TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to virtual reality and augmented reality systems, and more particularly to preventing transition shocks (e.g., disorientation, nauseousness, motion sickness) during transitions between realities (e.g., transitioning between virtual reality and augmented reality environments).

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer technology that uses virtual reality headsets or multi-projected environments, sometimes in combination with physical environments or props, to generate realistic images, sounds and other sensations that simulate a user's physical presence in a virtual or imaginary environment. A person using virtual reality equipment is able to “look around” the artificial world, and with high quality VR move around in it and interact with virtual features or items. The effect is commonly created by VR headsets consisting of a head-mounted display with a small screen in front of the eyes, but can also be created through specially designed rooms with multiple large screens.

Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are “augmented” by computer-generated perceptual information, ideally across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory, and olfactory. The overlaid sensory information can be constructive (i.e., additive to the natural environment) or destructive (i.e., masking of the natural environment) and is spatial registered with the physical world such that it is perceived as an immersive aspect of the real world environment (also referred to herein as the “real reality”). In this way, augmented reality alters one's current perception of a real world environment, whereas, virtual reality replaces the real world environment with a simulated one.

Currently, when a user transitions between different realities, such as between the virtual reality and the augmented reality environments or between the virtual reality and the real reality environments, the user may experience disorientation, motion sickness and/or nauseousness thereby degrading the user's experience.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for transitioning between different realities comprises developing a statistical model for predicting transitions between different realities when a user performs various actions. The method further comprises monitoring actions of a user. The method additionally comprises determining whether a probability of the user transitioning between a first reality environment and a second reality environment exceeds a first threshold value based on the monitored actions of the user and the statistical model. Furthermore, the method comprises ascertaining whether a probability of a transition shock event occurring exceeds a second threshold value as the user transitions between the first and second reality environments in response to the probability of the user transitioning between the first and second reality environments exceeding the first threshold value, where the transition shock event is an occurrence of adverse symptoms experienced by the user as the user transitions between the first and second reality environments. Additionally, the method comprises modifying a distance of an object from a reference point in one or more of the first reality environment and the second reality environment in response to ascertaining that the probability of the transition shock event occurring exceeds the second threshold value.

Other forms of the embodiment of the method described above are in a system and in a computer program product.

The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the present invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described hereinafter which may form the subject of the claims of the present invention.

