Virtual Pit AR Overlay for Underground Asset Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented reality (AR) technologies struggle to accurately display underground assets, often causing them to appear as if they are floating above the ground surface due to a lack of depth reference, leading to user confusion and doubts about data reliability.
Innovation Solution
The method involves capturing a camera image of the ground surface, determining the placement of a virtual pit within the image, and generating a superimposed image that includes a virtual representation of underground assets inside the pit, providing a visual indication of their depth relative to the ground surface, using a combination of GNSS and EDM data for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If underground assets are displayed using conventional AR overlay methods, then the implementation is simple and quick, but the assets appear to float above the ground surface causing optical parallax illusion and user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual pit dimension that extends vertically into the ground, transforming the display from a simple 2D overlay to a 3D contextualized view. This dimensional change allows underground assets to be displayed within the pit structure, providing depth reference and eliminating the floating appearance that causes optical parallax illusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual pit acts as an intermediary structure between the camera view and the underground asset representations. By placing assets within this intermediate virtual construction, the system provides a visual reference frame that contextualizes asset depth and position, resolving the parallax confusion without requiring complex hardware modifications.
2Measurement precision
If a virtual pit structure is created to provide depth reference, then the depth indication becomes accurate and reliable, but the processing complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of a pit structure that mirrors the actual ground surface topology. This virtual replication provides accurate depth references by maintaining the same geometric relationships as the real world, allowing precise depth indication through computational rendering rather than physical measurement instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms depth information from abstract coordinate data into visual parameters by rendering assets at different vertical positions within the virtual pit. This parameter transformation converts numerical depth values into perceptual visual cues, enabling accurate depth indication through image processing rather than complex measurement systems.
3Productivity
If real-time image capture and display is implemented, then the system responsiveness improves, but the computational load and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rendering of the virtual pit structure and asset positions before actual display is needed. By pre-computing the virtual construction framework and asset placements, the system reduces real-time processing requirements, enabling responsive display with lower computational energy consumption during active use.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for displaying underground assets using a portable electronic device. A camera image of a ground having a ground surface may be captured. A placement of a virtual pit in the camera image may be determined. A pit view comprising the virtual pit and a virtual representation of an underground asset, and a superimposed image comprising the camera image and the pit view may be generated. A top opening of the virtual pit may align with the ground surface in the camera image. A portion of the virtual representation of the underground asset may be shown inside the virtual pit and below the top opening of the virtual pit such that a distance between the top opening and the portion of the virtual representation of the underground asset inside the virtual pit may provide a visual indication of a depth of the underground asset relative to the ground surface.