AR/VR event-triggering technique embedded in video streams.
Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for generating a virtual object for a VR/AR environment in response to a trigger. A VR/AR application executing on a client device receives a media content item. The VR/AR application detects an event trigger associated with the media content item. The VR/AR application generates at least a portion of a virtual object based on the event trigger. The VR/AR application displays the media content item and the at least a portion of the virtual object on a display associated with a user device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention (1) The present invention relates generally to virtual reality and augmented reality systems and, more specifically, to triggered augmented reality and virtual reality events in video streams. Description of the Related Art (2) Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are rapidly growing forms of media entertainment. In a VR system, a user experiences an artificial three-dimensional (3D) environment generated by a computer, where the user views the VR environment via a VR display apparatus, such as VR glasses or a VR headset. Similarly, in an AR system, a user experiences two-dimensional (2D) and/or three-dimensional (3D) objects generated by a computer along with actual objects in the physical world, where the user views the AR environment via a display apparatus, such as AR glasses or an AR headset. A typical AR display apparatus is fitted with a camera to capture images of the physical environment surrounding the user. The captured images are superimposed with one or more virtual, computer-generated 2D and/or 3D objects and then displayed on the display apparatus. (3) In some VR and AR applications, a user can view two-dimensional (2D) media content, such as movies, television programs, or other video sources, while experiencing a virtual 3D or physical environment, as the case may be. In these types of VR applications, a VR system typically generates a fixed 3D environment, such as a living room, and then projects
1. A computer-implemented method for generating a virtual object in response to a trigger, the method comprising: receiving a first media content item; detecting a first event trigger associated with the first media content item, wherein the first event trigger is activated when a first virtual representation of a first object based on a first number of dimensions crosses a display boundary associated with a virtual two-dimensional screen that is included within a virtual environment, and wherein the virtual two-dimensional screen displays the first media content item within the virtual environment; generating at least a portion of a second virtual representation of the first object and a second event trigger based on a second number of dimensions that is different than the first number of dimensions, wherein the second event trigger is included in the second virtual representation of the first object; and displaying the first media content item and, based on the display boundary, the at least a portion of the second virtual representation of the first object on one or more displays associated with a user device. ||
11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to generate a virtual representation of an object in response to a trigger, by performing the steps of: receiving a first media content item; detecting a first event trigger associated with the first media content item, wherein the first event trigger is activated when a first virtual representation of a first object based on a first number of dimensions crosses a display boundary associated a virtual two-dimensional screen that is included within a virtual environment, and wherein the virtual two-dimensional screen displays the first media content item within the virtual environment; generating at least a portion of a second virtual representation of the first object and a second event trigger based on a second number of dimensions that is different that the first number of dimensions, wherein the second event trigger is included in the second virtual representation of first object; and displaying the first media content item and, based on the display boundary, the at least a portion of the second virtual representation of the first object on one or more displays associated with a user device. ||
20. A computing device, comprising: a memory that includes a trigger generation engine; and a processor that is coupled to the memory and, when executing the trigger generation engine, is configured to: receive a first media content item; detect a first event trigger associated with the first media content item, wherein the first event trigger is activated when a first virtual representation of a first object based on a first number of dimensions crosses a display boundary associated with a virtual two-dimensional screen that is included within a virtual environment, and wherein the virtual two-dimensional screen displays the first media content item within virtual environment; generate at least a portion of a second virtual representation of the first object and a second event trigger based on a second number of dimensions that is different than the first number of dimensions, wherein the second event trigger is included in the second virtual representation of the first object; and display the first media content item and, based on the display boundary, the at least a portion of the second virtual representation of the first object on one or more displays associated with a user device.