Virtual Reality Memory Bank for Revisiting Familiar Places
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals, especially the elderly or those unable to travel, face difficulties in revisiting familiar places and sharing memories due to physical constraints and limitations in accessing familiar environments, leading to feelings of sadness and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A virtual reality memory bank system that creates 360-degree virtual locations based on physical spaces, allowing users to view and interact with media items using a VR headset, with customizable access permissions and interactive elements, enabling users to revisit and share memories without physical travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical travel to familiar places is required, then users can directly experience familiar environments, but users with physical constraints or medical conditions cannot access these places
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical locations using 360-degree photographs and video recordings. These digital replicas allow users to experience familiar places without physical travel, directly resolving the accessibility issue for users with mobility constraints while maintaining the authentic sensory experience of the original locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a virtual reality intermediary between users and physical places. Through VR headsets and digital platforms, users can access familiar environments remotely, mediating the interaction between constrained users and locations they cannot physically visit due to health or mobility limitations.
2Loss of information
If physical items are transported to new locations, then users can maintain connections to memories, but size and storage restrictions prevent moving these items
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting physical memory items like photographs and memorabilia, the system creates digital copies through 360-degree imaging and video recording. These digital replicas can be freely transmitted and stored without physical constraints, preserving memories while eliminating the burden of moving physical objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical item transportation with a digital information system. Memory preservation transitions from handling physical objects subject to weight and storage limitations to transmitting digital data, which can be easily copied, stored, and accessed without physical constraints.
3Loss of information
If traditional media sharing is used, then users can share memories with family and friends, but the process is cumbersome and lacks interactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual reality platform serves multiple functions: it captures 360-degree imagery, stores media content, enables remote access, facilitates sharing among multiple users, and provides interactive experiences. This multi-functional system simplifies memory sharing by consolidating what would otherwise require separate processes into a single integrated platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables easy copying and distribution of virtual memory experiences. Multiple users can access identical or customized versions of the same location, and the platform automatically handles the replication and delivery of media content, making sharing simple and scalable without manual intervention.
4Ease of operation
If 360-degree virtual locations are created from physical spaces, then users can revisit familiar places virtually, but the process requires capturing and processing spatial data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing complete 360-degree spatial data during initial visits to locations. This advance preparation creates ready-to-use virtual environments that can be instantly accessed later without requiring additional data collection, making subsequent virtual visits simple and immediate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs automated copying processes where 360-degree cameras and recording devices capture complete spatial environments in a single pass. This efficient copying method creates accurate virtual replicas without requiring manual reconstruction or complex processing, simplifying the creation of virtual locations while maintaining high fidelity.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual reality memory bank is shown and described. The virtual reality memory bank allows a user to use virtual reality devices in order to revisit their home or a familiar place to view pictures and videos shared via a web application by another user. The device will display a room containing various media items, such as: picture frames, a television, a radio, and superimposed links meant for advertising or e-commerce. Users will be able to upload appropriate media for the user to see using these media items. In some versions, the user's living room or other favorite room is digitized and personalized. This will place the user in said room when using the virtual reality memory bank.