Head-mounted display apparatus for navigating a virtual environment

• US 9,612,627 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MONKEYmedia, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MONKEYmedia, Inc.
• Inventors: Bear, Eric Justin Gould, Strickland, Rachel M., McKee, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Yang, Ryan R
• Application Number:
  US15/186,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20170032570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/046 by electromagnetic means
• 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: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 : Geometric effects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/20 : Perspective computation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 : Navigation within 3D models or images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2215/16 : Using real world measurements to influence rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/204 : using stereoscopic image cameras stereoscopic photography G03B35/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 : environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 : Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 : involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 : Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/157 : defining a virtual conference space and using avatars or agents computer conference optimisation or adaptation H04L12/1827

Abstract

In some embodiments, a head-mounted apparatus with a visual display and one or more sensors may make navigation of virtual environments more natural. The invention enables a participant to pivot, tip and aim the apparatus to orient and move through virtual space hands-free.

Claims

1. A virtual environment navigation system comprising a head-mounted apparatus, wherein the head-mounted apparatus comprises a microprocessor, a visual display and one or more sensors, wherein the head-mounted apparatus is positioned on a person'"'"'s face such that the visual display is positioned in front of the eye(s) of the person and the person'"'"'s line of sight aligns more closely with the z-axis of the visual display than with the y-axis of the visual display, wherein the head-mounted apparatus is configured to:

a. generate a virtual environment;

b. generate a signal to establish a location of a virtual camera in the virtual environment;

c. generate a signal to establish an orientation of the virtual camera in the virtual environment;

d. generate a signal to update the location of the virtual camera in the virtual environment along the axis of the orientation of the virtual camera using x-axisometer data from at least one of the sensors indicating pivot down or pivot up of the head-mounted apparatus and an x-axisometer sensor reference data, wherein said use of x-axisometer sensor data to update the location of the virtual camera is effectively decoupled from use of v-axisometer sensor data, thereby enabling v-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to be used independently of x-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to update the orientation of the virtual camera; and

e. generate a signal to update the orientation of the virtual camera in the virtual environment using v-axisometer data from at least one of the sensors indicating pivot left or pivot right of the head-mounted apparatus and a v-axisometer sensor reference data, wherein said use of v-axisometer sensor data to update the orientation of the virtual camera is effectively decoupled from use of x-axisometer sensor data, thereby enabling x-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to be used independently of v-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to update the location of the virtual camera.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual environment comprises a plurality of video panes and a plurality of virtual speakers, wherein:

a. a plurality of videos play simultaneously in distinct locations in the virtual environment; and

b. a plurality of sounds are produced for display as if coming from distinct locations in the virtual environment.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of videos comprises a videoconference stream.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a. the updated location of the virtual camera is established in the direction of the orientation of the virtual camera if the x-axisometer data indicates a pivot down posture relative to the x-axisometer sensor reference data; and

b. the updated location of the virtual camera is established in the opposite direction of the orientation of the virtual camera if the x-axisometer data indicates a pivot up posture relative to the x-axisometer sensor reference data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the x-axisometer sensor reference data comprises one or more neutral zone thresholds.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnitude of virtual camera location change is based on the x-axisometer data relative to the x-axisometer sensor reference data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a. the updated orientation of the virtual camera is established left if the v-axisometer data indicates an aim left posture relative to the v-axisometer sensor reference data; and

b. the updated orientation of the virtual camera is established right if the v-axisometer data indicates an aim right posture relative to the v-axisometer sensor reference data.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the v-axisometer sensor reference data comprises one or more neutral zone thresholds.

9. The system of claim 1, further configured to generate a signal to update the location of the virtual camera in the virtual environment using z-axisometer data from at least one of the sensors indicating tip left or tip right of the apparatus and a z-axisometer sensor reference data.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein:

a. the updated location of the virtual camera is established in the direction perpendicularly left of the orientation of the virtual camera if the z-axisometer data indicates a tip left posture relative to the z-axisometer sensor reference data; and

b. the updated location of the virtual camera is established in the direction perpendicularly right of the orientation of the virtual camera if the z-axisometer data indicates a tip right posture relative to the z-axisometer sensor reference data.

11. The system of claim 1, further configured to generate a signal to jump the virtual camera to a viewing location in relation to content in the virtual environment.

12. The system of claim 1, further configured to generate a signal to establish a view lock of the virtual camera in the virtual environment, wherein control of the location of the virtual camera is blocked or control of the orientation of the virtual camera is blocked or control of both the location of the virtual camera and the orientation of the virtual camera is blocked.

13. A virtual environment navigation system comprising a head-mounted apparatus, wherein the head-mounted apparatus comprises a microprocessor, a visual display and one or more sensors, wherein the head-mounted apparatus is positioned on a person'"'"'s face such that the visual display is positioned in front of the eye(s) of the person and the person'"'"'s line of sight aligns more closely with the z-axis of the visual display than with the v-axis of the visual display, wherein the head-mounted apparatus is configured to:

a. generate a virtual environment;

b. generate a signal to establish a location of a virtual camera in the virtual environment;

c. generate a signal to establish an orientation of the virtual camera in the virtual environment; and

d. generate a signal to update the location of the virtual camera in the virtual environment using z-axisometer data from at least one of the sensors indicating tip left or tip right of the head-mounted apparatus and a z-axisometer sensor reference data, and;

i. the location of the virtual camera is established in the direction perpendicularly left of the orientation of the virtual camera if the z-axisometer data indicates a tip left posture of the head-mounted apparatus relative to the z-axisometer sensor reference data; and

ii. the location of the virtual camera is established in the direction perpendicularly right of the orientation of the virtual camera if the z-axisometer data indicates a tip right posture of the head-mounted apparatus relative to the z-axisometer sensor reference data.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the virtual environment is produced to appear three-dimensional.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the z-axisometer sensor reference data comprises one or more neutral zone thresholds.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the magnitude of virtual camera location change is based on the z-axisometer data relative to the z-axisometer sensor reference data.

17. A virtual environment navigation system comprising a head-mounted apparatus, wherein the head-mounted apparatus comprises a microprocessor, a visual display and one or more sensors, wherein the head-mounted apparatus is positioned on a person'"'"'s face such that the visual display is positioned in front of the eye(s) of the person and the person'"'"'s line of sight aligns more closely with the z-axis of the visual display than with the y-axis of the visual display, wherein the head-mounted apparatus is configured to:

a. generate a three-dimensional virtual environment comprising a plurality of video panes and a plurality of virtual speakers, wherein;

i. a plurality of videos play simultaneously in distinct locations in the virtual environment; and

ii. a plurality of sounds are produced for display as if coming from distinct locations in the virtual environment;

b. generate a signal to establish a location of a virtual camera in the virtual environment;

c. generate a signal to establish an orientation of the virtual camera in the virtual environment;

d. generate a signal to update the location of the virtual camera in the virtual environment along the axis of the orientation of the virtual camera using x-axisometer data from at least one of the sensors indicating pivot up or pivot down of the head-mounted apparatus and an x-axisometer sensor reference data, wherein said use of x-axisometer sensor data to update the location of the virtual camera is effectively decoupled from use of v-axisometer sensor data, thereby enabling v-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to be used independently of x-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to update the orientation of the virtual camera, and;

i. the location of the virtual camera is established in the direction of the orientation of the virtual camera if the x-axisometer data indicates a pivot down posture relative to the x-axisometer sensor reference data;

ii. the location of the virtual camera is established in the opposite direction of the orientation of the virtual camera if the x-axisometer data indicates a pivot up posture relative to the x-axisometer sensor reference data; and

iii. the magnitude of virtual camera location change is based on x-axisometer data relative to x-axisometer sensor reference data; and

e. generate a signal to update the orientation of the virtual camera in the virtual environment using v-axisometer data from at least one of the sensors indicating pivot left or pivot right of the head-mounted apparatus and a v-axisometer sensor reference data, wherein said use of v-axisometer sensor data to update the orientation of the virtual camera is effectively decoupled from use of x-axisometer sensor data, thereby enabling x-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to be used independently of v-axisometer sensor data of the head-mounted apparatus to update the location of the virtual camera, and;

i. the orientation of the virtual camera is established left if the v-axisometer data indicates an aim left posture relative to a v-axisometer sensor reference data; and

ii. the orientation of the virtual camera is established right if the v-axisometer data indicates an aim right posture relative to the v-axisometer sensor reference data.

18. The system of claim 17, further configured to generate a signal to update the location of the virtual camera in the virtual environment using z-axisometer data from at least one of the sensors indicating tip left or tip right of the head-mounted apparatus and a z-axisometer sensor reference data, and:

i. the location of the virtual camera is established in the direction perpendicularly left of the orientation of the virtual camera if the z-axisometer data indicates a tip left posture relative to the z-axisometer sensor reference data;

ii. the location of the virtual camera is established in the direction perpendicularly right of the orientation of the virtual camera if the z-axisometer data indicates a tip right posture relative to the z-axisometer sensor reference data; and

iii. the magnitude of virtual camera location change is based on z-axisometer data relative to z-axisometer sensor reference data.

19. The system of claim 17, further configured to generate a signal to jump the virtual camera to a viewing location in relation to content in the virtual environment in response to a movement sequence.

20. The system of claim 17, further configured to generate a signal to establish a view lock of the virtual camera in the virtual environment in response to a push and pull movement sequence, wherein the location of the virtual camera is locked or the orientation of the virtual camera is locked or both the location of the virtual camera and the orientation of the virtual camera are locked.