Virtual Camera Placement for Multi-Display Perspective Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for displaying virtual spaces lack usability enhancements, particularly in terms of user interaction and perspective alignment across multiple displays.

Innovation Solution

An image processing system that utilizes multiple displays, including head-mounted displays and portable devices, to place virtual objects and cameras in a virtual space relative to real-space positions and orientations, allowing users to view the virtual space from different perspectives and interact with virtual objects through input devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single fixed virtual camera position is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the usability and user experience are worsened due to inability to provide personalized viewpoints

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveusabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the virtual camera placement into multiple independent virtual cameras, each associated with a specific user. Each user has their own virtual camera positioned according to their real-world display position, allowing personalized viewpoints without requiring complex centralized control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual camera copies that mirror the physical camera positions and orientations. Each virtual camera is a digital replica of a physical camera's spatial characteristics, enabling the virtual environment to accurately reflect real-world viewing positions without complex transformation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual objects are placed relative to real-space positions, then the adaptability and user immersion are improved, but the measurement precision and position alignment become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidposition alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical position-mapping mechanisms with optical field-based virtual camera positioning. By using virtual cameras that can be positioned and oriented in three-dimensional space according to real-world coordinates, the system achieves precise alignment without physical mechanical linkages or complex coordinate transformation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If multiple displays are used for collaborative viewing, then the productivity and collaboration capability are improved, but the device complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration capabilityVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal virtual space that can be accessed and viewed from multiple displays simultaneously. Each display acts as an independent viewing portal to the same shared virtual environment, allowing multiple users to collaborate without requiring complex display coordination or synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260069974A1System, method, and computer readable medium with program for virtual camera placement in a virtual environment

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

An example of an image processing system includes a first HMD worn by a first user and a smart device carried by a second user. In a virtual space, a second virtual camera and a second object are placed in accordance with a position of the smart device relative to a reference in a real space. In the virtual space, a first object is placed regardless of a position of the first HMD in the real space, and a first virtual camera is placed at a position relating to a position of the first object. An image of the virtual space including the second object is displayed on the first HMD based on the first virtual camera. An image of the virtual space including the first object is displayed on the smart device based on the second virtual camera.