XR NPC Spatial Surface Categorization for Realistic Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extended reality (XR) games fail to provide immersive experiences as non-player characters (NPCs) do not interact realistically with real elements in the environment, limiting their reactions to static positions and actions, which hampers the illusion of realistic behavior in XR spaces.
Innovation Solution
The method involves compiling a spatial mapping mesh of physical elements in the XR space, tracking the NPC's position relative to these elements, and detecting significant events to determine appropriate actions, allowing NPCs to interact naturally with real elements, such as hiding behind furniture or approaching a chair, by categorizing surfaces and using collision objects to monitor proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NPCs are limited to static reactions in predefined open spaces, then computational resources are conserved, but realism and immersion are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the physical environment into discrete surface categories (floor, wall, ceiling, furniture) and processes only relevant nearby surfaces rather than the entire space. This allows NPCs to have realistic reactions to specific environmental elements without requiring computation for all surfaces, resolving the contradiction between realism and computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different processing quality to different spatial regions - detailed surface analysis is performed only for surfaces within a certain distance of the NPC, while distant surfaces are ignored. This local processing approach enables realistic NPC interactions with nearby environmental elements while conserving computational resources for distant areas.
2Reliability
If NPCs interact with all physical surfaces in the XR space, then immersion is enhanced, but computational resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial surface analysis - it processes only the subset of surfaces that are both physically present in the XR space and spatially relevant to the NPC's current position and behavior needs. This partial action approach provides sufficient immersion quality without the excessive computational energy consumption that would result from analyzing all surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The computational task is segmented into processing only nearby relevant surfaces versus all surfaces in the environment. By dividing the problem this way and solving only the necessary portion, the system achieves good immersion quality while avoiding excessive energy consumption associated with complete environmental analysis.
3Measurement precision
If NPCs use detailed spatial mapping of all surfaces, then reaction accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and processes only the essential spatial information needed for NPC reactions - specifically the positions and categories of nearby surfaces - rather than processing complete detailed maps of all surfaces. This extraction approach maintains sufficient positioning accuracy for realistic NPC behavior while significantly reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
High measurement precision is applied locally only to surfaces within the NPC's immediate vicinity that are relevant to current behavior decisions. Distant or irrelevant surfaces receive no processing. This localized precision approach achieves accurate NPC positioning and reactions without the time cost of processing the entire environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to generate an appropriate reaction, by an NPC in an XR game, to a significant event in the game includes: compiling a record from a previously generated SMM of surfaces in the XR space, categorizing the surfaces; after the game begins, tracking in real time physical surroundings of the NPC, allowing 3D positions of the NPC relative to nearby physical surfaces to be continuously determined; and events occurring in the game, allowing detection of any event deemed to be significant. For each detected event deemed significant, occurring at a corresponding event time, an appropriate action is determined for the NPC to carry out in response, partly based on whether the NPC is positioned close to a physical surface at the event time, and the NPC is directed to carry out the appropriate action.