Cursor Transport in XR Environments via 2D Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cursor movement in 3D extended reality environments fail to adequately enable movement between objects located at separated 3D locations and on differing planes, leading to inconsistencies and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that projects surfaces of objects in a 3D environment onto a 2D plane, allowing for intuitive cursor movement by determining the path between surfaces based on their relative positions, enabling the cursor to 'warp' or transport from one surface to another without displaying the movement across gaps, using orthographic projections independent of the user's viewpoint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cursor movement is enabled between objects at separated 3D locations and on differing planes using existing systems, then cursor transport capability is provided, but the movement is not intuitive and does not align with user expectations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects 3D object surfaces onto a 2D plane, transforming the cursor movement problem from three-dimensional space to two-dimensional space. This dimensional reduction allows the system to calculate intuitive cursor paths by projecting surfaces onto a common plane, where standard 2D cursor movement logic can be applied. The projection approach resolves the contradiction by providing mathematically consistent cursor transport while maintaining visual intuitiveness through the use of orthographic or perspective projections that preserve spatial relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a projection plane as an intermediary between the 3D object surfaces and the cursor movement calculation. This intermediate 2D representation serves as a mediator that translates complex 3D spatial relationships into simpler 2D coordinates, enabling intuitive cursor path determination. The projection plane acts as a computational bridge that preserves the essential spatial relationships while allowing for straightforward path calculation and cursor transport between separated surfaces.
2Measurement precision
If cursor path is calculated in 3D space between separated surfaces, then accurate positioning is achieved, but the complexity of determining the path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces computational complexity by projecting 3D surfaces onto a 2D plane, transforming complex three-dimensional pathfinding calculations into simpler two-dimensional coordinate geometry problems. This dimensional reduction maintains positioning accuracy by preserving the relative spatial relationships between surfaces through projection, while dramatically simplifying the mathematical operations required to determine cursor paths. The system can use standard 2D line intersection and coordinate transformation algorithms instead of complex 3D ray casting and surface intersection calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a 2D projected copy of the 3D object surfaces, allowing path calculations to be performed on this simplified representation rather than the original complex 3D geometry. This copied 2D model retains the essential spatial relationships needed for accurate cursor positioning while being computationally much simpler to work with. The system calculates paths on the projected copy and then maps the results back to the 3D environment, achieving accurate positioning with reduced computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that transport a cursor between surfaces of objects within an XR environment. For example, an example process may include displaying a movement of a cursor across a first surface of a first object in a view of a three-dimensional (3D) environment. The process may further include determining that movement of the cursor approaches or intersects a boundary of the first surface at a first position. The process may further include determining a second position on a second surface of a second object in the 3D environment based on a path of the cursor. The process may further include moving the cursor from the first position to the second position.