Mixed Reality Device Collision Alert via Spatial Region Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mixed reality devices struggle to enhance worker safety by effectively detecting potential collisions between workers wearing MR devices and objects in their surrounding environment, especially in complex work sites where the visual field is restricted.

Innovation Solution

A mixed reality device that measures its own coordinate, calculates a first region, detects objects in the surrounding area, calculates a second region based on the object's coordinate, and outputs an alert when the first and second regions overlap, thereby indicating a potential collision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a mixed reality device displays virtual space to overlap real space to provide information to workers, then work efficiency is improved, but worker safety deteriorates due to restricted visual field and undetected collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidworker safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary collision detection system that mediates between the virtual reality display and the real-world environment. Sensors detect objects in the real space, and the system generates visual alerts (intermediary signals) to warn workers of potential collisions, thus maintaining both productivity enhancement and safety protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the environment through sensors, detecting objects in real space, and providing real-time visual alerts to workers. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures workers remain aware of their surroundings despite wearing MR devices, maintaining safety while enabling productivity benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the mixed reality device provides comprehensive information display, then task performance is improved, but collision detection capability deteriorates due to visual field restriction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask performanceVSAvoidcollision detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual human detection system with electronic sensors and computational algorithms. Instead of relying on workers' natural vision to detect objects, the system uses sensors to detect objects in real space and computationally generates alerts, substituting electronic detection for human visual detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes sensor data about real-space objects and translates this information into visual alerts displayed through the MR device. This intermediary system bridges the gap between comprehensive information display needs and collision detection requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250124674A1Mixed reality device, processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a mixed reality device is configured to display a virtual space to overlap a real space. The mixed reality device measures a first coordinate of the mixed reality device and calculates a first region by using the first coordinate as a reference. The mixed reality device detects an object present in the real space in a surrounding area of the mixed reality device and calculates a second region by using a second coordinate of the object as a reference. The mixed reality device outputs an alert when the first region and the second region overlap.