AR-Guided Device Movement for Curved Structure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring implements and existing mobile computing device applications are cumbersome, inconvenient, and prone to user error when measuring curved or occluded physical structures, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A computing device equipped with an augmented reality (AR) framework provides live feedback through spatial information to guide users in capturing digital images, automatically extracting measurements by combining image and inertial data to improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measuring implements are used, then measurement can be performed, but measurement precision deteriorates when portions of the physical structure are curved, occluded, or occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical measuring implements (tape measures, rulers) with a computing device that uses camera imaging and automated image analysis to perform measurements. This substitution enables measurement of curved, occluded, or occupied structures by capturing images and automatically extracting dimensional information, eliminating the limitations of manual mechanical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical structure through camera imaging. Instead of physically measuring the structure, the system captures images and generates digital representations that can be analyzed automatically. This copying approach allows measurement of complex geometries without physical contact or line-of-sight requirements.
2Reliability
If mobile apps require user interaction to indicate object bounds or provide reference measurements, then measurement functionality is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated image analysis to identify object bounds and extract measurements without requiring user intervention. The computing device independently processes captured images, automatically detects features, and generates measurements, eliminating user error while maintaining ease of use through simple image capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated feedback through the image analysis process, where the computing device analyzes captured images and automatically adjusts or refines measurement extraction. This closed-loop approach ensures consistent, reliable measurements without requiring manual user input or correction.
3Measurement precision
If ancillary objects and reference objects are placed in the imaged scene, then pixel scale factors can be determined, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference measurement function directly from the imaging process itself. Instead of requiring separate ancillary reference objects to be placed in the scene, the system uses the camera's intrinsic properties and automated image analysis to determine pixel scale factors, simplifying the measurement setup while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed with associated techniques for ensuring that structures are fully imaged, which may permit individuals to utilize mobile computing devices to record imagery of structures for the purpose of documenting their presence, size, location, and the like. As digital images are captured by a computing device, those digital images may be presented in the form of a video feed on a display of the computing device. One or more digital elements can then be overlaid on the video feed. To incentivize a user to move the computing device in a predetermined manner by guided live feedback, the appearance of these digital elements may be manipulated based on movements of the computing device.