Omnidirectional VR Walking Platform With Sensor-Based Motion Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual reality movement control methods either cause dizziness due to mismatched visual and physical perceptions, are bulky and expensive, or restrict movement range and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A device and method combining an omnidirectional exercise machine with inertial and laser sensors to track human body posture and foot displacement, using inverse kinematic algorithms to control virtual character movements, providing a stable and immersive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If directional control buttons are used to control virtual character movement, then cost is reduced and reliability is improved, but visual perception and physical perception mismatch causes dizziness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button control with an omnidirectional movement platform that uses sensors (inertial sensors, laser sensors) and algorithms (inverse kinematics) to automatically track and map user movement, substituting manual mechanical control with an automated sensor-based system that maintains synchronization between visual and physical perception
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures user position and movement data through sensors mounted in the environment and on the platform, processes this feedback information through tracking algorithms, and dynamically adjusts the virtual character's movement in real-time to maintain perception consistency and eliminate dizziness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an omnidirectional movement platform is used to control virtual character, then visual perception and physical perception consistency is improved and dizziness is eliminated, but device size increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the omnidirectional movement functionality into separate components: a fixed environmental tracking system with position-capturing sensors and a smaller user-worn platform with inertial and laser sensors, allowing the complex tracking functions to be distributed rather than concentrated in one bulky device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces software algorithms (inverse kinematic algorithms, position tracking algorithms) as intermediaries that process sensor data and coordinate between the physical platform and virtual character, enabling a smaller physical platform to achieve omnidirectional movement control through computational mediation rather than purely mechanical means
3Measurement precision
If position tracking devices are mounted around fixed environment to capture user position, then movement control in certain space is achieved, but environment requirements increase and large range movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple types of sensors (inertial sensors for acceleration and orientation, laser sensors for position, cameras for visual tracking) that can function together to provide both precise position tracking and extended movement range, making the system adaptable to various environments and movement scales
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends movement control from two-dimensional planar tracking to three-dimensional spatial tracking by adding vertical dimension capabilities through the omnidirectional platform and inertial sensors, enabling users to move not only horizontally but also vertically and in all directional orientations within the virtual environment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces dizziness and provides a comfortable, immersive virtual walking experience with improved movement range and user fit, overcoming limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial sensor is arranged inside the waist omnidirectional motion controller... obtaining human body posture data; wherein the human body posture data is obtained by tracking a torso of a human body through the inertial sensor
Implementation Method 2
obtaining a direction perpendicular to ground by a gyroscope in the inertial sensor; obtaining a direction of gravity by an accelerometer
Implementation Method 3
measuring an earth's magnetic field by a magnetometer to obtain a due north direction
Implementation Method 4
A laser sensor is arranged on a front end of the bottom portion of each wrapping body... obtaining displacement data of a left foot and a right foot of the human body; wherein the displacement data is obtained by tracking feet of the human body through the laser sensors
Implementation Method 5
A support piece is arranged on the base through a bearing... The base, the support piece, and the running plate are coaxially arranged
Implementation Method 6
a middle portion of each roller is wrapped with rubber
Data Source
AI summary
A device for visual walking includes an omnidirectional exercise machine and foot wearable devices. A method for visual walking is applied to the device for visual walking. When a user wears the omnidirectional exercise machine and uses the loading frame to adjust a height of the omnidirectional exercise machine, and wears the foot wearable devices to stand and run on a running plate, human body posture data is obtained by tracking a human body torso. Then displacement data of left and right feet is obtained by tracking the feet. A virtual position and a movement speed of the feet are respectively obtained according to the displacement data, the leg posture is inferred by the IK algorithm according to the virtual position and the walking action of the virtual character is controlled according to the human body posture data, the movement speed of the feet, and the leg posture.