Switching Communication Between Virtual and Real Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual world communication systems cannot seamlessly transition communication between virtual and real spaces when a user logs out, limiting the flexibility of communication spaces among users.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device with a communication control unit, user-information acquiring unit, and switching control unit that creates virtual images of users in virtual space, acquires real-space position and attribute information, and switches communication between virtual and real spaces based on this information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If communication is performed only in virtual space through avatars, then users can interact in a virtual world, but communication cannot continue when a user logs out of the virtual world

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication space flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both virtual space communication (through avatars) and real space communication (through position information). The system can switch between these modes, allowing the same communication infrastructure to serve both virtual world interaction and real-world location-based communication, thereby resolving the contradiction between virtual space versatility and communication continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Position information acts as an intermediary that bridges virtual space and real space. By acquiring and utilizing position information, the system can determine when to switch between virtual and real space communication modes, ensuring continuous communication even when users log out of the virtual world. The position information serves as the mediator that enables seamless transition between communication spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If communication switches between virtual and real spaces, then communication continuity is maintained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoidswitching control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching control unit operates autonomously by automatically acquiring position information and determining whether to switch between virtual and real space communication based on pre-set conditions. The system monitors its own state and makes switching decisions without requiring manual user intervention, thereby maintaining communication continuity while minimizing the operational complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously acquires position information and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the communication mode. By monitoring position data and comparing it against switching conditions, the system automatically determines when to transition between virtual and real space communication, ensuring continuity while managing complexity through automated feedback-driven control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If position information and attribute information are acquired continuously, then switching accuracy is improved, but information processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching decision accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system acquires position information and attribute information at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic acquisition strategy maintains sufficient switching decision accuracy by updating information at appropriate frequencies while significantly reducing the information processing load and energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11553009B2Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program for switching between communications performed in real space and virtual space

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing device, an information processing method, and a computer program that enable to switch communication between virtual space and real space smoothly. The information processing device includes a communication control unit that controls communication performed in virtual space in which a virtual image corresponding to a real image of a user present in real space is created, interactively between users through the virtual image of the user; a user-information acquiring unit that acquires position information regarding a position of the user in the real space and attribute information including at least information regarding intimacy between the users at predetermined timing; and a switching control unit that controls switching between communication performed in the real space and communication performed in the virtual space according to at least either one of the position information and the attribute information.