Saccadic Redirection for VR Locomotion in Small Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual reality systems face challenges in providing an immersive experience due to the limitations of small, irregular physical spaces, where users often collide with obstacles or require frequent resets of their virtual orientation, disrupting the experience.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects temporary visual suppression events, such as rapid eye movements, to subtly redirect the user's path within the virtual environment, using techniques like modifying the virtual camera orientation and inducing gaze direction events to guide the user around physical obstacles without warping the scene, thereby enhancing immersion and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the virtual orientation is reset whenever users hit physical boundaries, then users can continue navigating the virtual environment, but the user experience is interrupted and degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary redirection by subtly modifying the virtual scene orientation before the user actually reaches the physical boundary. By detecting the user's trajectory and anticipating boundary contact, the system proactively redirects the virtual path, preventing the need for disruptive resets and maintaining continuous immersion
Solution Approach 2:
The redirection mechanism dynamically adjusts the virtual scene orientation based on real-time user position and movement. The system continuously modifies the virtual environment's orientation parameters, creating a dynamic mapping between physical and virtual spaces that adapts to user navigation patterns and prevents boundary contact
2Reliability
If redirection techniques are used to dynamically manipulate the virtual environment, then boundary collisions are minimized, but the size, shape, and content of physical environments limit the effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the virtual scene to achieve redirection. By modifying the virtual camera or scene orientation angle relative to the user's physical heading, the system creates a rotational offset that guides users away from boundaries without requiring physical space expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an additional rotational dimension to the virtual environment that exists independently of physical space constraints. By adding this orientation layer, the system effectively creates more navigable virtual space within the same physical footprint, overcoming the limitations of small or irregular physical environments
3Productivity
If rotation gains are increased during head movement, then more redirection can be achieved, but the head movement and redirection amount must be limited to avoid negative impact on user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial redirection by modifying only the orientation component of the virtual scene rather than fully redirecting the user's path. This subtle, partial modification to the virtual orientation is sufficient to guide users away from boundaries while remaining below the threshold of user perception, maintaining experience quality
4Reliability
If scene geometry is warped to guide user movements, then boundary avoidance is achieved, but distortion occurs which is not suitable for open spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the redirection function from geometric warping of the scene and implements it through independent orientation modification of the virtual camera or scene. By separating the orientation control from the scene geometry, the system achieves boundary avoidance without introducing visual distortion, preserving the integrity of open spaces
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 allows for more aggressive and frequent redirections, enabling realistic virtual reality experiences in smaller physical spaces by imperceptibly modifying the virtual environment during natural visual suppression events, reducing collisions and maintaining visual and vestibular comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A temporary visual suppression event is detected when a user's eyes move relative to the user's head while viewing a display device
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer readable medium, and system are disclosed for redirecting a user's movement through a physical space while the user views a virtual environment. A temporary visual suppression event is detected when a user's eyes move relative to the user's head while viewing a virtual scene displayed on a display device, an orientation of the virtual scene relative to the user is modified to direct the user to physically move along a planned path through a virtual environment corresponding to the virtual scene, and the virtual scene is displayed on the display device according to the modified orientation.