Augmented Reality Avatar Rendering with World-Locked Surface Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interactions using avatars in online environments lack a sense of togetherness and intimacy, as existing systems fail to effectively anchor avatars to real-world environments, limiting the feeling of presence and communal experience among users.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that utilizes a processor to execute an augmented reality program to receive and render avatars anchored to virtual surfaces in a real-world environment, using pose and face/skeletal tracking to update avatar positions and expressions in real-time, creating a more immersive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If avatars are rendered in online interactions, then user representation is enabled, but sense of togetherness and intimacy is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual surface as an intermediary element that mediates between the user and the avatar representation. This virtual surface acts as a shared reference frame that anchors avatars in a common spatial context, enabling multiple users to perceive each other's avatars in relation to the same environmental landmark, thereby creating a sense of shared presence and togetherness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D or free-floating 3D avatar representations to avatars anchored on a virtual surface that corresponds to a physical surface in the real world. This grounding in a shared spatial dimension creates a more immersive and intimate interaction experience by establishing a common reference frame that all users can perceive and interact with
2Reliability
If avatars are anchored to virtual surfaces, then sense of presence is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a camera that serves multiple functions: it captures the live image feed for display, identifies the physical surface in the environment, and provides spatial reference for anchoring the virtual surface. By making the camera a multi-functional component, the system reduces overall complexity despite adding avatar anchoring capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the device's own camera and processing capabilities to identify physical surfaces and anchor virtual surfaces autonomously. The computing device performs self-calibration and self-positioning by analyzing images from its own camera, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment or complex setup procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system is provided comprising a processor is configured to execute an augmented reality avatar program to receive a second-user avatar-data object and second-user pose information, via a computer network, receive an image from a live image feed captured by a camera of the computing device, identify a virtual surface corresponding to a physical surface that appears in the image; calculate a position and a pose of a second-user avatar relative to the virtual surface based on the second-user pose information, render the second-user avatar-data object to thereby display the second-user avatar of the second user superimposed upon the image. The second-user avatar is anchored to the virtual surface according to the calculated position and pose of the second-user avatar. The virtual surface is world-locked to the physical surface in the image in a real world 3-D environment.