XR Alignment Using Projected Surface Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aligning virtual content in physical environments, such as those used in VR, AR, and MR systems, face significant challenges due to user error, systematic uncertainties, and statistical errors, especially when dealing with large distances and multiple devices, leading to inaccurate and unreliable alignments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a minimal number of points in physical space to provide a unique position and orientation for aligning physical and virtual environments through closed-form analytical solutions, minimizing reliance on uncertain user input and statistical algorithms, and employing time-of-flight or depth sensing for precise point identification, with projected surfaces used to intersect and align virtual and physical surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods using fiducial markers and statistical algorithms are used for alignment, then the process is simpler to implement, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to user error, systematic errors, and statistical errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces statistical algorithms (Kalman filters, averaging) with closed-form analytical solutions using time-of-flight depth sensing. This substitution eliminates statistical uncertainty and user error by using direct geometric measurement through projected surfaces and intersection points, achieving higher alignment accuracy without relying on complex statistical processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces projected surfaces as intermediary elements that intersect at defined points to establish precise spatial relationships. These projected surfaces act as mathematical mediators between physical surfaces and virtual content, enabling accurate alignment through geometric intersection rather than error-prone user tagging or statistical estimation
2Measurement precision
If fiducial markers and visual odometry are used for alignment, then the system is easier to operate, but measurement precision deteriorates over large distances due to magnified errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual odometry and computer vision methods with time-of-flight depth sensing and closed-form analytical geometry. This substitution provides metric accuracy that does not degrade with distance, as the measurement is based on direct optical distance measurement rather than image processing that suffers from perspective distortion and focus errors at large distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves from 2D image-based alignment to 3D spatial alignment using projected surfaces that extend into the depth dimension. By creating virtual surfaces at specific depths that intersect with physical surfaces, the system establishes precise three-dimensional relationships that maintain accuracy over large distances through geometric intersection calculations
3Reliability
If multiple devices use independent coordinate systems for alignment, then device independence is maintained, but alignment reliability deteriorates due to compounded errors and coordinate system variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal alignment reference system based on physical surfaces and projected surfaces that can be consistently identified and measured by multiple devices. By establishing a common geometric framework using intersecting projected surfaces, different devices can align to the same physical space despite having different coordinate systems, enabling reliable multi-device coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shared reference frame based on physical surfaces and their corresponding projected surfaces as an intermediary between multiple devices. This reference frame acts as a common language that translates different device coordinate systems into a unified spatial understanding, enabling reliable alignment across devices without requiring each device to use the same coordinate system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces uncertainty and achieves accurate alignment of virtual content with physical environments, even across multiple devices and coordinate systems, ensuring consistent and reliable interactions and navigation.
Implementation Method 1
employing time-of-flight or depth sensing for precise point identification
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for aligning an extended reality (XR) environment with a physical environment such that a physical position and movement of a physical entity within the physical environment is identically aligned and identically mirrored by a corresponding XR position and corresponding movement of an XR entity within the XR environment. The alignment process assigns a position to the XR environment with respect to the physical environment such that certain elements of one environment are defined as being co-planar with certain surfaces of the other environment. Next, two planes or two lines in one environment intersect to define a first intersection. A second intersection in the other environment is located at the intersection of the first environment to align the two environments.