Stereo Offset Rendering to Redirect Focus in Mixed Reality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users have difficulty focusing on real-world content when virtual content is presented with the same focal depth, leading to frequent switching between virtual and real-world content.

Innovation Solution

Applying an additional stereo offset to virtual content to intentionally misalign the user's focus, simulating distortion effects such as double vision or cross-eyed focus, redirecting attention to desired real-world or virtual content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual content is presented with the same focal depth as real-world content, then the user can view both virtual and real-world content simultaneously, but the user has difficulty focusing on real-world content and switches focus frequently between virtual and real-world content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to view both virtual and real-world contentVSAvoidfocus stability on real-world content

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a focal depth adjustment mechanism that differentiates between virtual content and real-world content. By modifying the focal properties of virtual content specifically (without affecting real-world content), the system creates distinct depth planes that enable stable focus on real-world content while maintaining virtual content visibility. This local differentiation resolves the focus switching problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional depth dimension by adjusting focal depth along the optical axis. By positioning virtual content at a different focal plane (either closer or farther) relative to real-world content, the system creates a depth separation that allows the user's eyes to focus on real-world content while perceiving virtual content as either in front of or behind it, eliminating focus instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If virtual content is positioned at the same depth plane as real-world content, then the display can present mixed content efficiently, but the user experiences focus switching and difficulty concentrating on real-world content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent presentation efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent switching focus between content types

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies focal depth adjustment specifically to virtual content while leaving real-world content unchanged. This selective modification creates a local depth differentiation that maintains efficient mixed content presentation while eliminating the need for users to repeatedly shift focus, thereby reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the focal depth parameter of virtual content to create a separation from real-world content's focal plane. By changing this optical parameter, the system maintains content presentation efficiency while preventing focus switching, as the user's eyes naturally focus on real-world content at its original depth plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If additional stereo offset is applied to virtual content, then the user's focus is redirected to targeted real-world content, but the virtual content becomes misaligned and may cause visual distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus direction controlVSAvoidcontent alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent intentionally introduces a controlled misalignment (harm) to virtual content through stereo offset adjustment, which paradoxically benefits focus direction control. By deliberately shifting the virtual content's apparent position, the system guides user attention to real-world content while managing the distortion through careful parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts stereo offset parameters of virtual content to control focus direction. By modifying these optical parameters within acceptable ranges, the patent achieves effective focus guidance while maintaining alignment precision sufficient for comfortable viewing, balancing focus control with visual comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12560810B2Biasing user focus based on content rendering

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device may perform an operation to content (e.g., virtual content) that causes a stereo offset to the content, thus causing the content to become out of focus to a user. For example, based on the stereo offset the user may experience double vision when viewing the content. The operation may include a stereo offset that causes a misalignment of an image presented on a display for the user's left eye and a display for the user's right eye. By causing the user to experience double vision or otherwise perceive the content out of focus, the user may be more inclined to view other content, which may include targeted content by the electronic device.