Method for real-time spatial haptic rendering via dynamic priority management and distance-based object culling using intelligent haptic signal mediation

An apparatus for real-time spatial haptic rendering in a multi-user environment, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
• obtain haptic interaction points from a plurality of users;
• process one or more initial haptic data objects for each one of the plurality of users, wherein each of the one or more initial haptic data objects includes a priority score and a dynamic sphere of influence;
• manage the one or more initial haptic data objects using a priority queue implemented using a data structure selected from a group consisting of a heap, a balanced binary tree, a skip list, and a sorted array;
• cull the one or more initial haptic data objects based on a distance function relative to each user's interaction point and a dynamic sphere of influence defined by alternative geometric configurations;
• and
• generate updated scene representations for each user concurrently.

A method for real-time spatial haptic rendering comprising:

• obtaining a user's haptic interaction point;
• processing one or more initial haptic data objects wherein processing one of the initial haptic data object comprises:
• retrieving an initial haptic data object from a priority queue;
• and
• determining a distance between the user's haptic interaction point and the initial haptic data object,
• wherein, in an instance in which the distance is outside of a dynamic sphere of influence for the initial haptic data object or in which the distance is increasing at a rate greater than a threshold rate, the haptic object is culled,
• wherein, in an instance where the distance is within the dynamic sphere of influence for the initial haptic data object, a priority score of the initial haptic data object is updated with an updated priority score and updated in the priority queue;
• and
• generating a user representation for an updated scene.

A method for real-time spatial haptic rendering in a multi-user environment, comprising:

• obtaining haptic interaction points from a plurality of users;
• processing one or more initial haptic data objects for each one of the plurality of users, wherein each of the one or more initial haptic data objects includes a priority score and a dynamic sphere of influence;
• managing the one or more initial haptic data objects using a priority queue implemented using a data structure selected from a group consisting of a heap, a balanced binary tree, a skip list, and a sorted array;
• culling the one or more initial haptic data objects based on a distance function relative to each user's interaction point and a dynamic sphere of influence defined by alternative geometric configurations;
• and
• generating updated scene representations for each user concurrently.