Outer Rim Archives
Archives · 2021 · 11113884

Granted patent

Techniques for immersive virtual reality experiences

Number
11113884
Published
2021-09-07
Filed
2018-07-30
Assignee
Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors
Demirchian; Hambartsoum, Pitale; Madhura, Hoglen; Isaaca Seychelle Graetz
CPC
H04N21/6547; H04N21/235; H04N21/816; G06T19/006; H04N21/4755; H04N21/435; H04N21/4312; G06T19/20; H04N21/8586; H04N21/8146; H04N21/2353; H04N21/44218; H04N21/2393; H04N21/4126
Verdict
Set aside VR content streaming/delivery, plumbing
Source
Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for generating a three-dimensional virtual environment. A 3D object/effects generator executing on a client device receives a media content item. The 3D object/effects generator receives content metadata associated with the media content item. The 3D object/effects generator generates at least a portion of a 3D virtual environment based on the content metadata. The 3D object/effects generator displays the media content item and the at least a portion of the 3D virtual environment on a display associated with a virtual reality device.

Background

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention (1) The present invention relates generally to virtual reality systems and, more specifically, to techniques for immersive virtual reality experiences. Description of the Related Art (2) Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly growing form of media entertainment. In a VR system, a user experiences an artificial three-dimensional (3D) environment generated by a computer. The user views the VR environment via a display apparatus, such as VR glasses or a VR headset. The display apparatus may be fitted with speakers or other auditory devices to generate sounds. Further, the display apparatus may be fitted with haptic feedback devices to generate tactile and kinesthetic stimulus. The virtual reality system also may include various sensors, such as cameras, microphones, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, in order to receive oral, physical, and visual inputs from the user. In this manner, the user is able to navigate through a simulated 3D environment complete with sight, sound, and touch. (3) In some applications, a user can view two-dimensional (2D) media content, such as movies, television programs, or other video sources, while experiencing the virtual 3D environment. In such cases, the VR system typically generates a fixed 3D environment, such as a living room, and projects the 2D media content onto a virtual display screen that is present in the fixed 3D environment. The user then views the 2D media content on the virtual display scree

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment, the method comprising: receiving a media content item; receiving content metadata associated with the media content item, wherein the content metadata specifies a character effect in which a character watches the media content item in a 3D virtual environment and, while watching the media content item, automatically interacts with a user in the 3D virtual environment by at least one of providing commentary about the media content item to the user, asking the user a question, or responding to the user based on at least one of a sound, a movement, or an input by the user; generating at least a portion of the 3D virtual environment based on the content metadata; and displaying the media content item and the at least a portion of the 3D virtual environment on a display associated with a virtual reality device. || 10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to generate a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment, by performing the steps of: receiving a media content item; receiving content metadata associated with the media content item, wherein the content metadata specifies a character effect in which a character watches the media content item in a 3D virtual environment and, while watching the media content item, automatically interacts with a user in the 3D virtual environment by at least one of providing commentary about the media content item to the user, asking the user a question, or responding to the user based on at least one of a sound, a movement, or an input by the user; generating at least a portion of the 3D virtual environment based on the content metadata; and displaying the media content item and the at least a portion of the 3D virtual environment on a display associated with a virtual reality device. || 19. A computing device, comprising: a memory that includes a three-dimensional (3D) object/effects generator; and a processor that is coupled to the memory and, when executing the 3D object/effects generator, is configured to: receive a media content item from a content management server, receive, from the content management server, content metadata associated with the media content item, wherein the content metadata specifies a character effect in which a character watches the media content item in a 3D virtual environment and, while watching the media content item, automatically interacts with a user in the 3D virtual environment by at least one of providing commentary about the media content item to the user, asking the user a question, or responding to the user based on at least one of a sound, a movement, or an input by the user, and generate at least a portion of the 3D virtual environment based on the content metadata.