AR-Guided Interior Space Measurement for Occluded Room Layouts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring interior space dimensions using tape measures and computer programs are inconsistent and prone to errors due to user involvement, especially when portions of the space are occluded or occupied.
Innovation Solution
A computer program that utilizes an augmented reality framework to guide users in measuring interior spaces by acquiring spatial coordinates at junctures, constructing 2D layouts, and stitching them together, assisted by digital elements on the video feed to ensure accurate and intuitive capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional implements such as tape measures are used for measuring interior spaces, then the measurement process is simple and direct, but the measurements are inconsistent and prone to errors due to user involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measuring implements (tape measures, yard sticks) with an optical-electronic system using a camera to capture images and compute dimensions automatically. The system substitutes manual mechanical measurement with automated image processing and coordinate-based calculations, eliminating user involvement errors while maintaining ease of operation through a user-friendly interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically calculating dimensions from captured images without requiring user intervention in the measurement process. The computer program autonomously identifies features, computes coordinates, and determines dimensions, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the inconsistency introduced by human operators.
2Productivity
If conventional implements are used for measuring, then the process is straightforward, but measurements become difficult when portions of the interior space are occluded or occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear measurement (tape measure along a straight line) to two-dimensional image-based measurement. By capturing the interior space in 2D images and computing coordinates from multiple points, the system can measure around occlusions and occupied areas, effectively adding a dimensional approach that overcomes line-of-sight limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images of the interior space from different positions before computing the final dimensions. This allows the system to gather sufficient data points to calculate coordinates even when portions of the space are occluded, as the measurements are derived from the aggregate of pre-captured images rather than direct line-of-sight measurement.
3Ease of operation
If computer programs are used to automate measurement, then convenience is improved, but user error increases leading to incorrect measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by providing visual guidance through a video feed with overlaid digital elements that show the user exactly what to capture. This real-time feedback ensures users position the device correctly and understand what constitutes an accurate capture, thereby maintaining high convenience while preventing user errors that would compromise measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the measurement process in the form of a guided interface that mediates user actions. The system acts as an intermediary by processing user captures through automated algorithms that verify correctness, compute coordinates, and validate measurements, thus preserving convenience while eliminating the direct source of user error.
4Device complexity
If users are involved in indicating bounds or providing reference measurements, then the process remains simple, but inconsistency increases due to user mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical act of users manually indicating bounds or providing reference measurements with an automated computer vision system. The camera captures images and algorithms automatically identify features and compute coordinates, substituting user actions with automated processing while keeping the interface simple and the overall process straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs self-service by autonomously identifying space boundaries and computing dimensions without requiring users to indicate bounds or provide reference measurements. The system independently processes captured images to extract measurement data, eliminating user involvement in critical measurement steps while maintaining process simplicity through automated guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
Introduced here computer programs and associated computer-implemented techniques for establishing the dimensions of interior spaces. These computer programs are able to accomplish this by combining knowledge of these interior spaces with spatial information that is output by an augmented reality (AR) framework. Such an approach allows two-dimensional (2D) layouts to be seamlessly created through guided corner-to-corner measurement of interior spaces.