Interactive virtual portal

• US 20040041788A1
• Filed: 08/28/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Ternullo, Noah J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,950,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/158
• 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

Abstract

A system for performing interactive virtual reality sessions without constraining the mobility of a user is disclosed. The system allows a user to remain fully mobile while participating in an interactive virtual reality session. The system comprises a handheld computing device having a display, user input controls, a location sensing device and a user sensing device. To conduct a virtual reality session, a software application is loaded from a memory. Then, the computing device determines its position within a space using the location sensing device, and the user sensing device establishes a relationship between the user'"'"'s eyes and display. This relationship is used to provide the user with the same perspective as would be achieved if viewing the simulated session in real life. User input controls allow the user to control aspects of the session to further enhance the user'"'"'s experience.

Claims

1. A portable computing device for performing an interactive virtual reality session for a user operating in a predefined space, said computing device comprising:

means for storing machine-readable instructions for controlling operation of said computing device;

means for retrieving said instructions from said storing means;

means for sensing a location of said computing device within said space;

means for inputting user data into said computing device;

means, responsive to operation of said retrieving means, said sensing means and said inputting means, for processing said instructions, said location, and said user data to manifest said session; and

means, responsive to operation of said processing means, for displaying said session to said user.

2. The portable computing device of claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises:

a location transponder for determining said location of said computing device in said space.

3. The portable computing device of claim 1 wherein said sensing means is a sensor component selected from the sensor group consisting of an acoustic transponder, a radio-frequency transponder, an optical transponder and a GPS receiver.

4. The portable computing device of claim 2 wherein said sensing means further comprises a user transponder for obtaining information about a relationship between said computing device and said user, said information about said relationship for use in manipulating said displayed information.

5. The portable computing device of claim 4 wherein said displaying means comprises a flat panel display.

6. The portable computing device of claim 4 wherein said inputting means is an input device selected from the group consisting of a toggle switch, a control button, an on/off switch, a microphone and a touch sensitive display.

7. A method for performing a virtual reality session in a portable computing device, said method comprising:

storing machine-readable instructions for controlling operation of said computing device;

retrieving said machine-readable instructions;

sensing a location of said computing device with respect to a space that said computing device is operating in;

determining a relationship between a user and said computing device, said relationship used to establish a viewing perspective for said user while engaged in said session;

receiving user input data;

processing said machine-readable instructions using a processor, said processor for manipulating information contained in said machine-readable instructions to manifest said session;

making said user input data available to said processor; and

displaying said information to said user during said virtual reality session.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said sensing further comprises:

utilizing a sensing means selected from the sensor group consisting of an acoustic transponder, a radio-frequency transponder, an optical transponder and a GPS receiver.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said determining further comprises:

establishing a relationship between an eye of said user and said computing device.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said receiving further comprises:

obtaining said user input data from an input device selected from the group consisting of a toggle switch, a control button, an on/off switch, a microphone and a touch sensitive display.

11. A computer program product containing computer-readable code for executing a method in a processor for performing a virtual reality session on a portable computing device, said method comprising:

storing machine-readable instructions for controlling operation of said computing device;

retrieving said machine-readable instructions from said storing means;

sensing a location of said device with respect to a space said computing device is operating in;

determining a relationship between a user and said computing device, said relationship used to establish a viewing perspective for said user while engaged in said session;

receiving user input data;

processing said machine-readable instructions using a processor, said processor for manipulating information contained in said machine-readable instructions to manifest said session;

making said user input data available to said processor; and

displaying said information to said user during said virtual reality session.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said sensing further comprises:

utilizing a sensing means selected from the sensor group consisting of an acoustic transponder, a radio-frequency transponder, an optical transponder and a GPS receiver.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said determining further comprises:

establishing a relationship between an eye of said user and said computing device.