IP: Features and Capabilities

PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

CREATING AR ENVIRONMENTS

The BubblAR system’s ability to create massive Virtual Environments is a key distinctive and disruptive feature of its patented capabilities. As shown in Fig.1 of the BubblAR IP, the system can enhance any indoor or outdoor gathering, trade show, concert or festival. Without massive set pieces, huge crews and transport expenses, BubblAR can create visual effects that can be both still images or animated presentations that have never before been experienced by audiences.

UWB

The BubblAR system works in several ways utilizing several technologies already in the marketplace. The main technology that facilitates the BubblAR system is Ultra-Wide Band (UWB). UWB is a short-range, wireless communication protocol that operates through radio waves. But unlike its counterparts, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it operates at very high frequencies and in a broad spectrum of Gigahertz (GHz) frequencies that can be used to capture highly accurate spatial and directional data. One of the interesting properties of a UWB signal is its ability to penetrate walls and obstacles which comes from the lower frequency components of the signal. UWB provides capability of data-transfer with effective range of up to 25 meters (about 75 feet) compared with rival Bluetooth technology which offers effective range of only about 10 meters (30 feet).  UWB is currently being included in most new (2023) Smart phones and Tablets from Apple and Samsung. It is expected to be ubiquitous across all smart technologies in the very near future.

The ALTAG

UWB’s directional and spatial abilities allow the BubblAR software system to anchor Augmented Reality (AR) images to a variety of electronic devices such as Smart Phone, Tablets, AR Glasses/Goggles and a specialized BubblAR system device called an ALTag (the Augmented Location Tag).  ALTags can be easily manufactured in many shapes, sizes and configurations including Wallet Cards, Neck Pendants, Wrist Bands, Ear Rings, Belt Buckles, etc. ALTags are different from “Tracker” tags commonly used for luggage, keys, etc. in as much as the ALTag does not need to use GPS technology to be sensed and located.

All BubblAR system ALTags will carry a user programmable memory chip that can be programmed by the BubblAR App via a simple upload system from the user’s phone. The Thought Bubble uploads can hold personal or commercial “Thought Bubble” data. This will allow Thought Bubbles to be quickly updated for use by the User. Thought Bubbles are at the heart of the BubblAR system functionality. ALTags attached to objects can create special AR effects (created by their users/owners) on, around or above their location. ALTags can produce specialized AR shapes and effects which have been downloaded into their memory – so they can achieve special effects (Like the Flaming Guitar at right).

Thought Bubbles

And instead of using the industry standard visual or printed targets, physical target images (like a mug, a face or a building), geolocation, GPS, WiFi or other tagging system – the BubblAR system creates a direct link between a user’s visual system (e.g.: Smart Phone, AR Glasses, etc.) and another active BubblAR device (e.g.: Smart Phone, ALTag, etc.) so that the device being viewed shows up with an AR image, a “Thought Bubble” anchored to that device. A person carrying a BubblAR system capable Smart Phone, Tablet, ALTag, etc. will be seen with one of many different possible standard or custom variants of Thought Bubbles. (The multi-image Bear shape – at right – is a totally customized Thought Bubble concept).

Thought Bubbles can be simple or complex, color or Black & White, still images or animated, as well as be customized to change their shape and message at pre-set times of the day. Business Bubbles, Party Bubbles, Rally, Trade Show and Concert Bubbles are all possible at the whim of the User. Thought Bubbles will be able to be be turned on and off by the user at any time.

Additionally, there will be the potential for Thought Bubble sponsorships from commercial and political  entities that can offer free custom Thought Bubbles, real-world prizes and direct payments based upon the hours per day and days per month a BubblAR parades their endorsement in public. This may become a persuasive form of marketing / advertising to look out over a crowd of people and see a strong endorsement of a political figure and/or product brand.

focus-group

Operational Circle

The BubblAR system software in a user’s phone or tablet will be capable of sensing and directionally locating one or multiple BubblAR system signals within a 75-foot radius (150-foot diameter circle) around a user. The BubblAR system software will be able to locate and track a number of these signals, showing the user the AR images within direct view of the camera (as shown in the Tablet use at a Trade Show – at bottom of this page) while indicating the total number of available BubblAR system signals with the user’s operational circle.

Beacons

The BubblAR system can also work in conjunction with conventional “Beacon” technologies already in the marketplace. BubblAR tech can use the Beacons to enhance and amplify its operational capabilities and provide a 5cm location precision to the system. The BubblAR system has the capability to operate in any environment – with and without beacons.

Extended Search Capabilties : "Find A Friend"

This capability to anchor AR images to any stationary object or location as well as to any mobile Person or Object creates multiple social, business, governmental and military applications for the BubblAR system. The BubblAR Application can accomplish the goal of interacting with BubblAR system sensitive devices at a distance, from a few feet away to great distances, depending upon the interconnectivity of the RF systems being used. BubblAR systems are envisioned as being capable of interlinking with the sensor data of adjoining BubblAR systems to extend a “Search” area for several longer distance “Search” applications to locate people using the BubblAR system outside the normal “Operational Circle” of 150-foot diameter. This will create a search capability among multiple BubblAR scan areas that could extend a search to great distances as in the “Find A Friend” application shown on the bottom of the Entertainment page of this website.

The discovery, location and retrieval of BubblAR system users via Ultra-Wide Band creates the BubblAR tech’s main ability to display Thought Bubbles (or other AR content) as illustrated in the images in this presentation.