VR Movement Platform with Rotating Belt for Natural Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual reality systems lack the ability to simulate natural human movement, such as walking and jogging, and provide unrestricted navigation within a physically restricted space, limiting the immersive and engaging exercise experience.
Innovation Solution
A virtual reality movement system comprising a rotating platform with a movement belt and sensors that allow users to walk, jog, or run while tracking head and body movements, enabling three-dimensional navigation and interaction within a VR environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional VR navigation methods (joystick, trackball, mouse) are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the movement is not natural and immersion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical navigation interfaces (joysticks, trackballs, mice) with a mechanical exercise system that uses a moving walkway and rotational platform. Users naturally walk, jog, or run on the moving surface, and their physical movements are directly translated into navigation commands within the VR environment, eliminating the need for separate control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The exercise system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides physical exercise for the user while also serving as the navigation control mechanism for the VR environment. The same physical actions (walking, jogging, running) that provide health benefits also control movement through the virtual space, combining fitness and entertainment into a single unified system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user sits or stands in a fixed position, then the system is stable and safe, but the sense of presence and freedom of movement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed-position setup to a dynamic system where the moving walkway and rotational platform continuously adjust to match the user's natural movement patterns. The platform rotates and the belt moves in response to the user's walking, jogging, or running actions, allowing freedom of movement while maintaining physical support and safety through the mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the user's movement characteristics (walking, jogging, running) and provide real-time feedback by adjusting the moving walkway speed and platform rotation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures the user remains supported and balanced while experiencing unrestricted virtual movement in all directions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-directional virtually unrestricted movement is implemented, then the immersion and engagement are enhanced, but the physical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds rotational movement as an additional dimension to the linear moving walkway. While the walkway provides forward and backward movement, the rotating platform enables lateral and circular navigation, creating multi-directional virtual movement capability within a compact physical footprint. This combination of linear and rotational motion allows unrestricted virtual exploration without requiring large physical space.
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may provide first images to a user; determine a rotation of a head of the user; provide second images, based at least on the rotation, to the user; and rotate a platform in accordance with the rotation. In one example, the platform may include a movement belt, and one or more of a walking movement and a running movement of the user may be determine via the movement belt. In another example, one or more optical sensors may be utilized to determine movements of the user. In one or more embodiments, determining the rotation of the head of the user may include utilizing one or more of a gyroscope and an accelerometer of a head mounted display, worn by the user. For example, the head mounted display may provide images of a virtual reality environment to the user.