Remote Object Identification via Visual Codes and Interactive UI

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Solution Overview

Problem

In remote assistance scenarios, it is challenging for service providers to clearly direct users' attention to specific objects, leading to inefficiencies in interactive sessions due to the difficulty in describing objects vocally.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses visual codes, such as QR Codes, to generate user interfaces for remote locations, allowing users to select and activate indicators like lights or speakers near objects, facilitating easier object identification through a user interface and potentially using lasers for highlighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If service providers use verbal description to direct users to objects, then communication can be maintained, but the clarity and efficiency of object identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject identification clarityVSAvoidinteractive session efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy of the physical workspace environment through image capture and processing. This virtual representation is then overlaid with interactive elements that allow the service provider to point to and identify objects remotely, eliminating the need for verbal descriptions while maintaining clear object identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the service provider and the user's physical environment. This intermediary system captures images, processes them to identify objects, and presents them through a user interface with visual codes, serving as a mediator that translates physical space into an interactable digital interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If service providers attempt to describe objects vocally, then remote communication is possible, but the precision of object location and identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject location precisionVSAvoidobject identification ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from one-dimensional verbal description to a two-dimensional visual interface that maps the physical workspace. By overlaying user interface elements on captured images, the system adds a graphical dimension that enables precise object location through visual positioning rather than verbal coordinates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses visual codes with distinct colors and patterns to mark different objects and their locations. These visual identifiers make objects easily distinguishable and locatable in the image, replacing the need for precise verbal description of object positions and characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Device complexity

If no visual aids are used in remote assistance, then the system remains simple, but the time required for interactive sessions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidinteractive session duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and processing images of the workspace before the interactive session begins. Objects are pre-identified and tagged with visual codes in the background, so that during the actual session, the service provider can immediately reference pre-processed visual information rather than describing objects in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3621056B1Indicating an object at a remote location
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC
  • EP3621056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3621056B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3621056B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying an object. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image of a first location. The image depicts a layout of objects located at the first location and a visual code for each object. A user interface is generated for the first location using the image and the codes. The user interface depicts the objects and a user interface element for each visual code. Each user interface element is selectable to identify the object associated with the visual code. The user interface is provided for display at a second location. Selection data is received that specifies a selection of a particular user interface element. Command data is sent to a computer located at the first location, which causes the computer to highlight the object associated with the visual code of the selected user interface element.