XR Display Extension via Composite Image Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display solutions, including large TVs and virtual reality headsets, fail to provide users with a wider perspective of content, leading to limitations in immersive experiences and potential safety hazards due to isolation from the physical environment.

Innovation Solution

A composite image is generated by displaying a primary image portion on a physical display device and an enhanced image portion virtually on an extended reality device, maintaining continuity of image and color between the two portions to create a larger and more immersive viewing experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a larger TV is purchased to view content, then the display area increases, but the cost becomes exorbitant and the perspective width does not sufficiently increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into two parts: a physical display showing a first portion of content and a virtual display showing a second portion of content. This segmentation allows the user to access a larger total display area without purchasing a more expensive larger physical TV, as the virtual display portion is provided at no additional hardware cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a two-dimensional physical display to a three-dimensional experience by adding a virtual display layer. The virtual display portion is rendered in a different spatial dimension (via head-mounted display or augmented reality), effectively adding depth to the display architecture and enabling a larger total viewing area without increasing physical footprint or cost proportionally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If a virtual reality headset is used to watch content, then the field of view increases, but users are isolated from people in the physical environment and safety hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of viewVSAvoidisolation from physical environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The solution merges the virtual display with the physical environment by using augmented reality technology. The virtual display portion is overlaid on top of the physical environment through transparent or translucent display elements, allowing users to see both the virtual content and real-world surroundings simultaneously. This combining approach maintains social connectivity and situational awareness while providing an enhanced field of view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical environment acts as an intermediary layer that remains visible through the virtual display. Instead of completely blocking the physical world (as in traditional VR), the system uses transparent display technology that allows the physical environment to serve as a background or context layer, mediating between the virtual content and real-world surroundings to maintain user safety and social awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a virtual reality headset is used to watch content, then the immersive experience increases, but the user cannot see the physical environment creating safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmersive experienceVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the level of immersion by controlling the transparency of the virtual display elements. Users can switch between more immersive modes (higher virtual content opacity) and safer modes (higher physical environment visibility) based on situational requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize between immersive experience and safety in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the display have different transparency characteristics. The virtual display portion can be made opaque when immersion is prioritized, while the physical environment visibility is maintained in other portions or can be dynamically adjusted. This local quality differentiation allows selective immersion levels in different spatial regions or temporal frames to balance entertainment and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250159275A1Methods of extending flatscreen displays with XR devices

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 ADEIA GUIDES INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for extending the span of content displayed in a first view frustum by virtually overlaying a virtual portion of the content on a display of an XR device are described. A composite image, which includes a primary image portion, and an enhanced image portion are requested. The primary image portion is to be displayed on a physical display having a first view frustum. Characteristics of the enhanced image portion are determined based on factors such as the user comfort, field of view from the XR device, and system rendering and encoding capabilities. The primary image portion is displayed in a first view frustum simultaneously and synchronized with the enhanced image portion in a second view frustum. The enhanced image portion is anchored, and color matched with the primary image portion to provide the appearance of one single composite display that has image and color continuity.