488283B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3488283B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3488283B1 patent drawingFigure 1C-1~1C-2

AI summary

A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can Include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.