FECTAR B.V. (20240265640). METHOD FOR GENERATING A 3D-HEATMAP FOR DISPLAYING A USER'S INTEREST IN A VIRTUAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT simplified abstract
METHOD FOR GENERATING A 3D-HEATMAP FOR DISPLAYING A USER'S INTEREST IN A VIRTUAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Laurentius Gerardus Adrianus Lensvelt of 's-Hertogenbosch (NL)
Eugène Aloys Adriaan Kuipers-hoogveld of Vught (NL)
METHOD FOR GENERATING A 3D-HEATMAP FOR DISPLAYING A USER'S INTEREST IN A VIRTUAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240265640 titled 'METHOD FOR GENERATING A 3D-HEATMAP FOR DISPLAYING A USER'S INTEREST IN A VIRTUAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT
The invention pertains to a method for creating a 3D heatmap to display a user's interest in a virtual object, typically found in an augmented reality setting. The method involves generating a virtual 3D environment with a virtual 3D object, positioning a virtual camera within the environment, providing display means for showing captured images, and control means for user interaction. During user-controlled camera movement, the method calculates points of intersection with the virtual object's surface, storing the time spent at each point. After user interaction, a 3D heatmap is generated on the object's surface based on accumulated viewing time, indicating user interest levels.
- Generating a virtual 3D environment with a virtual object and camera
- Calculating points of intersection with the object's surface during user-controlled camera movement
- Storing accumulated viewing time at each intersection point
- Generating a 3D heatmap on the object's surface post-user interaction
- Displaying user interest levels through different colors on the heatmap
Potential Applications: - Market research to understand user preferences - Educational tools for tracking student engagement - Product development to analyze consumer interest - Virtual tours for showcasing specific features
Problems Solved: - Lack of insight into user behavior in virtual environments - Difficulty in identifying user preferences in augmented reality settings
Benefits: - Enhanced understanding of user interaction with virtual objects - Improved decision-making for marketing and product development - Real-time feedback on user engagement levels
Commercial Applications: Title: "Enhancing User Engagement Analysis in Virtual Environments" This technology can be utilized in industries such as marketing, education, product development, and virtual tours to optimize user experiences and tailor offerings based on user preferences.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the 3D heatmap accurately represent user interest levels? The 3D heatmap is generated based on accumulated viewing time at specific points of intersection on the virtual object's surface, providing a visual representation of user engagement levels.
2. What are the key advantages of using a 3D heatmap in virtual environments? A 3D heatmap allows for quick visualization of user interest patterns, enabling marketers, developers, and educators to make informed decisions based on user behavior data.
Original Abstract Submitted
the invention relates to a method for generating a 3d-heatmap for displaying a user's interest in a virtual object, typically an object in an augmented reality scene. the method comprises the steps of: —generating a virtual 3d-environment with a virtual 3d-object positioned in said virtual 3d-environment, the virtual 3d-object having a virtual 3d-surface; —providing a virtual camera movable within said virtual 3d-environment: —providing display means arranged in the real world for displaying the images captured by the virtual camera: —providing control means arranged in the real world for controlling, within the virtual 3d-environment, the movement of the virtual camera by a user; characterized by —during a time span in which movement of the virtual camera is controlled by the user repeating the steps of: ∘calculating the nearest point of intersection of the optical axis of the virtual camera with the virtual 3d-surface of the virtual 3d-object: ∘storing for each calculated point of intersection the accumulated amount of time during which the calculated point of intersection is intersected by the optical axis of the virtual camera: —after the time span has expired generating in the virtual 3d-environment a 3d-heatmap using the accumulated amount of time for each calculated point of intersection and the calculated point of intersection, wherein the 3d-heatmap is generated directly on the virtual 3d-surface of the virtual 3d-object. a 3d-heatmap obtained with a method of the invention shows the amount of viewing time spent at a specific point on a surface of the virtual object, which is typically indicated by different colors. this allows for a marketeer, manufacturer, developer, teacher, etc. to quickly see how the user (for example a potential buyer or a student) navigates through the virtual environment and which aspects of the virtual object are of most interest for the user.
