VR Classroom Object Control for Immersive Remote Teaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing educational systems using ICT, such as zSpace and Google Expeditions, struggle with conducting immersive virtual reality classes and allowing free operation of three-dimensional objects, limiting their effectiveness in remote or immersive learning environments.
Innovation Solution
A class system that connects a communication class server and viewing terminals, enabling distribution of panoramic videos and control signals to create an immersive virtual space where students can operate three-dimensional teaching materials through avatars, with permission-based interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a laptop-type 3D display system is used for teaching, then students can observe objects three-dimensionally and operate displayed models, but it cannot be used in correspondence education conducted in an immersive virtual reality space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the real classroom environment by capturing panoramic video of the actual classroom and reconstructing it as a virtual space. Students interact with this virtual copy through VR headsets, allowing them to participate in correspondence education as if physically present in the classroom without requiring complex laptop-type 3D display systems at each student location
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a server as an intermediary that manages the virtual classroom environment, distributes panoramic video content, and coordinates avatar movements. This intermediary architecture enables multiple students to access the immersive virtual space simultaneously through standard VR equipment, bridging the gap between physical classroom and remote students
2Ease of operation
If a 360-degree panoramic video is used for immersive viewing, then students can view the video immersively, but they cannot freely operate the displayed object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of teaching material objects within the virtual classroom. Objects can be freely moved, rotated, and manipulated by students using hand gestures tracked by the system, while the teacher maintains overall control to ensure operations align with the class progression and educational objectives
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by tracking student avatar positions and hand gestures, then translating these into object manipulation actions. The server monitors and coordinates these operations to ensure they occur at appropriate moments in the class structure, balancing student freedom with pedagogical control
3Loss of information
If teaching material objects are made operable in virtual space, then student understanding is promoted through interaction, but class structure may be disrupted without proper control
Solution Approach 1:
The teacher prepares and positions teaching material objects in the virtual classroom before the class begins. The server pre-loads these objects and configures their initial states, so that when students interact with them during the class, the operations are already structured to support the learning objectives without requiring complex real-time control decisions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a class system for taking a class conducted in an immersive virtual space by connecting a communication class server 10 and a student terminal 30. The communication class server 10 comprises a delivery unit 103 that delivers, to the student terminal 30, a class content for viewing a class being conducted in the virtual space, and a transmission unit 104 that transmits, to the student terminal 30, a display signal, a non-display signal, an operation permission signal, and an operation prohibition signal respectively set according to the progress of the class. The student terminal 30 comprises a VR function unit 301 that disposes, in the virtual space, an avatar of a student that uses the student terminal 30 and controls the avatar, receives the class content, and displays the class content from the avatar's point of view, and an object control unit 303 that causes a teaching material object 500 to appear in the virtual space at a timing when the display signal is received, causes the teaching material object 500 to disappear at a timing when the non-display signal is received, enables the operation of the teaching material object 500 by the student at a timing when the operation permission signal is received, and prohibits the operation of the teaching material object 500 by the student at a timing when the operation prohibition signal is received.