Virtual Flashlight Mixed Reality Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attraction experiences in explorer-type settings lack freshness and immersion due to the difficulty and expense of frequently moving physical objects, and existing technologies fail to seamlessly integrate real and virtual worlds for multiple viewers.
Innovation Solution
A system combining new GPU-based progressive photon mapping, 6DOF magnetic markers, and 3D stereographic visualization to create an interactive environment where real and virtual light are seamlessly integrated, allowing for dynamic content modification and synchronized image display for multiple players.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical objects are moved frequently to maintain attraction freshness, then the attraction experience remains fresh, but the cost and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual copies of physical objects displayed on screens instead of moving actual physical objects. Virtual reality environments and augmented reality overlays allow the attraction content to be changed by modifying digital assets rather than physically relocating exhibits, dramatically reducing modification costs and difficulty while maintaining attraction freshness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical systems for moving physical objects with computational systems that render virtual objects. Instead of physically transporting exhibits, the system uses computers to generate and display virtual representations, substituting mechanical modification with software-based content changes
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single image is displayed on a monitor for multiple players, then all players see the same content, but individual immersion and discovery experience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visual content into multiple distinct images that can be displayed simultaneously on the same monitor. Each player receives their own segmented portion of the visual information through techniques like spatial separation, temporal multiplexing, or directional display, allowing individualized experiences without requiring separate display devices for each player
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds dimensional separation to the display system, using spatial dimensions (different locations on the screen, different viewing angles), temporal dimensions (different timing for different players), or both combined. This allows multiple players to experience different images on the same monitor simultaneously by utilizing additional degrees of freedom in the display system
3Illumination intensity
If virtual light is integrated with real light, then immersion quality increases, but rendering complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges virtual light sources with real physical light sources in the scene. Virtual objects emit light that is computationally generated and combined with actual light from physical flashlights or lamps, creating a unified illumination system where digital and physical light interact seamlessly to enhance immersion while sharing the same optical space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cameras and sensors as intermediaries to capture real-world light conditions and transfer them into the virtual rendering environment. The camera captures actual illumination from physical sources, and this captured light information serves as a mediator that informs the virtual lighting calculations, allowing virtual objects to respond realistically to real light sources
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
Maintains attraction freshness and high immersion quality by enabling real-time, high-quality rendering of virtual light in a mixed reality environment, allowing different images to be displayed simultaneously to multiple players, enhancing the interactive adventure experience.
Implementation Method 1
The analyzer receives data from the magnetic field base-station and calculates the position and orientation of the first 6DOF magnetic tracker and the second 6DOF magnetic tracker
Implementation Method 2
The rendering apparatus calculates the light emitted from the flashlight as emitted photons such that the rendering apparatus can compute the image of the virtual scene illuminated by the virtual light
Data Source
AI summary
One object of the present invention is to provide a system that adopts a global illumination technique to seamlessly span light across a real world and a virtual world. The first aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for producing three dimensional images. The system includes a magnetic field sensor; a first 6DOF magnetic tracker; a flashlight which has a second 6DOF magnetic tracker; a monitor; an analyzer; and a rendering apparatus.