Optically challenging surface detection for augmented reality

Abstract

Approaches in accordance with various embodiments provide for the presentation of augmented reality (AR) content with respect to optically challenging surfaces. Such surfaces can be difficult to locate using conventional optical-based approaches that rely on visible features. Embodiments can utilize the fact that horizontal surfaces can be located relatively easily, and can determine intersections or boundaries of those horizontal surfaces that likely indicate the presence of another surface, such as a vertical wall. This boundary can be determined automatically, through user input, or using a combination of such approaches. Once such an intersection is located, a virtual plane can be determined whose relative location to a device displaying AR content can be tracked and used as a reference for displaying AR content.