[DC] SharpView AR: Enhanced Visual Acuity for Out-of-Focus Virtual Content

Abstract

In augmented reality (AR), information is often distributed between real world and virtual contexts, and often appears at different distances from the user. Therefore, integrating information between real and virtual contexts raises the issues of (1) context switching, where users must switch visual and cognitive attention between information sources, (2) focal distance switching, where users must accommodate (change the shape of the eye’s lens) to see, in sharp focus, information at a new distance, and (3) transient focus blur, where users observe retinal blur for a period of time. Switching context between sources of information from different focal distances is perceptually demanding and has performance consequences. Therefore, this research will leverage existing work in focus correction through image processing to develop and evaluate SharpView fonts for AR displays. A SharpView font is designed to look better (sharper) when seen out of focus than a regular font. The research hypothesizes that SharpView fonts will facilitate context switching and focal distance switching, and mitigate transient focus blur, resulting in measurably improved legibility and user comfort user performance for out-of-focus virtual content.