WO2014108693A1

WO2014108693A1 - Head mounted display device

Info

Publication number: WO2014108693A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/050064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sachin Patel
Original assignee: Sachin Patel
Priority date: 2013-01-11
Filing date: 2014-01-10
Publication date: 2014-07-17
Also published as: GB2499102A; GB201300516D0; GB2499102B

Abstract

A head mounted display device (10) comprising a housing (12), means for securing the housing to the head of a wearer (14, 18), and attachment means (66, 68) for removably securing a video display screen (510) within the housing (12), the housing (12) having an open end (20) for fitting over the eyes of the wearer, the video display screen (510) including at least one display surface and the attachment means (66, 68) being adjustable for holding video displays of different sizes.

Description

HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY DEVICE

The present invention relates to an improved head mounted display device. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Head-mounted displays of various types are known, and typically comprise a video display screen and a means of mounting the display screen in front of a wearer's eyes. For example, many head-mounted displays are similar in form to spectacles or goggles, with a video display screen in place of the lenses.

Some head-mounted displays have semi-transparent display screens. This allows the wearer to see both the image being projected onto the display screen, and also a view of his real-world surroundings. Such devices are commonly used by the military and emergency services. Other types of devices are intended to block out reality altogether, and fully immerse the wearer in a virtual world. This type of device is often used for playing computer games or watching movies. Accelerometers or other head-tracking devices may be incorporated into the headset so that the virtual-reality display presented to the user responds to head movements.

Cameras may be integrated in, or used alongside, head mounted displays. This allows for information to be superimposed on a live image of the real world to create an effect known as 'augmented reality', and also allows the user to switch electronically between a virtual reality and a real world view.

Head-mounted displays may present a separate image to each eye, in order that a three-dimensional stereoscopic effect may be achieved. Alternatively, a single image may be presented in front of both of the user's eyes. In this configuration, the effect is similar to watching a large-screen television.

In order to fully immerse the wearer in a virtual reality world, ideally the display should cover the user's entire field of vision. The display screen should therefore be large, and mounted close to the user's eyes. However, human eyes struggle to focus at very short distances, and so in practice the display screen is often mounted at a distance of more than 10cm from the eyes. This results in a very bulky device.

Because of the short distance between the user's eyes and the video display screen, the display screen must be of a very high resolution in order to provide a realistic view to the wearer. Resolutions which are seen as very high quality at normal viewing distances for television displays, for example, produce a poor impression at the short viewing distances required in a head mounted display. High-resolution video displays, however, are very expensive. Although the quality of display technology is constantly rising, and the price is falling, users of head mounted displays are typically unable to upgrade the video display in their device without replacing the entire device.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved head mounted display which may be provided at a relatively low cost but which substantially enables high quality viewing.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a head mounted display device comprising a housing, means for securing the housing to the head of a wearer, and attachment means for removably securing a video display screen within the housing, the housing having an open end for fitting over the eyes of the wearer, and the video display screen including at least one display surface.

The attachment means may be adjustable for holding video display screens of different sizes.

The video display screen may be, for example, a mobile telephone. Modern mobile telephones have large high-resolution displays providing for high quality viewing, and are commonly already owned by potential users of the head mounted display. Also, by utilising a mobile telephone to provide the display screen, the cost of the device is substantially lower than devices which include integral displays. Modern mobile telephones, and especially "smartphones", typically also contain processors, sound reproduction systems, accelerometers, tilt switches, and Bluetooth (RTM) radios. A virtual reality computer game may therefore be played on a mobile telephone mounted in the video display device. The display screen of the mobile telephone presents to the user the visual effect of being within a virtual world. Accelerometers and the like allow the user to control his view of the virtual world in a realistic way by moving his head. Extra controls, for example, for firing a virtual gun at virtual enemies, may be provided on a wireless remote control which communicates with the mobile telephone via, for example, Bluetooth (RTM).

The head mounted display device may be used with a variety of different shapes and sizes of mobile telephone due to the adjustable attachment means. The user is therefore able to take advantage of advances in display technology when he replaces his mobile telephone. The head mounted display device does not need to be replaced.

Although it is envisaged that the head mounted display device will typically be used with a mobile telephone, it will be appreciated that any portable display screen may be used, at the very least, to provide the effect of a large screen display for watching movies and similar.

A lens may be provided within the housing, the lens being disposed between the attachment means and the open end of the housing and being movable to adjust the distance between the lens and the attachment means. In use, the lens is disposed between the user's eyes and the video display screen. The movable lens allows the video display screen to be mounted closer to the wearer's eyes than would otherwise be possible. This reduces the bulk of the device, and ensures that it is comfortable to wear. The user is able to adjust the focus by moving the lens, to suit his vision and the video display screen being used with the device.

The attachment means may be mounted to a cassette, the cassette being removably fitted within a slot in the housing. In use, the cassette may be removed from the housing, and a video display screen fitted to the cassette whilst it is outside the housing. The cassette with the display screen attached may then be replaced within the slot in the housing. The use of a removable cassette makes fitting the video display screen simple. The attachment means may be adjusted with the cassette outside the housing, where access to all sides of the cassette is unobstructed. The cassette may be adjustable to accept different sizes of display screen/phone or may be not be adjustable and designed to fit a particular size of display screen/phone, for example, of a particular brand. For example, a range of different cassettes may be provided, each specific to a particular display screen/phone. The attachment means may comprise a clamp having a first clamping member and a second clamping member. The first and second clamping members may each include an elongate connecting portion and a bearing portion, the bearing portion extending from an end of the connecting portion at an angle to the connecting portion. The connecting portions of the first and second clamping members may be slidably mounted to each other, the distance between the bearing portions of the first and second clamping members being adjustable by sliding the connecting portions of the first and second clamping members against each other.

In use, the bearing portions are moved away from each other, the video display device is placed between the bearing portions, and the bearing portions are moved towards each other. In this way, the video display screen is clamped between the bearing portions. The bearing portions may have an elastically deformable surface, for example rubber, to prevent damage to the video display screen whilst holding it securely.

At least one speaker may be provided, for reproducing sounds for the wearer to hear. The speaker may be mounted to the means for securing the housing to the head of the wearer, for positioning the speaker close to the wearer's ear. Providing a speaker on the device allows for high quality playback of music and sound effects to accompany the visual display being presented to the wearer.

The speaker may receive a signal from an electronic sound source integrated with the video display, the electronic sound source being fed to the speaker via a cable. The cable may be contained within the housing on a spool, the spool being spring-loaded to take up any slack in the cable. The cable may be required to be different lengths to connect to different video display devices, which have sound output ports in different positions. Using a spring-loaded spool allows for automatic adjustment of the length of the cable to take account of different video display devices. It also allows for the cable to be extended out of the housing when fitting the video display device within the cassette, which makes insertion and removal of the video display simple to achieve.

Alternatively or additionally, the head mounted display may include a Bluetooth (RTM) or other wireless receiver, for receiving sound from the video display wirelessly. This negates the need to attach a cable.

The means for securing the housing to the head of the wearer may include a pair of rigid support members extending from either side of the housing, and an adjustable flexible band extending between distal ends of the rigid support members. In use, the rigid support members may pass along the sides of the wearer's head, similar to spectacles. The flexible band may then be tightened to secure the housing to the wearer's head. The securing means is easily adjustable to suit differently sized heads. The housing may be movable about a pivot between a first condition and a second condition, the housing in the first condition forming an enclosed space around the wearer's eyes for immersion into a virtual reality, and the housing in the second condition being open for allowing the wearer to view the real world. The pivotable housing allows the wearer to take breaks from a virtual world in order to interact with the real world, without the need to remove the head mounted display device.

The housing may have at least one transparent or semi-transparent wall. For example, the housing may have at least one wall made from glass bonded to a thin metallic layer. The glass and metal material is partly reflective and partly transparent, so that if one side is lit and the other side dark, a viewer can only see from the dark side into the light side, and not in the other direction. The attachment means may be disposed between the transparent or semi-transparent wall and the open end of the housing.

Providing a semi transparent wall allows a camera to see out of the head mounted display device, into the real world. Cameras are commonly mounted to the rear of modern mobile telephones. By allowing the camera a view of the real world, the head mounted display can be used with augmented reality applications, superimposing computer generated graphics on a view of the real world. The camera can also be used to see the real world while a game or application is paused so that the user can interact with the real world without the need to open the pivotable housing. At the same time, a person cannot see inside the head mounted display from outside. Therefore the components inside the housing are hidden from view.

A blackout cover may be provided between the attachment means and the semi- transparent wall, the blackout cover including at least one aperture for allowing light to pass through only a portion of the blackout cover.

The blackout cover prevents light from passing through the semi-transparent wall and reaching the user's eyes. The aperture or apertures in the blackout cover are positioned to correspond with the location of a camera or cameras on the video display screen. The blackout cover may be removable. Multiple blackout covers may be provided, each having apertures in different positions. In this way, a blackout cover may be provided which is specifically adapted for a particular model of mobile telephone.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a head mounted display device, including a removable cassette, in use and fitted to the head of a wearer; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the head mounted display device of Figure 1, with the cassette removed;

Figure 3a shows a perspective view of the removable cassette, part of the head mounted display device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3b shows an alternative perspective view of the removable cassette of Figure 3 a, also showing a removable blackout cover; Figure 3c shows a perspective view of the removable cassette and blackout cover of Figure 3b, with the blackout cover removed from the cassette;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the head mounted display device of Figure 1, in an open position; and

Figure 5 shows a cut-away view of the head mounted display device of Figure 1, with a mobile telephone fitted inside.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a head mounted display device is indicated generally at 10, fitted to the head 11 of a wearer. The head mounted display device 10 includes a main housing 12, rigid side members 14, speakers 16, and an adjustable flexible band 18.

The housing 12 has a rear open end 20 for fitting over the eyes of the wearer 11, best seen in Figure 2, a front end 22, a top 24, a bottom 26 and two lateral sides 28, 30. In use, the housing 12 extends outwardly from the front of the wearer's face. Rigid side members 14 are attached to the housing 12, one side member being attached to each lateral side 28, 30 and each side member extending rearwardly, that is, in the direction of the open end 20 and substantially parallel with the lateral sides 28, 30. In use, the rigid side members 14 pass either side of the wearer's head 11, so that the device fits onto the wearer's face in a similar manner to a pair of spectacles. Each rigid side member 14 is in the form of an elongate annulus. Referring also to Figure 5, a slot 32 is provided around the inside of the annular side member 14.

The speakers 16 are provided in speaker housings 34. The speaker housings have a similar construction to those found in typical over-the-ear headphones, having a rigid outer shell 38 and an ear cushion 36. The rigid outer shell 38 of the speaker housings includes a recess 40, and a formation 42 extending from the recess. Formation 42 is adapted to slide within the annular side member 14, having a ridge 44 extending from the formation 42 to correspond with slot 32 on the inside of the side member 14. The formation 42 slides within the side member 14. In this way, the extent of the side member 14 between the speaker housings 34 and the main housing 12 is adjustable for fitting to differently sized heads.

An adjustable flexible band 18 extends between the speaker housings 34. Once the head mounted display 10 has been fitted over the head 11 of the wearer, the band 18 may be shortened to secure the device.

The main housing 12 contains a removable cassette 46, which is received within slot 48 in the top 24 of the main housing. Slot 48 extends across the entire width of the housing 12, from one lateral side 28 to the other 30. The edges of the main housing 12 are curved, so the slot in the top 24 of the housing also extends some distance down the lateral sides 28 and 30 of the main housing 12.

The removable cassette 46 is best seen in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c. The cassette 46 comprises a curved roof 50 and a frame member 52. The curved roof 50 forms a continuation of the top 24 of housing 12 when the cassette 46 is installed in slot 48. In other words, the roof 50 fills in slot 48. The frame member 52 extends perpendicularly from the curved roof 50, at the side of the curved roof 50 which is closest to the front end 22, and is in the shape of a rectangle with curved cut-off corners. The rectangular frame member 52 comprises two short side members 54, two long side members 56 and a planar central member 58. The two short side members 54 run alongside lateral sides 28, 30 when the cassette 46 is installed within the main housing 12, and the two long side members 56 run alongside the top 24 and bottom 26, inside the housing 12. The planar central member 58 runs between the centres of the long side members 56.

A cuboidal shell 60, open at a top end 62 and a bottom end 64, is provided extending from the centre of the planar central member 58, on the side which in use faces the open end 20 of the housing 12. A first screen clamping member 66 and a second screen clamping member 68 slide against each other, parallel with the planar central member 58 and within the cuboidal shell 60, which serves to guide the screen clamping members 66, 68. The first and second screen clamping members each comprise an elongate connecting portion 70, 72 and a bearing portion 74, 76. Each bearing portion 74, 76 extends from one end of the corresponding connecting portion 70, 72, at a right angle to the connecting portion 70, 72. The elongate connecting portions 70, 72 of the first and second screen clamping members 66, 68 slide against each other, causing the bearing portions 74, 76 to move closer together or further apart. In this way, the bearing portions may be clasped around a video display screen device, for example a mobile telephone 510, shown installed in cassette 46 in Figure 2.

Each clamping member 66, 68 includes an elongate slot 78, 80 through the connecting portion. One side of the elongate slot is provided with teeth. The clamping members 66, 68 are arranged with the connecting portions 70, 72 placed against and in parallel with each other, with the bearing portions 74, 76 at opposing ends. The slots in the connecting portions 74, 76 overlap, the toothed side of one slot overlapping the untoothed side of the other slot. A cog (not shown) rotates in the slots between the teeth of the connecting portions. When the cog rotates, the connecting portions move towards or away from each other, depending on the direction of rotation. The cog is operated by control wheel 82, which is provided on the other side of the planar central member 58, which in use faces the front end 22 of the housing 12. This provides for different sizes of mobile telephone to be held in a predetermined central position in the device.

A blackout cover 84 is provided, and fits over the cassette on the side of the frame member 52 which when installed faces the front end 22 of housing 12. The blackout cover 84 is made from a flexible plastic, and includes elastically deformable attachment formations 86, which correspond with holes 88 through the frame of the cassette 46. The blackout cover has a first aperture 90 corresponding with the position of control wheel 82, and a second aperture 92 which corresponds with the location of the camera on a particular model of mobile telephone. Several different blackout covers 84 may be provided with the second aperture 92 in different positions in order to suit various different models of mobile telephone.

Referring now to Figure 4, the main housing 12 is openable by pivoting. The housing 12 is split into two parts in a curved profile looking from one of the lateral sides 28, 30, and the parts are joined together by a hinge on the top 24 of the housing 12. The housing 12 is biased in an open position as shown in Figure 4, where the front part of the housing is pivoted upwardly so that front end 22 points upwards rather than forwards in use. A catch 94 on the bottom 26 of the housing 12 locks the housing 12 in a closed position, as seen in Figure 1, when the head mounted display 10 is in use. When the wearer 11 wishes to take a break and view the real world, catch 94 may be released, bringing the front part of the housing including video display screen 510 out of the wearer's view.

Referring now also to Figure 5, a lens 94 is provided within the housing 12. The lens is mounted to the top 24 of the housing, via a right-angle connector 96. The right- angle connector includes a toothed slot 98, so that the position of the lens 94 between the front 22 and rear 20 ends of the housing 12 may be adjusted by turning a geared control wheel 100, which is rotatably mounted to the top 24 of the housing 12. The wearer 11 may therefore adjust the position of the lens to provide for comfortable viewing of the video display screen 510, depending on his eyesight and the size of the particular video display screen in use.

Audio cable 102 connects to an electronic audio source, for example as is commonly found in a mobile telephone, and feeds the audio signal to speakers 16 for reproduction. The cable is disposed within the housing 12 on a spring-loaded spool 104. When a user is connecting a mobile telephone or other device, the cable 102 may be pulled so that it unravels from spool 104. The cable may be fed through slot 48 and brought outside of housing 12, where it can easily be attached to the audio output port of mobile telephone 510. Once the audio cable 102 has been attached, and the mobile telephone 510 secured in the cassette 46, the cassette can be replaced within the housing 12. As this is done, the spring-loaded spool 104 will take up slack in the cable. Cable guides (not shown) are provided on the underside of the top 24 of the housing 12, to ensure that the cable 102 is kept out of the user's field of vision at all times.

The head mounted display 10 may be used with any of a number of different modern mobile telephones and other small video display devices. The head mounted display therefore does not need to be provided with a video display device, which keeps the cost down. Most users will already own a suitable mobile telephone. The head mounted display provides an immersive virtual reality experience, which may be used for playing computer games or for watching movies. The device may also be used in many other virtual reality and augmented reality applications. For example, for viewing a building which is either yet to be built, or where physically visiting the building is inconvenient.

The embodiment described above is provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A head mounted display device comprising a housing, means for securing the housing to the head of a wearer, and attachment means for removably securing a video display screen within the housing, the housing having an open end for fitting over the eyes of the wearer, and the video display screen including at least one display surface.

2. A head mounted display device as claimed in claim 1, in which the attachment means is adjustable for holding video displays of different sizes.

3. A head mounted display device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a lens is provided within the housing, the lens being disposed between the attachment means and the open end of the housing and being movable to adjust the distance between the lens and the attachment means.

4. A head mounted display device as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, in which the attachment means are mounted to a cassette, the cassette being removably fitted within a slot in the housing.

5. A head mounted display as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the attachment means comprises an adjustable clamp, the adjustable clamp being movable in opposing directions for clamping differently sized video display screens in a common central position.

6. A head mounted display as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which at least one speaker is provided, for reproducing sounds for the wearer to hear.

7. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 6, in which the speaker or speakers may be mounted on the means for securing the housing to the head of a wearer, for positioning the speaker or speakers close to the wearer's ear or ears.

8. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the speaker receives a signal from an electronic sound source integrated with the video display, the electronic sound source being fed to the speaker via a cable.

9. A head mounted display as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, in which the cable is contained within the housing on a spool, the spool being spring-loaded to take up any slack in the cable.

10. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the electronic sound source is fed to the speaker via wireless means.

11. A head mounted display as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the means for securing the housing to the head of the wearer include a pair of rigid support members extending from either side of the housing, and an adjustable flexible band extending between distal ends of the rigid support members.

12. A head mounted display as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the housing is movable about a pivot between a first condition and a second condition, the housing in the first condition forming an enclosed space around the wearer's eyes for immersion into a virtual reality, and the housing in the second condition being open for allowing the wearer to view the real world.

13. A head mounted display as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the housing has at least one transparent or semi-transparent wall.

14. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 13, in which the transparent or semi-transparent wall is made from a material comprising a layer of glass and a layer of reflective metal.

15. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which the attachment means is disposed between the transparent or semi-transparent wall and the open end of the housing.

16. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, in which a blackout cover is provided between the attachment means and the semi- transparent wall, the blackout cover including at least one aperture for allowing light to pass through only a portion of the blackout cover.

17. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 16, in which the blackout cover is removable.

18. A head mounted display as claimed in claim 17, in which multiple blackout covers are provided, each having apertures in different positions.

19. A video display device comprising a head mounted display as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and a mobile telephone.

20. A head mounted display device substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.