Near-Eye Display Peripheral Dimming for VR Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating a virtual environment in virtual reality can be unintuitive for users, leading to discomfort due to differences in expectations regarding rotations and translations, which is amplified by the immersive nature of the experience.
Innovation Solution
A method where a peripheral region of the field of view is dimmed during navigation to focus the user's attention on a specific virtual location or object, creating the perception that only that element is being manipulated, while the entire virtual environment is adjusted, and then brightened upon completion to reveal the new perspective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire virtual environment is adjusted during navigation, then the navigation functionality is achieved, but user disorientation and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The visual field is segmented into a central region and a peripheral region. During navigation, only the central region remains visible while the peripheral region is obscured. This segmentation allows the system to adjust the entire virtual environment for navigation functionality while protecting the user from disorientation by limiting peripheral visual feedback during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the visual field are treated differently during navigation. The central region maintains normal visibility to preserve navigation awareness, while the peripheral region is dimmed or obscured to reduce disorientation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying different visual treatments to different spatial zones.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the peripheral region is dimmed during navigation, then user disorientation is reduced, but the overall visibility of the virtual environment is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The visual field is divided into central and peripheral zones with different illumination characteristics. The peripheral region is selectively dimmed while the central region maintains full brightness, achieving reduced disorientation without completely sacrificing overall visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Illumination intensity is differentiated by spatial location. The peripheral region receives reduced illumination to minimize disorientation effects, while the central region maintains normal illumination levels to preserve essential visibility for navigation tasks.
3Ease of operation
If the field of view is adjusted to change perspective, then navigation between locations is achieved, but user comfort decreases due to immersive nature
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for navigation by obscuring the peripheral visual field before the actual perspective change occurs. This preliminary action prevents the user from perceiving the disorienting effects of environmental adjustment, allowing comfortable navigation between locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the visual field are treated differently during navigation transitions. The central region allows perspective changes for navigation, while the peripheral region is protected from these changes to maintain user comfort.
Data Source
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AI summary
A field of view of a virtual environment is visually presented via a near-eye display from a first perspective. A begin-adjustment command is received. A peripheral region of the field of view that surrounds a wearer's gaze target is dimmed, via the near-eye display, based on the begin-adjustment command. A navigation command is received. The field of view of the virtual environment is adjusted from the first perspective to a second perspective based on the navigation command. An end-adjustment command is received. The peripheral region of the field of view is brightened, via the near-eye display, based on the end-adjustment command. The field of view of the virtual environment is visually presented, via the near-eye display, from the second perspective.