阅读说明：本技术 用于光学跟踪虚拟现实系统的用户可选工具 (User-selectable tool for optically tracking virtual reality systems ) 是由 C·珀维斯 M·弗斯克 于 2019-05-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种虚拟现实系统(100)和在其中使用的设备涉及光学检测布置(200)和工具(300),该光学检测布置(200)被配置为检测与独特标识相关联的光图案,该工具(300)具有与其接合的多个发光设备(600)。在由光学检测布置(200)可检测的多个光图案之间用户可选择性地致动该发光设备(600)。该光图案提供由该光学检测布置(200)检测的该工具(300)的多个独特标识。(A virtual reality system (100) and devices for use therein involve an optical detection arrangement (200) and a tool (300), the optical detection arrangement (200) being configured to detect a light pattern associated with a unique identifier, the tool (300) having a plurality of light emitting devices (600) engaged therewith. The light emitting device (600) is user-selectively actuatable between a plurality of light patterns detectable by the optical detection arrangement (200). The light pattern provides a plurality of unique identifications of the tool (300) detected by the optical detection arrangement (200).)

1. A virtual reality system, comprising:

an optical detection arrangement configured to detect a light pattern associated with a unique identifier; and

a tool having a plurality of light emitting devices engaged therewith, the light emitting devices being user-selectively actuatable between a plurality of light patterns detectable by the optical detection arrangement, and the light patterns providing a plurality of unique identifications of the tool detected by the optical detection arrangement.

2. The virtual reality system of claim 1, wherein the tool comprises a switching device operably engaged with the light-emitting device, the switching device being user-actuatable to selectively actuate the light-emitting device between the light patterns to change the unique identification of the tool.

3. The virtual reality system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode.

4. The virtual reality system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting devices are arranged in separate groups, each group having the light emitting devices engaged with the tool in a unique pattern, and wherein the groups are selectively actuatable by a user to provide the light pattern.

5. The virtual reality system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting devices are arranged in an array or a single group, and wherein a user can selectively actuate one or more of the light-emitting devices in the array or the single group to provide the light pattern.

6. The virtual reality system of claim 1, wherein the unique identification of the tool comprises a tool type or a tool state.

7. An apparatus for use in a virtual reality system, comprising:

a tool; and

a plurality of light emitting devices engaged with the tool and selectively user actuatable between a plurality of light patterns each associated with a unique identifier and adapted to be detected by an optical detection arrangement, the light patterns providing a plurality of unique identifiers associated with the tool as detected by the optical detection arrangement.

8. The device of claim 7, comprising a switching device operably engaged with the light emitting device, the switching device being user actuatable to selectively actuate the light emitting device between the light patterns to change the unique identification of the tool.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the light emitting devices are arranged in separate groups, each group having therein the light emitting devices engaged with the tool in a unique pattern, and wherein the groups are selectively user-actuatable by the switching device to provide the light pattern.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the light emitting devices are arranged in an array or a single group, and wherein a user can selectively actuate one or more of the light emitting devices in the array or the single group to provide the light pattern.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the unique identification of the tool comprises a tool type or a tool state.

Technical Field

Aspects of the present invention relate to virtual reality systems, and more particularly, to user-selectable tools for use in optically tracking virtual reality systems and virtual reality systems implementing such tools.

Description of the related Art

Virtual reality experiences typically employ physical props to enhance the immersive experience for the user. Because all of the virtual realizations represented in the virtual reality environment are computer-rendered, simple, non-specific physical props can be made to represent more complex and varied virtual realizations in the virtual reality environment in an eye-catching manner. For example, in virtual reality, a simple physical cardboard tube, peg, or stick may appear as any number of similarly shaped objects, such as a working lighted flashlight, a burning torch, a baseball bat, or a metal crowbar. For virtual reality users, simple sticks can convincingly become everything else, even more. However, in order to be properly represented to the user in the virtual reality environment, it is necessary to track any included props represented as virtual objects in the virtual reality environment in the physical environment.

In a typical virtual reality device, the tracking system will transmit the position and orientation of each tracked object to the simulation process so that the virtual representation of the tracked object can be properly rendered as part of the virtual reality environment. In a simple form, such tracking systems follow the position and orientation of the head mounted display (see, e.g., element 50 in fig. 1A and 1D) that the user is wearing so that the user's viewpoint in the virtual reality environment can be correctly rendered on the display screen of the head mounted display. More complex systems include tracking secondary and secondary objects, allowing a user or users to experience a more complex virtual reality environment. One method of tracking objects in a virtual reality environment is to use an optical camera to track physical objects. The physical objects may be imaged by cameras arrayed around a physical device frame (e.g., gantry). The images captured by the cameras help determine the location and orientation of each physical object or prop by comparing the view of the object as seen by all cameras with the physical object in the field of view (e.g., by triangulation).

To further increase the level of immersion and utility provided by physical props in a virtual environment, it is useful for a single physical prop to be switchable between different operating states (e.g., turning a flashlight on or off) or between different types or configurations (e.g., from an illuminated flashlight to a burning torch). However, adding physical switches, buttons, or other switchable devices to physical props may present additional integration challenges to virtual reality system designers. That is, due to the recent state of the art of body and object tracking in virtual reality devices, it is difficult to detect the engagement or disengagement action of the switch. The motion required to actuate the switch is typically too small to be accurately detected by the optical-based virtual reality tracking system. This problem can be solved by using a wired or wireless link between the switch and the computer device running the virtual reality simulation, but both solutions have limitations.

More specifically, for example, the transmitter device may be connected between a physical prop for a virtual reality system and a simulated computer via wire or wirelessly via WiFi or bluetooth. Although this solution is feasible from a technical point of view, it entails some production and operational difficulties. For example, the transmitters that need to be incorporated into the physical props increase the complexity and cost of the props, and increase the electrical power requirements for integration into the props. The transmitter also requires some degree of programming and communication configuration. From a tracking point of view, a receiver for radio signals from a transmitter will be required, which will also require some degree of programming and communication configuration, especially if the receiver has to distinguish between many such radio signals involved in a virtual reality arrangement. That is, when more than one prop is added to a virtual reality environment, where all props are to be tracked by a wireless communication transmitter/receiver arrangement, the problem of communication pairing and efficiency can become difficult and complicated, particularly when replacing a prop integrated into the system with a wireless communication system failure.

It is therefore desirable to have simple physical props for use in a virtual reality environment and an experience incorporating switchable devices, where user actuation of the switchable devices can be reliably detected by a virtual reality simulation system, and where the physical props themselves do not require any data transfer or other type of communication connection or pairing with a radio signal receiving device. It is also desirable that the physical props have switchable devices to take advantage of existing tracking systems already implemented in virtual reality experiences, and once such physical props are suitably configured and integrated into the tracking system, there is no need to further configure the props or reconfigure them if replacement props are required in order for the tracking system to work as intended.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one aspect, provides a virtual reality system comprising an optical detection arrangement configured to detect a light pattern associated with a unique identifier. A tool has a plurality of light emitting devices engaged therewith, wherein a user can selectively actuate the light emitting devices between a plurality of light patterns detectable by the optical detection arrangement, and wherein the light patterns provide a plurality of unique identifications of the tool detected by the optical detection arrangement.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a device for use in a virtual reality system, including a tool and a plurality of light emitting devices engaged with the tool. The plurality of light emitting devices are selectively user actuatable between a plurality of light patterns each associated with a unique identifier and are adapted to be detected by an optical detection arrangement, the light patterns providing the plurality of unique identifiers associated with the tool as detected by the optical detection arrangement.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in the present disclosure or recited in any one or more of the claims, whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a particular aspect description or claim herein. The disclosure is intended to be read in its entirety such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any respect thereof, are to be considered as being combinable unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

Drawings

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

1A-1D schematically illustrate a virtual reality system and devices used therein, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in which a light emitting device capable of emitting light in a plurality of unique light patterns is associated with a tool in physical reality space, and in which the detected light patterns are associated with corresponding unique identifications (i.e., tool type and tool state) of the tool in virtual reality space;

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate one aspect of the tool arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, in which the light emitting devices are provided as a single array or group of lights, and in which individual lights in the single array or group may be selectively actuated to provide a plurality of unique light patterns associated with corresponding unique identification of the tool in virtual reality space;

FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate another aspect of the tool arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, wherein the light emitting devices are provided as two or more separate and discrete groups of lights, and wherein each group of lights can be selectively actuated to provide a plurality of unique light patterns associated with corresponding unique identifications of tools in virtual reality space; and

fig. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate yet another aspect of the tool arrangement shown in fig. 1A-1D, in which the light emitting device is provided as two or more separate and discrete groups of lights, and in which one of the groups of lights is selectively actuatable to provide a unique light pattern associated with a corresponding unique identification of a tool (tool type) in virtual reality space, while the other group(s) of lights is selectively actuatable to provide a unique light pattern associated with an operating state (tool state) of the selected tool type.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to virtual reality systems, schematically illustrating element 100 in fig. 1A. Such a virtual reality system 100 comprises at least an optical detection arrangement 200, the optical detection arrangement 200 being configured to detect emitted light as a way of tracking objects, props, etc. 300 in a virtual reality scene 400. Such optical detection arrangements 200 may be particularly suitable for tracking movable/moving objects, props, etc. 300. Light emitted from the object/prop 300 and detected by the optical detection arrangement 200 is then transmitted or otherwise directed to a computer device 500, the computer device 500 being configured to interpret the detected light and associate the detected light with the object, prop, etc. 300 in the virtual reality scene 400. In this manner, the objects, props, etc. 300 may be related to unique identifications in a virtual scene or space. For example, light emitted by the optical tracking object, prop, etc. 300 and detected by the optical detection arrangement 200 may be interpreted by the computer device 500 with a unique identification or type of tool (such as a flashlight, burning torch, or any object, prop, or tool envisioned within a virtual scene or space).

In some aspects, the emitted light may be interpreted by the computer device 500 as having a unique identification of other aspects. For example, in addition to the tool type, the emitted light may indicate an operational state or tool state of the optically tracked object, prop, or tool. For example, if an object, prop, or tool is identified as a flashlight (unique identification/tool type-see, e.g., element 250) in a virtual scene or space (see, e.g., fig. 1A), the emitted light may be further interpreted by computer device 500 as the flashlight being in an "off" state (e.g., not emitting light), such as shown in fig. 1A and 1B, or in an "on" state (e.g., emitting light), such as shown in fig. 1C and 1D (unique identification/tool state).

In a particular aspect, the unique identifier may be associated with light emitted from an optically tracked object, prop, etc. 300 in a particular light pattern. For example, a particular light pattern may be generated by an array or other arrangement of a plurality of light emitting devices 600. The light emitting device 600 may include, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), an incandescent lamp, or any other suitable light emitting element. The light emitted by the light emitting device 600 may be in the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum or any other spectrum that can be detected by the optical detection arrangement 200. Electrical power may be provided to the light emitting device 600 by a power source (not shown) engaged with the tool 300, as appropriate. For example, the power source may be a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitable power source, which is preferably rechargeable or, if disposable, easily replaceable with respect to the tool 300.

In one particular aspect of the present disclosure, the implement (i.e., object, prop, etc.) 300 having the plurality of light-emitting devices 600 engaged therewith may be configured such that the light-emitting devices 600 are selectively actuatable by a user between a plurality of light patterns detectable by the optical detection arrangement 200. As previously disclosed, the light pattern provides a corresponding plurality of unique identifications of the tool 300 as detected by the optical detection arrangement 200. Accordingly, the tool 300 may further include a switching device 350 (see, e.g., fig. 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B) operably engaged with the light emitting device 600, the switching device 350 being operably engaged with the tool 300. For example, the switching device 350 may be mounted directly on the tool 300. In other examples, the switching device may be mounted to a user and connected to the tool 300 by wires. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the switching device 350 may be implemented in different ways. For example, the switching device 350 may be implemented as a touch sensitive element comprised in the tool 300, wherein a user change of the grip of the tool 300 may be detected by the touch sensitive element as switching the light emitting device 600 from one light pattern to another light pattern. In any instance, user actuation of the switching device 350 thus allows a user to selectively actuate the light emitting device 600 between different light patterns, thereby changing the unique identity of the tool 300. In some aspects, the switching device 350 may be configured for binary operation (i.e., switchable between a first position and a second position to actuate the light emitting device 600 between an "off" state and an "on" state), but in other examples, as shown in fig. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, the switching device 350 may include a switch having more than two positions (i.e., for switching the light emitting device 600 between two or more light patterns between an "off" state and an "on" state).

In some aspects, the light emitting devices 600 are arranged in an array or single group 700 of such devices (see, e.g., fig. 2A and 2B). In such instances, one or more of the light emitting devices 600 in the array or the single group 700 may be selectively actuated by a user (e.g., by the switching device 350) to provide a plurality of light patterns associated with a unique identification of the tool 300. In other aspects, the light emitting devices 600 are arranged in separate groups of such light emitting devices (e.g., elements 800A, 800B in fig. 3A and 3B). In such an example, where each group 800A, 800B having light emitting devices 600 is engaged with the tool 300, each group has light emitting devices 600 arranged in a unique pattern. In such an arrangement, to provide a light pattern associated with a unique identifier of the tool 300, the individual sets may be selectively actuated by a user (e.g., by the switching device 350).

In another aspect, as shown in fig. 4A and 4B, a single tool 300 may include two or more discrete groups or patterns 900A, 900B of light emitting devices 600, wherein each group or each pattern of light emitting devices 600 detected by the optical detection arrangement 200 corresponds to a unique identification of the tool 300. For example, if there are two groups 900A, 900B of light emitting devices, one group 900A may be designated as a primary tracking object pattern and the other group 900B may be designated as a secondary tracking object pattern. The primary tracking object pattern detected by the optical detection arrangement 200 can uniquely identify the type of object (e.g., tool type) carried by the user (e.g., flashlight). The secondary tracking object pattern for the default position is typically turned off. Therefore, the optical detection arrangement 200 detects only the main tracking object pattern. In this case, the illustrated switching device 350 in the "off" position will turn off both the primary and secondary tracking object patterns. Movement of the switching device 350 to position "1" will turn on the primary tracking object pattern to provide the first group 900A of light emitting devices 600 that are detectable by the optical detection arrangement 200, but the secondary tracking object pattern will remain off (e.g., a default state of the secondary tracking object pattern). Thus, the primary tracking object pattern detected by the optical detection arrangement 200 will identify a tool type (e.g., flashlight), but may also identify a tool status (e.g., no detection of the secondary tracking object pattern indicates that the identified tool type (flashlight) is off and not illuminated). When the user moves the switching device 350 to position "2", the secondary tracking object pattern is turned on to provide a second set 900B of light emitting devices 600 that are detectable by the optical detection arrangement 200, wherein the secondary tracking object pattern is attached to or adjacent to the primary tracking object pattern. Upon detection of the now-open secondary tracking object pattern by the optical detection arrangement 200, the unique identifier provided by the second set 900B light emitting device 600 may be used to indicate many other aspects of the tool 300, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, the second group 900B light emitting device 600 may uniquely identify a tool condition (e.g., a tool state), which in this example, when a secondary tracking object pattern is detected that is attached to or adjacent to the primary tracking object pattern, this would indicate that the virtual flashlight is turning on (as opposed to not detecting the second group 900B light emitting device 600 indicating that the flashlight has been turned off).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the arrangement of the optical detection arrangement 200 and the light emitting device 600 and the interaction between the two may provide the following advantages when using various detected light patterns to indicate the respective unique identity of the tool 300: the complexity of the tracking function associated with the switching device 350 is reduced by not requiring a WiFi, bluetooth transmitter, or any other wireless data transmission system. Additionally, the absence of such wireless transmission devices reduces the power consumption requirements needed to power the tool 300 compared to, for example, LED lights used as the light emitting device 600. Additionally, by implementing the arrangements disclosed herein, a single representative physical tool 300 (object, prop, etc.) may be used to represent any number of virtual tools in a virtual state, depending on the number of light patterns that can be provided by the light emitting device 600. Further, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the disclosed arrangements and aspects provided herein may be applicable to many different scenarios of associating a physical reality space with a virtual reality space. For example, in some aspects, an object, prop, etc. may comprise the user itself, wherein a light emitting device and an associated switching device may be physically associated with the user, and wherein switching of the switching device by the user in physical reality space may in turn change the identity of the user in virtual space.

Accordingly, aspects of the present invention advantageously provide a device for use in a virtual reality system and associated virtual reality system, comprising a tool and a plurality of light emitting devices engaged with the tool and selectively actuatable by a user between a plurality of light patterns, each light pattern being associated with a unique identifier. The light pattern is adapted to be detected by an optical detection arrangement, providing a plurality of unique identifiers associated with the tool as detected by the optical detection arrangement. A switching device is operably engaged with the light emitting device and user actuatable to selectively actuate the light emitting device between light patterns to change a unique identification of a tool, the unique identification of the tool including a tool type or a tool state.

The switching device incorporated into the tool may be, for example, a mechanical button or switch or any other suitable switching device capable of switching an electrical connection between different light emitting devices (e.g., LEDs). As such, in examples where the tool/prop is a flashlight, the user may turn the flashlight on and off in the virtual environment by actuating a switch incorporated into the tool/prop. Thus, the optical detection arrangement will detect changes in the light pattern associated with movement of the switch, rather than attempting to detect physical movement of the switch itself. Aspects of the virtual reality system and devices used therein thus provide a physical object implementing one or more sets of light emitting devices that can be detected by the optical detection arrangement without the need for a wireless communication transmitter/receiver and that can be switched between different unique patterns each associated with a unique identifier in the virtual reality environment, thus allowing user and object tracking in the physical environment to be translated into the virtual environment in a simple, efficient and flexible manner.

Many modifications and other aspects of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific aspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.