Virtual Space Imaging With Time-Varying Blur for Realistic Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual space image generation methods fail to accurately replicate the temporal change in blurriness associated with focal point adjustment of the human eye, leading to discrepancies between virtual and real-space visibility changes when the user's viewpoint moves.
Innovation Solution
A virtual space image generation device that includes an image generation unit capable of generating a visibility change region where visibility changes over time based on the user's viewpoint movement, applying a blurring process to simulate the gradual focus adjustments of the human eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blurring process is applied to the virtual space image based on HMD rotation speed, then VR sickness is alleviated, but the temporal change in blurriness does not match real-space appearance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporal dynamics to the blurring process by making the blur strength change over time according to a transition function. Instead of applying a static blur based only on rotation speed, the system now applies a dynamic blur that evolves through transition in/out and transition out phases, matching the natural temporal behavior of human eye focus adjustment when the viewpoint changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of blur strength from a static value determined solely by rotation speed to a time-varying parameter that follows a transition function. The blur strength parameter now includes temporal components (transition in/out phases) that replicate the physiological response of the human eye, allowing the system to maintain both VR sickness alleviation and accurate visibility evaluation.
2Productivity
If image data is blurred at hardware processing speed, then image generation is efficient, but the blurring speed exceeds the focal point adjustment speed of eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing temporal evolution to the blurring process. The blur is no longer applied instantaneously at hardware speed but evolves over time through defined transition phases. This dynamic approach allows the system to process images efficiently while the blur transitions at a rate that mimics human eye focal point adjustment, resolving the contradiction between processing speed and visual realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the transition function that cycles through different blur strength phases (transition in/out, transition out). Instead of applying a constant or instantaneous blur, the system periodically adjusts the blur strength according to the transition function, creating a rhythm that matches the natural periodic nature of eye focus adjustment when viewing moving objects.
3Ease of operation
If the viewpoint changes in the virtual space image, then the visibility evaluation can proceed, but the peripheral region appears blurry differently than in real space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the blur treatment between the center and peripheral regions of the image based on the viewpoint position. The transition function applies different blur strengths to different regions, with the peripheral regions receiving stronger blur to match the natural optical properties of the human eye. This local differentiation ensures that visibility evaluation proceeds smoothly while accurately reproducing the characteristic blurriness of peripheral vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of blur strength across different regions of the image. Instead of applying uniform blur, the system varies the blur parameter locally based on the distance from the viewpoint center, using the transition function to create a gradient effect that matches real-space peripheral vision characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual space image generation device generates a virtual space image including a visibility change region in which a visibility changes based on movement of a viewpoint of a user. The virtual space image generation device includes an image generation unit that generates the virtual space image in which a degree of change in visibility of the visibility change region changes with elapse of time, when the viewpoint of the user moves. According to the virtual space image generation device, the virtual space image that achieves visibility close to that of the appearance of a real space can be generated when the viewpoint of the user moves.