Microsoft Patent | AR display with adjustable stereo overlap zone

Patent: AR display with adjustable stereo overlap zone

Publication Number: 10147235

Publication Date: 2018-12-04

Applicants: Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for use in a virtual reality environment including a head mounted display device and a processing unit. In examples, the processing unit adjusts an amount by which left and right displayed images overlap each other at a given distance, such as the focal distance, from the head mounted display device.

Background

Augmented reality is a technology that allows virtual imagery to be mixed with a real-world physical environment. A see-through, head mounted display device may be worn by a user to view the mixed imagery of real objects and virtual objects displayed in the user’s field of view. In examples, microdisplays for both the left and right eyes project images including virtual objects into left and right optical lens assemblies. The optical lens assemblies then project the images into the left and right eyes. By providing the two images with binocular disparity, the head mounted displays can create a stereopsis effect where the virtual images appear three-dimensional at varying depths.

Given the spacing between the left and right optical lens assemblies, a horizontal stereo overlap of the left and right displayed images varies with a distance away from the lens assemblies. Lens assemblies may be configured to have complete image overlap at a given focal distance (for example at infinity), but this results in incomplete image overlap at other focal distances. Incomplete image overlap can have some disturbing visual effects, such as dim bands at the horizontal edges and possible a reduced stereopsis effect.

Summary

Embodiments of the present technology relate to a system and method for presenting three-dimensional virtual objects within an augmented reality environment. A system for creating virtual objects in general includes a see-through, head mounted display device coupled to at least one processing unit. The head mounted display device includes a pair of microdisplays and optical lens assemblies, one each for the left and right eyes, for presenting images to the left and right eyes with stereopsis effect.

A focal distance of the left and right lens assemblies may be set to a predefined position during manufacture, such as for example 2 meters from the lens assemblies. Thereafter, an algorithm may shift the pixels at which the microdisplays project the left and right images to provide stereo overlap of the left and right images at the focal distance. The microdisplays may be provided with spare, generally unused pixels at a border of the display for use when shifting the displayed left and right images.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.