VR Locomotion Control Using Safe-Zone Virtual Boundaries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing VR technologies face challenges in providing safe and immersive virtual locomotion control, including collisions, motion sickness, and limited space utilization, especially for users with disabilities, leading to costly hardware solutions and restricted user interactions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that captures user physical space, determines a safe zone, generates locomotion control schemes based on user characteristics and VR session, and provides virtual locomotion control to prevent collisions and enhance immersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If VR hardware devices are used to enable virtual locomotion in constrained space, then user immersion and safety are improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical VR locomotion devices with a software-based virtual fence system that uses computational geometry and coordinate transformations to define and enforce safe movement boundaries in the virtual environment, eliminating the need for expensive physical hardware while maintaining safety and immersion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical space boundaries and obstacles within the VR environment by mapping real-world coordinates to virtual coordinates, allowing users to interact with simulated boundaries that prevent collisions without requiring physical barriers or complex hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If VR hardware devices are configured in constrained space, then user immersion is improved, but user mobility and comfort deteriorate over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser immersionVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic virtual boundaries that can be adjusted and modified during the VR session based on user needs and session progress, allowing the safe zone to expand, contract, or shift coordinates dynamically without requiring physical reconfiguration of hardware devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If costly VR hardware devices are deployed, then user safety and immersion are improved, but accessibility and affordability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoidcost effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs software-based virtual fences that can be rapidly deployed, modified, and removed without physical installation or manufacturing costs, making the safety system accessible and affordable for any VR platform without requiring expensive specialized hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If virtual reality session requires substantial physical space, then user immersion is improved, but space utilization and accessibility deteriorate in constrained environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser immersionVSAvoidphysical space required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the space constraint by creating a virtual boundary layer that overlays the physical environment, allowing users to experience expanded virtual movement possibilities while remaining confined to a small physical safe zone, effectively adding a dimensional layer to the physical space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250390165A1Method and system for providing virtual locomotion control

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and a system for providing virtual locomotion control to a user during a virtual reality (VR) session. The method includes: capturing one or more frames of a user physical space; determining a safe zone within the user physical space based on the one or more frames; generating at least one locomotion control scheme for the user based on the safe zone, at least one characteristic associated with the user, and the VR session; and providing the virtual locomotion control to the user based on the at least one locomotion control scheme.