Methods, systems, and computer readable media for improved illumination of spatial augmented reality objects

A method for illuminating a special augmented reality object, the method comprising:

• capturing images to be displayed on an augmented reality object;
• measuring ambient illumination in a local environment of the augmented reality object;
• adjusting illumination of the captured images based on the measured ambient illumination, wherein adjusting illumination of the captured images includes changing illumination of the captured images to match ambient lighting of the local environment of the augmented reality object so that the captured images appear to be lit from light sources in the local environment of the augmented reality object;
• and
• projecting, using a projector, the illumination-adjusted captured images through a projection surface of the augmented reality object, wherein the projection surface is coated with an anti-reflective coating and wherein the projector is located within the augmented reality object and illuminates the augmented reality object from within the augmented reality object by projecting the illumination-adjusted captured images from within the augmented reality object, through a lenslets layer located behind the projection surface, through apertures in the projection surface, and to a region outside of the augmented reality object.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps comprising:

• capturing images to be displayed on an augmented reality object;
• measuring ambient illumination in a local environment of the augmented reality object;
• adjusting illumination of the captured images based on the measured ambient illumination, wherein adjusting illumination of the captured images includes changing illumination of the captured images to match ambient lighting of the local environment of the augmented reality object so that the captured images appear to be lit from light sources in the local environment of the augmented reality object;
• and
• projecting the illumination adjusted captured images through a projection surface of the augmented reality object, wherein the projection surface is coated with an anti-reflective coating and wherein the projector is located within the augmented reality object and illuminates the augmented reality object from within the augmented reality object by projecting the illumination-adjusted captured images from within the augmented reality object, through a lenslets layer located behind the projection surface, through apertures in the projection surface, and to a region outside of the augmented reality object.