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:
 generate augmented reality media for display overlaid on image data of a physical space captured by a camera on the movable augmented reality platform moving through the physical space; 
 perform image processing on the image data to identify visual landmarks as the 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 
 
 a display for displaying the augmented reality media overlaid on the image data 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  wherein augmented reality media includes at least a selected one of: an image of a computer-generated virtual vehicle moving within the physical space, an image of a computer-generated virtual character moving within the physical space, an image of a portion of a computer-generated virtual vehicle moving within the physical space, an image of a virtual game taking place within the physical space, and an image of a virtual competition taking place within the physical space. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the augmented reality media is a view of the physical space including a full view of an object within the augmented reality media as it moves through the physical space while being followed by the moveable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the augmented reality media is a view of the physical space including a partial view of an object within the augmented reality media as it moves through the physical space while being followed by the moveable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the movable augmented reality platform including:
 the 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. 
   
     
     
         6 . 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. 
     
     
         7 . 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. 
     
     
         8 . 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. 
     
     
         9 . A method of remote camera tracking comprising:
 generating augmented reality media for display overlaid on image data of a physical space captured by a camera on a movable augmented reality platform moving through the physical space;   performing image processing on the image data to identify visual landmarks as 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   displaying the image data with augmented reality media overlaid on a display while the movable augmented reality platform moves along the course while controlled by instructions from the remote computing device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein augmented reality media includes at least a selected one of: an image of a computer-generated virtual vehicle moving within the physical space, an image of a computer-generated virtual character moving within the physical space, an image of a portion of a computer-generated virtual vehicle moving within the physical space, an image of a virtual game taking place within the physical space, and an image of a virtual competition taking place within the physical space. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the augmented reality media is a view of the physical space including a full view of an object within the augmented reality media as it moves through the physical space while being followed by the moveable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the augmented reality media is a view of the physical space including a partial view of an object within the augmented reality media as it moves through the physical space while being followed by the moveable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         13 . 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. 
 
     
     
         14 . 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. 
     
     
         15 . 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. 
     
     
         16 . 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. 
     
     
         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:
 generate augmented reality media for display overlaid on image data of a physical space captured by a camera on the movable augmented reality platform moving through the physical space; 
 
   a display for displaying the augmented reality media overlaid on the image data while the movable augmented reality platform moves along the course as controlled by instructions from the remote computing device;   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 augmented reality media includes at least a selected one of: an image of a computer-generated virtual vehicle moving within the physical space, an image of a computer-generated virtual character moving within the physical space, an image of a portion of a computer-generated virtual vehicle moving within the physical space, an image of a virtual game taking place within the physical space, and an image of a virtual competition taking place within the physical space. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the augmented reality media is a view of the physical space including a full view of an object within the augmented reality media as it moves through the physical space while being followed by the moveable augmented reality platform. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the augmented reality media is a view of the physical space including a partial view of an object within the augmented reality media as it moves through the physical space while being followed by the moveable augmented reality platform.