AR Virtual Object Visibility and Location Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing augmented reality (AR) systems lack effective mechanisms to manage secure and private content sharing among multiple users, leading to potential conflicts and security risks due to the integration of virtual objects with the physical world, with limited support from current platforms for developers to handle complex multi-user interactions.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and module for AR systems that allows users to share AR content while controlling access and presentation, using 'ghost' objects and location protection to manage virtual objects' visibility and decoupling them from static physical locations, providing a flexible sharing control module for app developers to manage different sharing scenarios and user expectations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual objects are integrated with the physical world in AR systems, then the functionality and immersion of the application is improved, but security risks and conflicts among multiple users increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a location protection system that acts as an intermediary between virtual objects and the physical world. This system mediates the integration by allowing virtual objects to be presented at protected locations while filtering out potentially harmful content, thus maintaining functionality while reducing security risks among multiple users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different locations. Protected locations have special rules that filter and modify virtual objects, while non-protected locations allow default presentation. This localized approach maintains the overall functionality of AR systems while addressing security concerns at specific critical locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If virtual objects are presented at specific physical locations, then the relevance and context of the content is improved, but the ability to protect private content and locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent relevanceVSAvoidprivacy protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by creating different presentation rules for different locations. At protected locations, the system filters and modifies virtual objects to protect privacy, while at non-protected locations, full virtual objects are presented. This maintains content relevance where appropriate while protecting privacy at sensitive locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts harmful or private information from the virtual object presentation at protected locations. By filtering out sensitive details while maintaining the basic presence and functionality of virtual objects, the system preserves relevance while removing privacy-violating content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If virtual objects are tied to static physical locations, then the stability and consistency of the AR experience is improved, but the flexibility to adapt to changing user needs and contexts is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexperience consistencyVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by allowing virtual objects to be decoupled from their original physical locations. Users can dynamically reassign virtual objects to different locations or remove them entirely, transforming the static location-Object binding into a flexible dynamic relationship while maintaining consistency through the location protection framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If comprehensive virtual object presentation is allowed at all locations, then the richness and completeness of the AR content is improved, but the protection of sensitive locations and content deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent richnessVSAvoidlocation protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements local quality by applying different content presentation standards to different locations. At protected locations, the system filters and modifies virtual objects to remove harmful content, while at non-protected locations, full rich content is presented. This maintains content richness where safe while protecting sensitive locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11410360B2Techniques for managing multi-user content in augmented reality applications

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 UNIV OF WASHINGTON

AI summary

In some embodiments, a method of providing visual cues for private virtual objects is provided. In response to determining that presentation of a protected characteristic of a virtual object is not permitted by an augmented reality system, the augmented reality system presents a placeholder object. In some embodiments, a method of protecting a location from undesirable virtual objects is provided. In response to determining that a location for a virtual object is associated with a protected location, a low-invasiveness version of a mesh of the virtual object is presented. In some embodiments, a method of decoupling a virtual object from a static physical location is provided.