Method of generating an input in an omnidirectional locomotion system
A virtual environment can use an absolute orientation framework. An absolute orientation framework in a virtual environment can be activated using an omnidirectional locomotion platform. An absolute orientation framework enables a user's avatar to move independently from the current viewpoint or camera position. The user's avatar can move in an absolute manner relative to a virtual environment map.
1. A method of generating a gaming input comprising:
receiving, from two or more sensors, movement data, wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is located on a foot of a user within a locomotion platform;
calculating, at a processor, a velocity from the movement data;
calculating, at the processor, a heading from the movement data;
translating, at the processor, the velocity and the heading into 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinates;
normalizing, at the processor, the 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinates into a minimum to maximum scale range; and
transmitting, the normalized coordinates as a gaming input.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the velocity is calculated by a distance the foot of the user travels divided by the time it took to travel the distance.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the velocity is calculated by a pedometry rate.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the pedometry rate is determined by monitoring a frequency of steps over a predefined interval.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the velocity is calculated by monitoring an acceleration of the foot of the user.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the velocity is calculated by normalizing an angular velocity.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the angular velocity is a change in rotation of the foot of the user.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
translating, at the processor, the heading relative to a real world axis.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the real world axis is magnetic North.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
calibrating, at the processor, the magnetic North to an initial orientation of the user by an offset.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
translating, at the processor, the heading relative to an orientation of a torso of the user.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
translating, at the processor, the heading relative to an orientation of a head of the user.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the minimum to maximum scale range is defined by gaming input descriptors.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein a Y 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinate is for forward or backwards movement.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein an X 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinate is for sideways movement.
16. A method of generating a stop gaming input comprising:
receiving, from two or more sensors, movement data, wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is located on a foot of a user within a locomotion platform;
calculating, at a processor, a velocity from the movement data, wherein the velocity is a change in rotation of the foot of the user;
normalizing, at the processor, the velocity;
determining, at the processor, when the normalized velocity drops below a predefined threshold;
determining, at the processor, a stop when a slope of the normalized velocity approaches zero for a predefined interval; and
transmitting, at the processor, zeroes for 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinates as a gaming input.
17. A method comprising:
receiving, at a processor, one or more sensor output from two or more sensors, wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is coupled to a foot of a user within a locomotion platform;
calculating, at the processor, a velocity from the one or more sensor output;
calculating, at the processor, a heading from the one or more sensor output;
translating, at the processor, the velocity and the heading into 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinates;
normalizing, at the processor, the 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinates into a minimum to maximum scale range; and
transmitting, the normalized coordinates to a computing system as an input.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is located on a halo of the locomotion platform.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is located on a head of the user.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is located on a torso of the user.