Force-Plate Floor Interface for Occlusion-Resistant User Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual environment construction systems struggle to accurately measure positions and postures of users who move outside the camera's angle of view or hide behind others, leading to inaccuracies in virtual space representation.

Innovation Solution

An interface apparatus utilizing force plates on the floor to detect user positions and postures, combined with photodetectors to determine line-of-sight directions, generates accurate signals for a simulation apparatus to create a coherent virtual space experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a plurality of cameras is used to optically measure positions and postures of players, then the measurement coverage is limited to the angle of view of the cameras, but users who move outside the angle of view or hide behind other players cannot be accurately measured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition and posture measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical measurement system (cameras) with a force plate-based mechanical sensing system. Force plates are embedded in the floor to detect users' positions and postures through force distribution, enabling accurate measurement regardless of the user's location within the room, including areas outside the camera's angle of view or where users hide behind others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If optical measurement by cameras is used, then the system structure is simpler, but measurement precision deteriorates for users outside camera view or hiding behind others

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structure complexityVSAvoidposition and posture measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the measurement function into multiple force plates distributed across the floor. Each force plate independently measures the position and posture of users standing on it, and the results are synthesized to provide comprehensive measurement coverage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while improving measurement precision for users in various positions, including those outside the original camera view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 precise specification of user positions and postures on the floor, allowing for accurate representation of users in a virtual space, enhancing coexistence experiences.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of force plates that are provided over a floor of a first real space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12422922B2Interface apparatus and coexistence experience providing system

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 SINTOKOGIO LTD

AI summary

An interface apparatus includes: a plurality of force plates provided over a floor of a real space; and an output section that provides, with respect to a plurality of users, a simulation apparatus configured to generate a virtual space with an output signal from a force plate 11 that has detected a foot pressure of a user and a signal indicating a position of the user on the floor and a posture of the user, the position and the posture each having been specified on the basis of a position of the force plate on the floor.