KR20220048177A - Shoes module for VR game - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe module for a VR game. The present invention provides a shoe module for a VR game interworking with a VR device and mounted on each of both feet, comprising: a sensor unit measuring motion tracking information corresponding to a movement of a corresponding foot; a communication unit providing the motion tracking information measured by the sensor unit and receiving a situation occurrence notification of a set condition from the VR device; a magnetic body which is disposed in each of two shoe modules mounted on both respective feet to face each other and in which one side, facing each other, is controlled to have the polarity of an N pole or an S pole when receiving electricity, while being controlled to have the opposite or the same polarity between shoe modules; and a control unit, when a first set condition occurs in a virtual reality space of the VR device, allowing the shoe modules to mutually guide an attraction force between the magnetic bodies facing each other so as to slow down movement of the both feet. According to the present invention, the user's action tracking information is reflected in virtual reality in real time in conjunction with the VR device while being mounted on both feet, and the action of both feet is braked in response to a special situation in virtual reality, thereby giving a more realistic sense to a game user in a corresponding environment.

Description

Shoes module for VR game}

The present invention relates to a shoe module for a VR game, and more particularly, to a shoe module for a VR game that is mounted on both feet and operates in conjunction with a VR device to give a more realistic feeling to a game user.

Recently, with the growth of the VR-related market, interest in wearable devices interworking with virtual reality devices is increasing, and virtual reality contents such as VR games are being actively developed.

However, the existing VR market inevitably requires a large space, which is becoming an obstacle to the expansion of the VR market. Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can enjoy VR games through user behavior tracking even in a small space.

Conventionally, a method using a treadmill or a method using shoes with wheels has been proposed, but the function of these devices is limited to tracking the user's behavior, and there is a disadvantage in that feedback or interaction according to the VR situation is impossible.

The technology that is the background of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-2102555 (announcement on April 20, 2020).

An object of the present invention is to provide a shoe module for a VR game that operates in conjunction with a VR device while mounted on both feet and can give a more realistic feeling to a user using the game.

The present invention relates to a shoe module for a VR game that is interlocked with a VR device and mounted on both feet, a sensor unit measuring motion tracking information corresponding to the movement of the corresponding foot, and a sensor unit measuring motion tracking information measured from the sensor unit in the VR It is provided as a device, and the communication unit for receiving a notification of occurrence of a situation of a setting condition from the VR device, and the two shoe modules mounted on both feet are disposed to face each other, and one side facing each other when electricity is applied is an N pole or an S pole When the first set condition occurs in the virtual reality space of the magnetic body controlled to the polarity of the shoe module and controlled to the opposite polarity between the shoe modules, the attraction between the magnetic bodies facing each other between the shoe modules through the electrical application It provides a shoe module for VR games including a control unit for inducing and slowing the movement of both feet.

In addition, the setting condition may include at least one of a slope, a swamp, a snowy road, an uphill road, a hill, and a user's injury during the VR game.

In addition, when the situation of the second setting condition occurs in the virtual reality space, the control unit induces a repulsive force between the magnetic bodies facing each other to lighten the movement of both feet, and the situation of the second setting condition is downhill during a VR game It may include at least one situation of a road, a zero-gravity state, an icy road, a movement booster, and a teleportation event.

Also, the VR device may include a head mounted display mounted on a user's head to display a virtual reality image.

In addition, the sensor unit is installed at both ends of the set space in the case of the shoe module, and a pressure gauge for measuring the hitting pressure by a moving member that flows left and right in the set space according to the movement of the foot, and the case or the moving member It may include an accelerometer installed in the foot to measure the acceleration according to the movement of the foot.

In addition, the magnetic body includes first and second magnetic bodies spaced apart installed on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction in the case of the shoe module, and when the first setting condition occurs, the first shoe module of the two shoe modules One side of the first and second magnetic bodies may have N poles and S poles, respectively, and the first and second magnetic bodies of the second shoe module may have S poles and N poles on one side opposite to each other.

In addition, the VR game shoe module is installed in a space between the first and second magnetic bodies, and a moving member that flows left and right in the spaced space according to the movement of the foot, and is installed in the case or the moving member according to the movement of the foot It may include an accelerometer for measuring acceleration, and first and second pressure gauges installed at both ends of the separation space to measure the pressure hit by the moving member.

In addition, when the amount of movement per hour of the moving member measured through the sensor unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control unit may activate the magnetic material to generate an attractive force between the magnetic materials facing each other.

In addition, the shoe module for the VR game may further include a locking part formed on the outside of the case of the shoe module and hooked on the laces of the shoe.

According to the present invention, the user's behavior tracking information is reflected in virtual reality in real time by interlocking with a VR device while mounted on both feet, and by braking the behavior of both feet in response to a special situation in virtual reality, a game user in a corresponding environment can give you more realism.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a virtual reality game system including a shoe module for a VR game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view exemplarily illustrating a state in which a shoe module for a VR game according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a shoe.
FIG. 3 is a view specifically explaining the configuration of the shoe module shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is a view showing a plan view of FIG. 2 .
5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which two shoe modules of both feet are controlled in response to a special situation in an embodiment of the present invention.

Then, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and similar reference numerals are attached to similar parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" with another part, this includes not only the case of being "directly connected" but also the case of being "electrically connected" with another element interposed therebetween. . Also, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a virtual reality game system including a shoe module for a VR game according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the virtual reality game system includes a shoe module 100 for a VR game and a VR device 200 .

The VR device 200 is a device that provides virtual reality game content (service), and may include a head mounted display (HMD) that displays an image of virtual reality content while mounted on a user's head.

The head mounted display may receive virtual reality content corresponding to a VR game from a user terminal in a state of being wirelessly connected to a user terminal such as a computer, smart phone, tablet, or pad, and execute and display the virtual reality content in real time.

The shoe module 100 is network-connected to the VR device 200 in a wireless manner and operates in conjunction with the network-connected VR device 200 . In this case, as the wireless method, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, RF communication, etc. may be applied. The shoe module 100 may have a unique code or address, and may be implemented as an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

The shoe module 100 is installed and operated as a pair corresponding to both feet of a user who enjoys a VR game. Here, a pair of shoe modules 100 mounted corresponding to both feet may form a wireless pairing with each other and may operate in synchronization with each other.

FIG. 2 is a view exemplarily illustrating a state in which a shoe module for a VR game according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a shoe. As shown in FIG. 2 , the shoe module 100 is mounted on the user's shoes. Specifically, the locking part 160 formed on the outside of the case may be operated in such a way that it is hooked on the laces of the shoe.

Here, the locking part 160 is caught on the lowermost straight string part 10 among the shoelace parts, so that the shoe module 100 can be stably seated on the shoe. Of course, there may be more various modifications of the mounting method of the shoe module.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe module 100 transmits behavior tracking information corresponding to the movement of both feet to the VR device 200 while interworking with the VR device 200 that provides a virtual reality game service in a state of being mounted on both feet of the user. ) and reflected in real-time in virtual reality. For example, the movement and movement speed of a character in the virtual reality image may be realistically reflected.

In addition, the shoe module 100 slows the movement of both feet by generating attractive force between the two shoe modules installed in response to the two feet when a special environment such as a slope, a swamp, or a user injury occurs during a VR game. By slow induction, users can directly feel the special environment they are in, giving the game a sense of realism and immersion.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 1 , the shoe module 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention largely includes a sensor unit 110 , a communication unit 120 , a magnetic body 130 , and a control unit 140 .

The sensor unit 110 measures motion tracking information corresponding to the movement of the corresponding foot. Here, the sensor unit 110 may include an accelerometer and a pressure gauge.

The accelerometer is embedded in the case of the shoe module 100 or a moving member that flows through a set space in the case according to the movement of the user, and measures the acceleration according to the movement of the foot. Through this, it is possible to acquire movement patterns such as movement speed, distance, direction, etc. of the user according to time as mothership tracking information and reflect it in real-time in the virtual reality image.

The pressure gauge is installed at both ends of the set space in the case of the shoe module 100, and measures the hitting pressure by the moving member that flows left and right in the set space according to the movement of the foot. Through this, the user's movement intensity, speed (speed), pattern, etc. can be measured.

As such, in the embodiment of the present invention, the user's behavior tracking data may be acquired by using the accelerometer and the pressure gauge together.

Of course, the sensor unit 110 may further include a vibration (haptic) sensor that is installed in the case and generates vibration in response to a specific situation. For example, the vibration sensor may provide vibration feedback to the user in response to situations such as receiving a blow such as an external shock during a VR game, applying a blow, earthquake, scene change, or the like.

In addition, the sensor unit 110 is installed on the movement path of the moving member (eg, the center of the space S2 in FIG. 4 ) to measure at least one of the speed of the moving member, the number of detections per hour, and the cycle to measure the movement amount per hour and the amount of activity of the corresponding foot It may further include an infrared sensor that calculates, etc.

The communication unit 120 provides motion tracking information measured by the sensor unit 110 to the VR device 200 . The communication unit 120 may perform network connection and information transmission/reception with the VR device 200 , and may also perform wireless pairing connection and information transmission/reception between the two shoe modules 100 installed corresponding to both feet.

The communication unit 120 may maintain a real-time communication session with the VR device 200 and receive a notification of occurrence of a situation of a setting condition from the VR device 200 . At this time, the situation of the setting condition may include situations such as slopes, swamps, snowy roads, uphill roads, hills, and user's injury (hereinafter, the situation of the first setting condition), and there is no restriction on the user's actions in virtual reality. Includes special circumstances that impede compliance or mobility.

Of course, other setting conditions include at least one of a downhill road, a zero gravity state, an icy road, a movement booster, and a teleportation event (hereinafter, the situation of the second setting condition) in the VR game. Including special situations such as fast walking, walking on clouds (including zero-gravity situations), running, speeding up movement, etc.

The magnetic body 130 is disposed to face each other on the two shoe modules mounted on both feet, and when electricity is applied, one side facing each other is controlled to have an N pole or an S pole polarity, but depending on the situation, the opposite polarity between the shoe modules or Controlled with the same polarity. The polarity of the magnetic material 130 may be controlled by the controller 140 .

When a situation of the first setting condition occurs in the virtual reality space of the VR device 200, the controller 140 induces attraction between the shoe modules 100 and the magnetic bodies 130 facing each other through the application of electricity to move the feet. makes it slow

In addition, when a situation of the second setting condition occurs in the virtual reality space, the controller 140 induces a repulsive force between the magnetic bodies 130 facing each other between the shoe modules 100 through the application of electricity to make the movement of both feet lighter and faster makes

In this way, in response to a special situation occurring in virtual reality, the embodiment of the present invention causes the magnetic body 130 built in each shoe module 100 to act with a pulling force to make the movement of both feet of the user heavy, or By allowing the pushing force to act, the movement of both feet is relatively lighter than the pulling force, so that the current special situation can be experienced more realistically.

FIG. 3 is a view specifically explaining the configuration of the shoe module shown in FIG. 2 , and FIG. 4 is a view showing a plan view of FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the shoe module 100 has two magnetic materials 131 and 132 , one movable member 150 , a circuit board 170 , and a battery 180 built-in inside the case. And the outside of the case is formed with a locking part 160 for being hooked on the laces of the shoes.

The inside of the case is largely divided into two spaces S1 and S2, in which the circuit board 170 and the battery 180 are mounted in the first space S1, and the first and second spaces in the second space S2. The magnetic body 131 and 132, the moving member 150, a pressure gauge, etc. are mounted. A hole or a groove may be formed in the wall portion between the spaces to allow penetration of an electric wire or the like. The circuit board 170 may have built-in functions of the control unit 140 and the communication unit 120 , and the battery 180 is a driving power for a circuit in the shoe module 100 , and a power for applying electricity to the magnetic body 130 . etc. can be used.

3 and 4 , the first and second magnetic bodies 131 and 132 are installed to be spaced apart from each other on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction in the case of the shoe module 100 . In addition, the moving member 150 is installed in the space between the first and second magnetic bodies 131 and 132, and flows left and right in the space according to the movement of the foot.

An accelerometer (not shown) is built into the case or the moving member 150 to measure the acceleration according to the movement of the foot. If such an accelerometer is used, it is possible to obtain movement data such as the user's speed, distance, and direction by time.

The first and second pressure gauges 111 and 112 are installed at both ends of the separation space to measure the pressure hit by the moving member 150 that flows. In the case of FIG. 3, the pressure gauge is omitted for convenience.

The faster or greater the movement of the user's feet, the greater the flow speed and striking pressure of the moving member 150 moving in the space, as well as the shorter the striking time difference between the two pressure gauges 111 and 112 spaced apart from each other. Based on this, the user's movement intensity, speed, pattern, stride length, etc. can be measured.

Of course, in the case of the embodiment of the present invention, if the amount of movement of the moving member 150 measured through the sensor unit 110 is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the controller 140 applies electricity to the magnetic body 150 and activates it, but the attraction between the magnetic bodies facing each other causes The amount of movement may be measured through at least one of an accelerometer, a pressure gauge, and an infrared sensor. For example, if the running is continued for a set time, the user's fatigue builds up and becomes tired. As such, when the amount of movement is greater than the reference value, the movement of both feet is slowed through activation of the magnetic material, thereby further aggravating the feeling of fatigue. This is feasible even in non-special circumstances.

5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which two shoe modules of both feet are controlled in response to a special situation in an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a diagram illustrating the principle of controlling the polarity of each magnetic body 130 through the controller 140 when a special situation occurs during a VR game.

It is assumed that FIGS. 5A and 5B show the first shoe module 100-1 mounted on the left foot and the second shoe module 100-2 mounted on the right foot, respectively. The first and second shoe modules 100-1 and 100-2 are manufactured in a symmetrical structure to face each other between magnetic bodies at the same location. That is, the first magnetic bodies 131-1 and 131-2 face each other, and the second magnetic bodies 132-1 and 132-2 face each other. The controllers 140-1 and 140-2 may operate in synchronization with each other in time, and may simultaneously control the internal magnetic body in response to receiving a notification of occurrence of a special situation.

In the case of an embodiment of the present invention, in a general situation, the controller 140 does not apply a magnetic force to the magnetic body 130 , so there is no restriction on the movement or activity of the user and walking or running quickly is possible. Apply the brake by making it heavy.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5 , when a special situation (eg, a situation of the first setting condition) occurs in virtual reality, the first magnetic body 131-1 in the first shoe module 100-1 has an N pole and a second magnetic body. 132-1 has an S pole, and the first magnetic body 131-2 in the second shoe module 100-2 opposite to it has an S pole, and the second magnetic body 132-2 has an N pole. By being controlled to have it, it slows the movement of both feet.

In this case, the controller 140 may control the magnitude of the applied electricity according to the difficulty level of the special situation, and increase or decrease the magnitude of the magnetic force accordingly. Therefore, the more difficult the situation, the more realistic the game is by adding a strong manpower.

Of course, in addition to the above method, both magnetic bodies 131-1 and 132-1 in the first shoe module 100-1 are controlled to the N pole, and the two magnetic bodies 131-2 and 132-2 in the second shoe module 100-2 are controlled to the N-pole. Even when both feet are controlled by the S pole, the effect similar to the above can be obtained because both feet are induced to stick together.

In addition, when the second setting condition occurs, the control unit 140 controls the two magnetic bodies 131-1 and 132-1 in the first shoe module 100-1 and the two magnetic bodies 131 in the second shoe module 100-2. -2,132-2) are all controlled by the same N pole or all are controlled by the same S pole, so that both feet are separated and you can feel faster and more free movement than before.

According to the present invention as described above, the user's behavior tracking information is reflected in virtual reality in real time by interlocking with the VR device while mounted on both feet, as well as by braking the behavior of both feet in response to a special situation in virtual reality. provides the advantage of giving more realism to game users.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings, which is only exemplary, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

100: VR game shoe module 110: sensor unit
111: first pressure gauge 112: second pressure gauge
120: communication unit 130: magnetic material
131: first magnetic material 132: second magnetic material
140: control unit 150: ball
160: catching part

Claims (9)

In the shoe module for VR games that interlocks with VR devices and is mounted on both feet,
a sensor unit for measuring motion tracking information corresponding to the movement of the corresponding foot;
a communication unit that provides motion tracking information measured from the sensor unit to the VR device and receives a notification of occurrence of a setting condition from the VR device;
a magnetic material disposed to face each other on two shoe modules mounted on both feet and controlled to have the opposite or the same polarity between the shoe modules, one surface opposing each other when electricity is applied to the N-pole or S-pole polarity; and
When the first setting condition occurs in the virtual reality space of the VR device, the shoe module for VR including a controller for slowing the movement of both feet by inducing attraction between the magnetic bodies facing each other through the electric application . The method according to claim 1,
The situation of the first setting condition is,
A shoe module for a VR game that includes at least one of a slope, a swamp, a snowy road, an uphill road, a hill, and a user's injury during the VR game. The method according to claim 1,
The control unit is
When the situation of the second setting condition occurs in the virtual reality space, the movement of both feet is lightened by inducing a repulsive force between the magnetic bodies facing each other,
The situation of the second setting condition is,
A shoe module for a VR game that includes at least one of a downhill road, a zero gravity state, an ice road, a movement booster, and a teleportation event during a VR game. The method according to claim 1,
The VR device,
A shoe module for VR games including a head-mounted display mounted on a user's head to display a virtual reality image. The method according to claim 1,
The sensor unit,
a pressure gauge installed at both ends of the setting space in the case of the shoe module and measuring the hitting pressure by a moving member that flows left and right in the setting space according to the movement of the foot; and
A shoe module for VR games including an accelerometer installed on the case or the moving member to measure an acceleration according to the movement of the foot. The method according to claim 1,
The magnetic body is
Including first and second magnetic bodies spaced apart installed on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction in the case of the shoe module,
When the situation of the first setting condition occurs, the first and second magnetic bodies of the first shoe module among the two shoe modules have an N pole and an S pole, respectively, on one side thereof;
The first and second magnetic bodies of the second shoe module have opposite S poles and N poles on one surface of the shoe module for VR games. 7. The method of claim 6,
a moving member installed in the spaced apart space between the first and second magnetic bodies and moving left and right in the spaced space according to the movement of the foot;
an accelerometer installed on the case or the moving member to measure the acceleration according to the movement of the foot; and
VR game shoe module including first and second pressure gauges installed at both ends of the separation space to measure the pressure hit by the moving member. 8. The method according to claim 5 or 7,
The control unit is
When the amount of movement per hour of the moving member measured through the sensor unit is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the VR game shoe module activates the magnetic body to generate an attractive force between the magnetic bodies facing each other. The method according to claim 1,
The shoe module for VR games further comprising a locking part that is formed outside the case of the shoe module and is hooked and mounted on the laces of the shoe.

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