Interacting augmented reality and virtual reality
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A visual information display apparatus for displaying virtual reality and augmented reality scenes, the 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 actual 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 virtual viewpoint and the observed scene viewpoint, and to issue a switch signal when said observed scene viewpoint coincide within predetermined proximity with said user selectable virtual viewpoint; and
, an image integrator adapted to selectively merge at least a portion of said environment model with the observed scene image;
wherein said computer is adapted to switch between displaying a virtual reality scene and an augmented reality scene, in response 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.
104 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A visual information display apparatus for displaying virtual reality and augmented reality scenes, the 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 actual 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 virtual viewpoint and the observed scene viewpoint, and to issue a switch signal when said observed scene viewpoint coincide within predetermined proximity with said user selectable virtual viewpoint; and
,an image integrator adapted to selectively merge at least a portion of said environment model with the observed scene image;
wherein said computer is adapted to switch between displaying a virtual reality scene and an augmented reality scene, in response 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 for displaying virtual reality scenes and augmented reality scenes, 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 virtual 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 actual observed scene input viewed from an observed scene viewpoint, when the user selected virtual viewpoint is within a predetermined proximity to the actual 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 scenes and augmented reality scenes, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying a virtual image representing a computerized environment model or a portion thereof on a display device;
selecting a virtual viewpoint, and modifying said virtual image in accordance with the selected virtual viewpoint;
sensing an actual observed scene from an actual observed viewpoint;
comparing said selected virtual viewpoint and actual observed viewpoint;
merging at least a portion of said environment model virtual image with the actual observed scene, if the user selectable virtual viewpoint and the actual observed 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 for displaying virtual reality scenes and augmented reality scenes, 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 virtual viewpoint;
image generator means for generating a computerized image from said environment model responsive to said selected virtual viewpoint;
visual input means for receiving an actual observed image, said visual input means having an actual 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 virtual viewpoint with said actual observed viewpoint, and controlling said merging means to switch between augmented reality and virtual reality responsive to the relationship between said viewpoints.
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Specification