AR Reference Frame Alignment Using a Robotic Total Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality (AR) devices rely on satellite positioning for geospatial reference frames, limiting their usability indoors and in environments without satellite coverage.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a robotic total station (RTS) to create a high-accuracy local grid reference frame, allowing AR devices to operate indoors and outdoors by tracking a reflector with angle and distance measurements, aligning and rotating reference frames to superimpose 3D models onto real-world images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite positioning is used for geospatial reference frames, then outdoor positioning accuracy is improved, but indoor usability deteriorates due to lack of satellite coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic total station (RTS) as an intermediary device to establish a local grid reference frame that mediates between satellite positioning and indoor environment requirements. The RTS captures images of fiducial markers to determine device position and orientation, enabling accurate positioning indoors without satellite coverage while maintaining outdoor capability through reference frame transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning system into two independent reference frames: a geospatial reference frame for outdoor satellite-based positioning and a local grid reference frame for indoor RTS-based positioning. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate optimally in its designated environment while maintaining overall system versatility through reference frame transformation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic total station is used to create a local grid reference frame, then indoor and outdoor usability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal reference frame transformation system that handles both geospatial and local grid coordinate systems through a unified mathematical transformation process. The processor executes the same transformation algorithms regardless of which reference frame is active, reducing operational complexity despite the dual-reference-frame architecture.
3Manufacturing precision
If reference frames are aligned and rotated to superimpose 3D models, then rendering precision is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary reference frame alignment and rotation calculations during the initialization phase, establishing transformation matrices before 3D model rendering begins. This preliminary action pre-computes the coordinate transformation parameters, reducing real-time computational energy requirements during actual rendering operations while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for operating an augmented reality (AR) device using a robotic total station (RTS) are described. An RTS reference frame is correlated with an AR reference frame. A set of RTS measurements are received from the RTS including a distance and an angle from the RTS to a reflector of the AR device. An RTS point within the RTS reference frame is determined based on the distance and the angle. An AR point is determined within the AR reference frame based on a set of vision-based or inertia-based measurements. The RTS reference frame and/or the AR reference frame is shifted to align the RTS point with the AR point. The RTS reference frame and/or the AR reference frame is rotated to align an RTS vector formed using the RTS point with an AR vector formed using the AR point.