Virtual Camera Navigation via Device Orientation Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for navigating virtual models, particularly in architectural design and gaming, lack the natural and immersive experience provided by real-world movements, as they primarily rely on mouse and keyboard interactions, limiting the integration of physical world data and natural user movements.
Innovation Solution
The use of mobile computing devices equipped with sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and location sensors to detect real-world movements, allowing for natural navigation of virtual models by translating and rotating the device, thereby synchronizing the virtual camera's orientation and location with the user's physical actions, and integrating physical world content into the virtual scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mouse and keyboard interactions are used for navigation, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and immersion are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical input devices (mouse and keyboard) with sensor-based detection systems. Accelerometers, gyroscopes, and location sensors detect physical movements and orientations, automatically translating them into navigation commands without requiring mechanical interaction devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the device itself to serve as the navigation controller through its built-in sensors. The mobile computing device uses its own accelerometer, gyroscope, and location sensor data to control the virtual camera movement, eliminating the need for separate input devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical world movements are integrated for navigation, then immersion and natural interaction are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile computing device perform multiple functions: it serves as both the platform for running the virtual model application and as the navigation controller through its sensors. The same device that displays the virtual scene also detects physical movements and translates them into navigation commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor data as an intermediary between physical world movements and virtual navigation. The accelerometer, gyroscope, and location sensor data act as mediators that translate physical movements into corresponding virtual camera movements and orientations.
3Ease of operation
If virtual camera orientation is synchronized with device orientation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the device orientation detected by sensors continuously updates the virtual camera orientation. The system constantly monitors accelerometer and gyroscope data and adjusts the virtual scene accordingly, creating a real-time feedback mechanism that maintains synchronization between physical and virtual orientations.
Data Source
AI summary
Virtual model navigation methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a user device includes a display screen configured to depict visual images for observation by a user, and processing circuitry configured to control the display device to generate a plurality of views of a virtual scene of the virtual model at a plurality of different moments in time, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control generation of a first of the views as viewed using the virtual camera at a first orientation within the virtual scene at a first moment in time, to detect a change in orientation of the user device in the physical world, to control generation of a second of the views as viewed using the virtual camera at a second orientation within the virtual scene at a second moment in time as a result of the detected change in orientation of the user device in the physical world, and to control generation of a third of the views as viewed using the virtual camera positioned at a first view point at a third moment in time which is different than a second view point where the virtual camera was positioned during at least one of the first and second moments in time.