Stereoscopic Display Depth Sensor Overlap for Real-Virtual Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stereoscopic image display technologies fail to provide a convincing sense of distance between real and virtual objects, limiting immersive interaction and manipulation experiences.

Innovation Solution

An I/O device and method that combines a stereoscopic image display with a depth level sensor, creating a common region where the stereoscopic image and depth level detection regions overlap, allowing for visual recognition as if a real object were in contact with a virtual image, and enabling manipulation through real object interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a stereoscopic image display is used to create a sense of depth, then the visual realism is improved, but the sense of distance between real and virtual objects remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual realismVSAvoidsense of distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a stereoscopic image display with a depth level sensor to create an integrated system. The display unit presents stereoscopic images while the depth sensor simultaneously detects real-world depth information, merging virtual and real visual channels to enhance the overall sense of distance and spatial relationship between virtual and physical objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The depth level sensor acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the stereoscopic display and the user's perception of real space. By detecting depth information and feeding it back to the display system, it mediates the interaction between virtual images and physical environment, enabling more accurate distance perception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a depth level sensor is added to detect distance, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The depth level sensor is designed to serve multiple functions within the system: it detects distance for enhancing stereoscopic perception, provides data for manipulating virtual objects, and enables the creation of common regions between virtual and physical spaces. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the sensor by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the depth sensor's capabilities to enhance its own functionality. The stereoscopic display and depth sensor work together where the display presents visual information and the sensor provides complementary depth data, creating a self-reinforcing system where each component enhances the other's utility without requiring external complex systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the stereoscopic region and depth detection region are made to overlap, then the immersive interaction is improved, but the alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmersive interactionVSAvoidregion alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts and adapts the common region based on detected depth information and user interaction. Rather than requiring fixed, pre-aligned regions, the system can dynamically define and reposition the common region where stereoscopic and depth detection fields overlap, allowing flexibility in alignment and adapting to different usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters such as the position, size, and shape of the common region based on depth sensor feedback and user interaction patterns. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains effective overlap between stereoscopic and depth detection regions without requiring extremely precise fixed alignment, accommodating variations in setup and usage.

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

Enables immersive visual recognition and manipulation experiences by creating a sense of distance and depth interaction between real and virtual objects, enhancing user engagement and interaction with virtual environments.

Implementation Method 1

a depth level sensor that measures a distance to a target object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDepth level detection: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS9979946B2I/O device, I/O program, and I/O method

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 MINAMI CHIKARA

AI summary

Provided are an I/O device, an I/O program, and an I/O method that enable visual recognition with such a sense of distance as if a target object that is a real image were in contact with a stereoscopic image that is a virtual image. The I/O device according to the present invention includes: a display device that can generate a stereoscopic image; and a depth level sensor that measures a distance to a target object. A stereoscopic region of the stereoscopic image generated by the display device and a depth level detection region of the depth level sensor overlap with each other to thereby have a common region therebetween. As a result, the visual recognition with such a sense of distance as if the target object that is a real image were in contact with the stereoscopic image that is a virtual image is possible.