Augmented Reality Order Assistance With Scaled 3D Food Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers, especially tourists, often face difficulties in visualizing portion sizes and ingredients of menu items due to limited space and language barriers, leading to unexpected orders and dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality (AR) application that uses codes linked to a content delivery network (CDN) to provide 3D renderings of menu items, allowing users to visualize the size and ingredients of food items on their device, with options for language translation and interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional printed menus are used to display menu items, then the menu can be provided to customers, but customers cannot visualize portion sizes and ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses augmented reality to create a virtual copy of the actual food item displayed on the customer's device. This 3D virtual representation allows customers to visualize the portion size, ingredients, and appearance of the menu item before ordering, resolving the information loss problem without adding physical complexity to the menu itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D printed menu descriptions to 3D virtual representations of food items. By adding the third dimension through augmented reality, customers can truly visualize portion sizes and ingredient compositions, transforming static text into dynamic spatial information.
2Loss of information
If more item images are added to printed menus to help visualization, then customers can see what they are ordering, but menu space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more images to the limited 2D menu surface, the patent uses augmented reality to project 3D images into the customer's field of view through their mobile device. This transforms the menu from a static 2D surface to an immersive 3D experience, providing unlimited visual information without consuming physical menu space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device with augmented reality capabilities as an intermediary between the customer and the menu. This intermediary delivers detailed visual information about menu items without requiring the physical menu to be enlarged or redesigned.
3Loss of information
If menus are written in the local language, then the menu can be clearly described, but tourists cannot understand what they are ordering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the menu system universal by integrating multiple language support and translation capabilities through the augmented reality application. The system can detect the customer's language preferences and provide translations, making the menu accessible to tourists while maintaining the original local language descriptions for locals.
4Productivity
If customers order without visualization, then ordering is quick, but customers are disappointed when receiving items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows customers to perform preliminary visualization of the menu item before placing their order. By using augmented reality to display 3D representations of the food, customers can make informed decisions about portion sizes and ingredients, ensuring their expectations match the actual delivery without slowing down the ordering process.
Data Source
AI summary
Three-dimensional (3D) model images for menu item are maintained in a content delivery network (CDN) along with codes. The codes are printed/affixed to menus adjacent to the menu items. The menus include an anchor object that is sized in proportion to plates that serve the menu items. A user operates an augmented reality (AR)-enabled application (app) and uses a gesture to identify a code associated with a menu item from a menu. The code is decoded to contact the CDN and obtain the 3D model image corresponding to the menu item. The user centers a view-finder over the anchor object on the menu and the 3D model image is rendered on the anchor object in a scaled size and a scaled proportion for what will be provided to the user. The user may spin the 3D model to inspect proportions and ingredients of the menu item through the app.