AR Indoor Distance Measurement Using Direction Sensor Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality devices face challenges in accurately and cost-effectively measuring indoor distances and heights due to the limitations of GPS sensors outdoors and the high cost and calculation complexity of laser rangefinders indoors.
Innovation Solution
An indoor distance measurement method using a direction sensor on an augmented reality device to acquire included angles and vertical distances, calculating horizontal distances and heights through simple geometric formulas, and displaying these measurements in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser rangefinders are used to measure indoor distance, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical laser rangefinder system with an electronic solution using a direction sensor (accelerometer/gyroscope) combined with geometric calculation. Instead of using laser time-of-flight measurement, the system uses angular measurement from the direction sensor and trigonometric calculation to determine distance, thereby eliminating the need for expensive laser ranging hardware while achieving sufficient measurement precision for indoor applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a direction sensor as an intermediary component that measures angular information, which then serves as the basis for calculating distance through geometric relationships. This intermediary approach allows the system to obtain distance information indirectly through angle measurement and calculation, rather than directly through laser ranging, thus reducing device cost while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If graphic image processing is used to acquire position and height information, then measurement capability is improved, but calculation amount increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential angular information needed for distance calculation from the complex image processing task. Instead of performing full graphic image processing to extract multiple features, the system focuses specifically on obtaining the angle of elevation to the target object using the direction sensor, thereby dramatically reducing calculation amount while still achieving the required position and height information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the computationally intensive graphic image processing system with a simpler sensor-based measurement approach. The direction sensor directly provides angular information through hardware measurement, eliminating the need for complex image algorithms and large-scale calculations, thus improving calculation efficiency while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If GPS sensors are used for distance measurement, then position coordinates are easily acquired, but indoor positioning capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the direction sensor serve multiple functions: it can measure both the angle to the target object and, when combined with distance calculation, effectively perform positioning tasks. This multi-functional approach allows the same sensor to work for both outdoor GPS-based positioning and indoor sensor-based positioning, ensuring reliability across different environments while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor distance measurement method includes, but is not limited to acquiring a horizontal distance between a camera on an Augmented Reality (AR) device and a target object and a height of the target object by using a direction sensor provided on an AR device. The method further includes, but is not limited to, superimposing and displaying the horizontal distance and the height of the target object on a real-world scene displayed by the AR device.