AR Overlay Orientation Alignment for Assembly Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented reality (AR) systems fail to effectively assist users in understanding the orientation and alignment of objects during complex tasks, as they do not consider the real-world layout and orientation, leading to ambiguity and difficulty in determining how parts fit together and what tools or fasteners are needed.
Innovation Solution
An AR assistance system that detects elements using an object detector, determines their orientation and alignment, and projects holograms and distinct marks to highlight critical regions, tools, and fasteners, allowing users to complete tasks accurately by providing alignment- and orientation-based assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional assembly diagrams are used, then the information can be conveyed, but the diagrams become too complex when objects include a large number of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex assembly information into individual part-level overlays, each highlighting specific features and alignment requirements for a single component. This divides the complex diagram into multiple simple, focused visual cues that are easier to process individually while collectively providing complete assembly information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional static diagrams to three-dimensional spatial overlays that are directly projected onto the physical parts in the user's environment. This dimensional change allows assembly information to be conveyed through spatial relationships and depth cues that are more intuitive and less complex than traditional 2D diagrams.
2Ease of operation
If animated overlays are provided to show part placement and motions, then task assistance is improved, but critical details may not be obvious and users may not be able to follow the actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing targeted visual highlights and annotations specifically at the locations where critical alignment features and connection points exist on each part. Rather than relying on generic animations, the system places precise visual information exactly where it is needed on the physical components, making critical details immediately obvious and actionable.
3Ease of operation
If AR systems provide animated overlays, then task assistance is improved, but the system does not take into account the layout and orientation of the part in the physical world
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the overlay information adaptive to the real-time detected orientation and position of each part. The visual highlights, alignment cues, and connection information automatically reorient themselves to match the physical part's current orientation, ensuring that the AR assistance remains accurate and useful regardless of how the part is positioned or rotated in the physical world.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide a system for facilitating dynamic assistance to a user in an augmented reality (AR) environment of an AR device. During operation, the system detects a first element of an object using an object detector, wherein the object is associated with a task and the first element is associated with a step of the task. The system then determines an orientation and an alignment of the first element in the physical world of the user, and an overlay for the first element. The overlay can distinctly highlight one or more regions of the first element and indicate how the first element fits in the object. The system then applies the overlay to the one or more regions of the first element at the determined orientation in the AR environment.