Augmented reality system and method with mobile and interactive function for multiple users

• US 20060284791A1
• Filed: 06/21/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories National Center For High-Performance Computing
• Original Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories National Center For High-Performance Computing
• Inventors: Tsai, Whey-Fone, Wang, Ming-Jen, Chen, Kuen-Meau, Chen, Lin-Lin, Shi, Wen-Li, Yang, Ching-Yu
• Application Number:
  US11/156,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20060284791A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00

Abstract

An augmented reality system with mobile and interactive functions for multiple users includes two major portions: a computer system for handling augmented reality functions, and a user system for each user. The computer system for handling augmented reality functions has very powerful functionality for processing digital image data and transforming the digital image data into a three-dimensional virtual image for each user system. The user system mainly includes a Head-Mounted Display (HMD), a microphone and a PDA. A user can see the virtual image from the HMD and use the microphone or the PDA for communication with other users.

Claims

1. An augmented reality system with mobile and interactive functions for multiple users comprising:

an augmented reality computer system for processing the following means;

a storage means for storing three-dimensional computer drawing data;

computer image generation means for transforming the three-dimensional computer drawing data into a three-dimensional virtual image;

data transmission means for receiving and outputting data;

a first user system and a second user system, wherein the first user system and the second user system are individually provided for a first user and a second user, and each user system includes a head-mounted display electrically connected to the augmented reality computer system; and

a user head position detection device for obtaining a position of each head-mounted display;

by using the above-mentioned means to cause;

the augmented reality computer system utilizing the computer image computing means to calculate a first three-dimensional virtual image according to the position of the head-mounted display of the first user system and utilizing the data transmission means to output the first three-dimensional virtual image to the head-mounted display of the first user system;

utilizing the computer image computing means to calculate a second three-dimensional virtual image according to the head-mounted display of the second user system and the data transmission means to output the second three-dimensional virtual image to the head-mounted display of the second user system; and

the head-mounted display of the first user system also being able to display the second three-dimensional virtual image and the head-mounted display of the second user system also being able to display the first three-dimensional virtual image.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user head position detection device comprises:

a position reference object; and

two cameras, each camera separately mounted on each head-mounted display and electrically connected to the augmented reality computer system;

each camera capable of obtaining an image of the position reference object;

wherein the augmented reality computer system further comprises a viewing point position analysis means for analyzing a position of each head-mounted display based upon a position reference object image to obtain a first viewing point position parameter and a second viewing point position parameter.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the augmented reality computer system comprises a first augmented reality computer subsystem and a second augmented reality computer subsystem, wherein each augmented reality computer subsystem is electrically connected to a related user system, and each augmented reality computer subsystem comprises all means in the augmented reality computer system.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the augmented reality computer system comprises a first augmented reality computer subsystem and a second augmented reality computer subsystem, wherein each augmented reality computer subsystem is electrically connected to a related user system, and each augmented reality computer subsystem comprises all means in the augmented reality computer system.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein before the head-mounted display of the first user system displays the second three-dimensional virtual image, the second augmented reality computer subsystem sends the second viewing point position parameter to the first augmented reality computer subsystem, and the first augmented reality computer subsystem utilizes the second viewing point position parameter to calculate the second three-dimensional virtual image by the computer image generation means.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each user system further comprises a portable computer electrically connected to the augmented reality computer system, wherein the portable computer comprises a screen, and each user can be registered on the portable computer and sends the registration to another portable computer via the augmented reality computer system.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein each portable computer is capable of displaying the first three-dimensional virtual image and the second three-dimensional virtual image.

8. A method to provide multiple users with mobile and interactive functions on an augmented reality system, enabling a user to see a virtual image seen by another user, the method comprising:

in a first computer at a first user end;

step A1;

calculating a first viewing point position parameter;

step B1;

calculating a first three-dimensional virtual image according to the first viewing point position parameter;

step C1;

sending the first three-dimensional virtual image to a first head-mounted display so a first user can see the first three-dimensional virtual image;

in a second computer at a second user end;

step A2;

calculating a second viewing point position parameter;

step B2;

calculating a second three-dimensional virtual image according to the second viewing point position parameter;

step C2;

sending the second three-dimensional virtual image to a second head-mounted display so a second user can see the second three-dimensional virtual image;

step D2;

receiving the first viewing point position parameter sent from the first computer;

step E2;

calculating a first three-dimensional virtual image according to the first viewing point position parameter; and

step F2;

sending the first three-dimensional virtual image to the second head-mounted display so the second user can see the first three-dimensional virtual image.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second computer performs step D2 after receiving a switch image command.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the first user comprises a first portable computer electrically connected to the first computer subsystem so the first portable computer can display the first three-dimensional virtual image, the first user capable of registering with the first portable computer;

the second user comprises a second portable computer electrically connected to the second computer subsystem so the second portable computer can display the second three-dimensional virtual image, the second user capable of registering with the second portable computer; and

in the second computer at the second user end, the method further comprises;

step G2;

receiving the registration of the first portable computer and sending the registration to the second portable computer.