Virtual Reality Speed Scaling for Compact Detection Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Virtual reality systems often have limited detection spaces due to technical or cost constraints, restricting users' ability to move freely within virtual environments and fully appreciate virtual objects without leaving the detection area.

Innovation Solution

A method where the virtual speed of movement within a virtual environment is increased by a predefined factor when the user moves within a specific partial area of the detection space, allowing users to cover larger virtual distances while staying within the detection space, with normal speed conversion occurring outside this area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the detection space is kept compact to reduce technical complexity and cost, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the user's ability to move freely within the virtual environment and fully appreciate virtual objects is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection space sizeVSAvoiduser movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the virtual speed variable rather than constant. The system dynamically adjusts the virtual speed based on the user's position within the detection space, using multiple speed levels (first virtual speed, second virtual speed, third virtual speed) that are selected according to which partial area the user is currently in. This allows the system to maintain a compact physical detection space while providing the versatility of extensive virtual exploration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the detection space into multiple partial areas with different quality characteristics. Each partial area is associated with a different virtual speed level, creating local variations in movement properties. The control device determines which partial area the user is in and applies the corresponding speed level, allowing different regions of the same physical space to have different functional qualities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the detection space is kept compact to reduce technical complexity and cost, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the virtual exploration area that can be covered is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection space sizeVSAvoidvirtual exploration area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic speed adjustment to expand the effective virtual exploration area. By applying different virtual speed levels based on user position, the system allows users to cover larger virtual distances within the same physical detection space, effectively multiplying the explorable area without increasing physical dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a speed multiplication dimension that transforms the relationship between physical space and virtual space. Instead of expanding physical detection space in three dimensions, the system adds a temporal/speed dimension where virtual movement can occur at accelerated rates, effectively creating additional virtual space from limited physical space.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If rate control is used to enable virtual movement beyond detection space boundaries, then virtual movement freedom is improved, but the movement becomes unnatural as virtual speed is adjusted based on penetration depth into barrier tape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual movement freedomVSAvoidmovement naturalness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single rate control mechanism that adjusts speed based on barrier penetration depth, the patent divides the detection space into multiple partial areas, each with its own designated virtual speed level. This creates localized movement zones with predictable speed characteristics, making the movement experience more natural and less dependent on arbitrary barrier boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects from multiple discrete virtual speed levels based on the user's position within different partial areas, rather than continuously adjusting speed based on barrier penetration. This dynamic selection from predefined speed levels provides movement freedom while maintaining more natural and predictable movement characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3411776B1Method for operating a virtual reality system, and virtual reality system
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 AUDI AG
  • EP3411776B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a virtual reality system (10), having the steps of: detecting a speed at which a person (20) who has donned a pair of virtual reality glasses (12) performs a change of position within a detection space (18); if it is detected that the change of position takes place within a prescribed subregion (24) of the detection space (18): prescribing a virtual speed that is greater by a prescribed factor than the detected speed of the person (20); changing a virtual observation position within a virtual environment (28) in accordance with the prescribed virtual speed, during which the virtual reality glasses (12) are used to display a virtual object (30), arranged within the virtual environment (28), from the changing virtual observation position. The invention also relates to a virtual reality system (10) having a pair of virtual reality glasses (12).