IMU Virtual Space Positioning Without External Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality positioning technologies are expensive, difficult to set up, and prone to interference from background light, limiting their portability and effectiveness for mobile VR applications.
Innovation Solution
A virtual space positioning method using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to determine user actions in a real space, which calculates moving directions and distances to create a coordinate system relationship between the real and virtual spaces, allowing for accurate positioning without the need for external detection systems or image-based methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical positioning technologies or image-based positioning technologies are used, then positioning accuracy in virtual space can be achieved, but the system becomes expensive to build and difficult to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical/image-based positioning systems with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that uses mechanical sensing of acceleration and orientation. The IMU captures raw sensor data representing user actions in real space, which is then processed to determine positioning information, eliminating the need for complex optical infrastructure like Lighthouse base stations or external cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the IMU device itself to generate positioning data through its own sensors, without requiring external detection systems. The IMU captures its own motion data, and the processor within the same device determines positioning information from this self-generated data, making the system portable and self-contained.
2Measurement precision
If image-based positioning technologies are used, then positioning can be achieved, but the system is easily disturbed by background light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical/image-based positioning with inertial sensing that measures physical motion directly. The IMU sensors detect acceleration and orientation through mechanical means, completely avoiding reliance on light detection and thus eliminating susceptibility to background light interference entirely.
3Measurement precision
If Lighthouse tracing/positioning technology is used, then positioning in virtual space can be achieved, but the system is expensive to build and not portable
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the positioning device self-sufficient by integrating the IMU and processor within the same portable unit. The IMU captures positioning data from its own sensors, and the processor determines positioning information internally, eliminating the need for external Lighthouse base stations or other infrastructure, thereby achieving full portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The IMU device serves multiple functions: it captures raw sensor data for positioning, detects user actions through the same sensors, and provides orientation information. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single portable device.
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
This approach provides a cost-effective, portable, and adaptable virtual space positioning solution that is not affected by ambient light, enhancing the flexibility and usability of VR systems by directly mapping user actions to virtual environments.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a plurality of first sensed data sets from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), wherein the first sensed data sets correspond to a first position in a real space
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual space positioning method and apparatus are provided. The virtual space positioning method is adapted for a human machine interface (HMI) and includes the steps of: receiving a plurality of first sensed data sets from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), determining that a data feature of the first sensed data sets conforms to a first predetermined data model, receiving a plurality of second sensed data sets from the IMU, determining that a data feature of the second sensed data sets conforms to a second predetermined data model, calculating a moving direction and a moving distance according to the first sensed data sets and the second sensed data sets, defining a first coordinate system of a real space according to the moving direction and the moving distance, and creating a relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system of a virtual space corresponding to the HMI.