Immersive display and method of operating immersive display for real-world object alert

Abstract

An immersive display and a method of operating the immersive display to provide information relating to an object. The method includes receiving information from an input device of the immersive display or coupled to the immersive display, detecting an object based on the information received from the input device, and displaying a representation of the object on images displayed on a display of the immersive display such that attributes of the representation distinguish the representation from the images displayed on the display, wherein the representation is displayed at a location on the display that corresponds with a location of the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An immersive display apparatus, comprising:
 an apparatus body;   at least one input device operably connected to the apparatus body for detecting objects in at least one region outside the apparatus body;   a display inside the apparatus body for displaying a virtual image thereon; and   a processor coupled to the at least one input device and to the display and operable to:
 receive information from the at least one input device; 
 determine attributes of a real-world object, including at least a distance to the real-world object; and 
 in response to determining that the distance to the real-world object is within a threshold distance, display an image of a guidance animal or device; 
 the guidance animal or device depicted as leading a user's movement in a manner that avoids collision with the real-world object. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where a speed of the real-world object is also determined and the threshold distance to the real-world object increased in a manner related to the speed. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the guidance animal or device is a virtual guide dog. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the apparatus further comprises an operably connected haptic device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , where the haptic device is actuated in a manner that draws the user's attention to the guidance animal or device's suggested course of action. 
     
     
         6 . An immersive display apparatus, comprising:
 an apparatus body;   at least one imaging device operably connected to the apparatus body for detecting objects in at least one region outside the apparatus body;   a display inside the apparatus body for displaying a virtual image thereon; and   a processor coupled to the at least one imaging device and to the display and operable to:
 receive information from the at least one imaging device; and 
 display the information in a portion of the display without ceasing display of at least some information that would normally be displayed but for the display of the information. 
   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , where the information is displayed in a virtual rear-view mirror. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , where the information is displayed in a virtual side mirror. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , where the information is only displayed if an object is within a threshold distance from the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , where a speed of the object is also measured and the threshold distance to the object increased in a manner related to the speed. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , where the information is displayed in a location that corresponds to a location of an object relative to a user of the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , where the information is displayed in a virtual heads-up display. 
     
     
         13 . An immersive display apparatus, comprising:
 an apparatus body;   at least one input device operably connected to the apparatus body for detecting objects in at least one region outside the apparatus body;   a display inside the apparatus body for displaying a virtual image thereon; and   a processor coupled to the input device and to the display and operable to:
 receive information from the at least one input device; 
 determine attributes of a real-world object, including at least a first distance to the real-world object; and 
 in response to determining that the first distance to the real-world object is within a threshold distance, display a wire frame representation of the real-world object. 
   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , where a color of the wire frame representation of the real-world object varies based on a then-current distance to the real-world object. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , where a size of the wire frame representation of the real-world object varies based on a then-current distance to the real-world object. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , where the wire frame representation is displayed in a color or contrast that distinguishes it from other content being displayed on the immersive display apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , where the color of the wire frame representation of the real-world object varies based on a then-current speed of the real-world object. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , where a warning message is also displayed. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , where the wire frame representation transitions into a different object as a proximity to a user changes. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , where the apparatus further comprises an operably connected haptic device.