AR Deep Linking for Direct Camera Access in Messaging Apps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing messaging systems do not allow direct access to augmented reality (AR) components from third-party resources without launching a web browser or messaging client.

Innovation Solution

A deep link mechanism using a uniform resource identifier (URI) is implemented to directly access AR components within a messaging client's camera view interface, allowing users to load and interact with AR components without additional steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a deep link mechanism using URI is implemented to directly access AR components, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deep link mechanism using URI as an intermediary that bridges third-party resources and AR components within the messaging client. The URI structure includes scheme, host, path, and query parameters that mediate between the external resource and the internal AR component system, enabling direct access without requiring users to manually navigate through multiple interfaces or launch separate applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If deep linking to AR components is enabled, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining the URI structure and deep link format that encodes the necessary information to directly access specific AR components. The URI scheme, host, path, and query parameters are predetermined and structured in advance, allowing the system to automatically resolve and load the correct AR component without requiring runtime analysis or user intervention to determine the appropriate component to access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If direct access to AR components from third-party resources is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a deep link mechanism that can access any AR component within the messaging client through a standardized URI interface. The same URI structure and deep link format can be used regardless of which specific AR component is being accessed, making the system adaptable to different AR components and third-party resources while maintaining a consistent access method. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate access mechanisms for different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4165583B1Deep linking to augmented reality components
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 SNAP INC
  • EP4165583B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4165583B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4165583B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A methodology is described that provides access to augmented reality components maintained by a messaging server system directly from a third party resource, without having to first launch an associated messaging client (either a stand-alone app or a web-based version of the app). The technical problem of invoking an augmented reality component maintained by the messaging server system directly from a third party app is addressed by permitting third party app developers to include a deep link that references the identification of a desired augmented reality component into their third party resource. The deep link invoked from a third party resource causes activation of the messaging client, loading the augmented reality component represented by the identification referenced in the deep link, and activating, from the messaging client, a camera of the computer device that is executing the third party resource.