Shared AR Display Control With Privacy-Adjusted Gaze Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing augmented reality technologies do not effectively enable multiple users to experience shared augmented reality environments, as it is unclear which objects are being viewed by other users, leading to ambiguity in user interactions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that control the display of augmented reality devices by receiving and transmitting users' viewpoints between devices, allowing only proximal users to share gaze information based on individual privacy settings, and using object recognition and gaze detection to enhance shared experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If viewpoint information is shared among all users, then collaborative AR experience is improved, but privacy control and user autonomy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaborative AR experienceVSAvoidprivacy control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts viewpoint sharing based on user proximity and individual privacy settings. Users can control their own visibility radius, and the system automatically determines which users should share viewpoints based on their spatial relationship. This dynamic approach enables collaborative AR experiences while maintaining individual privacy control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If viewpoint data is transmitted between all AR devices, then shared awareness is improved, but data transmission complexity and energy consumption worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshared awarenessVSAvoiddata transmission energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements local quality by transmitting viewpoint data selectively based on user proximity rather than universally. Each user's viewpoint is only shared with users within their configured visibility radius, reducing unnecessary data transmission. This localized approach maintains shared awareness among relevant users while minimizing energy consumption and network traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If privacy settings are made customizable per user, then user autonomy is improved, but system complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser autonomyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by allowing each user to independently configure their own privacy settings and visibility radius without requiring complex system-wide configuration. Users autonomously control who can see their viewpoint, and the system automatically applies these settings to manage data sharing. This approach enhances user autonomy while keeping the system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3765941B1Method and system for controlling a display of an augmented reality device and computer program with instructions for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3765941B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3765941B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3765941B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Information on the focal points (103, 104) of users (101, 102) is shared. The users (101, 102) can be the users of an augmented reality device (1), but the focal points (103, 104) can also be ascertained even for users (101, 102) who are not using an augmented reality device. The shared information can then be used as the basis for a series of applications and allows a shared augmented reality to be provided. For example, the focal point (104) of a second user (102) is superimposed on an augmented reality display of a first user (101).