Interacting augmented reality and virtual reality
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A visual information display apparatus comprising:
- a display;
a computer coupled to said display, and operable to generate thereupon a representation of a computerized environment model or a portion thereof responsive to user selected viewpoint;
an image sensor adapted to generate an observed scene image from a scene viewpoint determined by the location and orientation of said image sensor;
a viewpoint comparator adapted to compare the user selected viewpoint and the scene viewpoint, and to issue a switch signal when said scene viewpoint coincide within predetermined proximity with said user selectable viewpoint; and
, an image integrator adapted to selectively merge at least a portion of said environment model with the observed scene image responsive to said switch signal.
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Abstract
A combination of interacting virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) system is provided where the system automatically switches from VR to AR when the user selected viewpoint coincides, within tolerance, with the observable AR viewpoint. The invention discloses an apparatus adapted to provide easy access and automatic switching between AR and VR, and method thehrefor.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A visual information display apparatus comprising:
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a display;
a computer coupled to said display, and operable to generate thereupon a representation of a computerized environment model or a portion thereof responsive to user selected viewpoint;
an image sensor adapted to generate an observed scene image from a scene viewpoint determined by the location and orientation of said image sensor;
a viewpoint comparator adapted to compare the user selected viewpoint and the scene viewpoint, and to issue a switch signal when said scene viewpoint coincide within predetermined proximity with said user selectable viewpoint; and
,an image integrator adapted to selectively merge at least a portion of said environment model with the observed scene image responsive to said switch signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A visual information display apparatus adapted to operate in conjunction with a computer and a display device, said apparatus comprising:
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a computerized image generator adapted to display a representation of a computerized environment model or a portion thereof from a plurality of user selected viewpoints;
an image integrator adapted to automatically merge a representation of at least a portion of said environment model with an observed scene input viewed from an observed scene viewpoint, when the user selected viewpoint is within a predetermined proximity to the observed scene viewpoint. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for automatic switching between virtual reality and augmented reality, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying an image representing a computerized environment model or a portion thereof on a display device;
selecting a viewpoint, and modifying said representation in accordance with the user selectable viewpoint;
sensing observable scene viewpoint;
comparing said user selectable viewpoint and observable viewpoint;
merging at least a portion of said environment model image with the observable scene if the user selectable viewpoint and the observable scene viewpoint are within a predetermined proximity to each other. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A visual information display apparatus adapted to operate in conjunction with a computer and a display device, said apparatus having:
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an environment model for providing information about an environment;
selector means for selecting a selected viewpoint;
image generator means for generating a computerized image from said environment model responsive to said selected viewpoint;
visual input means for receiving an observed image, said visual input means having a viewpoint;
said apparatus characterized by;
controllable merging means, for selectively merging said observed image with said computerized image, for display on said display device;
a viewpoint comparator means for comparing said selected viewpoint with said observed viewpoint, and controlling said merging means responsive to the relationship between said viewpoints.
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Specification