Patent Description:
With the growing acceptance of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) ("AR/VR") systems, the AR/VR systems are currently being deployed in a number of different industries, and being implemented in multi-facet ways via AR/VR apps for applications in aerospace, automotive, logistics etc. These AR/VR apps can be used by users who are equipped with smart glasses that enable a display of user content to assist the user in performing a task, service or job function. The mobile augmented reality systems combined with features such as gaze detection and foveate rendering has the potential to revolutionize the manner in which content is displayed and interacted with by users in performance of certain activities. This is because the virtual content can be directly integrated with surroundings, actual objects and conditions in the real world and provide guidance to the mobile user, who can interact with corresponding or related content displayed in a AR/VR environment; to pose and to resolve queries, and to collaborate with other users. The augmented view of the user's surroundings presents an interface to context-dependent operations, many of which are related to the actual objects in view via user interfaces putting forth virtual objects for guidance and performing tasks in the real world by users. Further, these users with smart glasses reap benefits from various information showed in the AR/VR domain that would otherwise require manual look up on their part and this saves time and helps them perform the job or task required right way.

However, unlike PC or tablets, the smart glasses still provide smaller displaying capability in terms of amount of information that are comfortably visible at once. The information in AR or VR virtual screens is positioned all around the user and in his/her surroundings so that the user can look for more information. With the plethora of content displayed about the user in AR/VR, the user often is not aware of changes in content and content updates because the changes and updates can be outside the field of view of the user or may not either not be currently visible or the user does not notice a content change. In an immersive viewing experience with smart glasses, changes can occur that are outside the field of view of the user that the user may be only peripherally at best aware of. In such cases, the user may not turn his head or body to encompass the change in his/her field of view and this can lead to important pieces of information missed.

The result of this missing content can lead to improper actions taken by a user in task performance because the user as a result does not have a full picture of the current situation. The missing of content by the user can lead to mistakes (even in minute amounts) that can delay or cause improper user's decisions in a task performance. This often results because the user attention is fully focused on the job at hand and not on the content displayed that results in information presented being missed due to this lack of attention. Moreover, the missed information may occur even when the content is displayed right in front of user in a current display screen. Also, other chain related issues are raised when content is missed that cause confusion, loss of situational awareness, delayed decision or improper actions taken which can accentuate an initial wrong situation caused by information missed from the inadvertent user lack of attention.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and system that creates a set of attention pointers in a field of view of an user that dynamically draws the user attention to content and content changes on virtual screens that encompass the user's field of view to content outside the user's field of view by spawning attention pointers within the field of view (FOV) to elements of real objects, virtual objects and images outside the FOV.

Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. Documents cited during prosecution include <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention provides a solution for the mentioned problems according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are provided by the dependent claims. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and system to augment, virtualize, or present real and virtual objects with ATPs, where the ATPs are presented to draw or direct user attention to content including elements of real and virtual objects, and content changes displayed in the virtual screens. In various instances, the ATPs can provide guidance such as in the performance of task in an user's job or to an user viewing objects of interest by using the ATPs to direct or draw the attention of the user to content changes.

In one exemplary embodiment, a method for generating attention pointers, is provided. The method, includes: displaying, in a display of a mobile device, an object within and outside a field of view (FOV) of an user wherein the object outside the FOV are real objects; monitoring, by a processor of the mobile device, for a change in the object within and outside the FOV; in response to a change, generating by the processor one or more attention pointers within the FOV of the user for directing user attention to the change in the object which is either inside or outside the FOV; and displaying, by the processor, on a virtual screen within the FOV to the user, the one or more attention pointers wherein the one or more attention pointers are dynamically configured to interact with the user in response to detections based on a movement of the user or the object within or outside the FOV of the user.

In various exemplary embodiments, the method includes: identifying, by the processor, an object inside or outside the FOV by generating an attention pointer configured as a highlight about the object. The method further includes: generating, by the processor, an attention pointer as a highlight about the object that dynamically changes as the object moves into the FOV of the user; and removing the attention pointer of the highlight of the object once the object is within the FOV. The method further includes: generating, by the processor, an attention pointer as a highlight of a border of a virtual screen when the virtual is screen is outside or outside in part of the FOV of the user that dynamically changes as the virtual screen moves into the FOV of the user; and removing, by the processor, the attention pointer of the highlight of the border of the virtual screen once the virtual screen is within the FOV of the user. The method, further includes: re-configuring, by the processor, the one or more attention pointers by size, shape, and image for drawing user attention to the object. The method, further includes: updating, by the processor, one or more virtual screens within or outside the FOV of the user, by the user selecting an update button. The method, further includes: generating, by the processor, an attention pointer of a highlight of a real object as the object moves from outside to inside the FOV of the user. The method, further includes: configuring, by the processor, one or more attention pointers about the border of the virtual screen once the virtual screen within the FOV of the user.

In another embodiment, a system to generate attention pointers on a plurality of virtual screens is provided. The system includes: a processor configured to display an object within and outside a field of view (FOV) on a display to an user wherein the object outside the FOV are real objects; the processor configured to monitor for a change in the object within and outside the FOV; in response to a change, the processor configured to generate one or more attention pointers within the FOV of the user for directing user attention to the change in the object which is either inside or outside the FOV; and the processor configured to display on a virtual screen within the FOV to the user, the one or more attention pointers wherein the one or more attention pointers are dynamically configured to interact with the user in response to detections based on a movement of the user or the object within or outside the FOV of the user.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system further includes: the processor configured to identify an object inside or outside the FOV by generating an attention pointer configured as a highlight about the object. The system further includes: the processor configured to generate an attention pointer as a highlight about the object that dynamically changes as the object moves into the FOV of the user; and the processor configured to remove the attention pointer of the highlight about the object once the object is within the FOV of the user. The system, further includes: the processor configured to generating, by the processor, an attention pointer as a highlight of a border of a virtual screen when the virtual is screen is outside or outside in part of the FOV of the user that dynamically changes as the virtual screen moves into the FOV of the user; and the processor configured to remove the attention pointer of the highlight of the border of the virtual screen once the virtual screen is within the FOV of the user. The system, further includes: the processor configured to re-configure the one or more attention pointers by size, shape, and image for drawing user attention to the object. The system, further includes: the processor configured to update the one or more virtual screens within or outside the FOV of the user by the user select of an update button causing the processor to execute an update of content to the one or more virtual screens. The system, further includes: the processor configured to generate an attention pointer of a highlight of a real object as the object moves from outside to inside the FOV of the user. The system, further includes: the processor configured to generate one or more attention pointers about the border of the virtual screen once the virtual screen within the FOV of the user.

In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions thereon, which when executed by a processor initiates an attention pointer display app for performing a method for drawing attention to objects insider or outside a field of view (FOV) of an user is provided. The method includes: displaying, by a display of a mobile device, an object within and outside a field of view (FOV) of an user wherein the object outside the FOV are real objects; monitoring, by a processor of the mobile device, for a change in the object within and outside the FOV; in response to a change, generating by the processor one or more attention pointers within the FOV of the user for directing user attention to the change in the object which is either inside or outside the FOV; and displaying, by the processor, on a virtual screen within the FOV to the user, the one or more attention pointers wherein the one or more attention pointers are dynamically configured to interact with the user in response to detections based on a movement of the user or the object within or outside the FOV of the user.

In various exemplary embodiments, the method further includes: identifying, by the processor, an object inside or outside the FOV by generating an attention pointer configured as a highlight about the object. The method, further includes: generating, by the processor, an attention pointer as a highlight about the object that dynamically changes as the object moves into the FOV of the user; and removing the attention pointer of the highlight of the object once the object is within the FOV. The method, further includes: generating, by the processor, an attention pointer as a highlight of a border of a virtual screen when the virtual is screen is outside or outside in part of the FOV of the user that dynamically changes as the virtual screen moves into the FOV of the user; and removing, by the processor, the attention pointer of the highlight of the border of the virtual screen once the virtual screen is within the FOV of the user.

The present disclosure describes methods and systems that are directed to drawing user attention to objects and content outside the FOV of the user in instances where the user's FOV is defined when wearing smart glasses or the like. For example, the user when wearing smart glasses may view outside the FOV of the smart glasses and see by peripheral vision the real world the real world and objects and things in the real world. The user may, in instances, see changes to these real world objects or things or the like. In other instances, the user when wearing smart glasses may not notice these peripheral changes that have occurred outside his FOV. Accordingly, a set of attention pointers is configured or generated within the FOV of user when the user is wearing the smart glasses to direct, on virtual screens inside the user's FOV notifications or markers to draw the user attention to changes of real objects and things outside the user's FOV of view so the user is made aware of the change.

In the disclosure, it is contemplated that references to augmented reality (AR) are defined as real world objects and things, with virtual objects and things displayed on a virtual screen; virtual reality (VR) are defined as computer generated, artificial and rendered objects and things displayed on a virtual screen; and mixed reality (MR) is defined as both AR and VR objects and things displayed on a virtual screen.

In an exemplary embodiment, inputs from wearable devices and interaction technologies enable a mobile user to work with the AR and perform tasks like selecting elements of objects of interest in reality of actual objects and display the objects on virtual screens where objects in AR are displayed with imagery and/or content on virtual screens. In addition, the objects and things displayed on augmented virtual screens are spawned with attention pointers within the users field of view of the user. Additionally, in the field of view data processing applications like foveate rendering can be used to reduce processor loads if needed. The virtual screens used can be head-worn virtual screens (HWD), mobile hand-held virtual screens, or other virtual screens that can be integrated or not into the physical reality, as desired.

While the present disclosures describes viewed objects used in AR/VR, it is contemplated that other sensed elements from haptic and aural notifications related to or of an object or things can be used as attention pointers or as notifications to draw user attention.

Another problem that comes with usage of AR and smart glasses is situational awareness. The content displayed in smart glasses often obscures the real world by interfering with the users field of vision and content displayed. This can be particularly dangerous when the user is moving, using stairs or when he or she is working in elevated places, as the obfuscated areas of visions by content displayed in the smart glasses can results in the viewer not seeing the impediments described and commonly found in a mobile users path.

The present disclosure uses the terms: as out-of-view when all the area or volume of a virtual screen and an object is out of a current field of view (FOV) of an user, a partly-in-view: when some of the area or volume of a virtual screen and object is in a current FOV of and user and some of the area or volume is outside the virtual screen and not in the FOV of the user; an in-view when all the area or volume of the virtual screen is visible in a current FOV; and in focus when objects and things are in the user's FOV on a virtual screen with an object (i.e. when the user is in front of the virtual screen).

The present disclosure describes systems and processes that enable displaying attention pointers that can point to either parts, changes, features of an "object", a "thing", or a "content" or to the "object", a "thing", or a "content" which it is deemed that the user should either pay attention to or at least know or should recognize that it is somehow important for understanding the content, thing or object displayed.

In various exemplary embodiments, the state of the attention point can be changed and the change in state of the attention point can be implemented with a congruous change in need of the user need to interact with object, thing or content. For example, as a virtual screen moves within a FOV of an user, the attention pointer's state can change to another state or disappear as the users' attention as already been drawn to an object or thing about to be displayed in front of the user in the virtual screen sliding in its entirety into the user's FOV; and the user no longer needs to interact with the attention pointer but needs to interact with the object or thing displayed on the virtual screen.

In various exemplary embodiments, the object, thing or content can fall within two main categories of a real object (any object or thing that is physically present in the real world, including other users, persons, etc.. ), and virtual object or virtual thing that may include a 3D model of a real-world object, or some other object or thing, such as (e.g., but not limited to) of virtual content displayed on virtual screen(s).

The present disclosure describes systems and processes that overcome at least the following three issues found with various AR/VR solutions that use smart glasses as follows: <NUM>) the need to show larger amounts of content in a smart glasses simultaneously which leads to a display of content beyond the ability of the display of the smart glasses to be able to properly or easily be presented to a viewer; <NUM>) the interacting with the content which is limited by the size of the display; and <NUM>) a diminishing of an users situational awareness by obscuring of a particular content or content changes. Hence, when these issues are not addressed properly, it can lead to a decreased user experience and a lower user acceptance of AR/VR technology deployment due to perceived notions of missed content and content changes in the viewing experience as well as such AR/VR technology is still in its infancy when it comes to both deployment and acceptability.

In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure describes by use of integrated contents and the showing dynamic content, configurations that enables an intuitive control and interaction with a large amount of content into AR/VR domain without needing to use the established PC and tablet/smart phone displays for showing content and enabling manipulations such as changing of states of attention points in virtual screens which are suitable for use and encompassed in the FOV of smart glasses.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes spawning of attention pointers for drawing user attention to particular elements, things, and objects in an AR/VR image or an object corresponding to actual images and objects in reality.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG>, in the attention pointer display system <NUM>, the user <NUM> is viewing the virtual screen <NUM> and looking at the update button <NUM>. The user <NUM> has a field of view (FOV) <NUM> which encompasses the virtual screen <NUM> (e.g. the FOV of smart glasses would include part of or the entirety of a virtual screen directly in front of the user). The center of the field of view <NUM> is located in this instance as the center of the virtual screen <NUM>. The attention pointer display system <NUM> can be implemented in a HWD, or any computing device with a display; for example, in the case of a smartphone, the virtual screen <NUM> is a display of the smartphone. The virtual screen <NUM> is positioned in front of the user <NUM> and the virtual content is displayed in the virtual screen <NUM> and the virtual content cannot be displayed outside of the virtual screen. Additionally, one or more other virtual screens <NUM> can be configured about the virtual screen <NUM> at a location about or near another virtual screen <NUM> or in a multitude of other like ways.

The other virtual screens (or virtual screens <NUM>) displayed are positioned around the virtual screen <NUM> and include as an example a set of other virtual screens <NUM>. In order for an user to view the other virtual screens <NUM> in its entirety, the user would need to rotate his/her head for a viewpoint (i.e. point of view) directed to the other appropriate virtual screen displayed off center, that is if the current point of view of the user is not large enough to accommodate more than one virtual screens in the entirety. That is, the user may rotate his/her head to the right/left or up/down. The other virtual screens <NUM> are positioned in a manner relative to the user <NUM> and are enabled to rotate or change position in manner that is coordinated to the user <NUM> center of field of view <NUM>. There are however constraints which can include the range of head motion for an user <NUM> and the performance by direct input of the content needed to be displayed.

Each other virtual screen <NUM> that is displayed can contain a different piece of content which can be either standalone or connected to other virtual screens <NUM> or the virtual screen <NUM> (e.g. showing schematics with highlighted area of interest on one other screen and having textual instructions with detailed description of work on another screen). Similarly, the icons for the attention pointers of icon <NUM> and <NUM> can be configured different to reflect the thing, object or content that is referenced in the associated virtual screen <NUM>. For example, the icon <NUM> can be configured as a text icon for referring to text in the associated virtual screen <NUM>. The icon <NUM>, can be configured as a part icon for referring an element of a part displayed. This effectively extends the amount and kind of content that an user can access at any given moment, and enables the user to address content in prior virtual other screens that may be still visible in off center other virtual screen and from previous sections shown to the user without the need for the user to rotate back by input to the content displayed on the virtual screen <NUM>. In addition, the content which is displayed on the virtual screen <NUM> maybe serially tracked through the virtual screens displayed to the user.

Further, with respect to <FIG>, the other virtual screens <NUM> can be placed other to the virtual screen <NUM> in a position that is horizontal (i.e. side by side), vertical (i.e. above or below), or diagonal (i.e. tangential ) to the virtual screen <NUM>. The other virtual screens <NUM> can display content in greater detail than is shown on the virtual screen <NUM>. For example, a user may select an icon or image <NUM> on the virtual screen <NUM>. On the other virtual screen <NUM>, the icon <NUM>, can be displayed as a smaller scaled flower arrangement in the virtual screen <NUM> or, re-scaled by a factor or upscaled to occupy and present in a full screen display of the virtual screen <NUM>.

Further, referring to <FIG> , the user is positioned behind the virtual screen <NUM> and can view from the virtual screen <NUM> is in front of the user, The icon <NUM> and icon <NUM> are both different and each of them can be associated with a particular kind of content. That is, icon <NUM> is associated with an element of a part <NUM> (i.e. an object) and the user <NUM> upon viewing the icon can know what type of content is displayed in the other virtual screen <NUM>. Also, if that window's content is updated, the same icon i.e. icon <NUM> or <NUM> is displayed as an attention pointer.

In various exemplary embodiments, the virtual screen <NUM> includes text <NUM> displayed and an update button <NUM> to update the content (i.e. the text <NUM>) viewed with new real-time information or to send a request for new real-time information about the content displayed. In addition, a cursor or gaze identifier <NUM> which could be an image cursor or gaze identifier connected to an additional sensor such as an inertial measurement device (not shown) which in turn can be connected to the user <NUM>, to detect a user's gaze direction and to enable actions such as object rotations by the user <NUM> in an angular vertical direction and an angular horizontal direction and to re-position the content. In this case the text <NUM> and the update button <NUM> placed in a better viewing direction or angle for viewing by the user <NUM>. Also, foveate rendering can be used to draw the user attention to elements or aspects of the object or content by realizing a volume in a virtual screen in focus or out of focus. That is, the user <NUM>, in a particular instance, can be positioned and the user <NUM> view be directed to one of the virtual screens and volumes of the virtual can be realized to be in-focus by foveate rendering to direct the user attention. In an exemplary embodiment, the center of the field of view <NUM> in <FIG> may be integrated with a HWD worn by the user <NUM> or may be connected to a standalone device with BLUETOOTH® or WIFI® or other possible (including wired) connectivity to processors of an aircraft, vehicle or a HWD. As the user <NUM> rotates his/her body or head in the direction of a particular virtual screen, the center of the FOV <NUM> changes and moves to another virtual screen or the like that the user's <NUM> attention is directed to or about to be directed to. This movement of the center of the point of view <NUM> data is sent to the processors of the vehicle or HWD and the content displayed on the other virtual screens <NUM> is dynamically moved or inserted as the appropriate virtual screen in response to the user <NUM> rotations or in response to particular position of the user <NUM>.

In various exemplary embodiments, the center of the FOV <NUM> can be located as the center of the virtual screen on the head/smart glasses of the user <NUM> coupled with sensors to the torso of the user <NUM> and configured for action in response to sense changes in the X, Y, Z axes and further configured to determine using various algorithms, the use history for positioning objects in each virtual screen.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG> (like <FIG>) a attention pointer display system <NUM> is implemented in a HWD or like device which includes a field of view <NUM> of an user <NUM> that encompasses a virtual screen <NUM> positioned in front of the user <NUM>. The other one or more other virtual screens <NUM> which may be configured about the virtual screen <NUM> are outside the field of view <NUM> of the user <NUM> and at a location other or nearly other to the virtual screen <NUM>. In this case, the user <NUM> is selecting the update button <NUM> and activates the update button <NUM> which in turn changes the content displayed in the other virtual screens <NUM>. In addition, congruous with the change of content in the other virtual screens <NUM>, the icons <NUM> and <NUM> are also changed to match the content displayed. When user progresses with the procedure such a procedure for an aircraft, the content display application will proceed to a next step each of the content on the virtual screen <NUM> and other virtual screens <NUM> changes in a manner to enable the user <NUM> to view corresponding schematics, tool screens that coincides with the changes to the virtual screen <NUM>. The changes may occur in other virtual screens <NUM> that are not in view too. That is for clarification, when the virtual other screens <NUM> are not in view, then the virtual screen <NUM> represents user's field of view <NUM> in a smart glass display where the smart glasses are not able to render images outside the virtual screen <NUM>, so instead of viewing the other virtual screen <NUM>, the user <NUM> will see the actual or real world about the user <NUM> when looking outside the FOV. Further, in the case of virtual reality displays (where generally the field of view <NUM> is much bigger - usually <NUM>+ degrees), the user <NUM> is able to see the other virtual screens <NUM>. In this case, the field of view <NUM> can be configured to be much larger to encompass part, or all of the virtual screens <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG> there is shown two ATPs triggered by an updated content in bottom and left other virtual screens <NUM>. In <FIG> (like <FIG>) a attention pointer display system of a layout <NUM> implemented in a HWD or like device which includes a virtual screen <NUM> positioned in front of the user <NUM>, one or more other virtual screens <NUM> which may be configured about the virtual screen <NUM> at a location other or nearly other to the virtual screen <NUM>. In <FIG>, each of the ATPs <NUM> are configured to point to the other virtual screens <NUM> in instances in which the content has changed. Each ATP <NUM> can be configured by a content display application to point to the other virtual screen <NUM> to inform or provide notice of a change or update that has or will occur with respect to a content displayed in the virtual screen <NUM>. For example, if the user <NUM> updates via update button <NUM>, the text <NUM> display on the virtual screen <NUM>, the other virtual screens <NUM> will be displayed in a manner that corresponds to the update of information to present the updated information to the user <NUM>. That is, the user <NUM> will be guided by various ATPs <NUM> or a change in the ATPs <NUM> presented in a manner about the text <NUM> for selection by the user <NUM> by various input devices. The selection may be user driven or automated, but will serve as trigger to display information in the other virtual screen <NUM> that is referenced by the ATP <NUM> to inform the user <NUM> of the change. The ATP <NUM> which references or points out of view content should obscure as little of the screen as possible but be clearly noticeable, and the ATP <NUM> representing the in-view change should limits its appearance to the screen/object and its nearest vicinity to obscure as little as possible.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG>, the user <NUM> starts turning his/her head <NUM> right (the movement is illustrated in <FIG> reversed because the user <NUM> is depicted standing behind the virtual screen <NUM>) which dynamically transforms (i.e. changes the appearance, reconfigures etc.) the ATP into another form (in this case, the ATP is dissolved or made to disappear into left virtual screen as the ATP enters into the user's field of view <NUM>). In <FIG> (like <FIG>) a attention pointer display system <NUM> is implemented in a HWD or like device which includes a virtual screen <NUM> positioned in front of the user <NUM>, one or more other virtual screens <NUM> which may be configured about the virtual screen <NUM> at a location near or not to the virtual screen <NUM>. In <FIG>, the ATP <NUM> is configured to point <NUM> to the other virtual screens <NUM>. As the user <NUM> moves his head <NUM> towards the virtual screen <NUM> and away from the virtual screen <NUM>. That is, the center of the FOV <NUM> of user moves toward the center of the virtual screen <NUM>, an attention pointer (ATP) display application (not shown) of the attention pointer display system <NUM> generates data generated of the movement of the center of the FOV <NUM> from virtual screen <NUM> to virtual screen <NUM> and determines that the virtual screen <NUM> is entering or sliding into a field of view (FOV) <NUM> of the user while the virtual screen <NUM> is sliding out of the FOV <NUM> of the user. The ATP <NUM> is configured to automatically change its appearance for better interacting with the user <NUM> as the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM> is changed. That is, the situation awareness of user is increased by the notification to the user <NUM> by the user <NUM> viewing the change in appearance of the ATP <NUM> that the virtual screen <NUM> is sliding into the user's FOV. In addition, the ATP <NUM> is configured to better express the referencing with the another virtual screen <NUM> and at the same time be placed in position to less obscure the information displayed on the virtual screen <NUM> sliding into the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM>.

From each user's <NUM> field of view, as multiple other virtual screens <NUM> are displayed with objects or items that relate to each other and which are displayed on other virtual screen <NUM> or in the virtual screen <NUM>, the pointer <NUM> direct of the ATP <NUM> can direct the user attention. In an exemplary example, the related ATPs <NUM> and pointers <NUM> will all have a similar or same appearance when displayed to provide immediate notice to the user <NUM> of the same or similar relations between sets of ATPs <NUM>. Each ATP <NUM> will have the same or similar appearance or differ from other ATPs <NUM> so that the user will be able to visually identify the differences between ATPs <NUM> and further conveniently identify (i.e. recognize or know where to find by visual notice) the information associated with a particular context of the information displayed on the virtual screen <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG>, the user <NUM> continues rotating his head <NUM> in the right direction <NUM> as more of virtual screens are presented in the user <NUM> field of view <NUM>. The border <NUM> of another virtual screen <NUM> is highlighted as the virtual screen <NUM> slides into the FOV <NUM>. This designates a dynamic change in configuration of the ATP <NUM> with the border <NUM> highlight as the virtual screen <NUM> moves towards to the center of the FOV <NUM> or more into the FOV <NUM>. In this case, the ATP <NUM> is configured as a circle that is dynamically changing or disappearing as the border <NUM> emerges and is dynamically highlighted. In <FIG> (like <FIG>) a attention pointer display system <NUM> is implemented in a HWD or like device which includes a virtual screen <NUM> positioned in front of the user <NUM>, one or more other virtual screens <NUM> which may be configured about the virtual screen <NUM> at a location to the virtual screen <NUM>. In <FIG>, the ATP <NUM> is configured to point to the other virtual screens <NUM>. The center of the field of view <NUM> moves to another virtual screen <NUM>, as the user <NUM> rotates his/her head <NUM> towards another virtual screen <NUM> and the ATP <NUM> associated with the another virtual screen <NUM>, in instances can be enabled to cease to remain visible and disappear. That is, the ATP <NUM> is configured to operate in a visible mode and then to cease in operation or to change in mode to an invisible mode or other mode once within the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM> or in part of the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM> or as desired when moving into the FOV <NUM>. This is because the ATP <NUM> is implemented to draw attention of the user <NUM> to elements, changes or other details in the content that is displayed on the virtual screen <NUM> but is no longer needed as the virtual screen <NUM> shifts in and out of the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM>. Once, the user's <NUM> attention is drawn to a particular virtual screen, in this case the virtual screen <NUM>; in this instance, the ATP <NUM> is configured to cease to exist and to disappear from view of the user <NUM> so as to not clutter or interfere with the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM>. The ATP <NUM> is not limited to this particular configuration of ceasing to exist at a particular action or positional change of the user <NUM> (i.e. the virtual screen <NUM> moving within the FOV or the user <NUM> turning his/her head <NUM> to the virtual screen <NUM>), but can easily be configured to remain visible if desired or to change color, shape, appearance. In other words, there are a multitude of ways that the ATP <NUM> can be configured or changed in response to an user's <NUM> movement or action.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG> (like <FIG>) an attention pointer display system <NUM> is implemented in a HWD or like device which includes a virtual screen <NUM> positioned in front of the user <NUM>, one or more other virtual screens <NUM> which may be configured about the virtual screen <NUM> at a location other than the location of the virtual screen <NUM>. In <FIG>, the content (i.e. the text <NUM>) in the virtual display <NUM> is slid or moved out of the FOV <NUM> defined as example by smart glasses (not shown) worn by the user <NUM>. The border of the virtual screen <NUM> is highlighted as the virtual screen <NUM> moves into the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM>. The ATP <NUM> has been repositioned to point <NUM> in a field of view <NUM> of an user <NUM> to another virtual screen <NUM> and to direct the user's <NUM> attention to the other virtual screen <NUM> when viewing the virtual screen <NUM>. A dotted line <NUM> can or cannot be made visible in the directions of the point <NUM> of the ATP <NUM>. Alternately, the dotted line can be considered only for illustration purposes to demonstrate that ATP <NUM> is positioned on the intersection of edge of FOV <NUM> with the line connecting center of FOV <NUM> with center <NUM> of the object <NUM> so that the user attention is drawn to the center <NUM> of the object <NUM> in the other virtual screen <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG>, the virtual screen <NUM> highlighted in <FIG> is returned to normal as the user center of FOV <NUM> is positioned in the center or close to that of the virtual screen <NUM> or the virtual screen <NUM> is in the FOV <NUM> in its entirety. <NUM> is not a scaled image of part <NUM>, but a tool user needs for this particular step - in this case, it is a measuring tape. In various exemplary embodiment, for example (with reference to <FIG> ), the virtual screen <NUM> which is the central screen may show textual instructions, a virtual screen <NUM> on the left may show an image or blue print, and a virtual screen below may show (i.e. <NUM> of <FIG>) a tool required to execute textual instructions. Additionally, in this example, the bottom right virtual screen <NUM> may show another image as desired.

In various exemplary embodiments, different types of modality can be displayed of the ATP <NUM> in the virtual screen <NUM> and the other virtual screens <NUM>. For example, for an out-of-view, a modality of the ATP <NUM> may be configured where the ATP <NUM> is an object image which is displayed at the edge of the field of view of the virtual screen <NUM> and is centered or positioned on a dotted line <NUM> that visually (as illustrative as desired) connects both virtual screens and to a part and part section displayed between both virtual screens. In such instances, the position of camera (not shown) would be centered about the part of interest or centered in the virtual screen <NUM> which is likely in the FOV of the user <NUM>.

In various exemplary embodiments, a star or a triangle can be generated as an ATP which can be configured in a color determined by an app to which it corresponds and which will be triggered on selection, or can be determined by the attention pointer display system, color based regulations, or by a selection of a color type by the user <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exemplary set of action statements of the attention pointer display system that can be used with ATPs for guiding a user in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG>, the virtual screen <NUM> in the FOV <NUM> has dummy text marked as "lorem Ipsum" <NUM>. In other exemplary embodiments, it can be as an example, random list of actions etc.. <FIG> illustrates the attention pointer display system from the user's (not shown) point of view. The user is viewing two virtual screens <NUM> within the users FOV <NUM> with an ATPI <NUM>. In various embodiments, <FIG> in its entirety with an outer border (not shown) represents the user's field of view (<NUM> on <FIG>).

In various exemplary embodiments, at ATP <NUM> (of <FIG>) or <NUM> of <FIG> can be configured in spawning actions to suddenly appear, pulse, blink, blink then settle for drawing user attention to elements of a particular part, object, image etc.. The ATP <NUM> can be displayed in a periodical manner for the ATP <NUM> for a period of time and then extinguished from view. The ATP <NUM> can be displayed in an intermittent manner for the ATP <NUM> to appear, disappear and re-appear until a final dismissal. This intermittent display could be triggered by various user actions as the user is guided through for example a service operation etc..

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG> an attention pointer display system <NUM> is implemented in a HWD or like device which includes a virtual screen <NUM> is positioned in front of the user <NUM> and one or more other virtual screens <NUM> can be configured about the virtual screen <NUM> at a location near to the virtual screen <NUM>. In <FIG>, the content in the virtual screen <NUM> has been updated (i.e. the user <NUM> has executed the update button <NUM> and the ATPs <NUM> and <NUM> have been generated (i.e. similar to as in <FIG>, after the user <NUM> has triggered a content update as in <FIG> and the content updated in <FIG>). In <FIG> one of the updates is an update directed to the actual (i.e. real) object (although in other instances the object can be configured as a virtual 3D object); nevertheless, the update procedure remains the same). In <FIG>, an actual object <NUM> (i.e. concrete form subject to user observation) corresponds with information displayed in a virtual screen <NUM> and a synthetic generated object or the like model <NUM> for guiding, describing or associating elements between the actual object <NUM> and the model <NUM>.

The actual object <NUM> is the object viewed outside the FOV <NUM> of the user <NUM> in the real world and this actual object is pointed to by ATP <NUM> to give the user <NUM> notice of it, notice of changes to it, and any other information about it. The virtual screen <NUM> is in communication with user <NUM> displaying content information or the like about the actual object <NUM>.

In various exemplary embodiments, the ATPs can be tied together with haptic vibrations or aural sounds. For example, portions of the dotted line <NUM> can be displayed in a step by step manner with an associated haptic action or aural sound. The aural sound can be configured as a simple sound or surround sound or other a multitude of other varieties like sound-bites, character voices etc.. so the user <NUM> can perceive the point of origin which may in instances be inside or outside the virtual screen <NUM>. Likewise, the haptic vibrations can be configured as simple, complex, surround, loud, soft etc.. types of notifications to the user <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a attention pointer display system configured for use with attention pointers in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG>, the user has viewed the object <NUM> (i.e. the object is within the FOV <NUM> of the user without a virtual screen) and the object has been highlighted <NUM> so that the object <NUM> stands out or more pronounced in the FOV. The ATP <NUM> point to a virtual screen (not shown) with information about the object <NUM>. The object <NUM> is a real object that is within the FOV <NUM> which is not a virtual screen that is viewed by the user and the virtual screens of <FIG> is not present in this embodiment. <FIG> is an exemplary embodiment without the use of the virtual screen because the attention pointer display system can be implemented without the virtual screen. Hence, the virtual screens are used, and the attention pointers point to a "thing" which user <NUM> is deemed that he/she should either pay attention to or at least know that it is somehow important for him (e.g. the "thing" state has changed, the user needs to interact with it, etc.).

In <FIG>, after the user has been notified this is the real object <NUM> has been changed/updated/etc., the highlight <NUM> of the real object <NUM> disappears and user <NUM> can view the real object <NUM> as it is (i.e. without any highlighting).

In various exemplary embodiments, while the ATP is represented in certain instances as in image, it is contemplated that there are a variety of ways to represent or implement the ATPs. For example, there are many possible ways when or how to present the ATP to the user <NUM>. When presenting a spawning of ATPs this can be enabled or initiated by a change in a screen or an object. The type of ATP form that is used can be configured based or dependent on a severity determination in a screen and an object location with respect to a current view displayed of a scene in a virtual reality display.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an exemplary assistance system configured for guidance provided with attention pointers of an attention pointer display system in accordance with an embodiment. In <FIG>, there is shown an exemplary assistance system <NUM> for guiding a user <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> executing an attention pointer display application <NUM> for spawning attention pointers <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be a central processing unit (CPU), graphical processing unit (GPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, an field programmable logic array, or any other logic circuit or combination thereof. In one embodiment, for example, the processor <NUM> may be housed in a head worn display (HWD) <NUM> or connect to smart glasses <NUM> used to determine a field of view <NUM> of an user.

In another embodiment, for example, the processor <NUM> may be housed in a technician mountable system (not illustrated), such as in a belt or bag which the technician could wear. In addition, the processor <NUM> may be configured to identifier a center of a FOV <NUM> or configured with additional sensors <NUM> to monitor movement or motion of the user <NUM>.

In various exemplary embodiments, the processor <NUM> may also be coupled to a camera, the HWD <NUM> and smart glasses <NUM> or a combination with the additional sensors <NUM> for viewing objects within and outside a field of view by a communication system including Bluetooth system, a ZigBee system, a cellular system, a Wi-Fi system, or any other type of communication system, or combination thereof. In another embodiment, for example, the processor <NUM> may be located remotely from the technician.

In an embodiment, for example, the processor <NUM> may be in a server or other general purpose computer and may communicate with the other components of the assistance system <NUM> via one or more of the wireless systems.

The head worn display (HWD) <NUM> or a virtual reality headset, mobile phone, tablet or the like; in other words it may be any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual or normal viewpoints. It can be also a non-transparent display which either does not completely obscure an user's normal field of view (e.g. other hands-free interaction solutions); or HWD <NUM> that streams live video, so the user feels like wearing a transparent display for full immersion with mixed reality experience. In one embodiment, for example, the HWD <NUM> may be incorporated into a head mounted device of the user like a technician could wear when performing a. In various alternate embodiments, the HWD <NUM> may be incorporated in a mobile device including a smart pad or smart phone or even a set of standalone monitors.

In various exemplary embodiments, the HWD <NUM> may display virtual screens within or outside the FOV of the viewer with a particular virtual screen with attention pointers drawing the users attention at any given time as shown in described <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> provides the interface between the HWD <NUM> (i.e. the virtual screens) and the systems/data to be displayed and generates the attention pointers <NUM> to be displayed by the display unit <NUM>, as discussed in further detail below.

The system may further include a camera <NUM>. In one embodiment, for example, the camera <NUM> may be incorporated into or mounted on the safety head mounted devices <NUM> (i.e. glasses or the like) and can be used to capture the real object for display in the AR/VR domain. As discussed in further detail below, the processor <NUM> analyzes data from the camera <NUM> to detect objects in the environment to aid the technician in a task by displaying attention pointers for drawing the technician's attention and can be used to record a task for quality assurance purposes.

The assistance system <NUM> further includes an input system <NUM>. In one embodiment, for example, the input system <NUM> may be a microphone. In this embodiment, a technician (i.e. user <NUM>) may interact with the assistance system <NUM> by speaking into the microphone. The processor <NUM> would then analyze the speech and output a response to aid the technician in a task such as executing selection of an attention pointer to show information of an element of an object displayed. In this embodiment, for example, the input system <NUM> may be incorporated into or mounted on the safety head mounted devices <NUM>.

In other embodiments, for example, the input system <NUM> may be a keyboard. The keyboard may be a physical keyboard or a virtual keyboard. An image of a keyboard, for example, may be overlaid onto any surface by the HWD <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may then analyze data from the camera <NUM> to determine if the technician is pressing any of the keys on the virtual keyboard. The virtual keyboard may be a standard QWERTY style keyboard or may be a customize keyboard appropriate for the task. In another embodiment, for example, hand gestures may be captured by the camera and processed into commands by the processor <NUM>. In yet other embodiments, for example, a touch display may be provided as the input system <NUM>. Any combination of input systems may be used.

The system <NUM> further includes a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be any non-transitory computer-readable memory. In one embodiment, for example, the memory may be housed in a technician mountable system, such as in a belt or bag which the technician could wear. In another embodiment, for example, the memory <NUM> may be located remote from the technician. In this embodiment, for example, the processor <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the memory <NUM> via a wireless communication system, as discussed above. The memory <NUM> may store non-transitory computer-readable instructions for operating the system <NUM>, as discussed in further detail below.

The memory <NUM> may also store task data as well as data related to mixed reality imagery including AR images. The task data may include data defining the steps in a task and related AR step data to assist the technician in performing the task. The task data may also include multiple images, <NUM>-D models of various components involved in a task and augmented display items of various facets of the components and the task for a mixed reality, VR and AR display displayed.

The AR/VR imagery of images or <NUM>-D models may be stored, for example, at each stage of a task. The images or <NUM>-D models may be stored, for example, by a technician who previously performed the task or they (images/3D models) may be created in a preparation phase (only once per aircraft). As discussed in further detail below, the processor may compare an image/model taken by the camera <NUM> to one or more of the stored images/models to determine if a task was completed correctly. The processor <NUM> could determine that a task was completed correctly if the image/model taken by the camera matches the image/model stored in the memory. The task data may also include three-dimensional model data of components to be serviced.

<FIG> illustrates a tree diagram <NUM> of a process for configuring one or ATPs for identifying with a gaze detector, parts of an object, and for spawning the ATPs about the object for guiding the user in a service operation, in accordance with an embodiment.

In initially, at step <NUM>, the attention pointer display system is initialized and the relevant data is loaded. At step <NUM>, the attention pointer display system is placed in a hold state acting as a watchdog for a change to occur inside or outside the FOV of the user. If a change is detected, then at step <NUM>, a set of ATPs are generated and configured about the objects, things etc.. for any objects real or virtual that need or require notification to the user whether the changes, or content displayed are within or outside the FOV. At step <NUM>, the attention pointer display system implements the ATPs within and outside the FOV as deemed necessary. For example, the ATPs can be configured in various states or actions such as blinking, disappearing, changing style, size, change. At step <NUM>, the attention pointer display system highlights, or not highlights objects and things within and outside the FOV as the objects or things on virtual screens move into or out of the user's FOV. Further, once an object or thing is encompassed in the user's FOV or its center coincides, matches within a defined distance or approximation, having the highlight disappear. After which reverting back to step <NUM> and monitoring for change activity or other events to spawn or generate attention pointers.

It is contemplated that the order of the steps in <FIG> (i.e. tasks <NUM> to <NUM>) may be changed, re-configured as desired, reduced, and augmented in an arbitrary manner or by a particular as assignment, and the order of steps presented is an exemplary embodiment that should not be construed as limiting.

In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure describes by use of integrated contents with attention pointers configurations of virtual objects and parts that enable an intuitive control and interaction with a large amount of content in an AR domain without needing to use the established PC and tablet/smart phone paradigms for showing content and manipulation, which are not suitable for use with smart glasses or head worn virtual screens.

Techniques and technologies may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components, and with reference to symbolic representations of operations, processing tasks, and functions that may be performed by various computing components or devices. Such operations, tasks, and functions are sometimes referred to as being computer-executed, computerized, software-implemented, or computer-implemented. In practice, one or more processor devices can carry out the described operations, tasks, and functions by manipulating electrical signals representing data bits at memory locations in the system memory, as well as other processing of signals. The memory locations where data bits are maintained are physical locations that have particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic properties corresponding to the data bits. It should be appreciated that the various block components shown in the figures may be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.

When implemented in software or firmware, various elements of the systems described herein are essentially the code segments or instructions that perform the various tasks. The program or code segments can be stored in a processor-readable medium or transmitted by a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave over a transmission medium or communication path. The "computer-readable medium", "processor-readable medium", or "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that can store or transfer content. Examples of the processor-readable medium include an electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory, an erasable ROM (EROM), a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, a fiber optic medium, a radio frequency (RF) link, or the like. The computer data signal may include any signal that can propagate over a transmission medium such as electronic network channels, optical fibers, air, electromagnetic paths, or RF links. The code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, or the like.

The following description refers to elements or nodes or features being "connected" or "coupled" together. As used herein, unless expressly stated otherwise, "coupled" means that one element/node/feature is directly or indirectly joined to (or directly or indirectly communicates with) another element/node/feature, and not necessarily mechanically. Likewise, unless expressly stated otherwise, "connected" means that one element/node/feature is directly joined to (or directly communicates with) another element/node/feature, and not necessarily mechanically. Thus, although the schematic shown depicts one exemplary arrangement of elements, additional intervening elements, devices, features, or components may be present in an embodiment of the depicted subject matter.

For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to signal processing, data transmission, signaling, network control, and other functional elements of the systems (and the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in an embodiment of the subject matter.

Some of the functional units described in this specification have been referred to as "modules" in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, functionality referred to herein as a module may be implemented wholly, or partially, as a hardware circuit including custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, include one or more physical or logical modules of computer instructions that may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may include disparate instructions stored in different locations that, when joined logically together, include the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module. Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.

Claim 1:
A method, comprising:
displaying, by one or more processors (<NUM>), in a display, a first object within a field of view (FOV) (<NUM>) of a user (<NUM>);
detecting, by the one or more processors (<NUM>), an interaction of the user (<NUM>) with the first object within the FOV (<NUM>);
characterized by:
determining, by the one or more processors (<NUM>), whether a change occurs in a second object outside the FOV, the change based on the detected interaction of the user with the first object within the FOV;
in accordance with the determining indicating that the change occurs in the second object outside the FOV based on the detected interaction of the user with the first object within the FOV (<NUM>), generating, by the one or more processors, one or more attention pointers (<NUM>) within the FOV (<NUM>) of the user (<NUM>) for directing user attention to the change in the second object outside the FOV; and
displaying, by the one or more processors (<NUM>), on a virtual screen of the display within the FOV (<NUM>) of the user, the one or more attention pointers (<NUM>).