Augmented Reality Link Sharing via Visual Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for sharing information about physical locations are inefficient, requiring users to launch multiple applications and input queries to access information about nearby places, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality system that allows users to attach and access content and links to visual elements of physical locations using GPS, IMU, and visual matching algorithms, enabling real-time information retrieval through portable devices by pointing at tagged places, with features like image recognition, user profiling, and owner authentication for content control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users launch map or search engine applications to look up information about nearby places, then they can access detailed information, but it takes more time than simply checking out the place in the real world
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and caches information about points of interest in the background before users need it. When a user points the camera at a place, the information is already prepared and can be instantly displayed, eliminating the time-consuming search process while ensuring information is readily available
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an augmented reality interface as an intermediary between the user and the information system. Instead of requiring users to switch between the physical world and application interfaces, the AR overlay presents information directly in the user's field of view, mediating the interaction to occur naturally within the real-world context
2Loss of information
If users manually input search queries to find information about places, then they can retrieve specific information, but the process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic recognition of points of interest through image processing and computer vision algorithms. The device independently identifies places, retrieves relevant information, and presents it to the user without requiring manual input queries, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for user interaction in the information retrieval process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of manual typing and query input with automated optical recognition systems. Computer vision and image processing technologies automatically capture, analyze, and interpret visual information from the camera, substituting the manual mechanical process with an automated optical-digital system
3Loss of information
If the system provides comprehensive information about all nearby places, then users can find relevant content, but it becomes difficult to filter and present context-specific information
Solution Approach 1:
The system tailors the information presentation to the specific local context by analyzing the recognized point of interest and user profile. Instead of providing generic or uniformly comprehensive information, the system adapts the content, depth, and type of information displayed to match the specific place being viewed and the individual user's preferences and history
4Adaptability or versatility
If owners can freely attach content and links to visual elements of their places, then the information becomes customized and relevant, but it becomes difficult to control and manage the presented information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional authentication and authorization system that handles multiple roles (owners, users, administrators), content types (images, links, descriptions), and control levels (create, edit, delete, approve) within a single unified framework. This universal system manages the complexity of content customization while providing owners with intuitive controls
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide methods and systems for users and business owners to share content and/or links to visual elements of a place at a physical location, and, in response to a user device pointing at a tagged place, causing the content and/or links to the visual elements of the place to be presented on the user device. In some embodiments, content and links are tied to specific objects at a place based at least in part upon one of Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) orientations, compass data, or one or more visual matching algorithms. Once the content and links are attached to the specific objects of the place, they can be discovered by a user with a portable device pointing at the specific objects in the real world.