AR-Assisted Package Handling Using Visual Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing trend of online shopping leads to significant environmental impacts due to excessive packaging and printing waste, as products are shipped in multiple layers with printed graphics and guides, which often require updates, resulting in unnecessary material usage and waste.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality-assisted method using a user device with detection and display capabilities to scan visual markers on packages, allowing for virtual unboxing and information delivery without physical printing, reducing packaging material and waste while enhancing customer experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If printed guides and graphics are used on packaging, then product information is provided to customers, but material waste and environmental pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical printed guides and graphics with digital copies displayed through augmented reality on a mobile device screen. The visual marker on the package triggers the AR application to display virtual product information, installation guides, and graphics, eliminating the need for physical printed materials while maintaining full information delivery to customers.
2Ease of operation
If printed materials are used for product information, then customer satisfaction is improved, but printing costs and material production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses digital copies of product information displayed through AR technology. The mobile device's display shows virtual guides, graphics, and product details triggered by scanning the visual marker on the package. This eliminates all printing costs while maintaining or enhancing customer satisfaction through interactive and updateable digital content.
Solution Approach 2:
The AR-based information system is dynamic and can be updated in real-time without reprinting. The visual marker remains static on the package, but the digital content displayed through the AR application can be changed, updated, or personalized based on user preferences, providing ongoing flexibility that printed materials cannot match.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If visual markers are added to packages for AR functionality, then environmental impact is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual marker serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a package design element, a trigger for AR content display, and an identifier for product information retrieval. This multi-functionality means that while the marker adds a design element, it consolidates multiple purposes into a single feature rather than requiring separate components for each function.
4Reliability
If double packaging is used to prevent theft, then security is improved, but material usage and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a visually distinctive marker on the package that can be recognized by the AR system. The marker's specific visual characteristics (color, pattern, or design) enable the AR application to identify and authenticate the package, providing a security feature that does not require additional packaging layers. The marker acts as a digital identifier that prevents unauthorized access or theft while maintaining a single packaging structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for augmented reality-assisted handling of a package, comprising at least one object, by means of a user device, wherein the user device comprises detection means and wherein the user device comprises a display device or is in communication with a display device, wherein the package comprises a visual marker, wherein the visual marker is related to the object, wherein for the for the augmented reality-assisted handling of the package the method comprises at least the following steps: -- by means of the detection means of the user device the visual marker of the package is detected, wherein an image or video of the package is displayed on the display device, -- in response to detecting the visual marker, an augmented reality procedure is carried out, wherein the augmented reality procedure at least comprises that - in the displayed image or video, displayed by means of the display device, - the package is opened and/or an image of the object is displayed.