Enhanced Physical Object Model for Environmental Barrier Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices such as air conditioning units, automobiles, and appliances are often installed in large or hard-to-reach locations, making maintenance and repair challenging due to surrounding environmental barriers, which existing modeling methods fail to adequately account for.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for customized modeling of physical objects that includes capturing images of the object and its environment, identifying barriers, and generating an enhanced model that integrates the object and environment, using 3D printing or augmented reality to provide a tactile or virtual representation, with distinct indicators for accessible and dangerous areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard model of the physical object is used, then the model can be obtained from manufacturer documentation, but the model does not account for surrounding environmental barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the physical object model with the surrounding environment model into a single integrated augmented reality experience. The environment capture module captures images of the surrounding environment, and the augmented reality module combines these environmental images with the physical object model to create a unified representation that shows both the device and its contextual barriers, eliminating the need for separate models.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality module acts as an intermediary between the manufacturer documentation and the user. Instead of directly presenting complex environmental barriers or requiring users to mentally map documentation to physical space, the AR module translates both the object model and environmental context into an immersive visual representation that intuitively conveys spatial relationships and accessibility issues.
2Area of stationary object
If the physical object is installed in condensed or hard-to-reach locations, then space is utilized efficiently, but maintenance and repair become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional manufacturer documentation to a three-dimensional augmented reality representation that encompasses the physical object and its surrounding environment. This dimensional transformation allows users to visualize spatial constraints and barriers in the actual installation context, providing intuitive understanding of accessibility issues that cannot be conveyed in flat documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the installation environment by capturing images and generating an augmented reality model before maintenance activities begin. This advance visualization allows users to identify potential accessibility problems, plan appropriate maintenance approaches, and prepare necessary tools or equipment in advance, preventing delays during actual repair operations.
3Loss of information
If manufacturer documentation is used to model the physical object, then the model is readily available, but it lacks representation of environmental barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capture of the surrounding environment using the environment capture module before generating the final augmented reality model. By capturing environmental images in advance and integrating them with the physical object model, the system ensures that contextual information about barriers, spatial constraints, and installation conditions is preserved and made available to users before they attempt maintenance tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, a computer system and a computer program product customize a model of a physical object to account for the surrounding environment. The method includes identifying an interaction with a physical object in a surrounding environment. The method also includes obtaining a model of the physical object. The method further includes capturing an image of the physical object in the surrounding environment. In addition, the method includes determining that the surrounding environment contains barriers to the interaction with the physical object. Lastly, the method includes generating an enhanced model of the physical object, wherein the enhanced model includes a representation of the surrounding environment.