Social applications for augmented reality technologies

Abstract

Augmented and virtual reality systems are becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, their potential for social interaction is difficult to realize with existing techniques. Various of the disclosed embodiments facilitate social augmented and virtual reality experiences using, e.g., topologies connecting disparate device types, shared-environments, messaging systems, virtual object placements, etc. Some embodiments employ pose-search systems and methods that provide more granular pose determinations than were previously possible. Such granularity may facilitate functionality that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A server comprising:
 at least one processor:   an interface configured to communicate with an Augmented Reality (AR) device associated with a first user;   a network interface;   at least one memory comprising instructions configured to cause the at least one processor to cause a method to be performed, the method comprising;
 receiving, via the network interface, an event trigger condition from a second user; 
 receiving, via the network interface, an indication, from the second user, of a virtual object associated with the event trigger; 
 ensuring that a copy of the virtual object is available at the server; 
 determining that the event trigger condition has been met; and 
 causing the virtual object to appear at the AR device of the first user based upon the event trigger condition. 
   
     
     
         2 . The server of  claim 1 , wherein the event trigger condition comprises:
 a temporal condition.   
     
     
         3 . The server of  claim 1 , wherein the event trigger condition comprises:
 a spatial condition.   
     
     
         4 . The server of  claim 1 , the method further comprising.
 determining an end condition associated with the event trigger condition;   determining that the end condition has been met; and   causing the virtual object to disappear at the AR device of the first user based upon the end condition.   
     
     
         5 . The server of  claim 1 , wherein the server is a hub. 
     
     
         6 . The server of  claim 1 , wherein the server is the AR device associated with a first user. 
     
     
         7 . The server of  claim 1 , wherein receiving, via the network interface, the event trigger condition from the second user comprises receiving the event trigger condition from a social networking website. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions configured to cause a computer system to perform a method comprising:
 receiving, via a network interface, an event trigger condition from a first user;   receiving, via the network interface, an indication, from the first user, of a virtual object associated with the event trigger;   ensuring that a copy of the virtual object is available at a server;   determining that the event trigger condition has been met; and   causing the virtual object to appear at an Augmented Reality (AR) device associated with a second user.   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the event trigger condition comprises:
 a temporal condition.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the event trigger condition comprises:
 a spatial condition.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , the method further comprising.
 determining an end condition associated with the event trigger condition;   determining that the end condition has been met; and   causing the virtual object to disappear at the AR device of the second user based upon the end condition.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the server is a hub. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the server is the AR device associated with a second user. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein receiving, via the network interface, the event trigger condition from the first user comprises receiving the event trigger condition from a social networking website. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving, via a network interface, an event trigger condition from a first user;   receiving, via the network interface, an indication, from the first user, of a virtual object associated with the event trigger;   ensuring that a copy of the virtual object is available at a server;   determining that the event trigger condition has been met; and   causing the virtual object to appear at an Augmented Reality (AR) device associated with a second user.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the event trigger condition comprises:
 a temporal condition.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the event trigger condition comprises:
 a spatial condition.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , the method further comprising.
 determining an end condition associated with the event trigger condition;   determining that the end condition has been met; and   causing the virtual object to disappear at the AR device of the second user based upon the end condition.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the server is a hub. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the server is the AR device associated with a second user.