System and method for defining an augmented reality view in a specific location

摘要

This invention is a system and method for defining a location-specific augmented reality capability for use in portable devices having a camera. The system and method uses recent photographs or digital drawings of a particular location to help the user of the system or method position the portable device in a specific place. Once aligned, a digital scene is displayed to the user transposed over (and combined with) the camera view of the current, real-world environment at that location, creating an augmented reality experience for the user.

主权项

1. A system for defining an augmented reality capability for a portable computer, said system comprising:
a) a portable camera comprising a display and having the ability to show the current real-world environment via the display; b) a portable computer comprising a computer processor and having the ability to show images, drawings, and models via the display; c) a software program executed by said computer processor for managing the display of said images, drawings, and models via the display; d) a set of controls whereby the user can interact with the software program; e) a plurality of digital marker images that represent a specific preexisting, captured view of a particular location; and f) digital artifacts comprising a plurality of digital artifacts that are associated with a specific view of a particular location; wherein the computer processor, via execution of the software program: i) receives from a user of the system a request for a particular digital marker image from the plurality of digital marker images; ii) displays the requested digital marker image superimposed on at least a portion of a view of a current real-world environment displayed by the portable camera; iii) receives from the user of the system an indication that the requested digital marker image and the current real-world environment as displayed by the portable camera are aligned; iv) marks the location of the current real-world environment upon the user's indication that the requested digital marker image and the view of the current real-world environment are aligned; v) displays a digital artifact associated with the marked location simultaneously with a view of the current real-world environment; and vi) displays an adjusted digital artifact in response to an adjustment by the user of the view of the current real-world environment as displayed by the portable camera.