	US 12,488,541 B2
	System and method for controlling multiple user groups within a single virtual reality play area
David Walens, Marietta, GA (US); Matthew Kelly, Acworth, GA (US); and Geoffrey Wright, Marietta, GA (US)
Assigned to Exploring Digital, LLC, Marietta, GA (US)
Filed by Exploring, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/872,856.
Application 17/872,856 is a continuation of application No. 17/701,276, filed on Mar. 22, 2022.
Application 17/701,276 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/062,928, filed on Oct. 5, 2020, granted, now 11,315,332.
Application 17/062,928 is a continuation of application No. 16/355,218, filed on Mar. 15, 2019, granted, now 10,796,492, issued on Oct. 6, 2020.
Application 16/355,218 is a continuation of application No. 15/991,686, filed on May 29, 2018, granted, now 10,255,729, issued on Apr. 9, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0406022 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. G06T 19/00 (2011.01); E04B 1/19 (2006.01); E04B 2/74 (2006.01); E04B 5/02 (2006.01); E04B 5/10 (2006.01); E04F 15/02 (2006.01); G06F 3/01 (2006.01)

CPC G06T 19/006 (2013.01) [E04B 1/19 (2013.01); E04B 2/7425 (2013.01); E04B 5/02 (2013.01); E04B 5/10 (2013.01); E04F 15/02044 (2013.01); G06F 3/011 (2013.01); G06F 3/012 (2013.01); G06F 3/016 (2013.01); G06T 19/003 (2013.01); E04B 2001/1936 (2013.01); E04B 2001/1966 (2013.01); E04B 2002/7483 (2013.01); E04B 2002/7487 (2013.01); E04F 2015/02066 (2013.01)]

19 Claims

1. A method for controlling player movement within a virtual reality system, comprising:

dividing a virtual reality play area into a plurality of virtual reality environment play areas numbering at least three, each of the plurality of virtual reality environment play areas comprising an associated portion of the virtual reality play area;

wherein the dividing the virtual reality play area defines a central transport area disposed such that it is adjacent to each of the plurality of virtual reality environment play areas in the virtual reality play area;

mapping the virtual reality play area and each of the plurality of virtual reality environment play areas and the central transport area each onto an associated mapped portion of a physical area;

associating a first virtual reality player group with a first virtual reality environment play area of the plurality of virtual reality environment play areas, the first virtual reality player group including at least one player member;

displaying a first virtual reality environment to the first virtual reality player group, the first virtual reality environment limited to the first virtual reality environment play area and the associated mapped portion of the physical area, wherein boundaries of the first virtual reality environment are within boundaries of the first virtual reality environment play area;

associating a second virtual reality player group with a second virtual reality environment play area of the plurality of virtual reality environment play areas, the second virtual reality player group including at least one player member;

displaying a second virtual reality environment to the second virtual reality player group, the second virtual reality environment limited to the second virtual reality environment play area and the associated mapped portion of the physical area, wherein boundaries of the second virtual reality environment are within boundaries of the second virtual reality environment play area;

enabling exit of the second virtual reality player group from the second virtual reality environment play area into a third virtual reality environment play area, the step of enabling exit further comprising:

directing the second virtual reality player group to the central transport area and the associated mapped portion of the physical area using the second virtual reality environment;

displaying a third virtual reality environment to the second virtual reality player group; and

directing the second virtual reality player group to the third virtual reality environment play area from the central transport area and the associated mapped portion of the physical area using the third virtual reality environment;

determining if the second virtual reality environment play area has not been vacated by the second virtual reality player group;

responsive to a determination that the second virtual reality player group has not vacated the second virtual reality environment play area, preventing entry of the first virtual reality player group into the second virtual reality environment play area from the first virtual reality environment play area;

determining if the second virtual reality environment play area has been vacated by the second virtual reality player group;

responsive to a determination that the second virtual reality player group has vacated the second virtual reality environment play area, enabling entry of the first virtual reality player group into the second virtual reality environment play area from the first virtual reality environment play area, wherein the step of enabling entry further comprises:

directing the first virtual reality player group to the central transport area and the associated mapped portion of the physical area using the first virtual reality environment;

determining that the first virtual reality player group has entered the central transport area and the associated mapped portion of the physical area;

displaying the second virtual reality environment to the first virtual reality player group; and

directing the first virtual reality player group to the second virtual reality environment play area from the central transport area and the associated mapped portion of the physical area using the second virtual reality environment.