AR Object Mediation for Intuitive IoT Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack efficient methods for users to interact with and control Internet of Things (IoT) devices using augmented reality (AR) cameras, limiting immersive and intuitive control options.

Innovation Solution

The system enables AR camera devices to recognize user interactions, such as gestures and voice commands, and translates these into control signals for IoT devices through a backend server, utilizing object recognition technology and context data to adjust responses accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional control methods are used for IoT devices, then device control is achieved, but user immersion and interaction intuitiveness are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction intuitivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces AR objects as intermediary elements between the user and IoT devices. These virtual objects serve as mediators that users can interact with through natural gestures and voice commands, which then translate into control signals for the physical IoT devices. This intermediary layer enhances interaction intuitiveness while managing system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual control interfaces with gesture-based and voice-based interaction methods. Instead of physically pressing buttons or using complex remote controls, users perform gestures captured by the AR camera device, substituting mechanical interaction with optical and acoustic field-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If AR camera devices are used to control IoT devices, then user immersion and control flexibility are enhanced, but system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AR camera device is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing user gestures, recognizing voice commands, tracking AR objects, and translating these inputs into IoT device control signals. This multi-functionality enhances control flexibility while the modular system architecture manages the inherent complexity through clear separation of concerns between gesture recognition, AR rendering, and IoT communication modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If gesture and voice recognition are implemented, then interaction intuitiveness is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction intuitivenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and caching gesture recognition models, voice command vocabularies, and AR object data before actual interaction occurs. This preparation reduces the computational burden during real-time interaction, thereby maintaining high interaction intuitiveness while minimizing processing delays and computational resource consumption during critical user interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4396654B1Building augmented reality experiences with IoT devices
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SNAP INC
  • EP4396654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4396654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4396654B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Systems and methods enable users to build augmented reality (AR) experiences with Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The system includes an AR object studio that includes a list of IoT devices and control signals for the respective IoT devices and a list of AR objects (e.g., an AR lens). The AR object studio receives selections from users and correlates at least one IoT device to at least one AR object in response to the user selections. During use, a server receives an indication that an AR object has been activated and interacted with on a display of an AR camera device and, in response, sends a control signal to a correlated IoT device. Conversely, the server may receive a signal from an IoT device and, in response, present and control a correlated AR object on the display of the AR camera device.