CoVR: Co-located Virtual Reality Experience Sharing for Facilitating Joint Attention via Projected View of HMD Users

Abstract

Sharing virtual reality (VR) experiences between users wearing head-mounted displays (HMD users) and users not wearing HMDs (Non-HMD users) is a promising approach that can help bridge the gap between these users’ experiences. In previous studies, the role of these users and the differences in their attention targets were not considered, causing a lack of joint attention in user communication. Also, previous systems required cumbersome installation in the spaces in which VR was being experienced. Therefore, this paper proposes “CoVR,” a co-located VR sharing system comprising an HMD with a focus-free projector and projecting the perspective of HMD users. Further, we introduce a design methodology for controlling the perspective of the images displayed to the HMD and Non-HMD users. We also discuss three application scenarios where additional information provided are different for each user.