Dynamic Virtual Element Positioning in AR Viewports
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Solution Overview
Problem
In augmented reality environments, virtual elements often move out of view when the camera moves, frustrating user engagement and interaction, especially when movement is indiscriminate along all axes, particularly for elongated virtual elements with unequal vertical and horizontal dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines an offset focal point along the axis of an elongated virtual element, allowing it to move within the viewport based on the distance between this point and the viewport focal point, restricting movement to keep the virtual element within acceptable limits, ensuring users can easily view end portions while maintaining a more restricted movement along non-elongated dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual element is allowed to move freely based on camera movement, then the virtual element maintains its spatial relationship with the real-world environment, but the virtual element may move out of the viewport making user interaction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference parameter from a fixed focal point to a dynamically determined offset focal point along the virtual element's axis. This parameter change allows the system to maintain spatial relationships while ensuring the element remains viewable, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the focal point dynamic by allowing it to move along the virtual element's axis based on the element's orientation and dimensions. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to different camera movements while keeping the element within the viewport, balancing spatial relationship maintenance with user interaction
2Ease of operation
If the virtual element movement is restricted along all axes, then the virtual element remains within the viewport, but the movement becomes unnatural and frustrates user engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different movement characteristics to different parts of the virtual element by using an offset focal point along its axis. The element can move naturally along its elongated dimension while having restricted movement perpendicular to it, creating local quality differences that satisfy both user engagement and viewport constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric movement behavior by treating the elongated dimension differently from the perpendicular dimension. The offset focal point creates asymmetric constraints that allow natural movement in one direction while limiting movement in another, resolving the contradiction between engagement and movement freedom
3Ease of operation
If the virtual element is kept centered in the viewport, then user interaction is maintained, but the virtual element loses its spatial relationship with the real-world environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the focal point functionality into two components: a base focal point that maintains spatial relationships and an offset component that ensures viewport visibility. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously preserve spatial relationships while maintaining user interaction
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices relating to dynamic virtual element positioning in an augmented reality (AR) environment are described herein. In a method, a viewport may be output by a computing device and may comprise a virtual element and at least a portion of a scene captured by a camera associated with the computing device. A movement of the at least a portion of the scene in the viewport may be determined. An offset focal point along at least a portion of an axis of the virtual element may be determined that is the closest to a viewport focal point at the vertical and horizontal center of the viewport. The virtual element may be positioned in the viewport based on the movement of the at least a portion of the scene in the viewport and a distance between the offset focal point and the viewport focal point.