How AR Glasses Make Virtual Objects Look Solid

This patent describes how augmented reality glasses can make virtual objects appear more distinct by selectively blocking real-world light behind them using a special pixelated filter.

What it covers

The patent describes an optical see-through display device, like AR glasses, that helps virtual images look more real. It includes an "opacity filter" (Claim 1), which is a grid of tiny pixels, like a transparent screen, placed between your eye and the real world. A "display component" shows the augmented reality image. An "opacity filter control circuit" then makes specific pixels in this filter less transparent (more opaque) exactly where the augmented reality image is displayed (Claim 2). This selective blocking of real-world light behind the virtual image makes the virtual image appear more solid and distinct. For example, if you're wearing these glasses and a virtual dog appears to sit on your real-world table, the filter would darken the part of the table directly behind the virtual dog, making the dog look less ghostly and more like it's actually there. The filter can also adjust opacity around the edges of the virtual image (Claim 4, 5, 6) or based on the image's position relative to the display's boundaries (Claim 8, 9).

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover augmented reality systems that entirely block the real-world view (e.g., virtual reality headsets).
• —Does not cover systems where the opacity filter's control is unrelated to the shape or position of the augmented reality image.
• —Does not cover methods of making AR images appear distinct without using a pixelated, controllable opacity filter.
• —Does not cover AR systems that only use projection onto the real world without a physical filter to adjust real-world light.
• —Does not cover systems where the opacity filter is not positioned between the user's eye and the real-world scene.

The clever bit

The clever bit is using a pixelated, controllable opacity filter to dynamically block real-world light only where an augmented reality image is displayed. This makes the virtual image stand out more clearly against the real background, solving a key problem of making virtual objects appear solid and not ghost-like.

Why it matters

This technology is crucial for making augmented reality experiences more immersive and believable. One of the biggest challenges in AR is making virtual objects look like they truly belong in the real world, especially when they should appear in front of real objects. This patent addresses the "occlusion problem" by enhancing the visual fidelity of AR images, which is vital for widespread adoption of AR glasses in consumer and industrial applications.

Real-world examples

• 1.Microsoft HoloLens 2
• 2.Magic Leap 2
• 3.Future consumer AR glasses
• 4.Industrial AR headsets for maintenance or training