US 10528129

US Patent 10,528,129, titled "Immersive displays," was issued to Utherverse Digital Inc. on January 7, 2020, from an application filed on January 11, 2018. The inventors are Brian Shuster and Gary Stephen Shuster.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for providing information for display on an immersive display. This method involves obtaining data for displaying a first image to a user's first eye and a second image to their second eye. A portion of this information is then excluded or replaced to create adjusted information. Specifically, first information from a first area of the first image and second information from a second area of the second image are either occluded or replaced. The adjusted information is then provided for displaying the first image without the first area, and the second image without the second area, on the immersive display.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method for presenting content on an immersive display (e.g., a virtual or augmented reality headset). The core idea is to obtain images for both of a user's eyes. Then, specific "first areas" of the first images and "second areas" of the second images are identified. Instead of displaying the dynamic content intended for these areas, the patent specifies replacing this information with static images. These static images are intended to represent facial features like the user's nose or cheeks. The purpose is to maintain a stable reference in the user's field of view while the rest of the displayed information changes, potentially reducing motion sickness.

• Independent Claim 11 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium Claim): This claim covers a computer-readable medium (e.g., a hard drive or flash memory) that stores instructions (computer-readable code). When these instructions are executed by at least one processor of a computing device, they perform the method described in independent claim 1. That is, the code causes the device to obtain image information for an immersive display, replace specific areas with static images simulating a nose or cheeks, and then display these adjusted images.

• Independent Claim 12 (Immersive Display Apparatus Claim): This claim describes an actual immersive display device. This device comprises a body, at least one internal display for showing images to both eyes, and a processor connected to the display. The processor is configured to perform the actions outlined in independent claim 1: obtaining image information, replacing specific areas with static images (like a nose or cheeks), and then displaying these adjusted images on the immersive display.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 10528129 did not yield any direct results indicating legal challenges or cases specifically mentioning this patent number.

A comprehensive search for litigation involving US Patent 10,528,129 on patent litigation tracking sites and court records (Unified Patents, CAFC, and PACER) did not reveal any known litigation specifically referencing this patent number as of April 26, 2026. The search results that included "10528129" were for unrelated items such as property listings, company numbers, jewelry, or medical publication IDs, indicating that the patent number itself is not currently associated with publicly accessible litigation records. Therefore, no litigation details (plaintiff(s), defendant(s), jurisdiction, case number, filing date, or outcome/current status) can be provided.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US Patent 10,528,129 as of June 19, 2026. This means the patent has not been subjected to IPR, PGR, or CBM trials at the PTAB. For a defendant, this indicates the patent claims are untested by these post-grant review mechanisms, and all claims remain patentable as granted, assuming no other invalidity findings have been made in district court litigation (for which no records were found either).

Strategic summary

As no PTAB proceedings have been filed against US Patent 10,528,129, all 19 claims (claims 1-19) remain unchallenged and are presumed valid. There are no canceled or sustained claims through PTAB review, and all claims are currently "untested" by AIA trial proceedings.

Since no IPRs have been instituted, there is no estoppel landscape under § 315(e)(2) for any petitioner or their privies related to this patent. All prior art grounds (e.g., under § 102 or § 103) are still available for a defendant to assert in a district court litigation or a potential future PTAB proceeding.

There is no pattern of PTAB activity to analyze, as no proceedings exist. The absence of PTAB activity could imply several things: either the patent has not yet been asserted aggressively enough to provoke challenges, potential infringers have not identified strong prior art grounds, or the patent's scope is such that it has not yet become a target for these types of proceedings.

Recommended next steps

Given the complete absence of PTAB activity for US Patent 10,528,129:

• For a potential defendant: All claims of the patent are currently presumed valid as granted. If facing assertion of this patent, a defendant would have the full range of invalidity defenses available, including the option to file an IPR, PGR, or CBM petition, without any estoppel limitations from prior PTAB proceedings on this specific patent. This absence also means there is no public record of a PTAB panel's interpretation of the claims in light of prior art, which could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on a defendant's strategy.
• Recommendation: If considering an invalidity defense against this patent, thorough prior art searching should be conducted to identify strong grounds for a potential PTAB petition (e.g., IPR) or district court challenge. The lack of prior PTAB challenges means this patent is "soft" in the sense that its claims have not been subjected to the scrutiny of an AIA trial.

Inventors

• Brian Shuster (Utherverse Digital Inc.)
• Gary Stephen Shuster (Utherverse Digital Inc.)

Original assignee

Utherverse Digital Inc. is the original assignee named on the issued patent. Utherverse Digital Inc. is known for developing virtual world platforms. Their current status appears to be operating, as evidenced by their continued presence as the assignee on subsequent patent applications that claim priority to earlier applications in this family.

Assignment timeline

• 2015-04-21 to 2016-04-12 (executed) / recorded 2018-01-11 — Reel 044598/0836
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: Shuster, Gary Stephen; Shuster, Brian
  • Assignee: UTHERVERSE DIGITAL INC., CANADA
  • Correspondent: BLANK ROME LLP, 1800 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NW, SUITE 200, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036-1221
  • Context: Internal transfer of inventorship rights to the original assignee.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 10528129
    2018 : Assigned to Utherverse Digital Inc
    2020 : Issued to Utherverse Digital Inc

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. The only recorded assignment is from the individual inventors to Utherverse Digital Inc., which appears to be an operating company.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. Utherverse Digital Inc. is not identified as a known NPE.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Insufficient data. There is only one assignment recorded, so no pattern of recurrence can be established.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. Only a single assignment from inventors to the initial assignee is recorded.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. No litigation has been identified for this patent.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. There is no indication of bankruptcy for Utherverse Digital Inc.
7. Privateering — Not present. No evidence suggests a privateering arrangement.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent is currently assigned to Utherverse Digital Inc., not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Insufficient data. The only recorded assignment is from the individual inventors to Utherverse Digital Inc. (Reel 044598/0836). This single assignment does not provide enough information to identify any NPE or patent-troll patterns, as there are no subsequent transfers to analyze.

USPTO Assignment Center search page: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 10,528,129, a review of the patent citations listed within the patent text has been conducted. The patent 10,528,129 has a priority date of 2014-09-19. For a reference to potentially anticipate under 35 U.S.C. § 102, its effective filing or priority date must be prior to this date.

The independent claims of US 10,528,129 generally describe a method, computer-readable medium, and immersive display for:

1. Obtaining information for displaying first and second images to a user's eyes in an immersive display.
2. Replacing information from specific "first" and "second" areas of these images with static images (e.g., simulating a nose or cheeks).
3. Displaying these adjusted images, where the static images remain constant while the rest of the content changes.

Below is an analysis of each patent cited by the examiner, considering its publication/priority date relative to US 10,528,129, a brief description based on its title, and its potential to anticipate the claims. It's important to note that a definitive determination of anticipation under § 102 would require a full review of the cited patent's specification and claims, which is beyond the scope of this analysis using only the provided text. Therefore, the assessment below is based on the provided titles and known priority dates.

Cited Prior Art Analysis

1. US5850352A

   • Full Citation: US5850352A, "Immersive video, including video hypermosaicing to generate from multiple video views of a scene a three-dimensional video mosaic from which diverse virtual video scene images are synthesized, including panoramic, scene interactive and stereoscopic images."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 1995-03-31; Publication: 1998-12-15.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes techniques for generating immersive and stereoscopic 3D video from multiple views to synthesize virtual scene images.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. However, the title suggests a focus on the generation and synthesis of diverse 3D immersive video rather than the specific technique of replacing dynamic peripheral image areas corresponding to facial features (like a nose or cheeks) with static images. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12 of US 10,528,129.

2. US5905499A

   • Full Citation: US5905499A, "Method and system for high performance computer-generated virtual environments."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 1995-07-05; Publication: 1999-05-18.
   • Brief Description: This patent discloses methods and systems for creating high-performance computer-generated virtual environments.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This patent appears to be general to the creation of virtual environments. It does not appear to describe the specific rendering technique of replacing dynamic peripheral areas with static facial feature images, and thus is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12 of US 10,528,129.

3. US20050134945A1

   • Full Citation: US20050134945A1, "3D view for digital photograph management."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2003-12-17; Publication: 2005-06-23.
   • Brief Description: This patent pertains to managing and viewing digital photographs in a 3D format.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is related to 3D image management, not the real-time rendering and occlusion simulation in immersive displays as claimed by US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

4. US20050234333A1

   • Full Citation: US20050234333A1, "Marker detection method and apparatus, and position and orientation estimation method."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2004-03-31; Publication: 2005-10-20.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and apparatus for detecting markers and estimating position and orientation, which are fundamental to augmented and virtual reality tracking.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. While relevant to VR/AR systems, this patent does not describe the specific image rendering method of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

5. US20080063384A1

   • Full Citation: US20080063384A1, "Recording device, printing system, and disc medium."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2006-09-08; Publication: 2008-03-13.
   • Brief Description: This patent relates to recording devices, printing systems, and disc media.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is unrelated to immersive displays or the specific rendering methods claimed in US 10,528,129. It is highly unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

6. US20090325699A1

   • Full Citation: US20090325699A1, "Interfacing with virtual reality."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2006-11-03; Publication: 2009-12-31.
   • Brief Description: This patent concerns general methods for interfacing with virtual reality environments.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is too general regarding VR interfacing and does not appear to disclose the specific image rendering technique of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

7. US20110241991A1

   • Full Citation: US20110241991A1, "Tracking object selection apparatus, method, program and circuit."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2009-10-07; Publication: 2011-10-06.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes apparatus, methods, programs, and circuits for tracking object selection, likely within a displayed environment.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference focuses on object tracking and selection, not the specific image rendering method of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

8. US9214052B2

   • Full Citation: US9214052B2, "Analysis of stereoscopic images."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2010-03-18; Publication: 2015-12-15.
   • Brief Description: This patent relates to the analysis of stereoscopic images.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is general to stereoscopic image analysis and does not appear to disclose the specific image rendering technique for facial feature occlusion. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

9. US20130250382A1

   • Full Citation: US20130250382A1, "Holograms and fabrication processes."
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2010-10-06; Publication: 2013-09-26.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes holograms and their fabrication processes.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is related to holography and fabrication, not the specific immersive display rendering method of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

10. US20120281066A1

    • Full Citation: US20120281066A1, "Information processing device and information processing method."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2011-05-06; Publication: 2012-11-08.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a general information processing device and method.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is too general and does not appear to disclose the specific image rendering technique of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

11. US20130141419A1

    • Full Citation: US20130141419A1, "Augmented reality with realistic occlusion."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2011-12-01; Publication: 2013-06-06.
    • Brief Description: This patent focuses on achieving realistic occlusion in augmented reality environments.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This patent's title is thematically highly relevant as it discusses "realistic occlusion" in augmented reality. If "realistic occlusion" specifically includes the simulation of a user's own facial features (like a nose or cheeks) by replacing dynamic content in corresponding peripheral areas with static images, then it could potentially anticipate Claims 1, 11, and 12 of US 10,528,129. Without the full text, it is not possible to confirm if all elements of the claims, particularly the "static images corresponding to at least one of a nose or cheeks" feature, are explicitly disclosed.

12. US20130321406A1

    • Full Citation: US20130321406A1, "Control system for a directional light source."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2012-05-18; Publication: 2013-12-05.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a control system for a directional light source.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is unrelated to the specific image rendering method of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

13. US20140160129A1

    • Full Citation: US20140160129A1, "Information processing apparatus and recording medium."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2012-12-10; Publication: 2014-06-12.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an information processing apparatus and recording medium.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is too general and does not appear to disclose the specific image rendering technique of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

14. US20140285428A1

    • Full Citation: US20140285428A1, "Resource-responsive motion capture."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2013-03-15; Publication: 2014-09-25.
    • Brief Description: This patent pertains to motion capture techniques that adapt based on available resources.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. While US 10,528,129 aims to reduce processing requirements, this reference focuses on motion capture rather than the specific image rendering method involving static facial feature images. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

15. US20150015666A1

    • Full Citation: US20150015666A1, "Method and apparatus for providing 3d video streaming service."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2013-07-09; Publication: 2015-01-15.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for providing 3D video streaming services.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is general to 3D video streaming and does not appear to disclose the specific image rendering technique of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

16. US20150078621A1

    • Full Citation: US20150078621A1, "Apparatus and method for providing content experience service."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2013-09-13; Publication: 2015-03-19.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a general apparatus and method for providing content experience services.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference is too general and does not appear to disclose the specific image rendering technique of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

17. US20150154783A1

    • Full Citation: US20150154783A1, "Augmenting physical appearance using illumination."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2013-12-04; Publication: 2015-06-04.
    • Brief Description: This patent relates to augmenting physical appearance through illumination techniques.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference focuses on illumination for physical appearance, not the virtual occlusion of facial features within an immersive display's rendered content. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

18. US20150243078A1

    • Full Citation: US20150243078A1, "Methods and Systems for Social Sharing Head Mounted Display (HMD) Content With a Second Screen."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2014-02-24; Publication: 2015-08-27.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and systems for sharing content from a Head Mounted Display (HMD) with a second screen.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. This reference concerns content sharing, not the specific image rendering method of US 10,528,129. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1, 11, or 12.

19. US20150294504A1

    • Full Citation: US20150294504A1, "Marker-based pixel replacement."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2014-04-15; Publication: 2015-10-15.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes "marker-based pixel replacement."
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date is prior to US 10,528,129. The title "Marker-based pixel replacement" is somewhat relevant to the "replacing part of the information" element of US 10,528,129's claims. However, "marker-based" implies that the replacement is triggered or guided by specific markers, which might differ from identifying areas corresponding to fixed facial features like a nose or cheeks. Without further details on what pixels are replaced and why, and if those replaced pixels use static images corresponding to a nose or cheeks, it cannot be definitively determined to anticipate. It is potentially relevant to the "pixel replacement" aspect but may lack the specificity of the facial feature simulation.

20. US9977495B2

    • Full Citation: US9977495B2, "Immersive displays."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2014-09-19; Publication: 2018-05-22.
    • Brief Description: This patent is a family member of US 10,528,129, sharing the same priority date and assignee (Utherverse Digital Inc.). It likely discloses similar or identical subject matter regarding immersive displays.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a patent from the same applicant with the same priority date, this reference generally would not constitute anticipatory prior art "by another" under 35 U.S.C. § 102 for the same invention, assuming US 10,528,129 is entitled to this priority date. However, examiners often cite such related applications. If the claims of US 10,528,129 are found not to be entitled to the 2014-09-19 priority date, or if US9977495B2 contains broader claims covering the invention that are not properly distinguished, it could become relevant in an invalidity argument. Given its shared priority and title, it is highly likely to disclose the core invention.

21. US10217286B1

    • Full Citation: US10217286B1, "Realistic rendering for virtual reality applications."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2015-09-21; Publication: 2019-02-26.
    • Brief Description: This patent relates to realistic rendering techniques for virtual reality applications.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date (2015-09-21) is after the priority date of US 10,528,129 (2014-09-19). Therefore, this patent cannot anticipate US 10,528,129 under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

22. US20180096533A1

    • Full Citation: US20180096533A1, "Facial feature views of user viewing into virtual reality scenes and integration of facial features into virtual reality views into scenes."
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority: 2016-09-30; Publication: 2018-04-05.
    • Brief Description: This patent is thematically highly relevant as it specifically addresses "Facial feature views" and their "integration into virtual reality views."
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Its priority date (2016-09-30) is after the priority date of US 10,528,129 (2014-09-19). Therefore, this patent cannot anticipate US 10,528,129 under 35 U.S.C. § 102. However, its title strongly suggests disclosure of the same or very similar inventive concept as US 10,528,129.

Most Relevant Prior Art

Based on the titles and priority dates, the most thematically relevant prior art references that could potentially anticipate US 10,528,129 under 35 U.S.C. § 102 (i.e., having a priority date before 2014-09-19) are:

• US20130141419A1 (Brian Mount), "Augmented reality with realistic occlusion" (Priority: 2011-12-01). This title directly addresses "occlusion" in augmented reality, which is a core problem solved by US 10,528,129's static facial feature simulation. If its detailed disclosure includes simulating physiological occlusions (e.g., nose/cheeks) with static elements in an immersive display, it could anticipate Claims 1, 11, and 12.
• US20150294504A1 (Navigate Surgical Technologies, Inc.), "Marker-based pixel replacement" (Priority: 2014-04-15). This patent mentions "pixel replacement," which is a mechanism used in US 10,528,129. Its potential to anticipate depends on whether the "pixel replacement" is applied to areas corresponding to facial features using static images in an immersive display context.

While US20180096533A1 (Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.), "Facial feature views of user viewing into virtual reality scenes and integration of facial features into virtual reality views into scenes," is highly relevant thematically, its later priority date prevents it from being anticipatory prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102 against US 10,528,129. Similarly, US9977495B2 (Utherverse Digital Inc.) is a related application with the same priority date and assignee, and thus would not typically serve as anticipatory art against US 10,528,129 if the claims of 10,528,129 are validly entitled to their stated priority date.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US Patent 10,528,129

The claims of US Patent 10,528,129 generally describe a method, a computer-readable medium, and an immersive display apparatus for presenting virtual or augmented reality content. The inventive core revolves around:

1. Obtaining image information for displaying distinct images to each of a user's eyes in an immersive display.
2. Identifying specific "first" and "second" areas within these images that correspond to the natural occlusion points of a user's own facial features (such as the nose or cheeks).
3. Replacing the dynamic information intended for these identified areas with static images (or no image).
4. Displaying the adjusted images, wherein the static images remain constant, providing a stable visual reference while the remainder of the displayed content changes. This aims to reduce motion sickness and enhance realism.

For a combination of prior art references to render a claim obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103, there must be a teaching, suggestion, or motivation in the prior art that would have led a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) to combine the references to achieve the claimed invention. The motivation can stem from the references themselves, from common knowledge, or from the nature of the problem to be solved.

The priority date for US 10,528,129 is September 19, 2014. References must predate this to qualify as prior art for an obviousness analysis.

Most Relevant Prior Art for Obviousness

Based on the provided prior art analysis, the most thematically relevant references with priority dates preceding US 10,528,129 are:

• US20130141419A1 (Mount): "Augmented reality with realistic occlusion." (Priority: December 1, 2011). This patent directly addresses "realistic occlusion" in augmented reality environments. The concept of creating a believable visual experience by managing how virtual objects interact with real-world visibility is highly pertinent.
• US20150294504A1 (Navigate Surgical Technologies, Inc.): "Marker-based pixel replacement." (Priority: April 15, 2014). This reference provides a technical mechanism for modifying displayed images by replacing pixels, albeit in a "marker-based" context.

Obviousness Argument

A person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) in the field of immersive display technology (e.g., VR/AR headset development) would have been motivated to combine the teachings of the identified prior art with common knowledge to arrive at the invention of US 10,528,129.

Core Problem Recognized by the Patent:
The specification of US 10,528,129 explicitly states that typical immersive displays can cause motion sickness and disorientation. This is attributed to two main factors:

1. Presenting stereoscopic 3D imagery in areas of the eye that normally receive static non-stereoscopic imagery (e.g., the area occluded by a user's nose).
2. The "lack of the point of reference, which is removed when the nose and other normally static imagery that a person is accustomed to seeing in each separate eye is replaced with imagery from an immersive display."

The patent also notes that "replacing parts of the images with static images to simulate a nose reduces the number of pixels for which information is processed for display, thus reducing one or more of processing requirements, memory requirements, and bandwidth utilized to transfer information to the immersive display."

Combination 1: Mount (Realistic Occlusion) + General Knowledge of Immersive Display Challenges

• Mount's Teaching: US20130141419A1 teaches "augmented reality with realistic occlusion." A PHOSITA would understand that "realistic occlusion" is crucial for believable augmented and virtual reality experiences. The concept inherently requires accounting for how various objects (real or virtual) block the view of others.
• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA, aiming to achieve a "realistic" immersive display experience (as motivated by Mount) and addressing the well-known problems of motion sickness and disorientation in VR/AR (as acknowledged by US 10,528,129 itself), would recognize that the user's own facial features, particularly the nose, provide a constant, static point of reference in real-world vision. The absence of this natural and static occlusion in an immersive display environment creates an unnatural visual experience that contributes to disorientation. It would have been obvious for a PHOSITA to extend the concept of "realistic occlusion" to include the user's own physiology. To simulate the naturally static visual presence of the nose or cheeks, the most straightforward approach would be to replace dynamic content in the corresponding peripheral areas of the displayed images with a static image (or simply no image, which the patent also discusses as an option). This would provide the missing stable reference, thereby mitigating motion sickness and enhancing the perceived realism.
• Obviousness: The problem of motion sickness/disorientation due to the absence of the natural nose reference was a known challenge in immersive displays. Mount's focus on "realistic occlusion" would naturally lead a PHOSITA to consider all aspects of natural visual occlusion, including self-occlusion by facial features. Implementing this by using static imagery (or no imagery) in the relevant display areas is an obvious design choice, given that the real-world nose is a static visual element relative to the eyes.

Combination 2: Navigate Surgical (Pixel Replacement) + Mount (Realistic Occlusion) + General Knowledge

• Navigate Surgical's Teaching: US20150294504A1 discloses "marker-based pixel replacement." This reference teaches a technical method for altering specific pixels within a displayed image.
• Motivation to Combine: If a PHOSITA were to pursue the goal of "realistic occlusion" (Mount) to simulate facial features in an immersive display, they would seek practical methods for implementing this. "Pixel replacement" (Navigate Surgical) offers a direct technical solution for modifying image data in specific regions. While Navigate Surgical's method is "marker-based," a PHOSITA would readily understand that the principle of pixel replacement could be applied to any identified area, including those predetermined to correspond to a user's nose or cheeks. The motivation to combine these would be to use a known image manipulation technique to achieve the desired realistic physiological occlusion for improved user experience and reduced motion sickness, as previously discussed.
• Obviousness: Given the motivation to achieve realistic occlusion by simulating physiological features like the nose with static elements, applying a known technique for manipulating pixels (such as "pixel replacement" from Navigate Surgical) to the specific areas corresponding to the nose or cheeks would be a straightforward implementation. The selection of static images for these areas is an obvious choice because the actual nose is a static visual element in a user's field of view. Furthermore, the additional benefit of reducing processing requirements (as described in US 10,528,129) would provide an independent motivation for a PHOSITA to implement such a pixel replacement strategy for non-essential peripheral areas.

In summary, the specific solution of replacing dynamic content with static images corresponding to a user's nose or cheeks in an immersive display would have been obvious to a PHOSITA. This is due to the clear motivation to enhance realism and reduce motion sickness (a known problem in the field), combined with the general teaching of realistic occlusion and known techniques for image manipulation like pixel replacement.

US Patent 10,528,129, titled "Immersive displays," has the following characteristics regarding its term and family:

Patent Term Adjustment (PTA):
Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) is granted to compensate applicants for delays caused by the USPTO during patent prosecution. The USPTO automatically calculates PTA and includes it in the Issue Notification Letter. An applicant can request reconsideration of the PTA calculation within two months of the patent's issuance, with extensions possible for up to five additional months. For US Patent 10,528,129, the Google Patents entry indicates an "Adjusted expiration" date of 2035-04-13. This adjustment typically reflects PTA awarded.

Patent Term Extension (PTE):
Patent Term Extension (PTE) is available under the Hatch-Waxman Act for patents claiming products (such as pharmaceuticals or medical devices) that require regulatory approval prior to being sold. PTE aims to restore patent term lost during this regulatory review period. The maximum PTE cannot exceed five years or extend the patent term over 14 years from the date of marketing approval. Since US Patent 10,528,129 relates to "Immersive displays" and not a product requiring regulatory approval from agencies like the FDA or Department of Agriculture, it is not eligible for Patent Term Extension (PTE) under 35 U.S.C. § 156.

Continuation Applications:
Continuation applications are filed during the pendency of an earlier application and claim the benefit of the earlier filing date. US Patent 10,528,129 is itself a continuation of an earlier application.
The patent information lists the following:

• US15/868,182: This is the application number for US 10,528,129, filed on 2018-01-11, and claims priority to 2014-09-19.
• US16/735,505: This is a related "Priority to" application from 2020-01-06, which resulted in US11455032B2. This is likely a continuation of US 10,528,129 or an application that shares a common priority chain.
• US17/896,387: This is another related "Priority to" application from 2022-08-26, which resulted in US12547242B2. This is also likely a continuation or a continuing application in the same family.

Divisional Applications:
A divisional application is a later application for an independent invention carved out of a prior non-provisional application. The provided information does not explicitly list any direct "divisional applications" for US 10,528,129 in the same way continuation applications are listed under "Priority Applications." However, continuation and divisional applications are often part of the same "family" of patents.

Related Family Members:
The patent family related to US 10,528,129 includes applications that claim priority to the same initial filing date (2014-09-19).
The Google Patents data lists the following family members:

• US15/868,182 (US10528129B2): This is the current patent.
• US14/677,519 (US9977495B2): This application, filed 2015-04-02, is listed as a "Continuation" and shares the priority date of 2014-09-19. It issued as US9977495B2 on 2018-05-22.
• US16/735,505 (US11455032B2): This application, filed 2020-01-06, is also listed as a "Continuation" and shares the priority date of 2014-09-19. It issued as US11455032B2 on 2022-09-27.
• US17/896,387 (US12547242B2): This application, filed 2022-08-26, also shares the priority date of 2014-09-19. It is identified as a "Continuation" and issued as US12547242B2 on 2026-02-10.

These patents form a family, where later applications (continuations) claim the benefit of the priority date of the earliest filed application in the chain. The term of a patent granted on a continuation or divisional application filed on or after June 8, 1995, ends twenty years from the filing date of the earliest application for which a benefit is claimed.

Projected Expiration Date:
The Google Patents entry for US 10,528,129 explicitly states "Active, expires 2035-04-13". This date already includes any Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) awarded to the patent. The statutory term for patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, is 20 years from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is claimed. The earliest priority date for US 10,528,129 is 2014-09-19. Therefore, the base 20-year term would typically end on 2034-09-19. The "Adjusted expiration" date of 2035-04-13 indicates that approximately 6 months and 25 days of Patent Term Adjustment have been added to the base term due to USPTO delays.

Defensive Disclosure: Derivative Variations of US Patent 10,528,129

This defensive disclosure document describes derivative variations of the core inventive concepts found in US Patent 10,528,129, "Immersive displays." The purpose is to provide "prior art" that would render obvious or non-novel future incremental improvements by competitors. The focus is on the mechanism of replacing dynamic content in peripheral areas of an immersive display with static images simulating facial features (like a nose or cheeks) to enhance user experience and reduce motion sickness.

Derivative Variations

1. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: Dedicated Micro-LED Sub-Arrays for Static Occlusion

Enabling Description:
Instead of rendering static nose/cheek images on the primary high-resolution display panel, this derivative employs dedicated, ultra-low-power micro-LED sub-arrays. These sub-arrays are physically integrated into the perimeter of the main display unit, corresponding to the physiological occlusion zones for each eye. Each sub-array features a sparse grid of monochromatic (e.g., skin-tone spectrum) micro-LEDs, operating at a refresh rate significantly lower than the primary display (e.g., 1-5 Hz) or even driven in a pulsed mode with low duty cycle to maintain the static visual impression. A dedicated, minimal-logic FPGA or ASIC, separate from the main display controller, directly drives these sub-arrays, receiving static image data (e.g., a bitmap representing a nose contour) once during initialization or user calibration. The sub-arrays are designed with a diffused optical layer to blend the discrete light sources into a continuous, soft-edged simulated occlusion. Power consumption is minimized by only updating the state of the micro-LEDs when the static image itself needs to be changed (e.g., user customization) rather than continuously refreshing dynamic pixels.

graph TD
    A[Main Processor] -- Initial Config --> B[Dedicated Sub-Array Controller (FPGA/ASIC)]
    B -- Static Image Data --> C[Micro-LED Sub-Array (Left Eye)]
    B -- Static Image Data --> D[Micro-LED Sub-Array (Right Eye)]
    E[Primary Immersive Display Controller] -- Dynamic Image Data --> F[Primary Display Panel (Left Eye)]
    E -- Dynamic Image Data --> G[Primary Display Panel (Right Eye)]
    C -- Optical Diffusion --> H[User's Left Eye Field of View]
    D -- Optical Diffusion --> I[User's Right Eye Field of View]
    F -- Perceived Immersion --> H
    G -- Perceived Immersion --> I
    subgraph Immersive Display Device
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
        G
    end

Derivative 1.2: Electrochromic/Liquid Crystal Occlusion Shutters

Enabling Description:
This derivative utilizes electrochromic (EC) or liquid crystal (LC) shutters positioned between the main display panel and the user's eyes. These shutters are segmented into areas corresponding to the nose and cheek occlusion zones. Each segment is individually addressable. Upon system initialization or user calibration, a low-voltage electrical signal is applied to the specific EC/LC segments to adjust their transparency or light absorption properties. For EC materials, this would involve a voltage-induced redox reaction to transition the material to a specific, static opacity or color (e.g., a skin tone or dark gray). For LC shutters, a voltage would reorient the liquid crystal molecules to block or scatter light, creating a static, non-transmissive area. The state of these segments is maintained by a minimal holding current or capacitance, significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuously rendered pixels. These shutters act as physical, but electronically controllable, occluders that present a static visual element without consuming primary display rendering resources.

graph TD
    A[Main Processor] -- Configuration Signal --> B[Shutter Control Unit]
    B -- Low Voltage Drive --> C{EC/LC Shutter Segment (Left Nose Area)}
    B -- Low Voltage Drive --> D{EC/LC Shutter Segment (Right Nose Area)}
    E[Primary Immersive Display] -- Dynamic Content --> F[User's Field of View]
    C -- Static Occlusion --> F
    D -- Static Occlusion --> F
    subgraph Immersive Display Device
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
    end

2. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: Hyper-Resolution Perceptually-Calibrated Static Occlusion with Foveated Rendering

Enabling Description:
This variation integrates the static physiological occlusion into a foveated rendering pipeline operating at extremely high effective resolutions. The static nose/cheek images are not merely low-resolution textures, but are rendered using hyper-resolution, perceptually-calibrated static texture maps (e.g., 3000 DPI equivalent) that meticulously mimic the fine details and subtle variations of human skin or a specified custom texture. Eye-tracking data from internal cameras (e.g., operating at 1000 Hz with sub-degree angular precision) dynamically refines the exact boundaries and subtle shading of this static occlusion. While the static image itself doesn't change content, its definition and interaction with simulated virtual lighting are modulated. For instance, if the user's foveal region momentarily glances towards the edge of the static occlusion, the rendering engine dynamically increases the fidelity of the static texture's anti-aliasing and micro-surface details in that specific region, maintaining a seamless perceived stability without introducing dynamic content into the occluded area. This ensures the "static" reference feels perfectly crisp and integrated with the foveated dynamic content, preventing any jarring transition or blur artifacts at the boundary.

graph TD
    A[Eye Tracking System] -- Gaze Vector & Gaze Point --> B{Foveated Rendering Engine}
    C[Biometric Profile DB] -- Static Texture Maps (Hyper-Res, Calibrated) --> B
    B -- Dynamic Foveal Render --> D[High-Res Display Core]
    B -- Dynamic Peripheral Render --> E[Lower-Res Display Periphery]
    B -- Static Occlusion Layer (Boundary Refinement) --> F[Occlusion Zone Blending Module]
    F -- Static Content Display --> G[Display Output]
    D -- Combined Output --> G
    E -- Combined Output --> G
    subgraph Immersive Display
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
        G
    end

Derivative 2.2: Adaptive Staticity with Real-Time Environmental Light Sensing

Enabling Description:
This derivative implements an adaptive "static" occlusion where the visual attributes of the simulated nose/cheek are not entirely fixed, but subtly adjust to real-world ambient lighting conditions. The immersive display incorporates an external photodetector array (e.g., a multi-spectral sensor for visible and IR light) and internal eye-safe illuminance sensors. These sensors continuously monitor ambient light intensity, color temperature, and primary light source direction. A real-time rendering adjustment engine then modulates the perceived properties of the static nose/cheek image. For instance, if ambient light dims, the simulated nose might become subtly darker with reduced specular highlights. If a warm light source is detected from the right, the static image might display a subtle, non-changing warm-toned highlight on its right flank and a cooler shadow on its left. This adaptation is not dynamic content from the virtual environment, but a static overlay's properties shifting to maintain perceptual consistency with the user's actual external environment, thereby enhancing the realism of the static reference and reducing the perception of a "flat" static image regardless of external conditions. The "static" image retains its fixed content but its material properties (e.g., albedo, specularity) are modulated.

graph TD
    A[External Photodetector Array] -- Ambient Light Data --> B[Environmental Sensing Unit]
    C[Internal Illuminance Sensors] -- Intra-HMD Light Data --> B
    B -- Real-time Light Params --> D{Adaptive Static Render Engine}
    E[User Biometric Profile] -- Base Static Image Data --> D
    D -- Modulated Static Image --> F[Display Occlusion Areas]
    G[Primary Dynamic Render Pipeline] -- Dynamic Scene --> H[Display Dynamic Areas]
    F -- Blended Output --> I[Combined Display Output]
    H -- Blended Output --> I
    subgraph Immersive Display
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
        G
        H
        I
    end

3. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: Industrial Monitoring VR with Peripheral Static Gauge Clusters

Enabling Description:
In a Virtual Reality (VR) system designed for remote monitoring and maintenance of industrial plants (e.g., a chemical processing facility), the principles of US 10,528,129 are applied to display static, non-interactive "gauge clusters" or warning indicators in the user's peripheral field of view. While the central foveated area of the VR display provides a dynamic 3D walkthrough of the plant with real-time equipment telemetry, the extreme left and right peripheral zones present static, always-visible dials, warning lights (e.g., "Pressure OK," "Temperature Nominal," "Emergency Stop Available") or system health summaries. These peripheral static elements are low-resolution, monochrome bitmaps or simple iconography, designed not to distract from the central task. Their content is "static" in the sense that they only change when a pre-defined threshold is crossed (e.g., a pressure gauge moving from "nominal" to "high"), rather than continuously updating like the central dynamic telemetry. This reduces rendering load on the main engine and provides persistent, glanceable status information without demanding foveal attention.

graph TD
    A[VR Scene Generator (Dynamic)] -- Central View Content --> D[Primary Display Driver]
    B[Static Gauge Data Source (Threshold-based)] -- Peripheral Static Overlay --> C[Peripheral Display Renderer]
    C -- Low-res, Static Render --> D
    D -- Combined Output --> E[Immersive Display Output]
    subgraph Industrial VR System
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
    end

Derivative 3.2: Surgical AR with Static Anatomical Reference Occlusions

Enabling Description:
In an Augmented Reality (AR) system used for surgical navigation, the concept of a static peripheral reference is applied to display fixed anatomical markers or surgical tool guides. During a pre-operative planning phase, patient-specific 3D anatomical data (e.g., from CT/MRI scans) is registered. In the AR overlay viewed by the surgeon, the central, foveated vision area dynamically renders real-time anatomical structures and instrument positions. However, in the periphery of the display, static 3D anatomical reference points (e.g., a fixed landmark on a bone, or a pre-defined incision line) are rendered as static, transparent overlays. These static overlays remain fixed relative to the perceived patient anatomy, even as the surgeon moves their head or changes their foveal gaze within the dynamic surgical field. The static nature ensures that critical, non-changing reference points are always consistently available in the peripheral awareness, reducing cognitive load and reliance on dynamically re-rendering complex guidance cues in the central, high-resolution view.

graph TD
    A[Real-time Camera Feed (Patient)] --> B[AR Tracking & Registration]
    C[Pre-operative 3D Anatomical Model] --> B
    B -- Registered Patient Pose --> D{AR Rendering Engine}
    E[Dynamic Instrument Tracking] -- Live Tool Position --> D
    F[Static Anatomical Markers Database] -- Fixed Reference Points --> D
    D -- Dynamic Surgical Field --> G[Primary AR Overlay]
    D -- Static Peripheral References --> H[Peripheral AR Overlay]
    G -- Fused View --> I[Surgeon's AR Display]
    H -- Fused View --> I
    subgraph Surgical AR System
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
        G
        H
        I
    end

Derivative 3.3: Automotive HUD with Static Side-Mirror Indicators

Enabling Description:
For an advanced automotive Head-Up Display (HUD) system, the principles of peripheral static display are utilized. The HUD projects augmented reality information directly onto the windshield, visible to the driver. The central field of view dynamically displays navigation, speed, and real-time collision warnings. In the peripheral regions of the HUD, specifically corresponding to the typical driver's visual expectation of side-view mirrors, static, stylized icons representing the side mirrors are projected. These icons are static images (e.g., simple vehicle outlines) that remain fixed in the driver's perception, regardless of head movement or dynamic environmental changes. If a vehicle enters a blind spot, this static side-mirror icon might change to a specific static warning graphic (e.g., a flashing red car silhouette) without introducing a dynamic video feed into that peripheral region. This provides persistent, stable points of reference for critical external information without increasing the computational load of dynamically rendering complex external camera feeds into the driver's periphery.

graph TD
    A[Vehicle Sensor Data (Speed, Nav, Blind Spot)] --> B{HUD Controller}
    C[Dynamic AR Renderer] -- Central Dynamic Data --> B
    D[Static Icon Generator (Side Mirror, Warnings)] -- Peripheral Static Data --> B
    B -- Projected Image --> E[Windshield Projector]
    E -- Augmented View --> F[Driver's Field of View]
    subgraph Automotive HUD System
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
    end

4. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: AI-Driven Personalized Static Occlusion Optimization

Enabling Description:
This derivative employs an AI/Machine Learning (ML) model to dynamically optimize the attributes (e.g., shape, size, skin tone, translucency, perceived texture) of the static nose/cheek images for each individual user, maximizing comfort and immersion while minimizing motion sickness. The system utilizes internal eye-tracking cameras (for gaze stability and pupil dilation), internal facial cameras (for biometric facial feature mapping), and biofeedback sensors (e.g., galvanic skin response, heart rate variability from an integrated wearable) to collect continuous user experience data. The AI/ML model (e.g., a deep reinforcement learning agent) is trained on a large dataset of user preferences and physiological responses to various static occlusion configurations. In real-time, the model processes the live user biometric and comfort data to infer the optimal static occlusion parameters. For example, if eye-tracking data indicates slight discomfort or repeated brief glances at the occlusion boundary, the AI might subtly adjust its translucency or softness. Initial personalization involves the user interacting with a calibration routine where they provide subjective feedback while the AI explores a parameter space of static nose/cheek representations. This creates a hyper-personalized static reference tailored to the user's unique perception and physiology.

graph TD
    A[Internal Eye-Tracking] -- Gaze Data --> B{AI/ML Optimization Engine}
    C[Internal Facial Camera] -- Facial Biometrics --> B
    D[Biofeedback Sensors] -- Comfort Metrics --> B
    E[User Subjective Feedback] -- Training Data --> B
    B -- Optimized Static Parameters --> F[Static Image Renderer]
    F -- Static Occlusion Layer --> G[Immersive Display]
    subgraph AI-Optimized Immersive Display
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
        G
    end

Derivative 4.2: IoT-Driven Environmental Adaptation of Static Occlusion

Enabling Description:
This derivative integrates the immersive display with a network of external Internet of Things (IoT) environmental sensors to dynamically adapt the material properties of the static nose/cheek images. These IoT sensors (e.g., ambient light, temperature, humidity, particulate matter concentration) are deployed in the user's physical surroundings. They transmit real-time environmental data to a central IoT hub, which then relays relevant parameters to the immersive display's processing unit. The display's rendering pipeline then adjusts the perceived surface properties of the static nose/cheek images to reflect these real-world conditions. For instance, if the IoT sensors report high humidity, the static nose image might develop a subtle, static "condensation" effect or a slightly more reflective sheen. If ambient temperature drops significantly, the simulated skin tone might shift marginally to appear slightly paler or with reduced blood flow texture. This ensures that even the static, artificial occlusion visually conforms to the current physical environment, deepening the sense of realism and reducing cognitive dissonance. The "static" content remains unchanged, but its simulated interaction with the user's real environment is dynamically adapted.

graph TD
    A[Environmental IoT Sensors] -- Real-time Data --> B[IoT Hub]
    B -- Environmental Params --> C{Static Image Adaptation Module}
    D[Base Static Image Data] --> C
    C -- Adjusted Material Properties --> E[Static Image Renderer]
    E -- Static Occlusion Layer --> F[Immersive Display]
    subgraph IoT-Integrated Immersive Display
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
    end

Derivative 4.3: Blockchain-Verified Custom Static Occlusion Profiles

Enabling Description:
This derivative utilizes a blockchain network to securely store and verify user-customized static occlusion profiles. When a user creates a personalized static nose/cheek image (e.g., adjusting size, shape, skin tone, or selecting from a pre-defined library), this profile data is cryptographically hashed and recorded as a transaction on a private or consortium blockchain. Each user has a unique wallet address linked to their personalized profiles. When the user switches to a different immersive display device or logs into a new VR application, the device or application can query the blockchain to retrieve the user's verified static occlusion profile. This ensures consistency and security of personalized comfort settings across disparate hardware and software platforms. The blockchain record ensures the integrity and authenticity of the user's chosen static reference, preventing unauthorized alteration and facilitating seamless migration of personalized immersive experiences.

sequenceDiagram
    participant U as User
    participant HMD as Immersive Display
    participant APP as VR/AR Application
    participant BC as Blockchain Network
    U->HMD: Customize Static Occlusion (e.g., nose)
    HMD->APP: Send Customization Data
    APP->BC: Hash & Record Profile (Transaction)
    BC-->APP: Transaction Confirmation
    U->APP: Login/Launch App (New Device)
    APP->BC: Query User Profile
    BC-->APP: Verified Profile Data (Hash)
    APP->HMD: Apply Static Occlusion Profile
    HMD->HMD: Display Personalized Static Occlusion

5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Critical System Failure - Safe Degradation to Monochrome Static Occlusion

Enabling Description:
In the event of a critical system failure (e.g., GPU overheating, primary power supply degradation, or core rendering pipeline error) within the immersive display, the system automatically initiates a "safe degradation mode." In this mode, all dynamic virtual environment rendering is immediately halted or greatly simplified (e.g., to a low-refresh rate wireframe). Concurrently, the display controller shifts to a minimal, redundant power circuit to maintain only the static nose/cheek occlusion images, along with a critical system status overlay (e.g., "SYSTEM FAULT - EXIT VR"). The static nose/cheek images revert to a pre-defined, monochrome (e.g., gray-scale) low-resolution bitmap, driven at a very low refresh rate (e.g., <1 Hz) or held in a static state, to provide the essential stable reference necessary to prevent acute motion sickness or disorientation during system shutdown or troubleshooting. This prioritized rendering ensures user safety and comfort by preserving the most critical non-dynamic visual cue until the user can safely disengage from the immersive environment.

stateDiagram
    [*] --> Normal_Operation
    Normal_Operation --> Critical_System_Failure : GPU Overheat | Power Loss | Render Error
    Critical_System_Failure --> Safe_Degradation_Mode : Activate Redundant Power | Halt Dynamic Render
    Safe_Degradation_Mode --> Display_Monochrome_Static_Occlusion : Prioritize Static Reference
    Safe_Degradation_Mode --> Display_Critical_Status_Overlay : Alert User
    Display_Monochrome_Static_Occlusion --> User_Exits_VR
    Display_Critical_Status_Overlay --> User_Exits_VR
    User_Exits_VR --> [*]

Derivative 5.2: Low-Power Mode - Asymmetric Occlusion Reduction

Enabling Description:
When the immersive display detects a low-power condition (e.g., battery below 15% charge) or is explicitly commanded into a "power-saving mode," it implements an asymmetric occlusion reduction strategy. In this mode, the static nose/cheek image for one eye (e.g., the non-dominant eye, or a user-configurable preference) is entirely disabled or replaced with a simple black mask, effectively ceasing rendering/driving for that peripheral region. The static nose/cheek image for the other eye is maintained, potentially at a reduced resolution or refresh rate (e.g., 5 Hz), continuing to provide at least a monocular static reference. This significantly reduces the computational and display power required for the peripheral static elements, extending operational time, while still offering some level of motion sickness mitigation by preserving a stable physiological reference for one eye.

graph TD
    A[Power Management Unit] -- Low Power Signal --> B{Occlusion Management Module}
    B -- Normal Mode (Default) --> C[Render Static Occlusion (Left Eye)]
    B -- Normal Mode (Default) --> D[Render Static Occlusion (Right Eye)]
    B -- Low Power Mode --> E[Disable Static Occlusion (Left Eye)]
    B -- Low Power Mode --> F[Render Static Occlusion (Right Eye, Reduced)]
    C -- Output --> G[Left Display Peripheral]
    D -- Output --> H[Right Display Peripheral]
    E -- Output --> G
    F -- Output --> H
    subgraph Immersive Display
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
        G
        H
    end

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

These scenarios combine the inventive concepts of US Patent 10,528,129 with existing open-source standards, demonstrating how the patent's teachings could be implemented within or extended by these standards, thereby serving as prior art for future developments.

1. US 10,528,129 + OpenXR Standard for Physiological Occlusion Layers:
   An extension to the OpenXR API, named XR_VARJO_static_physiological_occlusion (or similar), would define a new type of XrCompositionLayer specifically for rendering static physiological occlusions (like nose or cheek elements). This layer would allow VR/AR application developers to submit static texture assets (e.g., XrSwapchainImage for a single frame) and specify their desired position and blending attributes relative to the user's view, corresponding to the "first area" and "second area" as defined in claim 1. The OpenXR runtime, in conjunction with the device's main processor, would be responsible for "providing adjusted information by removing part of the information to replace first information from a first area of the first images with a first static image...". This integration within a widely adopted open standard would make the method of US 10,528,129 readily available and implementable by a broad developer community, thus constituting clear prior art for any subsequent efforts to implement similar static physiological occlusions in an OpenXR environment.

2. US 10,528,129 + Vulkan Graphics API for Optimized Fixed-Function Occlusion Pipeline:
   A specialized rendering pipeline within a Vulkan-based graphics engine (e.g., VK_KHR_fixed_viewport_occlusion extension, or a similar vendor-specific extension) would define a mechanism to declare and manage static "occlusion meshes" or "static texture quads" that correspond to the user's nose and cheek regions. These occlusion meshes would be rendered once with a static texture (e.g., a skin-tone bitmap or transparent black) into specific, pre-defined regions of the framebuffer before the main dynamic scene rendering pass. The Vulkan pipeline would then implement "early-Z" culling or a scissor test to prevent any subsequent dynamic scene pixels from being rendered into these static occlusion regions, thereby "removing part of the information" as described in claim 1 and "reducing processing requirements, memory requirements, and bandwidth utilized." This would demonstrate the application of US 10,528,129's resource optimization and static replacement using a low-level, high-performance graphics API.

3. US 10,528,129 + WebXR Device API for Browser-Based User-Configurable Static Reference:
   The WebXR Device API could incorporate a feature (e.g., a XRSystem.requestStaticReferenceSpace() method or a specialized XRLayer property) that allows web-based VR/AR applications to request and configure a persistent, non-interactive visual element corresponding to a user's physiological features. This feature would expose parameters for setting the shape, color, opacity, and relative_position of the "first static image" and "second static image" (e.g., a simulated nose or cheek). The WebXR user agent (browser) would then handle the rendering of this static element as a fixed overlay within the immersive session, ensuring it remains stable while the dynamic WebXR content changes. This provides a user-configurable, browser-native implementation of the static occlusion, demonstrating the core inventive step of US 10,528,129 in a ubiquitous web environment.