HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY DEVICE AND ITS PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0001] The disclosure relates to a head mounted display device and a power management method thereof, and more particularly to a head mounted display device that may avoid abnormal shutdown due to insufficient power and a power management method thereof.Description of Related Art

[0002] In today's hardware design thinking of a head mounted display device for virtual reality / augmented reality, manufacturers have moved tasks of processing data calculations onto an external handheld electronic device to achieve head-wearing comfort and portability for users, allowing users to enjoy virtual reality effects with the electronic device connected to the head mounted display device through a specific wire. Under such conditions, the head mounted display device is powered by power output capability of the handheld electronic device and / or an expansion power supply (power bank). However, On-The-Go (OTG) power output capability of handheld electronic devices on the market is not clearly marked and often lower than expected standard values when actually tested. When power consumption of a head mounted display device is far greater than what OTG power can actually withstand, such a combination causes the head mounted display device to boot up / shut down abnormally and leads to abnormal power consumption, resulting in malfunction of the head mounted display device. US 2017 / 097666 A1 discloses an adaptive power management method and apparatus. The electronic device includes a first interface for communicating with a first external electronic device functionally connected to the electronic device; a second interface for receiving power supplied by a second external electronic device; and a processor. The processor determines whether the electronic device is electrically connected to the second external electronic device through the second interface, generates state information corresponding to a result of the determination, and transmits the state information to the first external electronic device through the first interface. Furthermore, various embodiments are possible. US 2015 / 062022 A1 discloses techniques for controlling operation of both a host device and a wearable display device connected to the host device based on a use status of the wearable display device. The techniques include automatically determining a use status of a wearable display device based on feedback from one or more touch sensors within the wearable display device that indicates whether the wearable display device is worn by a user. Based on the determined use status, the wearable display device controls its own operation (e.g., controls operation of display screens of the wearable display device, a communication session with the host device, and display processing of data received from the host device). The wearable display device also sends an indication of the use status to the host device. The host device then controls its own data processing for the wearable display device based on the indicated use status. US 2019 / 094949 A1 discloses an apparatus comprising a first Power Management Unit (PMU); and a second PMU. The first PMU is to manage transition of the apparatus from a low power state to a first active state. The second PMU is to manage transition of the apparatus from the first active state to a second active state. The second PMU is to be powered down while the apparatus is to be in the low power state.SUMMARY

[0003] The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments. The disclosure provides a head mounted display device and a power management method thereof, which may reduce the possibility of abnormal shutdown due to insufficient power. In the following description, although numerous features may be designated as optional, it is nevertheless acknowledged that all features defined by the independent claims are not to be read as optional.

[0004] Based on the the subject-matter of the independent claims, the head mounted display device of the disclosure detects the power supply states of the power device and of the electronic device in real time, and enables the host part to execute the boot-up operation only when the power is determined to be sufficient. When the power is insufficient, the head mounted display device of the disclosure enters the power saving mode and notifies a user of the state of insufficient power. In this way, the head mounted display device does not shut down abnormally when the power is insufficient, which effectively reduces user misunderstandings and improves the comfort of use.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG 1 is a schematic diagram of a head mounted display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG 2 is a working flow chart of a head mounted display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG 3 illustrates a power management method of the head mounted display device according to the embodiments of the disclosure. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0006] Please refer to FIG 1. FIG 1 is a schematic diagram of a head mounted display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A head mounted display device 100 includes a host part 110 and a power input part 120. The host part 110 and the power input part 120 are coupled to each other. The power input part 120 is used to be detachably connected to a power device 101 and an electronic device 102. In this embodiment, the power device 101 may be any type of power (for example, a power bank). The electronic device 102 may be any type of an electronic device, for example, a handheld electronic device such as a mobile phone or a notebook computer. The power input part 120 may be disposed in a cable CAB.

[0007] In the hardware architecture, the host part 110 includes a processor 111, a display 112, a power management chip 113, and a connector 114. The power input part 120 includes a detector 121, a configuration channel (CC) controller 122, and connectors 123 to 125. The host part 110 is mutually coupled with the connector 123 of the power input part 120 through the connector 114. The power input part 120 is mutually detachably connected with the power device 101 through the connector 124, and is mutually detachably connected with the electronic device 102 through the connector 125. The connectors 124 and 125 may be universal serial bus (USB) interface connectors. In this embodiment, the connectors 124 and 125 may be Type C USB connectors. The processor 111 may transmit and receive data DATA3 and DATA4 with the display 112 and the power management chip 113, respectively.

[0008] In the power input part 120, when the power device 101 is coupled to the connector 124, the connector 124 may receive supply power PWR1 provided by the power device 101 and transmit the supply power PWR1 to the detector 121. The detector 121 is used to detect a supply voltage value of the supply power PWR1 and generate a first input signal IN1 according to a comparison result. The detector 121 sets the first input signal IN1 as a first logic value when the supply voltage value of the supply power PWR1 is greater than a reference value, and clears the first input signal IN1 as a second logic value when the supply voltage value of the supply power PWR1 is not greater than the reference value. The first logic value is different from the second logic value. For example, the first logic value may be equal to a high logic level (or a low logic level), and the second logic value may be equal to the low logic level (or the high logic level). The above reference value is a preset value and may be set according to the power consumption state of the head mounted display device 100 during operation without specific limitation.

[0009] On the other hand, when the electronic device 102 is coupled to the connector 125, the CC controller 122 may receive power supply information CC sent by the electronic device 102 through the connector 125. The CC controller 122 analyzes the power supply information CC to determine whether power supply power of the electronic device 102 is greater than a minimum required power allowing the head mounted display device 100 to boot up. If the power supply power of the electronic device 102 is greater than the minimum required power allowing the head mounted display device 100 to boot up, the detector 121 may set a second input signal IN2 as the first logic value. In contrast, when the power supply power of the electronic device 102 is not greater than the minimum required power, the detector 121 may clear the second input signal as the second logic value.

[0010] In this embodiment, the power supply information CC may be an information packet of a power data object (PDO).

[0011] On the other hand, the connector 125 may serve as a transmission medium between the electronic device 102 and the power input part 120 for supplying power PWR2 and data DATA1. In addition, the detector 121 may transmit power PWR3, data DATA2, the first input signal IN1, and the second input signal IN2 with the host part 110 through the connector 123.

[0012] In the host part 110, the power management chip 113 may transmit the power PWR3 with the power input part 120 through the connector 114. The processor 111 may transmit the data DATA2 with the power input part 120 through the connector 114, and may receive the first input signal IN1 and the second input signal IN2 through the connector 114.

[0013] It should be noted that the processor 111 may determine whether to execute a boot-up operation according to logic values of the first input signal IN1 and the second input signal IN2. In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the first input signal IN1 and the second input signal IN2 are both at a first logic level, the processor 111 may execute the boot-up operation, and when one of the first input signal IN1 and the second input signal IN2 is at a second logic level, a power saving mode is entered.

[0014] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 111 may also execute the boot-up operation when only the second input signal IN2 is at the first logic level. The detector 121 in the power input part 120 may determine whether the supply power provided by the electronic device 102 is greater than a minimum operable power of the head mounted display device 100. When the supply power provided by the electronic device 102 is greater than the minimum operable power of the head mounted display device 100, the detector 121 may make the second input signal IN2 the first logic level. Under such conditions, when the processor 111 determines that only the second input signal IN2 is at the first logic level, the boot-up operation may also be executed.

[0015] In addition, when the host part 110 enters the power saving mode, a notification message of insufficient power may be generated by the display 112 to inform a user of the current reason for the head mounted display device 100 unable to boot up.

[0016] In this embodiment, the detector 121 of the power input part 120 may detect the supply states of the external power device 101 and the electronic device 102 in real time. Moreover, the boot-up operation is executed only when the power supply states of the power device 101 and the electronic device 102 can enable the host part 110 to boot up. In this way, the possibility of abnormal shutdown of the head mounted display device 100 due to insufficient power may be effectively reduced.

[0017] Please refer to FIG 2. FIG 2 is a working flow chart of a head mounted display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In step S210, the first input signal IN1 and the second input signal IN2 are respectively cleared as a second logic value (L). Next, in step S221, the power input part may continuously detect whether a power device is inserted. When the power device is inserted into the power input part for mutual connection, step S222 may be executed.

[0018] In step S222, the power input part may detect the supply voltage value of the power device and set the first input signal IN1 as a first logic value (H) when the supply voltage value is greater than the reference value, enabling the host end to enter the power saving mode in step S223. Next, the power input part may detect whether an electronic device (mobile phone) is inserted (step S224). If a mobile phone is detected to be inserted into the power input part for mutual connection, the power input part may confirm On-The-Go (OTG) power of the mobile phone and enable the host to execute the boot-up operation (step S226) when the OTG power is detected to be greater than a critical value.

[0019] On the other hand, if a power device is not detected to be inserted into the power input part, when a mobile phone is detected to be inserted into the power input part (step S231), step S232 may be executed to confirm whether a power device is inserted into the power input part in subsequent actions. When a power device is determined to be inserted into the power input part in step S232, by confirming the supply voltage value of the power device and the OTG power of the mobile phone before respectively setting the first input signal IN1 and the second input signal IN2 as the first logic value (H) accordingly, the boot-up operation (step S250) is executed.

[0020] If no power device is determined to be inserted into the power input part in step S232, the power input part may determine the OTG power of the mobile phone according to a power data object PDO provided by the mobile phone, and the power data object PDO may represent power supply power of the OTG power. Moreover, in step S242, it is determined whether the power data object PDO is not less than a first critical value P M (W). If the power data object PDO is not less than the first critical value P M (W), step S243 is executed. On the contrary, if the power data object PDO is less than the first critical value P M (W), step S247 is executed for entering the power saving mode.

[0021] In step S243, the power input part further determines whether the power data object PDO is not less than a second critical value P MA (W). When the power data object PDO is not less than the second critical P MA (W), step S244 may be executed. On the contrary, when the power data object PDO is less than the second critical P MA (W), step S245 may be executed.

[0022] The above first critical value P M (W) is the minimum operable power of the head mounted display device, and the second critical value P MA (W) is the minimum required power allowing the head mounted display device to boot up.

[0023] In step S244, the power input part may confirm the OTG power of the mobile phone and set the second input signal IN2 as the first logic value (H) accordingly. Furthermore, in step S250, the host part may execute the boot-up operation according to the second input signal IN2 equal to the first logic value.

[0024] In step S245, the power input part may enter a load detection mode for further determination of the power data object PDO, confirming the power supply information of the mobile phone again based on whether the power data object PDO is greater than or equal to the first critical value P M (W). In step S246, when the determination result of step S245 indicates that the power data object PDO is greater than or equal to the first critical value P M (W), step S250 is executed to perform the boot-up operation. When the determination result of step S245 indicates that the power data object PDO is less than the first critical value P M (W), step S232 is executed.

[0025] Please refer to FIG 3. FIG 3 illustrates a power management method of the head mounted display device according to the embodiments of the disclosure. In step S310, the power input part is provided to be coupled to the host part. In step S320, the power input part is provided to be detachably connected to the power device and the electronic device. In addition, in step 330, the power input part generates the first input signal according to the supply voltage value of the power device and generates the second input signal according to the power supply information sent by the electronic device. In step S340, the host part enters the power saving mode or executes the boot-up operation according to the first input signal and the second input signal.

[0026] Implementation details of the above multiple steps have been explained elaborately in the multiple embodiments above, and details are not described herein.

[0027] In summary, the head mounted display device of the disclosure detects the power supply states of the electronic device and the power device and determines whether to enable the host part to perform the boot-up operation according to the power supply states of the electronic device and the power device. In this way, the head mounted display device boots up only when the power is sufficient, and does not shut down abnormally due to insufficient power, maintaining the user's comfort of use.

Claims

1. A head mounted display device (100) comprising: a host device (110); and a power input device (120); the power input device (120): coupled to the host device (110), detachably connected to a power device (101) and an electronic device (102) external from the head mounted display device (100), comprising a detector (121) configured to generate a first input signal according to a supply voltage value of the power device (101), and comprising a configuration channel controller (122) configured to generate a second input signal according to power supply information sent by the electronic device (102); the host device (110): configured to enter a power saving mode or execute a boot-up operation according to the first input signal and the second input signal.

2. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 1 wherein, when the power device (101) is connected to the power input device (120), the power input device (120) is configured to: detect the supply voltage value of the power device (101), set the first input signal as a first logic value when the supply voltage value is greater than a reference value, and clear the first input signal as a second logic value when the supply voltage value is not greater than the reference value; wherein the first logic value and the second logic value are complementary.

3. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 2 wherein, when the electronic device (102) is connected to the power input device (120), the power input device (120) is configured to: receive power supply information provided by the electronic device (102), determine whether a power supply power of the electronic device (102) is not less than a minimum required power allowing the head mounted display device (100) to boot up according to the power supply information, set the second input signal as the first logic value when the power supply power is not less than the minimum required power, and clear the second input signal as the second logic value when the power supply power is less than the minimum required power; and wherein, preferably, when the first input signal and the second input signal are both the first logic value, the host device (110) is configured to: execute the boot-up operation.

4. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 1 wherein, when the power device (101) is connected to the power input device (120) and the electronic device (102) is not connected to the power input device (120), the host device (110) is configured to: enter the power saving mode.

5. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 1 wherein, when the power device (101) is not connected to the power input device (120) and the electronic device (102) is connected to the power input device (120),the power input device (120) is configured to: determine whether the power supply power is not less than a first critical value, and the host device (110) is configured to: enter the power saving mode when the power supply power is less than the first critical value.

6. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 5 wherein, when the power supply power is not less than the first critical value, the power input device (120) is further configured to: determine whether the power supply power is not less than a second critical value; wherein, when the power supply power is not less than the second critical value, the host device (110) is configured to: directly execute the boot-up operation; wherein, when the power supply power is less than the second critical value, the host device (110) is configured to: enter a load detection mode; and wherein the second critical value is greater than the first critical value.

7. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 6 wherein the second critical value represents a minimum required power allowing the head mounted display device (100) to boot up, and the first critical value represents a minimum operable power of the head mounted display device (100).

8. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 6, wherein, in the load detection mode, the host device (110) is configured to: reconfirm the power supply information, and enter the power saving mode or execute the boot-up operation according to whether the power supply power is not less than the first critical value; and / or, wherein, in the power saving mode, when the power device (101) is connected with the power input device (120) and the supply voltage value is greater than a reference value, the host device (110) is configured to: execute the boot-up operation.

9. The head mounted display device (100) according to claim 1 wherein the power input device (120) comprises: the detector (121) configured to determine the supply voltage value of the power device (101) for generating the first input signal; and the configuration channel controller (122) configured to analyze the power supply information for generating the second input signal.

10. A power management method of the head mounted display device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising: by the power input device (120): generating the first input signal according to the supply voltage value of the power device (101), and generating the second input signal according to power supply information sent by the electronic device (102); and by the host device (110): entering the power saving mode or executing the boot-up operation according to the first input signal and the second input signal.

11. The power management method according to claim 10, when the power device (101) is connected to the power input device (120), comprising, by the power input device: detecting the supply voltage value of the power device (101); setting the first input signal as the first logic value when the supply voltage value is greater than the reference value; and clearing the first input signal as the second logic value when the supply voltage value is not greater than the reference value; wherein the first logic value and the second logic value are complementary.

12. The power management method according to claim 11, when the electronic device (102) is connected to the power input device (120), comprising, by the power input device (120): receiving power supply information provided by the electronic device; determining whether the power supply power of the electronic device is greater than the minimum required power allowing the head mounted display device to boot up according to the power supply information; setting the second input signal as the first logic value when the power supply power is greater than the minimum required power; and clearing the second input signal as the second logic value when the power supply power is not greater than the minimum required power preferably further comprising, by the host device (110): executing the boot-up operation when the first input signal and the second input signal are both the first logic value.

13. The power management method according to claim 10, when the power device (101) is not connected to the power input device (120), and the electronic device (102) is connected to the power input device (120), comprising: determining, by the power input device (120), whether the power supply power is greater than the first critical value, and entering, by the host device (110), the power saving mode when the power supply power is not greater than the first critical value; and, preferably, when the power supply power is greater than the first critical value, further comprising: determining, by the power input device (120), whether the power supply power is greater than the second critical value; directly executing, by the host device (110), the boot-up operation when the power supply power is greater than the second critical value; and entering, by the host device (110), the load detection mode when the power supply power is not greater than the second critical value; wherein the second critical value is greater than the first critical value.

14. The power management method according to claim 13, wherein the first critical value is the minimum required power allowing the head mounted display device (100) to boot up, and the second critical value is the minimum operable power of the head mounted display device (100).

15. The power management method according to claim 13, further comprising: in the load detection mode, by the host device (110), reconfirming the power supply information, and entering the power saving mode or executing the boot-up operation according to whether the power supply power is greater than the second critical value; and / or in the power saving mode, when the power device (101) is connected with the power input device (120) and the supply voltage value is greater than the reference value, by the host device, executing the boot-up operation.