Foot-Controlled VR Navigation via Smartphone Sensor Repurposing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional control schemes for virtual reality environments require hand use for navigation, limiting user immersion as they necessitate expensive hardware with specialized sensors and buttons, and lack efficient hands-free solutions.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing smartphones or tablets to detect foot tilt and rotation, translating this data into virtual motion, allowing users to control avatars without hands, using existing device sensors and minimal hardware like straps or balance boards for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional control schemes (handheld controllers, mouse and keyboard, joysticks) are used for virtual reality navigation, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because hands are occupied and cannot interact naturally with the virtual environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (smartphone or tablet with sensors) that mediates between the user's foot movements and the virtual environment control. The device detects foot orientation and movement through sensors and translates them into navigation commands, allowing hands-free operation while maintaining control precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hand-based control system with a sensor-based detection system that uses the smartphone's accelerometer, gyroscope, and other sensors to detect foot movements and convert them into digital control signals for virtual navigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If expensive hardware with specialized sensors and buttons is used for foot-based control, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the smartphone or tablet serve multiple functions: it acts as both the user's communication device and the motion control controller for virtual reality. The device's existing sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) are repurposed for foot-based navigation control, eliminating the need for specialized hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the smartphone or tablet to serve itself by using its own built-in sensors to detect foot movements and generate control commands. The device's existing hardware resources are utilized for dual purposes, reducing the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If on-board processing software with specialized sensors is implemented in foot-controlled devices, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiduse of energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex on-board processing hardware with software-based processing running on the smartphone or tablet. The device's existing processor and sensors handle all detection and translation functions through software algorithms, eliminating the need for specialized processing hardware and reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables immersive virtual reality experiences without the need for expensive hardware, allowing users to navigate virtual environments using their feet, freeing hands for natural interaction while maintaining hands-free control.

Implementation Method 1

A system and method for the use of smartphones or tablets to detect the motion of a user's foot and send that information to be translated into virtual motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

receiving orientation data representing orientation information for a controller manipulated by a user, receiving movement data representing dynamic information for the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentUS10691222B1Methods and systems for hands free control in a virtual world

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 SAINTY CHARLES HENRY ALASTAIR

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided to allow a user to use their feet as an alternative to their hands as a source of input for motion control. Such a method may be provided comprising receiving orientation data representing orientation information for a controller manipulated by a user, receiving movement data representing dynamic information for the controller, evaluating at least one of the orientation data and the movement data, and moving an avatar in a direction based on the direction in which the controller is moved. The method can be implemented in a software application or across multiple software applications on different platforms.