Virtual Object Input Routing via Command Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual reality and digital environments, directing user input to the correct virtual object is challenging due to the lack of effective solutions, especially when objects are close together or overlap, leading to commands being dropped or not executed as intended.
Innovation Solution
A headset system that includes a processor, display, and storage, which presents virtual objects and receives user input. It accesses metadata related to these objects to determine whether to direct the input, ensuring that the command is executed by the appropriate virtual object, even if the user is not directly looking at it, by searching within a field of view and threshold distance, and expanding the search if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electronic device directs user commands to the nearest virtual object, then the command routing is simple, but the command may be dropped if the nearest object cannot support the command
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking whether the nearest virtual object can support the user's command before directing the command to it. If the nearest object cannot support the command, the system proactively searches for the next nearest object that can support the command, preventing command drops before they occur.
2Ease of operation
If a pointer or eye gaze is used to indicate the intended virtual object, then the selection method is simple, but it becomes difficult or impossible to select the intended object when objects are close together or overlapping
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that checks command compatibility between the user's intended object and the actual target. Instead of directly selecting based on pointer or gaze position alone, the system uses the nearest object that can actually support the command as an intermediary selection criterion, resolving ambiguity when objects are close or overlapping.
3Measurement precision
If the system searches for the nearest virtual object within field of view and threshold distance, then the object selection is accurate, but the processing time increases when expanding the search area
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the search area based on initial search results. It first searches within the user's field of view and threshold distance for the nearest object that can support the command. If no suitable object is found, the system then expands the search area dynamically to include objects beyond the initial constraints, balancing accuracy and processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage includes instructions executable by the processor to receive input from a user. The instructions are also executable to determine to which of first and second virtual objects to direct the input based on metadata for the first and second virtual objects indicating respective commands related to the first and second virtual objects.