HUD Spatial Anchors for Eye-Tracked Virtual Element Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autostereoscopic display systems struggle to dynamically adapt to changes in user head position and complex geometries of optical combiners, leading to inconsistent visibility and obstructions of graphical elements, particularly in HUDs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using eye position-based spatial anchors to dynamically position graphical elements by determining a 3D view frustum and placing spatial anchors on its cross-section, ensuring elements remain visible and aligned with the user's field of view regardless of head position or viewing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed or static spatial positioning of virtual elements is used, then device complexity is reduced, but visibility and usability of graphical elements deteriorate due to head position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic spatial positioning of graphical elements by tracking eye position and recalculating the canvas area and element positions in real-time. The system transitions from static to dynamic positioning, where virtual elements automatically adjust their positions based on detected eye movements and head position changes, ensuring consistent visibility without requiring complex manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring eye position through cameras or sensors and using this information to adjust the positioning of graphical elements. The detected eye position feeds back into the rendering system, which then recalculates and repositions elements to maintain optimal visibility, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to user movements.
2Reliability
If manual seat height adjustment is required, then visibility of virtual elements can be improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting eye position and adjusting graphical element positioning without requiring any manual intervention from the user. The tracker continuously monitors eye movements and the system autonomously recalculates and repositions virtual elements to maintain visibility, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust seat height or other physical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical adjustment system (manual seat height adjustment) with an optical/electronic system. Instead of requiring physical movement of the user or mechanical adjustment of the display, the system uses eye tracking cameras and software-based canvas recalculation to achieve the same visibility improvement, substituting mechanical complexity with computational intelligence.
3Device complexity
If the canvas area is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to head position changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic canvas area that automatically adjusts its boundaries and position based on detected eye position. Instead of using a fixed canvas, the system recalculates the visible area and repositions virtual elements within this dynamically adjusted canvas, allowing the display to adapt to various head positions and eye movements while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
4Manufacturing precision
If virtual elements are positioned at fixed locations, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but visibility consistency deteriorates with head movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from eye tracking to dynamically adjust element positions, compensating for variations in manufacturing precision. By continuously monitoring eye position and recalculating optimal element locations, the system can tolerate greater variations in initial positioning while still maintaining consistent visibility, effectively reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Enhances user experience by maintaining consistent visibility and reducing visual strain, adapting to complex geometries, and ensuring graphical elements are always visible and usable, improving usability and comfort in HUDs.
Implementation Method 1
determine a relative position of a given eye of at least one user with respect to a semi-reflective surface of the optical combiner, using the tracker
Data Source
AI summary
A relative position of a given eye of user(s) is determined with respect to a semi-reflective surface of an optical combiner, using a tracker. A given reflection region is identified on the semi-reflective surface from which light emitted by a light-emitting surface (122, 606) of an autostereoscopic display is reflected toward the given eye. A given three-dimensional (3D) view frustum corresponding to the given eye is determined. For a given virtual depth at which graphical element(s) is/are to be presented, a frustum cross-section of the given 3D view frustum is determined at the given virtual depth relative to the given eye. Spatial anchor(s) is/are positioned at predefined position(s) on the frustum cross-section. A position for the graphical element(s) on the frustum cross-section is determined relative to the spatial anchor(s). A given image for presenting the graphical element(s) to the given eye, is determined, the graphical element(s) being positioned at the determined position.