Virtual Space Association with Physical Analogues

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional virtual worlds and gaming spaces are typically self-contained and not influenced by real-world conditions or events, lacking a substantial connection to the physical world, which limits the dynamic interaction between virtual and real environments.

Innovation Solution

A system that associates virtual spaces with physical analogues in the real world, using a server with a location module, instantiation module, and view module to reflect real-world conditions and objects within the virtual environment, allowing for dynamic content and access based on the user's physical location and proximity to physical objects or locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If virtual spaces are made self-contained and independent from real-world events, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to real-world conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces physical analogues as intermediary objects that bridge the virtual and real worlds. These analogues (physical locations, objects, or landmarks) serve as mediators that connect real-world conditions to virtual space characteristics, allowing virtual environments to adapt to real-world events without direct coupling. The analogues translate real-world states into virtual representations, resolving the contradiction by providing an indirect connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension of physical reality to the traditionally two-dimensional virtual space. By incorporating physical location, ambient conditions, and real-world events as additional dimensions that influence virtual space characteristics, the system achieves adaptability without compromising operational simplicity. This dimensional expansion allows virtual spaces to respond to real-world changes while maintaining their core functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual spaces are associated with physical analogues and influenced by real-world conditions, then adaptability and realism are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by associating specific physical analogues with specific virtual spaces rather than implementing a global complex system. Each virtual space can be independently configured with its own relevant physical analogues (location, ambient conditions, nearby objects), allowing adaptability to be implemented locally where needed without increasing overall system complexity. This selective association approach enables realism in specific contexts while maintaining simplicity elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If access to virtual spaces is influenced by real-world conditions and location, then adaptability and immersion are improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by selectively applying real-world condition influences to specific aspects of virtual space access rather than requiring precise measurement of all real-world parameters. The system can choose to respond to certain conditions (location, ambient light, nearby objects) while ignoring others, achieving adaptability without the burden of comprehensive high-precision measurement. This selective responsiveness resolves the contradiction by implementing adaptability at an appropriate level of measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2297649B1Providing access to virtual spaces that are associated with physical analogues in the real world
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC
  • EP2297649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2297649B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2297649B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for associating virtual spaces with physical analogues in the real world. Associating virtual spaces with physical analogues may enable various aspects of the virtual spaces, such as the content of the virtual spaces, the manner in which the virtual spaces are accessed by users, and/or other aspects of the virtual spaces, to correspond to the real world. For example, upon initiation of a client that provides a view of one or more virtual spaces to a user, the user may automatically be provided with a view of a virtual space associated with one or more physical analogues that are proximate to the user in the real world. As another example, content within the virtual space may reflect ambient conditions at or near associated physical analogue(s), the presence and/or condition of objects at or near the associated physical analogue(s), the location and/or condition of the physical analogue(s), and/or other information related to the physical analogue in the real world.