XR Volumetric Workspace Visualization for Active Collaboration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods of workspace awareness in extended-reality environments, such as VR world-building, are passive and do not support active engagement between collaborators, particularly in collaborative creative tasks.
Innovation Solution
An XR headset presents a three-dimensional volumetric representation of a collaboratively edited space, allowing users to actively engage by adding, moving, and rotating XR objects within this space, with real-time updates visible to all users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If mini-maps or over-the-shoulder camera rendering are used for workspace awareness, then users can observe what another user is doing in VR environment, but the method is passive and does not support active engagement between collaborators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional mini-maps or over-the-shoulder views to three-dimensional volumetric representations of user avatars and workspace. This dimensional change allows users to actively engage with collaborators by manipulating 3D models and objects in shared virtual space, transforming passive observation into active collaboration while maintaining comprehensive workspace awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of users as 3D avatars and of physical workspace objects as XR objects. These copies enable collaborators to interact with representations of each other and the environment, facilitating active engagement through manipulation of virtual models while maintaining awareness of the actual workspace state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If three-dimensional volumetric representations are used to support active engagement, then users can collaborate effectively in creative authoring tasks, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The XR headset and associated system perform multiple functions: displaying 3D volumetric representations, receiving user inputs, updating virtual models, and communicating workspace state to collaborators. This multi-functionality consolidates complex collaborative capabilities into a single platform, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability for creative authoring tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where user inputs are immediately reflected in the 3D volumetric representation, and workspace state changes are communicated to all users. This feedback mechanism simplifies collaboration by automatically synchronizing views and actions, reducing the need for complex coordination protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium includes instructions to be executed at an extended-reality (XR) headset is described herein. The instructions cause the XR headset to present, via the XR headset worn by a first user, a three-dimensional volumetric representation of an area of space within an XR application that was selected to be collaboratively edited by the first user and a second user. The three-dimensional volumetric representation of the area of space is viewable by the second user. The instructions further cause the XR headset to receive an indication that the second user has provided an input to add an XR object to the area of space. The instructions further cause the XR headset to, in response to receiving the indication, update the three-dimensional volumetric representation to include the area of space with the XR object.