System and method for acquiring virtual and augmented reality scenes by a user
View Patent ↗A preferred method of acquiring virtual or augmented reality (VAR) scenes can include at a plurality of locations of interest, providing one or more users with a predetermined pattern for image acquisition with an image capture device and for each of the one or more users, in response to a user input, acquiring at least one image at the location of interest. The method of the preferred embodiment can also include for each of the one or more users, in response to the acquisition of at least one image, providing the user with feedback to ensure a complete acquisition of the virtual or augmented reality scene; and receiving at a remote database, from each of the one or more users, one or more VAR scenes. One variation of the method of the preferred embodiment can include providing game mechanics to promote proper image acquisition and promote competition between users.
1. A method of acquiring an augmented reality scene comprising:
at a location of interest, presenting a predetermined pattern through a display device associated with an electronic image capture device, wherein the predetermined pattern guides positioning of image acquisition with the electronic image capture device, and wherein the pattern guides full traversal of a surface of the augmented reality scene;
detecting that the orientation of the electronic image capture device is in a guided position of the predetermined pattern;
in response to detecting that the electronic image capture device orientation is in a guided position of the predetermined pattern, acquiring with the electronic image capture device a first image at the location of interest;
processing image data of the first image into the augmented reality scene; and
in response to the acquisition of the first image, presenting feedback through the display device associated with the electronic image capture device and guiding acquisition of a subsequent image of the surface of the augmented reality scene to ensure a complete stored acquisition of the augmented reality scene.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern comprises one of a spatial pattern or a temporal pattern.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern comprises a spatial pattern corresponding to a spherical image about a nodal point.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern comprises a spatial pattern corresponding to a substantially planar image along a predetermined path.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern comprises a temporal pattern comprising discrete intervals at which images are acquired by the electronic image capture device.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting the predetermined pattern comprises selectively acquiring images from a video captured by the electronic image capture device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting the predetermined pattern comprises prompting the user to acquire discrete images in a sequential fashion.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting feedback comprises providing a map to guide the user along a predetermined route.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting feedback comprises providing a game to the user, and wherein the objective of the game is to acquire augmented reality scenes.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern comprises instructions for rotating the image capture device about one or more discrete axes.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern comprises instructions to sweep the image capture device through a sequence of a predetermined range of pitch values and a predetermined range of roll values.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein acquiring the first image comprises acquiring at least one image in a floating point format to ensure full dynamic spectrum of the augmented reality scene.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feedback comprises one of user-oriented feedback or device-oriented feedback.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the device-oriented feedback comprises controlling the acquisition of an image or the selection of a video frame.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern designates a position at which the first image must be acquired.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first image is an augmented reality image.
17. A method comprising:
at a plurality of locations of interest, displaying to a first user and a second user a predetermined pattern for image acquisition with an image capture device;
for each of the first and second users, in response to a user input, acquiring a first image at the location of interest;
for each of the first and second users, in response to the acquisition of the first image, displaying feedback on a display device associated with the image capture device to ensure a complete stored acquisition of an augmented reality scene, wherein the augmented reality scene is processed using image data of the first image; and
for each of the first and second users, outputting to a remote database the augmented reality scene.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising wherein the remote database aggregates the augmented reality scene of the first user and the augmented reality scene of the second user.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the remote database, provides the augmented reality scene of the first user and the augmented reality scene of the second user for viewing by one or more viewers.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein displaying each of the one or more users with feedback comprises providing a game to the one or more users, and wherein the objective of the game is to acquire virtual or augmented reality scenes.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the game comprises a competition between two or more users.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising, in response to a quality or quantity of acquired virtual or augmented reality scenes, maintaining a score for each of the two or more users.