Enhanced device

Abstract

Embodiments use a first device (e.g., an HMD) to provide a CGR environment that enhances input and output capabilities of a second device (e.g., a laptop, smart speaker, etc. In some implementations, a first device communicates with a second device in its proximity physical environment to exchange input or output data. For example, an HMD may capture an image of a physical environment including a laptop computer. The HMD may detect a laptop computer, send a request for content of the laptop computer, receive content from the laptop computer (e.g., content and additional content that the laptop computer is currently displaying), identify a location of the laptop computer, and transmit the identified location to the laptop computer. And displaying the virtual object with the received content in a CGR environment on or near the laptop. The size, shape, orientation, or position of a virtual object (e.g., a virtual monitor or monitor extension) may also be configured to provide a better user experience.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an international application filed on September 15, 2020, entered the Chinese national phase on March 25, 2022, with application number 202080067532.0 and invention title "Enhanced Device". Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to providing content on an electronic device, and more particularly to systems, methods, and devices for providing a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment that is based on a physical environment that includes other electronic devices. Background Art

[0003] Many electronic devices are configured with input and output capabilities. For example, a laptop computing device may include a display and a keyboard for displaying content and receiving user input, respectively. Similarly, a smartwatch may include a touchscreen that both displays content and receives input. In another example, a smart home speaker device may be configured to produce an audio output via a speaker and receive an audible voice command as an input via a microphone. Additional devices may be used to supplement the input and output capabilities of an electronic device. For example, a user may connect a larger monitor to a laptop computer or use a head-mounted device (HMD) to view a virtual screen (e.g., a virtual desktop) corresponding to the output of the laptop computer. However, the prior art of using one device to supplement the output or input capabilities of another device may be limited in terms of capabilities, usability, or efficiency, and generally may not provide a user experience sufficient to enhance the input and output capabilities of those electronic devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The specific implementations disclosed herein use a first device to provide a CGR environment that enhances the input and output capabilities of a second device. In some specific implementations, the first device (e.g., a head-mounted device (HMD)) provides a CGR environment that includes a view of a physical environment that includes one or more other electronic devices, such as a laptop computer, a television, a smart speaker, a mobile device, a watch, a smart speaker, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc. The HMD enhances the output or input capabilities of the detected content-generating electronic devices present in the physical environment. In some specific implementations, the first device (e.g., the HMD) communicates with devices in the physical environment to exchange input or output data. For example, the HMD can capture an image of the physical environment that includes a laptop device. The HMD can detect the laptop device, send a request for content to the laptop computer, receive visual content (e.g., the content currently on the physical display of the laptop computer and additional content) from the laptop computer, and display a virtual object in the CGR environment on or near the view of the laptop computer. For example, the HMD can display a virtual object that includes the content or additional content. The virtual object is positioned in the CGR environment based on the location of the laptop computer. For example, the CGR environment can include a view of the physical environment where a virtual monitor is positioned at, around, or otherwise based on the location of the real display of the laptop computer. For example, the HMD can display the current content and additional content of the laptop computer on a virtual screen that is larger than the actual screen and is positioned in the CGR environment based on the location of the actual screen.

[0005] In some specific implementations, an electronic device uses a processor to execute a method that uses a first device to provide a CGR environment that enhances the input and output capabilities of a second device. The method involves obtaining an image of the physical environment (e.g., a video for video pass-through) and identifying a second device in the physical environment. For example, the second device can be detected via proximity-based detection or computer vision. The method presents a CGR environment that includes a view of at least a portion of the image and enhances the output capabilities or input capabilities of the second device.

[0006] In some examples, the method can identify enhanced content corresponding to visual content generated by the second device for display on the display of the second device, and can position a virtual screen with the enhanced content in the CGR environment based on the location of the display of the second device. The virtual screen can differ from the display of the second device in size, shape, or orientation to improve the user experience.

[0007] In some examples, a second device displays content that has no view-dependent appearance (e.g., no actual lighting or reflections or other changes that occur based on user or device movement), and the method generates or identifies corresponding augmented content that, in contrast, has a view-dependent appearance (e.g., content whose appearance changes based on user or device movement). For example, metal can be displayed on a laptop monitor with a fixed appearance based on a hypothesized viewing position, and conversely, the metal can be displayed on a virtual monitor on an HMD that provides a CGR environment where the appearance changes as the user or laptop move relative to each other (e.g., based on changing reflections).

[0008] In some implementations, non-transitory computer-readable storage media store instructions that are computer-executable to perform or cause the performance of any of the methods described herein. In some implementations, a device includes one or more processors, non-transitory memory, and one or more programs; the one or more programs are stored in the non-transitory memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, and the one or more programs include instructions for performing or causing the performance of any of the methods described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Accordingly, the present disclosure may be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and a more detailed description may be made with reference to aspects of some illustrative implementations, some of which are shown in the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary operating environment according to some implementations.

[0011] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary controller according to some implementations.

[0012] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to some implementations.

[0013] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method of using a first device to provide a CGR environment that enhances the input and output capabilities of a second device.

[0014] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a view including a video pass-through of a physical environment in a CGR environment.

[0015] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing a view of a CGR environment that includes a video pass-through of a physical environment and virtual content that enhances the output capabilities of a second device in the physical environment.

[0016] Figure 7A block diagram showing a view of a CGR environment that includes a video pass-through of a physical environment and virtual content that enhances the input capabilities of a second device in the physical environment.

[0017] Figure 8 A block diagram showing a view including a CGR environment with a video pass-through of a physical environment.

[0018] Figure 9 A block diagram showing a view of a CGR environment that includes a video pass-through of a physical environment and virtual content that enhances the output capabilities of a second device in the physical environment.

[0019] In accordance with common practice, the various feature portions shown in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, for clarity, the dimensions of the various feature portions may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced. Additionally, some of the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given system, method, or device. Finally, throughout the specification and drawings, like reference numerals may be used to represent like feature portions. Detailed Description

[0020] Numerous details are described in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the drawings merely illustrate some example aspects of the present disclosure and should not be considered limiting. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know that other effective aspects or variations do not include all of the specific details described herein. Additionally, well-known systems, methods, components, devices, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure more relevant aspects of the example embodiments described herein. Although Figures 1 to 3 An example embodiment involving a handheld device for providing a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment is depicted, but other embodiments do not necessarily involve handheld devices and may involve other types of devices capable of providing a CGR environment, including but not limited to wearable electronic devices, other mobile devices, laptop computers, desktop computers, gaming devices, and other devices that include or use an image capture device.

[0021] Figure 1is a block diagram of an exemplary operating environment 100 according to some specific implementations. Although related features are shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that various other features are not shown for the sake of brevity and in order not to obscure more relevant aspects of the exemplary specific implementations disclosed herein. To that end, as a non-limiting example, the operating environment 100 includes a controller 110, a first device 120, and a second device 130, and one or both of the controller, the first device, and the second device may be in a physical environment 105. A physical environment refers to the physical world that people can sense and / or interact with without the help of an electronic system. Physical environments such as a physical park include physical items such as physical trees, physical buildings, and physical people. People can directly sense and / or interact with the physical environment, such as through vision, touch, hearing, taste, and smell.

[0022] In some specific implementations, the controller 110 is configured to manage and coordinate a user's computer-generated reality (CGR) experience. In some specific implementations, the controller 110 includes a suitable combination of software, firmware, or hardware. The controller 110 is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 2 In some specific implementations, the controller 110 is a computing device that is local or remote to the physical environment 105.

[0023] In one example, the controller 110 is a local server located within the physical environment 105. In another example, the controller 110 is a remote server (e.g., a cloud server, a central server, etc.) located outside the physical environment 105. In some specific implementations, the controller 110 is communicatively coupled to the first device 120 via one or more wired or wireless communication channels 144 (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE802.11x, IEEE 802.16x, IEEE 802.3x, etc.).

[0024] In some specific implementations, the first device 120 is configured to present a CGR environment to the user. The first device 120 is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 3 In some specific implementations, the functions of the controller 110 are provided by or combined with the electronic device 120, for example, in the case of an electronic device used as a stand-alone unit.

[0025] According to some specific implementations, when a user is present within the physical environment 105, the first device 120 presents a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment to the user. A computer-generated reality (CGR) environment refers to an environment that is fully or partially simulated and with which people sense and / or interact via an electronic system. In CGR, a subset of a person's physical movements or representations thereof are tracked, and in response, one or more characteristics of one or more virtual objects simulated in the CGR environment are adjusted in a manner that complies with at least one physical law. For example, a CGR system can detect a person's head rotation, and in response, adjust the graphical content and sound field presented to the person in a manner similar to how such views and sounds would change in the physical environment. In some cases (e.g., for accessibility reasons), the adjustment of the characteristics of virtual objects in the CGR environment can be made in response to a representation of a physical movement (e.g., a voice command).

[0026] A person can use any of their senses to sense and / or interact with CGR objects, including vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. For example, a person can sense and / or interact with an audio object that creates a 3D or spatial audio environment that provides the perception of point audio sources in 3D space. As another example, an audio object can enable audio transparency that selectively introduces ambient sounds from the physical environment with or without computer-generated audio. In certain CGR environments, a person can sense and / or interact only with audio objects.

[0027] Examples of CGR include virtual reality and mixed reality. A virtual reality (VR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs for one or more senses. A VR environment includes virtual objects with which a person can sense and / or interact. For example, computer-generated images of trees, buildings, and avatars representing people are examples of virtual objects. A person can sense and / or interact with the virtual objects in the VR environment through the simulation of the person's presence within the computer-generated environment and / or through the simulation of a subgroup of the person's physical movements within the computer-generated environment.

[0028] Compared with a VR environment that is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs, a mixed reality (MR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to introduce sensory inputs or representations thereof from the physical environment in addition to including computer-generated sensory inputs (e.g., virtual objects). On the virtual continuum, a mixed reality environment is any condition between a fully physical environment at one end and a virtual reality environment at the other end, but does not include these two ends.

[0029] In some MR environments, computer-generated sensory input can respond to changes in sensory input from the physical environment. Additionally, some electronic systems for presenting an MR environment can track position and / or orientation relative to the physical environment to enable virtual objects to interact with real objects (i.e., physical items from the physical environment or their representations). For example, the system can cause movement such that a virtual tree appears stationary relative to the physical ground.

[0030] Examples of mixed reality include augmented reality and augmented virtuality. An augmented reality (AR) environment is a simulated environment in which one or more virtual objects are superimposed over the physical environment or its representation. For example, an electronic system for presenting an AR environment can have a transparent or translucent display through which a person can directly view the physical environment. The system can be configured to present virtual objects on the transparent or translucent display such that the person perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment using the system. Alternatively, the system can have an opaque display and one or more imaging sensors that capture images or video of the physical environment, which are representations of the physical environment. The system combines the images or video with the virtual objects and presents the composition on the opaque display. The person indirectly views the physical environment through the images or video of the physical environment using the system and perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. As used herein, the video of the physical environment displayed on the opaque display is referred to as "passthrough video," meaning that the system uses one or more image sensors to capture images of the physical environment and uses those images when presenting the AR environment on the opaque display. Further alternatively, the system can have a projection system that projects virtual objects into the physical environment, such as as a hologram or on a physical surface, such that the person perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment using the system.

[0031] An augmented reality environment is also a simulated environment in which the representation of the physical environment is transformed by computer-generated sensory information. For example, in providing passthrough video, the system can transform one or more sensor images to impose an alternative perspective (e.g., viewpoint) different from the perspective captured by the imaging sensor. As another example, the representation of the physical environment can be transformed by graphically modifying (e.g., magnifying) portions thereof such that the modified portions can be a representative but not a true version of the originally captured image. As yet another example, the representation of the physical environment can be transformed by graphically removing portions thereof or blurring portions thereof.

[0032] An Augmented Virtual (AV) environment is a simulated environment in which a virtual or computer-generated environment is combined with one or more sensory inputs from the physical environment. The sensory inputs can be representations of one or more characteristics of the physical environment. For example, an AV park can have virtual trees and virtual buildings, but the face of a person is a realistic reproduction of an image taken of the physical person. As another example, a virtual object can adopt the shape or color of a physical item imaged by one or more imaging sensors. As yet another example, a virtual object can adopt a shadow that conforms to the positioning of the sun in the physical environment.

[0033] There are many different types of electronic systems that enable a person to sense and / or interact with various CGR environments. Examples include head-mounted systems, projection-based systems, head-up displays (HUDs), vehicle windshields integrated with display capabilities, windows integrated with display capabilities, displays formed as lenses designed to be placed on a person's eye (e.g., similar to contact lenses), headphones / earpieces, speaker arrays, input systems (e.g., wearable or handheld controllers with or without haptic feedback), smart phones, tablets, and desktop / laptop computers. A head-mounted system can have one or more speakers and an integrated opaque display. Alternatively, a head-mounted system can be configured to receive an external opaque display (e.g., a smart phone). A head-mounted system can incorporate one or more imaging sensors for capturing images or video of the physical environment and / or one or more microphones for capturing audio of the physical environment. A head-mounted system can have a transparent or translucent display instead of an opaque display. The transparent or translucent display can have a medium through which light representing an image is directed to a person's eye. The display can utilize digital light projection, OLED, LED, uLED, liquid crystal on silicon, laser scanning light sources, or any combination of these technologies. The medium can be an optical waveguide, a holographic medium, an optical combiner, an optical reflector, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the transparent or translucent display can be configured to selectively become opaque. A projection-based system can employ retinal projection technology that projects a graphical image onto a person's retina. The projection system can also be configured to project virtual objects into the physical environment, such as as a hologram or on a physical surface.

[0034] Figure 2FIG. 0 is a block diagram of an example of a controller 110 according to some embodiments. Although some specific features are shown, those skilled in the art will recognize from this disclosure that various other features are not shown for the sake of brevity and to not obscure more relevant aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein. To that end, by way of non-limiting example, in some embodiments, the controller 110 includes one or more processing units 202 (e.g., a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), a processing core, etc.), one or more input / output (I / O) devices 206, one or more communication interfaces 208 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, THUNDERBOLT, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.11x, IEEE 802.16x, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global Positioning System (GPS), Infrared (IR), Bluetooth, ZIGBEE, or similar type interfaces), one or more programming (e.g., I / O) interfaces 210, a memory 220, and one or more communication buses 204 for interconnecting these components and various other components.

[0035] In some embodiments, the one or more communication buses 204 include circuitry for interconnecting system components and controlling communication between system components. In some embodiments, the one or more I / O devices 206 include at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a joystick, one or more microphones, one or more speakers, one or more image capture devices or other sensors, one or more displays, etc.

[0036] The memory 220 includes high-speed random access memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), double data rate random access memory (DDR RAM), or other random access solid state memory devices. In some embodiments, the memory 220 includes non-volatile memory such as one or more disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory 220 optionally includes one or more storage devices located remotely from the one or more processing units 202. The memory 220 includes non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, the memory 220 or the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of the memory 220 stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or subsets thereof, including an optional operating system 230 and a computer-generated reality (CGR) experience module 240.

[0037] The operating system 230 includes processes for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware-related tasks.

[0038] In some specific implementations, the computer-generated reality (CGR) module 240 includes a device detector 242, an input / output exchanger 244, and a renderer 246. The device detector 242 is configured to detect devices within a physical environment corresponding to the CGR environment provided by the CGR module 240. For example, the device detector 242 may include a computer vision algorithm or a machine learning model that identifies one or more objects in an image of the physical environment. In another example, the device detector 242 identifies devices within a predetermined proximity based on device location information. In another example, the device detector 242 identifies nearby devices based on those devices that can be accessed via a specific communication medium associated with a limited communication range (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11x, IEEE 802.16x, IEEE 802.3x, etc.).

[0039] The input / output exchanger 244 is configured to send messages to the second electronic device 130, for example, via wired or wireless communication. For example, the input / output exchanger 244 may receive content corresponding to the output or input capabilities of the second electronic device 130 from the second electronic device 130, such as visual content currently on the display of the second electronic device 130 and associated supplementary content. In another example, the input / output exchanger 244 may identify an input in the CGR environment (e.g., the movement of a user's hand, body, or a user-held device) and provide data corresponding to such input to the second electronic device 130.

[0040] The renderer 246 is configured to provide the CGR environment. For example, the renderer may utilize image content (e.g., video content) from an image sensor of the first device 120 and additional virtual content to provide a view of the CGR environment (e.g., a frame depicting a view of a 3D environment from a viewpoint). In some specific implementations, the renderer 246 uses ray tracing technology to generate a view of 3D content from a viewpoint associated with the current position of the first device 120.

[0041] Although these modules and units are shown as residing on a single device (e.g., the controller 110), it should be understood that in other specific implementations, any combination of these modules and units may be located in separate computing devices. Additionally, Figure 2 Rather, it is more of a functional description of the various features that exist in a particular specific implementation, as opposed to a structural schematic of the specific implementation described herein. As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, items shown separately may be combined, and some items may be separated. For example, Figure 2Some of the functional modules shown separately in the [description] can be implemented in a single module, and the various functions of a single functional block can be implemented by one or more functional blocks in various specific implementations. The actual number of modules and the specific division of functions, as well as how features are allocated therein, will vary depending on the specific implementation, and in some specific implementations, will depend in part on the particular combination of hardware, software, or firmware selected for the specific implementation.

[0042] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an example of a first device 120 according to some specific implementations. Although some specific features are shown, those skilled in the art will recognize from this disclosure that, for the sake of brevity and to not obscure more relevant aspects of the specific implementations disclosed herein, various other features are not shown. To that end, as a non-limiting example, in some specific implementations, the first device 120 includes one or more processing units 302 (e.g., microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, GPUs, CPUs, processing cores, etc.), one or more input / output (I / O) devices and sensors 306, one or more communication interfaces 308 (e.g., USB, FIREWIRE, THUNDERBOLT, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.11x, IEEE 802.16x, GSM, CDMA, TDMA, GPS, IR, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, SPI, I2C, or similar types of interfaces), one or more programming (e.g., I / O) interfaces 310, one or more displays 312, one or more internal or external facing image sensor systems 314, a memory 320, and one or more communication buses 304 for interconnecting these components and various other components.

[0043] In some specific implementations, one or more communication buses 304 include circuitry for interconnecting and controlling communication between system components. In some specific implementations, one or more I / O devices and sensors 306 include an inertial measurement unit (IMU), accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, thermometers, one or more physiological sensors (e.g., blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, blood oxygen sensors, blood glucose sensors, etc.), one or more microphones, one or more speakers, a tactile engine, or one or more depth sensors (e.g., structured light, time-of-flight, etc.), among others.

[0044] In some specific implementations, one or more displays 312 are configured to present a CGR experience to a user. In some specific implementations, one or more displays 312 correspond to holographic, digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal display (LCD), liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), organic light-emitting field-effect transistor (OLET), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), field-emission display (FED), quantum dot light-emitting diode (QD-LED), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), or similar display types. In some specific implementations, one or more displays 312 correspond to diffractive, reflective, polarization, holographic, and other waveguide displays. For example, the first device 120 includes a single display. In another example, the first device 120 includes a display for each eye of the user.

[0045] The memory 320 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid-state memory devices. In some specific implementations, the memory 320 includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. The memory 320 optionally includes one or more storage devices located remotely from the one or more processing units 302. The memory 320 includes non-transitory computer-readable storage media. In some specific implementations, the memory 320 or the non-transitory computer-readable storage media of the memory 320 stores the following programs, modules, and data structures or subsets thereof, including an optional operating system 330 and a computer-generated reality (CGR) experience module 340.

[0046] The operating system 330 includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware-related tasks.

[0047] In some specific implementations, the computer-generated reality (CGR) module 340 includes a device detector 342, an input / output switch 344, and a renderer 346. The device detector 342 is configured to detect devices within a physical environment corresponding to the CGR environment provided by the CGR module 340. For example, the device detector 342 may include computer vision algorithms or machine learning models that identify one or more objects in an image of the physical environment. In another example, the device detector 342 identifies devices within a predetermined proximity based on device location information. In another example, the device detector 342 identifies proximity devices based on those devices that can be accessed via a specific communication medium associated with a communication range (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE802.11x, IEEE 802.16x, IEEE 802.3x, etc.).

[0048] The input / output switch 344 is configured to send messages to the second electronic device 130 via, for example, wired or wireless communication. For example, the input / output switch 344 may receive content corresponding to the output or input capabilities of the second electronic device 130 from the second electronic device 130, such as visual content currently on the display of the second electronic device 130 and associated supplementary content. In another example, the input / output switch 344 may recognize an input in the CGR environment (e.g., the movement of the user's hand, body, or a device held by the user) and provide data corresponding to such input to the second electronic device 130.

[0049] The renderer 346 is configured to provide a CGR environment. For example, the renderer may utilize image content (e.g., video content) from the image sensor of the first device 120 and additional virtual content to provide a view of the CGR environment (e.g., a frame depicting a view of a 3D environment from a viewpoint). In some embodiments, the renderer 346 uses ray tracing techniques to generate a view of the 3D content from a viewpoint associated with the current position of the first device 120.

[0050] In addition, Figure 3 Rather than being a structural schematic of the embodiments described herein, it is more of a functional description of the various features that exist in a particular embodiment. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, items shown separately may be combined and some items may be separated. For example, Figure 3 Some of the functional modules shown separately may be implemented in a single module, and the various functions of a single functional block may be implemented by one or more functional blocks in various embodiments. The actual number of modules and the specific functional partitioning, as well as how the features are allocated therein, will vary depending on the embodiment, and in some embodiments, will depend in part on the particular combination of hardware, software, or firmware selected for a particular embodiment.

[0051] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method 400 that uses a first device to provide a CGR environment that enhances the input and output capabilities of a second device. In some embodiments, method 400 is performed by a device (e.g., Figures 1 to 3 the controller 110 of or the first device 120). Method 400 may be performed at a mobile device, HMD, desktop computer, laptop computer, server device, or by multiple devices communicating with each other. In some embodiments, method 400 is performed by processing logic (including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, method 400 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory).

[0052] At block 402, method 400 involves obtaining an image of a physical environment. For example, an image or video sequence may be captured via a camera on a head-mounted device (HMD), a mobile device, or any other device that provides one or more cameras configured to capture images of the physical environment.

[0053] At block 404, method 400 involves identifying a second device in the physical environment. The second device may be any electronic device that includes input capabilities and / or output capabilities (e.g., capable of receiving input and / or generating output). Input may be received via an integrated device or a peripheral device such as a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, stylus, or any other device with which a user interacts using physical contact, gestures, voice, gaze direction, eye movement, etc. Output may be provided via an integrated device such as a monitor, projector, touch screen, speaker, haptic output device, or any other device that produces an appearance, sound, movement, or other change that a user perceives via one of their natural senses.

[0054] In some particular implementations, identifying the second device is based on determining that the first device and the second device are within a predetermined proximity of each other. For example, each of the first device and the second device may track its respective position via a sensor or communicate with an external tracker (e.g., GPS, signal-based tracking, etc.), and these positions may be compared to determine whether the devices are within a predetermined proximity of each other.

[0055] In some particular implementations, identifying the second device is based on: identifying the second device based on computer vision. For example, a machine learning model may be trained to identify objects in an image of the physical environment, such as a laptop computer, a mobile device, etc. In some particular implementations, a user is associated with multiple specific devices. For example, a user account may identify a mobile phone model, a laptop computer model, etc., and user-specific device information is used to identify the second device in an image of the physical environment. Both the first device and the second device may identify one or more unique objects in their respective environments via images or other sensors. The relative positions and orientations of these devices may be inferred based on identifying the same unique object. For example, both devices detect a specific painting on a wall.

[0056] In some particular implementations, identifying the second device is based on wireless communication with the second device. For example, the first device and the second device may wirelessly communicate with each other using a communication medium with a limited range. In another example, the devices each communicate with the same device (e.g., the same WIFI hotspot, etc.), and based on this common communication connection point, the relative positions or distances of these devices with respect to each other are inferred. The devices may exchange position and other information with each other to facilitate determining that the devices are within the same physical environment and the relative positions of these devices.

[0057] In some specific implementations, the second device is identified based on identifying symbols or other identifiers displayed on the display of the second device. For example, the second device may display a barcode, a QR code, or other symbols of the identification device, and the displayed symbols can be recognized and located in the image of the physical environment.

[0058] In some specific implementations, a depth sensor is used to determine the position and geometry of the second device. For example, an RGB-D camera can provide depth values for the pixels of the image of the physical environment (including the pixels corresponding to the components of the second device in the physical environment, such as the keyboard keys, the display screen, etc., of a laptop computer). Other image-based positioning techniques (such as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) techniques) can be additionally or alternatively used to determine the position of the second device and its components relative to the first device or in the image of the physical environment.

[0059] At block 406, method 400 presents a CGR environment based on at least a portion of the image, where the CGR environment enhances the output or input capabilities of the second device. This may involve presenting a see-through CGR environment that includes at least a portion of the image, where the CGR environment enhances the output or input capabilities of the second device.

[0060] In some specific implementations, the method enhances the display of the second device. For example, method 400 can identify enhanced content corresponding to the visual content generated by the second device for display on the display of the second device. Method 400 can position a virtual screen in the CGR environment based on the position of the display of the second device. For example, the virtual screen can be located at the same position as the display of the second device in the CGR environment, such that a user of the CGR environment sees the virtual screen instead of the display of the second device. In some specific implementations, the virtual screen is different from the display of the second device. For example, the virtual screen can be different in size, shape, display capabilities (such as color, brightness, etc.), or orientation. In one example, the virtual screen provides a larger screen at a location than the display of the second device so that the user can view a larger virtual screen, and the virtual screen can be recognized as displaying content from the second device based on its position (such as overlapping, partially overlapping, or being close to the second device).

[0061] In these examples, method 400 enhances the output capabilities of the second device by displaying enhanced content via the virtual screen. The virtual screen can display the same content as the display of the second device, different content from the display of the second device, or a combination of the same and different content. In one example, the virtual screen displays all the content of the display of the second device and additional content received from the second device (such as additional user interface elements, content items, etc.). For example, the virtual screen can display the content of the application displayed on the second device and additional controls of an application that is not displayed on the second device.

[0062] In some specific implementations, method 400 enhances the content from a second device by providing content that is different from the content displayed on the second device. For example, method 400 may display a viewpoint-dependent appearance of content for content displayed on the second device that does not have a viewpoint-dependent appearance. For example, the second device may be a laptop computer that displays a metal object without a viewpoint-dependent appearance. For example, the metal object may have an appearance that is static regardless of the observer's position, such that when the observer moves or moves the laptop computer, the reflections in the metal remain static. In this example, method 400 may enhance such an appearance of the content displayed on the laptop computer by displaying a representation of the metal object with reflections within the CGR environment, where the reflections instead do move and change based on the observer's own movement or movement of the laptop computer.

[0063] In some specific implementations, method 400 enhances the content from a second device by providing content with three-dimensional (3D) depth characteristics that are different from the characteristics of the content displayed on the second device. For example, the CGR environment may display a virtual object corresponding to the display content of the second device, and the virtual object is not limited to the flat surface of the display of the second device. Instead, the virtual object may be given depth. For example, a button may "pop out", etc., and the 3D appearance of the virtual object may be made realistic by making the object appearance depend on the viewpoint or using the stereo disparity in the view provided by the eye-specific display of the HMD. In addition, the second device may have a flat display that depicts a user interface for creating, editing, or viewing 3D objects, for example, in the context of a 3D modeling application for designing 3D-printed 3D objects. Method 400 may display a user interface that replaces the user interface displayed on the second device with a 3D interface that displays such 3D objects in 3D form.

[0064] In some specific implementations, method 400 enhances the content corresponding to the audio content generated by the speakers of a second device. For example, the speakers in the HMD for experiencing the CGR environment may generate sounds for enhancing or improving the spatialized audio provided on the second device. In another example, a virtual object is displayed near the second device, and the virtual object provides visual information to supplement the audio generated by the second device. For example, method 400 may enhance the output ability of the second device by displaying enhanced content via the virtual object, which is near the second device and provides text or graphics identifying the current song or audiobook being played by the device. If multiple devices are generating sound, method 400 may provide virtual objects that identify which device is generating which sound.

[0065] In some specific implementations, method 400 enhances the content corresponding to the input device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, etc.) of the second device. For example, method 400 can identify enhanced content corresponding to the input device of the second device. For example, it can identify hotkey keyboard labels corresponding to the application currently being used on the second device. Method 400 can identify the position of the corresponding input device (e.g., keyboard) and its corresponding feature (e.g., the "e" key). Method 400 can position a virtual object in the CGR environment based on the position of the input device. For example, it can position the virtual object near the "e" key that identifies the hotkey function (e.g., "erase") in the current application. In another example, a graphical indicator can be used to enhance an electronic pen input device, and the graphical indicator identifies the attributes of the user interface features (e.g., brush color, size, etc.) currently being controlled by the electronic pen. In another example, the input device is a trackpad, and the enhanced content is displayed on or near the trackpad to facilitate the user's use of the trackpad. In these examples, method 400 enhances the output ability of the second device by displaying the enhanced content via a virtual object that is positioned relative to the input device that allows the user to associate the enhanced content with the input device of the second device.

[0066] In some specific implementations, 400 enhances the input ability of the second device by providing new or additional user input modes. For example, in the case where the second device is a laptop with a non-touch display, the CGR environment can recognize touches on the laptop screen as inputs and provide these inputs to the second device, such that the second device can respond as if it had a touch screen. In this example, the first device (e.g., an HMD) can interpret an image that includes the user (e.g., the user's hand) and the second device (e.g., its display), and interpret the image to identify the touch position of the user on the second device. In another example, method 400 identifies body inputs (e.g., gestures, gaze direction, facial expressions, etc.) and provides this input to the second device.

[0067] The application on the second device can be configured to receive local inputs from the input mechanism of the second device as well as additional types of inputs from other devices. In some specific implementations, an inspection algorithm is used to analyze the existing application and automatically add code or functionality to the application such that the application can receive inputs from the additional input types. In some specific implementations, the application does not need to be changed, and the inputs received in the CGR environment via the first device in a non-local input type can be translated into a form that the application on the second device can recognize. For example, an upward movement gesture can be translated into an upward page flip button input that the second device can recognize.

[0068] In some specific implementations, method 400 enhances the content of the second device by facilitating the interaction of the content generated or otherwise provided by the second device with other content in the CGR environment. For example, a cube from an application on a laptop can interact with a virtual cube from an application on an HMD that provides a CGR environment including the laptop.

[0069] In some specific implementations, multiple devices are involved in providing a shared CGR environment. For example, two HMDs in the same physical environment can coordinate with each other or with other devices in the physical environment to provide a shared CGR environment. The functionality of devices in the physical environment (such as a laptop) can be enhanced in the shared CGR environment. For example, instead of the laptop monitor in the shared CGR environment, the HMD can display an extended virtual monitor.

[0070] In some specific implementations, multiple devices provide the processing and storage of data used in a shared CGR environment. In such an environment, a user can use one device (such as an HMD) to view the physical environment including one or more other devices, and the one or more other devices provide the processing and storage capabilities that the user uses during their experience of the CGR environment. The user can use the processor, applications, and data of the laptop viewed through the HMD. This can be more effective, efficient, and intuitive than trying to make the CGR providing device (such as an HMD) itself simulate or mimic the processing of the device in the environment. In addition, the content associated with one type of device can be automatically injected into the CGR environment and enhanced in a desired manner. For example, a mobile device can provide a game that the user can use, which is stored on the mobile device and executed by the processor of the mobile device. The user can play the game in the CGR environment simply by using the mobile device while also using another device (such as an HMD) that provides the CGR environment. For example, the user can enjoy playing the mobile device game while viewing the surrounding virtual reality (such as on a virtual beach). In addition, the experience can be enhanced by leveraging additional input or output that would otherwise not be available. For example, the CGR environment can provide a larger display, better content, additional input modalities, etc.

[0071] Exemplary enhancement device

[0072] Figure 5 View 500 of a CGR environment including a video pass-through of a physical environment is shown. In this example, the physical pass-through video depicts a wall 510 and a table 520 on which there is a laptop 530 and a book 560. The laptop 530 includes a display 540 that shows the content generated by the laptop 530 and a keyboard 550 for receiving input to the laptop 530. In Figure 5In it, all depictions in the CGR environment are pass-through videos of the physical environment.

[0073] Figure 6 A view 600 of the CGR environment is shown, which includes Figure 5 a pass-through video of the physical environment and virtual content that enhances the output capabilities of the laptop computer 530 in the physical environment. In this example, the pass-through video of the display 540 of the laptop computer 530 is replaced by a virtual display 640. The virtual display 640 includes content provided by the laptop computer 530. Specifically, the virtual display 640 includes the content that is actually displayed on the display 530 ( Figure 5 ), which is enhanced to include additional features (such as user interface controls 630) to utilize a relatively large area of the virtual display 640. Additionally, the virtual display 640 is positioned in the CGR environment based on the position of the display 540 ( Figure 5 ) to be close to and overlap with the display 540 ( Figure 5 ), thereby providing a visual indication to the user that the virtual display 640 corresponds to the laptop computer 530.

[0074] Figure 7 A view 700 of the CGR environment is shown, which includes Figure 5 a pass-through video of the physical environment and virtual content that enhances both the output capabilities and input capabilities of the laptop computer 530 in the physical environment. In this example, the pass-through video of the display 540 of the laptop computer 530 is replaced by a virtual display 640. Additionally, the pass-through video of the keyboard 550 is enhanced to provide an enhanced keyboard 750. The enhanced keyboard 750 overlays virtual content over and around the pass-through video of the keyboard 550. In this example, the virtual content includes a first text bubble 710 and a second text bubble 710. The first text bubble graphically indicates that a specific key of the keyboard 550 is associated with a specific hotkey function (such as save), and the second text bubble graphically indicates that a second specific key of the keyboard 550 is associated with a second specific hotkey function (such as open). Additionally, the virtual content includes a virtual key label 730 that covers another key of the keyboard 550 to provide information about the function of that key in the current application being executed on the laptop computer 550.

[0075] Figure 8Shows a view 800 of a CGR environment including video passthrough of a physical environment. In this example, the physical passthrough video depicts a tablet computer 810 that includes a touch screen display depicting a keyboard 820 and a text window 830. In this example, a user of the tablet computer 810 can touch the touch screen at the locations of the keys of the depicted keyboard 820 to input text that is displayed in the text window 830. In this example, with the tablet computer placed on a flat horizontal surface, the user can find it convenient to touch the depicted keyboard 820, but expects the text window 830 to have a different viewing angle.

[0076] Figure 9 Shows a view of a CGR environment that includes Figure 8 video passthrough of a physical environment and virtual content that enhances the output capabilities of the tablet computer 810 in that physical environment. In this example, the passthrough video of the portion of the touch screen display corresponding to the text window 830 is enhanced with a virtual text window 930 having a viewing angle that may be preferred by the user. The virtual text window 930 includes the content that is actually displayed on the text window 830 ( Figure 8 ). In addition, the virtual text window 930 is positioned in the CGR environment based on the location of the text window 830 ( Figure 8 ) to be close to and partially overlap the text window 830, thereby providing the user with a visual indication that the virtual text window 930 corresponds to the tablet computer 810.

[0077] Numerous specific details are set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, or systems that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter.

[0078] Unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that throughout the specification, discussions using terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," and "identifying" refer to actions or processes of a computing device, such as one or more computers or similar electronic computing devices, that manipulate or transform data represented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities within a memory, register, or other information storage device, transmission device, or display device of a computing platform.

[0079] One or more systems described herein are not limited to any particular hardware architecture or configuration. A computing device can include any suitable arrangement of components that provide results conditional on one or more inputs. Suitable computing devices include computer systems based on a general-purpose microprocessor that access stored software that programs or configures the computing system from a general-purpose computing device into a special-purpose computing device that implements one or more specific implementations of the subject matter of the present invention. Any suitable programming, scripting, or other type of language or combination of languages can be used to implement the teachings contained herein in the software for programming or configuring a computing device.

[0080] Specific implementations of the methods disclosed herein can be performed in the operation of such a computing device. The order of the blocks presented in the above examples can vary, for example, the blocks can be reordered, combined, or divided into sub-blocks. Certain blocks or processes can be performed in parallel.

[0081] The use of "suitable for" or "configured to" herein means open and inclusive language that does not exclude devices that are suitable for or configured to perform additional tasks or steps. Additionally, the use of "based on" means open and inclusive because a process, step, calculation, or other action "based on" one or more of the stated conditions or values can in practice be based on additional conditions or values beyond those stated. The headings, lists, and numbers included herein are for ease of explanation only and are not intended to be restrictive.

[0082] It will also be understood that although terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various objects, these objects should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one object from another. For example, a first node can be called a second node, and similarly, a second node can be called a first node, which changes the meaning of the description, provided that all occurrences of "first node" are consistently renamed and all occurrences of "second node" are consistently renamed. The first node and the second node are both nodes, but they are not the same node.

[0083] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular specific implementations only and are not intended to limit the claims. As used in the description of this specific implementation and the appended claims, the singular forms "a" and "the" are intended to also cover the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will also be understood that the term "comprising" or "including" when used in this specification specifies the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, objects, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, objects, components, or groups thereof.

[0084] As used herein, the term "if" can be construed to mean "when the precondition is true" or "while the precondition is true" or "in response to determining" or "in accordance with determining" or "in response to detecting" the precondition is true, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrases "if it is determined [that the precondition is true]" or "if [the precondition is true]" or "when [the precondition is true]" are construed to mean "when it is determined that the precondition is true" or "in response to determining" or "in accordance with determining" the precondition is true or "when it is detected that the precondition is true" or "in response to detecting" the precondition is true, depending on the context.

[0085] The foregoing description and summary of the invention should be understood to be illustrative and exemplary in every respect and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed herein is determined not only by the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, but by the full breadth permitted by patent law. It should be understood that the specific embodiments shown and described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that various modifications can be effected by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and essence of the invention.

Claims

1. A method, comprising: Obtaining an image of a physical environment; Identifying an electronic device in the physical environment, the electronic device including a display that displays a displayed object on a two-dimensional (2D) plane of the display; And Presenting a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment based on at least a portion of the image, wherein the CGR environment includes a virtual object corresponding to the displayed object, the virtual object having an added three-dimensional (3D) depth relative to the 2D plane of the display such that, as depicted by the virtual object in the CGR environment, the displayed object extends from the display, Wherein the virtual object is displayed with the added 3D depth by using a stereoscopic disparity of a view of the CGR environment provided by an eye-specific display of a head-mounted device (HMD).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual object is a button.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein displaying the virtual object in 3D depth comprises: The button is displayed by extending outward from the 2D plane of the display to appear to extend beyond the display, wherein the virtual object extends beyond the 2D plane in the CGR environment.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a user interface on the 2D plane of the display of the electronic device is configured to design a model of a 3D object, and the virtual object includes a 3D object designed through the user interface.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the 3D object is provided to replace the user interface displayed on the 2D plane.

6. A system, comprising: Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; And One or more processors coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations including: Obtaining an image of a physical environment; Identifying an electronic device in the physical environment, the electronic device including a display that displays a displayed object on a two-dimensional (2D) plane of the display; And Presenting a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment based on at least a portion of the image, wherein the CGR environment includes a virtual object corresponding to the displayed object, the virtual object having an added three-dimensional (3D) depth relative to the 2D plane of the display such that, as depicted by the virtual object in the CGR environment, the displayed object extends from the display, Wherein the virtual object is displayed with the added 3D depth by using a stereoscopic disparity of a view of the CGR environment provided by an eye-specific display of a head-mounted device (HMD).

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the virtual object is a button.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein displaying the virtual object in 3D depth includes: The button is displayed by extending outward from the 2D plane of the display to appear to extend beyond the display, wherein the virtual object extends beyond the 2D plane in the CGR environment.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the user interface on the 2D plane of the display of the electronic device is configured to design a model of a 3D object, and the virtual object includes a 3D object designed through the user interface.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the 3D object is provided to replace the user interface displayed on the 2D plane.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable program instructions on a computer to perform operations including the following: Obtain an image of a physical environment; Identify an electronic device in the physical environment, the electronic device including a display that displays a displayed object on a two-dimensional 2D plane of the display; And Present a computer-generated reality CGR environment based on at least a portion of the image, wherein the CGR environment includes a virtual object corresponding to the displayed object, the virtual object having an added three-dimensional (3D) depth relative to the 2D plane of the display such that, as depicted by the virtual object in the CGR environment, the displayed object pops out from the display, wherein the virtual object is displayed with the added 3D depth by using the stereo disparity of the view of the CGR environment provided by the eye-specific display of a head-mounted device (HMD).

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the virtual object is a button.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 12, wherein displaying the virtual object in 3D depth includes: The button is displayed by extending outward from the 2D plane of the display to appear to extend beyond the display, wherein the virtual object extends beyond the 2D plane in the CGR environment.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the user interface on the 2D plane of the display of the electronic device is configured to design a model of a 3D object, and the virtual object includes a 3D object designed through the user interface.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the 3D object is provided to replace the user interface displayed on the 2D plane.

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