Modular props for a grid-based virtual reality attraction

• US 10,449,443 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2018
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FANX Incorporated
• Original Assignee: UnchartedVR, Inc.
• Inventors: Gutierrez, Kalon Ross, Duncan, John, Griffin, Douglas, Schulze, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US15/873,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20190111336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 463 32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/217 using environment-related information, i.e. information generated otherwise than by the player, e.g. ambient temperature or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/00 Amusement arrangements hoop exercising apparatus driven by the user A63B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 1/02 Scenery; Curtains; Other decorations; Means for moving same fireproof curtains A62C2/10
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 Navigation within 3D models or images

Abstract

A virtual reality system includes a stage kit, a motion tracking system, and a VR engine. The kit corresponds to plans associated with VR representations, and includes fixed and moveable props that are represented in one or more of the representations. The kit has a stage including a marked platform with accessory mounts to affix the fixed props to the platform, and stage sections that are interconnected according to the markings to form said platform. The platform is configurable according to differently dimensioned plans. The motion tracking system generates tracking information corresponding to the props and a VR participant on the stage. The VR simulation engine receives the tracking information, and employs that tracking information to generate the VR representations that simulate a virtual environment with virtually represented objects corresponding to the props, where the props are arranged according to a corresponding stage plan.

Claims

1. A grid-based virtual reality (VR) attraction system, comprising:

a grid aligned stage kit that corresponds to a plurality of stage plans associated with plurality of VR representations, said grid aligned stage kit comprising;

smart props, comprising fixed smart props and moveable smart props, wherein one or more of said smart props are simultaneously represented in one or more of said plurality of VR representations experienced by a VR participant;

a stage comprising a platform having a pattern of markings along at least two dimensions, wherein said stage is configured with accessory mounts arranged on said platform, for affixing said fixed smart props to said platform, and wherein said pattern identifies coordinates corresponding to a location of said accessory mounts; and

a plurality of stage sections that are configured to be interconnected according to said pattern to form said platform, wherein said platform is configurable according to said plurality of stage plans comprising at least A×

B and C×

D, wherein A, B, C, and D are different from each other;

a motion tracking system, configured to generated tracking information corresponding to said smart props and said VR participant on said stage; and

a VR simulation engine, coupled to said motion tracking system, configured to receive said tracking information, and configured to employ said tracking information to generate said plurality of VR representations that simulate a virtual environment with virtually represented objects corresponding to said smart props, wherein said smart props are arranged according to a corresponding stage plan.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tracking information comprises registered location information corresponding to said smart props within a grid indicated by said pattern of markings.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said tracking information further comprises orientation information and rotation information corresponding to said smart props within a grid indicated by said pattern of markings.

4. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said tracking information further comprises movement information corresponding to said smart props within a grid indicated by said pattern of markings.

5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said tracking information further comprises actuation information, said actuation information comprising operation of embedded actuators corresponding to said smart props within a grid indicated by said pattern of markings.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said embedded actuators actuate mechanical, tactile, electrical, or heating elements within one or more of said smart props.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said VR simulation system controls a subset of said embedded actuators to generate physical phenomena directed to and felt by said VR participant.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of said smart props comprise textures that provide tactile sensations to complement and augment audio and visual sensations said VR participant experiences within the VR attraction.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of VR representations comprises a unique set and/or position and/or orientation of VR objects that correlate with the position and orientation of corresponding smart props in any selected one of the plurality of VR representations.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of said smart props comprise self-identifying LEDs, user controls, or haptic feedback components.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said one of more of said smart props further comprise a microcontroller, orientation sensors, and a transmitter.

13. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more of said smart props comprise a physical plank, an elevator simulator, a drawer, a firearm prop, a flashlight, or a heating element.

10. The system as recited in 1, wherein one or more of said smart props are interactive and are configured to be carried by said VR participant.

14. A grid-based virtual reality (VR) attraction system, comprising:

a grid aligned stage kit that corresponds to a plurality of stage plans associated with plurality of VR representations, said grid aligned stage kit comprising;

smart props, comprising fixed smart props and moveable smart props, wherein one or more of said smart props are simultaneously represented in one or more of said plurality of VR representations experienced by a VR participant;

a stage comprising a platform having a pattern of markings along at least two dimensions to mark lines of a grid, wherein said stage is configured with accessory mounts arranged on said platform, for affixing said fixed smart props to said platform, and wherein said pattern identifies coordinates corresponding to a location of said accessory mounts; and

a plurality of stage sections that are configured to be interconnected according to said pattern to form said platform, wherein said platform is configurable according to said plurality of stage plans comprising at least A×

B and C×

D, wherein A, B, C, and D are different from each other;

a motion tracking system, configured to generated tracking information corresponding to said smart props and said VR participant on said stage; and

a VR simulation engine, coupled to said motion tracking system, configured to receive said tracking information, and configured to to employ said tracking information to generate said plurality of VR representations that simulate a virtual environment with virtually represented objects corresponding to said smart props, wherein said smart props are arranged according to a corresponding stage plan.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein said tracking information comprises registered location, orientation, rotation, and movement information corresponding to said smart props within said grid.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said tracking information further comprises actuation information, said actuation information comprising operation of embedded actuators corresponding to said smart props within said grid, and wherein said embedded actuators actuate mechanical, tactile, electrical, or heating elements within one or more of said smart props.

18. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein one or more of said smart props comprise self-identifying LEDs, user controls, or haptic feedback components.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein said one of more of said smart props further comprise a microcontroller, orientation sensors, and a transmitter.

20. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein said one or more of said smart props comprise a physical plank, an elevator simulator, a drawer, a firearm prop, a flashlight, or a heating element.

17. The system as recited in 14, wherein one or more of said smart props are interactive and are configured to be carried by said VR participant.