Transparent AR Window for Shared Contactless Image Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality (AR) devices require individual or shared equipment for each user, limiting their communal and contactless use, and often obstruct the user's view of the real-world environment.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an optically transparent display screen that tracks a user's viewing direction and target location to overlay computer-generated imagery without requiring wearable or handheld devices, allowing multiple users to experience AR concurrently and safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional AR devices (smartphones, tablets, HMDs) are used, then AR experience is provided to individual users, but the devices require physical contact with each user and cannot be shared communally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent display screen as an intermediary between the AR system and users. This screen displays computer-generated imagery while allowing users to view the real world through it, enabling communal AR experiences without requiring each user to have their own device or make physical contact with shared equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of digital content and overlays it onto the physical environment through the transparent display. This allows multiple users to simultaneously experience the same AR content without needing individual devices, as the copied visual information is projected into shared space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional AR devices overlay computer-generated graphics, then AR functionality is achieved, but the display obstructs the user's view of the real-world environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a transparent display screen that allows light to pass through while displaying visual information. This transparency maintains the user's ability to see the real world clearly while still presenting computer-generated graphics, effectively combining AR overlay capability with unobstructed view clarity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual AR devices are provided for each user, then personalized AR experience is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal AR system through the transparent display screen that can serve multiple users simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate AR devices for each user, this single multi-functional system provides personalized AR experiences to multiple users at once, reducing overall device complexity and cost.
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 shared AR experiences without the need for personal devices, enhancing user interaction with real-world targets while maintaining a clear view and reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a display device including an optically transparent display screen for displaying images to a user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises: a display device including an optically transparent display screen for displaying images to a user; a sensor configured to track a viewing direction and/or a viewing position of the user; a detector configured to determine a location of a target viewable by the user through the display screen; and a controller configured to control the display device to display an image on the display screen at screen coordinates corresponding with the viewable target, using the tracked viewing direction and/or the tracked viewing position of the user and the determined location of the target.