Shared Anchor Tag for Synchronized Hologram Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sharing virtual content among multiple users and devices in a common location is challenging due to difficulties in acquiring and synchronizing proper image data and location information for displaying virtual content, such as holograms, at the correct location.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a shared anchor tag to identify and transmit image data to a server computing device, which then sends a data packet containing a shared anchor to display devices, allowing them to display virtual content at a target location relative to the shared anchor, ensuring synchronized viewing across devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple display devices attempt to display virtual content independently without a shared reference system, then each device can display content at its own location, but the virtual content cannot be synchronized across devices to appear at the same physical location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization of virtual content locationVSAvoidsystem complexity for sharing virtual content
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shared anchor as an intermediary object that serves as a common reference point for multiple display devices. The anchor contains identification data that devices use to determine their relative positions and orientations, enabling synchronized display of virtual content at the same physical location without requiring complex direct device-to-device coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a shared representation of the physical environment by capturing image data and generating a model that includes anchor locations. Multiple devices copy this shared environmental model to establish a common understanding of spatial relationships, allowing them to independently calculate correct display locations while maintaining synchronization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If the system captures and processes image data from multiple devices to synchronize virtual content, then accurate location information can be obtained, but the time and computational resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of virtual content positioningVSAvoidtime for acquiring and synchronizing image data
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing image data and establishing anchor positions in advance, before virtual content needs to be displayed. The shared anchor information is prepared and stored with identification data that devices can quickly retrieve and use for immediate positioning, reducing real-time processing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for positioning by identifying specific anchors in image data rather than processing entire images. The system extracts anchor identification data and relative position information, discarding redundant visual details, which reduces data transmission and processing time while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3619599B1Virtual content displayed with shared anchor
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3619599B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3619599B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3619599B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, computing devices and display devices are disclosed for displaying virtual content at a target location that is determined relative to a shared anchor. Image data of a physical environment may be captured. A shared anchor tag may be identified in the image data. Based on identifying the shared anchor tag, shared anchor tag image data may be transmitted to a server. Based at least on data retrieved by the server, a data packet comprising a shared anchor associated with a second display device is received, wherein the shared anchor defines a three-dimensional location in the physical environment. A hologram is displayed at a target location determined relative to the location of the shared anchor.