Stereoscopic Display Object Depth Offset for Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for stereoscopically displaying a shooting aim in virtual three-dimensional spaces result in unnatural visuals as the aim object is often hidden by other objects, losing its functionality.

Innovation Solution

An information processing program that uses a virtual stereo camera to render a stereoscopically visible image, where the aim object is preferentially displayed by offsetting its depth values using a Z-buffer algorithm, ensuring it remains visible with a sense of depth even when obscured by other objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the aim object is placed in the virtual three-dimensional space with other objects, then the stereoscopically visible image becomes natural with proper depth perception, but the aim object may be hidden behind other objects and lose its indicating function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural stereoscopic depth perceptionVSAvoidaim object visibility and function
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and adjusting the depth values of the aim object before rendering. The system determines the spatial relationship between the aim object and other objects in advance, and proactively modifies the aim object's depth information to ensure it will be visible in the final rendered image, preventing the hiding problem before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the depth parameter (Z-value) of the aim object dynamically. By adjusting the depth value based on the positions of other objects in the scene, the aim object is rendered at a modified depth that ensures visibility while maintaining natural stereoscopic appearance. This parameter modification allows the aim object to override other objects in the rendering pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the aim object is rendered on a two-dimensional plane in the virtual three-dimensional space, then the aim object is always visible in front of all other objects, but the stereoscopically visible image becomes unnatural without proper depth perception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaim object visibilityVSAvoidnatural stereoscopic depth perception
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the depth parameter of the aim object to strike a balance between visibility and natural appearance. Instead of placing it strictly on the 2D display plane (which ensures visibility but destroys depth perception) or strictly in 3D space (which creates depth perception but risks hiding), the system adjusts the depth value to a specific range that maintains both visibility and natural stereoscopic effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The aim object is naturally and stereoscopically displayed with a sense of depth, maintaining its functionality as a shooting reference without being obscured by other objects in the virtual three-dimensional space.

Implementation Method 1

the stereoscopically visible image rendering means renders the preferential display object by using a parallax based on a first depth from the virtual stereo camera, and according to a preference order based on a second depth, which is shallower than the first depth, from the virtual stereo camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectZ-buffer algorithm:

Data Source

PatentEP2469387B1Stereoscopic display of a preferential display object
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2469387B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2469387B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP2469387B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing program (401, 402) to be executed by a computer (31) is provided. The information processing program causes the computer to function as: preferential display object placing means (311, S1) for placing a preferential display object (105) in an imaging range of a virtual stereo camera (106) in a virtual three-dimensional space; stereoscopically visible image rendering means (312, S21 to S27) for taking the virtual three-dimensional space using the virtual stereo camera, and rendering a stereoscopically visible image of the virtual three-dimensional space; and display control means (312, S28) for causing the display apparatus to display the stereoscopically visible image rendered by the stereoscopically visible image rendering means. The stereoscopically visible image rendering means renders the preferential display object by using a parallax based on a first depth from the virtual stereo camera, according to a preference order based on a second depth, shallower than the first depth, from the virtual stereo camera.