Patent Description:
Augmented reality (AR) may overlay a virtual image having additional information on a real world object or scene that is being viewed by a user. The virtual image may include content related to a real object in the real world, and the user may acquire the additional information about the real world through the additional content. In an example, AR may be provided through a device in a form of glasses, goggles, or a head mounted display (HMD). An AR device may express a virtual image through a projective addition technique on a transparent or translucent display where the real-world background is reflected.

<CIT> discloses a method and system for representing a virtual object in a view of a real environment that provides consistent lighting for real and virtual objects in AR applications.

The invention relates to a processor-implemented method with AR processing for an AR device, an AR processing apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, as captured in the appended claims.

In one general aspect, there is provided a processor-implemented method with augmented reality (AR) processing, the method including determining a compensation parameter to compensate for light attenuation of visual information caused by a display area of an AR device as the visual information corresponding to a target scene is displayed through the display area, generating a background image without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene using a camera of the AR device, generating a compensation image by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter, generating a virtual object image to be overlaid on the target scene, generating a display image by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image, and displaying the display image in the display area.

The virtual object image may include an attenuation area that expresses dark colors using the light attenuation.

The attenuation area of the virtual object image may be expressed with at least a part of the light attenuation caused by the display area remaining therein.

The attenuation area of the virtual object image may include any one or any combination of a shadow, a black pupil, and black hair in the virtual object image.

The generating of the display image may include determining a corresponding area of the attenuation area of the virtual object image in the compensation image, and expressing the corresponding area by subtracting a pixel value of the corresponding area based on a pixel value of the attenuation area.

The expressing of the corresponding area may include expressing a darkest color among the dark colors by reducing a compensation value of the corresponding area to "<NUM>".

The virtual object image may include an object element and a shadow element, and the generating of the virtual object image may include generating the object element by fusing the background image and an initial virtual object element, generating the shadow element based on a difference between the background image and an intermediate result image, and generating the virtual object image by fusing the object element and the shadow element.

The generating of the virtual object image may further include generating a mask image comprising a mask corresponding to the initial virtual object element, and the generating of the object element may include generating the intermediate result image comprising the object element by fusing the background image and the initial virtual object element, and extracting the object element from the intermediate result image using an inner area of the mask in the mask image.

The generating of the virtual object image may further include generating a mask image comprising a mask corresponding to the initial virtual object element, and the generating of the shadow element may include generating a difference image corresponding to a difference between the background image and the intermediate result image, and extracting the shadow element from the difference image using an outer area of the mask in the mask image.

The method may include adjusting the compensation image so that the compensation image and the target scene are observed in a matched state.

The adjusting of the compensation image may include determining a target depth from the AR device to a target area of the compensation image, determining calibration information based on a difference between a capture viewpoint of the camera and an observation viewpoint of an user, determining conversion information to convert an image at the capture viewpoint for the target area into an image at the observation viewpoint based on the target depth and the calibration information, and adjusting the compensation image using the conversion information.

The determining of the target depth may include obtaining object position information of the virtual object image to be displayed in the target scene, and determining the targe depth based on the object position information.

The determining of the target depth may further include determining target plane information by estimating a target plane corresponding to the target area, and determining the target depth based on the target plane information.

The determining of the target depth may further include determining target space information by estimating space information corresponding to the target area, and determining the target depth based on the target space information.

In another general aspect, there is provided an augmented reality (AR) processing apparatus including a processor configured to determine a compensation parameter to compensate for light attenuation of visual information caused by a display area of the AR processing apparatus as the visual information corresponding to a target scene is displayed through the display area, generate a background image without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene using a camera of the AR processing apparatus, generate a compensation image by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter, generate a virtual object image to be overlaid on the target scene, generate a display image by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image, and display the display image in the display area.

The virtual object image may include an attenuation area that expresses dark colors using the light attenuation, and the attenuation area may be expressed with at least a part of the light attenuation caused by the display area remaining therein.

The processor may be configured to determine a corresponding area of the attenuation area of the virtual object image in the compensation image, and express the corresponding area by subtracting a pixel value of the corresponding area based on a pixel value of the attenuation area.

In another general aspect, there is provided an augmented reality (AR) device including a camera configured to capture a target scene, a processor configured to determine a compensation parameter to compensate for light attenuation of visual information caused by a display area of a display as the visual information corresponding to the target scene is provided through the display area, generate a background image without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene using the camera, generate a compensation image by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter, generate a virtual object image to be overlaid on the target scene, and generate the display image by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image, and the display configured to display the display image in the display area.

The virtual object image may include an attenuation area that expresses dark colors using the light attenuation, and the processor may be configured to determine a corresponding area of the attenuation area of the virtual object image in the compensation image, and express the corresponding area by subtracting a pixel value of the corresponding area based on a pixel value of the attenuation area.

In another general aspect, there is provided an augmented reality (AR) glasses including a processor configured to determine a compensation parameter to compensate for light attenuation of visual information caused by lenses of the AR glasses as the visual information corresponding to a target scene is displayed through the lenses, generate a background image without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene using a camera of the AR glasses, generate a compensation image by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter, generate a virtual object image to be overlaid on the target scene, generate a display image by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image, and at least one projector configured to project the display image on the lenses.

The at least one projector may include two projectors, each disposed in respective temple of the AR glasses, and each projector being configured to project the display image on a lens of the lenses.

The camera may be disposed in a bridge of the AR glasses, and the processor may be configured to determine a target depth from the AR glasses to a target area of the compensation image, determine calibration information based on a difference between a capture viewpoint of the camera and an observation viewpoint of the lenses, convert an image at the capture viewpoint for the target area into an image at the observation viewpoint based on the target depth and the calibration information, and adjust the compensation image based on the conversion information.

The virtual object may include a lighting effect and a shadow of the virtual object.

The following detailed is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein.

Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" , A, B, C, (a), (b), (c), or the like may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or sections are not to be limited by these terms.

As used herein, the terms "include," "comprise," and "have" specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, are to be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The use of the term "may" herein with respect to an example or embodiment (e.g., as to what an example or embodiment may include or implement) means that at least one example or embodiment exists where such a feature is included or implemented, while all examples are not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing the examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements and a repeated description related thereto will be omitted.

<FIG> illustrates an example of processing augmented reality (AR) using light attenuation. Referring to <FIG>, visual information <NUM> corresponding to a target scene <NUM> in a real world may be provided through a display area <NUM> of an AR device (e.g., an AR device <NUM> of <FIG>) to a user eye <NUM>. The visual information <NUM> may correspond to light. Attenuation may be caused by the display area <NUM> in the light corresponding to the visual information <NUM>, and accordingly the visual information <NUM> may weaken to visual information <NUM>, which is perceived by the eyes of the user <NUM>. Here, the attenuation may further include other phenomena (e.g., scattering, reflection, etc.) that weaken the light, or the attenuation may be replaced with at least some of the phenomena. For example, the display area <NUM> may include a translucent element that blocks at least a part of the light, and light attenuation may occur as remaining unblocked light passes through the display area <NUM>. In an example, the display area <NUM> may be a translucent lens that provides a virtual image through a reflection function or a translucent display that displays the virtual image through a display element.

An AR processing apparatus may use the light attenuation to express dark colors (e.g., a shadow, a black pupil, black hair, etc.). In an example, the AR processing apparatus may use a projective addition technique to express the virtual image, but the projection addition technique may be unable to adequately express colors that are darker than those of an actual background. Since the light attenuation darkens the actual background, darkness corresponding to a degree of the attenuation may be expressed by selecting a state of the attenuation. In an example, expression of the dark colors may be needed for realistic rendering. In particular, a shadow or shading may have a great effect on realism of the virtual image.

The AR processing apparatus determines a compensation parameter that compensates for the light attenuation. According to an example, the compensation parameter may be determined based on transmittance of the display area <NUM>. For example, if the transmittance of the display area <NUM> is <NUM>%, a parameter value that compensates for the attenuated light of <NUM>% may be determined. According to another example, the compensation parameter may be determined according to a user setting. The user wearing the AR device may adjust the compensation parameter while looking at the real world through the display area <NUM>, and the compensation parameter may be determined according to user choice. For example, a parameter value that provides compensation for the user to think that a state is most similar to the real world may be selected. In another example, a parameter value suitable for illuminance (e.g., a light level as dark as wearing sunglasses) that the user prefers may be selected. In an example, the user setting may be set through a calibration process that is performed when the AR device is initially used.

The AR processing apparatus may provide visual information <NUM> that compensates for the visual information <NUM> in a weakened state. The visual information <NUM> may be provided by a display image of the display area <NUM>. The display image may be generated based on a compensation image and a virtual object image. The compensation image may compensate for the light attenuation. For example, if light of <NUM>% is attenuated by the display area <NUM>, the compensation image compensates for the light of <NUM>% so that a scene at the level of the real world may be provided to the user eye <NUM>. The AR processing apparatus may generate a background image without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene in the real world using a camera <NUM> of the AR device. The AR processing apparatus may generate the compensation image that compensates for the light attenuation by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter. The AR processing apparatus may generate the virtual object image to be overlaid on the target scene, generate the display image by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image, and display the display image in the display area <NUM>.

The virtual object image may include an attenuation area that expresses the dark colors using the light attenuation. The attenuation area may be expressed with at least a part of the light attenuation caused by the display area <NUM> remaining therein. For example, the attenuation area may include a shadow element of the virtual object image. The AR processing apparatus may determine a corresponding area of the attenuation area of the virtual object image in the compensation image, and express the corresponding area by subtracting a pixel value of the corresponding area based on a pixel value of the attenuation area. The AR processing apparatus may express a darkest color among the dark colors by reducing a compensation value of the corresponding area to "<NUM>". For example, if light of <NUM>% is attenuated by the display area <NUM>, a compensation value for the light of <NUM>% may express a less dark color than a compensation value for the light of <NUM>%. A compensation value of "<NUM>" may express the darkest color. In this way, the AR processing apparatus may express the dark colors such as a black pupil and dark hair in addition to the shadow element.

An expression range of the dark colors may be determined according to a degree of attenuation of the display area <NUM> and the compensation parameter. For example, if light of <NUM>% is attenuated by the display area <NUM> and a compensation parameter value provides a range of the compensation value that may compensate for all the light of <NUM>%, the dark colors may be expressed within an expression range corresponding to the light of <NUM>% attenuated by the display <NUM>. On the other hand, if light of <NUM>% is attenuated by the display area <NUM> and the compensation parameter value provides a range of a compensation value that may compensate for all the light of <NUM>%, or if light of <NUM>% is attenuated by the display area <NUM> and the compensation parameter value provides a range of a compensation value that may only compensate for light of <NUM>%, the expression range of the dark colors may vary.

<FIG> illustrates an example of generating and applying a display image. Referring to <FIG>, a target scene <NUM> in a real world may be observed like an observation scene <NUM> through a display area of an AR device. The observation scene <NUM> may correspond to a light attenuation state. An AR processing apparatus may generate a background image (not shown) by capturing the target scene <NUM> through a camera, and generate a compensation image <NUM> by reducing brightness of the background image using a compensation parameter. For example, if light intensity of the target scene <NUM> is <NUM>%, light intensity of the observation scene <NUM> may be <NUM>% and light intensity of the compensation image <NUM> may be <NUM>%. Accordingly, if brightness of a first pattern <NUM> is <NUM> and brightness of a second pattern <NUM> is <NUM> in the target scene <NUM>, brightness of a first pattern <NUM> may be <NUM> and brightness of a second pattern <NUM> may be <NUM> in the compensation image <NUM>. When the compensation image <NUM> is displayed in the display area, a scene similar to the target scene <NUM> may be observed.

The AR processing apparatus may generate a virtual object image <NUM> to be overlaid on the target scene. The virtual object image <NUM> may include an object element <NUM> and a shadow element <NUM>. The shadow element <NUM> may correspond to an attenuation area that expresses dark colors using the light attenuation. Accordingly, the shadow element <NUM> may be expressed with at least a part of the light attenuation caused by the display area remaining therein. The AR processing apparatus may generate a display image <NUM> by synthesizing the compensation image <NUM> and the virtual object image <NUM>. The AR processing apparatus may display the display image <NUM> in the display area. As the light attenuation is compensated for by the display image <NUM>, an observation scene <NUM> may be observed through the display area.

<FIG> illustrates examples of deriving a virtual object image. Referring to <FIG>, a target scene <NUM> may include a real object <NUM>. An AR processing apparatus may generate a background image <NUM> without light attenuation by capturing the target scene <NUM>. The background image <NUM> may include a real object <NUM>. The AR processing apparatus may determine an initial virtual object element <NUM> and generate an object element of a virtual object image by fusing the background image <NUM> and the initial virtual object element <NUM>.

The AR processing apparatus may render an intermediate result image <NUM> considering both the background image <NUM> and the initial virtual object element <NUM>. The intermediate result image <NUM> may include a real object <NUM> and an initial virtual object element <NUM>. The intermediate result image <NUM> may include a lighting effect such as a shadow effect, a reflection effect, and an interreflection effect. For example, the intermediate result image <NUM> may include an initial shadow element <NUM> of the initial virtual object element <NUM> and an interreflection element <NUM> between the initial virtual object element <NUM> and the real object <NUM>.

The AR processing apparatus may generate a difference image (not shown) corresponding to a difference between the background image <NUM> and the intermediate result image <NUM>, and apply a mask image <NUM> to the difference image to extract a shadow element <NUM> from the difference image. The mask image <NUM> may extract a portion corresponding to an outer area of the mask from the difference image. The AR processing apparatus may generate the difference image by removing the background image <NUM> from the intermediate result image <NUM>. Accordingly, the shadow element <NUM> may have a negative value. When the shadow element <NUM> applies to the compensation image, a compensation value of the compensation image may be subtracted by the negative value of the shadow element <NUM>. Accordingly, an attenuation area may be formed.

<FIG> illustrates an example of deriving a mask image. Referring to <FIG>, an AR processing apparatus may generate a mask <NUM> that corresponds to an initial virtual object element <NUM> and generate mask images <NUM> and <NUM> that include the mask <NUM>. The mask image <NUM> may extract a portion corresponding to an inner area of the mask <NUM> from an input image, and the mask image <NUM> may extract a portion corresponding to an outer area of the mask <NUM> from the input image. The mask image <NUM> may be expressed as Mask, and the mask image <NUM> may be expressed as Mask-<NUM>. The mask image <NUM> of <FIG> may correspond to the mask image <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an AR processing apparatus may extract an object element from an intermediate result image <NUM> using a mask image <NUM>. The mask image <NUM> may extract a portion corresponding to an inner area of the mask from the intermediate result image <NUM>. The mask image <NUM> may correspond to the mask image <NUM> of <FIG>. The AR processing apparatus may generate a virtual object image <NUM> by combining the object element and a shadow element <NUM>. The shadow element <NUM> may correspond to the shadow element <NUM> of <FIG>. The virtual object image <NUM> may include a lighting effect. The lighting effect may improve realism of the virtual object image <NUM>. In an example, a shadow element of the virtual object image <NUM> may express dark colors through an attenuation area.

<FIG> illustrates an example of generating and applying a display image using the virtual object image of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, a target scene <NUM> in a real world may be observed like an observation scene <NUM> through a display area of an AR device. The observation scene <NUM> may correspond to a light attenuation state. An AR processing apparatus may generate a background image (not shown) by capturing the target scene <NUM> through a camera and generate a compensation image <NUM> by reducing brightness of the background image using a compensation parameter.

The AR processing apparatus may generate a virtual object image <NUM> to be overlaid on the target scene. The virtual object image <NUM> may include, in addition to an object element, a lighting effect such as an interreflection element and a shadow element of the object element. The AR processing apparatus may generate a display image <NUM> by synthesizing the compensation image <NUM> and the virtual object image <NUM>. An attenuation area (e.g., a shadow element) of the virtual object image <NUM> may have a negative value. The AR processing apparatus may determine a corresponding area of the attenuation area of the virtual object image <NUM> in the compensation image <NUM>, and express the corresponding area by subtracting a pixel value of the corresponding area based on a pixel value of the attenuation area. When a compensation value of the corresponding area is "<NUM>", a darkest color may be expressed in the corresponding area.

The AR processing apparatus may display the display image <NUM> in the display area. The light attenuation may be compensated for by the display image <NUM>, and an observation scene <NUM> may be observed through the display area. In this example, the compensation for light attenuation may be lesser or none at all for a portion of the observation scene <NUM> corresponding to the attenuation area of the display image <NUM>, and as at least of a part of the light attenuation caused by the display area remains in the corresponding portion, dark colors may be expressed therein.

<FIG> illustrates an example of adjusting a compensation image to match the compensation image and a target scene. An AR processing apparatus may express a compensation image without considering a 3D characteristic or improve a naturalness of a compensation effect by performing scene matching. As the compensation image that corresponds to the target scene in a real world is well matched to the target scene in a display image, the compensation effect may appear more natural. For example, in <FIG>, when the first pattern <NUM> of the background image <NUM> is overlaid on the first pattern <NUM> of the target scene <NUM>, and the second pattern <NUM> of the background image <NUM> is overlaid on the second pattern <NUM> of the target scene <NUM>, the compensation effect may appear naturally.

The AR processing apparatus may determine a target depth Z from an AR device to a target area <NUM> of the compensation image, determine calibration information based on a difference between a capture viewpoint <NUM> of a camera and an observation viewpoint <NUM> of a user, and determine conversion information that converts an image <NUM> at the capture viewpoint <NUM> related to the target area <NUM> to an image <NUM> at the observation viewpoint <NUM> based on the target depth Z and the calibration information. For example, the calibration information may include information about a baseline B. The calibration information may be generated through a calibration process performed when the AR device is initially used. The conversion information may include disparity information between matching pairs of the images <NUM> and <NUM>.

The AR processing apparatus may determine depth information in various ways. According to an example, the AR processing apparatus may obtain object position information of a virtual object image to be displayed in the target scene, and determine the target depth based on the object position information. In an example, an object display position of the virtual object image may be already determined at a time of rendering the display image. The object display position may determine a position in the real world, and the depth information may be determined through the object display position. For example, when the object display position is three meters away from the AR processing apparatus, the conversion information may be generated based on depth information of three meters.

According to another example, the AR processing apparatus may determine target plane information by estimating a target plane corresponding to the target area, and determine the target depth based on the target plane information. The AR processing apparatus may perform plane estimation based on the compensation image, and determine plane information of at least one plane in the compensation image. The depth information may be determined through the plane information. If a plurality of planes is estimated from the compensation image, the AR processing apparatus may determine the conversion information only for a part of the plurality of planes related to the virtual object, and perform reprojection only for the corresponding part.

According to another example, the AR processing apparatus may determine target space information by estimating space information corresponding to the target area, and determine the target depth based on the target space information. The AR processing apparatus may estimate sparse map points using a space estimation technique such as, for example, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), and perform interpolation between the map points to estimate the space information of the target area. In another example, the AR processing apparatus may estimate the space information of the target area by estimating a volume-based space model having denser map points than SLAM.

The AR processing apparatus may adjust the compensation image using the conversion information. The AR processing apparatus may adjust the compensation image by reprojecting the image <NUM> to the image <NUM>, with regard to the target area <NUM> of the compensation image. In an example, the reprojection may include warping.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an AR processing method. The operations in <FIG> may be performed in the sequence and manner as shown, although the order of some operations may be changed or some of the operations omitted. Many of the operations shown in <FIG> may be performed in parallel or concurrently. One or more blocks of <FIG>, and combinations of the blocks, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer, such as a processor, that perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. For example, operations of the method may be performed by a computing apparatus (e.g., the AR processing apparatus <NUM> in <FIG>). In addition to the description of <FIG> below, the descriptions of <FIG> are also applicable to <FIG>, and are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the above description may not be repeated here.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, an AR processing apparatus determines a compensation parameter that compensates for light attenuation of visual information caused by a display area of an AR device as the visual information corresponding to a target scene in a real world is provided to a user through the display area.

In operation <NUM>, the AR processing apparatus generates a background image without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene in the real world using a camera of the AR device. In operation <NUM>, the AR processing apparatus generates a compensation image that compensates for the light attenuation by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter.

The AR processing apparatus may adjust a compensation image so that the compensation image and the target scene are observed by the user in a matched state. The AR processing apparatus may determine a target depth from the AR device to a target area of the compensation image, determine calibration information based on a difference between a capture viewpoint of a camera and an observation viewpoint of the user, determine conversion information that converts an image at the capture viewpoint related to the target area to an image at the observation viewpoint based on the target depth and the calibration information, and adjust the compensation image using the conversion information.

In an example, the AR processing apparatus may obtain object position information of a virtual object image to be displayed in the target scene, and determine the target depth based on the object position information. In an example, the AR processing apparatus may determine target plane information by estimating a target plane corresponding to the target area, and determine the target depth based on the target plane information. In an example, the AR processing apparatus may determine target space information by estimating space information corresponding to the target area, and determine the target depth based on the target space information.

In operation <NUM>, the AR processing apparatus generates a virtual object image to be overlaid on the target scene. The virtual object image may include an attenuation area that expresses dark colors using the light attenuation. The attenuation area of the virtual object image may be expressed with at least a part of the light attenuation caused by the display area remaining therein. For example, the attenuation area of the virtual object image may include a shadow element of the virtual object image.

The virtual object image may include an object element and the shadow element. The AR processing apparatus may generate the object element by fusing a background image and an initial virtual object element, generate the shadow element based on a difference between the background image and an intermediate result image, and generate the virtual object image by combining the object element and the shadow element.

The AR processing apparatus may generate a mask image that includes a mask corresponding to the initial virtual object element. The AR processing apparatus may generate the intermediate result image that includes the object element by fusing the background image and the initial virtual object element, and extract the object element from the intermediate result image using an inner area of the mask in the mask image. The AR processing apparatus may generate a difference image corresponding to the difference between the background image and the intermediate result image, and extract the shadow element from the difference image using an outer area of the mask in the mask image.

In operation <NUM>, the AR processing apparatus generates a display image by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image. The AR processing apparatus may determine a corresponding area of the attenuation area of the virtual object image in the compensation image. The AR processing apparatus may express the corresponding area by subtracting a pixel value of the corresponding area based on a pixel value of the attenuation area. The AR processing apparatus may express a darkest color among the dark colors by reducing a compensation value of the corresponding area to "<NUM>".

In operation <NUM>, the AR processing apparatus displays the display image in the display area.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a configuration of an apparatus with AR processing. Referring to <FIG>, an AR processing apparatus <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be connected to the processor <NUM> and store computer-readable instructions executable by the processor <NUM>, data to be computed by the processor <NUM>, or data processed by the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may include any one or any combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory.

The volatile memory device may be implemented as a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a static random-access memory (SRAM), a thyristor RAM (T-RAM), a zero capacitor RAM (Z-RAM), or a twin transistor RAM (TTRAM).

The non-volatile memory device may be implemented as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a magnetic RAM (MRAM), a spin-transfer torque (STT)-MRAM, a conductive bridging RAM(CBRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), a phase change RAM (PRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM), a nanotube RRAM, a polymer RAM (PoRAM), a nano floating gate Memory (NFGM), a holographic memory, a molecular electronic memory device), or an insulator resistance change memory. Further details regarding the memory <NUM> is provided below.

The processor <NUM> may execute instructions to perform the operations described herein with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine a compensation parameter that compensates for light attenuation of visual information caused by a display area of an AR device as the visual information corresponding to a target scene in a real world is provided to a user through the display area, generate a background image without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene in the real world using a camera of the AR device, generate a compensation image that compensates for the light attenuation by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter, generate a virtual object image to be overlaid on the target scene, generate a display image by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image, and display the display image in the display area. In addition, the description provided with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may apply to the AR processing apparatus <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be a data processing device implemented by hardware including a circuit having a physical structure to perform desired operations. For example, the desired operations may include code or instructions included in a program.

The hardware-implemented data processing device may include, for example, a main processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application processor (AP)) or an auxiliary processor (e.g., a GPU, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently of, or in conjunction with the main processor. Further details regarding the processor <NUM> is provided below.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an AR device. Referring to <FIG>, an AR device <NUM> may generate a background image using a mono camera <NUM> disposed in the bridge of the AR device <NUM> and/or a stereo camera <NUM>, <NUM> disposed in respective end piece of the AR device <NUM>, and provide a display image through a display area <NUM>, <NUM>. The display area <NUM>, <NUM> may be a translucent lens that provides the display image through a reflection function, or a translucent display that displays the display image through a display element. When the display area <NUM>, <NUM> is the translucent lens, the display image may be projected to the display area <NUM>, <NUM> through a projector <NUM>, <NUM> disposed in each of the temples of the AR device. The AR device <NUM> may further include, in addition to the components explicitly shown in <FIG>, one or more of the components that are described for the AR processing apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> and an electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a configuration of an electronic device with AR processing. Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, an output device <NUM>, and a network interface <NUM>. The components of the electronic device <NUM> may communicate with each other through a communication bus <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may be implemented as at least a part of, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a netbook, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a smart band, smart glasses (e.g., AR glasses, AR goggles, and an AR HMD), and the like, a home appliance such as a television (TV), a smart TV, a refrigerator, a smart refrigerator, and the like, a security device such as a door lock, a security kiosk, and the like, and a vehicle such as an autonomous vehicle, a smart vehicles, and the like. The electronic device <NUM> may structurally and/or functionally include the AR processing apparatus <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> executes instructions or functions to be executed in the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may process the instructions stored in the memory <NUM> or the storage device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may perform the one or more operations described through <FIG>. In addition to the description of processor <NUM> herein, the descriptions of processor <NUM> from <FIG> is also applicable to <FIG>, and are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the above description may not be repeated here. The memory <NUM> may include a computer-readable storage medium or a computer-readable storage device. The memory <NUM> may store instructions to be executed by the processor <NUM> and store related information while the instructions and/or an application are executed by the electronic device <NUM>. In addition to the description of memory <NUM> herein, the descriptions of memory <NUM> from <FIG> is also applicable to <FIG>, and are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the above description may not be repeated here.

The camera <NUM> may capture a photo and/or a video. The storage device <NUM> includes a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable storage device. The storage device <NUM> may store a more quantity of information than the memory <NUM> for a long time. For example, the storage device <NUM> may include a magnetic hard disk, an optical disc, a flash memory, a floppy disk, or other non-volatile memories.

The input device <NUM> may receive an input from the user in traditional input manners through a keyboard and a mouse, and in new input manners such as a touch input, a voice input, a gesture, a motion-based input, and an image input. For example, the input device <NUM> may include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a microphone, or any other device that detects the input from the user and transmits the detected input to the electronic device <NUM>. The output device <NUM> may provide an output of the electronic device <NUM> to the user through a visual, auditory, or haptic channel. The output device <NUM> may include, for example, a display, a touch screen, a speaker, a vibration generator, or any other device that provides the output to the user. The network interface <NUM> may communicate with an external device through a wired or wireless network.

The AR processing apparatus <NUM>, electronic device <NUM>, and other apparatuses, devices, units, modules, and components described herein are implemented by hardware components. Examples of hardware components that may be used to perform the operations described in this application where appropriate include controllers, sensors, generators, drivers, memories, comparators, arithmetic logic units, adders, subtractors, multipliers, dividers, integrators, and any other electronic components configured to perform the operations described in this application. In other examples, one or more of the hardware components that perform the operations described in this application are implemented by computing hardware, for example, by one or more processors or computers. A processor or computer may be implemented by one or more processing elements, such as an array of logic gates, a controller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, a field-programmable gate array, a programmable logic array, a microprocessor, or any other device or combination of devices that is configured to respond to and execute instructions in a defined manner to achieve a desired result. In one example, a processor or computer includes, or is connected to, one or more memories storing instructions or software that are executed by the processor or computer. Hardware components implemented by a processor or computer may execute instructions or software, such as an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the OS, to perform the operations described in this application. The hardware components may also access, manipulate, process, create, and store data in response to execution of the instructions or software. For simplicity, the singular term "processor" or "computer" may be used in the description of the examples described in this application, but in other examples multiple processors or computers may be used, or a processor or computer may include multiple processing elements, or multiple types of processing elements, or both. For example, a single hardware component or two or more hardware components may be implemented by a single processor, or two or more processors, or a processor and a controller. One or more hardware components may be implemented by one or more processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more other hardware components may be implemented by one or more other processors, or another processor and another controller. One or more processors, or a processor and a controller, may implement a single hardware component, or two or more hardware components. A hardware component may have any one or more of different processing configurations, examples of which include a single processor, independent processors, parallel processors, single-instruction single-data (SISD) multiprocessing, single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) multiprocessing, multiple-instruction single-data (MISD) multiprocessing, multiple-instruction multiple-data (MIMD) multiprocessing, a controller and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a DSP, a microcomputer, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

The methods that perform the operations described in this application are performed by computing hardware, for example, by one or more processors or computers, implemented as described above executing instructions or software to perform the operations described in this application that are performed by the methods.

The Instructions or software to control a processor or computer to implement the hardware components and perform the methods as described above are written as computer programs, code segments, instructions or any combination thereof, for individually or collectively instructing or configuring the processor or computer to operate as a machine or special-purpose computer to perform the operations performed by the hardware components and the methods as described above. In one example, the instructions or software include machine code that is directly executed by the processor or computer, such as machine code produced by a compiler. In an example, the instructions or software includes at least one of an applet, a dynamic link library (DLL), middleware, firmware, a device driver, an application program storing the augmented reality (AR) processing method. In another example, the instructions or software include higher-level code that is executed by the processor or computer using an interpreter. Programmers of ordinary skill in the art can readily write the instructions or software based on the block diagrams and the flow charts illustrated in the drawings and the corresponding descriptions in the specification, which disclose algorithms for performing the operations performed by the hardware components and the methods as described above.

The instructions or software to control a processor or computer to implement the hardware components and perform the methods as described above, and any associated data, data files, and data structures, are recorded, stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Examples of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access programmable read only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), spin-transfer torque(STT)-MRAM, static random-access memory (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), zero capacitor RAM (Z-RAM), twin transistor RAM (TTRAM), conductive bridging RAM(CBRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), phase change RAM (PRAM), resistive RAM(RRAM), nanotube RRAM, polymer RAM (PoRAM), nano floating gate Memory(NFGM), holographic memory, molecular electronic memory device), insulator resistance change memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory, non-volatile memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, blue-ray or optical disk storage, hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), flash memory, a card type memory such as multimedia card micro or a card (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD)), magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks, and any other device that is configured to store the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures in a non-transitory manner and providing the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures to a processor or computer so that the processor or computer can execute the instructions. In an example, the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures are distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the instructions and software and any associated data, data files, and data structures are stored, accessed, and executed in a distributed fashion by the one or more processors or computers.

Claim 1:
A processor-implemented method with augmented reality, 'AR', processing for an AR device (<NUM>) comprising a display area (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) including a translucent element, such as a translucent lens or a translucent display, the method comprising:
determining a compensation parameter to compensate for light attenuation of visual information (<NUM>), corresponding to a target scene (<NUM>; <NUM>), to weakened state visual information (<NUM>) caused by the display area (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) as visual information (<NUM>) is provided through the display area (<NUM>);
generating a background image (<NUM>) without the light attenuation by capturing the target scene using a camera (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) of the AR device;
generating a compensation image (<NUM>; <NUM>) for compensating the light attenuation of the visual information (<NUM>) to weakened state visual information (<NUM>) by reducing brightness of the background image using the compensation parameter;
generating a virtual object image (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) to be overlaid on the target scene;
generating a display image (<NUM>) by synthesizing the compensation image and the virtual object image; and
displaying the display image, including the compensation image and the virtual object image, in the display area.