3D Experience Translation Through Accessibility Flow Hierarchies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional virtual environments lack accessibility features for users with disabilities, such as blindness or impaired mobility, preventing them from fully interacting with the environment.

Innovation Solution

A system that organizes components of a three-dimensional environment into a flow hierarchy, enabling interoperability with accessibility tools like screen readers and simplified keyboard inputs, transforming the environment into a two-dimensional or auditory experience for enhanced interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a three-dimensional virtual environment is created to provide immersive interaction, then user engagement and realism are improved, but accessibility for users with disabilities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoidaccessibility for users with disabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an accessibility environment as an intermediary layer between the user and the three-dimensional virtual environment. This intermediary provides accessibility features such as screen reader integration, keyboard navigation, and voice command support, allowing users with disabilities to interact with the immersive environment without directly manipulating complex 3D controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the interaction model into two distinct environments: the three-dimensional virtual environment for immersive experience and the accessibility environment for accessible control. This segmentation allows each environment to be optimized independently - the 3D environment maintains its immersive qualities while the accessibility environment provides simplified, accessible interfaces through component groups and flow hierarchies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If conventional graphical engines are used to create three-dimensional environments, then development efficiency is improved, but accessibility functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment efficiencyVSAvoidaccessibility functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The accessibility environment is designed as a universal interface layer that can work with any three-dimensional virtual environment created using conventional graphical engines. It provides multi-functional accessibility support including screen reader integration, keyboard navigation, voice commands, and haptic feedback, making it adaptable to various 3D environments without requiring engine-specific modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessibility environment acts as a mediator between conventional graphical engines and users with disabilities. It translates standard 3D environment interactions into accessible formats through component group extraction and flow hierarchy construction, enabling accessibility functionality without modifying the underlying graphical engine or 3D environment creation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If complex controls are used in three-dimensional environments, then interaction precision is improved, but ease of use for users with limited mobility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction precisionVSAvoidease of use for users with limited mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into precision controls for the three-dimensional environment and simplified controls for the accessibility environment. Users with limited mobility can interact with component groups using simplified keyboard navigation or voice commands, while the system maintains precise interaction capabilities within the 3D environment itself. The flow hierarchy provides a structured, predictable navigation path that compensates for reduced motor control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12535930B2Interoperability for translating and traversing 3D experiences in an accessibility environment

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The techniques disclosed herein enable systems to translate three-dimensional experiences into user accessible experiences to improve accessibility for users with disabilities. This is accomplished by extracting components from a three-dimensional environment such as user avatars and furniture. The components are organized into component groups based on shared attributes. The component groups are subsequently organized into a flow hierarchy. The flow hierarchy is then presented to the user in an accessibility environment that enables interoperability with various accessibility tools such as screen readers, simplified keyboard inputs, and the like. Selecting a component group, and subsequently, a component through the accessibility environment accordingly invokes functionality within the three-dimensional environment. In this way, users with disabilities are empowered to fully interact with three-dimensional experiences.