AR Information Positioning via Light Source Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current augmented reality devices face challenges in efficiently decluttering information, which can limit functional overview, safety, and visual ergonomics, particularly during navigation and physical activities, as existing solutions require user intervention and lack automation.

Innovation Solution

A device that utilizes a light source with a coding lighting characteristic to automatically position information at specific locations within an image, processed by a detector and processor, allowing for efficient management of the augmented reality view by embedding information and location codes in the lighting infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If information is overlaid on the physical view in augmented reality, then information availability is improved, but visual clutter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoidvisual clutter
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning different types of information at specific locations in the field of view based on their relevance and importance. Critical safety information is placed in peripheral areas where it can be perceived without distracting from the central view, while less important information is positioned in other strategic locations. This spatial differentiation of information quality resolves the contradiction by maintaining information availability while reducing visual clutter through purposeful placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional overlay positioning to three-dimensional spatial positioning in the field of view. By utilizing depth, distance, and angular position in 3D space, the system can place information at multiple depths and locations that naturally separate overlapping elements. This dimensional expansion allows more information to be displayed without creating visual clutter, as elements can be distributed in three-dimensional space rather than competing for the same 2D screen real estate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If multiple POIs are displayed on a mapping display, then information completeness is improved, but readability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidreadability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments information into distinct spatial groups based on their semantic relationships and importance. Points of interest are divided into categories (e.g., safety-critical, navigation-relevant, informational) and placed in different regions of the field of view. This segmentation allows multiple POIs to be displayed simultaneously while maintaining readability, as users can focus on one segment at a time based on their current needs and context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning information in the field of view based on predicted user needs and current context. Rather than displaying all POIs simultaneously, the system anticipates which information will be relevant next and positions it in advance in appropriate locations. This allows information completeness to be maintained while readability is preserved, as the most relevant information is already in view before the user needs it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If user selection is required for information rendering, then customization is improved, but automation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecustomizationVSAvoidautomation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors user behavior, gaze direction, and interaction patterns to automatically adjust information positioning and selection. User preferences and contextual cues provide feedback that enables the system to learn and adapt to individual customization needs without requiring explicit user input for each decision. This feedback loop maintains high automation while preserving customization, as the system automatically adapts to user preferences over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by enabling users to customize information display through simple, intuitive interactions that the system then remembers and applies automatically. Once users make initial selections or demonstrate preferences, the system serves their customization needs autonomously without requiring repeated manual configuration. This self-service approach maintains automation by allowing the system to manage complex customization logic while keeping user interaction minimal and intuitive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3655794B1A device for positioning information at a location in an image
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3655794B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3655794B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP3655794B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for positioning information at a location in an image. Hence the invention provides a device (100) for positioning information (18) at a location (17) in an image (13), the device (100) comprising: a detector (10) for recording the image (13), the image (13) comprising a light source (14), wherein a lighting characteristic (15) of the light source (14) comprises a code (16) indicative of the information (18) and the location (17) where to position the information (18) in the image (13); a processor (11) arranged for processing the image (13) to retrieve the code (16), retrieving the information (18) indicated by the code (16), retrieving the location (17) indicated by the code (16), processing the image (13) into a processed image (19) by positioning the information (18) at the location (17) in the image (13); an image rendering device (12) for rendering the processed image (19).