Reality Overlay Lens for Selective Virtual Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual reality technologies only provide a visual experience of virtual entities, excluding real-world entities from the user's view.
Innovation Solution
A wearable reality overlay device that overlays virtual entities onto real-world environments by processing environmental information and generating images of virtual entities as non-transparent regions on a lens, allowing both real and virtual entities to be viewed simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual reality is presented through computer screens or special displays, then virtual entities can be displayed, but real world entities are excluded from the visual experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges virtual entity images with the real-world environment by projecting virtual images onto transparent lenses that users wear. This allows both virtual entities and real-world entities to be viewed simultaneously through the same optical path, combining two previously separate visual experiences into a unified display system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transparent lenses as an intermediary medium between the user's eyes and the visual environment. These lenses serve as a mediator that can simultaneously transmit real-world light and display virtual entity images, enabling the integration of virtual and real elements without requiring complete immersion in a simulated environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire visual field is replaced with virtual entities, then a complete virtual reality experience is achieved, but the ability to view real world entities is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic visual system where the proportion of virtual versus real-world content can be adjusted based on user needs and application requirements. The system can transition between displaying primarily virtual entities, primarily real-world entities, or a balanced mix, providing flexibility in the visual experience while maintaining ease of interaction with the environment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual entity images are displayed as non-transparent regions on the lens, then virtual entities appear present in the environment, but real world entities in those regions are concealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making specific regions of the lens non-transparent where virtual entities need to be displayed, while keeping other regions transparent to allow viewing of the real world. This localized modification of lens transparency enables selective concealment and display of entities in different visual fields, providing reality reconfiguration without complete information loss.
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
Enables users to interact with virtual and real-world entities in a unified environment, enhancing applications such as virtual gaming, interior decorating, and altering perceptions of reality.
Implementation Method 1
The display generator is a display device that includes an array of image pixels. The lens may include the display device. The display device is configured to selectively activate pixels of the array of image pixels to form the image of the entity.
Implementation Method 2
An image of the entity is generated based on the processed image information as a non-transparent region of a lens of the wearable device, enabling the entity to appear to be present in the environment to the user.
Implementation Method 3
In one example configuration, the display generator includes an image projector configured to project the image of the entity on the lens.
Data Source
AI summary
Virtual entities are displayed alongside real world entities in a wearable reality overlay device worn by the user. Information related to an environment proximate to the wearable device is determined. For example, a position of the wearable device may be determined, a camera may capture an image of the environment, etc. Virtual entity image information representative of an entity desired to be virtually displayed is processed based on the determined information. An image of the entity is generated based on the processed image information as a non-transparent region of a lens of the wearable device, enabling the entity to appear to be present in the environment to the user. The image of the entity may conceal a real world entity that would otherwise be visible to the user through the wearable device. Other real world entities may be visible to the user through the wearable device.