Virtual environment navigation device and system
AssigneeThe Curators of the University of Missouri
InventorsMing Leu, Krishna Nandanoor, Vishal Lokhande, Troy Stull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An impact platform device for use with a virtual reality interface system that promotes navigation by a user in a virtual environment, the platform device including a platform being configured to receive impacts from the user, an odd-numbered plurality of sensors evenly spaced about a circumference and disposed relative the platform such that each of the sensors is configured to detect when the user impacts a portion of the platform.
Claims21
An impact platform device for use with a virtual reality interface system that promotes navigation by a user in a virtual environment, said platform device comprising:
- a platform being configured to receive impacts from the user;
- an odd-numbered plurality of sensors evenly spaced about a circumference and disposed relative said platform such that each of said sensors is configured to detect when the user impacts a portion of said platform.
A method of determining user movement in a virtual reality interface system that promotes navigation by a user in a virtual environment, where the interface system includes a platform assembly for sensing impacts by a user, an orientation device coupled to the user, a data acquisition interface, a processor, an orientation device and a display device, said method comprising:
- obtaining data from an odd number of sensors disposed evenly about a circumference;
- designating a master sensor;
- and
- dividing with a diameter an area confined by the circumference into a first semicircle and a second semicircle, where the master sensor is disposed within the first semicircle at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the diameter and one half of the remaining sensors are disposed within the first semicircle, while another half are disposed in the second semicircle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.