Stereoscopic Image Display Scaling for Comfortable Proximity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display technologies, such as head-mounted displays, impose a minimum viewing distance to prevent viewer discomfort like dizziness and double vision, limiting the proximity of virtual images and thus the interactive experience in augmented and virtual reality applications.

Innovation Solution

A method that establishes a predetermined threshold distance for a computer-generated image, increasing its size as the viewer moves closer while maintaining the vergence distance at the threshold, allowing a magnified view without discomfort by scaling the image uniformly or proportionally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a minimum viewing distance is imposed to prevent viewer discomfort, then viewer comfort is improved, but the proximity of virtual images and interactive experience is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewer discomfortVSAvoidviewing distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the size of the computer-generated image based on the viewer's distance from the display device. As the viewer moves closer, the image size increases proportionally, maintaining a constant perceived viewing distance and preventing discomfort while allowing closer physical interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the size parameter of the displayed image in response to changes in viewer distance. By adjusting the image size parameter dynamically, the system maintains the vergence distance at a predetermined threshold, resolving the contradiction between allowing close viewing and preventing discomfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the size of the computer generated image is increased as the viewer moves closer, then the proximity perception is improved, but the vergence distance must be maintained to avoid discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing distanceVSAvoidimage size adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from depth sensing devices to continuously monitor the viewer's distance from the display and automatically adjusts the image size accordingly. This closed-loop control maintains the vergence distance at the threshold without requiring manual intervention, managing complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3161544B1Stereoscopic image display
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3161544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3161544B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3161544B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments that relate to displaying a computer generated image to a viewer via a stereoscopic display system are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises establishing a predetermined threshold distance from an eye of a viewer to a threshold displayed position of a computer generated image. The method includes determining that a vergence distance from the eye of the viewer to a current displayed position of the image is at or below the predetermined threshold distance. Based on the vergence distance being at or below the predetermined threshold distance, a size of the image is increased while maintaining the vergence distance at the predetermined threshold distance as the eye of the viewer moves toward the image.