Systems and methods for interacting with virtual objects using sensory feedback

Number: 9933851
Published: 2018-04-03
Filed: 2016-02-22
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Goslin; Michael P.; Haseltine; Eric C.; Olson; Blade A.
CPC: G06F3/014; G06F3/016; G06F3/017
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Sensory/haptic feedback for virtual-object interaction.

Abstract

There is provided a system having a feedback device including a sensory feedback element, a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a virtual object having a virtual surface, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor is configured to execute the executable code to determine a position of a hand of a first user, determine a location of the virtual surface of the virtual object, and transmit a first activation signal to the feedback device to cause a sensory feedback to be provided to the first user using the sensory feedback element of the feedback device based on the position of the hand of the first user relative to the location of the virtual surface of the virtual object.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) A user of a computer or game system may interact with virtual objects on a monitor or display of the computer or game system. Such interactions may typically involve the user directing a character or a tool to interact with a virtual object in some way, e.g. picking up the virtual object, moving the virtual object, climbing on or jumping over the virtual object, etc. Even in first-person video games, such as a real-time play environment or a first-person shooter game, a player's interaction is with a control device that provides input to the computer or game system. Recent advances in display technology and game consoles have allowed the creation of more realistic looking games, including realistic looking three-dimensional (3D) graphics. However, even with current advances in display technology, players still mostly feel as if they are merely observers, and not part of the events occurring in the game.SUMMARY(2) The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for interacting with virtual objects using sensory feedback, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

1. A system for playing a game, the system comprising: a feedback device including a sensory feedback element; a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a virtual object having a virtual surface; a hardware processor configured to execute the executable code to: determine a position of a hand of a first user when playing the game; determine a location of the virtual surface of the virtual object of the game; and transmit a first activation signal to the feedback device to cause a sensory feedback to be provided to the first user using the sensory feedback element of the feedback device based on the position of the hand of the first user relative to the location of the virtual surface of the virtual object; wherein the first activation signal indicates that the virtual object is virtually hollow when the hand of the first user passes through the virtual surface and is inside the virtual object, and the first activation signal indicates that the virtual object is virtually solid when the hand of the first user cannot pass through the virtual surface to be inside the virtual object, and wherein the virtual object is a virtual representation of an object and is shown on a display. 10. A method for use with a system for playing the game, the system comprising a feedback device, a non-transitory memory, and a hardware processor, the method comprising: determining, using the hardware processor, a position of a hand of a first user when playing the game; determining, using the hardware processor, a location of the virtual surface of the virtual object of the game; and transmitting, using the hardware processor, a first activation signal to the feedback device to cause a sensory feedback to be provided to the first user using the sensory feedback element of the feedback device based on the position of the hand of the first user relative to the location of the virtual surface of the virtual object; wherein the first activation signal indicates that the virtual object is virtually hollow when the hand of the first user passes through the virtual surface and is inside the virtual object, and the first activation signal indicates that the virtual object is virtually solid when the hand of the first user cannot pass through the virtual surface to be inside the virtual object, and wherein the virtual object is a virtual representation of an object and is shown on a display.