System and method for providing dynamic virtual reality ground effects

Number: 10671154
Published: 2020-06-02
Filed: 2018-12-19
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Chapman; Steven M., Popp; Joseph, Taylor; Alice, Segura; Samy, Patel; Mehul
CPC: G06F3/0346; G06F3/0334; G06F3/147; G06F3/017; G06F3/011; G06F3/016
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Physical ground-effect hardware for VR experiences.

Abstract

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for providing dynamic virtual reality ground effects. The system includes a user interface surface and multiple motors coupled to the user interface surface. At least one of the motors is coupled to a virtual reality component of an electronic device. A first motor of the multiple motors is driven by movement of the user interface surface and is used to generate a feedback electrical signal in response to the movement of the user interface surface. A second motor of the multiple motors is driven using the feedback electrical signal.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) Devices such as a virtual reality headset and a treadmill may be used in tandem to provide a virtual reality experience. For example, a treadmill may be used to allow a user to walk while the user is experiencing virtual reality content. When the user walks in place on the treadmill, the virtual reality content changes accordingly so that the user appears to walk across a surface.SUMMARY(2) Certain systems that use a treadmill for virtual reality experiences have several problems. In such systems, the effort required to overcome inertia or momentum associated with the treadmill creates an unrealistic virtual reality experience when a user begins or stops walking or running or changes walking/running speed. Furthermore, such systems do not dynamically limit the user's walking or running speed, thus allowing users to fall off the treadmill while using the system if the user begins moving too fast or too slow. In addition, some treadmill-based systems do not provide a realistic virtual reality experience when the user is moving over certain types of virtual surfaces or in certain types of virtual reality environments.(3) In view of the above shortcomings in certain systems, there is a need for a system that provides for realistic movement of a user interface surface (e.g., on a treadmill or other mechanism) so that such movements can more closely correspond to virtual reality content presented to the user. In one or more embodiments, more realistic movement is prov

Claims

1. A system for providing dynamic virtual reality ground effects, the system comprising: a user interface surface; and a plurality of motors coupled to the user interface surface, wherein at least one motor of the plurality of motors is coupled to a virtual reality component of an electronic device; wherein a first motor of the plurality of motors is driven by movement of the user interface surface and is used to generate a feedback electrical signal in response to the movement of the user interface surface; and a second motor of the plurality of motors is driven using the feedback electrical signal. 12. A method for providing dynamic virtual reality ground effects, the method comprising: obtaining a user input from a user interface surface; moving the user interface surface in response to the user input and driving a first motor; generating a feedback electrical signal by the first motor in response to movement of the user interface surface; and driving a second motor using the feedback electrical signal, wherein the second motor is coupled to the user interface surface.