Virtual Space Avatar Hints for Outside-View Presence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual space image providing devices fail to enable avatars to sense other avatars outside their visual field as a hint, lacking the ability to provide a sense of presence beyond direct view.

Innovation Solution

A virtual space image providing device with a target-avatar extraction unit to identify avatars outside the visual field, a hint image generator to create a hint image, and a hint image superimposition unit to overlay the hint image on the visual field edge, allowing avatars to perceive the presence of others outside their direct view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If only avatars within the visual field are displayed, then the primary view is clear and unobstructed, but avatars outside the visual field cannot be sensed or detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of avatars outside visual fieldVSAvoidprimary view clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the visual field into two distinct regions: the central visual field where avatars are fully visible and the peripheral area where only hint images are displayed. This segmentation allows the system to provide different levels of information to different regions, enabling detection of avatars outside the primary visual field without obstructing the clear view of the central area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hint image acts as an intermediary element between the avatar outside the visual field and the first avatar. Instead of directly displaying the full avatar image which would obstruct the primary view, the system uses a simplified hint image as a mediator to convey the presence and location of the external avatar, resolving the contradiction between detection and view clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If hint images are superimposed on the visual field edge, then avatars outside the visual field can be sensed as a hint, but the visual field may become obstructed or cluttered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesense of presence outside visual fieldVSAvoidvisual field obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different display qualities to different locations within the visual field. At the edges of the visual field where avatars outside the field are detected, hint images are superimposed to provide presence information. The central area maintains its normal quality for clear viewing. This local differentiation ensures that hint images provide necessary information without uniformly obstructing the entire visual field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of displaying full avatar images which would cause excessive obstruction, the system uses partial information in the form of simplified hint images. These hint images contain only the necessary information (presence and location) without the excessive detail of full avatar images, thereby minimizing visual field obstruction while maintaining the sense of presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250285349A1Virtual space image providing device

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

The virtual space image providing device includes a target-avatar extraction unit, a hint image generator, and a hint image superimposition unit. The target-avatar extraction unit extracts a second avatar as a target avatar when the second avatar exists in an area in a predetermined range outside a visual field seen by a first avatar in a virtual space image. The hint image generator generates a hint image that makes the first avatar feel that the second avatar is 10 outside the visual field. The hint image superimposition unit superimposes the hint image on an edge of the visual field.