XR Focus Mode for Replacing Distracting Physical Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extended reality systems often suffer from distractions caused by elements of the physical environment interfering with a user's ability to focus on a particular task, such as mixed or augmented reality environments.
Innovation Solution
A wearable system with sensors and a processor that enters a focus mode to reduce distractions by replacing potentially distracting objects or regions of the physical environment with additional content in the extended reality environment, using a head-mounted display to present a modified or virtual representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the extended reality environment includes a reproduction of the physical environment, then the user experience is more immersive and realistic, but distracting objects in the physical environment can divert user attention from desired activities
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality treatments to different regions of the physical environment. Specifically, it identifies distracting objects within the field of view and selectively replaces only those objects with virtual content, while leaving non-distracting portions of the physical environment unchanged. This localized modification approach maintains immersion for relevant elements while eliminating distractions, resolving the contradiction between realism and focus.
2Productivity
If the system replaces distracting objects with virtual content, then user focus on primary tasks is enhanced, but the complexity of the system increases due to object identification and dynamic content generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of objects in the physical environment into distracting and non-distracting categories before the user begins the primary task. By pre-identifying and replacing distracting objects before the task commences, the system reduces the computational burden during task execution and minimizes real-time processing complexity while maintaining high user focus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the user's field of view and engagement with the extended reality environment, dynamically adjusting which objects are replaced based on current attention patterns. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain simplicity by only processing objects that are actually relevant to the user's current focus, rather than uniformly processing all objects in the environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to aspects of the extended reality environments that are selected or otherwise modified to account for distracting stimuli. Similarly, one or more metrics that reflect, or are otherwise indicative of, a user's ability to focus on a current or upcoming activity may be used to adjust a user's interaction with the extended reality environment. The extended reality environment can generated by an extended reality system that includes a head-mounted display, a set of sensors and a processor configured to enter a focus mode that reduces distraction in an extended reality environment. While in the focus mode, the process or can receive imaging data of a physical environment around a user using the set of sensors and generate the extended reality environment that includes a reproduction of the first region of the physical environment where an identified object is replaced with the additional content.