VR Headset Spatial Awareness via Server-Mediated Position Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual reality (VR) applications, users wearing head-mounted displays (HMDs) have difficulty grasping the positions and orientations of other users in the same physical space, leading to communication gaps and reduced immersion due to blocked views and lack of shared awareness.
Innovation Solution
An image display system comprising a server and multiple VR display devices connected via a communication network, where each device includes units for obtaining and adapting image data, determining position and orientation, and sharing position-related information with other devices to synchronize and enhance the shared VR experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users wear head-mounted displays for VR experience, then immersion and stereoscopic image quality are improved, but users cannot grasp positions and orientations of other users leading to communication gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of cameras mounted on HMDs and a server that processes and transmits spatial information between users. This intermediary infrastructure enables users to perceive each other's positions and orientations through displayed images, resolving the communication gap caused by isolated VR experiences while maintaining immersion quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by displaying real-time images of other users' positions and orientations to each user. This feedback loop allows users to adjust their behavior and communication based on awareness of others' spatial states, eliminating the information loss that occurs in traditional isolated VR setups
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple HMDs are used for multi-user VR, then shared experience is improved, but position tracking and synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each HMD equips itself with a camera and automatically captures images of its own position and orientation. The device then transmits this self-captured data to the server and other users, eliminating the need for complex external tracking infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while enabling multi-user adaptability
3Reliability
If HMDs block user's view of real space, then VR immersion is improved, but users lose awareness of physical environment and other users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the virtual VR experience with real-world spatial awareness by combining the primary VR display with a secondary display showing images captured by HMD cameras. This merged display system allows users to simultaneously experience VR immersion while maintaining awareness of their physical environment and other users' positions
Data Source
AI summary
An image display device is provided with: a data obtaining unit that obtains data from a server via a communication network; a display unit; a display control unit that controls image display in the display unit; a position and orientation determining unit that determines a position change and an orientation of the image display device; a position-related information generating unit that generates and transmits information related to a position and an orientation based on the determination result; and a position-related information obtaining unit that obtains information related to a position and an orientation transmitted from another image display device, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display an image based on the data obtained from the server and adapts the image based on the determination result of the position and orientation determining unit, and further causes the display unit, based on the information related to a position and an orientation transmitted from the another image display device, to display information related to an image displayed on the image display device that transmitted the information related to a position and an orientation.