Virtual reality system locomotion interface utilizing a pressure-sensing mat attached to movable base structure

[0001] This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,095 entitled VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM LOCOMOTION INTERFACE UTILIZING A PRESSURE-SENSING MAT filed on Apr. 17, 2002, and as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/045,052 entitled VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM LOCOMOTION INTERFACE UTILIZING A PRESSURE-SENSING MAT filed on Jan. 15, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/306,854, filed Jul. 23, 2001. The content of each of the above identified applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to virtual reality systems that can be used to fully immerse a user in virtual space.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Virtual reality is a computer-generated environment in which a user is immersed. Actions of the user are translated by a computer into inputs that effect the virtual environment (VE). Virtual reality systems may stimulate naturally occurring senses, such as sight, sound, touch and movement, so that a user can navigate through a virtual environment as if in the real world.

[0006] A major challenge to virtual reality system designers is to design a virtual reality system that allows natural human locomotion. Previous virtual reality systems that allow the user to move naturally require complex and expensive equipment. Other virtual reality systems abandon the concept of natural human locomotion, using simple hardware that allow the user to navigate through the virtual environment with artificial gestures, such as flying in the virtual space in the direction the user's finger is pointing.

[0007] Known virtual reality systems include treadmill devices that track the user's movement on the treadmill. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,572 to Carmein. Although these treadmill devices allow movement in the user's upright position, they do not allow movement in the user's prone position. They also cannot sense whether the user is in the standing, crawling or prone position. Further, these treadmill devices are often mechanically complicated, and are thus encumbered by the inherent lag times and momentum problems associated with moving mechanical masses.

[0008] Other known virtual reality systems allow the user to move in the prone position, but sacrifice natural motion. For example, one known device includes a simple foot-pedal interface, similar to the accelerator of an automobile. The foot-pedal allows the user to move forward or backward, depending on where the user presses the foot-pedal. In this system, the user always moves toward the center of the field of view, and the field of view is rotated if the user turns his head past a certain angle. Although this system allows a user to navigate from any posture, the user must be in constant contact with the foot-pedal to navigate. It also does not enable the user to move naturally.

[0009] In various exemplary embodiments, the virtual reality system according to one aspect of this invention includes a pressure-sensing mat that outputs signals indicative of a user's position in real space. A virtual reality processor uses the signals output by the pressure-sensing mat to produce an output indicative of the virtual space corresponding to the user's position and movement in real space. A display device uses the output from the virtual reality processor to allow the user to be fully immersed in the virtual space.

[0010] In various exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensing mat includes a base layer, a plurality of pressure sensing elements formed over the base layer, and a top layer formed over the plurality of pressure-sensing elements. The plurality of pressure sensing elements output a signal indicative of pressure applied to the top layer.

[0011] In various exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensing mat having a base layer is part of a large enclosed structure that is fixed in a first position but rotatebly movable in a second position such that it moves under a user's body as the user moves in virtual space.

[0012] In various exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensing mat having a base layer attached to an enclosed structure rotatebly movable about a second position allows the user to move in one or more of at least a forward moving position, a backward moving position, a left side moving position, a right side moving position and a position therebetween.

[0013] This invention provides a virtual reality system that has a simple design and that allows a user to move naturally in any direction from any posture (e.g., standing, crawling, prone). The virtual reality system according to this invention has many advantages over previous virtual reality systems. The enhanced flexibility of the various exemplary embodiments of the system according to this invention allows a user to move forward, backward, or sideways from a prone, crawling or standing position. Thus, the virtual reality system according to this invention has many applications, such as, for example, enhanced military training, realistic video game environments, and a broad range of medical and therapeutic applications.

[0014] These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a virtual reality system according to this invention. The virtual reality system 1 includes a pressure sensing mat 100, a virtual reality (VR) processor 200, and a display 400. It should be appreciated that the various exemplary embodiments of the virtual reality system according to this invention can have any number and configuration of components that use a pressure sensing mat to sense the user's movement in order to generate a virtual environment.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the pressure sensing mat 100 according to this invention. The pressure sensing mat 100 includes a semi-rigid base layer 120. Any suitable material can be used for the base layer 120, such as, for example, plastic, hardwood, and polycarbonate (lexan). A grid 140 (i.e., a two-dimensional array) of pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n is formed over the base layer 120. A top layer 160 is formed over the grid 140. Any suitable layer can be used for the top layer 160, such as, for example, rubber, natural rubber, buna's rubber, and fabric reinforced negro rubber, is preferred.

[0024] In various exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensing mat 100 may include a pressure sensing mat input interface 170 having one or more communication interfaces 175 to communicate with the VR processor 200 and/or display 400. The pressure sensing mat input interface 170 can receive analog voltage signals from the pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n. The pressure sensing mat input interface 170 can include an analog to digital converter that converts the analog voltage signals to digital signals. The pressure sensing mat input interface 170 can use the one or more communication interfaces 175, such as, for example, the radio-frequency communication interfaces 175, to transmit the digital signals from the pressure sensing mat to the VR processor and/or the display 400.

[0025] In various exemplary embodiments, the radio-frequency communication interface 175 includes at least one of Bluetoothe®—type communication interface, a short range FM transmitter, a 802.11 transmitter, an 802.11 g transmitter, and the like.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, pressure-sensing mat input interface 170 and communication interface 175 are embedded within the pressure sensing mat layers 120, 160. The one or more communication interfaces 175 may include devices employing any type of communication modalities, such as, for example, electrical and electromagnetic communication modalities. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more communication interfaces 175 is a radio-frequency communication interface.

[0027] The pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n of the grid 140 detect the pressure applied to fixed points on the top layer 160 of the pressure sensing mat 100. Any suitable pressure sensing device can be used for the pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n, such as, for example, electromechanical pressure sensors. In general, any known or later discovered pressure sensing device can be used for the pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n include force sensitive resistors. As is known in the art, force sensitive resistors include elements that act as simple voltage dividers. FIG. 3 shows one exemplary embodiment of a pressure sensitive resistor 180 usable with the various exemplary embodiments of the virtual reality system according to this invention. The pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n include corresponding pressure sensitive resistors 180-1 to 180-n. Each pressure sensitive resistor 180 includes an upper film 181, a lower film 182, a first electrode pattern 183 formed over the lower film 182, a second electrode pattern 184 formed over the upper film 181 so as to oppose the electrode pattern 183, and a pressure-sensitive conductor 185 formed over the second electrode pattern 184. When the upper film 181 is pressed, the pressure sensitive conductor 185 is compressed between the first and second electrode patterns. As is known in the art, the resistance of the pressure sensitive conductor 185 is lowered when compressed. Accordingly, voltage output of the pressure sensitive resistor 180 will vary with applied pressure. For more details of a pressure-sensitive resistor, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,990, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the equivalent circuit of the pressure sensing mat 100. The voltage outputs Vout-1 to Vout-n correspond to respective pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n that make up the grid 140. A user applies pressure to points on the pressure sensing mat 100 as the user navigates through the virtual reality environment. The applied pressures alter the resistance of the pressure sensitive resistors 180-1 to 180-n, and thus the voltage output of each of the corresponding pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n varies as the user moves. The grid 140 produces a voltage output that can be analyzed to generate a pattern that shadows the user's movements in the virtual space.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the virtual reality processor 200. The virtual reality processor includes a controller 210, a memory 220 (including RAM and ROM, for example), a pattern generation device 230, a motion identification device 240, a virtual environment rendering device 250, an input interface 260, and an output interface 270. The input interface may include a communication interface 265, for example a radio-frequency communication interface 265, similar to the pressure sensing mat communication interface 165 discussed above.

[0031] The controller 210 interfaces with the other components 220-270 using a control/data bus 280. Although the exemplary virtual reality processor 200 uses a bussed architecture, it should be appreciated that the exemplary virtual reality processor 200 can use any known or later developed architectures, including ASIC, a programmed general purpose computer, discrete logic devices, etc.

[0032] Under control of the controller 210, the input interface 260 can receive digital or analog voltage signals from the pressure sensing elements 150-1 to 150-n using the communication interface 265. In cases where the input interface 260 receives analog voltage signals, the input interface 260 can include an analog to digital converter that converts the analog voltage signals to digital signals. The input interface 260 can input the digital signals to the memory 22.0 for storage. Alternatively, the input interface 260 can use the radio-frequency communication interface 265 to input the digital signals into memory 220

[0033] Next, the controller 210 can provide the digital signals stored in the memory 220 to the pattern generation device 230. The pattern generation device 230 samples the digital signals stored in the memory 220 at regular intervals and generates a pattern based on the digital signals at the regular intervals. The patterns generated by the pattern generation device 230 represent various positions of the user on the pressure sensing mat 100.

[0034] The controller 210 transfers the patterns generated by the pattern generation device 230 to the motion identification device 240. The motion identification device 240 can include a pattern recognition device (not shown) that identifies a given pattern with a corresponding position of the user. The pattern recognition device can identify a pattern by comparing the pattern with a database of patterns stored in the memory 220. The pattern recognition device can also recognize the pattern based on the size, shape and/or pressure distribution of the pattern. For example, if the pattern is larger than a predetermined threshold size, the pattern recognition device will recognize the pattern as a “prone user position” pattern. Similarly, if the mat outputs signals indicative of two patterns of a similar size that alternately move, the processor determines that the user is upright (e.g., walking, running or standing (if the two patterns do not move)). If more than two smaller moving patterns are detected, the user is determined to be crawling. The patterns stored in the memory 220 can provide examples for a neural network to learn how to identify different patterns.

[0035] Based on the posture and directional information determined by the processor, the virtual environment (i.e., the displaying image) is appropriately altered.

[0036] A series of user positions identified by the pattern recognition device can be stored in the memory 220 during fixed intervals as the user navigates through the virtual environment. Preferably, the centroid of each of the patterns in the series of patterns is tracked as the user moves on the pressure sensing mat 100. The motion identification device 240 can sample the series of user positions at the end of the fixed intervals and identify the motion of the user during the fixed intervals based on the series of user positions. The motion includes, for example, direction (forward, backward, left, right, etc.) and speed. The patterns also can be analyzed to determine the posture (standing, crawling, prone) of the user.

[0037] The direction that the user is facing is determined by a sensor that can be directly attached to the user. In embodiments, the sensor can be a magnetic tracker attached to the user's waist that determines the direction the waist is facing. The virtual reality system according to this invention provides significant advantages over known virtual reality systems in that only a single sensor needs to be directly attached to the user. Thus, the user is relatively free from cumbersome sensor wiring and devices.

[0038] The controller 210 can transpose the motion of the user into the virtual environment generated by the virtual environment rendering device 250. Data for the virtual environment, including virtual objects, can be stored in the memory 220. The virtual environment rendering device 250 can update the virtual environment at given intervals based on the data stored in the memory 220. The virtual environment rendering device 250 can update the virtual space each time the user's motion is identified. Thus, as the user moves through the virtual space, the user can effect, and can be effected by, the virtual environment. For example, as the user navigates through the virtual space, the user's perspective in the virtual space can change, virtual objects can enter the user's path, and the user can move virtual objects.

[0039] The controller 210 can control the output interface 270 to output virtual reality environment data to the display 400. Although the display 400 is shown in FIG. 1 as a head-mounted display, any known or later discovered display can be used. Preferably, the display provides the user with the ability to see, hear, smell and/or touch in the virtual world so that the user is fully immersed in the virtual space.

[0040] In various exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensing mat 100 may be as large as required to allow the user to move as if the user was in the virtual space. For example, the pressure sensing mat 100 can be made to cover the floor of a large field or room. Alternatively, if space is limited, the pressure sensing mat 100 can be made smaller, in which case the user would be required to move in a bounded area or move “in place”.

[0041] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensing mat, which may include a base layer, is part of a large enclosed structure. The enclosed structure is fixed in a first position but rotatebly movable in a second position such that it moves under a user's body as the user moves in virtual space. In this exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensing mat allows the user to move in one or more of at least a forward moving position, a backward moving position, a left side moving position, a right side moving position and a position therebetween.

[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of a locomotion interface 300 according to an embodiment of this invention including a pressure sensing mat 305 wrapped around a spheroid base 330.

[0043] The pressure sensing mat 100 can be arranged on a movable structure, such as, for example in the form of a tread-mill. Various other movable structures may be employed in addition to the tread-mill-type structures. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure sensing mat 305 includes a base layer 310, a grid 315 of pressure sensing elements 320-1 to 320-n formed over the base layer 310, and a top layer 325 formed over the grid 315. The pressure sensing mat 305 further includes an input interface 370 having one or more communication interfaces 375. The input interface 370 together with the one or more communication interfaces 375 may be formed between base layer 310 and top layer 325 of the pressure-sensing mat 305. The pressure sensing mat 305 can be held on to the surface of the spheroid base 330 by its own elasticity, thus making the contact between the spheroid base 330 and the pressure sensing mat 305 relatively frictionless.

[0044] The locomotion interface 300 includes a housing 335 that retains the pressure sensing mat 305 and the spheroid base 330. Passive casters 385 can be mounted in the housing 335 to allow the pressure sensing mat 305 to move freely in all directions in the housing 335.

[0045] In this embodiment, the locomotion interface 300 must have the capability of allowing a user to feel as if he/she can move in all directions for an “infinite” distance. Thus, the pressure sensing mat 305 must be able to move underneath the user as the user “moves” in the virtual environment. However, although the pressure sensing mat 305 moves with little friction on the spheroid base 330, the mass of the pressure sensing mat 305 will not allow the user to propel the pressure sensing mat 305 underneath him/herself as the user moves. Thus, in this embodiment, the pressure sensing mat 305 is mechanically actuated to move underneath a user. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a steerable roller 340 is disposed in the housing 335, and the steerable roller is in frictional contact with the pressure sensing mat 305. The roller 340 is steerable about a first axis 350 and a second axis 360. The first axis 350 is perpendicular to the second axis 360. A first motor 345 powers the roller 340 about the first axis 350, and a second motor 355 powers the roller 340 about the second axis 360. The thrust vectors generated by the roller 340 cause the pressure sensing mat 305 to slide around the spheroid base 330 in all directions.

[0046] A sensor (not shown) can be placed above the locomotion interface 300 to sense the direction in which the user is facing. The sensed user direction can then be used to determine the appropriate thrust vector to be generated by the roller 340, to thereby move the pressure sensing mat 305 underneath the user. For example, if the sensor determines that the user is facing a first direction, the roller 340 can be controlled to create a thrust vector in the first direction to thereby move the pressure sensing mat underneath the user in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0047] The roller 340, casters 385 and other mechanical parts of the locomotion interface 300 may interfere with accurate pressure sensing by the pressure sensing mat 305. Further, the pressure sensing mat 305 will be moving underneath the user as the user “moves” in the virtual environment, which will also diminish the accuracy of the pressure sensing. In order to solve these problems, when the user first steps on the pressure sensing mat 305, an initialization procedure can be done in which the users position on the pressure sensing mat 305 is determined.

[0048] The virtual reality system 1 can be implemented as software executing on a programmed general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor or the like.

[0049] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary embodiments or constructions. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various elements of the exemplary embodiments are shown in various combinations and configurations, which are exemplary, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the invention.