Simulated Reality Immersion Switching for Physical Interaction Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for avoiding undesirable interactions between virtual and physical environments in immersive experiences are inadequate, often leading to abrupt device removal that disrupts the experience.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an input device and image sensor allows for seamless transitions between levels of simulated reality immersion, integrating physical and virtual content on a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the user abruptly removes the electronic device to avoid undesirable interactions with physical objects, then the user can avoid harmful interactions, but the user experience is disrupted and detracted from
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the switching system between VR and physical environment views) that mediates between the virtual reality experience and the physical environment. Instead of abruptly removing the device, the system provides a controlled transition mechanism that allows users to switch between immersion levels, thereby avoiding harmful interactions while maintaining experience continuity through structured transitions rather than abrupt interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different immersion levels, allowing the system to adapt between fully immersive VR mode and physical environment view mode. This dynamic capability enables users to transition smoothly between states rather than making abrupt changes, resolving the contradiction by making the system flexible and adaptable to user needs while maintaining experience continuity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the experience becomes increasingly immersive, then the user experience is enhanced, but the user's ability to sense undesirable interactions with physical objects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of immersion based on user needs and environmental conditions. By providing controllable transitions between different immersion levels, the system allows users to enhance their VR experience when safe while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to physical environment interactions when necessary, thus resolving the contradiction between immersion depth and situational awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow users to perceive both virtual and physical environment states. The switching capability provides feedback about the physical environment even during immersive VR experiences, enabling users to detect undesirable interactions while maintaining enhanced immersion when appropriate
Data Source
AI summary
In one implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions computer-executable on one or more processors of an electronic device to perform operations. The operations include presenting, on a display of the electronic device, a simulated reality (SR) environment at a first immersion level, where the first immersion level is associated with a first location of a reality boundary. Using a rotatable input device of the electronic device, input is received representing a request to change the first immersion level to a second immersion level. In accordance with receiving the input, the SR environment is presented at the second immersion level, where the second immersion level is associated with a second location of the reality boundary.