Augmented reality and messaging

Abstract

The various implementations described herein include methods, systems, and devices for Augmented Reality (AR) based messaging. In one aspect, a method includes processing a user request to create and place an avatar (e.g., a virtual representation of a user) at a user-specified location. In another aspect, a system manages placement of avatars at various geo locations, allows users to interact with avatars, and manages avatar-avatar interactions with or without user controls. In yet another aspect, a device is provided allowing a user to create, manage, and view avatar-based tags. Additionally, various user interfaces are provided to support the user to create, manage, and view avatars.

1 . A method of placing an avatar in a real world location, comprising:
 receiving a request from a first user to place an avatar of the first user in a first user-specified location in a physical environment;   in response to receiving the request from the first user:
 obtaining an avatar of the first user; and 
 associating the avatar with a first location in the physical environment; 
   receiving a request from a second user to view the avatar; and   in response to receiving the request from the second user:
 determining a second location of the second user in the physical environment; 
 determining if the second location is proximate to the first location; and 
 in accordance with a determination that the second location is proximate to the first location:
 obtaining a first image of the physical environment at the first location; 
 creating an overlay image by overlaying a second image of the avatar onto the first image; and 
 causing the overlay image to be displayed on an electronic device used by the second user. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining if a third user is in the vicinity of the first location; and   in accordance with a determination that the third user is in the vicinity of the first location, notifying the third user about the avatar at the first location.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the avatar of the first user comprises:
 capturing an image of the first user using a camera application executed on a first electronic device; and   generating an avatar of the first user based on the image of the first user.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising uploading the avatar to a computer distinct from the first electronic device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein generating the avatar of the first user includes applying an algorithm that minimizes perception of an uncanny valley in the avatar. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the avatar is one or more of an animated, emotional, and/or interactive 3D representation of the first user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 receiving a user input from the first user corresponding to one or more animated, emotional, and/or interactive 3D representation of the first user; and   generating the avatar of the first user based on the user input.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 associating an audio file with the first avatar; and   in response to receiving the request from the second user, and in accordance with the determination that the second location is proximate to the first location, causing the electronic device used by the second user to play the audio file in addition to displaying the overlay image.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving the audio file from the first user via a microphone on an electronic device used by the first user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location is a position on or around an object in the physical environment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the first image of the physical environment at the first location comprises retrieving an image from an image database, generating a generic image of the physical environment at the first location, receiving an image from the first user, and/or receiving an image from the second user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from the first user to place a custom image on a matrix barcode associated with an online resource;   in response to receiving the request from the first user:
 obtaining the custom image from the first user; 
 obtaining an image of the matrix barcode; 
 creating a tag by overlaying the custom image onto the image of the matrix barcode; 
 associating the tag with an avatar corresponding to the custom image; and 
 creating a digital downloadable format of the tag for the first user, wherein the digital downloadable format is associated with the online resource. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
 receiving a request from a fourth user to scan the tag;   in response to receiving the request:
 receiving scanner information corresponding to the tag from a first electronic device used by the fourth user; 
 retrieving the avatar associated with the tag using the scanner information; and 
 causing a second electronic device used by the fourth user to display the avatar. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
 associating the avatar with a first action;   receiving a request from the fourth user to interact with the avatar in the tag; and   in response to receiving the request from the fourth user, sending operational information for the avatar to the first electronic device used by the fourth user, wherein the operational information is configured when executed on the first electronic device used by the fourth user to enable interactions of the fourth user with the avatar, including causing the avatar to perform the first action.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first action comprises one of playing an audio or a video file, displaying an animation sequence, and displaying product or company information corresponding to the online resource. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising causing the second electronic device used by the fourth user to scan the tag. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein obtaining the custom image from the first user comprises:
 receiving a request from the first user to create a custom image;   in response to receiving the request:
 retrieving a first image from an image database; 
 receiving an input from the first user to select one or more customizations to apply to the first image; and 
 in response to receiving the input, applying the one or more customizations to the first image thereby producing the custom image. 
   
     
     
         18 . An electronic device, comprising one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
 receiving a request from a first user to place an avatar of the first user in a first user-specified location in a physical environment;   in response to receiving the request from the first user:
 obtaining an avatar of the first user; and 
 associating the avatar with a first location in the physical environment; 
   receiving a request from a second user to view the avatar; and   in response to receiving the request from the second user:
 determining a second location of the second user in the physical environment; 
 determining if the second location is proximate to the first location; and 
 in accordance with a determination that the second location is proximate to the first location:
 obtaining a first image of the physical environment at the first location; 
 creating an overlay image by overlaying a second image of the avatar onto the first image; and 
 causing the overlay image to be displayed on an electronic device used by the second user. 
 
   
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing one or more programs configured for execution by one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
 receive a request from a first user to place an avatar of the first user in a first user-specified location in a physical environment;   in response to receiving the request from the first user:
 obtain an avatar of the first user; and 
 associate the avatar with a first location in the physical environment; 
   receive a request from a second user to view the avatar; and   in response to receiving the request from the second user:
 determine a second location of the second user in the physical environment; 
 determine if the second location is proximate to the first location; and 
 in accordance with a determination that the second location is proximate to the first location:
 obtain a first image of the physical environment at the first location; 
 create an overlay image by overlaying a second image of the avatar onto the first image; and 
 
   cause the overlay image to be displayed on an electronic device used by the second user.