AR Image Management via Chronological Display and Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional augmented reality (AR) systems lack an effective user interface and sufficient information for users to explore and interact with items of interest in a semi-virtual environment.

Innovation Solution

The system enables the display of multiple chronological images associated with an item of interest in an AR environment, allowing user customization, online image sourcing, and interaction features such as adding comments and tags, using a client-side application that aligns current images with existing images from public or private sources, and provides a customized AR experience based on user preferences and location data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional AR systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the user interface effectiveness and information sufficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested interface structure where a primary AR view is nested with a secondary image browser interface. The secondary interface can be toggled on demand to display chronological images, metadata, and interaction options without replacing the primary AR functionality. This allows complex information presentation to be nested within the simpler AR framework, improving user interface effectiveness while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface is segmented into distinct functional modules: the primary AR display showing the real-world environment with virtual overlays, a secondary image browser for displaying chronological images, a metadata information panel, and interaction controls for adding comments or tags. Each segment handles specific tasks independently, making the overall complex interface more manageable and effective by dividing it into smaller, focused components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If multiple chronological images are displayed with full interaction features, then user exploration capability is enhanced, but information loss and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidimage processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial action by selectively loading and displaying only the chronological images and metadata that are relevant to the currently viewed item. Rather than loading all available images and information into memory simultaneously, the system retrieves and displays a subset based on user context and preferences, reducing information processing overhead while maintaining completeness of relevant information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching and caching metadata and chronological images for items that are likely to be viewed based on user location and browsing history. This preliminary preparation reduces the processing load during actual viewing and interaction, as the information is already prepared and available when needed, improving both information completeness and processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If image alignment and comparison features are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage alignment accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary alignment system that uses feature detection and matching algorithms to automatically align current images with historical images. The intermediary processing layer extracts key features from images, compares them using established computer vision techniques, and calculates transformation parameters for accurate alignment. This intermediary approach improves measurement precision while managing complexity by using proven algorithms rather than implementing complex custom solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240087250A1Methods and systems for managing images in augmented reality (AR) environment
Publication Date: 2024.03.14 DISH NETWORK LLC
  • US20240087250A1 patent drawing
  • US20240087250A1 patent drawing
  • US20240087250A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A technique is directed to methods and systems for managing image information. In some implementations, the method includes (1) providing user information regarding a user location and a user preference of image information; (2) receiving, at a client device, one or more sets of image information associated with one or more items of interests in an AR environment based on the user information; and (3) generate, at the client device, a user interface for displaying the one or more sets of image information.