SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MULTI-DIRECTIONAL AND MULTI-PERSON WALKING IN VIRTUAL REALITY ENVIRONMENTS

Number: 20170336860
Published: 2017-11-23
Filed: 2016-05-20
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: SMOOT; LANNY S., SUNG; CYNTHIA RUEYI
CPC: G06F3/016; G06F3/011
Verdict: High Notable software
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A modular floor of moving tile assemblies that physically transports multiple VR participants through space to match their virtual movement in a shared environment.

Abstract

A motion system for moving objects in a space, e.g., for moving virtual reality (VR) participants about space used to provide a VR environment. The system includes a controller and a position monitoring assembly. The system has a modular floor including a plurality of tile assemblies defining a support surface for a first and a second object. Each of the tile assemblies includes: (a) a planar tile with an upper surface for supporting the first and second objects; and (b) a drive system. The drive system includes a vibration-inducing assembly operable to oscillate the planar tile in a horizontalplane and further includes a preferential friction assembly operable to selectively reduce friction between the upper surface and any supported object. The controller generates control signals, based on position information, to independently control the tile assembliesof the modular floor to move the first and second objects on the support surface.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate functional block diagrams of an exemplary motion system(implemented as part of a VR system) using preferential friction (or a selectively applied attractive force) combined with a rapidly vibrating contact surface (a top or upper surface of modular floor or platform made up of upper or contact surfaces of a plurality of active tiles) to walk or move objects in a controlled manner;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate functional block diagrams of an exemplary active tile using its drive system to move anobject in both X and Y directions (concurrently or sequentially);

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an active tile or tile assembly as may be used to fabricate, in combination with a plurality of other active tiles or tile assemblies with similar configurations, a modular floor of a motion system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second exemplary implementation of an active tile or tile assembly as may be used to fabricate a modular floor of a motion system of the present description;

FIG. 5 illustrates a third exemplary implementation of an active tile or tile assembly 500 as may be used to fabricate a modular floor of a motion system of the present description;

FIG. 6 illustrates the active tile of FIG. 4 during its operation or use to move footwear (or a shoe) such aswould be worn by a VR participant in a VR system that includes a motion system of the present description with a modular

Claims

1. A motion system for moving objects in a space, comprising: a motion system controller; a position monitoring assembly; and a modular floor comprising a plurality of tile assemblies defining a support surface for a first and a second object, wherein each of the tile assemblies comprises a planar tile with an upper surface for supporting the first and second objects and a drive system with a vibration-inducing assembly operable to oscillate the planar tile in a horizontal plane and with a preferential friction assembly operable to selectively reduce friction between the upper surface and any object supported upon the upper surface, and wherein the motion system controller generates control signals, based on position information for the first and second objects from the position monitoring assembly, to independently control operation of the tile assemblies of the modular floor to move the first and second objects on the support surface. 10. A virtual reality (VR) system, comprising: a space defined by a wall; and a VR floor adjoining the wall and comprising a plurality of active tiles, wherein each of the active tiles includes: a plate with an upper surface and a lower surface; a drive system coupled to the lower surface and operable toselectively oscillate the plate in one of two transverse directions; and a preferential friction assembly selectively reducing friction between the upper surface and an object positioned upon the upper surface. 17. A motion control method comprising: positioning first and second objects on a modular floor comprising a plurality of active tiles configured for planar oscillation and for providing preferential friction; determining locations of thefirst and second objects; predicting a travel path for each of the first and second objects; determining distances to other objects relative to the first and second objects based on the determined locations and the predicted travel paths; and based on the determined distances, the predicted travel paths, and the determined locations, independently operatingthe active tiles to impart a first motion to the first object and a second motion differing from the first motion to the second object.