3-dimensional augmented reality markers - Using 3D markers for locating and tracking objects for AR applications
- Submitting institution
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University of Northumbria at Newcastle
- Unit of assessment
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output identifier
- 29741067
- Type
- F - Patent/ published patent application
- Patent registration number
- US 9 721 389 B2
- Month
- August
- Year
- 2017
- URL
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- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
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- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
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- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- Yes
- Number of additional authors
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0
- Research group(s)
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- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- This research builds on earlier tracking systems for augmented reality (AR), in particular so-called augmented reality markers. Tracking in AR means locating a particular object in a real-world scene, as registered by a camera, in order to overlay it with computer graphics. Visual AR markers, such as the popular ArUco markers, are distinct visual patterns optimized to be detected and processed efficiently. Such markers have a much lower computational cost for the computer to detect and track than markerless AR, and can therefore potentially present a smoother and more responsive user experience.
This invention, instead of using a visual 2-dimensional pattern, uses a bespoke 3-dimensional object as marker. The object marker is produced from a 3D model using a rapid manufacturing technique such as 3D printing. The marker will be defined in such a way that it has a unique visual profile from any angle. After being captured by a live video feed, computer software isolates the object from the background and identifies the profile. It then determines the objects exact position and orientation in the real-world scene, and overlays or augments it with computer graphics. This method affords the system to track not just the position of the object, but also the orientation, from any angle. Like 2D markers, the 3D marker detection can be done with a much lower computational cost than markerless methods.
Augmented reality is a major tech market, with many applications being developed in industry and entertainment. This invention is particularly suited for settings where the user is directly manipulating objects that are replaced with graphics, so-called tangible augmented reality. Application domains currently being explored using 3D markers include archaeology and product design. The author has also invented a new and more efficient technique for 3D AR markers which has been submitted for UK patenting.
- Author contribution statement
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- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
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