Head-Worn AR Collaboration Using Shared Virtual Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality systems face challenges in being lightweight, low-cost, and providing a wide virtual image field of view with minimal vergence-accommodation mismatch, while also supporting multiple focal planes for practical use in various scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A connected mobile computing system featuring a head-worn display, hand-held controller, and auxiliary computing device, integrated with sensors and communication protocols, enables users to share and interact with virtual objects and environments across different geographic locations, facilitating collaborative experiences through wearable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If augmented reality near-eye displays are made lightweight and compact, then wearability and user comfort are improved, but the virtual image field of view becomes limited and optical quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the augmented reality functionality into separate components: a lightweight head-worn near-eye display and a separate auxiliary computing device. This segmentation allows the near-eye display to remain compact and wearable while the auxiliary device handles complex processing, enabling a wide virtual image field of view without increasing the weight of the head-worn component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple focal planes in the optical system to add depth dimensionality to the virtual image presentation. This allows the system to maintain a compact form factor while providing a wide field of view through multi-planar optical paths, effectively resolving the contradiction between size and optical performance.
2Ease of operation
If multiple focal planes are implemented to reduce vergence-accommodation mismatch, then visual comfort and practical usability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary optical system with multiple focal planes that mediates between the user's eye and the virtual image. This multi-planar intermediary structure reduces vergence-accommodation mismatch by providing intermediate focal points, improving visual comfort while managing the complexity through modular optical design.
3Ease of manufacture
If transparent optics are used to maintain visibility of the real world, then augmented reality experience quality is improved, but optical precision and image clarity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs composite optical structures that combine transparent optical elements with precise manufacturing. The near-eye display uses composite optical materials and multi-layer structures that maintain transparency for real-world visibility while incorporating precision-engineered components to ensure high image quality and optical clarity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method of facilitating communication between first and second users includes displaying, by a first head-worn device, a first virtual object to the first user first user wearing the first head-worn device. The method also includes displaying, by a second head-worn device, a second virtual object to the second user wearing the second head-worn device. The method further includes facilitating, by the first and second head-worn devices, communications between the first and second users using the first and second virtual objects to simulate the first and second users being present in a common environment.