20240029329. Mitigation of Animation Disruption in Artificial Reality simplified abstract (Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC)

Mitigation of Animation Disruption in Artificial Reality

Organization Name

Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC

Inventor(s)

William Arthur Hugh Steptoe of London (GB)

Michael James Lebeau of Amsterdam (NL)

Alisa Kurt of Hackney (GB)

Raphael Guilleminot of Romainville (FR)

Mitigation of Animation Disruption in Artificial Reality - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240029329 titled 'Mitigation of Animation Disruption in Artificial Reality

Simplified Explanation

The technology described in this patent application aims to address disruptions in avatar display in an artificial reality environment caused by user tracking losses. It proposes the use of an artificial reality device to continuously determine contextual characteristics of the user that correspond to the positioning of different parts of their body in relation to each other and/or real-world objects.

• The technology can identify a user state, which represents a contextual characteristic occurring during a tracking interruption, and defines the user's bodily configuration with respect to real-world objects at the time of the interruption.
• Based on an assigned avatar pose corresponding to the user state, the technology can animate the avatar to the assigned pose when the interruption occurs.
• Upon regaining tracking of the user's pose, the technology immediately resumes animation from that pose.

Potential applications of this technology:

• Virtual reality gaming: This technology can enhance the immersive experience of virtual reality games by ensuring smooth and uninterrupted avatar animations even in cases of temporary tracking losses.
• Virtual meetings and collaboration: In virtual meeting platforms or collaborative virtual environments, this technology can prevent disruptions in avatar movements caused by tracking issues, allowing for seamless interactions between users.
• Training and simulations: In virtual training scenarios or simulations, maintaining consistent avatar animations can contribute to a more realistic and effective learning experience.

Problems solved by this technology:

• Disruptions in avatar display: Losses in user tracking can lead to jarring interruptions in avatar animations, which can negatively impact the user's immersion and experience in the artificial reality environment. This technology mitigates such disruptions by animating the avatar to an assigned pose during tracking interruptions.
• Inconsistent user representation: When user tracking is temporarily lost, the avatar may freeze or exhibit unnatural movements, which can be distracting and reduce the sense of presence in the virtual environment. This technology ensures that the avatar maintains a consistent pose during tracking interruptions, improving the overall user experience.

Benefits of this technology:

• Enhanced user immersion: By seamlessly animating the avatar to an assigned pose during tracking interruptions, this technology helps maintain the user's sense of presence and immersion in the artificial reality environment.
• Improved user experience: Minimizing disruptions in avatar display contributes to a smoother and more enjoyable user experience, allowing users to focus on their interactions and activities within the virtual environment.
• Increased realism: Consistent avatar animations, even during tracking interruptions, contribute to a more realistic representation of the user in the artificial reality environment, enhancing the overall realism of the experience.

Original Abstract Submitted

technology described herein is directed to mitigating avatar display disruption, in an artificial reality environment, resulting from losses in user tracking. the technology can use an artificial reality device to continually determine contextual characteristics of the user that can correspond to placements of one or more portions of the user's body with respect to another portion thereof and/or one or more real-world objects. a user state, corresponding to a contextual characteristic occurring at a time of an interruption in the tracking, can define a bodily configuration of the user that can be with respect to the one or more real-world objects when the interruption occurs. the technology can, according to an avatar pose assigned to the user state, animate the avatar to the assigned pose when the interruption occurs and immediately reinitiate animation from that pose upon regaining tracking of the user's pose.