HMD Line of Sight Guidance via Dynamic Virtual Object

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted displays (HMDs) face challenges in effectively directing a user's line of sight to a specific point in a three-dimensional virtual space, especially when the developer wants to guide the user's attention to a particular object within the virtual environment.

Innovation Solution

A computer program that identifies a target object in a three-dimensional virtual space, determines the field of view based on the user's line of sight, and dynamically places a guiding object within the field of view to direct the user's attention, using a virtual camera's position and line of sight to position the guiding object appropriately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If HMD allows free movement of user's line of sight through head movement, then user's sense of immersion is heightened, but the system loses ability to direct user's line of sight to specific points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser's sense of immersionVSAvoidability to direct line of sight to specific points

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guiding object as an intermediary element between the user and the target object. This guiding object dynamically follows the user's line of sight and provides visual cues (such as arrows or highlights) to guide the user's attention toward the target, thereby maintaining free head movement while still achieving directional guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If HMD tracks head movement to change line of sight direction, then user can cast line of sight freely in 3D space, but developer cannot control user's attention to particular points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree line of sight movementVSAvoidline of sight direction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding object is designed to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on the user's line of sight direction and the target object's position. It follows the user's gaze and adapts its guidance behavior in real-time, creating a dynamic system that balances user freedom with developer control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the user's line of sight direction and uses this feedback to adjust the guiding object's position and behavior. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to respond to user actions while maintaining guidance toward the target, resolving the conflict between user freedom and directional control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9928650B2Computer program for directing line of sight

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 COLOPL

AI summary

A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing instructions for directing a line of sight by causing a computer that is connected to a head-mounted display to identify a position of a target object in a three-dimensional virtual space. The computer is further caused to determine a field of view that is based on the line of sight from a virtual camera, in relation to movement of the HMD. The computer is further caused to place a guiding object, which follows the line of sight, in the three-dimensional virtual space at a point in the field of view that is determined based on a position of the virtual camera, a direction of the line of sight, and the position of the target object. The computer is further configured to generate instructions for displaying a field-of-view image of the three-dimensional virtual space including the guiding object.