Pinning Virtual Objects in Augmented Reality Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional resources for creating augmented reality (AR) content are complex and have not been widely adopted, limiting the potential benefits of AR in various fields.

Innovation Solution

An AR system that enables users to create and view AR content by pinning virtual objects to specific locations in the real-world physical environment, using intuitive interfaces and multimedia content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional resources are used to create AR content, then AR content can be created, but the resources are complex to use and have not been widely adopted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of creating AR contentVSAvoidComplexity of AR creation resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the AR content creation process into distinct components: capturing real-world images, overlaying virtual objects, and pinning virtual objects to specific locations. This segmentation allows each component to be developed and optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal AR platform that can handle multiple types of virtual objects (images, videos, 3D models) and multiple creation methods (manual pinning, automatic detection). This multi-functional approach consolidates various AR creation tools into a single system, reducing the need for multiple specialized resources and simplifying the creation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If virtual objects are pinned to specific locations in the real-world physical environment, then context-aware information can be provided, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveContext-aware information deliveryVSAvoidSystem complexity for pinning virtual objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image capture and processing to create a digital representation of the real-world environment. Virtual objects are pinned to this copied image rather than directly to physical objects, simplifying the system by working with 2D image coordinates rather than complex 3D spatial mapping while still achieving context-aware information delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image overlay as an intermediary between the virtual objects and the real-world environment. Instead of directly mapping virtual objects to physical space, the system uses a captured image as a mediator, making it easier to pin virtual objects to specific locations while maintaining context awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250068290A1Pinning virtual objects in an augmented reality environment

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 SQUINT INC

AI summary

An AR system enables creation and viewing of AR content for sharing of information relating to a physical environment. The AR environment may include one or more virtual objects, which may be pinned to specific locations in the real-world physical environment. The virtual objects may provide information (or access to such information) relating to the object or region of interest. To create pinned virtual objects, the AR system maps a localized physical space and enables tracking of an AR device with respect to the mapped physical space. The AR device may then be physically positioned at the desired location in the physical space and a pinning action may be initiated to generate a pinned virtual object associated with the selected position.