Methods and systems for an immersive virtual reality system using multiple active markers

• US 10,495,726 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2018
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Worldviz LLC
• Original Assignee: Worldviz LLC
• Inventors: Pusch, Matthias, Miyanohara, Masaki, Roessler, John T., Beall, Andrew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wills, Diane M
• Application Number:
  US15/934,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20180306898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 600587, 600595
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0179 Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed
• 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 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00

Abstract

A portable virtual reality and/or augmented reality system enabling the projection and tracking of a user in a simulated environment is described. A system of motion capture cameras/sensors, computing, and tracking devices is provided in a portable package. Each tracking device is configured with one or more emitters which may generate a distinctive, repetitive pattern. The virtual reality and/or augmented reality system once assembled, provides for motion tracking and display of a one or more users in a simulated environment.

Claims

1. A portable virtual reality kit, comprising:

a computing device;

a head mounted display comprising a first marker configured to emit a first repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses and a second marker configured to emit a second repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses wherein the first repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses and the second repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses are distinct from each other;

a handheld controller comprising a third marker configured to emit a third repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses wherein the third repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses is distinct from the first repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses and the second repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses;

a plurality of motion tracking cameras affixed to a portable case, wherein the plurality of motion tracking cameras are configured, at least in part, to communicate position data corresponding to detected infrared light to the computing device, and wherein the portable case is configured to receive at least the computing device, the head mounted display, and the handheld controller;

wherein upon computing device boot and without a user mechanically interconnecting the computing device to the plurality of motion tracking cameras and without a user calibrating the plurality of motion tracking cameras, the portable virtual reality kit is configured to;

receive, at the computing device, from the plurality of motion tracking cameras, position data corresponding to the first marker, position data corresponding to the second marker, and position data corresponding to the third marker;

using the first marker position data and the second marker position data, enable, at least in part, an orientation of a virtual reality scene to be rendered using the head mounted display; and

using the third marker, enable, at least in part, a representation of the handheld controller to be rendered using the head mounted display.

2. The portable virtual reality kit of claim 1, wherein the display of the handheld controller is positioned in the display corresponding to a distance derived from the first marker, second marker, and third marker positions.

3. The portable virtual reality kit of claim 1, wherein the portable virtual reality kit is sized to enable a user to carry the portable virtual reality kit on an airplane.

4. The portable virtual reality kit of claim 1, wherein the computing device is preconfigured with one or more simulations.

5. The portable virtual reality kit of claim 1, wherein the computing device is preconfigured to automatically receive application software upgrades.

6. The portable virtual reality kit of claim 1, wherein the third marker is attached to or included as a component of the handheld controller.

7. The portable virtual reality kit of claim 1, wherein the portable virtual reality kit is configured to derive an identity of a marker from a detected repetitive pattern of infrared light pulses.