Virtual Reality Headset Position Tracking for Exercise Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of extended reality headsets face challenges in maintaining a frame of reference while exercising, as the real-world environment is not visible, leading to issues with positioning and control of exercise equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses sensor inputs to detect the user's position relative to exercise equipment, determining an operational zone, and providing visual and operational feedback through an avatar and virtual shadows to maintain proper positioning and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a virtual reality headset is used to provide immersive exercise experience, then user immersion and motivation are improved, but user awareness of real-world position and safety is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously tracks the user's position using sensors (cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes) and provides real-time feedback through visual cues in the virtual environment. The virtual avatar and shadow indicators show the user's position relative to the operational zone, enabling self-correction while maintaining immersion. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by keeping users immersed while ensuring safety through continuous position monitoring and visual feedback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the real-world environment is hidden during exercise, then virtual reality immersion is improved, but user ability to maintain frame of reference is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the user (avatar) and virtual indicators (shadows, boundaries) that represent the user's position and the operational zone. These virtual copies provide a frame of reference within the immersive environment, allowing users to understand their position without seeing the real world. The virtual shadow and boundary indicators serve as proxies for physical boundaries, maintaining both immersion and spatial awareness.
3Reliability
If sensor tracking is used to monitor user position, then safety and positioning control are improved, but system complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing multi-functional capabilities of the virtual reality headset, which already incorporates cameras, accelerometers, and gyroscopes for motion tracking and virtual reality rendering. By repurposing these existing sensors for safety monitoring and position tracking, the system achieves reliable positioning control without adding separate dedicated sensor systems. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining safety and positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method controls a piece of exercise equipment when a user of the exercise equipment is using a virtual reality headset. The method begins by receiving sensor inputs detecting a position of the user with respect to the exercise equipment. An operational zone of the exercise equipment is then determined. It is then identified when the user is moving toward a warning area within the operational zone of the exercise equipment. The method then sends signals to the virtual reality headset. Based on the signals, the virtual reality headset creates audible and visual outputs to instruct the user to move back fully into the operational zone of the exercise equipment.