Methods for augmented reality applications

1. A method of interaction using augmented reality, the method comprising:

capturing, by a local user, a live video image using an imaging device;

generating first augmented reality (AR) coordinates corresponding to the live video image;

generating, by the local user, first user-generated annotations;

registering the first user-generated annotations to the live video image;

transmitting, by the local user, the first AR coordinates, first user-generated annotations, and live video image to a remote user;

receiving, by the local user, second user-generated annotations and second AR coordinates from the remote user,

viewing, by the local user, the generated first user-generated annotations, the identification of the identified object depicted in the live video image, and the received second user-generated annotations registered to the live video image according to the second AR coordinates;

automatically analyzing, by a computer algorithm, the live video image to detect completion of a task in a predefined workflow; and

automatically analyzing, by the computer algorithm, the live video image to detect a deviation from an expected state in the predefined workflow,

wherein the viewing is performed on a device chosen from a group including a tablet, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a head-mounted display, and a virtual-reality display.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each step of the method is repeated for each task in the predefined workflow.

3. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the second user-generated annotations comprise an identification of an object depicted in the live video image and information about the identified object.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising recording metadata of the interaction.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the recorded metadata includes one or more of identities of the remote user and the local user, an elapsed time for completion of a task in an AR interaction, measurements of values related to the task in the AR interaction, check list items associated with the task in the AR interaction, and screenshots of the AR interaction.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving and viewing operations are performed in real time or in near-real time.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting between the local user and the remote user audio, video, or other data.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the received second user-generated annotations are registered to a position in the live video image.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote user controls the imaging device to determine a level of detail captured by the imaging device.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting, by the local user, the first AR coordinates, first user-generated annotations, and the live video image to a second remote user; and

receiving, by the local user, third user-generated annotations and third AR coordinates from the second remote user.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting, by the local user, an expert among a plurality of experts as a remote user, each expert among the plurality of experts being associated with metadata describing one or more attributes of the respective expert.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, from the remote user, an indication of automatically detected changes in the scene depicted in the live video image, the automatically detected changes in the scene corresponding to predetermined conditions, wherein the automatically detected changes in the scene include one or more of: addition or removal of a portion of an assembly depicted in the live video image, damage to an object depicted in the live video image, one or more sensor values matching or deviating from predetermined expected values, or a completed assembly matching a predetermined configuration.

13. A method of interaction using augmented reality, the method comprising:

capturing, by a local user, a live video image using an imaging device;

generating augmented reality (AR) coordinates corresponding to the live video image;

updating a scene view according to the generated AR coordinates;

encoding the live video image;

loading first 3D object information from external storage; combining the AR coordinates, first 3D object information, and encoded live video image, to generate combined data;

transmitting, by the local user, the combined data to a remote user;

receiving, from the remote user, updated combined data including second 3D object information,

viewing, by the local user, the updated combined data and the identification of an object depicted in the live video image on a device chosen from a group including a tablet, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a head-mounted display, and a virtual-reality display;

automatically analyzing, by a computer algorithm, the live video image to detect completion of a task in a predefined workflow; and

automatically analyzing, by the computer algorithm, the live video image to detect a deviation from an expected state in the predefined workflow.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein each step of the method is repeated for each task in the predefined workflow.

15. The method of claim 13 ,

wherein the second 3D object information comprises an identification of an object depicted in the live video image and information about the identified object.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising recording metadata of the interaction.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the recorded metadata includes one or more of identities of the remote user and the local user, an elapsed time for completion of a task in an AR interaction, measurements of values related to the task in the AR interaction, check list items associated with the task in the AR interaction, and screenshots of the AR interaction.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising transmitting between the local user and the remote user audio, video, or other data.

19. A method of interaction using augmented reality, the method comprising:

receiving, from a remote user, combined data comprising augmented reality (AR) coordinates, information of first 3D objects, and an encoded live video frame;

updating a background image based on the encoded live video frame;

updating a scene view according to the AR coordinates;

updating positions and existence of the first 3D objects;

loading 3D content from external storage;

creating a first updated rendered view by combining the loaded 3D content and the background image;

viewing the first updated rendered view on a device chosen from a group including a tablet, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a head-mounted display, and a virtual-reality display;

generating second 3D object information;

creating a second updated rendered view by combining the second 3D object information and the background image;

returning, to the remote user, the second updated rendered view to the remote user;

automatically analyzing, by a computer algorithm, the encoded live video frame to detect completion of a task in a predefined workflow; and

automatically analyzing, by the computer algorithm, the encoded live video frame to detect a deviation from an expected state in the predefined workflow.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein each step of the method is repeated for each task in the predefined workflow.

21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising recording metadata of the interaction.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the recorded metadata includes one or more of identities of the remote user and the local user, an elapsed time for completion of a task in an AR interaction, measurements of values related to the task in the AR interaction, check list items associated with the task in the AR interaction, and screenshots of the AR interaction.

23. The method of claim 19 , wherein operations of the method are performed in real time or in near-real time.

24. The method of claim 19 , further comprising transmitting between the local user and the remote user audio, video, or other data.

25. The method of claim 19 ,

wherein the second updated rendered view comprises an identification of an object depicted in the live video image and information about the identified object.