Selective Object Magnification in Augmented Reality Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual magnification systems, such as binoculars or camera zoom, cannot selectively magnify specific objects in the visual field while maintaining the original size of other objects, and they lack the ability to automatically determine salient objects and compute optimal magnification factors to exceed human perception thresholds without occluding important details.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses high-resolution cameras to capture real-time images, processes them with computer vision algorithms to classify and segment targets, and applies mathematical transformations to selectively magnify specific objects on augmented reality displays, maintaining the natural view of the remainder of the visual field and adjusting for individual visual acuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If binoculars or camera zoom are used to magnify objects, then the perceived size of objects increases, but the entire visual field is magnified and other important objects cannot be seen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visual field into multiple regions of interest, each potentially requiring different magnification levels. The system divides the camera feed into multiple zones and applies selective magnification to specific segments rather than uniformly magnifying the entire field of view, allowing users to see multiple important objects at different scales simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different magnification qualities to different regions of the visual field. Salient objects are identified and assigned higher magnification factors while other regions maintain lower magnification, creating a non-uniform magnification map that optimizes visibility for multiple objects with varying importance levels
2Ease of operation
If manual magnification control is used, then users can adjust magnification levels, but the system cannot automatically determine optimal magnification factors to exceed human perception thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors user interactions with magnified objects and automatically adjusts magnification factors based on perceived importance. The system learns from user behavior patterns and automatically determines optimal magnification levels without requiring manual adjustment, while still allowing users to override automatic decisions when needed
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution cameras are used to capture images, then detailed visual information is captured, but computational processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of high-resolution images by pre-identifying potential salient objects and pre-calculating magnification factors before they are needed for display. The system processes images in advance, segments regions of interest, and prepares magnified versions ready for rapid display, reducing real-time computational requirements while maintaining high visual fidelity
Data Source
AI summary
One or more cameras capture objects at a higher resolution than the human eye can perceive. Objects are segmented from the background of the image and scaled to human perceptible size. The scaled-up objects are superimposed over the unscaled background. This is presented to a user via a display whereby the process selectively amplifies the size of the objects' spatially registered retinal projection while maintaining a natural (unmodified) view in the remainder of the visual field.