Understanding the Effect of Diminished Reality Screen Filters
ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST), 2026.
Overview
Nearby screens can introduce distracting content that people cannot control. Diminished reality could let users alter those screens in their own view while leaving them available to others. We investigated screen-filter preferences and their effects on performance, workload, and perceived distraction using a controlled VR environment.
A formative study with 18 participants explored five filters during puzzle assembly: blocking, dimming, static wallpaper, replacement video, and frozen content. Participants generally preferred static treatments, although their stated preferences differed from the filters they used during the task. A subsequent study with 16 participants compared active and blocked screens during a Stroop-inspired task and conversation.
Blocking reduced self-reported distraction during conversation. We detected no significant improvements in puzzle performance or workload, or in Stroop accuracy or response time. Together, the studies show that preferences and benefits vary with the activity and context of use. The findings inform the design of personal screen filtering while motivating further evaluation beyond short VR sessions.