Methods for operating a virtual reality system and virtual reality system

Abstract

Method for operating a virtual reality system (10), comprising the steps: - Displaying a virtual object (22) arranged in a virtual environment (24) using virtual reality glasses (12) worn by a first person (16); - Displaying a configuration menu (26) comprising several equipment options (28) for a predefined function group of the displayed virtual object (22) using the virtual reality glasses (12) as soon as a second person (18) activates a configuration mode on a control device (14), wherein the configuration menu (26) is displayed in such a way that a virtual distance within the virtual environment (24) between the configuration menu (26) and a virtual observation position of the first person (16) is chosen to be smaller the smaller the distance between the virtual observation position and the function group for which the configuration menu (26) is displayed; - Selecting one of the displayed equipment options (28) according to a selection action made by the second person at the control unit (14) and changing the display of the virtual object (22) according to the selection made.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a virtual reality system and a virtual reality system.

[0002] A virtual reality system can be used to represent a virtual reality, whereby virtual reality is usually defined as the representation and simultaneous perception of reality in its physical properties in a real-time computer-generated, interactive virtual environment.

[0003] Virtual reality systems can include virtual reality glasses for displaying a virtual environment. Virtual reality glasses are a specific type of head-mounted display, a visual output device worn on the head. They present images on a screen close to the eyes or project them directly onto the retina. Virtual reality glasses also have sensors for detecting head movements. This allows the display of a calculated graphic to be adapted to the movements of the wearer of the virtual reality glasses. Due to the physical proximity, the image areas displayed on head-mounted displays appear considerably larger than those of freestanding screens and, in extreme cases, even cover the user's entire field of vision.Since the respective displays of virtual reality glasses follow all head movements of a wearer through the head position, the wearer gets the feeling of moving directly in an image landscape generated by a computer.

[0004] The document US 2004 / 0 143 481 A1 discloses a method for examining and storing information from users relating to vehicle options, wherein the users access a computer network and construct a display of a virtual vehicle from a menu of available vehicle features.

[0005] US 2007 / 0 156 540 A1 discloses a method and apparatus that allow a car buyer to configure and design a personalized interior prior to purchasing the car. The buyer selects modular interior components from a library of options provided by the manufacturer and designs his / her customized car using an interactive design domain system that enables realistic visualization of the evolving interior, taking into account the user's anthropometric information.

[0006] The document DE 10 2014 009 697 A1 discloses a method for operating a mobile virtual reality system in a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a configuration of a virtual motor vehicle; detecting a position of virtual reality glasses, in particular those worn by a user, which are arranged in the motor vehicle; operating the virtual reality glasses such that they display the configured virtual motor vehicle from a virtual observation position which corresponds to the detected position of the virtual reality glasses in the motor vehicle.

[0007] Modern motor vehicles in particular often have a multitude of different equipment options, which can make customer-specific configuration very complex and difficult.

[0008] It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a virtual reality system and a virtual reality system by means of which a product can be virtually configured in a particularly simple manner.

[0009] This object is achieved by a method for operating a virtual reality system and by a virtual reality system having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] In the method according to the invention for operating a virtual reality system, a virtual object arranged in a virtual environment is displayed using virtual reality glasses worn by a first person. A configuration menu comprising several equipment options for a predefined functional group of the displayed virtual object is displayed using the virtual reality glasses as soon as a second person activates a configuration mode of a control device. One of the displayed equipment options is selected according to a selection action performed by the second person on the control device, and the display of the virtual object is changed according to the selection made.

[0011] Using the method according to the invention, it is therefore possible for one person to continuously wear the virtual reality glasses during a configuration process of the displayed virtual object. The second person can, whenever necessary, display a customized configuration menu for each functional group of the displayed virtual object using the virtual reality glasses. The first person, who has put on the virtual reality glasses, can then see which configuration options are available for the relevant functional group. Preferably, the configuration menu displayed using the virtual reality glasses is also displayed using a display device connected to the control device, in such a way that the second person can also view the configuration menu.The wearer of the virtual reality headset and the second person can then discuss, for example, which equipment option should be selected for the relevant functional group. Once the second and first person have agreed, the second person can make the corresponding selection on the control panel, which then selects the relevant equipment option. The display of the virtual object is then adjusted according to the selection.

[0012] The method according to the invention thus enables the targeted display of a selection window in the form of a configuration menu that supports a configuration process. The configuration menu is displayed using the virtual reality glasses within the already displayed virtual environment. The control device can be, for example, a tablet computer or a conventional computer that is operated by the second person during the configuration process. In the method according to the invention, the second person therefore controls the display of the configuration menu and the selection of the relevant equipment options. The method can be used, for example, in a sales conversation in which the first person has put on the virtual reality glasses; the second person can be, for example, a salesperson.At an appropriate moment, the salesperson can display the configuration menu using the virtual reality glasses within the already displayed virtual environment, allowing the customer, i.e., the first person, to see the configuration menu. The customer is assisted in selecting one of the available equipment options by the display of the configuration menu. A potential buyer, i.e., the first person to put on the virtual reality glasses, and a salesperson, i.e., the second person, can thus configure the displayed virtual object, which could be, for example, a virtual motor vehicle, together in a particularly simple and convenient manner.

[0013] According to the invention, the configuration menu is displayed in such a way that a virtual distance within the virtual environment between the configuration menu and a virtual observation position of the first person is selected to be smaller, the smaller the distance between the virtual observation position and the functional group for which the configuration menu is displayed. If the first person is sitting in a virtual motor vehicle, for example, the configuration menu is virtually displayed somewhat closer to the first person than if the first person were, for example, outside the virtual motor vehicle and thus looking at the virtual motor vehicle from the outside. However, the virtual distance is preferably limited to a predetermined value.Therefore, if the first person moves very far away from the displayed virtual object, the configuration menu will only be displayed at a distance from the first person that is equal to the specified distance. In particular, the configuration menu is displayed in such a way that the equipment options are still clearly legible and visible from the first person.

[0014] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the functional group for which the configuration menu is displayed is specified according to an input made by the second person on the control device. If the virtual object is, for example, a virtual motor vehicle, the second person can determine on the control device for which functional group of the virtual motor vehicle a corresponding configuration menu with the respective equipment options should be displayed. Preferably, the second person sees from which virtual perspective the first person is currently viewing the virtual object through the virtual reality glasses.Based on the first person's virtual perspective, the second person can select the functional group of the virtual vehicle, such as the rims, the body, or the like, for which the corresponding configuration menu should be displayed within the already displayed virtual environment by making a corresponding input on the control device. This allows the second person to guide the first person step by step through the configuration of the virtual object.

[0015] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the functional group, or at least a component of the object belonging to the functional group, is visually highlighted as soon as the configuration menu for the functional group is displayed. The first person can thus easily identify directly for which functional group of the virtual object the configuration menu has just been displayed. This considerably simplifies the configuration process.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a selection symbol is displayed within the displayed configuration menu, by means of which the selected equipment option is visually marked. For example, the selection symbol can be displayed in the form of a rectangle, so that the wearer of the virtual reality glasses, i.e., the first person, can easily and directly identify which of the available equipment options has just been selected by the second person. This significantly facilitates communication between the first and second person during the configuration of the virtual object.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the representation of the virtual object is only changed once the selection of the equipment option has been confirmed by the second person on the control device. Preferably, the representation of the virtual object is therefore not directly adjusted with the selection of one of the displayed equipment options; instead, it is provided that the representation of the virtual object is only changed once the selection of the equipment option has been additionally confirmed by the second person on the control device. The first and second people can therefore first discuss in peace which of the displayed selection options should actually be selected. It is also possible that different equipment options are first selected and then deselected again.Because the final selection of the relevant equipment option must first be confirmed by the second person before the representation of the displayed virtual object is adjusted accordingly, the wearer of the virtual reality glasses, i.e. the first person, is not distracted during the selection process by constantly changing the representation of the virtual object.

[0018] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that respective information windows are displayed for the displayed equipment options, particularly when the second person enters a corresponding control command on the control device. Furthermore, it can also be provided that a respective information window with additional information for the currently selected equipment option is displayed for the respective equipment option. The first person can thus receive information relevant to the configuration of the virtual object with regard to the currently selected equipment option. This facilitates the configuration process of the virtual object.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the part of the virtual environment and / or the virtual object that is covered by the displayed configuration menu to be hidden. This can prevent a visual conflict from occurring, for example, because the displayed configuration menu is partially located within the displayed virtual object.

[0020] The virtual reality system according to the invention comprises virtual reality glasses and a control device designed to control the virtual reality glasses to carry out the method according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the virtual reality system, wherein the virtual reality system in particular has means for carrying out the method steps.

[0021] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0022] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a virtual reality system comprising virtual reality glasses and a control device for controlling the virtual reality glasses; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation in which a first person is shown who has put on the virtual reality glasses, wherein a second person is shown sitting at a table, who operates the control device of the virtual reality system; and in Fig. 3 a virtual motor vehicle arranged in a virtual environment, which is displayed by means of the virtual reality glasses.

[0023] A virtual reality system 10 with virtual reality glasses 12 and a control device 14 for controlling the virtual reality glasses 12 is shown in a schematic representation in Fig. 1. The virtual reality system 10 serves to configure a virtual object, in particular a virtual motor vehicle.

[0024] In Fig. 2, a first person 16 and a second person 18 are schematically illustrated, with the first person 16 having put on the virtual reality glasses 12 and being located in a detection space 20. The second person 18 operates the control device 14, which in the present example is a laptop. Alternatively, the control device 14 can also be a tablet computer, a conventional PC, or the like. The virtual reality system 10 can have a detection device (not shown here), by means of which the position of the virtual reality glasses 12 can be continuously detected, at least as long as the person 16 remains within the detection space 20.

[0025] In Fig.3 shows a virtual motor vehicle 22 arranged within a virtual environment 24, such as a virtual showroom. The virtual motor vehicle, which is arranged within the virtual environment 24, is displayed using virtual reality glasses 12, which are worn by the first person 16. The second person 18, who is seated at the table, assists the first person 16 in configuring the virtual motor vehicle 22. In the present case, the first person 16, who has worn the virtual reality glasses 12, is currently deciding on a specific rim variant.

[0026] For this purpose, the second person 18 activates a configuration mode on the control device 14. For example, the second person 18 first selects that a rim selection should be made. As soon as the second person 18 has activated the configuration mode on the control device 14, a configuration menu 26 is displayed within the virtual environment 24 displayed by means of the virtual reality glasses 12. As can be seen, the displayed configuration menu 26 comprises various rims 28, which represent respective equipment options for the wheels 30 of the displayed virtual motor vehicle 22. As can be seen, in the present case, the right front wheel 30 is optically highlighted by a marking 32. The first person 16, who has put on the virtual reality glasses 12, can thus easily recognize that the displayed configuration menu 26 belongs to the tires functional group of the virtual motor vehicle 22.

[0027] In addition, a selection symbol 34 is displayed within the displayed configuration menu 26, preferably as soon as the configuration menu 26 is displayed. The second person 18 can move the selection symbol 34 by appropriate control actions on the control device 14, so that the various available equipment options can be visually marked in the form of the displayed rims 28. The first person 16, who has put on the virtual reality glasses 12, and the second person 18, who performs the actual configuration action on the virtual motor vehicle 22, can thus communicate with each other in a simple and unambiguous manner about which of the equipment options, in this case which of the rims 28, should be selected.Preferably, the same configuration menu 26 is displayed by means of the control device 14, in the present case by means of the laptop, as is displayed by means of the virtual reality glasses 12 within the virtual environment 24.

[0028] As soon as the two people 16, 18 have agreed on which of the rims 28 should actually be selected, the second person 18 confirms the selection, as a result of which a confirmation symbol 36 is preferably displayed on the selection symbol. As soon as the selection has been confirmed by the second person 18, the representation of the virtual motor vehicle 22 is adjusted according to the selection made and confirmed.

[0029] In particular, the second person 18 can cause an information window (not shown here) to be displayed by making a corresponding input on the control device 14. For example, information windows can be displayed for the different rims 28 if necessary, so that the first person 16 can receive information regarding the various rims 28 through the virtual reality glasses 12 in addition to the displayed configuration menu 26. This facilitates communication between the two people 16, 18 during the configuration process of the virtual motor vehicle 22.

[0030] The configuration menu 26 is always displayed via the virtual reality glasses 12 in such a way that the first person 16 can clearly see the various equipment options 28. The virtual distance between the virtual observation position of the first person 16 and the displayed configuration menu 26 is preferably adjusted dynamically. For example, if the first person 16 is sitting inside the displayed virtual motor vehicle 22, the configuration menu 26 is displayed virtually closer via the virtual reality glasses 12 than if the first person 16 were to view the virtual motor vehicle 22 from the outside through the virtual reality glasses 12.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that the part of the virtual environment 24 and / or the virtual motor vehicle 22 that is covered by the displayed configuration menu 26 is hidden. This serves in particular to avoid a visual conflict, for example, if the configuration menu 26 serving as a selection window is partially located in the displayed virtual motor vehicle 22.

[0032] By means of the explained virtual reality system 10, a particularly simple and convenient possibility is provided for configuring a virtual product, for example in the form of the virtual motor vehicle 22.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a virtual reality system (10), comprising the steps: - displaying a virtual object (22) arranged in a virtual environment (24) by means of virtual reality glasses (12) worn by a first person (16); - Displaying a configuration menu (26) comprising a plurality of equipment options (28) for a predetermined functional group of the displayed virtual object (22) by means of the virtual reality glasses (12) as soon as a second person (18) activates a configuration mode on a control device (14), wherein the configuration menu (26) is displayed in such a way that a virtual distance within the virtual environment (24) between the configuration menu (26) and a virtual observation position of the first person (16) is selected to be smaller, the smaller the distance between the virtual observation position and the functional group for which the configuration menu (26) is displayed; - selecting one of the displayed equipment options (28) in accordance with a selection action made by the second person on the control device (14) and changing the representation of the virtual object (22) in accordance with the selection made. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the functional group for which the configuration menu (26) is displayed is specified according to an input made by the second person (18) on the control device (14). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the functional group or at least one component (30) of the virtual object (22) belonging to the functional group is optically highlighted as soon as the configuration menu (26) for the functional group is displayed. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a selection symbol (34) is displayed within the displayed configuration menu (26), by means of which the selected equipment option (28) is optically marked. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the representation of the virtual object (22) is only changed when the selection of the equipment option (28) has been confirmed by the second person (18) on the control device (14). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that respective information windows are displayed for the displayed equipment options (28), in particular when the second person (18) enters a corresponding control command on the control device (14). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , however, the virtual distance is limited to a specified value. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat part of the virtual environment (24) and / or the virtual object (22) which is covered by the displayed configuration menu (26) is hidden. [9] Virtual reality system (10), comprising virtual reality glasses (12) and a control device (14) which is designed to control the virtual reality glasses (12) to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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