Codeless Anchor Detection for AR Asset Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality systems face challenges in identifying real-world assets due to missing, worn, or obscured computer-readable codes, leading to difficulties in accessing relevant information.
Innovation Solution
The development of a system that generates and detects textual and pictorial anchors within an extended reality environment, allowing for the identification of real-world assets without the need for explicit codes, by using a network architecture that processes and indexes machine data for efficient querying and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If computer-readable codes are used as identifying labels on real-world assets, then the assets can be identified and information accessed, but the codes may be missing, worn, or obscured making identification difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical computer-readable codes with their digital counterparts - textual and pictorial anchors that are generated and stored in a database. These anchors are captured images or text from the environment that can be reliably retrieved and matched, eliminating the problem of physical code degradation while maintaining the identification function.
2Productivity
If traditional code-based identification systems are used, then information access is straightforward when codes are visible, but significant time is wasted locating and reading codes when they are missing or obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-generating multiple textual and pictorial anchors for each real-world asset and storing them in a database before they are needed for identification. When identification is required, the system can immediately retrieve and present these pre-prepared anchors without requiring the user to physically locate and read a code, thus eliminating time loss.
3Ease of operation
If computer-readable codes are appended to real-world assets for identification, then asset information can be accessed, but the codes may be hidden by mounting brackets, other labels, or environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the identification system universal by using multiple types of anchors (textual and pictorial) that can serve different functions and be accessed in various ways. The system can retrieve and present multiple candidate anchors from the database, allowing identification to proceed even when physical codes are obscured, thus making the system robust to different obscuration scenarios.
4Adaptability or versatility
If code-based identification is implemented in AR systems, then virtual objects can be anchored to real-world assets, but the system fails when codes are missing or unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer - the anchor database - that mediates between the physical environment and the AR system. Instead of directly relying on physical codes, the system uses captured images and text stored in the database as intermediaries. This intermediary layer ensures reliability by providing backup identification data even when physical codes are missing or unreadable.
Data Source
AI summary
A client device that includes a camera and an extended reality client application program is employed by a user in a physical space, such as an industrial or campus environment. The user aims the camera within the mobile device at a real-world asset, such as a computer system, classroom, or vehicle. The client device acquires a digital image via the camera and detects textual and/or pictorial content included in the acquired image that corresponds to one or more anchors. The client device queries a data intake and query system for asset content associated with the detected anchors. Upon receiving the asset content from the data intake and query system, the client device generates visualizations of the asset content and presents the visualizations via a display device.