Virtual reality training system and floor unit therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a virtual reality training system and a floor unit thereof. Disclosed is a virtual reality training system and a floor unit for the virtual reality training system. The virtual reality training system according to an aspect of the present disclosure can include a floor system having a base with a certain length and width, an object member configured to be detachably installed on the floor system, an input unit configured to assign a first position corresponding to a position of an object within a virtual reality space, the virtual reality space having a length and a width less than or equal to the length and the width of the base of the floor system, and a mapping unit configured to calculate and output a second position for installing the object member on the floor system, the second position being calculated as a position on the floor system corresponding to the first position within the virtual reality space.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a virtual reality training system, and more particularly, to a virtual reality training system and a floor unit for the virtual reality training system, which can increase realism of a virtual reality training course, and thus improve effectiveness of the virtual reality training course by more closely simulating training in an actual environment. BACKGROUND

[0002] Virtual reality (VR) refers to a technology that simulates a virtual environment by providing images to the left and right eyes of a user using a headset, as well as sound effects associated with the images, so that the user can experience the virtual environment through perceived visual and auditory stimuli. Virtual reality has been widely popularized and is being used for various entertainment and training purposes.

[0003] Virtual reality is primarily based on providing visual and auditory stimuli to a user, and is limited in providing stimuli perceived through other senses. Although olfactory and gustatory senses can be rarely required in the context of training and entertainment, the need for tactile stimuli can occur relatively more frequently. For example, when an object or a structure is visually simulated in a virtual reality space, it can happen that the user tries to grasp the object or lean against the structure, and the user can feel confused or even injured (e.g., due to a fall) since the object or the structure does not exist in an actual environment.

[0004] In particular, in a training course using virtual reality, interaction with surrounding structures can be a major part of the training. For example, a counter-terrorism training course can require a trainee to lean against a structure such as a wall, where using the structure as a hiding or defensive means like this can correspond to a large part of the training. In such a case, a virtual reality space provided only through visual and auditory stimuli will not allow the trainee to interact with the structure, and effectiveness of the training will be weakened. SUMMARY

[0005] An aspect of the present application conceived to solve the above-described problems is to provide a virtual reality training system and a floor unit for the virtual reality training system, which can determine a corresponding position of an object in an actual space when the object is placed within a virtual reality space, and allow an actual space having a similar arrangement of structures to the virtual reality space to be realized.

[0006] Other objects of the present application will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description.

[0007] A virtual reality training system according to an aspect of the present application can include a floor system having a base of a certain length and width, an object member configured to be detachably installed on the floor system, an input unit configured to assign a first position corresponding to a position of an object within a virtual reality space, the virtual reality space having a length and a width less than or equal to the length and the width of the base of the floor system, and a mapping unit configured to calculate and output a second position for installing the object member on the floor system, the second position being calculated as a position on the floor system corresponding to the first position within the virtual reality space.

[0008] A virtual reality training system according to an embodiment of the present application can include one or more of the following features. For example, the virtual reality training system can further include a lighting unit that irradiates a visible light ray toward the second position or irradiates a visible light ray from the second position. In one example, the lighting unit can include a lighting element installed at a certain height from the base and configured to irradiate a visible light ray toward the second position. At least one lighting element can be movably installed on a structure installed at a certain height from the base and can irradiate a visible light ray after moving to a position from which a visible light ray can be irradiated toward the second position.

[0009] The floor system can further include a plurality of slots formed in the base, the lighting unit can include lighting elements installed within the plurality of slots, and the lighting unit can irradiate a visible light ray from a lighting element corresponding to the second position.

[0010] The object member can include a plurality of types that can differ from each other in at least one of size, shape, texture, and odor, the input unit can assign a type of the object together with the first position, the mapping unit can calculate a type of the object member together with the second position, and the lighting unit can change a color of the visible light ray according to the type of the object member.

[0011] The floor system can further include a plurality of protrusion portions configured to be movable along a vertical direction within a range defined between a certain height below an upper surface of the base and a certain height above the upper surface of the base, or a plurality of cavity portions formed in the upper surface of the base and configured to open and close. Here, the object member can include a holding portion configured to receive a protrusion portion inserted therein or a stake portion configured to be inserted into a cavity portion, and the floor system can move the protrusion portion upward or open the cavity portion at the second position according to a received control signal.

[0012] The floor system can include a plurality of slots formed in the base, and the object member can include a fixing portion configured to be inserted into the slots so that the object member installed on the floor system can be moved along the slots. Here, the floor system can further include sensors respectively disposed in the plurality of slots, wherein each sensor can be configured to detect whether the object member is installed in the corresponding slot. In addition, the object member can include a tag portion, and the sensor can identify at least one of a type, a size, an ID number, and an assigned position of the object member from the tag portion.

[0013] The floor system can further include a driving unit disposed in the slot and configured to move the object member along the slot. The virtual reality training system according to an embodiment of the present invention can further include a loading device arranged adjacent to an edge of the floor system, wherein the plurality of slots can be opened through a side surface at the edge of the floor system, and the loading device can be configured to insert the fixing portion of the object member through an open side of a slot corresponding to the second position among the plurality of slots. The object member can include a coupling portion on an edge portion of either side, so that the coupling portion can at least partially bridge a gap between adjacent object members.

[0014] The input unit can provide a UI expressing a virtual reality space in a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional manner and can assign the first position according to a user's input. The UI can be provided via a VR headset worn by the user.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention can provide a floor unit for a floor system of a virtual reality training system. The floor unit can include a main body extending a length corresponding to a grid unit of the floor system in one direction, and a slot formed therein, the slot being open at an upper surface and both ends of the main body, and a lighting element installed within the slot, wherein a width of an upper portion of the slot can be narrower than a width of a lower portion of the slot.

[0016] The floor unit can further include a roller rotatably installed within the slot and configured to support the object member inserted in the slot. The floor unit can further include a driving unit disposed within the slot and configured to move the object member inserted in the slot. The floor unit can further include a sensor configured to detect the object member inserted in the slot. Here, the sensor can be configured to detect light rays irradiated by the lighting element, the object member can block the light rays of the lighting element from reaching the sensor when the object member is inserted in the slot, and the sensor can detect the presence of the object member based on a decrease in the amount of detected light rays.

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention having the above-described features can provide various advantageous effects including the following. However, embodiments of the present invention can not necessarily exhibit all of the following effects.

[0018] When a user places one or more objects within the virtual reality space, embodiments of the present invention can display a corresponding position on the floor system, thereby specifying a position where an object member should be installed. This can simulate an environment where a trainee can interact with objects within the virtual reality space during a virtual training course, so that the effectiveness of the training can be greatly increased.

[0019] In addition, when various types of objects are placed in a complex configuration within a space for virtual reality training, embodiments of the present invention can implement automatic replication of the configuration in an actual space.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention allow a high degree of freedom in organizing a space for virtual reality training, thereby providing a significant improvement in the effectiveness and possible range of training courses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a virtual reality training system according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a floor unit according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of floor units and object members coupled together according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating object members installed on a floor system in a virtual reality training system according to a second disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a loading device in a virtual reality training system according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a virtual reality training system according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 illustrates a UI provided by an input unit in a virtual reality training system according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of floor units and object members coupled together according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a virtual reality training system according to a third disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a floor system and an object member in a virtual reality training system according to a third disclosed embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Since the present application allows various changes and numerous embodiments, specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present application to a specific mode of practice, and it will be understood that all changes, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present application are encompassed by the present application. In the description of the present application, certain detailed descriptions of related art are omitted if it is considered that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present application.

[0032] The terms used in the present specification are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. Expressions used in the singular encompass the plural, unless they have obviously a different meaning in the context. In the present specification, it will be understood that terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is existence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to exclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof can exist or can be added.

[0033] Although terms such as "first" and "second" can be used to describe various components, the components are not limited by the above terms. The above terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.

[0034] Certain embodiments of the present application will be described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0035] Figure 1 is a diagram conceptually showing a virtual reality training system 1000 according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figure 1 , the virtual reality training system 1000 according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present application can include a floor system 100, an object member 200, an input unit 300, a mapping unit 400, a control unit 500, and a lighting unit 600.

[0036] The virtual reality training system 1000 according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present application can be a system that organizes a space in which a virtual reality experience or a training course is provided. In the present specification, the term "user" mainly refers to a person who installs or assigns a position for the object member 200 to organize a training space, and the term "trainee" refers to a person who receives a virtual reality experience or a training course in the organized training space. Of course, the "user" can also be the "trainee", and the "trainee" can also be the "user".

[0037] The floor system 100 can include a base 110 having a certain length and width and a plurality of slots 150 formed in the base 110. The floor system 100 can be located within a space in which a virtual reality training course is to be performed, and can form a floor surface in the space in which a trainee receives training. More specifically, the trainee can undergo training on the floor system 100 while wearing a VR headset or the like that provides visual and auditory stimuli for virtual reality. The base 110 can form a floor surface of the space in which training is performed, and the slots 150 can be formed in an upper surface of the base 110 to a certain depth and configured to allow coupling with a portion of an object member 200. The floor system 100 can also be provided with detector means (not shown) such as markers, sensors, or the like, which allow a VR headset of a trainee to recognize a relative position of the VR headset with respect to the floor system 100.

[0038] The object member 200 can be detachably mounted to the floor system 100. The object member 200 can be a member that extends in a vertical direction with respect to the base 110 up to a certain height, and can be used to simulate a structure such as a wall or the like. That is, if a structure such as a wall or the like that is desired to interact with a trainee exists in the virtual reality space 311, a user can install the object member 200 at a corresponding position of the floor system 100. As a result, the object member 200 can be actually placed at a position at which a trainee visually perceives a structure to exist within the virtual reality space 311, and the effectiveness of virtual reality training received by the trainee can greatly increase.

[0039] The input unit 300 can assign a position of an object 312 within the virtual reality space 311. For example, the input unit 300 can provide a UI (user interface) 310 that expresses the virtual reality space 311 in a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional manner to a user, and the user can arrange one or more objects 312 at a certain position within the virtual reality space 311 through the UI 310. The object 312 can be a virtual reality object that extends vertically from a floor surface to a certain height within the virtual reality space 311.

[0040] The UI 310 provided to the user by the input unit 300 can be, for example, a UI provided through a display of a computing device. The UI 310 can represent the virtual reality space 311 in the form of a plan view, a parallel projection, or the like. In certain embodiments, the input unit 300 can include a VR headset (not shown) and a sensor for recognizing a motion of a user, so that a user’s input can itself be made within the virtual reality space 311.

[0041] Of course, placement of the object 312 by the input unit 300 does not necessarily require user input, and the input unit 300 can place the object 312 according to one of a plurality of patterns stored in advance or generate a pattern for placing the object 312 according to a predetermined set of rules.

[0042] If the positions of the object members 200 mountable on the floor system 100 are limited to a certain pattern such as a grid as described below, the first positions assignable through the input unit 300 can also be limited to the corresponding pattern.

[0043] The mapping unit 400 can calculate the positions on which the object members 200 should be mounted on the floor system 100 from the positions of the objects 312 assignable through the input unit 300. For convenience, the positions of the objects placed in the virtual reality space 311 are referred to herein as first positions, and the positions on which the object members 200 should be mounted correspondingly are referred to herein as second positions.

[0044] When a plurality of objects 312 are placed in the virtual reality space 311, the input unit 300 transmits the values of the plurality of first positions to the mapping unit 400, and then the mapping unit 400 can calculate the values of the plurality of second positions correspondingly. The mapping unit 400 can output the calculated second positions and transmit the values to the control unit 500. Of course, in an embodiment not including a separate control unit 500, the calculated second positions can also be transmitted to the lighting unit 600, the floor system 100, or another device.

[0045] The control unit 500 can generate and transmit a control signal associated with the organization of the space for the virtual reality training based on the second positions calculated at the mapping unit 400. For example, in the case of the floor system 100, the control unit 500 can transmit a control signal for the organization of the floor system 100 to the lighting unit 600. Figure 1 In the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention shown, the control unit 500 can transmit the control signal to the lighting unit 600, and the lighting unit 600 can irradiate visible light rays from the lighting elements corresponding to the second positions.

[0046] Of course, the input unit 300, the mapping unit 400, and the control unit do not have to be implemented as separate components, and one or more of these units can be implemented in an integrated form in a single computing device 550.

[0047] The lighting unit 600 can include one or more lighting elements 160, and can turn on the lighting elements 160 corresponding to the second positions based on the control signal received from the control unit 500 or the information related to the second positions received from the mapping unit 400. While the lighting elements 160 corresponding to the second positions are operated and irradiate visible light rays, the object members 200 can be manually or automatically mounted on the floor system 100.

[0048] In the case of manual installation of the object member 200, the user can easily recognize the position on the floor system 100 where the object member 200 should be installed from the lighting of the lighting element 160. In the case of automatic installation of the object member 200, the object member 200 can be installed after the user checks the lighting element 160 of the operation and confirms that the placement of the object member 200 is appropriate, or the object member 200 can be automatically installed without the confirmation of the user.

[0049] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a floor unit 120 according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present application, Figure 3 is a perspective view of floor units 120 and an object member 200 coupled together according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In a virtual reality training system 1000 according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present application, the floor system 100 can include a base 110 and floor units 120. Each floor unit 120 can include a slot 150, and a plurality of floor units 120 can be installed in a recess formed in a single base 110 or can be coupled between a plurality of separate bases 110.

[0051] For example, the floor system 100 can take the form of a grid (see Figure 4 ), in which each floor unit 120 can correspond to a side of a square within the grid. That is, a plurality of floor units 120 can be arranged such that the slots 150 extend in orthogonal directions to form a grid. In such a case, the second positions designated by the mapping unit 400 can each correspond to a single floor unit 120. In the middle of four floor units 120, a cross-shaped slot connecting the slots 150 in two directions can be provided, in which the cross-shaped slot can be formed in the base 110 or a separate connecting member (not shown).

[0052] The floor unit 120 according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present application can include a main body 130 in which a slot 150 is formed. As described above, the main body 130 can extend over a length corresponding to one side of a square in the grid of the floor system 100. The slot 150 can be open at an upper surface of the main body 130 to allow installation of the object member 200, and open at both ends so that the slots 150 of a plurality of floor units 120 can be interconnected.

[0053] The object member 200 can be formed such that its upper portion extends to a certain height above the floor unit 120, and its lower portion can include a fixing portion 250 configured to be inserted into the slot 150. When the fixing portion 250 is inserted into the slot 150, the object member 200 can be installed on the floor system 100. In the case where a plurality of slots 150 are interconnected, the connected slots 150 can extend up to the side surface at the edge of the floor system 100, and installing the object member 200 on the floor unit 120 located inside can require inserting the fixing portion 250 of the object member 200 into the slot 150 opened at the side surface of the edge of the floor system 100.

[0054] The slot 150 of the floor unit 120 can be formed such that the upper portion 152 is narrower than the lower portion 154, and correspondingly, the fixing portion 250 of the object member 200 can be formed such that the thickness of the upper portion 252 is smaller than the thickness of the lower portion 254. In such a case, the object member 200 can be inserted into the open end of the slot 150 by sliding along the extension direction of the slot 150. Since the thickness of the lower portion 254 of the fixing portion 250 is greater than the width of the upper portion 152 of the slot 150, as shown in FIG. 2B, the object member 200 can be prevented from being detached from the slot 150 in the vertical direction. Figure 3

[0055] According to embodiments of the present application, wheels 208, 258 can be formed on the object member 200 to reduce the friction between the object member 200 and the slot 150. In the example shown in FIG. 2B, the object member 200 includes wheels 208 formed at the portion contacting the upper surface of the floor unit 120 and wheels 258 formed in the lower surface 256 of the fixing portion 250. Figure 3

[0056] In embodiments not shown in the drawings, a remaining space can be provided at the lower portion 154 of the slot 150, and a joystick or the like for adjusting the degree to which the wheels 208, 258 of the object member 200 protrude downward (i.e., for moving the portion other than the wheels 208, 258 upward) can be provided on the object member 200. For example, a joystick can be provided which, when pulled down, only causes the wheels 208, 258 to contact the floor unit 120, and when pulled up, causes the entire lower surface 256 of the fixing portion 250 to contact the bottom surface 158 of the slot 150, so that the user can adjust the friction between the object member 200 and the floor unit 120 as desired.

[0057] Of course, in addition to the method using the wheels 208, 258, various other methods can be used to reduce or adjust the friction between the object member 200 and the slot 150. Examples of these methods will include applying any one of various locking devices to fix the object member 200 after it is installed at a desired location. ​​

[0058] Although not shown in detail, coupling portions for coupling adjacent object members 200 can be formed on portions of the object members 200 other than the fixing portions 250 (i.e. on portions of the object members 200 that extend above the floor system 100). In the case where the floor units 120 are arranged in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction along the grid pattern, adjacent floor units 120 along the longitudinal direction will have a gap corresponding to the width of the floor units 120 (i.e. where the cross-shaped slot described above can be provided). Thus, if the individual object members 200 are formed in a length corresponding to the length of the floor units 120, there can also be a gap between adjacent object members 200.

[0059] The coupling portions formed at the two ends of the object members 200 can for example be implemented in the form of extensions that connect to the object members 200, thereby allowing adjacent object members 200 to provide structural support to each other. In another example, the coupling portions can be implemented in the form of typically folded onto the end portions, but unfolded towards the adjacent object members 200 when needed. Although this type of coupling portion cannot provide structural support between the object members 200, it can fill the gap between adjacent object members 200 to provide an uninterrupted plane. In another example, the coupling portions can be implemented with a triangular cross-section that extends up to half of the gap between the object members 200. With this type, it is possible to mount four object members 200 around a single point, without the object members 200 obstructing each other.

[0060] Of course, if the gap between the object members 200 is very small compared to the length of the individual object members 200, virtual reality training can be substantially unaffected even if the gap between the object members 200 is not filled.

[0061] The floor units 120 can comprise one or more lighting elements 160 that can be operated based on control signals received from the control unit 500 or based on information related to the second position received from the mapping unit 400. Depending on the point of view, the lighting elements 160 can be considered as part of the lighting units 600, the floor system 100 or the floor units 120.

[0062] The lighting elements 160 can be provided on the upper surface of the floor units 120 or within the slots 150. In the case where the lighting elements 160 are placed within the slots 150, the visible light rays emitted by the lighting elements 160 can be reflected by the inner surface of the slots 150, thereby creating a similar effect as if the visible light rays were emitted from the entire slot 150. By placing the lighting elements 160 in the upper portion 152 of the slots 150, the proportion of the visible light rays emitted by the lighting elements 160 that are emitted outside the slots 150 can be increased.

[0063] When the second position is calculated according to the first position assigned at the input unit 300, the lighting element 160 corresponding to the second position (i.e., the lighting element 160 of the floor unit 120 corresponding to the second position) can be operated to irradiate the visible light rays, and the object member 200 can be manually or automatically installed on the floor system 100. As Figure 3 shown, if it is determined that a particular floor unit 120 corresponds to the second position in which the object member 200 needs to be installed, the lighting element 160 provided at the floor unit 120 can irradiate the visible light rays, and the object member 200 can be manually or automatically installed on the floor unit 120.

[0064] The object member 200 can be inserted through the open end of the slot 150 as described above, and when the object member 200 is installed on the floor unit 120 in which the lighting element 160 is turned on, the object member 200 can block the light rays from the lighting element 160 so that the visible light rays are not visible from the outside. In this way, the lighting element 160 can also be used to indicate the position in which the object member 200 needs to be installed but has not yet been completed. After all the object members 200 have been installed at their proper positions, the lighting unit 600 can turn off the lighting element 160 according to the user's manipulation or a signal from the control unit 500.

[0065] The floor unit 120 can further include a sensor 180 (see Figure 8 ). The sensor 180 can be configured to detect whether the object member 200 is properly installed in the slot 150 of the corresponding floor unit 120. The sensor 180 can detect the object member 200 using any one of various methods. For example, the object member 200 can include a separate tag portion 280 (see Figure 8 ) on the fixing portion 250, and when the object member 200 is properly positioned, the sensor 180 can be caused to detect the tag portion 280. In another example, the sensor 180 can be implemented as a photosensitive sensor facing the lighting element 160, such that when the object member 200 is installed in the slot 150, the fixing portion 250 can block the visible light rays irradiated by the lighting element 160, and the sensor 180 can detect the presence of the object member 200 based on a decrease in the amount of light rays detected. When the sensor 180 detects the object member 200, the lighting element 160 of the corresponding floor unit 120 can change the brightness, color, etc. of the irradiated visible light rays or can be completely turned off.

[0066] With the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention presented above, the user can place one or more objects 312 in the virtual reality space 311, and the virtual reality training system 1000 can also display the corresponding positions on the floor system 100 to designate the positions where the object members 200 should be installed. Accordingly, the virtual reality training system 1000 can simulate the experience that allows the trainee to interact with the objects 312 in the virtual reality space 311 while experiencing the virtual reality training course, thereby greatly increasing the effectiveness of the training.

[0067] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the object members 200 installed on the floor system 100 in the virtual reality training system 2000 according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the loading device 700 in the virtual reality training system 2000 according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the virtual reality training system 2000 according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 illustrates the UI 310 provided by the input unit 300 in the virtual reality training system 2000 according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the floor unit 120 and the object member 200 coupled together according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention. The virtual reality training system 2000 based on the second disclosed embodiment has many features in common with the virtual reality training system 1000 based on the first disclosed embodiment, and some of these common features can be omitted in the accompanying drawings and description.

[0068] Referring to Figure 4 to Figure 8 , the virtual reality training system 2000 according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention can include the floor system 100, the object member 200, the input unit 300, the mapping unit 400, the control unit 500, and the loading device 700. However, Figure 6 the input unit 300, the mapping unit 400, and the control unit 500 are depicted as integrated within a single computing device 550.

[0069] The virtual reality training system 2000 based on the second disclosed embodiment of the present invention can be similar to the virtual reality training system 1000 based on the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention, and when the input unit 300 assigns the first position and the mapping unit 400 calculates its corresponding second position, the control unit 500 can transmit a control signal for turning on the lighting element 160 corresponding to the second position while determining the installation order of the plurality of object members 200 and automatically moving the object member 200 to the second position.

[0070] Referring to Figure 4The loading device 700 can be arranged at the edge of the floor system 100. The loading device 700 can be configured to move along a guide rail 710 extending along the edge of the floor system 100 and can be located between the floor system 100 and the rack 720. The rack 720 can store the object members 200 before they are installed.

[0071] The floor units 120 located at the edge of the floor system 100 can have their slots 150 open at the side surface of the edge of the floor system 100, and the loading device 700 can extract the object members 200 from the rack 720 and insert the object members 200 into the edge slots at the positions of the slots 150 that can reach the second positions where the object members 200 should be installed.

[0072] Referring to Figure 5 , a slot 750 can be formed in the loading device 700, where the slot 750 can have the same or similar shape as the slot 150 of the floor unit 120. A separate structure for inserting the object members 200 stored in the rack 720 into the slot 750 of the loading device 700 can be provided on the rack 720 or the loading device 700. When the object members 200 are extracted onto the loading device 700, the loading device 700 can move along the guide rail 710 to the necessary position of the floor system 100 so that the slot 750 of the loading device 700 is aligned with the slot 150 of the floor unit 120 at the corresponding position. Then, the loading device 700 can move the object members 200 into the slots 150 of the floor units 120, and the drive units 140 of the respective floor units 120 until the final positions (i.e., the second positions) where the object members 200 are to reach can move the object members 200. A more detailed description of the structures of the loading device 700 and the floor unit 120 will be described later.

[0073] As Figure 4 indicated, the loading device 700 can be arranged at two or more adjacent edges of the floor system 100, respectively. The control unit 500 can determine the installation order of the object members 200, where the object members 200 farthest from the loading device 700 can be installed first so as not to hinder the installation of the other object members 200. Although Figure 4 two loading devices 700 moving along linearly placed guide rails 710 are shown, the guide rails 710 can be connected and only one loading device 700 can be provided or three or four loading devices 700 can be placed at different edges.

[0074] Referring to Figure 6In the virtual reality space 311, a user can place objects 312 through the UI 310 provided by the input unit 300. In the case where the area available for placing the object members 200 on the floor system 100 is implemented in a grid form as in the first and second disclosed embodiments of the present application, the area in which the objects 312 can be placed in the virtual reality space 311 can also be limited to a grid form using the same type of grid as that of the floor system 100.

[0075] Any one of various methods can be used to assign the positions in which the objects 312 can be placed within the grid pattern. For example, in Figure 6 , letters and numbers are assigned to the lines of the grid and the spaces between the lines. That is, in Figure 6 the example shown, among the objects 312 placed in the virtual reality space 311 shown on the UI 310, the series of objects placed in the lower left are continuously installed at positions identified as A4, C4, E4, G4, I4, and K4 to form a single-faced wall. In Figure 6 , the lighting elements 160 of the corresponding floor units 120 are turned on in the floor system 100 shown on the left side, in the second positions corresponding to the first positions assigned as M10 to AE10 in the UI 310, where the object members 200 have not been installed.

[0076] Figure 7 An example of the UI 310 that can be used in the embodiments of the present application is shown. As shown, the UI 310 can simulate and display the virtual reality space 311 and the objects 312 placed therein as a 3-dimensional space. For the convenience of the user, the UI 310 can also provide different modes of expressing the virtual reality space 311 as a 3-dimensional space and a 2-dimensional plane. As described above, the UI 310 can also be provided through a VR headset and a motion recognition sensor. As Figure 7 shown, a grid corresponding to the grid of the floor system 100 can be displayed in the UI 310, and the allowable area in which the user places the objects 312 can also be limited to the corresponding grid.

[0077] As shown on the right side of Figure 7 , the objects 312 can not necessarily be limited to a single type, and many types can be used. In such a case, the object members 200 simulating the objects 312 can also be provided in multiple types. The object members 200 can be classified into different types that differ in, for example, size, shape, texture, odor, etc., and the UI 310 of the input unit 300 can provide different types of objects 312 according to the available types of the object members 200 and can reflect the properties of the types when displaying the object members 200. In such a case, the input unit 300 can assign the type of the objects 312 together with the first positions of the objects 312, and the mapping unit 400 can calculate the types of the object members 200 together with the second positions of the object members 200.

[0078] For example, in the case where the sizes of the object members 200 of different types are different, the height and / or thickness of a wall or the like can differ according to the type. In the case where the shapes of the object members 200 of different types are different, certain types can simulate a wall or the like, while certain types can simulate other objects such as a vehicle, a booth, or the like. In the case where the textures of the object members 200 of different types are different, the surface roughness or the like can differ according to the type. In the case where the smells of the object members 200 of different types are different, certain fragrances relevant in the environment of the virtual reality training can be applied to the surface of the object member 200.

[0079] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a floor unit 120 and an object member 200 coupled together according to the second disclosed embodiment of the present application. Similar to the first disclosed embodiment of the present application, the floor unit 120 can include a slot 150 in which a fixed portion 250 of a lower portion 254 having a greater width than an upper portion 252 can be inserted, and the slot 150 of the lower portion 154 having a greater width than the upper portion 152. In addition, wheels 208, 258, or the like can be provided on the object member 200 to maintain low friction between the floor unit 120 and the object member 200. Accordingly, the object member 200 can be fixed in a vertical direction, but can be freely moved in a horizontal direction along the lengthwise direction of the slot 150.

[0080] The floor unit 120 can include a driving unit 140, which can be used to move the object member 200. The driving unit 140 can be provided on one side or both sides of the fixed portion 250 of the object member 200 and can move the object member 200 in the lengthwise direction according to the direction of rotation provided by the operation of a motor (not shown). The driving unit 140 can be implemented as, for example, a roller, a gear, a chain, a conveyor belt, or the like, and the driving unit 140 can be implemented such that the friction between the fixed portion 250 and the driving unit 140 is greater than the friction between the fixed portion 250 and the inner surface of the other portion of the slot 150.

[0081] The floor unit 120 can further include a sensor 180, which can be configured to detect whether the object member 200 is properly installed in the slot 150 of the corresponding floor unit 120. As described above, the sensor 180 can be implemented as a photosensitive sensor facing the lighting element 160, and when the object member 200 is installed in the slot 150, the fixed portion 250 can block the visible light rays irradiated by the lighting element 160, such that the sensor 180 can detect the presence or absence of the object member 200 based on the decrease in the amount of light detected.

[0082] The object member 200 can include a separate tag portion 280 on the fixing portion 250, and the sensor 180 can detect and receive information from the tag portion 280. The tag portion 280 can be implemented as, for example, an RFID tag, and the shelf 720 or the loading device 700 can be configured to record information on the tag portion 280 of the object member 200.

[0083] In one example, information about an assigned position (second position) of the corresponding object member 200 can be recorded on the tag portion 280. The sensor 180 can read the information of the tag portion 280 and compare it with the position of the corresponding floor unit 120, and the driving unit 140 in a cooperative manner can fix the object member 200 in the corresponding slot 150 or move the object member 200 in a certain direction. Using Figure 6 If the object member 200 that should be installed at the position H25 is loaded into the slot at the position H31, for example, the sensor 180 at the position H31 can read the information recorded on the tag portion 280, revealing that the assigned position is H25, and the control unit 500 can compare this with the current position H31 and control the driving unit 140 to move the object member 200 further inside the grid. If the object member 200 that should be installed at the position H25 is loaded into a slot that cannot reach the position H25 (for example, the slot at the position J31), the control unit 500 can identify the error through the sensor 180 and move the object member 200 back into the slot 750 of the loading device 700.

[0084] In the case where the object members 200 are divided into a plurality of types, the tag portion 280 of each object member 200 can include information about the type of the object member 200 or a distinguishing property of the type (for example, size, shape, texture, smell, etc.). For example, if a second type of object member 200 is to be placed in a certain position, where the object members 200 are divided into a first type of wall having a first height and a second type of wall having a second height, the tag portion 280 can include information about the second type or the second height, and the loading device 700 can extract the object member 200 of the second type when extracting the object member 200. If the object member 200 is installed on the floor unit 120 at a certain position, but the object member 200 is not of the assigned type, the sensor 180 can detect the error, and the control unit 500 can take the required countermeasures or inform the user of the error. In the case where the object members 200 are divided into a plurality of types, separate shelves 720 can be provided for each type.

[0085] The driving unit 140 and the sensor 180 provided in the slot 150 of the floor unit 120 can also be provided in the same or similar manner as the slot 750 of the loading device 700.

[0086] With the second disclosed embodiment of the present application presented above, the user can place one or more objects 312 in the virtual reality space 311, and the virtual reality training system 2000 can automatically install the object member 200 on the floor system 100 accordingly. The object member 200 can be provided in various types, and the user can select a certain type when placing the object 312. Accordingly, even when the object 312 is placed in a complex configuration in the UI 310, the virtual reality training system 2000 can automatically install the object member 200, and since the trainee can experience virtual reality training having a greater degree of realism, the effectiveness of the training can be greatly increased.

[0087] Figure 9 FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a virtual reality training system 3000 according to a third disclosed embodiment of the present application, Figure 10 FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a floor system 100 and an object member 200 in the virtual reality training system 3000 according to the third disclosed embodiment of the present application. The virtual reality training system 3000 based on the third disclosed embodiment has many features in common with the virtual reality training systems 1000, 2000 based on the first and second disclosed embodiments, and some of these common features are omitted in the drawings and description.

[0088] Referring to Figure 9 The virtual reality training system 3000 according to the third disclosed embodiment of the present application can include a floor system 100, an object member 200, an input unit 300, a mapping unit 400, a control unit 500, and an illumination unit 600. The input unit 300, the mapping unit 400, and the control unit 500 can be integrated within a single computing device 550.

[0089] The object member 200 can be detachably installed to the floor system 100, and when the input unit 300 assigns a first position and the mapping unit 400 calculates a corresponding second position, the control unit 500 can control the illumination unit 600 accordingly. Here, the illumination unit 600 can irradiate visible light rays from the illumination element 160 disposed at the second position, or from the illumination element 660 disposed at a different position toward the second position, as in the first disclosed embodiment.

[0090] Referring to Figure 9For example, the lighting unit 600 of the virtual reality training system 3000 based on the third disclosed embodiment of the present application can include lighting elements 660 configured to irradiate visible light rays while being installed on the structure 610 installed at a certain height from the base 110 of the floor system 100. In the case where the joint between the object member 200 and the base 110 is shaped as a straight line as in the first and second disclosed embodiments, the visible light rays irradiated onto the second positions by the lighting elements 660 can also be configured to draw a straight line on the base 110. Of course, if a grid is drawn on the upper surface of the base 110, the visible light rays irradiated by the lighting elements 660 can not necessarily draw a straight line.

[0091] In certain embodiments, one or more lighting elements 660 can be provided one-to-one at each position where the object member 200 can be installed to turn on and off while being in a fixed state. In this case, each lighting element 660 can be fixed at a specified angle (e.g., a vertically downward direction).

[0092] On the contrary, in certain embodiments, at least one lighting element 660 can be movably installed on the structure 610. In this case, the lighting elements 660 can be provided in a number corresponding to the maximum number of objects 312 allowed in the UI 310 of the input unit 300, and when the mapping unit 400 calculates the number of second positions to be less than or equal to the maximum number, the lighting unit 600 can cause the lighting elements 660 to irradiate visible light rays toward the second positions. The mention that the lighting elements 660 are movable is intended to encompass not only the case where the lighting elements 660 move in a translational motion on the structure 610 by a separate driving unit 640, but also the case where the lighting elements 660 rotate by a certain angle to face a specific position. Certain embodiments can use a combination of fixed lighting elements and movably installed lighting elements.

[0093] While the visible light rays are irradiated onto the second positions by the lighting elements 660, the object member 200 can be manually or automatically installed on the floor system 100.

[0094] Although the coupling of the object member 200 to the floor system 100 can involve the method of providing the slot 150 in the base 110 of the floor system 100 and forming the fixing part 250 on the object member 200 as in the first and second disclosed embodiments, various other coupling structures can be applied to the base 110 and the object member 200.

[0095] For example, a plurality of small dents (not shown) can be formed in the base 110, and a plurality of pins (not shown) corresponding to the dents can be formed on the bottom of the object member 200. Here, the dents in the base 110 can be formed in a size that does not hinder a person's walking on the base 110, and the pins on the object member 200 can be formed in a strength, diameter, and length that can fix the object member 200 with sufficient strength. Such a configuration can provide an advantage that the shape of the object member 200 can be implemented with greater degrees of freedom compared to a case where slots arranged in a specific pattern such as a grid are used, whereby the object member 200 can be formed in a customized shape. Here, if the lighting unit 600 includes movable lighting elements 660, the visible light rays irradiated by the lighting unit 600 can also be emitted in a customized shape. The UI 310 of the input unit 300 can allow the user to place the object 312 in a shape identical or similar to the shape of the available object member 200.

[0096] Figure 10 Another structure for coupling the object member 200 to the floor system 100 is illustrated. Referring to Figure 10 A cavity portion 174 configured to be openable and closable can be formed in the upper surface of the base 110 in the floor system 100, and a stake portion 274 configured to be inserted into the cavity portion 174 can be formed on the bottom surface of the object member 200. The cavity portion 174 can generally remain closed so as not to hinder a person's walking on the base 110.

[0097] When the mapping unit 400 calculates the second position, the control unit 500 can transmit a control signal such that the lighting unit 600 marks the second position with visible light rays, and at the same time, such that the floor system 100 opens the cavity portion 174 at the corresponding position. At the same time as the cavity portion 174 is opened at the desired position, the stake portion 274 of the object member 200 can be manually or automatically inserted into the cavity portion 174 of the floor system 100.

[0098] In another embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the floor system 100 can include a plurality of protrusion portions (not shown) that can be moved in a vertical direction in a range from a height level with or lower than the upper surface of the base 110 to a specific height above the upper surface, and a holding portion (not shown) configured to receive the protrusion portions can be formed in the bottom surface of the object member 200. The protrusion portions (not shown) can generally remain at a height level with or lower than the upper surface of the base 110 so as not to hinder a person's walking on the base 110.

[0099] When the mapping unit 400 calculates the second position, the control unit 500 can transmit a control signal that causes the lighting unit 600 to mark the second position with a visible light ray, and at the same time, causes the floor system 100 to move the protrusion (not shown) upward at the corresponding position. While the protrusion protrudes from the desired position, the object member 200 can be manually or automatically installed on the floor system 100 so that the protrusion is inserted into the holding portion of the object member 200.

[0100] The positions at which the cavity portions 174 or the protrusions are formed can substantially correspond to a grid pattern. Such a grid pattern can be marked on the upper surface of the base 110 or can not be marked. Here, even when the positions of the cavity portions 174 or the protrusions follow a grid pattern, the object members 200 can not necessarily be installed in an arrangement following the grid pattern, and the object members 200 can be installed at any of various positions at any of various angles, as long as the peg portions 274 or the holding portions of the object members 200 can be coupled with the cavity portions 174 or the protrusions.

[0101] In the above-described coupling structure requiring a notch and a pin, the size of the notch can be limited so as not to hinder a person's walking on the base 110, and thus the diameter of the pin can also be limited, and thus the coupling strength of the object member 200 can be limited. In contrast, in the coupling structure based on the cavity portion 174 and the peg portion 274 or in the coupling structure based on the protrusion and the holding portion, there is no need to limit the diameter of the peg portion 274 or the protrusion, and thus a desired coupling strength can be more easily achieved.

[0102] Referring to Figure 10 , the object member 200 can include a coupling protrusion 221 at one end and a coupling groove 222 at the other end. The coupling protrusion 221 and the coupling groove 222 can be used to connect adjacent object members 200 to each other at the time of installation. In the case where the floor unit 120 formed with the slot 150 as in the first and second disclosed embodiments is installed in the base 110, a gap can be formed between two adjacent floor units 120 extending in the same direction, i.e., where the above-described cross-shaped slot can be provided, and as a result, a gap can be formed between the object members 200 installed on the two adjacent floor units 120. In contrast, in the case where the floor unit 120 is not used, as in the third disclosed embodiment of the present application, a gap can not be formed between adjacent object members 200, and the adjacent object members 200 can be connected by a simple method using the coupling protrusion 221 and the coupling groove 222. In consideration of various cases in which a plurality of object members 200 abut each other at different angles, the coupling portions of both ends of the object member 200 can be variously formed.

[0103] With the third disclosed embodiment of the present application presented above, the user can place one or more objects 312 in the virtual reality space 311, and the virtual reality training system 3000 can also display the corresponding position on the floor system 100 to designate the position where the object member 200 should be installed. The virtual reality training system 3000 based on the third disclosed embodiment of the present application can allow the objects 312 to be placed with a higher degree of freedom without hindering the person's walking on the base 110. Accordingly, the virtual reality training system 3000 based on the third disclosed embodiment of the present application makes it possible to organize the training space with a significantly higher degree of freedom, thereby greatly increasing the possible range of training patterns.

[0104] Although the description has been provided above with reference to certain embodiments of the present application, it will be understood that those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will be able to make various modifications and changes to the present application within the scope of the spirit and range of the present application set forth in the following claims.

[0105] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0106] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0083300, filed June 25, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Claims

1. A virtual reality training system comprising: a floor system including a base of a certain length and width; an object member configured to be detachably installed on the floor system; an input unit configured to assign a first position corresponding to a position of an object within a virtual reality space, the virtual reality space having a length and a width that are less than or equal to the length and the width of the base of the floor system; and a mapping unit configured to calculate and output a second position for installing the object member on the floor system, the second position being calculated as a position on the floor system corresponding to the first position within the virtual reality space, wherein the floor system includes a plurality of slots formed in the base, and the object member includes a fixing portion configured to be inserted into the slots, such that the object member installed on the floor system is movable along the slots, wherein the floor system further includes sensors respectively disposed within the plurality of slots, the sensors being configured to detect whether the object member is installed in a corresponding slot, wherein the object member includes a tag portion, and the sensors identify at least one of a type, a size, an ID number, and an assigned position of the object member from the tag portion. 2.The virtual reality training system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting unit configured to emit a visible light ray toward the second position or from the second position. The lighting unit includes a lighting element installed at a certain height from the base and configured to emit the visible light ray toward the second position.

3. The virtual reality training system of claim 2, wherein, At least one lighting element is movably installed on a structure installed at a certain height from the base and is configured to emit the visible light ray after moving to a position allowing the visible light ray to be emitted toward the second position.

4. The virtual reality training system of claim 3, wherein, The floor system further includes a plurality of slots formed in the base, 5. The virtual reality training system of claim 2, wherein, The lighting unit includes lighting elements installed within the plurality of slots, and The lighting unit emits the visible light ray from a lighting element corresponding to the second position. The object member includes a plurality of types that differ from each other in at least one of a size, a shape, a texture, and a smell, 6. The virtual reality training system of claim 2, wherein, The input unit assigns the type of the object member together with the first position, The mapping unit calculates the type of the object member together with the second position, and The lighting unit changes a color of the visible light ray according to the type of the object member. The floor system further includes a plurality of protrusion portions configured to be movable along a vertical direction within a range defined between a certain height below an upper surface of the base and a certain height above the upper surface of the base, or a plurality of cavity portions formed in the upper surface of the base and configured to open and close, 7. The virtual reality training system of claim 1, wherein, ​ The object member includes a holding portion configured to receive the protruding portion inserted therein, and a stake portion configured to be inserted into the cavity portion, and The floor system moves the protruding portion upward at the second position or opens the cavity portion according to the received control signal.

8. The virtual reality training system of claim 1, wherein, The floor system further includes a driving unit disposed within the slot and configured to move the object member along the slot.

9. The virtual reality training system of claim 8, further comprising a loading device disposed adjacent to an edge of the floor system, wherein, The plurality of slots are opened through side surfaces at edges of the floor system, and The loading device is configured to insert the fixing portion of the object member through an open side of a slot corresponding to the second position among the plurality of slots.

10. The virtual reality training system of claim 8, wherein, The object member includes a coupling portion on an edge portion of both sides, so that the coupling portion can at least partially bridge a gap between adjacent object members.

11. The virtual reality training system of claim 1, wherein, The input unit provides a UI expressing the virtual reality space in 2 dimensions or 3 dimensions and assigns the first position according to a user's input.

12. The virtual reality training system of claim 11, wherein, The UI is provided via a VR headset worn by the user.

13. A floor unit for a floor system of a virtual reality training system, the virtual reality training system being the virtual reality training system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the floor unit comprising: a main body extending a length corresponding to a grid unit of the floor system in one direction, the main body having a slot formed therein, the slot being open at an upper surface of the main body and both ends; and a lighting element installed within the slot, wherein a width of an upper portion of the slot is narrower than a width of a lower portion of the slot.

14. The floor unit of claim 13, further comprising a roller rotatably installed within the slot and configured to support an object member inserted in the slot.

15. The floor unit of claim 13, further comprising a driving unit disposed within the slot and configured to move an object member inserted in the slot.

16. The floor unit of claim 13, further comprising a sensor configured to detect an object member inserted in the slot.

17. The floor unit of claim 16, wherein, The sensor is configured to detect light rays irradiated by the lighting element, when the object member is inserted in the slot, the object member blocks the light rays of the lighting element from reaching the sensor, and the sensor detects the presence of the object member based on a decrease in the amount of detected light rays.

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