Wearable Outer Display Prompts for See-Through Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-wearers of head-mounted VR devices cannot determine whether the wearer is using a see-through function, leading to privacy leakage risks as they may be unknowingly photographed.

Innovation Solution

Implement an outer display screen on the wearable device to display target prompt information indicating the enabled state of the see-through function, using inputs such as touch, voice, or gesture to enable the function and display text, face images, or scene images to inform non-wearers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the VR device occludes the wearer's vision to create a virtual environment, then the user immersion experience is improved, but the non-wearer cannot determine whether the wearer is using see-through function, leading to privacy leakage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser immersion experienceVSAvoidprivacy leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An outer display screen is introduced as an intermediary component between the VR device and the non-wearer. This display screen shows prompt information that mediates the communication of see-through function status to outsiders, allowing the wearer to maintain immersion while enabling privacy protection for non-wearers through visual indication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the see-through function is enabled to allow real environment viewing, then the wearer can see real objects and people, but the non-wearer cannot determine the function status and may be secretly photographed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesee-through function capabilityVSAvoidunauthorized photography risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback through the outer display screen that shows prompt information when the see-through function is enabled. This feedback mechanism allows the wearer to maintain the versatility of the see-through function while simultaneously informing non-wearers of the active state, enabling them to take preventive actions to protect their privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If no outer display screen is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the non-wearer cannot learn of the see-through function status in a timely manner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidfunction status information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The solution adds a new dimensional component (outer display screen) to the VR device that operates independently from the internal display. This external display dimension provides the necessary information communication channel without fundamentally complicating the core VR functionality, allowing timely information transmission to non-wearers while maintaining relative structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250292621A1Information prompt method, information prompt apparatus, electronic device, and readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

An information prompt method, an information prompt apparatus, an electronic device, and a readable storage medium are provided. The information prompt method includes: receiving a first input, where the first input is used to enable a see-through function of a wearable device; and displaying target prompt information on an outer display screen of the wearable device in response to the first input, where the target prompt information is used to indicate that the see-through function of the wearable device is enabled.