Inconspicuous AR Tag Using Depth Camera Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented reality systems face challenges in detecting and interpreting optically inconspicuous tags in their visual field, which are essential for overlaying virtual information onto real-world objects, due to their small size and transparency, making existing detection methods inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of depth cameras and patterned materials like zirconium dioxide, titanium, and gold, which introduce specific phase changes to infrared light, allowing the system to decode depth patterns on tags and retrieve virtual information from external databases for display in the user's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used to detect tags, then the detection process is simple, but the detection precision is insufficient for optically inconspicuous tags
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces depth cameras as an intermediary detection device that captures depth information of tags. The depth camera acts as a mediator between the traditional visual detection system and the tag, enabling precise detection of optically inconspicuous tags by measuring depth patterns rather than relying on optical visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional optical detection methods with depth-based detection using depth cameras. This substitution transitions from optical field detection to depth field detection, allowing the system to perceive tags through depth patterns created by patterned materials rather than through optical reflection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optically inconspicuous tags are used, then the tags are harder to detect, but the aesthetic quality of the real-world environment is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies patterned materials with specific local optical properties to different regions of the tag. These materials create localized depth patterns that are imperceptible in normal visual conditions but detectable by depth cameras, allowing the tag to maintain aesthetic quality while enabling precise detection through specialized local properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses patterned materials that create depth variations rather than optical color changes. The materials modulate depth information rather than visual appearance, allowing the tag to remain visually inconspicuous while encoding detectable depth patterns for the augmented reality system.
3Measurement precision
If depth cameras and patterned materials are used to detect tags, then detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates depth camera detection, patterned material encoding, and virtual information retrieval into a unified multi-functional system. The depth camera serves multiple purposes: detecting tags, measuring depth patterns, and triggering virtual information display, thereby managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate specialized components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the detection and interpretation of optically inconspicuous tags, allowing for the accurate overlay of virtual objects and information onto real-world environments, enhancing user experiences in applications like gaming and interactive displays.
Implementation Method 1
The tag may have a pattern of materials such that each material introduces a specific phase change to infrared light upon reflecting incident infrared (or another invisible wavelength) light
Implementation Method 2
the tag may have a pattern of materials such that each material introduces a specific phase change to infrared light upon reflecting incident infrared (or another invisible wavelength) light
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating virtual objects, the data for the virtual object is retrieved at least in part from a tag. The tag comprises a transparent physical surface and a visually imperceptible structure constructed in the transparent physical surface. The tag encodes the data for the virtual objects in the visually imperceptible structure. When detected by the appropriately configured capture devices, the visually imperceptible structure produces a depth pattern that is reflected in phase shifts between regions in the tag.