US20190011999A1

US20190011999A1 - Interactive input controls in a simulated three-dimensional (3d) environment

Info

Publication number: US20190011999A1
Application number: US15/641,720
Authority: US
Inventors: James Beach; Hao Chi; Jin Zhang; Mark Gadzikowski; Dustin Boyle; Jonathan Courney
Original assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc
Current assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc
Priority date: 2017-07-05
Filing date: 2017-07-05
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-05
Also published as: JP7127107B2; US10191566B1; EP3649622A1; CN110869983A; US10338698B2; JP2020526831A; US10540022B2; US20190286252A1; WO2019010129A1; US20190113984A1; EP3649622A4

Abstract

A virtual reality (VR) system supports improved interactive control processes/services. These interactive control processes/services include detecting movement of a controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment, determining an angle of rotation based on the movement, determining a magnitude of force associated with the movement, determining a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the angle of rotation and the magnitude of force, and projecting the path in the VR environment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to simulated or virtual reality environments, and more particularly to interactive input controls therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Advances in technology, driven, for example, by improved processing power and speed, ever more efficient software rendering techniques, consumer convenience, and the like, have supported a growing movement in developing and designing simulated or three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) environments. VR systems which support such VR environments generally include hardware such as headsets, googles, handheld or wearable devices, and the like. Operatively, such hardware continuously tracks user movements, updates user positions, orientations, and the like, and receives interactive input from users in a VR environment.
While certain VR systems can include complex and often expensive hardware and other equipment, such as an omni-directional treadmill, for tracking and translating real-world user movement into the VR environment, an average user may not have requisite capital (or physical space) to support such complex and often expensive equipment. Accordingly, certain challenges arise when designing and creating intuitive and interactive controls for users in a VR environment. Therefore, there is a need for improved interactive processes and techniques operable by simple VR equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY CLAIMED INVENTION

In one exemplary embodiment, this disclosure provides an interactive control process/service. The interactive control process/service may be performed as a method of steps that include detecting movement of a controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment. The method further includes steps to determine an angle of rotation, a magnitude of force (e.g., acceleration), and the like, based on the movement. For example, the movement may be mapped or represented by vectors, each having a direction and a magnitude. The method further includes steps for determining a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the vectors (e.g., the angle(s) of rotation, magnitudes of force, etc.) as well as for projecting the path in the VR environment, by displaying, for example, graphical elements that represent the path in the VR environment. In some aspects the method may further include intersection or collision processes that determine when an object in the VR environment intersects (or is in close proximity to) a portion of the path. In such aspects, the method may further include steps to modify or adjust the path so as to select such object, display menu options, retrieve the object along the path, move the user toward the object along the path, and the like.
In another embodiment, a virtual reality (VR) system employs the above discussed interactive control process/service. For example, the VR system includes a network interface to communicate in a communication network, a processor coupled to the network interface and adapted to execute one or more processes, and a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor. The process, when executed by the processor, is operable to detect movement of a controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment and determine angles of rotation, magnitudes of force (e.g., acceleration), and the like, based on the movement. The VR system further determines a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the movement and projects the path in the VR environment (e.g., displays graphical objects/elements that represent the path, etc.).
In yet another embodiment, a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media includes software or instructions such as an exemplary interactive control process. The software/instructions are executed by a processor, which causes the processor to detect movement of a controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment and determine angles of rotation, magnitudes of force (e.g., acceleration), and the like, based on the movement. The processor also determines a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the movement and projects the path in the VR environment (e.g., displays graphical objects/elements that represent the path, etc.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example Virtual Reality (VR) environment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example VR device/node;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a VR environment, viewed from a third person perspective view of a user;

FIG. 4A illustrates a third person point of view of another VR environment, showing movement of a controller that supports user interaction with and within the VR environment;

FIG. 4B illustrates the third person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 4A, as displayed to a user, showing a path resulting from the movement shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first person point of view by the user in the VR environment, showing the path shown in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 6 illustrates a first person point of view of the VR environment in FIG. 3, showing a path from the user to a position in the VR environment;

FIG. 7 illustrates the first person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 6, showing the path intersecting with an object and selection of the object;

FIG. 8A illustrates a third person point of view of another VR environment, showing movement of two controllers that each support user interaction with and within the VR environment;

FIG. 8B illustrates the third person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 8A, showing a user moving each controller and a respective resultant path;

FIG. 9A illustrates the third person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 8B, showing each path terminating in an anchor point and VR interactions with respect to each anchor point;

FIG. 9B illustrates the third person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 8B, showing each path terminating in an anchor point positioned on a wall surface in the VR environment and optional interactions with respect to each anchor point;

FIG. 10 illustrates a third person point of view of another VR environment, showing a selection path derived from movement of two controllers;

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a third person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 10, showing an initial path resulting by movement of a first controller and an adjustment to the initial path resulting from movement of a second controller;

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a first person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 10, and correspond to the third person point of views shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, respectively; and

FIG. 13 illustrates an example simplified procedure of an interactive control process employed by a VR system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
As discussed in herein, the subject disclosure relates to interactive controls particularly suitable for virtual reality (VR) environments. These interactive controls are employed by simple controllers without requiring complex and often expensive equipment. For example, the interactive controls may include an interactive control process/service that can be employed by simple controllers, head-sets, and/or VR consoles. Such interactive control process may, for example, detect movement of a controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment and includes steps to determine angles of rotation, magnitudes of force (e.g., acceleration), and the like, based on the movement. For example, the interactive control process may map or assign portions of the movement to vectors in a coordinate system and determine a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the vectors (e.g., based on averages, unions, differences, superposition, or other combinations of vectors/vector-elements). The path may be used as a guide to move the user in the 3D environment and/or as a selection tool to select or retrieve objects as discussed in greater detail below.
Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a Virtual Reality (VR) environment 100. VR environment 100 includes various devices, components, sub-components, hardware/software, interfaces, and the like, which collectively operate form a VR system that provides an immersive and interactive simulated experience to a user 105.
As shown, VR environment 100 includes equipment such as a console 110, controller(s) 120, and a headset 125. Console 110 represents centralized hardware/software that communicates with controller 120 and/or headset 125, as well as communicates with various other devices, servers, databases, and the like over a communication network 130 (e.g., the Internet), as is appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Communication network 130 represents a network of devices/nodes interconnected over network interfaces/links/segments/etc. and operable to exchange data such as a data packet 140 and transport data to/from end devices/nodes (e.g., console 110, controller 120, and/or headset 125).
Data packets 140 include network traffic/messages which are exchanged between devices over communication network 130 using predefined network communication protocols such as certain known wired protocols, wireless protocols (e.g., IEEE Std. 802.15.4, WiFi, Bluetooth®, etc.), PLC protocols, or other shared-media protocols where appropriate.
Controller 120 wirelessly communicates with console 110 over network 130, or (in some embodiments) it may be coupled to console 110 over another network (not shown). Controller 120 facilitates user interaction with and within VR environment 100 and is operable to, for example, detect, track, or otherwise monitor movement and biometric information, communicate data signals with headset 125 and console 110, and provide feedback (e.g., tactile, audible, etc.) to a user 105. In this fashion, controller 120 can comprise any number of sensors, gyros, radios, processors, touch detectors, transmitters, receivers, feedback circuitry, and the like.
Headset 125, similar to controller 120, wirelessly communicates with console 110. Headset 125 displays or projects simulated graphical elements that form simulated VR environments to user 105, tracks eye movements, and measure biometric data from user 105.
With respect to the devices discussed above, it is appreciated that certain devices may be adapted to include (or exclude) certain functionality and that the components shown are shown for purposes of discussion, not limitation. As discussed, console 110, controller 120, and headset 125 cooperate to provide an immersive and interactive VR environment to user 105.
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example device 200 that represents one or more devices shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., console 110, controller 120, headset 125, etc.). Device 200 includes one or more network interfaces 210, an input interface 215, a processor 220, and a memory 240 interconnected by a system bus 250.
Network interface(s) 210 contain mechanical, electrical, and signaling circuitry for communicating data between devices over a network such as communication network 130. Input interface 215 includes hardware/software that receives user commands, and detects movement or gestures, and may also be configured to provide user-feedback (e.g., tactile, visual, audio, etc.). For example, input interface 215 can include switches, buttons, accelerometers, sensors, processors, radios, display elements, and the like. Memory 240 comprises a plurality of storage locations that are addressable by processor 220 for storing software programs and data structures associated with the embodiments described herein.
Processor 220 may comprise necessary elements or logic adapted to execute the software programs and manipulate data structures 245. An operating system 242, portions of which are typically resident in memory 240 and executed by processor 220, functionally organizes the device by, inter alia, invoking operations in support of software processes and/or services executing on the device. These software processes and/or services may comprise an illustrative “interactive control” process/service 244. Note that while process/service 244 is shown in centralized memory 240, it may be configured to operate in a distributed network.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other processor and memory types, including various computer-readable media, may be used to store and execute program instructions pertaining to the techniques described herein. Also, while the description illustrates various processes, it is expressly contemplated that various processes may be embodied as modules configured to operate in accordance with the techniques herein (e.g., according to the functionality of a similar process). Further, while the processes have been shown separately, those skilled in the art will appreciate that processes may be routines or modules within other processes. For example, processor 220 can include one or more programmable processors, e.g., microprocessors or microcontrollers, or fixed-logic processors. In the case of a programmable processor, any associated memory, e.g., memory 240, may be any type of tangible processor readable memory, e.g., random access, read-only, etc., that is encoded with or stores instructions that can implement program modules, e.g., a module having interactive control process 244 encoded thereon. Processor 220 can also include a fixed-logic processing device, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a digital signal processor that is configured with firmware comprised of instructions or logic that can cause the processor to perform the functions described herein. Thus, program modules may be encoded in one or more tangible computer readable storage media for execution, such as with fixed logic or programmable logic, e.g., software/computer instructions executed by a processor, and any processor may be a programmable processor, programmable digital logic, e.g., field programmable gate array, or an ASIC that comprises fixed digital logic, or a combination thereof. In general, any process logic may be embodied in a processor or computer readable medium that is encoded with instructions for execution by the processor that, when executed by the processor, are operable to cause the processor to perform the functions described herein.
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a VR environment 300, particularly showing a simulate art gallery from the third person perspective view of user 105. As mentioned, user 105 experiences and interacts with VR environment 300 using headset 125 and controller 120. However, as discussed above, certain challenges arise when designing intuitive and interactive controls for VR environments, such as VR environment 300, especially when designing controls operable by relatively simple and inexpensive controller components—here, controller 120 and/or headset 125. Accordingly, the processes and techniques of this disclosure include improved interactive controls, particularly suitable for VR environments and for such relatively simple and inexpensive controller components.
FIGS. 4A and 4B each illustrate a third person point view of a VR environment 400, and show movement by controller 120 as well as a path resulting from the movement, respectively.
FIG. 4A particularly illustrates movement of controller 120 from a first position to a second position within a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system. The movement of the controller, between the first position and the second position, includes a change in controller orientation or direction, indicated by an angle “α”, as well as a change in acceleration, indicated by a magnitude of a corresponding vector. With respect to corresponding vectors, the first position and the second position of controller 120 are represented in vector form—i.e., vector 120′ and vector 120″—which include a respective direction and magnitude, where the magnitude represents a force measured at the respective position. In this fashion, controller 120 monitors and measures changes in orientation, position, angular momentum, acceleration, and the like, and further performs or executes the interactive control processes/services (e.g., interactive control process 244), as described herein.
FIG. 4B particularly shows a path 440 that results from the movement of controller 120 from the first position to the second position. Path 440 originates at a current location of user 105, follows an arc (which is determined by a change in angle α over time), ends at a terminal location indicated by an anchor point 445 (a graphical display element (“X”)), and is projected to user 105 by headset 125. Path 440 can represent a travel path that guides movement of user 105 in the VR environment and/or it can represent a selection path that selects objects intersecting therewith.
In operation, controller 120 detects movement from the first position to the second position, determines an angle of rotation (α) based on the movement, and determines a magnitude of force (e.g., an acceleration force, etc.) associated with the movement and/or the respective positions. Controller 120 further determines a path in the VR environment—here, path 440—that corresponds to the angle of rotation and the magnitude of force and headset 125 projects the path to user 105 in the VR environment. While the foregoing operations are described with respect to specific devices/controllers it is appreciated that any combination of devices may perform the same or substantially similar functionality.
FIG. 5 illustrates a first person point view of VR environment 400, viewed from the perspective of user 105 wearing headset 125. Here, VR environment 400 is illustrated with a grid pattern that represents a coordinate system overlaying a bounding plane or surface (e.g., a ground surface).
As discussed, the movement of controller 120 from the first position to the second position may be mapped into a 3D coordinate system where vectors represent respective direction and magnitude at each position. The 3D coordinate system may further include a real-world coordinate system and/or a VR environment coordinate system. With respect to the real-world coordinate system, additional processing may be needed to translate the movement and calculate the path resulting therefrom into the VR environment coordinate system.
As shown here, path 440 is represented by a graphical dash line that terminates in a 3D graphical “X” element, which represents anchor point 445, and controller 120 is represented by a 3D graphical controller element. Collectively, these graphical components/elements show an exemplary a first person perspective view of user 105 within VR environment 400. As mentioned, path 440 is calculated, in part, from changes in controller orientation as well as changes in force (e.g., acceleration). In one embodiment, path 440 represents a curved path or an arcing path and may be generated by a simulated casting motion similar to casting, for example, a fishing line. The distance and direction of the curved path are derived by the above mentioned changes in controller orientation/force, as is appreciated by those skilled in the art. Notably, in some embodiments, the casting motion may operate in conjunction with other input controls (e.g., button press/release/etc.) to indicate the user's intention to generate path 440 in environment 400.
FIG. 6 illustrates a first person point of view of VR environment 300, particularly from the perspective of user 105. Here, user 105 moved controller 120 from the first position to the second position (as discussed above), and controller 120 (and/or other hardware components) determined a resultant a path—i.e., path 440—which is displayed to user 105 by headset 125. Path 440 represents a travel path in VR environment 300 that guides movement of user 105 from a current position to the anchor point 445. Notably, in FIG. 6, path 440 moves user 105 closer to an interactive object 605—i.e., a painting. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, user 105 may provide additional input to prompt subsequent movement along path 440 in VR environment 300. Such subsequent movement along the path may be graphically projected/animated for user 105 by headset 125, as is appreciated by those skilled in the art.
FIG. 7 illustrates the first person point of view of VR environment 300 in FIG. 6, further showing path 440 intersecting interactive object 605. In addition to calculating a path based on the movement of controller 120, the interactive control process or techniques (e.g., interactive control process 244) may incorporate object intersection processes that detect an intersection (or collision) between portions of the path and objects in the VR environment. Alternatively (or in addition), the intersection may include fuzzy logic to detects proximate intersection/collision as well as actual intersection. Here, the interactive control process determines portions of path 440 intersect (or are proximate to intersection) with interactive object 605. Due to such intersection (or proximate intersection), path 440 may be modified to help user 105 select interactive object 605 and/or call up additional menu options (example options include “add”, “adjust”, “full screen”, “zoom”, “crop”, and the like). In addition, VR environment 300 also provides a selection element or border 715 that indicates selection of interactive object 605.
Here, path 440 represents a selection path that selects interactive object 605. The selection path may guide movement between the user and the selected object in the VR environment and/or the selection path may retrieve the selected object to the user (e.g., move the object from its current location to a current location of the user). As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, user 105 may provide additional input to prompt subsequent movement of the user and/or the object in VR environment 300.
FIG. 8A illustrates a third person point of view of another VR environment, showing movement of two controllers that each support user interaction with and within the VR environment;
FIGS. 8A and 8B each illustrate a third person point view of a VR environment 800, where FIG. 8A shows movement by two controllers—controller 120 and a controller 820—in a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system and FIG. 8B shows respective paths resulting from the movements. The movement of controller 120 in FIGS. 8A and 8B is the same as the movement of controller 120 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, discussed above. Accordingly, discussion with respect to FIGS. 8A and 8B below focuses on a second controller—controller 820—and its movement.
FIG. 8A specifically illustrates controller 120 movement from a first position to a second position and controller 820 movement from a respective first position to a second position. The respective movements of each controller include a change in controller orientation or direction, indicated by an angle “α” (for controller 120) or angle “β” (for controller 820), as well as respective changes in acceleration, indicated by corresponding vectors.
With respect to corresponding vectors, in addition to vectors 120′ and 120″ which correspond to controller 120, FIG. 8A also provides vectors 820′ and 820″, which correspond to the first position and the second position of controller 820 and show directions and magnitudes. As discussed above, the magnitude represents a force measured at a respective position.
FIG. 8B particularly shows paths resulting from the respective movements of each controller. Specifically, in addition to path 440 (corresponding to controller 120), FIG. 8B also illustrates a path 840 that originates at a current location of user 105, follows an arc (which is determined by a change in angle β over time), ends at a terminal location indicated by an anchor point 845 (a graphical display element (“X”)), and is projected to user 105 by headset 125. Path 840, similar to path 440, can represent a travel path that guides movement of user 105 in the VR environment and/or it can represent a selection path that selects objects intersecting therewith.
In operation, controllers 120, 820 detect respective movements, determine an angle of rotation (α, β) based on the movement, and determine a magnitude of force (e.g., an acceleration force, etc.) associated with the movement and/or the respective positions. Controllers 120, 820 further determine a respective path in the VR environment— path 440, 840—that corresponds to the respective angles of rotation and magnitudes of force.
FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the third person point of view of the VR environment of FIG. 8B, showing each path terminating in respective anchor points and corresponding VR interactions. In particular, FIG. 9A illustrates path 440 and path 840 as a straight line that intersects user 105 and respective anchor points 445, 845 positioned on a ground surface, while FIG. 9B illustrates path 440 and path 840 as a straight line that intersects user 105 and respective anchor points 445, 845 positioned on a wall surface in VR environment 800.
As discussed above, the paths 440, 840 may represent travel paths to guide movement of user 105 in the VR environment. While embodiments having one controller and one travel path (as well as corresponding interactive operations) are discussed above, here, a synergy exists between multiple paths—i.e., path 440 and path 840—that supports further interactive operations. In particular, an analogy may be made to operating a kite with two strings, whereby each path represents one string (or a cable) and the kite is represented by a fixed bounding surface (a ground surface in FIG. 9A and a wall surface in FIG. 9B). In addition, an axis of rotation 940 a may be defined between terminal or anchor points 445, 845. In operation, user 105 may control his movement relative to the anchor points (on the ground surface) and input corresponding tugging or pulling motions/gestures into controllers 120, 820. The tugging or pulling motions, which are detected by each controller, cooperate and can move user 105 along/between paths 440, 840. In addition, such motions (and/or other defined motions) can rotate or adjust an orientation of user about axis 940 a with respect to VR environment 800.
FIG. 10 illustrates a third person point of view of another VR environment, showing a selection path 1040 derived from movements by controller 120 and controller 820. Here, selection path 1040 can represent a superposition of path 440 and path 840, where portions of both paths cancel and other portions aggregate. Alternatively (or in addition), selection path 1040 may also represent an average, a difference, a union, or some other combination of paths 440 and 840, as is appreciated by those skilled in the art. Moreover, as mentioned above, the interactive control process (employed in conjunction with two controllers) may also incorporate object intersection/collision processes that detect an intersection (or a location proximate to the intersection) between an object (an interactive object 1005) and the selection path derived from movement of both controllers. In some embodiments, similar to those discussed above, the selection path 1040 may represent a travel path that terminates in an anchor point 1045 for guiding movement of user 105 in VR environment 1000.
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a third person point of view of VR environment 1000, showing an initial path (path 440) resulting by movement of controller 120 (FIG. 11A) and an adjustment to the initial path resulting from movement of controller 820 (FIG. 11B). Collectively, FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate additional functionality of the interactive control processes where user 105 moves controller 120 to generate a path 440 (discussed in greater detail above) and moves controller 820 to adjust or fine-tune aspects of path 440 (e.g., adjust a direction, magnitude, orientation, etc.). For example, as shown, path 440 is generated in FIG. 11A and is located at an initial distance from user 105. User 105 further moves and/or rotates controller 820 in FIG. 11B to adjust path 440—e.g., move anchor point 445 closer to a current location of user 105.
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a first person point of view of FIGS. 11A and 11B, respectively. Here, VR environment 1000 shows a library with a number of books arranged on shelves. User 105 moves controller 120 (FIG. 12A) to generate path 440, which terminates on/near authors of books beginning with “mo . . . ”. User 105 further moves controller 820 (indicated by a side arrow) to modify, adjust, or otherwise move path 440 so it terminates on/near authors of books beginning with “ma . . . ”. In this fashion, one controller may be used to generate a travel/selection path while a second controller may be used to fine-tune or otherwise adjust the travel/selection path.
FIG. 13 illustrates an example simplified procedure 1300 of an interactive control process employed by a VR system (or components thereof). Procedure 1300 begins at step 1305 and continues to steps 1310 and 1315, where, as described in greater detail above, a VR system detects movement of a first controller (e.g., controller 120) and a second controller (e.g., controller 820). The VR system further determines, at step 1320, for each movement, respective angles of rotation, magnitudes of force applied, accelerations, and the like. Based on the foregoing determinations, the VR system maps, in step 1325, each movement to one or more vectors in a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system.
The VR system also determines, in step 1330, a path for the VR environment that corresponds to the one or more vectors (e.g., angles of rotation, magnitudes of force, etc.). For example, the VR system can derive the path based on an average, differences, summations, or other combinations of the vectors, which correspond to respective angles of rotation, magnitudes of forces (changes of force over time), etc., as is appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Procedure 1300 continues to step 1335 where, as discussed above, the VR system detects an intersection between portions of the path and an object in the VR environment and selects the object. As mentioned, selecting the object may further cause the object to be indicated as selected (e.g., a bounding box), display menu options associated with the object, retrieving or moving the object to a current position of the user or moving the user toward the object. The VR system further projects (e.g., using headset 125) the path in the VR environment such as the figures illustrate for paths 440/830.
Procedure 1300 subsequently ends at step 1345, but may begin again at step 1310 where it detects movement of the first controller. Collectively, the steps in procedure 1300 describe interactive control processes and techniques particularly suitable for VR environments without requiring expensive and often complex equipment. It should be noted that certain steps within procedures 1300 may be optional, and further, the steps shown in FIG. 13 are merely examples for illustration. Certain other steps may be included or excluded as desired. Further, while a particular order of the steps is shown and executed from the perspective of a particular device or system, this ordering is merely illustrative, and any suitable arrangement of the steps and/or any number of systems, platforms, or devices may be utilized without departing from the scope of the embodiments herein.
The techniques described herein, therefore, provide interactive control processes that compliment immersive simulated VR environments without requiring expensive and complex equipment. These interactive controls define simple and intuitive gestures that quickly and efficiently learned by any user.
While there have been shown and described illustrative embodiments of the interactive control processes for VR environments, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the embodiments herein. For example, the embodiments and certain functionality have been shown and described herein with relation to certain systems, platforms, hardware, devices, and modules. However, the embodiments in their broader sense are not as limited, and may, in fact, be employed in non-VR environments as well as employed by any combination of the devices or components discussed herein.
The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. For instance, it is expressly contemplated that the components and/or elements described herein can be implemented as software being stored on a tangible (non-transitory) computer-readable medium, devices, and memories (e.g., disks/CDs/RAM/EEPROM/etc.) having program instructions executing on a computer, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. Further, methods describing the various functions and techniques described herein can be implemented using computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwise available from computer readable media. Such instructions can comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, or source code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store instructions, information used, and/or information created during methods according to described examples include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, and so on. In addition, devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprise hardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety of form factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops, smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digital assistants, and so on. Functionality described herein also can be embodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality can also be implemented on a circuit board among different chips or different processes executing in a single device, by way of further example. Instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computing resources for executing them, and other structures for supporting such computing resources are means for providing the functions described in these disclosures. Accordingly this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments herein.

Claims

1. A method for interactive control, the method comprising:

detecting a first movement of a first controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment;

determining an angle of rotation based on the first movement;

determining a magnitude of force associated with the first movement;

determining a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the angle of rotation and the magnitude of force;

projecting the path in the VR environment

detecting a second movement of a second controller associated with the VR environment; and

adjusting the path based on the second movement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first movement of the first controller includes movement from a first position to a second position, and wherein determining the angle of rotation further comprises:

mapping the first position to a first vector in a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system;

mapping the second position to a second vector in the 3D coordinate system; and

determining the angle of rotation based on a difference between the first vector and the second vector.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the magnitude of force is based on the difference between the first vector and the second vector.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising animating movement by a perspective view associated with a user in the VR environment along at least a portion of the path.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting an object in the VR environment that intersects with at least a portion of the path.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising moving the object along the path toward a current location of a perspective view associated with a user in the VR environment.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying menu options associated with the object.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the path in the VR environment further comprises:

determining a distance for the path in the VR environment based on the magnitude of force; and

determining a direction for the path in the VR environment based on the angle of rotation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the path in the VR environment further comprises:

setting an anchor point on a bounding surface of the VR environment at a location proximate to an intersection of the path and the bounding surface; and

adjusting a position of a perspective view associated with a user or an orientation of the perspective view in the VR environment relative to an axis that traverses at least a point of the perspective view in the VR environment and the anchor point.

10. (canceled)

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the angle of rotation is a first angle of rotation, and the magnitude of force is a first magnitude of force, and further comprising:

determining a second angle of rotation based on the second movement; and

determining a second magnitude of force based on the second movement; wherein determining the path is based on an average, a union, or a super position between a first path that corresponds to the first angle of rotation and the first magnitude of force and a second path that corresponds to the second angle of rotation and the second magnitude of force.

12. A virtual reality (VR) system for interactive control, the system comprising:

a network interface that communicates in a communication network;

a processor coupled to the network interface and adapted to execute one or more processes; and

a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process executable to:

detect a first movement of a first controller associated with a virtual reality (VR) environment;

determine an angle of rotation based on the first movement;

determine a magnitude of force associated with the first movement;

determine a path in the VR environment that corresponds to the angle of rotation and the magnitude of force;

project the path in the VR environment;

detect a second movement of a second controller associated with the VR environment; and

adjust the path based on the second movement.

13. The VR system of claim 12, wherein the first movement of the first controller includes movement from a first position to a second position, wherein the process to determine the angle of rotation is further executable to:

map the first position to a first vector in a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system;

map the second position to a second vector in the 3D coordinate system; and

determine the angle of rotation based on a difference between the first vector and the second vector.

14. The VR system of claim 13, wherein the process to determine the magnitude of force is further executable to determine the magnitude of force based on the difference between the first vector and the second vector.

15. The VR system of claim 12, wherein the process is further executable to animate movement by a perspective view associated with a user in the VR environment along at least a portion of the path.

16. The VR system of claim 12, wherein the process is further executable to:

select an object in the VR environment that intersects with at least a portion of the path;

move the object along the path toward a current location of a perspective view associated with a user in the VR environment; and

display menu options associated with the object.

17. The VR system of claim 12, wherein the process to determine the path is further executable to:

set an anchor point on a bounding surface of the VR environment at a location proximate to an intersection of the path and the bounding surface; and

adjust a position of a perspective view associated with a user or an orientation of the perspective view in the VR environment relative to an axis that traverses at least a point of the perspective view in the VR environment and the anchor point.

18. (canceled)

19. The VR system of claim 12, wherein the angle of rotation is a first angle of rotation, and the magnitude of force is a first magnitude of force, and wherein the process is further executable to:

determine a second angle of rotation based on the second movement; and

determine a second magnitude of force based on the second movement; and wherein the process to determine the path is based on an average, a union, or a super position between a first path that corresponds to the first angle of rotation and the first magnitude of force and a second path that corresponds to the second angle of rotation and the second magnitude of force.

20. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage media having software encoded thereon, the software executable by a processor to perform a method for interactive control, the method comprising:

determining an angle of rotation based on the first movement;

determining a magnitude of force associated with the first movement;

projecting the path in the VR environment;

adjusting the path based on the second movement.