Patent Description:
A machine (e.g., a user's device) may be configured to interact with one or more users by generating computer graphics and causing presentation thereof in an AR environment or a virtual reality (VR) environment. For example, a user's device in the example form of a smartphone may generate AR content (e.g., one or more AR objects) and cause the AR content to be displayed to the user (e.g., on a display screen of the smartphone or a head-mounted display (HMD) controlled by the smart phone).

<CIT> describes technologies for systems, devices and methods effective to set up image data to be processed by an augmented reality device.

<CIT> describes a time-based user-annotated presentation of a user-navigable project model.

<CIT> describes methods of improving the functionality of computer imaging software and systems by facilitating the manipulation of virtual content displayed in conjunction with images of real-world objects and environments.

Further aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is described a computer-implemented method, comprising: providing, to a user device and by one or more processors, object data that defines an augmented reality, AR, object, the object data specifying a physical geolocation of the AR object, a presentation attribute of the AR object, a conditional modification program of the AR object, and a trigger condition for execution of the conditional modification program, the provided object data causing the user device to present the AR object with a first appearance and located at the physical geolocation; receiving, by the one or more processors, an indication that the AR object is being edited via the user device; detecting, by the one or more processors, fulfillment of the trigger condition specified by the object data, the detecting being based on the received indication that the user device is editing the AR object; based on the detected fulfillment of the trigger condition and by the one or more processors, executing the conditional modification program, the executed conditional modification program modifying the object data of the AR object by modifying the presentation attribute of the AR object, the modified presentation attribute adding an AR cursor to a second appearance of AR object, the added AR cursor indicating a portion of the AR object that is being edited by indicating a location of a non-committed edit to the AR object; and providing, to the user device and by the one or more processors, the modified object data of the AR object, the modified object data causing the user device to present the AR object with the second appearance based on the modified presentation attribute.

Example methods (e.g., algorithms) facilitate conditional modification of one or more AR objects, and example systems (e.g., special-purpose machines configured by special-purpose software) are configured to facilitate conditional modification of one or more AR objects. Examples merely typify possible variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, structures (e.g., structural components, such as modules) are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations (e.g., in a procedure, algorithm, or other function) may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various example embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, however, that the present subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.

A machine (e.g., a server machine) is configured (e.g., by suitable software, hardware, or both) to provide a consistent set of one or more AR objects to one or more user devices (e.g., one or more smartphones, game controllers, HMDs, or combinations thereof), and the machine is configured to modify one or more of these AR objects in response to detected fulfillment of one or more conditions. For clarity and brevity, the discussion herein focuses on conditional modification of a single AR object, presented with an appearance of being present in the real world, though the example systems and methods discussed herein are applicable to conditional modification of multiple AR objects similarly presented.

Configured in accordance with the systems and methods discussed herein, the machine provides, to a user device, object data that defines an AR object. The object data of the AR object, in some example embodiments, specifies four things: (<NUM>) a physical geolocation of the AR object, (<NUM>) a presentation attribute of the AR object, (<NUM>) a conditional modification program of the AR object, and (<NUM>) a trigger condition for execution of the conditional modification program. The provided object data causes the user device, as well as any number of other user devices in the area, to present the AR object with a consistent first appearance and consistently located at the physical geolocation. The machine then detects fulfillment of the trigger condition specified by the object data, and based on the detected fulfillment of the trigger condition, the machine executes the conditional modification program of the AR object. The executing of the conditional modification program modifies the object data of the AR object by modifying the presentation attribute of the AR object. The machine next provides, to the user device, as well as any other user devices present, the modified object data of the AR object. The modified object data causes the user device, as well as any other user device in the area, to present the AR object with a consistent second appearance that is based on the modified presentation attribute of the AR object.

By causing the AR object to change from its first appearance to its second appearance, in accordance with the methodologies described herein, the machine provides interactivity between the AR object and one or more users. For example, the detected trigger condition may be or include a user or her device intersecting the AR object, and in response to this intersection, the AR object may change color (e.g., from gray to blue, darker hue to lighter hue, or both) and emit animated sparkles. As another example, the detected trigger condition may be or include an increase in ambient audio loudness, and in response to this increase, the AR object may change color and begin pulsating or flashing. As yet another example, the detected trigger condition may be or include a pattern of sound (e.g., a candidate pattern that matches a reference pattern, which may represent clapping, stomping, or chanting), and in response to this pattern of sound, the AR object may change size (e.g., appear to inflate).

As a further example, the detected trigger condition may be or include a user's device selecting the AR object for editing, and in response to this selection, the AR object may be displayed with a cursor or other visual highlight that indicates which portion of the AR object is ready to be edited. This may have the effect of assisting the user in planning or making an edit to the AR object. As a still further example, the detected trigger condition may be or include an interaction count transgressing a threshold value (e.g., a minimum or maximum interaction count), and in response to this transgression, the AR object may bounce vertically in space and emit animated fireworks. This may have the effect of indicating the attaining of a milestone in the AR object's user interactivity. As a yet further example, the detected trigger condition may be or include an interaction time transgressing a threshold value (e.g., minimum or maximum interaction time), and in response to this transgression, the AR object may change its size, its physical geolocation in the real world, or both. This may have the effect of altering the attractiveness or availability of the AR object for further interactions with users.

According to various example embodiments, the conditional modification program may be provided by the machine (e.g., as part of generating the object data of the AR object) or provided by a user's device (e.g., as an edit to the object data the AR object). In general, the object data of the AR object may contain one or more user-provided conditional modification programs, which may be a subset of all conditional modification programs specified for the AR object. In some example embodiments, a user-provided conditional modification program is incorporated by the machine into the object data for a specified period of time (e.g., in exchange for a fee payment or a task performance from the user's device). After the specified time period is over, the machine may remove the user-provided conditional modification program, prompt the user to renew the conditional modification program for an additional period of time, or both.

<FIG> is a network diagram illustrating a network environment <NUM> suitable for conditional modification of an AR object, according to some example embodiments. The network environment <NUM> includes a server machine <NUM>, a database <NUM>, and devices <NUM> and <NUM>, all communicatively coupled to each other via a network <NUM>. The server machine <NUM>, with or without the database <NUM>, may form all or part of a cloud <NUM> (e.g., a geographically distributed set of multiple machines configured to function as a single server), which may form all or part of a network-based system <NUM> (e.g., a cloud-based server system configured to provide one or more network-based services, such as AR services, to the devices <NUM> and <NUM>). The server machine <NUM>, the database <NUM>, and the devices <NUM> and <NUM> may each be implemented in a special-purpose (e.g., specialized) computer system, in whole or in part, as described below with respect to <FIG>.

Also shown in <FIG> are users <NUM> and <NUM>. One or both of the users <NUM> and <NUM> may be a human user (e.g., a human being), a machine user (e.g., a computer configured by a software program to interact with the device <NUM> or <NUM>), or any suitable combination thereof (e.g., a human assisted by a machine or a machine supervised by a human). The user <NUM> is associated with the device <NUM> and may be a user of the device <NUM>. For example, the device <NUM> may be a desktop computer, a vehicle computer, a home media system (e.g., a home theater system or other home entertainment system), a tablet computer, a navigational device, a portable media device, a smartphone (e.g., with a touchscreen configured to detect one or more touch gestures), or a wearable device (e.g., an HMD, such as an AR headset, a smart watch, smart glasses, smart clothing, or smart jewelry) belonging to the user <NUM>. Likewise, the user <NUM> is associated with the device <NUM> and may be a user of the device <NUM>. As an example, the device <NUM> may be a desktop computer, a vehicle computer, a home media system (e.g.. a home theater system or other home entertainment system), a tablet computer, a navigational device, a portable media device, a smartphone (e.g., with a touchscreen configured to detect one or more touch gestures), or a wearable device (e.g., an HMD, such as an AR headset, a smart watch, smart glasses, smart clothing, or smart jewelry) belonging to the user <NUM>.

Any of the systems or machines (e.g., databases and devices) shown in <FIG> may be, include, or otherwise be implemented in a special-purpose (e.g., specialized or otherwise non-conventional and non-generic) computer that has been modified to perform one or more of the functions described herein for that system or machine (e.g., configured or programmed by special-purpose software, such as one or more software modules of a special-purpose application, operating system, firmware, middleware, or other software program). For example, a special-purpose computer system able to implement any one or more of the methodologies described herein is discussed below with respect to <FIG>, and such a special-purpose computer may accordingly be a means for performing any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Within the technical field of such special-purpose computers, a special-purpose computer that has been specially modified (e.g., configured by special-purpose software) by the structures discussed herein to perform the functions discussed herein is technically improved compared to other special-purpose computers that lack the structures discussed herein or are otherwise unable to perform the functions discussed herein. Accordingly, a special-purpose machine configured according to the systems and methods discussed herein provides an improvement to the technology of similar special-purpose machines.

As used herein, a "database" is a data storage resource and may store data structured as a text file, a table, a spreadsheet, a relational database (e.g., an object-relational database), a triple store, a hierarchical data store, or any suitable combination thereof. Moreover, any two or more of the systems or machines illustrated in <FIG> may be combined into a single system or machine, and the functions described herein for any single system or machine may be subdivided among multiple systems or machines.

The network <NUM> may be any network that enables communication between or among systems, machines, databases, and devices (e.g., between the machine <NUM> and the device <NUM>). Accordingly, the network <NUM> may be a wired network, a wireless network (e.g., a mobile or cellular network), or any suitable combination thereof. The network <NUM> may include one or more portions that constitute a private network, a public network (e.g., the Internet), or any suitable combination thereof. Accordingly, the network <NUM> may include one or more portions that incorporate a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a mobile telephone network (e.g., a cellular network), a wired telephone network (e.g., a plain old telephone service (POTS) network), a wireless data network (e.g., a WiFi network or WiMax network), or any suitable combination thereof. Any one or more portions of the network <NUM> may communicate information via a transmission medium. As used herein, "transmission medium" refers to any intangible (e.g., transitory) medium that is capable of communicating (e.g., transmitting) instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., by one or more processors of such a machine), and includes digital or analog communication signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating components of tire server machine <NUM>, according to some example embodiments. The server machine <NUM> is shown as including a client interface <NUM>, a trigger condition detector <NUM>, and an object modifier <NUM>, all configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, or a switch). The client interface <NUM> may be or include a client interface module or similarly suitable software code configured to interface with one or more clients of the server machine <NUM> (e.g., one or more of the devices <NUM> and <NUM>). The trigger condition detector <NUM> may be or include a trigger detection module or similarly suitable software code configured to detect one or more trigger conditions (e.g., a trigger condition for execution of a conditional modification program for an AR object). The object modifier <NUM> may be or include a program execution module or similarly suitable software code configured to execute a program (e.g., a conditional modification program for an AR object).

As shown in <FIG>, the client interface <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM>, the object modifier <NUM>, or any suitable combination thereof, may form all or part of an application <NUM> (e.g., a server-side app or other server-executed program) that is stored (e.g., installed) on the server machine <NUM> (e.g., responsive to or otherwise as a result of data being received via the network <NUM>). Furthermore, one or more processors <NUM> (e.g., hardware processors, digital processors, or any suitable combination thereof) may be included (e.g., temporarily or permanently) in the application <NUM>, the client interface <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM>, the object modifier <NUM>, or any suitable combination thereof.

Any one or more of the components (e.g., modules) described herein may be implemented using hardware alone (e.g., one or more of the processors <NUM>) or a combination of hardware and software. For example, any component described herein may physically include an arrangement of one or more of the processors <NUM> (e.g., a subset of or among the processors <NUM>) configured to perform the operations described herein for that component. As another example, any component described herein may include software, hardware, or both, that configure an arrangement of one or more of the processors <NUM> to perform the operations described herein for that component. Accordingly, different components described herein may include and configure different arrangements of the processors <NUM> at different points in time or a single arrangement of the processors <NUM> at different points in time. Each component (e.g., module) described herein is an example of a means for performing the operations described herein for that component. Moreover, any two or more components described herein may be combined into a single component, and the functions described herein for a single component may be subdivided among multiple components. Furthermore, according to various example embodiments, components described herein as being implemented within a single system or machine (e.g., a single device) may be distributed across multiple systems or machines (e.g., multiple devices).

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating components of the database <NUM>, according to some example embodiments. The database <NUM> is shown as storing object data <NUM> of an AR object. The object data <NUM> corresponds to the AR object, defines the AR object, and specifies how the AR object is to be presented (e.g., visually, acoustically, or both) in an AR environment. Accordingly, one or more portions of the object data <NUM> may be considered as metadata of the AR object to which the object data <NUM> corresponds.

As shown in <FIG>, the object data <NUM> specifies (e.g., by inclusion or by reference) one or more of various characteristics or other descriptors of the AR object. For example, the object data <NUM> is shown as specifying (e.g., by inclusion) a physical geolocation <NUM> of the AR object in the real world. In some example embodiments, the physical geolocation <NUM> is specified by global geolocation coordinates relative to the earth (e.g., a triplet of latitude, longitude, and altitude). In other example embodiments, the physical geolocation <NUM> is specified by relative geolocation coordinates relative to a room, a building, a landmark, or other suitable frame of reference. In some example embodiments, the physical geolocation <NUM> is treated as a type of presentation attribute for presenting the AR object.

The object data <NUM> may specify physical dimensions <NUM> of the AR object in the real world. The physical dimensions <NUM> may fully or partially define the size of the AR object, the shape of the AR object, the orientation of the AR object, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, the physical dimensions <NUM> may specify one or more linear dimensions (e.g., length, width, and height) of the AR object. In some example embodiments, the physical dimensions <NUM> are treated as presentation attributes for presenting the AR obj ect.

The object data <NUM> specifies one or more presentation attributes <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., additional presentation attributes beyond the physical geolocation <NUM> and the physical dimensions <NUM>) of the AR object. A presentation attribute specifies how the AR object is to be presented (e.g., visually, acoustically, haptically, or any suitable combination thereof). Examples of a presentation attribute include a color of the AR object, a color pattern (e.g., chroma texture map) applied to the AR object, a brightness of the AR object, a brightness pattern (e.g., a luma texture map) applied to the AR object, a flash indicator of the AR object (e.g., to indicate whether the AR object should be displayed in a flashing state), a movement indicator of the AR object (e.g., to indicate whether the AR object should be displayed in a vertically bouncing state, horizontally jiggling state, or both), an audio file of the AR object (e.g., to be played when one or more users is physically within a threshold distance of the physical geolocation <NUM> of the AR object), an audio volume of the AR object (e.g., to provide a basis for audio playback of the audio file of the AR object), or any suitable combination thereof.

The object data <NUM> specifies one or more pairs of conditional modification programs of the AR object, each with one or more corresponding trigger conditions for execution of that conditional modification program. <FIG> illustrates a conditional modification program <NUM> paired with a corresponding trigger condition <NUM>, as well as another conditional modification program <NUM> paired with a corresponding trigger condition <NUM>. Accordingly, if the trigger condition detector <NUM> (e.g., in the server machine <NUM>) detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>, the corresponding conditional modification program <NUM> is executed (e.g., by the object modifier <NUM> in the server machine <NUM>). Similarly, if the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>, the corresponding conditional modification program <NUM> is executed.

According to some example embodiments, the object data <NUM> specifies a total interaction count <NUM>, which may quantify (e.g., by enumerating) a total number of discrete user interactions experienced by the AR object. The total interaction count <NUM> may be paired with one or more corresponding demographic interaction counts. <FIG> illustrates the total interaction count <NUM> paired with a single corresponding demographic interaction count <NUM>, though additional corresponding demographic interaction counts may also be included in the object data <NUM> and associated with (e.g., linked, mapped, or otherwise assigned to) the total interaction count <NUM>. The demographic interaction count <NUM> may quantify a total number of discrete user interactions experienced by the AR object with users from a particular demographic group (e.g., defined by age, gender, education, occupation, favorite ice cream flavor, any other demographic descriptor, or any suitable combination thereof).

According to certain example embodiments, the object data <NUM> specifies a total interaction time <NUM>, which may quantify (e.g., by valuing) a total amount of time during which the AR object experienced user interactions. The total interaction time <NUM> may be paired with one more corresponding demographic interaction times. <FIG> illustrates the total interaction time <NUM> being paired with a single corresponding demographic interaction time <NUM>, though additional corresponding demographic interaction times may also be included in the object data <NUM> and associated with (e.g., linked, mapped, or otherwise assigned to) the total interaction time <NUM>. The demographic interaction time <NUM> may quantify a total amount of time during which the object experienced user interactions with users from a particular demographic group (e.g., defined by age, gender, education, occupation, favorite ice cream flavor, any other demographic descriptor, or any suitable combination thereof).

<FIG> are flowcharts illustrating operations in performing a method <NUM> of conditionally modifying of an AR object, according to some example embodiments. For clarity and brevity, operations in the method <NUM> are presently described as being performed by the server machine <NUM>, using components (e.g., modules) described above with respect to <FIG>, using one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors or other hardware processors), or using any suitable combination thereof. However, in various example embodiments, the method <NUM> may be performed by the device <NUM>, alone or in conjunction with one or more other machines (e.g., the server machine <NUM>, the database <NUM>, or the device <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes operations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> provides the object data <NUM> to the device <NUM>. For example, the client interface <NUM> may retrieve the object data <NUM> from the database <NUM> and provide the object data <NUM> to the device <NUM> via the network <NUM>. As another example, the client interface <NUM> may command or otherwise cause the database <NUM> to provide the object data <NUM> to the device <NUM>. As noted above, the object data <NUM> corresponds to an AR object and specifies, for example, the physical geolocation <NUM>, the presentation attribute <NUM> (e.g., color or size), the conditional modification program <NUM>. and the corresponding trigger condition <NUM>. The object data <NUM> causes the device <NUM> to present (e.g., via a display screen or an AR headset) the AR object defined by the object data <NUM>. In accordance with the provided object data <NUM>, the device <NUM> presents the AR object at the physical geolocation <NUM> and with a first appearance (e.g., visual appearance, acoustic appearance, or both) specified by the object data <NUM> (e.g., specified by the presentation attribute <NUM>).

In operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects that the trigger condition <NUM> has been fulfilled. This may be performed by receiving an indicator or other signal from the client interface <NUM> (e.g., as a result of a status message being received by the client interface <NUM> via the network <NUM> from the device <NUM>). As noted above, the trigger condition <NUM> corresponds to the conditional modification program <NUM>, and the object data <NUM> of the AR object specifies that the trigger condition <NUM> is a trigger for executing the corresponding conditional modification program <NUM> to modify the AR object.

To illustrate an example, suppose that the trigger condition <NUM> for executing the conditional modification program <NUM> specifies reception of an indication that a portion of the AR object is being edited. In this situation, the detecting in operation <NUM> that the trigger condition <NUM> has been fulfilled may include receiving such an indication (e.g., from the device <NUM> via the network <NUM>) that a portion of the AR object is being edited.

To illustrate another example, suppose that the trigger condition <NUM> for executing the conditional modification program <NUM> specifies a threshold level (e.g., a reference threshold level) of ambient audio loudness. In such a situation, the detecting in operation <NUM> that the trigger condition <NUM> has been fulfilled may include receiving an indication that a microphone of the device <NUM> has detected an actual level of ambient audio loudness that transgresses (e.g., meets or exceeds) the threshold level of ambient audio loudness.

To illustrate a further example, suppose that the trigger condition <NUM> specifies a reference pattern of sounds (e.g., clapping or a song, such as "The Star-Spangled Banner"). In such a situation, the detecting in operation <NUM> that the trigger condition <NUM> has been fulfilled may include receiving an indication that the microphone of the device <NUM> has captured an actual pattern of sounds that matches the reference pattern of sounds.

In operation <NUM>, the object modifier <NUM> executes the conditional modification program <NUM> that corresponds to the trigger condition <NUM> that was detected to be fulfilled in operation <NUM>. This is performed in response to the detected fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>. Accordingly, the execution of the conditional modification program <NUM> modifies the object data <NUM> of the AR object and consequently modifies the AR object. For example, execution of the conditional modification program <NUM> may modify the object data <NUM> hy modifying the presentation attribute <NUM> (e.g., color or size) within the object data <NUM>. The modification of the object data <NUM> may occur within the database <NUM>, within the server machine <NUM> (e.g., within a memory of the server machine <NUM>), or within any suitable combination thereof.

To illustrate an example, suppose that that the trigger condition <NUM> for executing the conditional modification program <NUM> specifies reception of an indication that a portion of the AR object is being edited. In this situation, in response to a detection in operation <NUM> that the trigger condition <NUM> has been fulfilled, the executing of the conditional modification program <NUM> may add an AR cursor to the AR object in its second appearance, and the added AR cursor may indicate that the portion of the AR object is being edited. For example, the AR cursor may indicate a location of a non-committed edit to the AR object (e.g., an edit that is not yet saved or otherwise persistently incorporated into the object data <NUM> of the AR object).

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> provides at least the modified portion of the object data <NUM> to the device <NUM>. For example, the entirety of the modified object data <NUM> may be communicated to the device <NUM> via the network <NUM>, or the modified presentation attribute <NUM> (e.g., size or color of the AR object) may be communicated to the device <NUM> via the network <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the modified object data <NUM> is stored in the database <NUM>, and the client interface <NUM> commands or otherwise causes the device <NUM> to retrieve at least the modified portion (e.g., the modified presentation attribute <NUM>) of the object data <NUM> via the network <NUM>. The modified object data <NUM> causes the device <NUM> to present (e.g., via a display screen or an AR headset) the AR object in modified form, as modified in accordance with a modified object data <NUM>. Thus, in accordance with the modified object data <NUM>, the device <NUM> presents the AR object with a second appearance specified by the modified object data <NUM> (e.g., specified by the modified presentation attribute <NUM>).

For example, the presentation attribute modified in operation <NUM> (e.g., presentation attribute <NUM> or physical dimensions <NUM>) may specify a physical dimension (e.g., length, width, height, depth, thickness, or any suitable combination thereof) of the AR object, and that physical dimension may fully or partially determine the real-world size of the AR object. Accordingly, the executing of the conditional modification program <NUM> in operation <NUM> may modify this physical dimension of the AR object and consequently alter the real-world size of the AR object, as presented with its second appearance.

As another example, the presentation attribute modified in operation <NUM> (e.g., presentation attribute <NUM>) may specify a color (e.g., hue, saturation, brightness, or any suitable combination thereof) of at least a portion of the AR object. Accordingly, the executing of the conditional modification program <NUM> in operation <NUM> may modify this color of the AR object and consequently alter the color of at least a portion of the AR object, as presented with its second appearance.

As a further example, the presentation attribute modified in operation <NUM> (e.g., presentation attribute <NUM> or physical geolocation <NUM>) may specify the physical geolocation of the AR object in the real world, and that physical geolocation may fully or partially determine the real-world geolocation of the AR object. Accordingly, the executing of the conditional modification program <NUM> in operation <NUM> may modify this real-world geolocation of the AR object and consequently alter where the AR object is presented relative to the real world, in accordance with its second appearance.

As shown in <FIG>, in addition to any one or more of the operations previously described, the method <NUM> may include one or more of operations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. According to some example embodiments, operations <NUM> and in <NUM> are performed prior to operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> receives an indication that the device <NUM> submitted an edit to the AR object (e.g., an edit in the form of a newly added portion, removal of an existing portion, or modification to an existing portion of the AR object). For example, the client interface <NUM> may receive a request that an edit be performed on the AR object (e.g., stored in the object data <NUM> or otherwise persistently incorporated into the definition of the AR object), and such a request may be received by the network <NUM> from the device <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the received indication also refers to a user profile (e.g., stored by the device <NUM>, the server machine <NUM>, the database <NUM>, or any suitable combination thereof) that describes the user <NUM> and indicates that the user <NUM> belongs to a particular demographic group (e.g., single women between ages <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate).

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> increments an interaction count that corresponds to the AR object (e.g., the total interaction count <NUM>, the demographic interaction count <NUM>, or both), in response to the indication received in operation <NUM>. For example, the client interface <NUM> may increment the total interaction count <NUM> that corresponds to the AR object. As another example, if the received indication in operation <NUM> indicates that the user <NUM> is a member of a particular demographic group (e.g., single women between <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate), the demographic interaction count for that particular demographic group (e.g., demographic interaction count <NUM>) may be incremented by the client interface <NUM>. In such a situation, the total interaction count <NUM> may also be incremented as well (e.g., to tally user interactions of multiple kinds, from multiple demographic groups, or both).

In example embodiments that include operation <NUM>, operation <NUM> may be performed as part (e.g., a precursor task, a subroutine, or a portion) of operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> performs a comparison of the interaction count (e.g., the total interaction count <NUM> or the demographic interaction count <NUM>) incremented in operation <NUM> to a corresponding threshold interaction count (e.g., a predetermined total interaction count or a predetermined demographic interaction count, either of which may be a maximum interaction count or a minimum interaction count).

Accordingly, the detection of the fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM> in operation <NUM> may be based on the comparison performed in operation <NUM>. For example, if the total interaction count <NUM> was incremented in operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> may compare the total interaction count <NUM> to a reference total interaction count (e.g., a maximum interaction count of all types and from all users). As another example, if the demographic interaction count <NUM> was incremented in operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> may compare the demographic interaction count <NUM> to a reference demographic interaction count (e.g., a maximum interaction count or a minimum interaction count for that demographic group).

As shown in <FIG>, one or more of operations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. may be performed as part of operation <NUM>, in which the object modifier <NUM> executes the conditional modification program <NUM> to modify the object data <NUM> of the AR object. In operation <NUM>, the object modifier <NUM> modifies a physical dimension (e.g., as specified by the presentation attribute <NUM> or the physical dimensions <NUM>) of the AR object by executing the conditional modification program <NUM>. As noted above, this may have the effect of altering the real-world size of the AR object, as presented with its second appearance.

In operation <NUM>, the object modifier <NUM> modifies the physical geolocation (e.g., specified by the presentation attribute <NUM> or the physical geolocation <NUM>) of the AR object by executing the conditional modification program <NUM>. As noted above, this may have the effect of altering where the AR object is presented relative to the real world, according to its second appearance.

In operation <NUM>, the object modifier <NUM> modifies a presentation attribute (e.g., specified by the presentation attribute <NUM>, which may, for example, specify color) of the AR object by executing the conditional modification program <NUM>. As noted above, this may have the effect of altering the appearance of the AR object from its first appearance to its second appearance.

As shown in <FIG>, one or more of operations <NUM> and <NUM> may be performed after operation <NUM>, in which the object modifier <NUM> executes the conditional modification program <NUM> to modify the object data <NUM> of the AR object. In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> generates a geographical map (e.g., a map that illustrates roads and landmarks within a geographical area, such as a city). The geographical map includes a depiction or other representation (e.g., symbolic representation) of the AR object and indicates the physical geolocation <NUM> of the AR object. In addition, the depiction or other representation may have a color that indicates a frequency (e.g., averaging five times a day, twice a week, or once a month) or range of frequencies at which the AR object is edited (e.g., by user interactions). For example, a gray depiction may indicate that the AR object is edited by users less than once a week, while a blue depiction may indicate that the AR object is edited by users more than once a week.

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> provides the geographical map generated in operation <NUM> to one or more devices. For example, the geographical map may be provided to the device <NUM> (e.g., as a guide for the user <NUM> to locate the AR object for further interaction, such as editing). Accordingly, the color of the depiction of the AR object within the provided geographical map can notify the user <NUM> of how often the AR object is edited.

As shown in <FIG>, in addition to any one or more of the operations previously described, the method <NUM> may include one or more of operations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. According to some example embodiments, operation <NUM> and <NUM> are performed prior to operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> receives an indication that the device <NUM> has been editing the AR object or has edited the AR object for a period of time (e.g., a period of time during which the AR object has been kept in an editing state or other edit-accepting state). For example, the client interface <NUM> may receive a request that the AR object be unlocked for editing (e.g., with write-permissions for the object data <NUM> that defines the AR object), and such a request may be received by the network <NUM> from the device <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the received indication also refers to a user profile (e.g., stored by the device <NUM>, the server machine <NUM>, the database <NUM>, or any suitable combination thereof) that describes the user <NUM> and indicates that the user <NUM> belongs to a particular demographic group (e.g., married men between ages <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla).

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> updates an interaction time that corresponds to the AR object (e.g., the total interaction time <NUM>, the demographic interaction time <NUM>, or both), in response to the indication received in operation <NUM>. For example, the client interface <NUM> may update the total interaction time <NUM> that corresponds to the AR object. As another example, if the received indication in operation <NUM> indicates that the user <NUM> is a member of a particular demographic group (e.g., married men between <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla), the demographic interaction time for that particular demographic group (e.g., demographic interaction time <NUM>) may be updated by the client interface <NUM>. In such a situation, the total interaction time <NUM> may also be incremented as well (e.g., to track cumulative user interaction times from multiple demographic groups).

In example embodiments that include operation <NUM>, operation <NUM> may be performed as part of operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> performs a comparison of the interaction time (e.g., the total interaction time <NUM> or the demographic interaction time <NUM>) updated in operation <NUM> to a corresponding threshold interaction time (e.g., a predetermined total interaction time or a predetermined demographic interaction time, either of which may be a maximum interaction time or a minimum interaction time).

Accordingly, the detection of the fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM> in operation <NUM> may be based on the comparison performed in operation <NUM>. For example, if the total interaction time <NUM> was updated in operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> may compare the total interaction time <NUM> to a reference total interaction time (e.g., a maximum interaction time for all users). As another example, if the demographic interaction time <NUM> was updated in operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> may compare the demographic interaction time <NUM> to a reference demographic interaction time (e.g., a maximum interaction time or a minimum interaction time for that demographic group).

As shown in <FIG>, in addition to any one or more of the operations previously described, the method <NUM> may include one or more of operations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the latter two of which have been previously described. According to some example embodiments, operations <NUM> and in <NUM> are performed prior to operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> receives an indication that the device <NUM> has intersected the AR object (e.g., an indication that the geolocation of the device <NUM> has coincided with the physical geolocation <NUM> of the AR object or has been encompassed by an outer surface of the AR object, as defined by the physical dimensions <NUM> of the AR object). For example, the client interface <NUM> may receive such an indication in the form of geolocation data of the device <NUM>, which geolocation data may be received by the network <NUM> from the device <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the received indication also refers to a user profile (e.g., stored by the device <NUM>, the server machine <NUM>, the database <NUM>, or any suitable combination thereof) that describes the user <NUM> and indicates that the user <NUM> belongs to a particular demographic group (e.g., married women between ages <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is coffee).

As noted above, in operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> increments an interaction count that corresponds to the AR object (e.g., the total interaction count <NUM>, the demographic interaction count <NUM>, or both). This may be performed in response to the indication received in operation <NUM>. For example, the client interface <NUM> may increment the total interaction count <NUM> that corresponds to the AR object. As another example, if the received indication in operation <NUM> indicates that the user <NUM> is a member of a particular demographic group (e.g., married women between <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is coffee), the demographic interaction count for that particular demographic group (e.g., demographic interaction count <NUM>) may be incremented by the client interface <NUM>. In such a situation, the total interaction count <NUM> may also be incremented as well (e.g., to tally user interactions of multiple kinds, from multiple demographic groups, or both).

As noted above, in example embodiments that include operation <NUM>, operation <NUM> may be performed as part (e.g., a precursor task, a subroutine, or a portion) of operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> performs a comparison of the interaction count (e.g., the total interaction count <NUM> or the demographic interaction count <NUM>) incremented in operation <NUM> to a corresponding threshold interaction count (e.g., a predetermined total interaction count or a predetermined demographic interaction count, either of which may be a maximum interaction count or a minimum interaction count).

As shown in <FIG>, in addition to any one or more of the operations previously described, the method <NUM> may include one or more of operations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the latter two of which have been previously described. According to some example embodiments, operation <NUM> and <NUM> are performed prior to operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>,.

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> receives an indication that the device <NUM> has been intersecting the AR object or has intersected the AR object for a period of time (e.g., a period of time during which the geolocation of the device <NUM> has coincided with the physical geolocation <NUM> of the AR object or has been encompassed by an outer surface of the AR object, as defined by the physical dimensions <NUM> of the AR object). For example, the client interface <NUM> may receive a status message indicating a running tally of intersection time, and such a status message may be received by the network <NUM> from the device <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the received indication also refers to a user profile (e.g., stored by the device <NUM>, the server machine <NUM>, the database <NUM>, or any suitable combination thereof) that describes the user <NUM> and indicates that the user <NUM> belongs to a particular demographic group (e.g., married men between ages <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla).

As noted above, in operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> updates an interaction time that corresponds to the AR object (e.g., the total interaction time <NUM>, the demographic interaction time <NUM>, or both). This may be performed in response to the indication received in operation <NUM>. For example, the client interface <NUM> may update the total interaction time <NUM> that corresponds to the AR object. As another example, if the received indication in operation <NUM> indicates that the user <NUM> is a member of a particular demographic group (e.g., married women between <NUM> and <NUM> whose favorite ice cream flavor is coffee), the demographic interaction time for that particular demographic group (e.g., demographic interaction time <NUM>) may be updated by the client interface <NUM>. In such a situation, the total interaction time <NUM> may also be incremented as well (e.g., to track cumulative user interaction times from multiple demographic groups).

As noted above, in example embodiments that include operation <NUM>, operation <NUM> may be performed as part of operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> performs a comparison of the interaction time (e.g., the total interaction time <NUM> or the demographic interaction time <NUM>) updated in operation <NUM> to a corresponding threshold interaction time (e.g., a predetermined total interaction time or a predetermined demographic interaction time, either of which may be a maximum interaction time or a minimum interaction time).

As shown in <FIG>, in addition to any one or more of the operations previously described, the method <NUM> may include one or more of operations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates operations <NUM> and <NUM> being performed prior to operation <NUM>, in which the client interface <NUM> provides the object data <NUM> of the AR object to the device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> receives a user submission that includes or otherwise identifies (e.g., by reference) the conditional modification program <NUM>. That is, the conditional modification program <NUM> may be user-submitted (e.g., by the user <NUM> or by the user <NUM>). Thus, the client interface <NUM> may receive the user submission (e.g., within a request or other message) via the network <NUM> from the device <NUM> or from the device <NUM>. The user submission may also include the corresponding trigger condition <NUM> for execution of the conditional modification program <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the user submission further includes a corresponding value accorded to the conditional modification program <NUM> (e.g., a value that indicates a bid or fee paid for incorporating the submitted conditional modification program <NUM> into the object data <NUM> of the AR object).

In operation <NUM>, the client interface <NUM> determines a period of time during which the submitted conditional modification program <NUM> is to be specified (e.g., by inclusion or by reference) by the object data <NUM> that defines the AR object. In some example embodiments, this may be performed based on (e.g., in response to) the value accorded to the conditional modification program <NUM>. For example, the user <NUM> may have paid a fee to have the submitted conditional modification program <NUM> temporarily incorporated into the object data <NUM> of the AR object, and this fee may be reflected in the submission received in operation <NUM>. Accordingly, the client interface <NUM> may determine (e.g., via a lookup table stored by the database <NUM>) a time period that corresponds to the amount of the fee paid, such that the client interface <NUM> can add the conditional modification program <NUM> and its trigger condition <NUM> to the object data <NUM> during the time period, and then remove the conditional modification program <NUM> and its trigger condition <NUM> from the object data <NUM> after expiration of the time period.

In example embodiments that include operation <NUM>, operation <NUM> may be performed as part of operation <NUM>, in which the trigger condition detector <NUM> to detect fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the trigger condition detector <NUM> detects the fulfillment of the trigger condition <NUM> during the period of time that was determined in operation <NUM> for the corresponding conditional modification program <NUM>.

According to various example embodiments, one or more of the methodologies described herein may facilitate conditional modification of an AR object. Moreover, one or more of the methodologies described herein may facilitate dynamic behavior of the AR object in response to one or more of various user interactions, cumulative user interactions, or both. In addition, one or more of the methodologies described herein are operable to improve the variety of interactive experiences provided by an AR object, including support of user-submitted conditional modification programs and corresponding trigger conditions. Hence, one or more of the methodologies described herein may facilitate provision of crowd-sourced creative experiences with one or more AR objects, as well as regularly refreshed or updated AR content that is more resistant to loss of user interest or user engagement, compared to capabilities of pre-existing systems and methods.

When these effects are considered in aggregate, one or more of the methodologies described herein may obviate a need for certain efforts or resou ices that otherwise would be involved in conditional modification of an AR object. Efforts expended by a user in configuring sophisticated conditional modifications to an AR object may be reduced by use of (e.g., reliance upon) a special-purpose machine that implements one or more of the methodologies described herein. Computing resources used by one or more systems or machines (e.g., within the network environment <NUM>) may similarly be reduced (e.g., compared to systems or machines that lack the structures discussed herein or are otherwise unable to perform the functions discussed herein). Examples of such computing resources include processor cycles, network traffic, computational capacity, main memory usage, graphics rendering capacity, graphics memory usage, data storage capacity, power consumption, and cooling capacity.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine <NUM>, according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions <NUM> from a machine-readable medium <NUM> (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable medium, a machine-readable storage medium, a computer-readable storage medium, or any suitable combination thereof) and perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, in whole or in part. Specifically, <FIG> shows the machine <NUM> in the example form of a computer system (e.g., a computer) within which the instructions <NUM> (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine <NUM> to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed, in whole or in part.

In alternative embodiments, the machine <NUM> operates as a standalone device or may be communicatively coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine <NUM> may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a distributed (e.g., peer-to-peer) network environment. The machine <NUM> may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, of any machine capable of executing the instructions <NUM>, sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute the instructions <NUM> to perform all or part of any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The machine <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> (e.g., one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), or any suitable combination thereof), a main memory <NUM>, and a static memory <NUM>, which are configured to communicate with each other via a bus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> contains solid-state digital microcircuits (e.g., electronic, optical, or both) that are configurable, temporarily or permanently, by some or all of the instructions <NUM> such that the processor <NUM> is configurable to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein, in whole or in part. For example, a set of one or more microcircuits of the processor <NUM> may be configurable to execute one or more modules (e.g., software modules) described herein. In some example embodiments, the processor <NUM> is a multicore CPU (e.g., a dual-core CPU, a quad-core CPU, an <NUM>-core CPU, or a <NUM>-core CPU) within which each of multiple cores behaves as a separate processor that is able to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, in whole or in part. Although the beneficial effects described herein may be provided by the machine <NUM> with at least the processor <NUM>, these same beneficial effects may be provided by a different kind of machine that contains no processors (e.g., a purely mechanical system, a purely hydraulic system, or a hybrid mechanical-hydraulic system), if such a processor-less machine is configured to perform one or more of the methodologies described herein.

The machine <NUM> may further include a graphics display <NUM> (e.g., a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or any other display capable of displaying graphics or video). The machine <NUM> may also include an alphanumeric input device <NUM> (e.g., a keyboard or keypad), a pointer input device <NUM> (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a trackball, a joystick, a stylus, a motion sensor, an eye tracking device, a data glove, or other pointing instrument), a data storage <NUM>, an audio generation device <NUM> (e.g., a sound card, an amplifier, a speaker, a headphone jack, or any suitable combination thereof), and a network interface device <NUM>.

The data storage <NUM> (e.g., a data storage device) includes the machine-readable medium <NUM> (e.g., a tangible and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium) on which are stored the instructions <NUM> embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions <NUM> may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory <NUM>, within the static memory <NUM>, within the processor <NUM> (e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof, before or during execution thereof by the machine <NUM>. Accordingly, the main memory <NUM>, the static memory <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may be considered machine-readable media (e.g., tangible and non-transitory machine-readable media). The instructions <NUM> may be transmitted or received over the network <NUM> via the network interface device <NUM>. For example, the network interface device <NUM> may communicate the instructions <NUM> using any one or more transfer protocols (e.g., hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)).

In some example embodiments, the machine <NUM> may be a portable computing device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a wearable device) and may have one or more additional input components <NUM> (e.g., sensors or gauges). Examples of such input components <NUM> include an image input component (e.g., one or more cameras), an audio input component (e.g., one or more microphones), a direction input component (e.g., a compass), a location input component (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) receiver), an orientation component (e.g., a gyroscope), a motion detection component (e.g., one or more accelerometers), an altitude detection component (e.g., an altimeter), a temperature input component (e.g., a thermometer), and a gas detection component (e.g., a gas sensor). Input data gathered by any one or more of these input components <NUM> may be accessible and available for use by any of the modules described herein (e.g., with suitable privacy notifications and protections, such as opt-in consent or opt-out consent, implemented in accordance with user preference, applicable regulations, or any suitable combination thereof).

As used herein, the term "memory" refers to a machine-readable medium able to store data temporarily or permanently and may be taken to include, but not be limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory, flash memory, and cache memory. While the machine-readable medium <NUM> is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to store instructions. The term "machine-readable medium" shall also be taken to include any medium, or combination of multiple media, that is capable of carrying (e.g., storing or communicating) the instructions <NUM> for execution by the machine <NUM>, such that the instructions <NUM>, when executed by one or more processors of the machine <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>), cause the machine <NUM> to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein, in whole or in part. Accordingly, a "machine-readable medium" refers to a single storage apparatus or device, as well as cloud-based storage systems or storage networks that include multiple storage apparatus or devices. The term "machine-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, one or more tangible and non-transitory data repositories (e.g., data volumes) in the example form of a solid-state memory chip, an optical disc, a magnetic disc, or any suitable combination thereof.

A "non-transitory" machine-readable medium, as used herein, specifically excludes propagating signals per se. According to various example embodiments, the instructions <NUM> for execution by the machine <NUM> can be communicated via a carrier medium (e.g., a machine-readable carrier medium). Examples of such a carrier medium include a non-transient carrier medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, such as a solid-state memory that is physically movable from one place to another place) and a transient carrier medium (e.g., a carrier wave or other propagating signal that communicates the instructions <NUM>).

Certain example embodiments are described herein as including modules. Modules may constitute software modules (e.g., code stored or otherwise embodied in a machine-readable medium or in a transmission medium), hardware modules, or any suitable combination thereof. A "hardware module" is a tangible (e.g., non-transitory) physical component (e.g., a set of one or more processors) capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or more computer systems or one or more hardware modules thereof may be configured by software (e.g., an application or portion thereof) as a hardware module that operates to perform operations described herein for that module.

In some example embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically, electronically, hydraulically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certain operations. A hardware module may be or include a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware module may also include programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. As an example, a hardware module may include software encompassed within a CPU or other programmable processor. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, hydraulically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the phrase "hardware module" should be understood to encompass a tangible entity that may be physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein, Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "hardware-implemented module" refers to a hardware module. Considering example embodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardware module includes a CPU configured by software to become a special-purpose processor, the CPU may be configured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g., each included in a different hardware module) at different times. Software (e.g., a software module) may accordingly configure one or more processors, for example, to become or otherwise constitute a particular hardware module at one instance of time and to become or otherwise constitute a different hardware module at a different instance of time.

Where multiple hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over circuits and buses) between or among two or more of the hardware modules. For example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory (e.g., a memory device) to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a later time, access the memory to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information from a computing resource).

As used herein, "processor-implemented module" refers to a hardware module in which the hardware includes one or more processors. Accordingly, the operations described herein may be at least partially processor-implemented, hardware-implemented, or both, since a processor is an example of hardware, and at least some operations within any one or more of the methods discussed herein may be performed by one or more processor-implemented modules, hardware-implemented modules, or any suitable combination thereof.

Moreover, such one or more processors may perform operations in a "cloud computing" environment or as a service (e.g., within a "software as a service" (SaaS) implementation). For example, at least some operations within any one or more of the methods discussed herein may be performed by a group of computers (e.g., as examples of machines that include processors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an application program interface (API)). The performance of certain operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, whether residing only within a single machine or deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the one or more processors or hardware modules (e.g., processor-implemented modules) may be located in a single geographic location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other example embodiments, the one or more processors or hardware modules may be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating screenshots of an AR object <NUM> before and after conditional modification of the AR object <NUM>, according to some example embodiments. As shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> is being used by the user <NUM> in a real-world scene <NUM> and a camera of the device <NUM> is capturing a view of the real world scene <NUM>. In addition, a display screen of the device <NUM> depicts an AR scene <NUM> that combines the real world scene <NUM> with the AR object <NUM>. Specifically, the AR object <NUM> is depicted with a pre-modification (e.g., first) appearance (e.g., a miniature hippopotamus), in accordance with its defining object data (e.g., object data <NUM>) prior to the modification process described above.

As shown in <FIG>, the display screen of the device <NUM> continues to detect the AR scene <NUM>, and the AR scene <NUM> continues to combine the real world scene <NUM> with the AR object <NUM>. However, the AR object <NUM> is now depicted with a post-modification (e.g., second) appearance (e.g., a miniature hippopotamus with elephant ears and elephant tusks) in accordance with its defining object data (e.g., object data <NUM>) after the modification process described above.

Structures and their functionality presented as separate components and functions in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component with combined functions. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components and functions.

Some portions of the subject matter discussed herein may be presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits or binary digital signals within a memory (e.g., a computer memory or other machine memory). Such algorithms or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.

Claim 1:
A computer-implemented method comprising:
providing (<NUM>), to a user device (<NUM>) and by one or more processors, object data that defines an augmented reality, AR, object, the object data specifying a physical geolocation of the AR object, a presentation attribute of the AR object, a conditional modification program of the AR object, and a trigger condition for execution of the conditional modification program, the provided object data causing the user device (<NUM>) to present the AR object with a first appearance and located at the physical geolocation;
receiving (<NUM>), by the one or more processors, an indication that the AR object is being edited via the user device (<NUM>);
detecting (<NUM>), by the one or more processors, fulfillment of the trigger condition specified by the object data, the detecting being based on the received indication that the user device (<NUM>) is editing the AR object;
based on the detected fulfillment of the trigger condition and by the one or more processors, executing (<NUM>) the conditional modification program, the executed conditional modification program modifying the object data of the AR object by modifying the presentation attribute of the AR object, the modified presentation attribute adding an AR cursor to a second appearance of the AR object, the added AR cursor indicating a portion of the AR object that is being edited by indicating a location of a non-committed edit to the AR object; and
providing (<NUM>), to the user device (<NUM>) and by the one or more processors, the modified object data of the AR object, the modified object data causing the user device (<NUM>) to present the AR object with the second appearance based on the modified presentation attribute.