Seamless bridging AR-device and AR-system

An Augmented Reality (AR)-system comprising

• an AR-device comprising:
• a visual sensor configured for capturing an environment of the AR-device,
• a display configured for providing:
• a real view of the environment, and
• overlays onto the real view according to AR-data, wherein the AR-data comprise at least one of design data and measured data,
• a computer configured for:
• reading and controlling the visual sensor,
• at least one of receiving, generating and storing:
• (i) the AR-data, and
• (ii) identification features which are assigned to each of a plurality of reference systems,
• generating the overlays,
• establishing a referenced status of the AR-device relative to each of the reference systems in each case by:
• (i) identifying a reference system based on at least one identification feature captured by the visual sensor, and
• (ii) determining a pose of the AR-device relative to the identified reference system, and
• maintaining the referenced status in case of loss of visual contact between the visual sensor and the at least one identification feature, based on a Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (VSLAM)-process;
• and
• at least two surveying instruments, each defining one of the plurality of reference systems,
• wherein:
• each surveying instrument is one of a total station, a theodolite, a tachymeter, a laser scanner, or a laser tracker;
• and
• the identification features are generated and provided to the AR-device by the surveying instrument of the corresponding reference system.

A method for establishing and seamlessly bridging a referenced status of an Augmented Reality (AR)-device, the method comprising:

• capturing an environment of the AR-device using a visual sensor of the AR-device;
• at least one of receiving, generating and storing identification features which are assigned to each of a plurality of reference systems
• wherein
• each reference system is defined by a surveying instrument being one of a total station, a theodolite, a tachymeter, a laser scanner, or a laser tracker and
• the identification features are generated and provided to the AR-device by the surveying instrument of the corresponding reference system,
• generating overlays onto a real view of the environment displayed on a display of the AR-device, wherein the AR-data comprise at least one of design data and measured data;
• establishing a referenced status of the AR-device relative to each of the reference systems in each case by:
• identifying a reference system based on at least one identification feature captured by the visual sensor, and
• determining a pose of the AR-device relative to the identified reference system;
• identifying a first reference system based on at least one of first identification features captured by the visual sensor;
• establishing a referenced status of the AR-device with respect to the first reference system;
• and
• based on a Visual Simultaneous Localiszation and Mapping (VSLAM)-process, maintaining the referenced status even in case none of the at least one first identification feature is visible to the visual sensor.