Bidirectional Indicator System for VR Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual reality devices lack bidirectional interaction capabilities between user terminal devices and electronic devices, limiting the ability to create immersive and interactive virtual environments.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables two-way communication between user terminal devices and electronic devices, allowing for the transmission and display of image frames and camera pose data, with the user terminal device generating and displaying indicators in 2D and the electronic device displaying them in 3D, and adjusting indicator properties based on user touch inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If unilateral information transmission is used between user terminal device and electronic device, then device complexity is reduced, but interaction capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction capabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the communication protocols and data transmission mechanisms of both user terminal device and electronic device into a unified bidirectional communication system. This allows information to flow in both directions, enabling interactive capabilities while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate unilateral systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication interface is designed to handle multiple functions including image transmission, indicator data exchange, and coordination signals within a single bidirectional channel. This multi-functionality enables rich interaction capabilities without requiring separate dedicated systems for each communication need.

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

2Ease of operation

If 2D indicator display is used on user terminal device, then ease of operation is improved, but immersion in virtual reality is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface ease of useVSAvoidvirtual reality immersion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dimensionality transformation where indicators are created and manipulated in 2D space on the user terminal device, then transmitted to the electronic device which renders them in 3D space within the virtual reality environment. This allows users to interact with simple 2D interfaces while experiencing immersive 3D visual feedback, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and VR immersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3304273B1User terminal device, electronic device, and method of controlling user terminal device and electronic device
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3304273B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3304273B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C
  • EP3304273B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5C

AI summary

A user terminal device includes a communicator configure to communicate with an external device; a touchscreen configured to display an image and to receive a touch input; and a controller configured to control the touchscreen to display an image received from the external device through the communicator, to control the touchscreen to display a first indicator associated with an object included in the displayed image, in response to the touch input being detected on the image displayed on the touchscreen, the first indicator being displayed at a point where the touch input is detected, and to control the communicator to transmit data related to the first indicator to the external device, the data comprising information to be used by the external device in determining a position of a second indicator to be included in an image displayed in the external device.