Headphones for virtual or augmented reality with adjustable interpupillary distance

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to virtual or augmented reality headsets, and more particularly to virtual or augmented reality headsets wherein the interpupillary distance of the eyepieces is adjustable.Description of the Related Art

[0002] Virtual or augmented reality headsets have long been proven invaluable for many applications, spanning the fields of scientific visualization, medicine and military training, engineering design and prototyping, tele-manipulation and tele-presence, and personal entertainment systems. In virtual reality systems, computer-generated virtual scenes are generally provided on an opaque display. In mixed and augmented reality systems, computer-generated virtual scenes or objects are combined with the views of a real-world scene on a see-through display. In many virtual or augmented reality headsets, virtual or augmented scenes are displayed on separate eyepieces. The interpupillary distance between the optical centers of such eyepieces are often fixed, and corrections that may be needed to adjust for variations in users having different interpupillary distances is made via software to provide corrective display adjustments. In some instances, the interpupillary distance between the optical centers of eyepieces may be mechanically adjustable; however, in such instances, adjustment devices can suffer from various drawbacks. For example, the adjustment mechanisms may be overly complex, bulky, lack precision and / or include a limited range of motion.

[0003] US 5,844,530 describes a head mounted display comprising a transmission-type display device for displaying prescribed images while transmitting outside light, a head mounted device for supporting the display device in front of the face, and a visor for reducing the quantity of outside light incident on the display device. The visor is installed in such a way that it can move between a position in which the outside front surface of the display device is covered and a position in which this surface is open. A living space or other external environment can be perceived without any impediment to viewing even when the images projected on the image display mechanism are being viewed.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] The invention provides a virtual or augmented reality headset, comprising a frame including opposing arm members, a bridge positioned intermediate the opposing arm members, and a plurality of linear rails, at least one linear rail provided at each of opposing sides of the frame defined by a central reference plane, a pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces each having an optical center, the pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces movably coupled to the plurality of linear rails to enable adjustment of an interpupillary distance between the optical centers, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to both of the pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces and operable to simultaneously move the pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces in adjustment directions aligned with the plurality of linear rails to adjust the interpupillary distance, characterized in that each virtual or augmented reality eyepiece is arcuate and includes a medial end and a lateral end, the medial end positioned proximate the bridge of the frame and the lateral end positioned proximate a temple region of a respective one of the opposing arm members, and the plurality of linear rails include at least two linear rails on each of the opposing sides of the frame to guide a respective one of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces, and wherein, for each of the opposing sides of the frame, a first one of the linear rails is located proximate the bridge to guide the medial end of the respective virtual or augmented reality eyepiece and a second one of the linear rails is located proximate the temple region to guide the lateral end of the respective virtual or augmented reality eyepiece.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a headset according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the headset of Figure 1 shown in a collapsed configuration. Figure 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the headset of Figure 1 shown in an expanded configuration. Figure 4 is a top plan view of the headset of Figure 1 shown in the collapsed configuration. Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the headset of Figure 1 shown in the collapsed configuration. Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the headset of Figure 1 shown in the collapsed configuration. Figures 7-28 are different views of headsets not according to the claimed invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments of the claimed invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details unless explicitly required in the independent claim, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. that fall in the scope of the independent claim.

[0007] In other instances, well-known structures associated with virtual and augmented reality systems have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

[0008] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as "including, but not limited to."

[0009] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0010] Figures 1 through 6 show one example embodiment of a virtual or augmented reality headset 10. The headset 10 includes a frame 12 and a pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b supported by the frame 12. The frame 12 has opposing arm members 14a, 14b, a bridge 16 positioned intermediate the opposing arm members 14a, 14b, and a plurality of linear rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b. More particularly, two linear rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b are provided at each of opposing sides 22, 24 of the frame 12 defined by a central reference plane 26.

[0011] The pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b each has an optical center 32a, 32b, a distance between which defines an interpupillary distance IPD. The eyepieces 30a, 30b are movably coupled to the plurality of linear rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b to enable adjustment of the interpupillary distance IPD as desired to correspond to or more closely correspond to an actual interpupillary distance between the pupils of a wearer.

[0012] The headset 10 further includes an adjustment mechanism 34 coupled to both of the pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b. The adjustment mechanism 34 is operable to simultaneously move the eyepieces 30a, 30b in adjustment directions 42, 44 aligned with the linear rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b to adjust the interpupillary distance IPD. The virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b are movable between a fully collapsed or narrowest configuration (Figures 1, 2 and 4-6) and a fully expanded or widest configuration (Figure 3). The frame 12, eyepieces 30a, 30b, and rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b are configured relative to each other such that a difference between the interpupillary distance IPD in the fully expanded or widest configuration and the interpupillary distance IPD in the fully collapsed or narrowest configuration is between about 20 mm and about 24 mm. As such, each individual eyepiece 30a, 30b may be adjusted a distance between about 10 mm and 12 mm. It is appreciated, however, that in some embodiments, more or less adjustment may be provided.

[0013] A nosepiece 36 may be provided at the bridge 16 of the frame 12 to engage a nose of the user and support the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b in front of the user's eyes during use. The nosepiece 36 may be integrally formed as a portion of the bridge 16, fixedly secured to the bridge 16, or removably coupled to the bridge 16. In some embodiments, the nosepiece 36 may be removably coupleable to a base portion of the bridge 16 and impede the travel of the adjustment mechanism 34 to lock the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b in a selected position. In other instances, a lock may be provided on each eyepiece 30a, 30b, to clamp to a respective one of the linear rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, or vice versa. In this manner, a user may selectively unlock the eyepieces 30a, 30b for adjustment, adjust the eyepieces 30a, 30b transversely to a new interpupillary distance IPD, and lock the eyepieces 30a, 30b in place at the new interpupillary distance IPD. The lock may include, for example, one or more clamps, set screws, clips or other fasteners to impede movement of the adjustment mechanism 34 and / or eyepieces 30a, 30b, or otherwise lock the same. The lock may be spring-biased toward a locked position.

[0014] With continued reference to Figures 1 through 6, each virtual or augmented reality eyepiece 30a, 30b is and includes a medial end and a lateral end. The medial end is positioned proximate the bridge 16 of the frame 12 and the lateral end is positioned proximate a temple region of a respective one of the opposing arm members 14a, 14b. The frame 12 may include a respective arcuate profile on each of opposing sides 22, 24 of the central reference plane 26 to at least partially nest with a respective one of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b when the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b are in the fully collapsed or narrowest configuration (Figures 1, 2 and 5-6) in which the interpupillary distance IPD is at a minimum.

[0015] The headset 10 includes a pair of linear rails 18a, 20a and 18b, 20b on each of opposing sides 22, 24 of the frame 12 to guide a respective one of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b. In addition, for each of the opposing sides 22, 24 of the frame 12, a first one of the linear rails 18a, 18b is located proximate the bridge 16 to guide the medial end of the respective virtual or augmented reality eyepiece 30a, 30b and a second one of the linear rails 20a, 20b is located proximate the temple region to guide the lateral end of the respective virtual or augmented reality eyepiece 30a, 30b. In this manner, each of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces 30a, 30b may be coupled to at least two linear rails 18a, 20a and 18b, 20b that are offset fore and aft from each other. The linear rails may be protruding rods or telescoping elements that project from a side of the frame 12. In some instances, the rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b may be substantially or completely concealed from view when in the fully collapsed or narrowest configuration and / or when in the fully expanded or widest configuration.

[0016] As can be appreciated from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 6, the eyepieces 30a, 30b, is generally arc-shaped and may move transversely along the linear rails 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b between an extreme medial position nearer the central plane 26 and an extreme lateral position farther from the central plane 26. The eyepieces 30a, 30b may be located at any position between the extreme end positions and secured in place with a lock or other fastening mechanism or fixation method.

[0017] In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanisms described herein may be controlled electro-mechanically. One or more motors may be electro-mechanically coupled to the linear actuator device, such as a lead screw, jack screw, ball screw, roller screw, etc. The rotatory motion of the motors may be converted into linear motion through the linear actuator device to cause inward or outward movement of the virtual or augmented eyepieces. The motors may be a servo motor, stepper motor, or other types of electric motors. To control movement of the virtual or augmented eyepieces, the motors may be electrically coupled to an electronic controller. The electronic controller may include a microcontroller and a motor driver to control and drive the motors. Moreover, the microcontroller may comprise a microprocessor, memory, and a plurality of peripheral devices to form a system on a chip that may be applicable for a wide variety of applications.

[0018] In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism may include one or more piezoelectric motors. The one or more piezoelectric motors may include piezoelectric linear actuators, which may be coupled to the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces to cause inward or outward movement of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces. To control movement of the virtual or augmented eyepieces, the piezoelectric motors may be electrically coupled to an electronic controller. The electronic controller may include a microcontroller and a piezoelectric motor driver to control and drive the piezoelectric motor. Moreover, the microcontroller may comprise a microprocessor, memory, and a plurality of peripheral devices to form a system on a chip that may be applicable for a wide variety of applications.

Claims

1. A virtual or augmented reality headset (10), comprising: a frame (12) including opposing arm members (14a, 14b), a bridge (16) positioned intermediate the opposing arm members (14a, 14b), and a plurality of linear rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b), at least one linear rail provided at each of opposing sides of the frame (12) defined by a central reference plane (26); a pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) each having an optical center, the pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) movably coupled to the plurality of linear rails (18a, 18bm 20a, 20b) to enable adjustment of an interpupillary distance between the optical centers; and an adjustment mechanism (34) coupled to both of the pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) and operable to simultaneously move the pair of virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) in adjustment directions aligned with the plurality of linear rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b) to adjust the interpupillary distance; characterized in that each virtual or augmented reality eyepiece (30a, 30b) is arcuate and includes a medial end and a lateral end, the medial end positioned proximate the bridge (16) of the frame (12) and the lateral end positioned proximate a temple region of a respective one of the opposing arm members (14a, 14b); and the plurality of linear rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b) include at least two linear rails on each of the opposing sides of the frame to guide a respective one of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b), and wherein, for each of the opposing sides of the frame (12), a first one (18a, 18b) of the linear rails is located proximate the bridge (16) to guide the medial end of the respective virtual or augmented reality eyepiece (30a, 30b) and a second one (20a, 20b) of the linear rails is located proximate the temple region to guide the lateral end of the respective virtual or augmented reality eyepiece (30a, 30b).

2. The headset (10) of claim 1 wherein the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) are movable between a narrowest configuration and a widest configuration, and wherein a difference between the interpupillary distance in the widest configuration and the interpupillary distance in the narrowest configuration is between about 20 mm and about 24 mm.

3. The headset (10) of claim 1 wherein the adjustment mechanism (34) is coupled to the bridge (16) and includes a manipulable actuator coupled to the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) for selectively adjusting a linear position of each of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces simultaneously.

4. The headset (10) of one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the frame (12) further includes a lock to selectively fix the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) in a selected linear position along the plurality of linear rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b).

5. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjustment mechanism (34) includes a manipulable actuator manually operable by a user and one or more links physically coupling the manipulable actuator to the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b).

6. The headset (10) of claim 5, further comprising: a selectively removable cover that is selectively positionable to alternatively prevent access to the manipulable actuator and to provide access to the manipulable actuator by the user.

7. The headset (10) of claim 6 wherein the manipulable actuator is constrained to translate back and forth in directions perpendicular to the adjustment directions aligned with the plurality of linear rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b), and wherein movement of the manipulable actuator in one direction moves the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) toward an expanded configuration and movement of the manipulable actuator in the opposite direction moves the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) toward a collapsed configuration.

8. The headset (10) of claim 5 wherein the manipulable actuator is accessible to the user while the headset is worn.

9. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes one or more linear actuators, preferably wherein the one or more linear actuators comprise at least one piezoelectric linear actuator.

10. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bridge (16) includes a nosepiece (36) to engage a nose of a user and support the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) in front of the user's eyes, preferably wherein the bridge (16) further includes a base portion, and wherein the nosepiece is removably coupleable to the base portion to selectively lock the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) in a selected position.

11. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the frame (12) includes a respective arcuate profile on each of opposing sides of the central reference plane (26) to at least partially nest with a respective one of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) when the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) are in a narrowest configuration in which the interpupillary distance is at a minimum.

12. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b) are coupled to at least two linear rails that are offset fore and aft from each other.

13. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 112, wherein the plurality of linear rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b) include at least two linear rails on each of the opposing sides of the frame vertically offset from each other to guide a respective one of the virtual or augmented reality eyepieces (30a, 30b).

14. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the bridge (16) and the plurality of rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b) of the frame (12) are integrally formed as a single-piece, or the bridge (16), the opposing arm members (14a, 14b) and the plurality of rails (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b) of the frame (12) are integrally formed as a single-piece.

15. The headset (10) of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the frame (12) further includes a central frame portion comprising the bridge (16), and wherein the opposing arm members (14a, 14b) are hingedly connected to the central frame portion.