METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVOKING PERCEPTIONS OF AFFORDANCES IN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS

• US 20090237419A1
• Filed: 06/02/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Gross, David C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,138,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/633
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• 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

Methods and apparatus are provided for evoking perceptions of affordances in a user/virtual environment interface. The method involves recognizing the absence or inadequacy of certain sensory stimuli in the user/virtual environment interface, and then creating sensory stimuli in the virtual environment to substitute for the recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli. The substitute sensory stimuli are typically communicated to the user (e.g., visually and/or audibly) as properties and behavior of objects in the virtual environment. Appropriately designed substitute sensory stimuli can evoke perceptions of affordances for the recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli in the user/virtual environment interface.

Claims

1-7. -7. (canceled)

8. An apparatus for evoking perceptions of affordances in a virtual environment, comprising:

a processor configured with virtual reality software for generating the virtual environment;

the virtual environment comprising a display arrangement in communication with the processor, the display arrangement configured to interface with a user; and

an interactive control device in communication with the virtual environment, the interactive control device configured to enable the user to interact with the virtual environment;

wherein the processor is further configured to generate substitute sensory stimuli for recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli in the virtual environment.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the display arrangement comprises a head-mounted display.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the display arrangement comprises a computer display screen.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the display arrangement comprises a boom-mounted head-coupled display device.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the display arrangement comprises a projection system.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the substitute sensory stimuli comprise visual cues.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the substitute sensory stimuli comprise auditory cues.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the substitute sensory stimuli comprise visual cues for evoking spatial affordances.

16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the substitute sensory stimuli comprise a combination of visual and auditory cues for evoking temporal affordances.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the substitute sensory stimuli exceed a minimum response threshold for user perception.

18. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli relate to properties and behavior of objects in the virtual environment.

19. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli relate to body stature of the user.

20. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli relate to action capabilities of the user.

21. A method for evoking perceptions of affordances in a virtual environment, the method comprising:

generating the virtual environment using a processor;

interfacing with a user using a display arrangement in communication with the processor in the virtual environment; and

enabling the user to interact with the virtual environment using an interactive control device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

generating substitute sensory stimuli for recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli in the virtual environment using the processor.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the substitute sensory stimuli comprise visual cues for evoking spatial affordances.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the substitute sensory stimuli comprise a combination of visual and auditory cues for evoking temporal affordances.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the substitute sensory stimuli exceed a minimum response threshold for user perception.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli relate to properties and behavior of objects in the virtual environment.

27. An apparatus for evoking perceptions of affordances in a virtual environment, the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured with virtual reality software for generating the virtual environment;

the virtual environment comprising a display arrangement in communication with the processor, the display arrangement configured to interface with a user, wherein the display arrangement comprises at least one of a head-mounted display, computer display screen, boom-mounted head-coupled display device, and projection system; and

an interactive control device in communication with the virtual environment, the interactive control device configured to enable the user to interact with the virtual environment, wherein the processor is further configured to generate substitute sensory stimuli for recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli in the virtual environment, wherein the substitute sensory stimuli comprise at least one of visual cues and auditory cues, wherein the visual cues evoke spatial affordances, wherein the visual cues and the auditory cues evoke temporal affordances, wherein the substitute sensory stimuli exceed a minimum response threshold for user perception, and wherein the recognized absent or inadequate sensory stimuli relate to at least one of properties and behavior of objects in the virtual environment, body stature of the user, and action capabilities of the user.