Systems and methods for facilitating navigation in space
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12254574-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-18
Expiration Date
2043-01-31
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Abstract
A navigation system for facilitating navigation in a space includes a network interface configured to access a representation of a space, a memory storing instructions, and at least one processor coupled with the memory. The at least one processor executes the instructions to detect objects in the representation of the space and determine a plurality of desirable positions which facilitate navigation in the representation of the space based on the detected objects.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a navigation system and method for facilitating navigation in a space—such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, or real space—by automatically suggesting desirable teleport positions based on scene perception. The system includes a network interface, memory, and at least one processor that detects objects in a representation of the space and determines a set of navigational positions in areas free or clear of those objects.
To address difficulties users face in evaluating and selecting teleport positions in virtual environments—including the inability to easily predict what a target location will look like and the challenge of selecting distant targets precisely—the system generates panoramic images at each navigational position and calculates a scene perception (SP) score for each, reflecting the desirability of the view using human preferences and machine learning techniques. Positions with SP scores exceeding a set threshold are selected, and a teleport graph is constructed by connecting these positions with edges, considering visibility and distance constraints.
This approach refines the teleport graph using multiple cost functions, such as SP score cost, coverage, redundant coverage, connectivity, regularization, and optionally danger and preference costs, iterating refinements until the graph optimization converges. The result is a teleport graph that efficiently and effectively supports user navigation by highlighting and connecting optimal positions throughout the space, ensuring comprehensive coverage, visual desirability, and clear navigational pathways.
Claims Coverage
There are three main independent claims in the patent, each introducing a distinctive inventive feature.
Navigation system with automatic teleport graph generation based on scene perception
A navigation system comprising: - A network interface to access a representation of a space. - Memory storing instructions. - At least one processor executing instructions to detect objects in the representation, determine a plurality of navigational positions in free space, generate panoramic images at these positions, calculate a scene perception (SP) score based on visually desirable views at each position, and select positions with SP scores above a threshold. - Automated generation of a teleport graph by connecting selected navigation positions with edges, enabling user navigation through visually desirable locations in the space.
Method for facilitating navigation using scene perception-based evaluation and teleport graph refinement
A method comprising: 1. Accessing a representation of a space and detecting objects in it. 2. Determining multiple potential navigation positions in free or object-free areas. 3. Generating panoramic images at these positions and calculating SP scores based on view desirability. 4. Generating a reference panoramic view via a metric comparing new positions to human-marked positions using a machine learning model. 5. Selecting positions with high SP scores, connecting them into a teleport graph, and refining the teleport graph using cost functions until convergence, resulting in an optimized final teleport graph.
Non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for SP-score based teleport graph generation
A computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause it to: - Access a representation of a space and detect objects. - Identify multiple navigational positions in free space. - Generate panoramic images and calculate scene perception scores at these positions. - Generate reference panoramic views based on similarity to human-marked optimal positions using a machine learning model. - Select desirable positions and connect them into a teleport graph as per the aforementioned methodology.
These independent claims cover a navigation system, a computer-implemented method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that employ object detection, panoramic scene analysis, scene perception scoring, and teleport graph generation and refinement to facilitate navigation in real or virtual spaces.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates efficacious navigation in virtual, augmented, mixed reality, or real spaces by suggesting visually desirable positions based on scene perception analysis.
Overcomes user difficulties in evaluating and selecting target positions for teleportation by providing SP scores and panoramic previews at candidate locations.
Enables optimized navigation pathways through automated refinement of teleport graphs, ensuring comprehensive coverage, connectivity, and avoidance of undesirable or dangerous areas.
Allows for rapid adaptation to changes in the environment by updating navigational positions and teleport graphs when objects are moved.
Documented Applications
Navigation in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, or real spaces using automated teleportation graphs.
Facilitating navigation in immersive video gaming environments.
Enabling virtual tours, such as tours of universities, museums, exhibitions, and historical places.
Touring outdoor open areas, including mountains, parks, universities, museums, and exhibitions, with adapted teleport graph generation.
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