System and method for assisting a user in locating physical objects while the user is in a virtual reality environment
US9690367B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/012
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for assisting a user, wearing a head mounted display (HMD) that covers a user's field of vision and has a tracker providing information regarding the position and orientation of the HMD, in locating a physical controller located on a physical base station. A processor causes the HMD to display a virtual world, including a virtual representation of the physical base station and physical controller along with a virtual hand that helps guide the user to the physical base station to allow the user to pick up the physical controller. Another embodiment allows an area in the physical world to be defined within which the user should remain, for example to avoid physical obstacles. The processor causes the HMD to display a warning, such as a virtual fence, to alert the user if the user approaches to within a preselected distance of the boundary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.