Selective real image obstruction in a virtual reality display apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of displaying a viewable virtual image within a display area having viewable real images, the method comprising the step of:
- obstructing a view of real images in an obstruction area for obstructing views of real images within a portion of the display area, wherein the obstruction area is substantially independent of substantial obstructions resulting from a means for projecting the virtual image, thereby enhancing viewing of the virtual image in coincidence with the obstruction area while enabling viewing of the virtual image and the real images beyond the obstruction area.
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Abstract
A virtual reality system (200-322) stereoscopically projects a virtual reality images including a three dimensional image (245) having an interface image (250′) in a space observable by a user (100). The display system includes a substantially transparent display means (200) which also allows real images of real objects (850) to be combined or superimposed with the virtual reality images. Selective areas or characteristics of the real images are obstructed by a selective real image obstructer (860) to enhance viewing of selected virtual reality images while providing for viewing or real images or virtual images combined with real images in other viewing areas. The display system includes either a stereoscopic headset display system or a heads-up display system. The selective real images obstructer is a gray scale liquid crystal display included with the display system providing for adjustment of the size, shape and/or transparency of the obstruction of real images. The obstruction of real images may be adjusted in response to information for generating the virtual image, manual inputs or processing of real images by video cameras (310′ and 320′). Other selective real image obstructions include filtering a portion of the spectrum of visible light associated with the real images.
104 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of displaying a viewable virtual image within a display area having viewable real images, the method comprising the step of:
obstructing a view of real images in an obstruction area for obstructing views of real images within a portion of the display area, wherein the obstruction area is substantially independent of substantial obstructions resulting from a means for projecting the virtual image, thereby enhancing viewing of the virtual image in coincidence with the obstruction area while enabling viewing of the virtual image and the real images beyond the obstruction area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A display system comprising:
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a first display projector for projecting a virtual image within a viewable area wherein the virtual image appears substantially combined with real images visible within the viewable area; and
a first real image obstruction means for obstructing viewing of real images within an obstruction area within the viewable area, thereby enhancing viewing of the virtual image appearing within the obstruction area while enabling viewing of the virtual image and real images in the viewable area and beyond the obstruction area. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a headset display system, a method of enhancing viewing of a virtual image viewed in combination with real images comprised of a spectrum of light comprising the steps of:
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substantially filtering a portion of the spectrum of light of the real images; and
displaying the virtual image in a light spectrum substantially within the filtered portion of the spectrum of light of the real images. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification