AR Communication via Auxiliary Data Channels for VoLTE Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies lack effective integration of augmented reality (AR) into voice and video calls, particularly in VoLTE networks, limiting user experience and interaction capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An AR communication system and method that integrates AR into voice and video calls through an AR media processing network element and an AR control network element, enabling virtual-reality integration, real-time interaction, and three-dimensional registration, using IMS AGW or MRF for media and control functions, and supporting terminal devices with AR capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AR technology is integrated into voice and video calls, then user experience and interaction capabilities are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an AR media processing network element as an intermediary component that handles AR-specific processing tasks separately from the core VoLTE system. This mediator architecture allows AR functionality to be integrated without directly complicating the existing voice and video call infrastructure, as the intermediary handles the complexity of AR object rendering, tracking, and integration independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: traditional VoLTE media processing components and a separate AR media processing network element. This segmentation allows the AR integration to be implemented as an add-on capability rather than requiring complete system redesign, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If AR media processing network element is introduced, then AR integration capability is improved, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The AR media processing network element is designed with multi-functionality to handle various AR tasks including object rendering, tracking, registration, and integration with existing VoLTE media streams. By consolidating these diverse AR functions into a single universal processing element, the patent avoids the need for multiple separate components, thereby improving AR integration capability while limiting the increase in network architecture complexity.
3Ease of operation
If virtual objects are superimposed in real-time, then user experience is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and preparing AR media content before real-time transmission. The AR media processing network element prepares virtual objects, tracking data, and registration information in advance, so that during actual real-time communication, less processing is required at the terminal devices. This reduces the processing power requirements while maintaining high-quality real-time AR overlay experience.
Data Source
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Figure 2B~2C
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AI summary
An augmented reality communication method, apparatus, and system are provided. An auxiliary data channel is established between a terminal device and an AR media processing network element, and a target object is provided to the terminal device through the auxiliary data channel, to augment a media stream of AR communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, so as to effectively integrate AR into voice and video calls. A third-party server may provide a material of the target object for the AR communication between the terminal devices, for example, a virtual object. In this application, the virtual object is obtained from the third-party server through the auxiliary data channel, and is provided for the terminal device. For another example, in some application scenarios, a background picture corresponding to a foreground object is fixed. In this scenario, a rendering operation between the media stream and the background picture is performed by the AR media processing network element, so that pressure on uplink bandwidth of the terminal device can be reduced.