Wireless Signal Change Detection for VR Object Proximity

Solution Overview

Problem

VR and AR headsets often obstruct users' vision and can distract them from their surroundings, making it difficult to detect nearby objects that may pose a threat, and existing sensors increase costs and power consumption while struggling to distinguish between harmless and harmful individuals.

Innovation Solution

A system using a wireless communication engine and analysis engine to detect changes in wireless signals, determining object proximity by analyzing signal path changes, and providing user notifications through a user interface engine without the need for dedicated sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated sensors are added to detect objects near the user, then object detection capability is improved, but headset cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing wireless communication components (wireless communication engine and base station) to perform both their primary communication function and secondary object detection function. The wireless communication engine communicates data while the base station simultaneously monitors signal characteristics to detect objects, allowing one system to serve multiple purposes without adding dedicated sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational resources for detection purposes. The base station utilizes the wireless signals already being transmitted and received for communication to also serve as the detection mechanism. By analyzing changes in signal characteristics (multipath, signal strength, time of flight) of the communication signals themselves, the system detects objects without requiring separate detection resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If dedicated sensors are added to detect objects near the user, then object detection capability is improved, but headset cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidheadset cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing wireless communication components (wireless communication engine and base station) to perform both their primary communication function and secondary object detection function. The wireless communication engine communicates data while the base station simultaneously monitors signal characteristics to detect objects, allowing one system to serve multiple purposes without adding dedicated sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational resources for detection purposes. The base station utilizes the wireless signals already being transmitted and received for communication to also serve as the detection mechanism. By analyzing changes in signal characteristics (multipath, signal strength, time of flight) of the communication signals themselves, the system detects objects without requiring separate detection resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If VR/AR headset obstructs user vision, then immersive experience is improved, but user awareness of surroundings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmersive experienceVSAvoidawareness of surroundings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by providing real-time information about the user's surroundings back to the user through the headset interface. When objects are detected near the user, the system notifies the user through visual, auditory, or haptic feedback mechanisms, allowing the user to maintain awareness of their environment while using the immersive headset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between the user and their surroundings. Instead of requiring direct visual contact with the environment, the wireless communication system detects objects and translates this information into notifications that the user can perceive through the headset interface, mediating the user's awareness of the physical world.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances user safety by detecting objects near the user with minimal impact on headset cost or power consumption, improving user experience by providing awareness of potential threats without obstructing the view.

Implementation Method 1

the characteristic may be a multipath characteristic of the wireless signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultipath propagation:

Implementation Method 2

the characteristic may indicate whether there is an unobstructed line of sight between a transmitter and the wireless communication engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal strength variation:

Implementation Method 3

the characteristic of the wireless signal may be time of flight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS11335177B2Detection of objects based on change in wireless signal

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An example device includes a monitoring engine. The monitoring engine is to measure a characteristic of a wireless signal related to a path of the wireless signal. The wireless signal includes data from a remote source. The device includes an analysis engine to determine that an object is within a proximity threshold of a user based on the characteristic of the wireless signal. The device includes an indication engine to indicate to the user that the object is within the proximity threshold of the user.