VR Memory Bank With Anchored Media for Familiar Space Revisit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals leaving familiar living spaces, especially due to aging or extended absence, face emotional stress from missing familiar places and items, and lack a means to share these experiences with others, particularly those who cannot travel.
Innovation Solution
A virtual reality (VR) memory bank system that creates a 360° virtual location replicating a physical space, detects planar regions and objects, anchors media assets, and allows users to interact with and access media content, including visual and audio elements, through a VR headset.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If physical items and spaces are preserved to maintain emotional connections, then memory preservation is improved, but storage and transportation constraints prevent taking these items to new locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital 360-degree virtual copies of physical spaces and objects. Instead of transporting physical items, the system captures complete spatial environments using 360-degree cameras and reconstructs them as navigable virtual realities, allowing unlimited storage of memory spaces without physical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional physical storage to digital-dimensional storage. By converting physical spaces into virtual 360-degree environments that can be stored and accessed digitally, the system overcomes physical storage limitations while preserving the immersive quality of original spaces
2Ease of operation
If physical spaces are visited to maintain emotional connections, then memory engagement is improved, but travel limitations prevent individuals from visiting familiar or new places
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a VR system as an intermediary between the user and physical spaces. Instead of requiring physical travel, the system mediates access by creating virtual representations of locations that can be experienced from anywhere, eliminating travel requirements while maintaining emotional connection to places
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates accurate virtual copies of physical locations that replicate the visual and spatial characteristics of original spaces. These copies include 360-degree views, spatial audio, and interactive elements that allow users to experience places without leaving their current location
3Adaptability or versatility
If media assets are integrated into virtual locations to enhance interaction, then user engagement is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple media types (visual, audio, interactive elements) into unified virtual location experiences. Media assets are integrated directly into the 360-degree environment rather than being separate components, allowing seamless interaction where users can view, listen, and engage with content within the immersive space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional virtual environment that simultaneously provides visual exploration, audio playback, and interactive capabilities. The same virtual location platform supports multiple types of media assets and interaction modes, reducing the need for separate systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a virtual reality (VR) memory bank includes creating a 360° virtual location from a 360° photograph to be displayed on a virtual reality headset; automatically detecting one or more planar regions, within the 360° virtual location, associated with a visual media device within the physical location; instantiating and anchoring a corresponding video-texture surface to each planar region; automatically detecting one or more objects, within the 360° virtual location, associated with an audio media device within the physical location; instantiating and anchoring a corresponding positional-audio source to each object; including media assets within the 360° virtual location, wherein the media assets comprise at least one visual media asset and/or at least one audio media asset; displaying the at least one visual media asset on at least one video-texture surface; and playing the at least one audio media asset on at least one positional-audio source.