Shared AR Anchoring for Offline Multi-Headset Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality (AR) systems for sharing experiences between multiple headsets face challenges such as reliance on internet connectivity and lighting conditions, and methods like image tracking suffer from inaccuracies due to drifting.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for creating a shared AR experience by defining a shared anchor point using controllers associated with AR headsets, either through physical positioning, hand gestures, or mechanical guides, and calculating a shared anchor point using mathematical formulas or peer-to-peer communication, ensuring accurate alignment without internet dependency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Spatial Alignment technology is used to create shared AR experience, then internet connectivity is required for cloud-based anchor point synchronization, but this reduces reliability in offline environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the anchor point synchronization process into local peer-to-peer communication between headsets rather than centralized cloud processing. Each headset independently exchanges anchor point data with other headsets in the group, enabling offline operation while maintaining shared AR experience reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication protocol that enables direct peer-to-peer data exchange between AR headsets. This intermediary layer allows anchor point information to be transmitted locally without requiring internet connectivity to external servers, resolving the contradiction between reliability and connectivity requirements.
2Measurement precision
If image tracking or QR tracking is used to determine common anchor point, then setup is simplified, but drifting results in alignment inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary anchor point establishment using simple marker detection or manual positioning before the main AR experience begins. Once the initial anchor point is set, the system maintains alignment through continuous relative position tracking between headsets, avoiding the drifting issue while keeping the initial setup simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each headset continuously monitors its position relative to the shared anchor point and adjusts its virtual object placement accordingly. This real-time feedback loop prevents drift accumulation and maintains alignment accuracy without requiring complex tracking systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Magic Leap's Spatial Alignment is used, then shared AR experience is enabled, but quality and success rate are reduced without proper lighting
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on complex environmental scanning and spatial mapping that require proper lighting, the system uses simplified visual markers or predefined anchor points that can be detected under various lighting conditions. These markers serve as copies or representations of the anchor location that are more robust to lighting variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs marker designs with specific visual parameters (high contrast, distinct patterns, multiple color channels) that maintain detectability across different lighting conditions. By changing the parameters of the marker appearance rather than relying on environmental features, the system achieves both lighting adaptability and detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for setting a shared anchor point for a plurality of AR headsets for displaying an augmented reality presentation that may include live and simulated images to all of the AR headsets based on the perspective of the shared anchor point. The system and method can be used to support a plurality of users for simulating or performing a medical procedure on a particular patient.