Virtual Webcam Streaming for Remote AR Headset Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no convenient method for sharing artificial reality (AR) content from a headset with users in remote locations, limiting the ability to share AR experiences with friends, family, or coworkers around the world.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods that represent AR data as a virtual webcam, enabling any software that takes webcam input to select the AR stream, allowing users to share their headset view via videoconferencing software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AR data is streamed using custom applications, then AR content can be shared with remote users, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring bespoke applications or cumbersome workarounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual webcam that copies the AR headset's video output and presents it as a standard webcam stream. This allows existing videoconferencing applications to work with AR content without requiring custom AR-specific applications, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining AR sharing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual webcam driver enables the AR headset to function as both an AR display device and a standard webcam simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to work with both AR applications and standard videoconferencing software, eliminating the need for separate bespoke applications
2Adaptability or versatility
If AR data is streamed using custom applications, then AR content can be shared with remote users, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring bespoke applications or cumbersome workarounds
Solution Approach 1:
By copying the AR video stream through a virtual webcam driver, the system allows users to share AR content using standard videoconferencing applications they already know how to use, rather than requiring them to learn new bespoke AR sharing applications, thereby improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual webcam acts as an intermediary layer between the AR headset and standard videoconferencing applications. This mediator translates AR video output into a format that existing applications can consume, allowing users to operate familiar applications while sharing AR content, thus improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for streaming artificial reality data may include (i) identifying an artificial reality device that includes a physical display that displays a stream of artificial reality data to the user of the artificial reality device, (ii) receiving, by a computing device that is configured to receive video input from a webcam, the stream of artificial reality data from the artificial reality device, (iii) representing the stream of artificial reality data from the artificial reality device as the video input from the webcam of the computing device, and (iv) providing, to an application on the computing device that is configured to receive webcam data as input, the stream of artificial reality data from the artificial reality device represented as the video input from the webcam of the computing device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.