Remote camera augmented reality system

Abstract

There is disclosed a system for remote tracking of augmented reality media through a real-world environment. The system may use an augmented reality platform incorporating a camera and motion sensors to move about a physical space while an augmented reality object or characters are superimposed within that physical space. The augmented reality platform may move intelligently to keep the augmented reality media within frame as it moves or is adjusted. The augmented reality platform may present a basis upon which to build upon for superimposing augmented reality elements onto augmented reality media and the augmented reality platform as they move about within a space together. The platform may be used, for example, in a racing or platforming style game or experience.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for remote camera augmented reality comprising:
 a remote computing device, including a processor and non-volatile memory, separate from a movable augmented reality platform, comprising:
 the processor which is programmed to:
 perform image processing on image data to identify visual landmarks within a physical space, the image data captured while a movable augmented reality platform moves through the physical space; 
 define a course through the physical space, the course defined by a path within the physical space in relation to the visual landmarks and generated by movement of the movable augmented reality platform within the physical space; and 
 
 a display for displaying the image data with augmented reality media overlaid while the movable augmented reality platform moves along the course as controlled by instructions from the remote computing device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the movable augmented reality platform including:
 a camera for capturing the image data of an area in front of the camera on the movable augmented reality platform; and 
 a locomotive system for moving the movable augmented reality platform within the physical space in response to instructions received from the remote computing device. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the visual landmarks comprise high-contrast machine-readable images, visible within the image data as the movable augmented reality platform moves within the physical space. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the visual landmarks comprise a three-dimensional model of the area surrounding the physical space generated by the remote computing device as a result of the image processing. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the image processing is reliant upon the image data from the movable augmented reality platform and from at least one other movable augmented reality platform operating within the physical space. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the movable augmented reality platform communicates with at least one other movable augmented reality platform operating within the physical space to transmit the image data and to receive image data from the other movable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the movable augmented reality platform communicates with at least one other movable augmented reality platform to provide motion data captured by the moveable augmented reality platform that is used in conjunction with the image data to define the course. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the movable augmented reality platform performs image processing of the image data to generate preprocessed spatial data and provides the preprocessed spatial data to at least one other augmented reality platform operating within the physical space. 
     
     
         9 . A method of remote camera tracking comprising:
 performing image processing on image data to identify visual landmarks within a physical space, the image data captured while a movable augmented reality platform moves through the physical space;   defining a course through the physical space, the course defined by a path within the physical space in relation to the visual landmarks and generated by movement of the movable augmented reality platform within the physical space; and   displaying the image data with augmented reality media overlaid as the movable augmented reality platform moves along the course while controlled by instructions from the remote computing device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 capturing the image data of an area in front of a camera on the movable augmented reality platform; and 
 moving the movable augmented reality platform within the physical space using a locomotive system in response to instructions received from the remote computing device. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the visual landmarks comprise high-contrast machine-readable images, visible within the image data as the movable augmented reality platform moves within the physical space. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the visual landmarks comprise a three-dimensional model of the area surrounding the physical space generated by the remote computing device as a result of the image processing. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the image processing is reliant upon the image data from the movable augmented reality platform and from at least one other movable augmented reality platform operating within the physical space. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the movable augmented reality platform communicates with at least one other movable augmented reality platform operating within the physical space to transmit the image data and to receive image data from the other movable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the movable augmented reality platform communicates with at least one other movable augmented reality platform to provide motion data captured by the moveable augmented reality platform that is used in conjunction with the image data to define the course. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the movable augmented reality platform performs image processing of the image data to generate preprocessed spatial data and provides the preprocessed spatial data to at least one other augmented reality platform operating within the physical space. 
     
     
         17 . A system for remote camera augmented reality comprising:
 a remote computing device, including a processor and non-volatile memory, separate from a movable augmented reality platform, comprising:
 the processor which is programmed to:
 perform image processing on image data to identify visual landmarks within a physical space, the image data captured while a movable augmented reality platform moves through the physical space; 
 define a course through the physical space, the course defined by a path within the physical space in relation to the visual landmarks and generated by movement of the movable augmented reality platform within the physical space; and 
 a display for displaying the image data with augmented reality media overlaid while the movable augmented reality platform moves along the course as controlled by instructions from the remote computing device; and 
 
   the movable augmented reality platform comprising:
 a camera for capturing the image data of an area in front of the camera on the movable augmented reality platform; and 
 a locomotive system for moving the movable augmented reality platform within the physical space in response to instructions received from the remote computing device. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the remote computing device further comprises a user interface for generating the instructions for control of movement of the movable augmented reality platform through the physical space. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the movable augmented reality platform communicates with at least one other movable augmented reality platform operating within the physical space to transmit the image data and to receive image data from the other movable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the movable augmented reality platform performs image processing of the image data to generate preprocessed spatial data and provides the preprocessed spatial data to at least one other augmented reality platform operating within the physical space.