AR Mounting Guidance for Precise Wall Anchor Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with limited handyman skills face challenges in mounting objects on surfaces, often leading to unsatisfactory results and damage due to trial-and-error methods, such as hanging a picture frame on a wall.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using augmented reality (AR) to generate a virtual rendering of the surface, allowing users to select a location, determine an anchor spot, and display a visible indicium for accurate placement of mounting hardware, using a handheld device like a smartphone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a trial-and-error approach is used for mounting objects, then no special tools are required, but mounting accuracy deteriorates and surface damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera and image processing system as an intermediary between the user and the mounting task. The camera captures images of the wall and object, and the system automatically calculates drilling positions, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for both professional tools and trial-and-error approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical mounting tools (spirit levels, laser distance meters, plumb lines) with a computational system based on camera imaging and image processing. This substitution maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving mounting accuracy
2Ease of operation
If a trial-and-error approach is used for mounting objects, then no special tools are required, but surface damage increases due to multiple attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the exact drilling position through image processing before any physical action is taken. By determining the precise anchor spot in advance using computer vision and geometric calculations, the system eliminates the need for multiple trial drillings that would cause surface damage
3Manufacturing precision
If professional mounting tools are used, then mounting accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a standard smartphone camera perform multiple functions: capturing wall images, detecting object dimensions, calculating distances, and determining drilling positions. This universal application of a common device eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining high mounting accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical mounting scenario through camera imaging. By working with image data and virtual calculations rather than physical tools, the system achieves professional-grade accuracy using a consumer device
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment sets forth a technique for providing assistance in mounting one or more objects on a surface. According to some embodiments, the technique includes the steps of generating a virtual rendering of at least a portion of the surface, configuring the virtual rendering to enable a user to select a first location on the surface for mounting a first object, receiving mounting hardware information associated with the first object, determining, based on the first location and the mounting hardware information, an anchor spot on the surface for attaching a surface-mountable anchor, and displaying, via a user interface, a visible indicium that provides operational assistance for placing a mark on the anchor spot for attaching the surface-mountable anchor to the surface.