VR Awareness Module for Immersion and Real-World Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual reality (VR) users are isolated from the outside world, making them apprehensive when working in public or busy environments, as existing VR systems do not provide real-world awareness without leaving the VR environment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an awareness module that uses cameras, microphones, and other sensors to monitor external signals and provide interruption notifications to the VR application, allowing users to 'peek' into the real world without removing hardware, by determining the level and type of notification based on detected signals and context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VR headsets provide full immersion in virtual environment, then virtual reality experience quality is improved, but user awareness of real world deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the field of view by displaying different content in different zones: the majority of the display shows virtual reality content for immersion, while peripheral zones show real-world camera feeds for awareness. This allows simultaneous access to both virtual and real information without compromising either experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces camera feeds as an intermediary element that bridges the virtual and real worlds. These camera views act as a mediator, allowing users to perceive real-world events while remaining in the VR environment, thus resolving the contradiction between immersion and awareness.
2Loss of information
If users remove VR hardware to check real world, then real world awareness is improved, but VR immersion is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a new dimension to the VR experience by incorporating spatially-aware peripheral displays that show real-world content. Instead of requiring users to exit the VR environment (temporal dimension), the solution provides real-world awareness within the same temporal continuum through spatial expansion of the display dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous VR immersion while simultaneously providing real-world awareness through peripheral camera feeds. Users can maintain their VR experience without interruption while still accessing real-world information, eliminating the need to remove hardware or break immersion to check surroundings.
3Loss of information
If VR headsets add sensors and cameras for real-world detection, then real world awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing VR headset components (cameras and sensors originally intended for tracking and environmental mapping) multi-functional by utilizing them for real-world awareness in addition to their primary functions. This reduces the need for additional dedicated hardware while achieving real-world detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the VR headset's own existing sensors and cameras to provide real-world awareness, making the device self-sufficient. Rather than requiring external辅助设备 or additional specialized hardware, the headset leverages its inherent capabilities to achieve real-world detection and display.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems for providing real-world awareness for virtual reality are disclosed. In response to determining that a virtual reality application is in use, an awareness module can begin monitoring for external signals by at least accessing an available sensor of a computing device. In response to detecting the at least one external signal, the awareness module can determine a level of notification for an interruption notification of the virtual reality application based on the at least one external signal. The awareness module can receive context of the virtual reality application. A type for the interruption notification of the virtual reality application can be determined based on the determined level of notification and the context of the virtual reality application. The interruption notification may be provided to the virtual reality application based on the determined type.