Apparatus for use in a virtual reality system

US11379054B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC · US

Inventors

• Edward B. Cutrell · Seattle, US
• Christian Holz · Dortmund, DE
• Hrvoje Benko · Seattle, US
• Michael J. Sinclair · Kirkland, US
• Meredith June Morris · Bellevue, US
• Yuhang Zhao · Bellevue, US
• Cynthia Lynn Bennett · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 20, 2020
• Grant date: Jul 5, 2022
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A63F2300/8082
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A virtual reality system is described herein. The virtual reality system includes a cane controller and a computing system. The cane controller comprises a rod, a sensor, and a brake mechanism, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of position, direction of movement, and velocity of the rod, and wherein the brake mechanism is configured to apply a force to the rod. The computing system receives the signal, computes a position, direction of movement, and velocity of a virtual rod in a virtual space, and outputs a control signal to the brake mechanism based upon such computation. The brake mechanism applies the force to the rod in a direction and with a magnitude indicated in the control signal, thereby preventing the user from causing the virtual rod to penetrate a virtual barrier in the virtual space.