Electronic Device for Displaying Obscured Screen Content

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch screens and whiteboards are obscured by the user's hands or body, making it difficult to read and interact with the content accurately, and augmented reality systems do not effectively address this issue by displaying obscured areas.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a camera and display system that identifies the position of obscured areas, records and stores content before obstruction, and calculates the position to display the obscured content semi-transparently on the display, allowing users to see behind the obscuring objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch screen is used for input, then user interaction is enabled, but the hand occludes the screen making it difficult to read and touch precisely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidscreen content visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the obscured screen area and displays it in a different location (popup window or adjacent area) where it is not blocked by the user's hand. This allows the user to see the content they are interacting with without the hand blocking the original screen position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the obscured content from the two-dimensional screen plane to a different spatial arrangement (such as a popup window positioned above or beside the main screen area), effectively using another dimension to resolve the occlusion problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If a person writes on a white board, then information is displayed, but the hand, arm and body obscure what is written

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewritten content visibilityVSAvoidwriting action
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a camera to capture the white board content and creates a digital copy that is displayed on a screen or display device. This virtual copy allows readers to see the content without being blocked by the writer's hand, arm, or body, while the writer continues to write naturally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a camera and display system as an intermediary between the white board and the reader's eyes. This intermediary captures and transmits the content information, allowing readers to view the content without line-of-sight requirements and without being blocked by the writer's body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If augmented reality displays information on a display, then user experience is improved, but obscured areas are not effectively addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display capabilityVSAvoidobscured area visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the real-world view captured by the camera and displays it on the augmented reality display. This virtual copy includes areas that would otherwise be obscured, allowing users to see through or around obstacles in the real world while maintaining the augmented reality experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2825933B1Electronic device for displaying content of an obscured area of a view
Publication Date: 2016.02.10 SONY MOBILE COMM AB
  • EP2825933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2825933B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2825933B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a way of displaying content of an obscured area of a view for a user. The object is achieved by a method in an electronic device. The electronic device obtains (402) an information identifying a position of the obscured area in relation to the view. The electronic device further calculates (403) an information identifying the position of the obscured area on a display. The electronic device obtains (404) an information regarding the content of the view or part of the view when not obscured from a memory. The electronic device creates (405) an image relating to the content of the obscured area of the view. The electronic device further displays (406) the image on a place on the display that corresponds to the calculated (403) position of the obscured area in relation to the display.