Method for grid-based virtual reality attraction system

• US 10,549,184 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2018
• Issued: 02/04/2020
• 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:
  US15/873,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20190111334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 463 33
• 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 (VR) attraction method includes implementing a kit corresponding to plans associated with VR representations. The kit includes fixed accessories, moveable accessories, a platform having a pattern of markings, and sections. The platform has mounts to affix the fixed stage accessories to the platform. The pattern identifies coordinates corresponding to a location of the mounts. The sections interconnect according to the pattern to form the platform. The platform is configurable according to stage plans. The method also includes: configuring a motion tracking system to register identity, location, and/or orientation of the fixed accessories and to track identity, location, and/or orientation of the moveable accessories and a VR participant; and via a VR simulation engine, receiving the identity, location, and/or orientation of the fixed accessories and the identity, location, and/or orientation of the moveable accessories; and generating the VR representations to simulate a virtual environment for the VR participant.

Claims

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

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

fixed accessories;

moveable accessories;

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

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

B and C×

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

configuring a motion tracking system to register identity, location, and/or orientation of the fixed accessories and to track identity, location, and/or orientation of the moveable accessories and a VR participant on the stage; and

via a VR simulation engine, receiving the identity, location, and/or orientation of the fixed accessories and the identity, location, and/or orientation of the moveable accessories; and

generating the plurality of VR representations to simulate a virtual environment for the VR participant with virtually represented objects whose locations and orientations correspond to locations and orientations the fixed and moveable accessories that are arranged according to a corresponding stage plan.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the accessory mounts restrict a possible location of the fixed accessories on the platform.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of VR representations aligns representations of fixed VR objects to locations and orientations of corresponding fixed accessories without relying upon sensory information about the location of the fixed accessories.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pattern of markings marks lines of a grid.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein a corresponding virtual grid is displayed within one or more of the plurality of VR representations to illustrate a virtual coordinate system.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the virtual grid overlays a floor and includes grid lines that extend across and along a section of the floor.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the fixed accessories comprise a wall and a door.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the virtual grid also overlays the wall and the door.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the accessory mounts comprise holes or pegs.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of VR representations comprises a unique set and/or position and/or orientation of VR objects, and wherein corresponding physical objects are modular, reconfigurable, and operable to be arranged to correlate with the position and orientation of the VR objects in any selected one of the plurality of VR representations.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the fixed and moveable accessories comprise textures that provide tactile sensations to complement and augment audio and visual sensations the VR participant experiences within the VR attraction.

4. The method as recited in 3, wherein representations of the fixed VR objects are more precisely aligned than representations of moveable virtual objects corresponding to the movable accessories.

13. A method for a grid-based virtual reality (VR) attraction system, comprising:

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

fixed accessories;

moveable accessories;

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

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

B and C×

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

configuring a motion tracking system to register identity, location, and/or orientation of the fixed accessories and to track identity, location, and/or orientation of the moveable accessories and a VR participant on the stage; and

via a VR simulation engine, receiving the identity, location, and/or orientation of the fixed accessories and the identity, location, and/or orientation of the moveable accessories; and

generating the plurality of VR representations to simulate a virtual environment for the VR participant with virtually represented objects whose locations and orientations correspond to locations and orientations the fixed and moveable accessories that are arranged according to a corresponding stage plan.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the accessory mounts restrict possible locations of the fixed accessories on the platform.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the plurality of VR representations aligns representations of fixed VR objects to locations and orientations of corresponding fixed accessories without relying upon sensory information about the location of the fixed accessories, and wherein the representations of the fixed VR objects are more precisely aligned than representations of moveable virtual objects corresponding to the movable accessories.

16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein a corresponding virtual grid is displayed within one or more of the plurality of VR representations to illustrate a virtual coordinate system, and wherein the virtual grid overlays a floor and includes grid lines that extend across and along a section of the floor.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the fixed accessories comprise a wall and a door, and wherein the virtual grid also overlays the wall and the door.

18. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the accessory mounts comprise holes or pegs.

19. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of VR representations comprises a unique set and/or position and/or orientation of VR objects, and wherein corresponding physical objects are modular, reconfigurable, and operable to be arranged to correlate with the position and orientation of the VR objects in any selected one of the plurality of VR representations.

20. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the fixed and moveable accessories comprise textures that provide tactile sensations to complement and augment audio and visual sensations the VR participant experiences within the VR attraction.