AR Map Overlays for Collaborative Geospatial Annotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional maps lack user-friendly editing and sharing capabilities, limiting their content to brick-and-mortar locations and restricting user interactions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for displaying and annotating map-based geolocation data on an augmented reality (AR) headset, allowing users to create, update, and share annotations dynamically, including route paths and hazard identification, using machine learning and user feedback to enhance geographical data integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional map content is displayed on devices, then map information is provided to users, but users cannot easily change, annotate, or edit the content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser ability to annotate and edit map contentVSAvoidmap content structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The map content is segmented into base map data and user-generated annotations. Annotations are separate overlay elements that can be independently created, edited, and removed without modifying the underlying map structure, enabling easy user interaction while preserving map integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

User annotations are added as a third dimension overlaying the two-dimensional map. This allows multiple layers of information (base map + user annotations) to coexist without interfering with each other, enabling rich interactivity while maintaining the original map structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional maps include only brick-and-mortar locations, then data accuracy is maintained, but the data is limited and less useful for diverse applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap content coverageVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where user annotations are reviewed, validated, and refined through community interaction. This allows diverse content types to be added while maintaining quality through iterative improvement and peer verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The annotation system is designed to accommodate multiple types of content (brick-and-mortar locations, unmapped terrain, hazards, route paths) using a unified framework, enabling the map to serve diverse purposes while maintaining consistent data quality standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If users cannot share changes efficiently, then map content remains static, but user collaboration and information sharing are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation sharing efficiencyVSAvoiduser-generated content distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary platform (AR headset and server infrastructure) to facilitate seamless sharing of annotations between users. Annotations are automatically synchronized and distributed to relevant users without requiring manual intervention, enabling efficient collaboration while preserving all user-generated content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12481700B2Contextual augmentation of map information using overlays

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for displaying and annotating map-based geolocation data at an augmented reality (AR) headset. Users with access to the map-based geolocation data can create or confirm annotations for geospatial data that may be sent to the server computer and transmitted back to the headset of the user as well as different AR headsets associated with other users.