Augmented Reality Item Display Using Beacon Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior augmented/mixed reality systems fail to display actual images or proportionally dimensioned representations of items, leading to an incomplete user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method involving user computing entities that receive communications from item beacons, identify tracking identifiers, request and retrieve item information, and generate augmented reality displays using uniform resource identifiers for images associated with the items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If prior augmented/mixed reality systems are used, then the system provides an augmented reality environment, but it fails to display actual images or proportionally dimensioned representations of items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem visual informationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces beacons as intermediary devices attached to physical items that transmit identification data to the computing entity. This mediator enables the system to retrieve and display actual item images without requiring direct complex interaction between the AR system and item database, thus resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates visual copies of actual items by retrieving images from databases using identification data from beacons. These copied images are then displayed in the augmented reality environment at proportionally dimensioned representations, providing complete visual information without requiring physical item manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If the system retrieves and displays actual item images, then user interaction and identification accuracy are enhanced, but data retrieval and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem identification accuracyVSAvoiddata processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Item images and information are pre-retrieved and stored in databases before being needed in the AR application. When a beacon is detected, the system simply retrieves pre-prepared image data rather than processing raw item data in real-time, thus maintaining high identification accuracy while improving processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual item identification and image retrieval processes with automated beacon-based identification and electronic data retrieval. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with electronic automated systems enhances identification precision while maintaining productivity through efficient data access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11935169B2Displaying items of interest in an augmented reality environment

Publication Date: 2024.03.19 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICAN INC

AI summary

Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for an augmented reality display using an actual image of the item. Additionally, the present disclosure provides for a proportionally dimensioned representation of the item in the augmented reality display. In some aspects, a beacon/tag/sensor-based approach may be used. In some aspects, a marker-based approach may be used.