Virtual Smoke Timing Control for Exhalation-Synced VR Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual reality and augmented reality technologies fail to accurately synchronize the implementation of virtual smoke with a user's exhalation, leading to a sense of discontinuity in the smoking experience.

Innovation Solution

A method of predicting a virtual smoke implementation timepoint by monitoring changes in distance or capacitance between an electronic device and a user, using sensors to transmit a control signal to a VR device for synchronized virtual smoke display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If virtual smoke is displayed in real-time during VR/AR, then the immersion and realism of the smoking experience are improved, but the synchronization accuracy with user exhalation is poor, creating perceptible differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoiduser experience realism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user inhalation actions through sensors (capacitance, distance, or other sensors) and predicts the exhalation timing before it actually occurs. This predictive approach allows the virtual smoke to be displayed at the optimal moment, achieving synchronization without waiting for the exhalation to naturally occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors user actions through sensors and adjusts the virtual smoke display timing based on the detected inhalation patterns. This feedback loop ensures that the virtual smoke synchronization adapts to the user's actual breathing rhythm, improving both accuracy and realism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If sensors are added to detect user actions for better synchronization, then the timing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhalation detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing sensors (capacitance sensors, distance sensors, or other sensors already present in the VR/AR device) for multiple purposes: detecting both inhalation and exhalation actions, and using this data for predictive timing. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the detection parameter from direct exhalation detection to inhalation detection with predictive timing. By detecting inhalation (which is easier to measure with existing sensors) and predicting exhalation timing based on the inhalation duration and pattern, the system achieves precise synchronization without requiring complex exhalation detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables seamless integration of virtual smoke with user exhalation in VR, providing a realistic smoking experience without perceptible discontinuity.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring a change value of a capacitance of the electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4303702B1Virtual smoke implementation method and device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP4303702B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4303702B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4303702B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The following embodiments relate to a method of controlling an electronic device to implement virtual smoke in a virtual display device. The method of controlling an electronic device includes predicting a virtual smoke implementation timepoint by monitoring a change value of the capacitance of the electronic device, and transmitting a control signal including the virtual smoke implementation timepoint to a device for displaying a virtual image.