Augmented reality z-stack prioritization
A system, method and computer program products for prioritizing the stacking order of virtualized objects within a z-index of an augmented reality system by presenting the most valuable, relevant or important information more prominently. Prioritization of the virtualized object may occur dynamically, as a function of the user's primary focus. As the user's primary focus changes from one physical object to another, the stacking order may change in response to the shift in focus. Embodiments may use one or more techniques to identify the primary focus such as the direction of the user's gaze, the focal point of one or more visual recording systems (i.e. cameras) or the user may manually highlight one or more objects via the HUD or interface of the augmented display system. The disclosed embodiments allow for the more predominate or relevant virtualized objects within the augmented display to receive priority, unobscured viewing by the user.
1. A method for prioritizing a stacking order of a z-index of virtual overlays in an augmented display system comprising the steps of:
determining, by a processor, a primary focus of a user operating an augmented display system;
detecting, by the processor, one or more objects viewed through the augmented display system;
designating, by the processor, each of the one or more objects as a primary object or a secondary object as a function of the primary focus of the user;
retrieving, by the processor, the virtual overlays from one or more data sources corresponding to each primary object and secondary object;
assigning, by the processor, the stacking order for each of the virtual overlays in the z-index of a heads-up display (HUD) of the augmented display system generated by the processor, wherein a stacking order of the virtual overlays of the primary object is higher than a stacking order of the virtual overlays of each secondary object; and
displaying, by the processor, each of the virtual overlays in the z-index of the HUD in accordance with the stacking order assigned, and juxtaposing each of the virtual overlays near each corresponding primary object or secondary object.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays of secondary objects are further assigned as a function of secondary factors selected from the group consisting of relevance to the user, social relationship, purchase history, environment, cognitive state and value.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of a value of a promotion, wherein a promotion having a highest promotional value is stacked highest in the stacking order and the stacking order dynamically adjusts based on the value of the promotion as the value of the promotion changes in real time.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of brand preference to the user, wherein more preferable brands are stacked higher in the stacking order than less preferable brands.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of a surrounding environment, wherein a primary object or secondary object that is more relevant to the surrounding environment is stacked higher in the stacking order.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of a cognitive state of the user and virtual overlays corresponding to a primary object or secondary object more relevant to the user's cognitive state is stacked higher in the stacking order.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprises the steps of:
recording, by a camera of a visual recording system, video or images of the primary object or the secondary object to a display device; and
the step of displaying further comprises displaying the recorded video or images of the primary object or the secondary object as virtual representations on the display device as part of the HUD.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one support service for at least one of creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining, and deploying computer-readable program code in a computer system, where the computer-readable program code in combination with the computer system is configured to implement the steps of determining, detecting, designating, retrieving, assigning, and displaying.
9. A computer system, comprising:
a processor;
a memory device coupled to the processor;
a visual recording system comprising a camera, coupled to the processor;
a display device, coupled to the processor; and
a computer readable storage device coupled to the processor, wherein the storage device contains program code executable by the processor via the memory device to implement a method for prioritizing a stacking order of a z-index of virtual overlays comprising the steps of:
determining, by the processor, a primary focus of a user operating an augmented display system;
detecting, by the processor, one or more objects viewed through the augmented display system;
designating, by the processor, each of the one or more objects as a primary object or a secondary object as a function of the primary focus of the user;
retrieving, by the processor, the virtual overlays from one or more data sources corresponding to each primary object and secondary object;
assigning, by the processor, the stacking order for each of the virtual overlays in the z-index of a heads-up display (HUD) of the augmented display system generated by the processor, wherein a stacking order of the virtual overlays of the primary object is higher than a stacking order of the virtual overlays of each secondary object; and
displaying, by the processor, each of the virtual overlays in the z-index of the HUD in accordance with the stacking order assigned, and juxtaposing each of the virtual overlays near each corresponding primary object or secondary object.
10. The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays of secondary objects are further assigned as a function of secondary factors selected from the group consisting of relevance to the user, social relationship, purchase history, environment, cognitive state and value.
11. The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of a value of a promotion, wherein a promotion having a highest promotional value is stacked highest in the stacking order and the stacking order dynamically adjusts based on the value of the promotion as the value of the promotion changes in real time.
12. The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of brand preference to the user, wherein more preferable brands are stacked higher in the stacking order than less preferable brands.
13. The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of a surrounding environment, wherein a primary object or secondary object that is more relevant to the surrounding environment is stacked higher in the stacking order.
14. The computer system of claim 9 , further comprises:
recording, by the camera of the visual recording system, video or images of the primary object or the secondary object to the display device; and
displaying further comprises displaying the recorded video or images of the primary object or secondary object as virtual representations on the display device as part of the HUD.
15. The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the primary objects and secondary objects are re-designated and the stacking order of the virtual overlays are dynamically reassigned as a function of a change in the primary focus of a user.
16. A computer program product comprising:
one or more computer readable hardware storage devices having computer readable program code stored therein, said program code containing instructions executable by the one or more central processing units (CPU) of a computer system implementing a method for comparing products using augmented reality comprising the steps of:
determining, by the CPU, a primary focus of a user operating an augmented display system;
detecting, by the CPU, one or more objects viewed through the augmented display system;
designating, by the CPU, each of the one or more objects as a primary object or a secondary object as a function of the primary focus of the user;
retrieving, by the CPU, the virtual overlays from one or more data sources corresponding to each primary object and secondary object;
assigning, by the CPU, a stacking order for each of the virtual overlays in a z-index of a heads-up display (HUD) of the augmented display system generated by the CPU, wherein a stacking order of the virtual overlays of the primary object is higher than a stacking order of the virtual overlays of each secondary object; and
displaying, by the CPU, each of the virtual overlays in the z-index of the HUD in accordance with the stacking order assigned, and juxtaposing each of the virtual overlays near each corresponding primary object or secondary object.
17. The computer program product of claim 16 , further comprising:
recording by a camera of a visual recording system video or images of the primary object or the secondary object to a display device; and
the step of displaying further comprises displaying the recorded video or images of the primary object or secondary object as virtual representations on the display device as part of the HUD.
18. The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of a value of a promotion, wherein a promotion having a highest promotional value is stacked highest in the stacking order and the stacking order dynamically adjusts based on the value of the promotion as the value of the promotion changes in real time.
19. The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of brand preference to the user, wherein more preferable brands are stacked higher in the stacking order than less preferable brands.
20. The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the stacking order of two or more virtual overlays are assigned as a function of a surrounding environment, wherein a primary object or secondary object that is more relevant to the surrounding environment is stacked higher in the stacking order.