Bending Sensor Angle Measurement for Virtual Avatar Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for interacting with virtual worlds lack an efficient method to apply detection information from bending sensors to enhance user interaction, particularly in experience-type games that require precise tracking of body movements and angles.

Innovation Solution

A virtual world processing apparatus and method that utilizes bending sensors to measure angle values and convert this information into control data for virtual world objects, such as avatars, by processing sensor capabilities and preferences, and transmitting this data in XML or binary formats to generate appropriate metadata for real-time interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If bending sensors are used to track body movements in virtual worlds, then measurement precision of body angles is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of sensor processing systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody angle measurementVSAvoidsensor processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual world processing apparatus as an intermediary component that specializes in processing bending sensor data. This mediator converts raw sensor readings into meaningful control information for virtual objects, thereby improving measurement precision while containing the complexity within a dedicated processing module rather than distributing it throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the sensor processing function into a separate, dedicated virtual world processing apparatus. By taking out the complex sensor data processing from the general game console system and placing it in a specialized component, the main system remains simpler while still achieving high measurement precision for body angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bending sensors are integrated to capture comprehensive body motion, then adaptability of motion tracking is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion tracking capabilityVSAvoidsensor network integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual world processing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to handle various types of bending sensors and multiple sensed locations. It can process data from different sensor configurations and adapt to various motion tracking requirements, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through a universal processing platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the motion tracking system into multiple bending sensors placed at different body locations, with each sensor independently measuring local angles. The virtual world processing apparatus then integrates these segmented measurements to achieve comprehensive body motion capture, improving adaptability while distributing the sensing complexity across multiple simple sensor units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If real-time processing of bending sensor data is implemented, then speed of interaction is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction response timeVSAvoidsensor processing energy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual world processing apparatus performs preliminary processing of bending sensor data by pre-calculating angle values and preparing control information in advance. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden during real-time interaction, thereby maintaining fast response speed while reducing the energy required during actual gameplay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous processing of sensor data through the virtual world processing apparatus, which maintains a steady stream of control information generation. This continuous action optimizes energy usage by avoiding intermittent high-power processing bursts, thereby achieving real-time interaction speed with more efficient energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2559463B1Device and method for processing a virtual world
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2559463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2559463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2559463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A virtual world processing apparatus and method are provided. An angle value is obtained by measuring an angle of a body part of a user of a real world using sensor capability, which is information on capability of a bending sensor, and is transmitted to a virtual world, thereby achieving interaction between the real world and the virtual world. In addition, based on the sensor capability and the angle value denoting the angle of the body part, control information is generated to control a part of an avatar of the virtual world, corresponding to the body part, and then transmitted to the virtual world. Accordingly, interaction between the real world and the virtual world is achieved.