Abstract: A virtual reality system maps primarily 2-D arena movements into 3-D virtual worlds. Movement into specific physical arena areas or directions triggers virtual world effects such as changing elevation, moving on a different elevation, walking on walls or walking on the outer surface of an object. The 3D-VR system supports multiple simultaneous people at different virtual elevations and provides a realistic, interesting and exciting simulation experience.

Abstract: A system and method for replaying the activity on request to individuals and to the group at large within a virtual reality (VR) arena for training and efficiency improvement purposes from within the VR system or outside is disclosed. The virtual reality (VR) system does real time tracking and response feedback to the players, using light markers and cameras connected to multiple slave-server systems that are controlled by a master-server. The hierarchical data collection system collects all the activity and tracking data from the arena. The master-server combines and correlates all the data collected from the VR arena and sends that to the game-server to be saved in a dedicated storage memory coupled to the game server. This data is then played back as VR play back on request to individuals or to all players and supervisory staff within or outside the VR arena for training and efficiency improvement purposes.

Abstract: Within a system for operating a virtual reality game or environment, a method is provided for identification of problematic or not well calibrated cameras that are incapable of optimum identification and tracking of game objects. The impact of these identified cameras on the game is reduced on the fly. Most of the time, a few cameras will see an object. The images are mixed to identify the object and its location according to vectors established between cameras and trackable objects. When such mixing of images happens, identification of non-optimum non-calibrated cameras is enabled and performed. The impact of such cameras is then reduced in the overall impact in the game play, providing higher emphasis to images from well calibrated cameras. As such, game stoppage and re-calibration of these few cameras is not required for continuous game play.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for operating, calibrating, and dynamically optimizing a system for a virtual reality environment where colored marker lights are attached to objects, the objects including players, controllers, and devices related to the game. One or more color cameras are used to view one or more spaces, and track positions and orientations of players and other objects according to the attached marker lights. A hierarchical system of servers may be used to process positions and orientations of objects and provide controls as necessary for the system. A method for color assignment is described as well as a calibration process, and a dynamic optimization process. A synchronization process is also described that ensures that a plurality of cameras and attached servers are properly coordinated. Head-mounted devices may also be used in conjunction with marker lights to provide information regarding players.

Abstract: A virtual reality hierarchical tracking system provides real-time response in wide-ranging situations by partitioning the data collection and tracking computation across multiple slave and master servers. Each slave server manages a different subset of the tracking cameras and locates tracking markers within its own tracking camera images. A master server controls the slave servers and uses slave server results to determine the position of tracking markers.

Abstract: A virtual reality tracking system accurately determines one or more controller orientations using data from tracking cameras and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU) embedded in each controller. Each controller has two or more distinctive light-emitting tracking markers. The tracking system determines the locations of the tracking markers based on the location of tracking markers in tracking camera's images. The tracking system determines the controller orientation using the locations of the tracking markers and orientation data from the IMU. When the camera views of the markers are obstructed the tracking system relies solely on the less-accurate orientation data from the IMU.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for operating, calibrating, and dynamically optimizing a system for a virtual reality environment where colored marker lights are attached to objects, the objects including players, controllers, and devices related to the game. One or more color cameras are used to view one or more spaces, and track positions and orientations of players and other objects according to the attached marker lights. A hierarchical system of servers may be used to process positions and orientations of objects and provide controls as necessary for the system. A method for color assignment is described as well as a calibration process, and a dynamic optimization process. A synchronization process is also described that ensures that a plurality of cameras and attached servers are properly coordinated. Head-mounted devices may also be used in conjunction with marker lights to provide information regarding players.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for operating, calibrating, and dynamically optimizing a system for a virtual reality environment where colored marker lights are attached to objects, the objects including players, controllers, and devices related to the game. One or more color cameras are used to view one or more spaces, and track positions and orientations of players and other objects according to the attached marker lights. A hierarchical system of servers may be used to process positions and orientations of objects and provide controls as necessary for the system. A method for color assignment is described as well as a calibration process, and a dynamic optimization process. A synchronization process is also described that ensures that a plurality of cameras and attached servers are properly coordinated. Head-mounted devices may also be used in conjunction with marker lights to provide information regarding players.

Abstract: A virtual reality system maps primarily 2-D arena movements into 3-D virtual worlds. Movement into specific physical arena areas or directions triggers virtual world effects such as changing elevation, moving on a different elevation, walking on walls or walking on the outer surface of an object. The 3D-VR system supports multiple simultaneous people at different virtual elevations and provides a realistic, interesting and exciting simulation experience.

Abstract: A system and method for replaying the activity on request to individuals and to the group at large within a virtual reality (VR) arena for training and efficiency improvement purposes from within the VR system or outside is disclosed. The virtual reality (VR) system does real time tracking and response feedback to the players, using light markers and cameras connected to multiple slave-server systems that are controlled by a master-server. The hierarchical data collection system collects all the activity and tracking data from the arena. The master-server combines and correlates all the data collected from the VR arena and sends that to the game-server to be saved in a dedicated storage memory coupled to the game server. This data is then played back as VR play back on request to individuals or to all players and supervisory staff within or outside the VR arena for training and efficiency improvement purposes.

Abstract: A virtual reality tracking system accurately determines one or more controller orientations using data from tracking cameras and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU) embedded in each controller. Each controller has two or more distinctive light-emitting tracking markers. The tracking system determines the locations of the tracking markers based on the location of tracking markers in tracking camera's images. The tracking system determines the controller orientation using the locations of the tracking markers and orientation data from the IMU. When the camera views of the markers are obstructed the tracking system relies solely on the less-accurate orientation data from the IMU.

Abstract: Within a system for operating a virtual reality game or environment, a method is provided for identification of problematic or not well calibrated cameras that are incapable of optimum identification and tracking of game objects. The impact of these identified cameras on the game is reduced on the fly. Most of the time, a few cameras will see an object. The images are mixed to identify the object and its location according to vectors established between cameras and trackable objects. When such mixing of images happens, identification of non-optimum non-calibrated cameras is enabled and performed. The impact of such cameras is then reduced in the overall impact in the game play, providing higher emphasis to images from well calibrated cameras. As such, game stoppage and re-calibration of these few cameras is not required for continuous game play.

Abstract: A virtual reality hierarchical tracking system provides real-time response in wide-ranging situations by partitioning the data collection and tracking computation across multiple slave and master servers. Each slave server manages a different subset of the tracking cameras and locates tracking markers within its own tracking camera images. A master server controls the slave servers and uses slave server results to determine the position of tracking markers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for operating, calibrating, and dynamically optimizing a system for a virtual reality environment where colored marker lights are attached to objects, the objects including players, controllers, and devices related to the game. One or more color cameras are used to view one or more spaces, and track positions and orientations of players and other objects according to the attached marker lights. A hierarchical system of servers may be used to process positions and orientations of objects and provide controls as necessary for the system. A method for color assignment is described as well as a calibration process, and a dynamic optimization process. A synchronization process is also described that ensures that a plurality of cameras and attached servers are properly coordinated. Head-mounted devices may also be used in conjunction with marker lights to provide information regarding players.

Abstract: A method of offering a reward customized to a user that is carried out by a processing system, including receiving a user selection of a unique identifier from a plurality of unique identifiers associated with a respective plurality of items from one or more first providers. The method further includes determining an item associated with the user selection, and offering a reward customized to such item.