Ad Hoc Sensor Network for Immersive VR Perspective

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual reality systems fail to provide a fully immersive experience by limiting camera angles and audio inputs, and require specialized hardware and static camera placements, which restricts real-time interaction and perspective changes.

Innovation Solution

An ad hoc network of camera and microphone sensors, capable of dynamic reconfiguration and self-identification, is used to provide a peer-to-peer connection for real-time audio-visual data transmission, allowing users to experience a location from various angles and perspectives using their own devices without specialized hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional virtual reality systems use static camera placements and limited camera angles, then device complexity is reduced, but immersive experience and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera angle flexibilityVSAvoidsensor network configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static camera placements to dynamic sensor configurations where cameras and microphones can be moved, added, or removed during operation. The ad hoc network automatically reconfigures to maintain optimal immersive experience as sensors are added or removed from the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The immersive system is divided into independent sensor units (cameras and microphones) that can operate individually or in combination. Each sensor is a self-contained module that can be independently configured, added, or removed from the ad hoc network without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If specialized hardware is required for virtual reality systems, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio-visual data qualityVSAvoiduser device requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to work with universal, commonly available devices such as smartphones, tablets, and standard cameras rather than requiring specialized hardware. The ad hoc network protocol enables any device with camera and microphone capabilities to participate in immersive sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual copies of physical locations using standard camera sensors to generate immersive environments. Rather than requiring specialized sensors, the system uses copies of everyday devices to reconstruct three-dimensional spatial experiences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If pre-stored virtual reality content is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to real-time situations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time interaction capabilityVSAvoiddata processing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary setup by establishing ad hoc networks between user devices and sensor networks before immersive sessions begin. Camera and microphone sensors are pre-configured and registered with the system, enabling rapid real-time adaptation during actual use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously processes real-time audio-visual data from the ad hoc sensor network and provides feedback to dynamically adjust the immersive experience. User interactions are immediately reflected in the virtual environment, creating adaptive real-time experiences rather than pre-rendered content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If a single camera angle is used in telepresence systems, then device complexity is reduced, but immersive experience and information completeness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial perspective informationVSAvoidnumber of sensors required

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges data from multiple camera and microphone sensors into a unified immersive experience. Multiple camera angles and audio sources are combined and processed to create a comprehensive spatial representation that preserves all perspective information from different sensor locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11477509B2Immersive cognitive reality system with real time surrounding media

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An apparatus, method and system including a processor, a memory device accessible by the processor, and circuitry to selectively communicate with an on-the-go user device located at a location different from a location of the apparatus. The memory device stores instructions to permit the apparatus to selectively serve as an at-home user device that receives data from a wireless ad hoc network formed by sensors located within a link range of the circuitry of the on-the-go user device, data from the sensors of the wireless ad hoc network providing data for consumption by the at-home user device to permit an at-home user to be immersed in an experience of the location of the on-the-go user device.