Force-Based Virtual Element Interaction in 3D Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing augmented and virtual reality display systems face challenges in providing intuitive and realistic interaction between virtual elements and real-world users, often requiring complex gestures, additional equipment, and struggling to accurately identify interactions with virtual objects, leading to user frustration and computational delays.

Innovation Solution

The system allows manipulation of virtual elements in a 3D space based on real-world 3D point data from sensors, using force fields and physics models to enable intuitive interaction without predefined gestures, by assigning charges and fields to virtual elements, allowing real-world objects to interact with them naturally, and reducing computational burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gesture-based systems are used to recognize user interactions, then user interaction capability is provided, but recognition accuracy and speed deteriorate leading to user frustration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidgesture recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex gesture recognition systems with a force-based interaction model. Instead of requiring users to perform specific gestures that need to be recognized by sensors, the system applies physical forces to virtual elements based on user input, eliminating the need for complex gesture interpretation while maintaining intuitive interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the interaction paradigm from gesture recognition (categorical parameters) to force application (continuous physical parameters). By mapping user input directly to force magnitude and direction parameters, the system achieves more precise and reliable interaction control without the ambiguity of gesture classification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If additional equipment such as wands or wristbands is required for interaction, then interaction capability is enhanced, but system complexity and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction capabilityVSAvoidadditional equipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force-based interaction system serves multiple functions using the same basic mechanism. It can select, move, manipulate, and interact with various virtual elements without requiring different equipment or gestures, making the system universally applicable across different interaction scenarios without adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the user's natural movements and inputs directly as the interaction medium, eliminating the need for separate interaction devices. The user's own body movements serve as the control interface, reducing system complexity while maintaining interaction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and fiducial markers are used to map environment and identify virtual objects, then interaction accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and interaction delay increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual object identification accuracyVSAvoidsensor and marker requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential interaction function from complex environmental mapping systems. Instead of requiring full environment mapping with multiple sensors and fiducial markers to identify virtual objects, the system directly applies forces to virtual elements based on simplified user input, separating the identification function from the interaction function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If complex gesture recognition and environmental mapping are implemented, then interaction accuracy is improved, but processing time and system response speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction accuracyVSAvoidsystem response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary setup by defining force fields and interaction parameters for virtual elements before user interaction begins. This preconfiguration eliminates the need for real-time complex calculations during interaction, allowing immediate response when users apply forces to virtual elements without computational delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10832480B2Apparatuses, methods and systems for application of forces within a 3D virtual environment

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 CAMPFIRE 3D INC

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosed apparatuses, methods and systems provide manipulation of a virtual world three dimensional (3D) space based on input translated from the real world. Elements in the virtual world may have an associated charge and field. An element in the virtual world becomes interactive with an element translated from the real world when the translated real world element interacts with a field associated with the virtual element according to the charges. Forces may be applied to the virtual element using a real world physics model to determine a response by the virtual element to the applied force.