Interactive input controls in a simulated three-dimensional (3D) environment

Abstract

A virtual reality (VR) system supports improved interactive control processes/services. These interactive control processes/services include detecting movement of a controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment, determining an angle of rotation based on the movement, determining a magnitude of force associated with the movement, determining a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the angle of rotation and the magnitude of force, and projecting the path in the VR environment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure generally relates to simulated or virtual reality environments, and more particularly to interactive input controls therein.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]Advances in technology, driven, for example, by improved processing power and speed, ever more efficient software rendering techniques, consumer convenience, and the like, have supported a growing movement in developing and designing simulated or three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) environments. VR systems which support such VR environments generally include hardware such as headsets, googles, handheld or wearable devices, and the like. Operatively, such hardware continuously tracks user movements, updates user positions, orientations, and the like, and receives interactive input from users in a VR environment.[0003]While certain VR systems can include complex and often expensive hardware and other equipment, such as an omni-directional treadmill, for tracking and tra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]In one exemplary embodiment, this disclosure provides an interactive control process/service. The interactive control process/service may be performed as a method of steps that include detecting movement of a controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment. The method further includes steps to determine an angle of rotation, a magnitude of force (e.g., acceleration), and the like, based on the movement. For example, the movement may be mapped or represented by vectors, each having a direction and a magnitude. The method further includes steps for determining a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the vectors (e.g., the angle(s) of rotation, magnitudes of force, etc.) as well as for projecting the path in the VR environment, by displaying, for example, graphical elements that represent the path in the VR environment. In some aspects the method may further include intersection or collision processes that determine when an object in the VR environment intersects (or is in close proximity to) a portion of the path. In such aspects, the method may further include steps to modify or adjust the path so as to select such object, display menu options, retrieve the object along the path, move the user toward the object along the path, and the like.

[0005]In another embodiment, a virtual reality (VR) system employs the above discussed interactive control proces

Problems solved by technology

While certain VR systems can include complex and often expensive hardware and other equipment, such as an omni-directional treadmill, for tracking and translating real-world user movement into the VR environment, an average user may

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