TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to augmented reality user interfaces and, more particularly, to enabling electronic transactions and presenting virtual objects across disparate augmented reality environments.

BACKGROUND

Enhanced portability of consumer electronics with sophisticated graphics and computing capabilities (e.g., smart phones, tablets, and the like) have expanded the activities a user can engage in using those portable devices. The advancements in technologies have also brought science fiction into reality. For instance, a variety of sensing capabilities of portable devices can be utilized to further enhance the users' augmented reality experiences.

Augmented reality (AR) is the process of adding computer-supplied content, including images, video, text, and other data as layers over displayed images of the real world. For example, when a portable device captures an image or video of a scene including objects, one or more applications installed on the device can add information about the objects or other related contents over the displayed scene to enhance the user's experience. The user may utilize the overlaid information and contents to make informed decisions and/or to generate personal entertainment.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art, or suggestions of the prior art, by inclusion in this section.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method for collecting and releasing virtual objects between disparate augmented reality (AR) environments, comprising: generating a user identifier of a user; displaying, at a first time, a first environment comprising an object; receiving user selection to collect the object; transmitting, to an AR content server, a search request for a virtual object corresponding to the object; receiving, from the AR content server, the virtual object; storing the virtual object in a user library associated with the user identifier; displaying, at a second time, a second environment; determining that the user is associated with the user identifier; receiving user selection to add the virtual object to the second environment; and superimposing the virtual object over the second environment.

One embodiment provides a system for collecting and releasing virtual objects between disparate augmented reality (AR) environments. The system may comprise one or more processors; and a data storage comprising instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising: generating a user identifier of a user; displaying, at a first time, a first environment comprising an object; receiving user selection to collect the object; transmitting, to an AR content server, a search request for a virtual object corresponding to the object; receiving, from the AR content server, the virtual object; storing the virtual object in a user library associated with the user identifier; displaying, at a second time, a second environment; determining that the user is associated with the user identifier; receiving user selection to add the virtual object to the second environment; and superimposing the virtual object over the second environment.

One embodiment provides a non-transitory computer readable medium for collecting and releasing virtual objects between disparate augmented reality (AR) environments. The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising: generating a user identifier of a user; displaying, at a first time, a first environment comprising an object; receiving user selection to collect the object; transmitting, to an AR content server, a search request for a virtual object corresponding to the object; receiving, from the AR content server, the virtual object; storing the virtual object in a user library associated with the user identifier; displaying, at a second time, a second environment; determining that the user is associated with the user identifier; receiving user selection to add the virtual object to the second environment; and superimposing the virtual object over the second environment.

Additional objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

