AR Application Testing via Virtual Device Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented Reality (AR) applications lack effective testing methods, requiring developers to physically test environments, which is time-consuming and limits testing scope.
Innovation Solution
A device simulator running on an AR system that simulates a real device's movement in a virtual environment, allowing developers to test AR applications from a computing device without physical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If developers physically move around in test environments to test AR applications, then the testing scope can cover real-world spatial contexts, but the development process slows down and testing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical test environment where developers can simulate device movement and AR rendering without physically moving. The virtual environment replicates spatial characteristics, surfaces, and lighting conditions, allowing comprehensive testing of AR applications while remaining seated at a workstation, thus resolving the contradiction between testing accuracy and development speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a physical model and virtual environment as intermediaries between the developer and the actual AR application testing. Instead of directly moving physical devices through real-world spaces, developers interact with virtual representations that simulate the same testing scenarios, enabling efficient testing while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If developers physically test AR applications in real-world environments, then realistic testing conditions are achieved, but the scope of testing is limited by physical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the testing scope by adding a virtual dimension to the testing process. Developers can test AR applications in multiple virtual environments representing different real-world scenarios (indoor, outdoor, various lighting conditions, different spatial configurations) without being constrained by their physical location, thereby achieving both realism and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual environment system serves multiple testing functions simultaneously - it can represent various physical locations, simulate different lighting conditions, accommodate diverse device configurations, and support multiple AR application types, making the testing platform universally applicable across different testing scenarios
3Reliability
If comprehensive AR application testing is performed across multiple environments and device configurations, then application quality improves, but time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary setup by creating virtual environments and physical models before actual testing begins. Device configurations, environmental parameters, and test scenarios are pre-configured in the virtual space, allowing developers to quickly switch between different testing conditions without physical reconfiguration, thereby maintaining high application quality while reducing testing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables efficient testing by allowing dynamic adjustment of virtual environment parameters (lighting, spatial dimensions, surface properties) and device configuration parameters through software controls. This eliminates the need for physical reconfiguration and allows rapid iteration through multiple test cases, improving application quality assessment while minimizing time investment
Data Source
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AI summary
An example method of testing Augmented Reality (AR) applications is described. In an example implementation, the method includes initiating an AR application that is targeted for testing. The example method further includes controlling a physical model to simulate movement of a simulated device in a simulated real-world space. The simulated movement of the physical model generates data for testing the AR application. In some implementations, the method may further include initiating the AR application to run on a device simulator and using a virtual environment.