Hidden visual indicator system and method

Abstract

Visual indicators enable calibration of AR components within the physical space. [Solution] The visual indicator assembly includes a back-reflecting layer and a diffuse layer bonded to at least a portion of the back-reflecting layer and positioned thereon. The diffuse layer reduces the reflection of light from the back-reflecting layer toward at least one viewpoint toward the visual indicator assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a system and method for calibrating an immersive entertainment system such as an augmented reality (AR) system.

Background Art

[0002] Immersive experiences, including augmented reality (AR), generally utilize visualization components, acoustic components, or other sensory components (e.g., projectors, cameras, speakers, actuators, etc.) to provide outputs (e.g., graphics, audio, etc.) to users within an immersive experience environment. As such technologies advance, there is a need for systems that perform more precise alignment and calibration in order to properly align and / or activate AR components (e.g., graphics or other visual elements, auditory elements, or other sensory elements) with the real-world environment. Currently, physical codes are often used to perform such calibration. For example, visual indicators may well identify points within a physical space, thereby enabling calibration of AR components within the physical space. For example, calibration enables alignment of effects or other outputs within the space, adjustment of the timing of effects or other outputs, etc. When proper calibration is performed, an AR component, or an AR system including a plurality of AR components, can display AR elements or AR outputs properly (e.g., at a desired position, timing, etc.) within the real-world environment. For example, it is possible to align graphics as intended within the real-world environment. However, if such visual indicators are not hidden from the user or camouflaged, they may distract the user and degrade the immersive experience.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] The visual indicator assembly includes a back-reflecting layer and a diffuse layer bonded to at least a portion of the back-reflecting layer and positioned thereon. The diffuse layer reduces the reflection of light from the back-reflecting layer toward at least one viewpoint toward the visual indicator assembly.

[0004] In some cases, the diffusing layer reduces the reflection of light in the visible light spectrum.

[0005] In some cases, the diffuse layer reduces the reflection of light in the infrared spectrum.

[0006] In some examples, the diffuse layer allows for the reflection of light from the back-reflecting layer at at least one angle relative to the visual indicator assembly.

[0007] In some examples, a visual indicator assembly includes a visual indicator, and the visual indicator is visible from at least one angle.

[0008] In some examples, at least one of its angles is perpendicular to the surface of the visual indicator assembly.

[0009] In some examples, the back-reflective layer includes a back-reflective base layer and a back-reflective component layer, with the back-reflective base layer including a visual indicator.

[0010] In some examples, the visual indicator is an augmented reality (AR) code.

[0011] In some cases, the diffusion layer is a pure diffusion enamel layer.

[0012] In some cases, the visual indicator is an AR code.

[0013] A method for using a visual indicator assembly includes the step of preparing the visual indicator assembly. The visual indicator assembly includes a visual indicator, the visual indicator having a back-reflecting layer and a diffuse layer coupled to at least a portion of the back-reflecting layer and positioned thereon. The diffuse layer reduces the reflection of light from the back-reflecting layer toward at least one viewpoint toward the visual indicator assembly. The method includes the step of illuminating the visual indicator at a first angle toward at least one viewpoint.

[0014] In some examples, at least one viewpoint is at a second angle to the visual indicator assembly, and the method further includes the step of masking the reflection of light from the visual indicator at the second angle.

[0015] In some examples, the first angle is perpendicular to the surface of the visual indicator assembly, while the second angle is not perpendicular to the surface of the visual indicator assembly.

[0016] In some examples, the above step of illuminating a visual indicator at a first angle includes the step of illuminating the visual indicator with light from the visible light spectrum.

[0017] In some examples, the above step of illuminating the visual indicator at a first angle includes the step of illuminating the visual indicator with light in the infrared light spectrum.

[0018] In some examples, the visual indicator is visible when illuminated at a first angle.

[0019] In some examples, the visual indicator is an augmented reality (AR) code.

[0020] In some examples, the method further includes the step of aligning at least one AR component based on the AR code.

[0021] In some examples, the diffusion layer is a pure diffusion enamel layer.

[0022] A method of mapping the placement of one or more visual indicators in an environment includes identifying the optical path of at least one light source in the environment, identifying locations in the environment that are outside the identified optical path, and outputting those locations as positions for one or more visual indicators.

[0023] In some examples, the identified optical path is within at least one expected viewing angle of the one or more visual indicators.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] An exemplary visual indicator assembly is shown. [Figure 2A] An exemplary visual indicator assembly is shown. [Figure 2B] A cross-sectional view taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A of a portion of the visual indicator assembly of FIG. 2A is shown. [Figure 3] A flowchart showing an exemplary process of using a visual indicator. [Figure 4] A flowchart showing an exemplary process of mapping the placement of visual indicators in an environment. [Figure 5] A flowchart showing an exemplary process of using a visual indicator assembly. [Figure 6] An exemplary computing system used in various examples of the present disclosure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Various immersive elements (e.g., AR outputs) may be incorporated into various environments (e.g., amusement park rides, walkthrough environments, and experiences). For example, AR elements or AR outputs can be used to create experiences in fictional environments using video outputs, audio outputs, and other sensory outputs. To provide a more complete immersive experience, AR components that provide AR outputs (e.g., projectors, personal devices, speakers, physical components (e.g., animatronics)) must be calibrated within that environment. In many cases, cameras or other visual sensors (e.g., barcode scanners or lasers) are used to locate AR identifiers (e.g., markers or codes) that can provide information about the location of AR markers or AR codes in space. For example, AR markers scanned by a camera can be used to calibrate other components of the AR system so that each AR output appears correctly aligned within the environment. However, such AR markers may be visible to users within the environment, potentially detracting from the immersive experience provided by the AR outputs.

[0026] Traditional AR markers can be hidden within the environment. The intention is to conceal their presence from the viewer, for example, to maintain an immersive experience and prevent guests from "seeing the back of the magic." However, hiding such markers in corners or inconspicuous locations can make them difficult to see from the AR component itself, meaning they may be harder for the system to easily identify. When AR markers are difficult to see from the AR component, the AR component becomes more difficult to calibrate and more likely to be inaccurate, which can lead to failures in aligning and / or timing effects, thereby undermining the immersive experience. Other solutions (e.g., hidden controllable lighthouses) can be expensive to integrate into various environments. For example, a hidden controllable lighthouse may contain complex components that are difficult to implement and / or maintain when integrated into each component of the environment.

[0027] The systems and methods described herein may be used to provide hidden visual indicators for use in calibration, integration of AR effects or other effects in an environment, gaming in an environment, etc. For example, calibration allows for the alignment of effects or other outputs (e.g., AR projection, audio output, scent, actuation of physical components, etc.) in space or time. Such visual indicators may include identifiers such as AR codes, which provide information that can be used to mark a location in space and / or provide location information. For example, an AR code can provide information about the AR code's relative position to other objects in the environment, the relative orientation of the AR code in the environment, etc. AR components can be aligned in the environment using such information. Hidden visual indicators described herein are generally difficult for viewers to see in the environment but are clearly visible to the AR components. Visual indicators can also be less expensive than other calibration solutions (e.g., hidden controllable lighthouses).

[0028] The systems and methods described herein may be applicable to attractions such as amusement park attractions and augmented reality (AR) gaming environments. For example, the hidden visual indicators described herein can be used in environments that combine video game graphics with real-world settings. While the systems and methods described herein are described in relation to AR-based experiences, the visual indicator assemblies disclosed herein can also be used for other applications, such as scanning quick-response (QR) codes or other visual indicators used for information transmission within an environment.

[0029] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an exemplary visual indicator assembly 102. The visual indicator assembly 102 is generally placed or positioned within an environment 100. The environment 100 may be, in various examples, an amusement park attraction, an AR gaming environment, an exhibit or display, or another environment that utilizes AR. The visual indicator assembly 102 generally includes a visual indicator 104 that provides information to an AR component 106 within the environment 100. For example, the visual indicator 104 may provide calibration information to the AR component 106. The AR component 106 may generally be part of an AR system used to provide an immersive experience to users 110 and 114 within the environment 100. For example, the visual indicator 104 can be used to align visual output in space by aligning a projector or other display. In another example, the visual indicator can be used to properly time effects based on the user's position in the environment or other factors. For example, the visual indicator 104 can be used to provide components on the ride vehicle with information to synchronize the timing of effects (e.g., actuation of set components, sound, smell, or other types of output) with the position of the ride vehicle in the environment 100.

[0030] In various examples, the visual indicator assembly 102 may generally be hidden or camouflaged within the environment 100. For example, the visual indicator assembly 102 may be colored or otherwise constructed to blend into the environment (for example, the visual indicator assembly 102 may be coated with a black coating in a dark environment). In some examples, the visual indicator assembly 102 may be patterned, colored or otherwise constructed in a different way to blend into the environment 100 or to become part of the environment 100. For example, the visual indicator assembly may be patterned or shaped to blend into a particular background (for example, it may have a leaf pattern in a forest landscape), or it may be designed to become part of the environment 100 (for example, it may be designed to look like a painting hanging on a wall).

[0031] Various types of AR components 106 may acquire information from the visual indicator 104. For example, AR component 106 may include a standalone camera communicating with other AR components, or other types of AR components 106 that include a camera or other visual sensors, such as a projector, an AR headset or other wearable, a personal electronic device (e.g., a smartphone), a speaker, a mechanical component (e.g., animatronics), or other types of AR displays. In various examples, a camera (standalone or embedded) or other visual sensor may be capable of identifying or detecting information from the visual indicator, and this information may be processed and used by other AR components 106 that provide output to calibrate them. For example, a smartphone may be equipped with a camera used to acquire information from the visual indicator 104. Similarly, a projector in an environment (e.g., a ceiling-mounted projector in a ride environment) may be equipped with a camera used to acquire information from the visual indicator 104. In some examples, AR component 106 may be a standalone camera communicating with a central processing unit. The central processing unit may transmit calibration information acquired from the visual indicator 104 by the standalone camera to one or more other components of the AR system (e.g., a projector, display, etc.). Generally, the AR component 106 includes at least a light source and a visual sensor (e.g., a visible light camera or an infrared camera).

[0032] Generally, the visual indicator 104 is visible to the AR component 106 but remains hidden from or otherwise visually inconspicuous to users (e.g., guests) 110 and 114 within the environment 100. For example, the visual indicator assembly 102 directs the light reflected from the visual indicator 104. For example, the AR component 106 may have a light source that illuminates the visual indicator 104, or may be located near such a light source. For example, a camera may have a light that illuminates the visual indicator 104. Other such light sources may be built into or mounted on other components of the environment 100, for example, on ride vehicles, walls, animatronics, or other pieces in the set of the environment 100. In various examples, the light source may provide light in the visible spectrum or the infrared spectrum. The light source may provide light that illuminates the visual indicator 104 so that the AR component 106 can obtain information from the visual indicator 104. For example, the AR component 106 may obtain calibration information from the visual indicator 104 (e.g., information regarding the position and / or orientation of the visual indicator 104 within the environment 100). For example, a light source may illuminate the visual indicator 104 at a certain angle relative to the visual indicator 104, and that angle coincides with the field of view 108 of the AR component 106. In some examples, the visual indicator may be illuminated at a certain angle relative to a viewpoint, which is, for example, the viewpoint of the AR component 106 and / or the user 110 / 114. The diffuser layer of the visual indicator assembly 102 may direct the light from the light source so that the light is reflected from the visual indicator 104 at the angle of illumination, and the light is reflected within the field of view 108 of the AR component 106.

[0033] The visual indicator assembly 102 may further direct the light so that the light from the light source is masked from or directed away from users 110 and 114 in the environment 100. For example, user 110 can see the visual indicator 104 from a first field of view that coincides with user 110's field of view 112. Similarly, user 114 can see the visual indicator 104 from a second field of view that coincides with user 114's field of view 116. The diffuser layer of the visual indicator assembly 102 directs the light from the light source of the AR component 106 to reflect back to the AR component 106 at the angle of illumination from the light source. Such directing makes it possible for the light from the light source to be masked from the first and second field of view angles, thereby causing users 110 and 114 to see less light from the light source than they would see without the diffuser layer. Therefore, it becomes difficult or impossible for user 110 to see the visual indicator 104 from the first field of view, and for user 114 to see it from the second field of view, and the visual indicator 104 is effectively masked from the view seen by users 110 and 114. In various examples, the diffusion layer masks the visual indicator 104 at all field of view angles other than the angle of illumination from the light source of the AR component 106.

[0034] In various examples, one or more visual indicator assemblies 102 are placed within the environment 100 to reduce or eliminate the overlap between the illumination angle of the visual indicators 104 and the viewing angles 112 and 116 of the users 110 and 114. Such visual indicators 102 may further be positioned to reduce or eliminate the overlap between the light paths of other light sources in the environment 100 and the viewing angles 112 and 116 of the users 110 and 114. For example, the light paths of various light sources in the environment 100 may be mapped so that the locations illuminated by such light sources are identified. One or more visual indicator assemblies 102 may be placed outside such light paths so that their visual indicators 104 are not illuminated by other light sources, thereby making their visual indicators 104 visible to the viewer.

[0035] Figure 2A shows an exemplary visual indicator assembly 202. Visual indicator assembly 202 may be an example of the visual indicator assembly 102 described with respect to Figure 1. A visual indicator assembly generally includes a visual indicator 204 and may include one or more auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f that provide additional information to AR components in the environment. For example, visual indicator 204 may provide information about the position of visual indicator 204 in the environment, while one or more auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f may provide information about the orientation of the auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f relative to their position in the environment. In various examples, visual indicator assembly 202 may include multiple visual indicators 204 and / or one or more auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f.

[0036] Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the visual indicator assembly 202 in Figure 2A (e.g., visual indicator 204 and / or auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f) along line 2B-2B in Figure 2A. As shown in Figure 2B, the visual indicator assembly 202 generally includes multiple layers. For example, the visual indicator assembly may include a substrate 208, a back-reflection layer 211, and a diffusion layer 214. In various examples, the back-reflection layer 211 may include a back-reflection base layer 210 and a back-reflection component layer 212.

[0037] The base material 208 acts as a base or structure for other layers of the visual indicator assembly 202. The base material 208 may be molded from a variety of materials such as metal, wood, or plastic. The base material 208 has at least two faces, one of which is bonded to a wall, a piece of the set, or another structure, and the other face which receives other layers of the visual indicator assembly 202. In various examples, the base material 208 may be configured (e.g., colored, shaped, or patterned) to camouflage the visual indicator assembly 202 in its environment. For example, the base material 208 may be black to conceal the visual indicator assembly 202 in a dark environment. In another example, the base material 208 may include an effect to divert the viewer's attention from the visual indicator assembly 202, for example, a colored or reflective border to divert attention from an area containing an identifier. In another example, the base material 208 may be patterned or colored in another way to form part of the environment. For example, the base material 208 may be patterned to resemble tree branches in a forest landscape.

[0038] The anti-reflective layer 211 is generally bonded to at least a portion of the substrate 208 and disposed thereon, for example, extending to the outer surface of the substrate 208, i.e., the surface facing outward. The anti-reflective layer 211 includes an anti-reflective base layer 210 and an anti-reflective component layer 212. Visual indicators (e.g., visual indicator 204 and auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f) may be formed on the anti-reflective layer 211. The anti-reflective layer 211 may extend to only a portion of the substrate 208, or it may extend to the entire surface of the substrate 208. The anti-reflective layer 211 generally brightens or enhances the light illuminating the anti-reflective layer 211, thereby making the image produced from such an anti-reflective material (e.g., the visual indicators described herein) appear brighter or stronger, and more visible or perceptible to hardware components such as cameras and AR components 216. For example, the back-reflection component layer 212 may include glass beads that reflect light back to the light source illuminating the back-reflection layer 211.

[0039] The diffuse layer 214 is bonded to at least a portion of the anti-reflection layer 211, or to the entire anti-reflection layer 211, and is positioned on top of it. The diffuse layer reduces the reflection of light from the anti-reflection layer 211 to multiple viewpoints of the visual indicator assembly 202. In various examples, the diffuse layer 214 is a coating layered on top of the anti-reflection layer 211. In various examples, the coating may be a pure diffuse enamel layer. The coating may be patterned or colored so that the visual indicator assembly 202 blends into or becomes part of the environment. For example, in a dark environment, the coating may be black, thereby making the visual indicator assembly 202 appear black from various viewpoints of it. In another example, the coating may be patterned so that the visual indicator assembly 202 is camouflaged in the environment. In yet another example, the coating may be patterned or decorated so that the visual indicator assembly 202 becomes part of the environment (for example, so that it looks like a picture on a wall, a sign, wallpaper, etc.).

[0040] The diffusion layer 214 generally reflects light back to a light source (e.g., AR component 216) that directs light (e.g., visible light or infrared spectral light) towards the visual indicator assembly 202. The diffusion layer 214 further prevents such light from being reflected back to the visual indicator assembly 202 at other viewing angles. Thus, the back-reflection layer 211 is easily visible from such an AR component 216 positioned at a certain set angle relative to the visual indicator assembly 202, but not visible to a user viewing the visual indicator assembly 202 from other angles. The visual sensor of the AR component 216 can then easily acquire the information encoded in the back-reflection layer 211. For example, the visual sensor of the AR component 216 can clearly see the visual indicator 204, auxiliary visual indicators 206a and 206f, and any other arbitrary visual indicators of the visual indicator assembly 202. For example, the visual sensor of the AR component 216 can detect light reflected from the back-reflecting layer 211, which is directed by the diffusion layer 214, when positioned at its set angle relative to the visual indicator assembly 202.

[0041] Figure 3 shows an exemplary process 300 utilizing a visual indicator. In block 302, the placement of the visual indicator in the environment is mapped. Such mapping will be described in detail with respect to process 400 described herein. Generally, the mapping is used to find locations in environment 100 where the visual indicator 104 / 204 or auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f are not illuminated by external light sources that may make the visual indicator 104 visible to a user in environment 100. Such external light sources may be light sources other than the light source of AR component 106. Such mapping includes identifying the optical path of the light source in environment 100, identifying locations in the environment outside the identified optical path, and outputting those locations as locations for the visual indicator.

[0042] In block 304, the visual indicator 104 is placed in the environment. The visual indicator 104 may be placed in the environment 100 at a location identified in block 302. The visual indicator (e.g., the visual indicator 104) may be placed on a visual indicator assembly 102, and the visual indicator assembly 102 may be placed in the environment 100.

[0043] In block 306, the light source is activated. The light source illuminates one or more of the visual indicators 104 / 204 or auxiliary visual indicators 206a-206f at a certain angle to the visual indicator assembly 102. In various examples, the light source may be the light source of the AR component 106 and / or a light source adjacent to the AR component 106. For example, the light source may be a visible light component or an infrared light component mounted on a camera, personal electronic device, AR headset, etc. Light from the light source passes through the diffusion layer 214 of the visual indicator assembly and is reflected by the back-reflection layer 211. For example, glass beads in the back-reflection component layer 212 can reflect light from the illumination light source.

[0044] In block 308, information is obtained from the visual indicators. The visual indicators (e.g., visual indicators 104, 204 and / or secondary visual indicators 206a-206f) may be formed on or by the back-reflection layer 211. Thus, the visual indicators are visible when light is reflected from the back-reflection layer 211. The light reflected by the back-reflection layer 211 is returned by passing through the diffuse layer 214. The diffuse layer 214 generally directs the reflected light at its original angle of incidence. Because the light is directed to be returned at its angle of incidence, reflected light at angles other than the original angle of incidence is attenuated. In some examples, the angle of incidence may be perpendicular to the visual indicator assembly, so that the light reflected from the back-reflection layer 211 is visible from angles perpendicular to the visual indicator assembly 202, but is barely visible or invisible from other angles relative to the visual indicator assembly 202.

[0045] Information from visual indicators can be detected by the visible light sensor or infrared light sensor of the AR component. For example, when light is reflected and returned to the AR component (e.g., AR component 106 and / or 216), the sensors of the AR component may detect the light and obtain information from the pattern of the light (e.g., the pattern formed by one or more visual indicators). Such information may include, in various examples, information used for calibration or alignment of the AR component (e.g., position and / or orientation information).

[0046] Figure 4 shows an exemplary process 400 for mapping the placement of visual indicators within an environment. In various examples, process 400 may be performed by a computing device given one or more models, such as the environment 100, structures within the environment 100, one or more light sources within the environment 100, and the expected viewing position of the user within the environment 100.

[0047] In block 402, optical paths within the environment are identified. Optical paths may be the range of the environment that is expected to be illuminated when illumination is performed by a particular light source. In various examples, optical paths within environment 100 may include optical paths from external light sources (e.g., light sources other than the light source of AR component 106). Optical path identification may be based on the location and orientation of the light sources, the expected light beams spreading from the various light sources, the expected light intensity from the various light sources, obstacles in the environment, and other characteristics of the light sources and / or the environment.

[0048] In some examples, the optical path may be the optical path from a light source expected to be within the user's field of view in environment 100. For example, if a ride with a known field of view is in environment 100, such a field of view may be considered such that no optical path expected to be invisible to the user (e.g., passenger) is identified in block 402. The field of view may be determined, for example, based on the expected position and / or orientation of the ride vehicle in environment 100.

[0049] In block 404, locations outside the identified optical path within the environment 100 are identified. In some examples, these locations may be further identified based on the expected position of the AR component 106 within the environment 100. For example, such locations may further lie within the expected optical path of the AR component 106. Such locations are generally for the placement of the visual indicator such that the visual indicator is visible from the AR component 106 but is not illuminated by an external light source so that the visual indicator is easily visible to a user within the environment 100. In various examples, the locations may include both a point or range within the environment and an angle or orientation within the environment. For example, the angle or orientation may be selected such that the optical path of the AR component 106 is perpendicular to the visual indicator assembly 102.

[0050] In block 406, those locations are output as the locations of the visual indicators. These locations may, in various examples, be output from the user interface and may be mapped within a model of the environment 100, output as coordinates, etc. Engineers, designers, or similar persons may use such locations to determine where the visual indicators 104 should be placed within the environment 100, so that the visual indicators are not easily perceived by the user within the environment 100.

[0051] Figure 5 shows an exemplary process 500 that utilizes a visual indicator assembly in an environment. In various examples, process 500 may be carried out by a computing device given one or more models of the environment 100, structures within the environment 100, one or more light sources within the environment 100, and the expected viewing position of the user within the environment 100.

[0052] In block 502, process 500 provides a visual indicator assembly 102 / 202. The visual indicator assembly 102 / 202 includes a visual indicator 104 / 204, which has a back-reflection layer 211 and a diffuse layer 214 coupled to at least a portion of the back-reflection layer 211 and positioned thereon. The diffuse layer 214 reduces the reflection of light from the back-reflection layer 211 toward at least one viewpoint toward the visual indicator assembly 102 / 202.

[0053] In block 504, process 500 illuminates a visual indicator at a first angle with respect to at least one viewpoint. In some examples, the first angle may be perpendicular to the surface of the visual indicator assembly, and the angle of at least one viewpoint may be an angle that is not perpendicular to the visual indicator assembly.

[0054] Figure 6 shows an exemplary computing system 600 that can be used to implement various embodiments in the examples described herein. For example, in various embodiments, the components of the system used to map the placement of visual indicators may be implemented by one or more computing systems 600. This disclosure assumes any appropriate number of computing systems 600. For example, a computing system 600 may be a server, a desktop computing system, a mainframe, a mesh of computing systems, a laptop or notebook computing system, a tablet computing system, an embedded computer system, a system on a chip, a single-board computing system, or a combination of two or more of these. A computing system 600 may include one or more computing systems as needed, and may be single or distributed, may span multiple locations, may span multiple machines, may span multiple data centers, or may reside in a cloud, the cloud may include one or more cloud components in one or more networks.

[0055] The computing system 600 includes a bus 610 (e.g., an address bus and a data bus) or other information transmission communication mechanism which interconnects subsystems and devices, such subsystems and devices include one or more processors 608, memory 602 (e.g., RAM), static storage 604 (e.g., ROM), dynamic storage 606 (e.g., magnetic or optical), communication interfaces 616 (e.g., modems, Ethernet cards, network interface controllers (NICs) or network adapters for communication over Ethernet or other wired networks, wireless NICs (WNICs) or wireless adapters for communication over wireless networks such as Wi-Fi networks), and input / output (I / O) interfaces 620 (e.g., keyboards, keypads, mice, microphones). In certain embodiments, the computing system 600 may include one or more of these arbitrary components.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the processor 608 includes hardware for executing instructions (e.g., instructions that make up a computer program). For example, the processor 608 may execute instructions for various components of a biomarker analysis system. The circuitry of the processor 608 includes circuits that perform various processing functions (e.g., circuits that execute specific software that performs a specific calculation or task). In certain embodiments, the I / O interface 620 includes hardware, software, or both that provides one or more interfaces for communication between the computing system 600 and one or more I / O devices. The computing system 600 may include one or more of these I / O devices as needed. One or more of these I / O devices may enable communication between a person and the computing system 600.

[0057] In certain embodiments, the communication interface 616 includes hardware, software, or both that provides one or more interfaces for communication (e.g., packet-based communication) between the computing system 600 and one or more other computer systems or one or more networks. One or more memory buses (each of which may include an address bus and a data bus) may connect the processor 608 to the memory 602. Bus 610 may include one or more memory buses, as described below. In certain embodiments, one or more memory management units (MMUs) are present between the processor 608 and the memory 602 to facilitate access to the memory 602 requested by the processor 608. In certain embodiments, bus 610 includes hardware, software, or both that connect the components of the computing system 600 to each other.

[0058] According to a particular embodiment, the computing system 600 performs a specific operation by the processor 608, which involves executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions stored in memory 602. For example, instructions relating to various parts of methods 300, 400, and / or 500 may be stored in memory 602 and executed by the processor 608. Such instructions may be read into memory 602 from another computer-readable / usable medium (e.g., static storage 604 or dynamic storage 606). In alternative embodiments, hardwired circuits may be used instead of, or in combination with, software instructions. Thus, a particular embodiment is not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuits and / or software. In various embodiments, the term “logic” means any combination of software or hardware used to implement all or part of a particular embodiment disclosed herein.

[0059] In this specification, the terms “computer-readable medium” or “computer-usable medium” mean any medium involved in providing execution instructions to the processor 608. Such mediums may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Examples of non-volatile media include optical or magnetic disks such as static storage 604 or dynamic storage 606. Examples of volatile media include dynamic memory such as memory 602.

[0060] The computing system 600 may send and receive messages, data, and instructions (including programs (e.g., application code)) via the communication link 618 and the communication interface 616. Received program code may be executed by the processor 608 upon receipt and / or stored in static storage 604, dynamic storage 606, or other storage for later execution. A database 614 may be used to store data, which the computing system 600 can access via the data interface 612. For example, projection settings and predetermined positions for ride vehicles may be stored in the database 614. In various examples, the communication link 618 may communicate with computing components within a network.

[0061] The system and method described above provide a relatively simple and inexpensive solution for AR alignment that is not easily visible to users within the environment. Furthermore, since such visual indicators are very visible to AR components within the environment, the calibration of AR components within the environment is improved compared to conventional AR markers.

[0062] The descriptions of some embodiments included herein are purely illustrative and do not in any way limit the scope of this disclosure or its application or use. The detailed descriptions of the embodiments of the systems and methods of the present invention refer to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification and are shown as examples specific to embodiments in which the systems and methods described may be carried out. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to carry out the systems and methods of this disclosure, and naturally, other embodiments may be used, with modifications to the structure and logic, provided that they do not deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, for clarity, detailed descriptions of some features are omitted where they are considered obvious to those skilled in the art. This is to avoid obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the detailed descriptions should not be interpreted restrictively, and the scope of this disclosure is defined solely by the accompanying claims.

[0063] As can be understood from the foregoing, certain embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for illustrative purposes only, but various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0064] The details provided herein are illustrative and intended solely to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and are provided to offer what is considered to be the most useful and readily understandable explanation of the principles and conceptual aspects of various embodiments of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to provide structural details of the invention in a manner that exceeds what is necessary for a basic understanding of the invention, and the explanation is made with reference to drawings and / or examples that will make it clear to those skilled in the art how some forms of the invention may actually be carried out.

[0065] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the words “a” and “an” shall be interpreted as meaning “one,” “at least one,” or “one or more.” Unless otherwise required by the context, singular terms used herein are inclusive of plural forms, and plural terms are inclusive of singular forms.

[0066] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, words such as “comprise” and “comprising” throughout the specification and claims should be interpreted in an inclusive sense (i.e., “including, but not limited to”) rather than in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. Singular phrases also include plurals, and plural phrases also include singulars. Furthermore, the words “herein,” “above,” and “below,” as well as their synonyms, refer to the application as a whole and not to any particular part of the application.

[0067] Of course, naturally, any example, embodiment, or process described herein may be combined with one or more other examples, embodiments, and / or processes, or may be separated and / or implemented across separate devices or device parts according to the systems, devices, and methods of the present invention.

[0068] Finally, the above description is intended to be merely illustrative of the system of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Accordingly, although the system of the present invention has been described in particular detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, various modifications and alternative embodiments can, of course, be devised by those skilled in the art, as long as they do not deviate from the broader intended spirit and scope of the system of the present invention as expressed in the subsequent claims. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings should be taken as illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A visual indicator assembly, The back-reflection layer, A diffuse layer coupled to at least a portion of the back-reflecting layer and disposed thereon, wherein the diffuse layer reduces the reflection of light from the back-reflecting layer toward at least one viewpoint toward the visual indicator assembly, A visual indicator assembly including a visual indicator.

2. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion layer reduces the reflection of light in the visible light spectrum.

3. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion layer reduces the reflection of light in the infrared light spectrum.

4. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion layer allows for the reflection of light from the back reflection layer at at least one angle to the visual indicator assembly.

5. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a visual indicator, the visual indicator being visible from at least one angle.

6. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one angle is perpendicular to the surface of the visual indicator assembly.

7. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reverse reflection layer comprises a reverse reflection base layer and a reverse reflection component layer, and the reverse reflection base layer includes a visual indicator.

8. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 7, wherein the visual indicator is an augmented reality (AR) code.

9. The visual indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion layer is a pure diffusion enamel layer.

10. A method for using a visual indicator assembly, A step of preparing a visual indicator assembly, wherein the visual indicator assembly includes a visual indicator, the visual indicator includes a back-reflecting layer and a diffuse layer bonded to at least a portion of the back-reflecting layer and disposed thereon, the diffuse layer reducing the reflection of light from the back-reflecting layer toward at least one viewpoint toward the visual indicator assembly, The steps include illuminating the visual indicator at a first angle with respect to at least one viewpoint, A method that includes this.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one viewpoint is at a second angle with respect to the visual indicator assembly, and the method further includes the step of masking the reflection of light from the visual indicator at the second angle.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first angle is perpendicular to the surface of the visual indicator assembly, and the second angle is not perpendicular to the surface of the visual indicator assembly.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of illuminating the visual indicator at the first angle includes the step of illuminating the visual indicator with light of the visible light spectrum.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of illuminating the visual indicator at the first angle includes the step of illuminating the visual indicator with light of the infrared light spectrum.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the visual indicator is visible when illuminated at the first angle.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the visual indicator is an augmented reality (AR) code.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of aligning at least one AR component based on the AR code.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the diffusion layer is a pure diffusion enamel layer.

19. A method for mapping the placement of one or more visual indicators in an environment, A step of identifying the optical path of at least one light source in the environment, A step of identifying a location outside the identified optical path within the environment, The steps include outputting the location as the position for one or more visual indicators, A method that includes this.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the identified optical path lies within the expected field of view of at least one of the one or more visual indicators.

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