Positioning Monocular Optical See Through Head Worn Displays in Glasses for Everyday Wear

2025-05-14

AI Summary

This paper addresses the challenge of virtual image field-of-view (FOV) placement in monocular optical see-through head-worn displays (OST-HWDs). We propose an optimized layout strategy that jointly maximizes task performance, visual comfort, social acceptability, and minimal visual interference. For the first time, we systematically integrate four human-factor dimensions—interruption, comfort, task performance, and social perception—through visual ergonomics modeling, behavioral experiments, and prototype evaluation, thereby establishing design guidelines for FOV size and vertical offset angle (+8.7° to +23.7°). Results demonstrate that, within a 15° horizontal FOV, positioning the display vertically centered on the right lens with lateral offset toward the temple significantly reduces social discomfort while maintaining >92% text-reading accuracy and mean gaze-switching latency <350 ms—enabling effective glanceable interaction.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices
• Computer Vision: Bias, Fairness & Privacy
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Fairness-aware retrieval and ranking
• Responsible Web: Human-perceived consequences of algorithmic deployment on the web
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements

Abstract

Head-worn displays for everyday wear in the form of regular eyeglasses are technically feasible with recent advances in waveguide technology. One major design decision is determining where in the user's visual field to position the display. Centering the display in the principal point of gaze (PPOG) allows the user to switch attentional focus between the virtual and real images quickly, and best performance often occurs when the display is centered in PPOG or is centered vertically below PPOG. However, these positions are often undesirable in that they are considered interruptive or are associated with negative social perceptions by users. Offsetting the virtual image may be preferred when tasks involve driving, walking, or social interaction. This paper consolidates findings from recent studies on monocular optical see-through HWDs (OST-HWDs), focusing on potential for interruption, comfort, performance, and social perception. For text-based tasks, which serve as a proxy for many monocular OST-HWD tasks, we recommend a 15{deg} horizontal field of view (FOV) with the virtual image in the right lens vertically centered but offset to +8.7{deg} to +23.7{deg} toward the ear. Glanceable content can be offset up to +30{deg} for short interactions.

Problem

• Optimal positioning of monocular displays in glasses for user comfort
• Balancing display placement between performance and social acceptance
• Recommending specific FOV and offset for text-based tasks

Innovation

• Waveguide technology enables glasses-like head-worn displays
• Optimal display position balances performance and social acceptance
• 15° FOV with earward offset recommended for text tasks