VR Safe Area Remapping With Virtual Partitions for Overlap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VR systems face challenges in managing safe play areas for multiple users, leading to potential collisions and injuries due to static, manually defined boundaries that do not account for dynamic user needs or real-time changes in physical space usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic and automatic reconfiguration of virtual boundaries for XR devices, using a virtual partition to separate safe areas based on detected XR devices in the physical space, ensuring fair allocation and preventing collisions through real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual definition of safe areas is used, then users can control their personal space boundaries, but the boundaries become static and fail to account for dynamic user needs or real-time changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static manually-defined safe area boundaries into dynamic boundaries that automatically adjust in real-time. The system continuously monitors user position, activity level, and environmental factors to dynamically remap safe areas, allowing boundaries to adapt to changing user needs without manual intervention while preserving user control through automated response to user state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where sensor data about user position, movement, and activity level continuously feeds back into the safe area definition algorithm. This feedback mechanism enables the safe areas to automatically respond to real-time user behavior patterns, adjusting boundaries based on actual usage rather than fixed manual definitions.
2Device complexity
If static safe area boundaries are used, then the system is simple to implement, but multiple users can incorrectly define overlapping boundaries resulting in dangerous situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and resolves boundary conflicts without requiring user intervention or coordination. When multiple users define safe areas, the system self-manages the allocation by monitoring device presence and automatically adjusting boundaries to prevent overlaps, eliminating the need for users to manually coordinate their space definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical boundary definition with automated computational algorithms. Instead of relying on users to physically and verbally coordinate boundary settings, the system uses sensor data processing and automated spatial allocation algorithms to assign safe areas, substituting human coordination with automated intelligent systems.
3Reliability
If manual coordination of safe areas is used, then users can attempt to prevent overlap, but the process is tedious and prone to error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of multiple device presence and automatically pre-configures non-overlapping safe areas before users begin their activities. By proactively identifying and resolving boundary conflicts in advance, the system eliminates the need for users to spend time on manual coordination while ensuring reliable non-overlapping boundaries are established.
Solution Approach 2:
The boundary allocation system operates autonomously, self-managing the complex task of coordinating multiple user spaces without requiring user participation. The system independently detects overlaps and resolves conflicts through automated algorithms, freeing users from the tedious coordination process while maintaining reliable boundary separation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manually defined safe areas are used, then users can optimize their personal space, but the boundaries remain fixed and cannot account for real-time changes such as user departure or activity level changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic safe area boundaries that continuously adapt to real-time changes in user presence, activity level, and environmental conditions. The system automatically remaps boundaries in response to detected changes, such as user departure or activity level variations, eliminating the need for manual redefinition while maintaining optimal space allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user state and environmental conditions, using this feedback to automatically adjust safe area boundaries. Real-time sensor data about user presence and activity levels feeds back into the boundary definition system, enabling automatic adaptation to changing conditions without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
If an overlap of two or more extended reality (XR) safe play areas, associated with active XR devices (e.g., VR devices) operating in a physical space is detected, then a combined safe area is determined based on the first and second safe areas. A configured first XR safe area is generated. A virtual partition may demarcate the separation between the safe areas. The virtual partition may include a buffer zone that separates the reconfigured first safe area from the reconfigured second safe area. An errant XR device may be guided back to its safe area.