VR Rendering of Physical Volumetric Substances via Sensor Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies fail to accurately and interactively render physical volumetric substances within containers in virtual reality environments, lacking real-time updates and realistic representations of liquid levels and properties.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines physical properties of substances within containers over time intervals through sensors and renders a virtual representation in a VR environment, using snapshot data from vessel and liquid property sensors to create accurate and interactive 3D models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional 3-D scanning technologies are used to capture physical objects, then digital models can be constructed, but real-time updates and accurate rendering of volumetric substances like liquids are not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of physical property detectionVSAvoidreal-time rendering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the detection of physical properties by using multiple specialized sensors (level sensors for liquid height, temperature sensors for thermal properties, pressure sensors for force measurements) rather than a single scanning device. Each sensor type captures specific physical properties independently, enabling accurate real-time measurement of volumetric substances without requiring complete object reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical 3-D scanning systems with a sensor-based measurement system that directly detects physical properties (level, temperature, pressure) and transmits this data to the VR environment. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical scanning while achieving more accurate real-time representation of physical substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If continuous real-time tracking of physical properties is implemented, then accurate virtual representations are achieved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time update capabilityVSAvoidsensor and processing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The VR system is designed to handle multiple types of sensor data (level, temperature, pressure, images) through a unified processing architecture. The system can track various physical properties simultaneously using a single integrated framework, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate tracking systems for each property type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual copies of physical substances in the VR environment that mirror their real-world properties. These virtual representations are updated based on sensor data, allowing the system to track physical properties through simplified data transmission rather than complex real-time processing of complete physical state information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If multiple sensor types are used to capture comprehensive physical properties, then rendering accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of physical property dataVSAvoidnumber of sensors and components

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (level sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and image capture devices) into an integrated sensing system that operates within the VR environment. These sensors are merged into a unified data collection framework that transmits all physical property information to the rendering system, reducing the complexity of managing separate sensor systems while maintaining comprehensive data capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11321909B2Tracking and rendering physical volumetric substances in virtual reality

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Technology for determining at least one physical property of a physical volumetric substance within a container over a time interval and rendering a virtual representation of the physical volumetric substance in a virtual reality environment. At least one physical property of the physical volumetric substance is captured by a plurality of snapshots over a time interval. The plurality of snapshots is captured by one or more components capable of identifying at least one physical property of the physical volumetric substance. The plurality of snapshots is transmitted to process, render and/or display a virtual representation of the physical volumetric substance. The virtual representation of the physical volumetric substance is based, at least in part, on the captured plurality of snapshots. An indicator data set, indicative of the one or more physical properties of a physical volumetric substance, may be transmitted to an external client.