Virtual Camera Placement System for Game Simulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Video games and simulations often require users to manage multiple inputs, creating a complexity barrier for new users, which can deter them from engaging with the game.

Innovation Solution

A virtual camera placement system that uses artificial intelligence to control the camera view, reducing the number of user inputs required by programmatically managing camera positions and stages based on user input and navigation outcomes, allowing for a more intuitive and engaging experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user controls multiple inputs including camera manipulation, then the simulation functionality is enhanced, but the complexity barrier for new users increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation functionalityVSAvoiduser input complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts camera control functionality from user input by implementing automatic camera placement algorithms that independently determine optimal camera positions based on simulation state, challenge points, and navigation outcomes, removing the burden of camera manipulation from the user while preserving full simulation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically managing camera placement and view management through AI algorithms that analyze simulation context, challenge point locations, and navigation success to autonomously position cameras and adjust views without requiring user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides detailed camera control options, then the simulation experience is enhanced, but the perceived complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera control optionsVSAvoidperceived complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning cameras at optimal locations before simulation events occur, using challenge point data and navigation outcomes to anticipate required camera positions and prepare views in advance, thereby providing detailed camera options without requiring user complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the camera view is dynamically adjusted based on navigation outcomes, then user engagement is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring navigation outcomes, user position, and challenge point completion status to dynamically adjust camera placement and view parameters, creating an engaging experience through responsive camera behavior that adapts to user performance and simulation state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making camera positions and views flexible and adaptive rather than fixed, allowing camera parameters to change dynamically based on navigation outcomes, user location, and challenge point context, thereby improving engagement without requiring complex manual control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3796988B1Virtual camera placement system
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3796988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3796988B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3796988B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A virtual camera placement system is provided which includes a user input device configured to receive user input and a display device configured to display images captured by a virtual camera. The virtual camera placement system further includes non-volatile memory configured to store instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to generate a three-dimensional simulation including a plurality of challenge points for a user, navigate the simulation including the challenge points in response to the user input, and control the virtual camera in the simulation differently in a plurality of camera stages based on at least the user input and an outcome of navigating one or more of the challenge points.