VR Server Conflict Resolution for Immersive Multi-User Manipulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In virtual reality environments, network lag and other factors cause conflicts when multiple users simultaneously attempt to modify the same object in different ways, leading to discomfort and disruption of immersion in three-dimensional immersive environments, as conventional conflict resolution methods used in two-dimensional environments are not effective.

Innovation Solution

A VR server generates a conflict state when a virtual object is simultaneously manipulated by multiple users, allowing each user to see their own manipulation, and then resolves the conflict by granting one request and denying the other, ensuring a natural and cohesive view of the environment by animating the object to the resolved state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users simultaneously manipulate the same object in a VR environment, then collaborative interaction capability is improved, but conflict conditions occur causing discomfort and disruption of immersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaborative interaction capabilityVSAvoidimmersion continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of conflict conditions between simultaneous manipulations before executing the manipulations. When a conflict is detected, the system preemptively provides images showing different outcomes to users before the actual state change occurs, allowing users to understand potential conflicts and resolutions in advance, thus preventing immersion disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary conflict resolution mechanism that mediates between conflicting user manipulations. Instead of directly applying conflicting changes that would cause discontinuity, the system uses images as intermediaries to communicate conflict states and resolution outcomes to users, smoothing the transition and maintaining immersion while enabling collaborative interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional conflict resolution methods are used in VR environments, then conflict management is simplified, but user immersion and comfort are disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconflict management complexityVSAvoiduser immersion comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from direct object manipulation to a dual-dimension approach by introducing images as a separate representation layer. Users interact with both the actual object and image representations simultaneously, allowing conflict resolution to occur in the image dimension without directly disrupting the main VR environment, thus maintaining immersion while managing conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates image copies of the manipulated object to represent different manipulation outcomes. Instead of directly changing the object state which causes conflicts and discontinuity, the system generates and displays image copies showing potential states, allowing users to observe and understand conflict resolutions without experiencing abrupt changes in the main environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If conflict resolution grants one request and denies another, then conflict is resolved efficiently, but object state changes may cause sudden appearance or disappearance perceptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconflict resolution efficiencyVSAvoidsudden object appearance/disappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary provision of images showing the results of conflicting manipulations before the actual state change occurs. Users see the outcome images in advance, which prepares them for the upcoming state change, reducing the perceptual impact of sudden object appearance or disappearance while maintaining efficient conflict resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback through images that show users the result of their manipulations and how conflicts will be resolved. This feedback mechanism allows users to anticipate state changes, reducing the shock of sudden object appearance or disappearance while maintaining efficient conflict resolution throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3549003B1Collaborative manipulation of objects in virtual reality
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3549003B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549003B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3549003B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Techniques of conflict resolution in VR environments involve a VR server generating a conflict state when a virtual object in a VR environment is simultaneously manipulated by more than one user in the VR environment. When the virtual object is in a conflict state, the VR server shows each user their own manipulation. When conflict is resolved, the user whose proposed manipulation is not selected is shown his/her manipulation being animated to the resolved state. In this way, each user sees a natural and cohesive view of the VR environment and remains immersed in that environment. Virtual objects do not suddenly disappear upon a manipulation and reappear elsewhere in a different form, but rather change in a continuous manner.