Illumination-Based HMD Tracking for Multi-User VR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted displays (HMDs) for virtual and augmented reality are cumbersome due to onboard sensor-fusion componentry and require tethering to a computing device, making them uncomfortable and impractical for immersive experience environments.
Innovation Solution
An illumination-based system that tracks user head movements and distributes immersive content via infrared spectrum illumination, allowing HMDs to have minimal processing componentry and eliminating the need for cables, enabling a lighter and more convenient fit for users while providing tailored experiences in multi-user environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HMDs include onboard sensor-fusion componentry and built-in processors, then immersive experience quality is improved, but device weight and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts processing componentry from the HMD and relocates it to external computing devices. The HMD retains only minimal components (photodetector, optical bandpass filter, projector) while offloading sensor fusion and content processing to external systems, thereby reducing HMD weight while maintaining immersive experience quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of optical emission devices that transmit encoded imagery through infrared illumination. This intermediary transmission method enables the HMD to receive processed content from external devices without requiring built-in processing componentry, resolving the contradiction between external processing and reception capability.
2Power
If HMDs are tethered to stand-alone computers via cables, then processing capability is improved, but ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tethering system (cables connecting HMD to computer) with an optical transmission system. Optical emission devices transmit encoded imagery through infrared light to the HMD, eliminating the need for physical connections while maintaining processing capability through external computing devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share the same immersive environment, then system versatility is improved, but content distribution accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning unique optical characteristics (wavelengths or patterns) to each HMD in the multi-user environment. Each HMD is configured with distinct photodetector wavelengths or emission patterns, enabling the system to differentiate between users and distribute customized content accurately to each individual while maintaining multi-user environment support.
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
The system provides high-quality immersive experiences with increased user comfort and practicality, enabling its use in various environments such as theme parks by differentiating users' viewpoints and content distribution based on unique infrared patterns or wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
encodes the first image into a first infrared spectrum illumination having a first wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a first optical emission device emits the first infrared spectrum illumination for reception by the first HMD
Implementation Method 3
an optical bandpass filter that filters a plurality of infrared spectrum illuminations from a plurality of optical emission devices according to a predetermined wavelength such that a filtered infrared spectrum illumination is absorbed by the photodetector
Implementation Method 4
an optical bandpass filter that filters a plurality of infrared spectrum illuminations from a plurality of optical emission devices according to a predetermined wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
An immersive experience system is provided. The immersive experience system has a processor that determines a position of a first head-mounted display. Further, the processor determines a position of a second head-mounted display. The processor also generates a first image for a first immersive experience corresponding to the position of the first head-mounted display. Moreover, the process encodes the first image into a first infrared spectrum illumination having a first wavelength. In addition, the processor generates a second image for a second immersive experience corresponding to the position of the second head-mounted display. Finally, the processor encodes the second image into a second infrared spectrum illumination having a second wavelength. The first wavelength is distinct from the second wavelength.