VR Headset System for Shared Immersive Viewing with Physical Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality (VR) experiences in movie theaters lack the visual immersion provided by live performances and the social interaction of watching a movie with others, as participants cannot see each other and the environment changes in response to head movement.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using VR headsets with inertial motion units and cameras, connected to computers via wired connections, allowing participants to see each other and a shared virtual reality scene from their own perspective, with inside-out tracking and green screening to integrate real-time physical objects into the virtual environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If participants wear VR headsets to experience visual immersion, then visual immersion is improved, but participants cannot see each other
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the virtual reality scene with the real-world view by compositing camera feeds of other participants into the virtual environment displayed in each user's VR headset. This allows participants to simultaneously experience visual immersion from the virtual scene while also seeing other participants in the physical space, resolving the contradiction between immersion and social visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses cameras mounted on VR headsets as intermediaries to capture and transmit visual information about other participants. These camera feeds are then processed and integrated into the virtual reality display, enabling participants to see each other while maintaining the immersive virtual experience
2Illumination intensity
If the virtual environment changes in response to head movement, then visual immersion is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the inertial measurement unit (IMU) already integrated into the VR headset to automatically detect head movements and update the virtual scene perspective accordingly. This self-service approach leverages existing hardware capabilities to provide dynamic visual immersion without requiring additional complex tracking infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The VR headset serves multiple functions: it displays the virtual reality scene, captures video of other participants through mounted cameras, tracks head movements via IMU, and provides haptic feedback. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating capabilities into a single device rather than requiring separate systems for each function
3Loss of information
If multiple participants are tracked in real-time, then social interaction is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential visual information needed for social interaction by using cameras on each headset to capture feeds of other participants. This extracted visual data is then transmitted and displayed, providing social interaction capability without the need to process and transmit complete environmental data from all participants
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes processing by having each participant's computer primarily process and display information relevant to that specific user's view and interactions. Rather than centrally processing all participant data, the workload is distributed locally, reducing overall processing requirements while maintaining real-time social interaction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables participants to experience a fully immersive, shared virtual reality while seeing each other and optional physical objects, with flexible seating arrangements and scalable to any number of participants, providing a compelling and realistic 3D view that adjusts with head movement.
Implementation Method 1
The first VR headset having an inertial motion unit, and at least a first camera
Implementation Method 2
at least a first camera
Implementation Method 3
coloring on at least a portion of the structure so the portion of the structure with coloring does not appear in the simulated world
Data Source
AI summary
A system for viewing in a structure having a first participant and at least a second participant each having a VR headset to be worn by the first and second participants. The system has a first computer hard wired to the first VR headset. Each participant sees every other participant in the structure as every other participant physically appears in the structure in real time in a simulated world simultaneously displayed about them by the respective VR headset each participant is wearing. Each participant sees the simulated world from their own correct perspective in the structure. The system has coloring on at least a portion of the structure so the portion of the structure with coloring does not appear in the simulated world. Method for viewing in a structure having a first participant and at least a second participant.