Negative Space Rendering for AR Internal Structure Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual and augmented reality systems only allow users to interact with and manipulate positive space representations of objects, limiting the ability to view or interact with the internal structures of real-world objects.

Innovation Solution

The system enables users to view and interact with negative space objects within real-world objects by creating and rendering negative space models using sensor data and search services, allowing users to see inside real-world objects by identifying and modifying anchor points for accurate orientation and rendering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users interact with positive space representations of objects in VR/AR systems, then users can manipulate external surfaces of objects, but users cannot view or interact with internal structures of real-world objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to view internal structuresVSAvoidrendering system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the object representation into positive space (external surfaces) and negative space (internal structures). The rendering system separately processes and renders these two components, allowing independent manipulation and visualization of internal structures without interfering with the external object representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces negative space objects as an intermediary representation that mediates between the user and the actual internal structures of real-world objects. These negative space objects serve as virtual proxies that can be manipulated without physically interacting with the real object, enabling internal structure visualization while maintaining the integrity of the real-world object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the system renders negative space models overlaying real-world objects, then users can see inside objects, but the alignment and orientation of internal structures becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal structure visibilityVSAvoidanchor point alignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and storing anchor points on both the real-world object and the negative space model before rendering. These anchor points are established in advance to define the spatial relationship and transformation matrix between the object and its negative space representation, ensuring accurate alignment during rendering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or mechanical alignment methods with an automated computational system that uses anchor points and transformation matrices to precisely align negative space models with real-world objects. This computational approach substitutes complex manual positioning with algorithmic coordinate transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3555864A1Subtractive rendering for augmented and virtual reality systems
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Representative embodiments allow rendering of negative space in real world objects in a virtual reality or augmented reality system. Negative space is what exists within a real-world object. Positive space is what exists outside of a real-world object. Scans of a real-world object are submitted to a search engine to retrieve a negative space model for the positive space object. The negative space model is optionally adjusted to account for real world parameters of the negative space. Anchor points are identified for the negative space model. A positive space portion of the real-world object is removed and the negative space model is scaled, rotated and rendered on top of the real-world object at the appropriate location. A user can interact with both the real-world object and negative space object through the virtual reality or augmented reality system.