Shared Virtual Space Positioning Using Camera-Imaged Reference Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face limitations in sharing and aligning the virtual or partly virtual worlds between users, particularly in positioning and orienting devices within a pre-existing virtual space.
Innovation Solution
A method involving imaging a reference object displayed on a first electronic device using a camera of a second electronic device, obtaining known physical dimensions and appearance of the reference object, determining relative distance and orientation, and using this information to position and orient the second device in the same virtual space as the first device, with the aid of a virtual space layer storing position and orientation data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reference object is displayed on the first electronic device and imaged by the second device's camera, then the relative position and orientation can be determined with high precision, but the device complexity increases due to the need for reference objects, camera systems, and coordinate transformation processing
Solution Approach 1:
A reference object serves as an intermediary element between the first and second electronic devices. This reference object contains identifiable features that enable the second device to determine its relative position and orientation to the first device through camera imaging, thereby achieving precise positioning without requiring direct communication or complex coordination between devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning and alignment systems with an optical-based solution. Instead of using mechanical linkages, physical alignment marks, or direct sensor arrays, the system uses camera imaging of a reference object with known geometric features to compute position and orientation through coordinate transformation, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Reliability
If coordinate transformation data is obtained and processed to synchronize augmented reality coordinate systems, then the virtual space alignment improves, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reference object is pre-configured with known geometric features and spatial coordinates before the positioning operation. This preliminary preparation of the reference object's characteristics eliminates the need for real-time measurement or complex calibration procedures, allowing the second device to directly compute its position and orientation through simple camera imaging and coordinate transformation
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the reference object's geometric features in the augmented reality environment. By replicating the known spatial relationships of the physical reference object within the virtual coordinate system, the system achieves reliable alignment between multiple devices without requiring continuous computational processing to maintain synchronization
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method for positioning and orienting a second electronic device in a virtual space to be shared with a first electronic device already positioned and oriented in the virtual space. The method comprising: imaging, by a camera of the second electronic device, a reference object displayed on a display of the first electronic device; obtaining, from the first electronic device, a pointer to where to access a virtual space layer being a place in the cloud where information pertaining to position and orientation of the first electronic device in the virtual space is stored; obtaining known physical dimensions and appearance of the reference object as displayed on the display of the first electronic device; obtaining (S104) current position and orientation of the first electronic device in the virtual space by accessing the virtual space layer comprising information pertaining to position and orientation of the first electronic device in the virtual space; determining a relative distance and orientation of the second electronic device to the first electronic device based on the known physical dimensions and appearance of the reference object as displayed on the display of the first electronic device and apparent dimensions and appearance of the reference object as imaged by the camera of the second electronic device; determining position and orientation of the second electronic device in the virtual space based on the current position and orientation of the first electronic device in the virtual space and the determined relative distance and orientation of the second electronic device to the first electronic device.