Adaptive AR Virtual Objects for User Cohort Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing augmented reality systems fail to account for the physical and cognitive limitations of users, leading to unenjoyable or prohibitively difficult experiences for individuals with disabilities, as they do not differentiate settings based on user characteristics and location contexts.

Innovation Solution

A method that identifies user cohorts based on characteristics and location contexts to generate and modify virtual objects in augmented reality settings, ensuring accessibility and consistency for users with diverse abilities by repositioning and adjusting virtual objects according to real-world obstacles and user profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If augmented reality systems provide a standard view of the real-world environment with virtual additions, then the system maintains simplicity and universality, but it fails to account for user characteristics and location contexts, resulting in poor accessibility for users with disabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user characteristics and location contextsVSAvoidsystem complexity for identifying cohorts and modifying virtual objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by customizing the augmented reality experience for specific user cohorts and location contexts. Virtual objects are modified based on user characteristics (e.g., visual or auditory impairments) and environmental factors (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor settings), allowing different portions of the AR experience to have different properties tailored to local needs rather than applying a uniform approach throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by making virtual objects adaptable and modifiable in real-time based on detected user cohorts and location contexts. The AR experience dynamically adjusts properties of virtual objects such as size, position, and presentation methods according to user needs and environmental conditions, transforming a static AR system into one that continuously adapts to changing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If virtual objects are placed without considering real-world obstacles and user capabilities, then the system maintains simplicity in object placement, but users with physical or cognitive limitations find the experience prohibitively difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of interaction for users with diverse abilitiesVSAvoidcomplexity of analyzing location context and modifying virtual objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by pre-analyzing location contexts and user cohort characteristics before placing virtual objects. The system proactively identifies accessibility requirements and adjusts virtual object properties in advance, such as positioning objects away from physical obstacles or modifying their presentation for users with sensory impairments, rather than reacting to difficulties after they arise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary processing layer that analyzes user profiles, location data, and environmental contexts to mediate between the standard AR content and the final personalized experience. This intermediary cohort identification and context analysis system translates raw data into customized AR presentations, acting as a bridge that adapts content without requiring direct modification of the core AR engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the augmented reality system uses a uniform approach for all users, then the system maintains consistency and ease of implementation, but it excludes users with disabilities from enjoying the experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of inclusive experience for all usersVSAvoidcomplexity of identifying and adapting to user cohorts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing the user population into distinct cohorts based on shared characteristics such as disabilities, age groups, or preferences. Instead of treating all users uniformly, the system segments them into groups that receive customized AR experiences, allowing tailored adjustments for each cohort while maintaining manageable system complexity through group-based rather than individually-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements universality by creating a multi-functional AR platform that can serve diverse user needs through a single unified system. The cohort identification and virtual object modification capabilities provide multiple functions within one system architecture, enabling the same AR experience to be reliably accessible to users with different abilities through automated adaptation rather than requiring separate systems for different user types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10953329B2Contextual and differentiated augmented-reality worlds

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A cohort associated with a user is identified. A virtual object is generated according to the cohort. An augmented reality setting of a location is generated in relation to the user. A context of the location is determined. The virtual object is modified in the augmented reality setting according to the context and the cohort.