Display system with audio output device

Abstract

To provide a display system having an audio output device.SOLUTION: The display system includes a head-mounted display unit and a detachable speaker unit. The head-mounted display unit outputs visual content to the user and provides the user with a visual pass-through of the real environment. The detachable speaker unit may be detachably coupled to the head-mounted display unit to provide auditory content to the user. At least one of the visual content or the audio content is modified according to a position of the detachable speaker unit relative to the head-mounted display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 684,826, filed June 14, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to display systems, and in particular to audio output devices therefor. [Background technology]

[0003] A virtual reality system provides content to a user that may include visual and auditory content. The visual content may be provided by a head-mounted display unit (HMD), while the auditory content is often provided by headphones that are physically separate from the head-mounted display unit. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Disclosed herein are implementations of a display system. In one aspect, the display system includes a head-mounted display unit and a detachable speaker unit. The head-mounted display unit outputs visual content to a user and provides the user with a visual pass-through of a real-world environment. The detachable speaker unit can be detachably coupled to the head-mounted display unit to provide auditory content to the user. At least one of the visual content or the auditory content is changed according to a position of the detachable speaker unit relative to the head-mounted display unit.

[0005] The head-mounted display may include built-in speakers. Auditory content is output through one or more of the built-in speakers according to the detachable speaker unit or its position. Audio signal processing of the auditory content output by the detachable speaker unit may change as the detachable speaker unit is moved toward its docking position on the head-mounted display unit. The audio signal processing may include one or more of changing the volume, equalization, or dynamic range of the auditory content output by the detachable speaker unit. When the detachable speaker unit is within the field of view of the head-mounted display unit, the visual content may include a visual indicator spatially proximate to the detachable speaker unit. The visual indicator may indicate to the user the sound output capabilities of the detachable speaker unit.

[0006] In another aspect, a display system includes a head-mounted display unit and an audio headset, the head-mounted display unit including first and second built-in speakers, and the audio headset including first and second detachable speaker units detachably coupleable to the head-mounted display unit.

[0007] In another aspect, a method is provided for providing content using a display system having a head-mounted display unit, a movable audio output device movable relative to the head-mounted display unit, a controller, and a sensor, the method including determining, by the controller having the sensor, a position of the movable audio output device, and providing content using the head-mounted display unit according to the position of the movable audio output device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a side view of a display system. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a top view of the display system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the display system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a detachable speaker unit of the display system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2A] 2 is a partial side view of another display system, which is a variation of the display system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a partial rear view of the display system of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] 2 is a partial side view of another display system, which is a variation of the display system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a partial rear view of the display system of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3B is a partial side view of a head-mounted display unit of the display system of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3B is a partial side view of a detachable speaker unit of the display system of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3B is a partial side view of the display system of FIG. 3A with hidden features shown in dashed lines. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a first diagram of an audio headset in a first state. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a second view of the audio headset of FIG. 4A in a second state. [Figure 4C] 4B is a side view of a display system that is a variation of the display system of FIG. 1A, including the audio headset of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] 2 is a flow diagram of a method for outputting sound from the display system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6A] 2 is a plot of the sound output from the display system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6B] 6B is a flow diagram of a method for providing sound output from the display system of FIG. 1 according to the plot of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7A]2 is a plot of the sound output from the display system of FIG. 1. [Figure 7B] 7B is a flow diagram of a method for providing sound output from the display system of FIG. 1 according to the plot of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8A] 2 is a plot of gain versus distance for equalizing the sound output from the display system of FIG. 1; [Figure 8B] 8B is a flow diagram of a method for providing sound output from the display system of FIG. 1 according to the plot of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9A] 2 is a plot of dynamic range versus distance for dynamic range compression of sound output from the display system of FIG. 1; [Figure 9B] 9B is a flow diagram of a method for providing sound output from the display system of FIG. 1 according to the plot of FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a head-mounted display unit having a field of view that includes a real environment and an audio output device. [Figure 10B] 8B is another view of a head mounted display unit having the field of view of FIG. 8A and further displaying a visual indicator. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is another diagram of a head mounted display unit having a field of view that does not include an audio output device and that further displays another visual indicator. [Figure 10D] FIG. 8D is a flow diagram of a method for providing the visual indicator of FIGS. 8B and 8C. [Figure 11] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration for a controller of the display system of FIG. 1A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Disclosed herein are embodiments of a display system that includes a head-mounted display unit and an audio output device, such as an audio headset. The audio output device may be detachable from or otherwise movable relative to the head-mounted display unit in various ways described herein. Auditory content provided from the audio output device and / or the built-in audio output device may be output according to the position of the movable audio output device in various ways described herein. Visual content may also be provided according to the position of the movable audio output device in various ways described herein.

[0010] 1A-1C, display system 100 includes head-mounted display unit 110 and audio headset 130 that is physically movable relative to head-mounted display unit 110, such as being detachable therefrom (as shown) or articulated thereto. As described in further detail below, display system 100 may form a mechanical and / or electrical connection between head-mounted display unit 110 and audio headset 130, and may provide sound to a user via head-mounted display unit 110 itself and audio headset 130, and / or may use head-mounted display unit 110 to provide cues and / or feedback to a user related to use of audio headset 130. The term "audio headset 130" refers to an audio output device or set of audio output devices (e.g., a detachable speaker unit 132, as described below) that is held in proximity to one or both ears of a user. In the case of multiple (e.g., two) audio output devices, the audio output devices of audio headset 130 may be separate or separable from each other (e.g., they do not need to be secured to each other with a headband extending between them). Audio headset 130 may also be referred to as headphones or earphones.

[0011] The display systems disclosed herein may be configured to provide computer-generated reality (e.g., virtual reality or mixed reality), as described below. The term "virtual" as used generally refers to "computer-generated" content or experiences. For example, the content described herein may be referred to as virtual or computer-generated content, such as visual content (e.g., also referred to as virtual content or computer-generated visual content or graphics) and auditory content (e.g., also referred to as virtual content or computer-generated auditory content or audio).

[0012] The head-mounted display unit 110 generally includes a support 112 and a display screen 114. The support is configured to be worn on a user's head H, thereby supporting the display screen 114 in a position suitable for the user's eyes. As shown, the support is configured as a strap that encircles the user's head H. The display screen 114, such as a smartphone screen or a dedicated screen, provides visual content to the user. If the display screen 114 is a smartphone or other detachable video output device, the head-mounted display unit 110 can be considered to be coupleable to the display screen 114.

[0013] The display system 100 may be configured to provide a mixed reality experience by providing a visual pass-through through which a user can view the real environment. As shown, the head-mounted display unit 110 utilizes video pass-through, in which one or more cameras 116 of the head-mounted display unit 110 capture images of the real environment, which are displayed to the user by the display screen 114. Such a display system 100 may also function to provide a virtual reality experience, in which images of the real environment are not displayed by the display screen 114, or the real environment is otherwise partially or completely blocked from the user's view. As an alternative to video pass-through, the head-mounted display unit 110 may utilize optical pass-through, in which the user views the real environment directly. For example, the head-mounted display unit 110 may include a reflector that allows both light from the real environment to pass through to the user's eyes and light from the display screen 114 to reflect to the user's eyes to provide visual content.

[0014] The head-mounted display unit 110 may further include a speaker 118 that transmits or outputs auditory content to the user's ear. The speaker 118 is, for example, coupled to the support 112 in proximity to the user's ear E and directs sound to the ear. The speaker 118 is fixedly coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., to the support 112 or the housing of the display screen 114) so ​​that it cannot be easily removed from the head-mounted display unit. This is in contrast to the speaker unit 132 of the audio headset 130, which is removably coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110 so that it can be easily removed from the head-mounted display unit. Thus, the speaker 118 may be referred to as a fixed audio output device, fixed speaker, built-in speaker, or HMD speaker, while the speaker unit 132 may be referred to as a detachable speaker or detachable speaker unit. The audio headset 130 and the detachable speaker unit 132 may also be referred to as audio output devices or movable audio output devices.

[0015] The HMD speakers 118 further allow sounds from the real environment to reach the user's ears. For example, the HMD speakers 118 may be positioned above and / or in front of the user's ears, thereby not blocking sounds from the real environment from reaching the user's ears. In this manner, the head-mounted display unit 110 can provide a mixed reality experience to the user auditorily by allowing the user to hear the real environment while simultaneously transmitting auditory content to the user. Thus, the HMD speakers 118 may also be referred to as additional auditory speakers.

[0016] As described in more detail below, the HMD speakers 118 are further configured to enable the audio headset 130 to provide auditory content to the user in conjunction with or to the exclusion of the HMD speakers 118. In some embodiments, the HMD speakers 118 may be omitted, in which case the auditory content is provided by the audio headset 130.

[0017] The head-mounted display unit may also include various sensors that detect conditions related to the user, the head-mounted display unit 110, and / or the audio headset 130. For example, in addition to the camera 116, the head-mounted display unit 110 may include a motion sensor 120, such as one or more of an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, inertial measurement unit (IMU), camera, etc., to measure conditions related to the position and / or orientation of the user's head H and / or the head-mounted display unit 110. The camera 116 and / or the motion sensor 120 may also be configured to, for example, use visual recognition of the audio headset 130 to determine the position, orientation, and / or movement of the audio headset 130 relative thereto, detect, locate, and / or track markers on the detachable speaker unit 132, and / or detect, locate, and / or track beacon signals emitted from the detachable speaker unit 132. The head-mounted display unit 110 may also include an eye sensor 122, such as a camera, that is used to measure the state of the user's eyes (e.g., focal length, pupil diameter, etc.).

[0018] The audio headset 130 includes detachable speaker units 132 that provide auditory content to the user by transmitting sound to the user's ears E. The detachable speaker units 132 include, for example, a right detachable speaker unit 132r and a left detachable speaker unit 132l that are physically associated with the user's right ear E and left ear E, respectively, to provide the auditory content.

[0019] Each of the detachable speaker units 132 generally includes a housing 134 as well as one or more speakers 136 and various types of electronics 138. The housing 134 includes the one or more speakers 136 and electronics 138 and is configured to be connected to and supported by the support 112 of the head-mounted display unit 110, receive audio signals therefrom, and / or receive power therefrom. The speakers 136 output sound (i.e., auditory content) to the user. The electronics 138 are configured to cooperate with the speakers 136 to provide the sound output and may provide other functions.

[0020] As shown, audio headset 130 may have an over-ear configuration, in which case housing 134 is configured to completely surround a user's ear. Alternatively, audio headset 130 may have an on-ear configuration, in which case housing 134 is configured to rest on a user's ear, or an in-ear configuration, in which a portion of housing 134 is disposed within a user's ear E (e.g., partially within the ear canal).

[0021] As shown schematically in FIG. 1D , the electronics 138 of the speaker unit 132 may include amplifier 138a, power electronics 138b, signal electronics 138c, sensing electronics 138d, and / or ambient sound electronics 138e. Amplifier 138a is configured to drive speaker 136 to output sound. Power electronics 138b is configured to power various other electronics of the detachable speaker unit 132, such as amplifier 138a, signal electronics 138c, and / or sensing electronics 138d. Power electronics 138b may provide, for example, wired power and / or locally stored power, such as a battery. Signal electronics 138c is configured to receive and / or transmit signals to and / or from another component, such as the head-mounted display unit 110 or the controller 150 (described below). Signal electronics 138c may include a communication interface for transmitting and / or receiving signals, for example, via a wireless, inductive, or optical connection. Such signals may include, for example, audio signals received to output auditory content from detachable speaker unit 132 and / or sensory signals to provide sensory information (e.g., position) of detachable speaker unit 132. Signal electronics 138c may also provide outputs to assist in determining the position and / or orientation of detachable speaker unit 132 relative to head mounted display unit 130, for example, by providing passive or active markers (e.g., visible or non-visible light sources) or beacons (e.g., emitting another type of detectable and locatable output signal). Sensing electronics 138d is configured to sense various parameters of detachable speaker unit 132, such as the position, orientation, and / or movement (e.g., changes in position and orientation) of detachable speaker unit 132 in real space or relative to another portion of display system 100, such as head mounted display unit 110, support 112, or their coupling locations or features.The sensing electronics 138d may include one or more suitable sensors for detecting such position, orientation, and / or movement, such as accelerometer(s), gyroscope(s), inertial measurement unit (IMU), proximity sensor(s), and / or camera (e.g., for video recognition).

[0022] The ambient sound electronics 138e function to detect ambient sound (e.g., from the real environment using microphone 138e′), process the detected ambient sound (e.g., with signal processor 138e″), and output the processed sound accordingly to speaker 136 (e.g., with amplifier 138a). The processed sound may, for example, provide acoustic transparency and / or active noise cancellation. With acoustic transparency, ambient sound from the real environment is generally reproduced without significant modification as processed sound, which may be referred to as processed ambient sound, and is output by speaker 136. As a result, for example, when the detachable speaker unit 132 is positioned against the user's ear E, the user can still hear the real environment, but may otherwise prevent (e.g., by isolation and / or blocking) ambient sounds of the real environment from directly reaching the user's ear E. With active noise cancellation, the ambient sound is processed to provide a processed sound that generally cancels or counteracts the ambient sound (e.g., by being at the same amplitude as the ambient sound but in opposite phase), which may be referred to as processed cancellation sound, and is output by the speaker 136.

[0023] It should be noted that speaker electronics 138 (e.g., amplifier 138a, power electronics 138b, signal electronics 138c, sensing electronics 138d, and / or ambient sound electronics 138e), or different electronics performing similar functions, may alternatively or additionally be incorporated into head mounted display unit 110. For example, speaker 136 may have a wired connection to head mounted display unit 110 and / or controller 150, while amplification, power supply, sensing, and ambient sound functions are performed by electronics of head mounted display unit 110 and / or controller 150.

[0024] In addition to the head-mounted display unit 110 and the audio headset 130, the display system 100 further includes a controller 150. As shown, the controller 150 may be external to the head-mounted display unit 110 and the audio headset 130, communicating with them using a wired or wireless connection, etc. The controller 150 is generally configured to process various input information (e.g., signals), such as the position and / or orientation of the user, the head-mounted display unit 110, and / or the audio headset 130, process such information, and provide output signals for controlling the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., to output visual and auditory content) and the audio headset 130 (e.g., to output auditory content). The hardware configuration of the controller 150 is described below with reference to FIG. 9. Although shown as a single external unit separate from head-mounted display unit 110 and audio headset 130, controller 150 may instead include multiple such controllers or be subdivided into separate units that function cooperatively as controller 150, and controller 150 may be incorporated into one or more of head-mounted display unit 110 and detachable speaker unit 132.

[0025] As described above, head-mounted display unit 110 and audio headset 130 may be cooperatively configured to provide mechanical, electrical, and / or data connections between head-mounted display unit 110 and audio headset 130, may cooperatively provide sound to a user, and / or may use head-mounted display unit 110 to provide cues and / or feedback to a user related to use of audio headset 130.

[0026] 2A-4B, each of the detachable speaker units 132 of the audio headset 130 is detachable from the head-mounted display unit 110. When attached to the head-mounted display unit 110, each of the detachable speaker units 132 is physically supported thereby and can also communicate with and / or receive power from the head-mounted display unit 110.

[0027] 2A-2B, display system 200 includes an audio headset 230 having a detachable speaker unit 232 that is magnetically releasably coupleable to a head-mounted display unit 210. Head-mounted display unit 210 is configured as head-mounted display unit 110 and further includes one or more magnetic attachments 224, which may be referred to as HMD magnetic attachments. Detachable speaker unit 232 is configured as detachable speaker unit 132 and includes one or more magnetic attachments 244 that correspond to HMD magnetic attachment 224 of head-mounted display unit 210. Magnetic attachments 224, 244 of head-mounted display unit 210 and detachable speaker unit 232 may be referred to as HMD magnetic attachment 224 and speaker magnetic attachment 244, respectively. The magnetic attachments 224, 244 are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another, with one of the magnetic attachments 224, 244 comprising a permanent magnet and the other comprising a ferromagnetic material or another permanent magnet of opposite orientation.

[0028] 2A-2B, the head mounted display unit 210 includes two HMD magnetic attachments 224, one in front of and the other behind the user's ears E. As shown, the two HMD magnetic attachments 224 may be coupled to the support 112 of the head mounted display unit 210, for example, to flanges 212a (e.g., protrusions) that extend downwardly so as to be positioned in front of and behind the user's ears E. The two HMD magnetic attachments 224 include permanent magnets that may be incorporated into or otherwise coupled to the support 112 of the head mounted display unit 210.

[0029] The detachable speaker unit 232, such as the housing 134 or its pad 246, may protrude (e.g., extend inward) from the support 112 (e.g., inward of the flange 212a) and be positioned relative to the user, for example, by engaging the head H around the ear E (e.g., in an over-ear configuration) or by engaging the user's ear E (e.g., in an on-ear configuration). As a result, the detachable speaker unit 232 can be considered to have an inner portion (e.g., the pad 246 and / or the housing 134) extending laterally inward (e.g., toward the user) from an outer portion (e.g., formed by the speaker magnetic attachment 244) coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110. The pad 246 may engage and / or circumscribe the user's ear E (e.g., in an on-ear and / or over-ear configuration).

[0030] Each of the detachable speaker units 232 includes two speaker magnetic attachments 244 that are magnetically coupleable to the two HMD magnetic attachments 224 of the head-mounted display unit 210. For example, the two speaker magnetic attachments 244 may extend in front of and behind the user's ears E so as to be magnetically coupleable to the HMD magnetic attachments 224. The speaker magnetic attachments 244 may be elongated, for example, and may extend in front of and behind the housing 134 of the detachable speaker unit 232. As shown, the speaker magnetic attachments 244 may be configured as posts including ferromagnetic material or opposing permanent magnets so as to be attracted to the permanent magnets of the HMD magnetic attachments 224 of the head-mounted display unit 210. Alternatively, the HMD magnetic attachments 224 may include ferromagnetic material, and the speaker magnetic attachments 244 may include permanent magnets that are attracted thereto.

[0031] The head-mounted display unit 210 and the detachable speaker unit 232 may also be configured to guide the detachable speaker unit 232 to a predetermined position relative to them (e.g., a mating position of the head-mounted display unit 110 above the user's ear E). For example, each set of magnetic attachments 224, 244 (e.g., a front-to-back pair of magnetic attachments 224, 244) provides a magnetic force to guide the speaker magnetic attachment 244 of the detachable speaker unit 232 to the corresponding HMD magnetic attachment 224 of the head-mounted display unit 210. In addition, the non-corresponding magnetic attachments 224, 244 may also function to repel each other, for example, by having permanent magnets oriented in the same direction. As a result, the detachable speaker unit 232 is pushed away from the non-predetermined position. These attractive and / or repulsive forces may be useful to help the user guide the detachable speaker units 132 to their respective docking positions on the head-mounted display unit 210 that are outside the user's field of view by providing tactile feedback to the user.

[0032] Instead of, or in addition to, using magnetic forces to guide the detachable speaker unit 232 into position, the head mounted display unit 210 and the detachable speaker unit 232 may include mechanically cooperating guide mechanisms. For example, the head mounted display unit 210 may include detents within the support 112 that receive and guide the speaker magnetic attachments 244 of the detachable speaker unit 232 into position.

[0033] The detachable speaker unit 232 may be configured to pivot about the speaker magnetic attachment 244, e.g., to be biased toward or otherwise housed at the user's ear E. In one example, the speaker magnetic attachment 244 is a cylindrical post that extends forward and rearward (e.g., forming a pivot axis 244 a). The cylindrical post rotates along and pivots relative to the surface of the HMD magnetic attachment 224 or the support 112 of the head mounted display unit 210. In another example, the housing 134 pivots relative to the speaker magnetic attachment 244 without the speaker magnetic attachment moving (e.g., rotating) relative to the HMD magnetic attachment 224 of the head mounted display unit 210, thereby still allowing the housing 134 and the speaker 136 therein to pivot relative to the head mounted display unit 210.

[0034] The pivot axis 244a of the detachable speaker unit 232 is formed, for example, by the speaker magnetic attachment 244. The pivot axis 244a may be located at a central position of the detachable speaker unit 232 (e.g., horizontally and vertically) as shown, or may be biased vertically (e.g., toward the top end of the detachable speaker unit 232) and / or horizontally (e.g., toward the inside or outside of the detachable speaker unit 232). In addition, the pivot axis 244a may be located outside the support 112 of the head-mounted display unit 210 as shown.

[0035] The detachable speaker unit 232 may be further configured to be biased toward the user's ear E about the pivot axis 244 a, such as by a spring or magnet. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2B , the detachable speaker unit 232 may be biased toward the user's ear E by magnetic force. The head mounted display unit 210 may include a magnet 228 in one orientation positioned above the user's ear E, while the detachable speaker unit 232 includes another magnet 248 in the opposite orientation above the user's ear E, for example, by forming or incorporating an elongated member extending upward from the housing 134. The magnets 228, 248 of the head mounted display unit 210 and the detachable speaker unit 232 repel each other to bias the detachable speaker unit 232 toward the user's ear E about the pivot axis 244 a.

[0036] The head-mounted display unit 210 and the detachable speaker unit 232 are additionally configured relative to the head-mounted display unit 210 to provide power to the detachable speaker unit 232. As shown, the magnetic attachments 224, 244 conduct electricity from the head-mounted display unit 210 to the detachable speaker unit 232 to provide power to the amplifier 138a and other electronics (e.g., the signal electronics 138c and / or the sense electronics 138d). For example, a first set of magnetic attachments 224, 244 is for power (positive) and a second set of magnetic attachments 224, 244 is for ground. The magnetic attachments 224, 244 may also transmit audio signals in addition to conducting power via conduction from the head-mounted display unit 210 to the detachable speaker unit 232.

[0037] Alternatively, power may be conducted from the head mounted display unit 210 to the detachable speaker unit 232 using electrical contacts that are separate from the magnetic attachments 224, 244, which may also transmit audio signals. In other variations, audio signals may be transmitted independently of power, such as through separate contacts and / or optical connections. In embodiments of the detachable speaker unit 232 that have sensing electronics 138d, sensor signals may be transmitted from the detachable speaker unit 232 to the head mounted display unit 210 using the magnetic attachments 224, 244, separate contacts, optical connections, or wirelessly. Power may also be provided inductively from the head mounted display unit 210.

[0038] 3A-3E, display system 300 includes an audio headset 330 having a detachable speaker unit 332 that can be releasably coupled to a head-mounted display unit 310. Head-mounted display unit 310 is configured as head-mounted display unit 110 and further includes a magnetic attachment 324 having a female configuration, such as a socket. Detachable speaker unit 332 is configured as detachable speaker unit 132 and further includes a magnetic attachment 344 having a male configuration, such as a ball, that is received by magnetic attachment 324 of head-mounted display unit 310. Magnetic attachments 324, 344 of head-mounted display unit 310 and detachable speaker unit 332 may be referred to as an HMD or female magnetic attachment and a speaker or male magnetic attachment, respectively.

[0039] 3A-3E, the head mounted display unit 310 includes one HMD magnetic attachment 324 positioned above the user's ear E. As shown, the HMD magnetic attachment 324 is coupled to the support 112 of the head mounted display unit 310 above the user's ear E. The speaker magnetic attachment 344 is coupled to the housing 134 of the detachable speaker unit 332, for example, formed at the end of an elongated protrusion (e.g., shaft) extending upward from the housing 134.

[0040] The magnetic attachments 324, 344 have complementary profiles that allow the speaker magnetic attachment 344 to be received by the HMD magnetic attachment 324, such as a spherical shape. The magnetic attachments 324, 344 may also be configured to allow movement of the detachable speaker unit 332 relative to the head mounted display unit 310 while still being supported thereby. For example, the detachable speaker unit 332 may be allowed to displace inward and outward, forward and backward, and rotate, as shown by the arrows in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0041] Head mounted display unit 310 and detachable speaker unit 332 are additionally configured relative to head mounted display unit 310 to provide power to detachable speaker unit 332. As shown, magnetic attachments 324, 344 conduct electricity from head mounted display unit 310 to detachable speaker unit 332 to power amplifier 138a and / or other electronics 138. For example, each of magnetic attachments 324, 344 is subdivided to provide power and ground contacts that maintain physical contact for conducting electricity as detachable speaker unit 332 moves relative to head mounted display unit 310.

[0042] For example, as shown in FIG. 3C , the HMD magnetic attachment 324 may include a first power contact 324 a (e.g., positive) and a second power contact 324 b (e.g., ground) that are spaced apart along the spherical surface of the HMD magnetic attachment 324 and electrically insulated from one another. As shown in FIG. 3D , the speaker magnetic attachment 344 includes a first power contact 344 a (e.g., positive) and a second power contact 344 b (e.g., ground) that are electrically insulated from one another and have larger conductive surface areas than their corresponding first power contacts 324 a and second power contacts 324 b of the HMD magnetic attachment 324. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3E , the detachable speaker unit 332 can move inward / outward, forward / backward, and / or rotate through a limited range of motion while still maintaining conductive contact between the power contacts 344 a, 344 b and 324 a, 324 b to conduct power therebetween. The magnetic attachments 324, 344 may also transmit audio signals in conjunction with conducting power to a speaker unit 332 that is detachable from the head-mounted display unit 310. The power contacts 324a, 324b of the HMD magnetic attachment 324 may, for example, be permanent magnets or may be made of or otherwise include a ferromagnetic material, while the power contacts 344a, 344b of the speaker magnetic attachment 344 may be made of a ferromagnetic material or may be permanent magnets of opposite orientation to those of the HMD magnetic attachment 324.

[0043] Although the detachable speaker units 232, 332 are described as being movable relative to the head mounted display units 210, 310, variations of the magnetic attachments 224, 244 and magnetic attachments 324, 344 may instead be configured to prevent movement therebetween.

[0044] Additionally, although the detachable speaker units 232, 332 are described as being magnetically releasably coupleable to the head mounted display units 210, 310, they may instead be coupled to one another with other releasable mechanisms, such as buckles, clamps, or fasteners, and in such cases, power and signals may be conducted through such releasable mechanisms or through separate power and data connections.

[0045] 4A-4C , a display system 400 includes a head-mounted display unit 410 and an audio headset 430 having detachable speaker units 432, such as a right detachable speaker unit 432r and a left detachable speaker unit 432l, that can be detachably coupled to one another. Each of the detachable speaker units 432 is configured as one of the detachable speaker units 132, 232, or 332 and further includes a coupling mechanism 449. In one embodiment, the coupling mechanism 449 couples the detachable speaker units 432 to one another using magnetic forces. For example, the coupling mechanism 449 of the right detachable speaker unit 432r may be or include a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material, while the coupling mechanism 449 of the left detachable speaker unit 432l is or includes a permanent magnet (e.g., facing in the opposite direction) or a ferromagnetic material and is configured to be magnetically attracted thereto.

[0046] When the coupling mechanism 449 is configured to removably couple the detachable speaker units 432 to one another magnetically, it may be hidden from view (e.g., housed within the housing 134 or pad 246).

[0047] The coupling mechanism 449 may be a mechanical mechanism (e.g., a buckle, clamp, or fastener) that removably couples the detachable speaker units 432 to one another instead of, or in addition to, using magnetic forces.

[0048] 4C , coupling mechanism 449 may also function to couple detachable speaker unit 432 to head-mounted display unit 410. For example, head-mounted display unit 410 may be configured as head-mounted display unit 110 and may include coupling mechanism 429 corresponding to coupling mechanism 449. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C , coupling mechanism 429 on the right side of head-mounted display unit 410 may include one or more of the coupling mechanisms 429 in a similar arrangement (e.g., location, magnetic polar orientation if using magnetic force, or common male / female configuration if using mechanical engagement) to coupling mechanism 449 of left-side detachable speaker unit 432l. As a result, the right side of head-mounted display unit 410 can be coupled to right-side detachable speaker unit 432r in a similar manner as left-side detachable speaker unit 432l is coupled to right-side detachable speaker unit 432r.

[0049] 5-7B , for any of display systems 100, 200, 300, 400, head-mounted display unit 110, 210, 310, 410 and audio headset 130, 230, 330, 430, or both, output sound according to the state of audio headset 130, 230, 330, 430. For simplicity of the following description, reference will be made only to display system 100, although it should be understood that other display systems 200, 300, 400 may be configured as described with respect to FIGS. 5-7B . As described in further detail below, the state of audio headset 130 according to which sound is output may depend on one or more of whether detachable speaker units 132 are coupled together (i.e., form an audio unit as described above), or the position or relative movement of audio headset 130 or detachable speaker unit 132 with respect to head-mounted display unit 110.

[0050] 5 , in one embodiment, the HMD speakers 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 output sound when the detachable speaker units 132 are separated from one another, e.g., after the detachable speaker units 132 are separated from one another and for a duration thereafter. In such a case, the sound output from the HMD speakers 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 can represent activation of the audio headset 130 or its detachable speaker unit 132 to provide an audio cue or feedback indicative of the sound output capabilities of the audio headset 130 (e.g., its detachable speaker unit 132).

[0051] 5 illustrates a method 500 for outputting sound from the HMD speakers 118 following separation of the detachable speaker units 132 from one another. The method may be implemented using, for example, the controller 150 and various sensors in the head-mounted display unit 110 and the detachable speaker units 132.

[0052] In a first operation 510, separation of the detachable speaker units 132 from one another is determined. Separation of the detachable speaker units 132 may occur, for example, by a user pulling the detachable speaker units 132 apart. Separation of the detachable speaker units 132 may be determined by the controller 150 using, for example, sensors in the head-mounted display unit 110, such as by detecting a change in relative movement or proximity between the detachable speaker units 132, or by processing video received from the camera 116 or sensing electronics 138d of the detachable speaker units 132.

[0053] In a second operation 520, sound is output from the HMD speaker 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 based on the determined separation of the detachable speaker unit 132. For example, the controller 150 may cause an audio signal and / or power to be sent to the HMD speaker 118 to output sound therefrom. The sound output from the HMD speaker 118 includes auditory content. Such auditory content may include an audio indicator associated with the detachable speaker unit 132.

[0054] In a third operation 530, sound is output from the detachable speaker unit 132 of the audio headset 130. For example, the controller 150 may cause an audio signal and / or power to be sent to the detachable speaker unit 132. The sound output from the detachable speaker unit 132 may include auditory content, such as that associated with a virtual or mixed reality experience.

[0055] At operations 520, 530, sound may be output from the detachable speaker unit 132 according to the methods described below with reference to Figures 6A-6B and 7A-7B.

[0056] 6A-6B and 7A-7B, audio signal processing is performed (e.g., by controller 150) such that HMD speakers 118 and detachable speaker unit 132 of head mounted display unit 110 output sound according to the position of audio headset 130 and / or its detachable speaker unit 132. As described in further detail below, such audio signal processing or other audio control may include adjusting volume (see FIGS. 6A-7B and related discussion), equalization (see FIGS. 8A-8B and related discussion), and / or dynamic range (see FIGS. 9A-9B).

[0057] 6A-6B , detachable speaker unit 132 may be configured not to output sound until coupled to head-mounted display unit 110. For example, detachable speaker unit 132 may not have a power source independent of head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., not have an internal battery, not have a wired connection to a power source independent of head-mounted display unit 110, or be otherwise powered only when removably coupled to head-mounted display unit 110). In other examples, detachable speaker unit 132 may receive audio signals associated with head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., virtual audio content) only when physically coupled thereto, such as via a conductive or optical data connection. In still further examples, detachable speaker unit 132 is otherwise configured (e.g., by software programming) not to output sound until removably coupled to head-mounted display unit 110.

[0058] In such a scenario, the HMD speakers 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 may output sound to simulate or otherwise represent the sound being emitted by the detachable speaker unit 132 while the detachable speaker unit 132 is not coupled to the head-mounted display unit. Upon connecting the detachable speaker unit 132 to the head-mounted display unit 110, the sound output from the detachable speaker unit 132 may be increased so that it becomes the primary sound source (e.g., turned on), while the sound output from the HMD speakers 118 may simultaneously or subsequently be substantially reduced (e.g., to emit no sound).

[0059] 6A shows a plot of the volume of sound output from the HMD speaker 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 and the detachable speaker unit 132 of the audio headset 130 as a function of the distance of the detachable speaker unit 132 to a predetermined docking position where the detachable speaker unit 132 can be docked to the audio headset 130. Zero distance (i.e., at the docked position) is shown on the right side of the plot so that moving right along the plot reflects moving the detachable speaker unit 132 toward the docked position. The plot also shows a docked state, indicated by C, where the detachable speaker unit 132 is docked to the detachable speaker unit 132 at the docked position. It should be understood that although docked state C is shown after zero distance, this should be understood as representing a state change in the docked state of the detachable speaker unit 132 and does not necessarily represent a further change in the distance between the detachable speaker unit 132 and the docked position. As used herein, the term "volume" generally refers to the level of sound output by an audio output device, and may also be referred to as "sound output level."

[0060] As shown, the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 increases as the detachable speaker unit 132 moves closer to the docking position, reaching a peak volume when the detachable speaker unit 132 is at or near the docking position. The volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 remains zero until the detachable speaker unit 132 reaches the docking position and / or is docked to the head mounted display unit 110.

[0061] In the docked position, or in docked state C, the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 is increased, for example, to become the primary sound source for the user. Sound output from the speaker unit 132 is maintained while in docked state C.

[0062] Consistent with the increase in volume 132v of detachable speaker unit 132, the volume 118v of HMD speaker 118 decreases (e.g., when detachable speaker unit 132 is moved to a docked position or docked to head-mounted display unit 110). For example, volume 118v of HMD speaker 118 can be zero and / or maintained at zero when detachable speaker unit 132 is in docked state C.

[0063] 6B shows a method 600 for outputting sound from HMD speakers 118 according to the position of audio headset 130 and / or detachable speaker unit 132, respectively, relative to head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., relative to their docking positions on head-mounted display unit 110). Method 600 may be implemented using, for example, controller 150 and various sensors in head-mounted display unit 110 and detachable speaker unit 132. While described with respect to one of detachable speaker units 132, it should be understood that method 600 is applicable to each of detachable speaker unit 132 and audio headset 130.

[0064] In a first operation 610, a change in the position of (e.g., a docking position thereon) the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 is determined. The position of the detachable speaker unit 132 may change relative to the head-mounted display unit 110, for example, when a user moves relative to the detachable speaker unit 132 (e.g., rotates it toward, away from, or toward the head) or when a user moves the detachable speaker unit 132 (e.g., moves the detachable speaker unit 132 to a docking position). A change in the position or relative movement of the detachable speaker unit 132 may be determined by the controller 150 using, for example, sensors in the head-mounted display unit 110, such as by detecting movement toward the head-mounted display unit and / or a change in proximity therebetween, such as by processing video received from the camera 116 or sensing electronics 138d of the detachable speaker unit 132 (e.g., if the detachable speaker unit 132 is powered independently of being docked to the head-mounted display unit 110).

[0065] In a second operation 620, the volume 118v of the HMD speakers 118 is altered based on a change in the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A , the volume 118v increases or decreases as the detachable speaker unit 132 moves toward or away from the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., a docking position thereon), respectively. The controller 150 can cause an audio signal and / or power to be sent to the HMD speakers 118, causing sound to be output therefrom at the volume 118v. The sound output from the HMD speakers 118 includes auditory content, such as that associated with a virtual or mixed reality experience.

[0066] In a third operation 630, based on determining that the detachable speaker unit 132 is at zero distance relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 or upon coupling the detachable speaker unit 132 to the head-mounted display unit 110 in place, the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 is substantially increased. For example, the controller 150 may determine that the detachable speaker unit 132 is at zero distance using sensors on the head-mounted display unit 110 and / or the detachable speaker unit 132 and / or by determining that the detachable speaker unit 132 is coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110, as described above with respect to the second operation 620. The controller 150 may cause an audio signal and / or power to be transmitted to the detachable speaker unit 132 to output sound therefrom at a substantially increased volume 132v. For example, the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 may be increased from zero to provide the primary or only sound output to the user.

[0067] In a fourth operation 640, based on the determination of zero-distance coupling of the detachable speaker unit 132 or in accordance with the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 being substantially increased, the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 is substantially decreased (e.g., to zero). For example, the controller 150 may cause an audio signal and / or power to be transmitted to the HMD speaker 118 to decrease the volume 118v, or may not transmit an audio signal and / or power to the HMD speaker 118 to decrease the volume 118v to zero. The fourth operation 640 may occur coincident with the third operation 630, such as simultaneously with or shortly thereafter.

[0068] In a fifth operation 650, while the detachable speaker unit 132 is coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., in the coupled state shown in FIG. 6A ), the detachable speaker unit 132 continues to provide sound output to the user, while the HMD speaker 118 provides secondary sound or no sound at all to the user.

[0069] In a sixth operation 660, acoustic transparency of the detachable speaker unit 132 may be activated. Acoustic transparency is implemented by the ambient sound electronics 138e (e.g., microphone 138e′ and signal processor 138e”) to generate processed ambient sound as described above. Acoustic transparency may be activated automatically upon coupling the detachable speaker unit 132 to the head-mounted display unit 110, for example, when the display system 100 is operating in a mixed reality mode or by default, or may be activated by user selection. Acoustic transparency can provide a mixed reality experience by transmitting processed ambient sound to the user even though the detachable speaker unit 132 physically blocks the ambient sound from flowing directly to the user's ears E.

[0070] In a seventh operation 670, noise cancellation may be activated for the detachable speaker unit 132. The noise cancellation is implemented by the ambient sound electronics 138e to generate processed canceled sound as described above. For example, when the display system 100 is operating in a virtual reality mode (e.g., when providing virtual visual content without visual pass-through) or by default (e.g., after a predetermined time has elapsed after connecting the detachable speaker unit 132 to the head-mounted display unit 110 or after a predetermined time has elapsed while acoustic transparency is activated), noise cancellation may be activated automatically upon coupling the detachable speaker unit 132 to the head-mounted display unit 110, or may be activated by user selection. Noise cancellation may provide a virtual reality experience by further suppressing the user's hearing of sounds from the real environment. Note that noise cancellation may not be activated, or may be activated without activating acoustic transparency (e.g., one, the other, or both of the sixth operation 660 and the seventh operation 670 may be performed).

[0071] In a variation of the method 600, determining the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 (i.e., first operation 610) and modifying the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 based thereon (i.e., second operation 620) may omit the first operation 610 and the second operation 620. In such a case, based on determining the zero position or combined, increasing the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 (i.e., third operation 630) and decreasing the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 (i.e., fourth operation 640) may still be performed.

[0072] The method 600, and its variations described above, may be used in conjunction with the method 500 described above, for example, in the third operation 530.

[0073] 7A-7B, the detachable speaker unit 132 may be configured to output sound before being coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110. For example, the detachable speaker unit 132 may be powered (e.g., by an internal battery or by having a wired connection to a power source) independently of being coupled to the head-mounted display unit. In such a scenario, the HMD speakers 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 and the detachable speaker unit 132 may blend their sound output to limit variations in volume experienced by the user, such as before the detachable speaker unit 132 is coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110.

[0074] The HMD speaker 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 and the detachable speaker unit 132 output sound independently according to the movement of the audio headset 130 and / or the movement of the detachable speaker unit 132 (e.g., when the detachable speaker unit 132 is coupled to one another). For example, when the detachable speaker unit 132 is at a relatively large distance from the head-mounted display unit 110, sound is output only from the HMD speaker 118. As the detachable speaker unit 132 moves closer to the head-mounted display unit 110, the detachable speaker unit 132 may increase its volume so that the user can hear sounds being emitted from both the HMD speaker 118 of the head-mounted display unit 110 and the detachable speaker unit 132 simultaneously. As the detachable speaker unit 132 moves closer to the head mounted display unit 110, for example to couple the detachable speaker unit 132 thereto, the HMD speaker 118 and the detachable speaker unit 132 may cooperate to provide sound output, while simultaneously increasing and then decreasing the volume from the detachable speaker unit 132, to limit volume fluctuations by decreasing the volume from the HMD speaker 118. This may help to limit the volume fluctuations perceived by the user.

[0075] 7A shows a plot of the volume of sound output from the HMD speaker 118 and the detachable speaker unit 132 as a function of the distance of the detachable speaker unit 132 to a predetermined docking position where the detachable speaker unit 132 can be docked to the audio headset 130. Zero distance (i.e., at the docking position) is shown to the right of the plot so that moving right along the plot reflects moving the detachable speaker unit 132 towards the docking position.

[0076] As shown, at a relatively large distance between the detachable speaker unit 132 and the docking location on the head-mounted display unit 110, the HMD speaker 118 outputs sound at a volume 118v, while the detachable speaker unit 132 does not output sound. At such a large distance, the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 may be independent of such distance and / or may be constant. As the detachable speaker unit 132 moves closer to the docking location, the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 may decrease, while the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 increases. At such a closer distance, the user can hear sound from the output from both the HMD speaker 118 and the detachable speaker unit 132. At close distances, such as when the detachable speaker unit moves to zero distance where it couples with the head-mounted display unit 110 above the user's ear E, the volume 118v output by the HMD speaker 118 may decrease to zero, while the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 may decrease to a final output level. The decrease in volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 may account for an increase in volume that the user might otherwise perceive due to, for example, the decreased distance and / or sound separation that the user might perceive from the real environment due to the housing 134 or pads 246 of the detachable speaker unit 132 engaging the user's ear E.

[0077] 7B shows a method 700 for outputting sound from HMD speakers 118 and detachable speaker unit 132, individually according to the position of audio headset 130 and / or detachable speaker unit 132 relative to head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., relative to a docking position on head-mounted display unit 110). Method 700 may be performed, for example, using controller 150 and various sensors in head-mounted display unit 110 and detachable speaker unit 132. While described with respect to only one of detachable speaker units 132, it should be understood that method 700 is applicable to each of detachable speaker unit 132 and audio headset 130.

[0078] In a first operation 710, the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., a predetermined docking position thereon) is determined, so that it can be performed in the manner described above for the first operation 610 of method 600.

[0079] In a second operation 720, based on a position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 that is relatively far away (e.g., greater than a threshold distance), the HMD speaker 118 outputs sound (i.e., volume 118v is greater than zero), while the detachable speaker unit 132 does not output sound (i.e., volume 132v is zero). The controller 150 can cause audio signals and / or power to be sent to the HMD speaker 118 to output sound therefrom. The sound output from the HMD speaker 118 includes auditory content, such as that associated with a virtual or mixed reality experience.

[0080] In a third operation 730, based on the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head mounted display unit 110 being in an intermediate range (e.g., below the threshold distance and above the second threshold) and decreasing, the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 is decreased while the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 is simultaneously increased. The controller 150 can cause audio signals and / or power to be transmitted to the HMD speaker 118 and the detachable speaker unit 132.

[0081] In a fourth operation 740, based on the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head mounted display unit 110 being close (e.g., below a second threshold distance to zero) and decreasing to zero distance, the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 is decreased to zero and the volume 132v of the detachable speaker unit 132 is slightly decreased to a non-zero value. The controller 150 causes an audio signal and / or power to be sent to the HMD speaker 118 to output sound therefrom.

[0082] In a fifth operation 750, while the detachable speaker unit 132 is coupled to the head-mounted display unit 110, the detachable speaker unit 132 continues to provide sound output to the user at a volume 132v greater than zero, while the HMD speaker 118 does not provide sound to the user.

[0083] In a sixth operation 760 , the acoustic transparency of the detachable speaker unit 132 may be activated, as described above for the sixth operation 670 of the method 600 .

[0084] In a seventh operation 770, noise cancellation of the detachable speaker unit 132 may be activated, as described above for the seventh operation 670 of the method 600.

[0085] It should be noted that aspects of method 600 may be incorporated into method 700, in which case the volume 118v of the HMD speaker 118 may vary to simulate movement of the detachable speaker unit 132 in the sound emanating therefrom. For example, in the second act 720, the volume 118v may increase to simulate the detachable speaker unit 132 moving closer to its docking position on the head-mounted display unit 110, and in the third act 730, the volume 118v may increase or remain constant. Furthermore, method 700 may be used in conjunction with the previously described method 500, e.g., in the third act 530.

[0086] 8A-8B , for a detachable speaker unit 132 configured to output sound when detached from the head-mounted display unit 110, the equalization of the sound output by the detachable speaker unit 132 may vary according to the distance from the detachable speaker unit 132 to (e.g., a docking location on) the head-mounted display unit 110. For example, as the detachable speaker unit 132 moves closer to the head-mounted display unit 110, the gain of low-frequency (e.g., bass-range) sounds may increase and the gain of higher-frequency sounds may decrease. Reducing the gain at low frequencies and increasing the gain at higher frequencies concentrates the power output for higher-frequency sounds, which generally consume less power than low-frequency sounds for a given volume output. Because the power output of the detachable speaker unit 132 may be limited due to its portable / detachable nature (e.g., being battery powered) and / or its primary use case (e.g., being held in close proximity to the user's ear E), equalization in this manner may allow the user to experience a louder sound while the detachable speaker unit 132 is at a relatively greater distance than would be the case without equalization.

[0087] 8A, the gain of low frequency sounds output by the detachable speaker unit 132 is referred to as low frequency gain 832L, while the gain of higher frequency sounds output by the detachable speaker unit 132 is referred to as high frequency gain 832H. Low frequency gain 832L and high frequency gain 832H are represented by a plot where the Y axis is gain and the X axis is the distance between the detachable speaker unit 132 and the head mounted display unit 110 (e.g., the coupling position thereon), with the distance being zero on the right side (i.e., the detachable speaker unit 132 moves closer to the coupling position as it moves right along the plot).

[0088] At a relatively long distance between the detachable speaker unit 132 and the head-mounted display unit 110, the low-frequency gain 832L is below 1, e.g., starts at zero. As the distance decreases, such as when the user moves the detachable speaker unit 132 toward the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., to a coupling position above the user's ear E), the low-frequency gain increases, e.g., ends at 1. Conversely, the high-frequency gain 832H is above 1 at a relatively long distance and decreases as the distance decreases, e.g., ends at 1. As a result, at a relatively long distance, the low-frequency gain 832L is below 1 and the high-frequency gain 832H is above 1, and the difference between the low-frequency gain 832L and the high-frequency gain 832H decreases as the distance decreases, e.g., the difference ends at zero.

[0089] Alternatively or additionally, at relatively close distances, such as when the detachable speaker unit 132 is in the user's hand and being moved toward the head-mounted display unit 110 coupled thereto, the gain for low-frequency sounds may be increased above 1. Such low-frequency sounds may tend to roll off (e.g., be attenuated) when the detachable speaker unit 132 is held by the user, and increasing the gain for such low-frequency sounds may provide the user with a flatter sound, or the perception of a flatter sound. Accordingly, referring again to FIG. 8A , the alternative gain for low-frequency sounds output by the detachable speaker unit 132 is referred to as low-frequency gain 832L′. At relatively close distances between the detachable speaker unit 132 and the head-mounted display unit 110, low-frequency gain 832L′ may increase above 1 and may decrease gradually (as shown) or in steps toward and / or to 1 as the distance decreases. At relatively long distances, the low frequency gain 832L' may be the same as the low frequency gain 832L (e.g., starting below 1, such as at zero, and increasing as the distance decreases), or may be some other value (e.g., 1).

[0090] 8B shows a method 800 for outputting sound from detachable speaker unit 132 using equalization audio signal processing according to the position of audio headset 130 and / or detachable speaker unit 132 individually relative to head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., relative to a docking position on head-mounted display unit 110). Method 800 may be performed using, for example, controller 150 and various sensors in head-mounted display unit 110 and detachable speaker unit 132. While described with respect to only one of detachable speaker units 132, it should be understood that method 800 is applicable to each of detachable speaker unit 132 and audio headset 130. Method 800 may be referred to as an equalization method or an equalization audio signal processing method and may be used alone and / or in conjunction with method 700.

[0091] In a first operation 810, the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., a predetermined docking position thereon) is determined, so that it can be performed in the manner described above for the first operation 610 of method 600.

[0092] In a second operation 820, based on the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 being relatively far away (e.g., greater than a threshold distance) with respect to the head-mounted display unit 110, the low-frequency gain 832L is less than 1 and / or the high-frequency gain 832H is greater than 1, and sound is output from the detachable speaker unit 132 in accordance with the low-frequency gain 832L and / or the high-frequency gain 832H. The controller 150 may adjust the low-frequency gain 832L and the high-frequency gain 832H, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A , and cause audio signals and / or power to be sent to the detachable speaker unit 132 to output sound therefrom in accordance with such adjusted gains. The output sound may include auditory content, such as that associated with a virtual or mixed reality experience.

[0093] In a third operation 830, based on the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 being in an intermediate range (e.g., below the threshold distance and above the second threshold) and decreasing, the low-frequency gain 832L is increased and / or the high-frequency gain 832H is decreased, and sound is output from the detachable speaker unit 132 in accordance with the (adjusted) low-frequency gain 832L and / or high-frequency gain 832H. The controller 150 may adjust the low-frequency gain 832L and the high-frequency gain 832H, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A , and cause an audio signal and / or power to be sent to the detachable speaker unit 132 to output sound therefrom in accordance with such adjusted gains.

[0094] In a fourth operation 840, based on the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 being within a relatively close range (e.g., below a second threshold) and decreasing, the low frequency gain may optionally be increased above 1, and then optionally further decreased towards 1 as the distance decreases to zero. The controller 150 may adjust the low frequency gain 832L′ and cause an audio signal and / or power to be sent to the detachable speaker unit 132 to output sound in accordance with such gain.

[0095] 9A-9B , for a detachable speaker unit 132 configured to output sound when detached from the head-mounted display unit 110, the dynamic range of the sound output by the detachable speaker unit 132 can vary according to the distance of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to (e.g., its docking location on) the head-mounted display unit 110. Dynamic range generally refers to the volume range between loud and soft sounds, while dynamic range compression refers to audio signal processing that reduces the volume of louder sounds and / or amplifies quieter sounds. For example, as the detachable speaker unit 132 moves closer to the head-mounted display unit 110, dynamic range compression can be applied at a reduced level, thereby resulting in a lower dynamic range at relatively far distances and a higher dynamic range at lower distances. Applying dynamic range compression in this manner can, for example, enable a user to hear more sound and / or experience a consistently louder volume from the detachable speaker unit 132 at relatively far distances.

[0096] 9A, the dynamic range 932R of the sound output by the detachable speaker unit 132 is shown as a function of the distance between (e.g., the coupling position on) the detachable speaker unit 132 and the head-mounted display unit 110. As the distance decreases, less dynamic compression is applied such that the dynamic range 932R increases.

[0097] 9B shows a method 900 for outputting sound from detachable speaker unit 132 using dynamic range compression audio signal processing according to the position of audio headset 130 and / or detachable speaker unit 132 individually relative to head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., relative to their coupling position on head-mounted display unit 110). Method 900 may be performed using, for example, controller 150 and various sensors in head-mounted display unit 110 and detachable speaker unit 132. While described with respect to only one of detachable speaker units 132, it should be understood that method 900 is applicable to each of detachable speaker unit 132 and audio headset 130. Method 900 may be referred to as a dynamic range compression method or a dynamic range compression audio signal processing method and may be used alone and / or in conjunction with methods 700 and / or 800.

[0098] In a first operation 910, the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., a predetermined docking position thereon) is determined, so that it can be performed in the manner described above for the first operation 610 of method 600.

[0099] In a second operation 920, a relatively high level of dynamic range compression is applied to achieve a relatively low dynamic range based on a relatively far position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., greater than a threshold distance). The controller 150 may apply the dynamic range compression to achieve the dynamic range 932R shown in FIG. 9A , for example, and cause audio signals and / or power to be sent to the detachable speaker unit 132 to output sound therefrom in accordance with such dynamic range. The output sound may include auditory content, such as that associated with a virtual or mixed reality experience.

[0100] In a third operation 930, based on the position of the detachable speaker unit 132 relative to the head-mounted display unit 110 being in an intermediate range (e.g., below a threshold distance) and decreasing, the level of dynamic range compression applied is decreased to achieve a relatively high dynamic range. The controller 150 may, for example, apply dynamic range compression to achieve the dynamic range 932R shown in FIG. 9A and cause audio signals and / or power to be transmitted to the detachable speaker unit 132 to output sound therefrom in accordance with such dynamic range.

[0101] 10A-10D , display system 100 may be configured to display visual indicator 1060 associated with audio headset 130. For example, before detachable speaker unit 132 is coupled to head-mounted display unit 110, head-mounted display unit 110 may provide visual content including visual indicator 1060, such as an animation, icon, or other indicator, which may be spatially proximate to audio headset 130. Visual indicator 1060 may suggest or otherwise indicate the sound output capabilities of audio headset 130 and / or may provide instructions for its use. While described with reference to display system 100 and its components (e.g., head-mounted display unit 110 and audio headset 130), the concepts and methods described with reference to FIGS. 10A-10D are applicable to display systems 200, 300, and 400.

[0102] 10A , a user can view display screen 114 of head-mounted display unit 110 and see audio headset 130 in their field of view (e.g., via video or optical pass-through as described above) as a real object in a mixed reality experience or a virtual object in a virtual reality experience, where audio headset 130 is depicted by rendered graphics. For illustrative purposes, audio headset 130 is positioned on a table in the real environment. As shown in FIG. 10B , display screen 114 can also display visual indicator 1060, which can be visually associated with audio headset 130, for example, by being depicted in proximity to audio headset 130, such as by surrounding and / or overlaying it.

[0103] The visual indicator 1060 suggests or otherwise communicates the audio capabilities and / or use of the audio headset 130. In one example, the visual indicator is an audio-related icon, such as a sound wave (as shown), a depiction of traditional headphones, or other icon evocative of the audio capabilities or use of the audio headset 130. Alternatively or additionally, the visual indicator 1060 may be an animation of sound waves or the like being emitted from the audio headset 130. The movement and / or intensity of the visual indicator 1060 (e.g., the sound wave animation) may be correlated to its associated sound, for example, by changing appearance in response to sound being output. For example, the visual indicator 1060 may visually pulse in accordance with the beat of the sound or music (e.g., faster or slower in accordance with faster or slower beats of the sound, respectively) or in accordance with the intensity of a sonic event (e.g., increasing in size and / or pulsating faster in accordance with a real or virtual event expected to produce a loud and / or intense sound, such as an explosion).

[0104] Visual indicator 1060 may be positioned in spatial proximity (e.g., in close proximity, overlapping, and / or surrounding) to audio headset 130 and / or detachable speaker unit 132, respectively. The position of audio headset 130 may be determined in the manner described above, for example, by using sensors in head-mounted display unit 110 (e.g., camera 116 for video recognition of audio headset 130, or motion sensor 120) and / or sensing electronics 138d in detachable speaker unit 132 (e.g., camera, motion sensor, etc.).

[0105] The visual indicator 1060, or variations thereof, may suggest or otherwise communicate how to use the audio headset 130, for example, by displaying one or more diagrams illustrating how to use the audio headset 130. Referring to FIG. 10C , for example, when the detachable speaker unit 132 is not within the user's field of view, the visual indicator 1070 may guide the user in moving the detachable speaker unit 132 to a docking position on the head-mounted display unit 110. The visual indicator 1070 includes an illustration 1070a representing the detachable speaker unit 132 and another illustration 1070b representing the docking position. The illustrations 1070a, 1070b may be displayed in a spatial relationship relative to each other that represents the physical spatial arrangement between the detachable speaker unit 132 and the docking position on the head-mounted display unit 110, thereby communicating to the user the movement required to dock the detachable speaker unit 132. For example, as shown, illustration 1070a (i.e., representing detachable speaker unit 132) may be positioned below and to the right of illustration 1070b (i.e., representing the docking position on head-mounted display unit 110), thereby indicating that the right-side detachable speaker unit 132 is forward and lower than the docking position. Visual indication 1070 may alternatively or additionally include icons (e.g., arrows), text (e.g., written text), and / or animation (e.g., depicting the movement of illustration 1070a towards illustration 1070b) instructing the user where to move detachable speaker unit 132 to dock with head-mounted display unit 110.

[0106] 10D , a method 1000 for providing visual content in a display system, and in particular for providing a visual indicator associated with an audio output device, is shown. The display system may be, for example, one of display systems 100, 200, 300, or 400. Method 1000 may be performed, for example, using controller 150 and various sensors in head-mounted display unit 110 and detachable speaker unit 132. For simplicity, method 1000 is described in conjunction with display system 100, but it should be understood that method 1000 is applicable to display systems 200, 300, and 400. In addition, while generally described below with respect to detachable speaker unit 132, it should be understood that method 1000 is applicable to each of the detachable speaker unit 132, audio headset 130, or other audio output devices, such as external speakers.

[0107] In a first operation 1010, the position of an audio output device (e.g., audio headset 130, detachable speaker unit 132, or other audio output device) is determined. The position of the audio output device may be determined by controller 150 using, for example, sensors in head-mounted display unit 110, such as by detecting movement toward and / or changes in proximity between them, by processing video received from camera 116 or sensing electronics 138d of detachable speaker unit 132 (e.g., if detachable speaker unit 132 is powered independently of being coupled to head-mounted display unit 110).

[0108] In a second operation 1020, while the audio output device is within the field of view of the head-mounted display unit, a visual indicator 1060 is displayed in spatial proximity to the audio output device. For example, the controller 150 may send a display signal to the head-mounted display unit 110 to display the visual indicator 1060 on the display screen 114 according to the location determined in the first operation 1010. The visual indicator 1060 may visually communicate to the user the audio characteristics of the audio output device (e.g., showing an icon or animation resembling sound waves or a type of audio device, such as headphones) and / or instructions for using the audio output device (e.g., for coupling the detachable speaker unit 132 to the head-mounted display unit 110), as described above. The field of view of the head-mounted display unit 110 is the portion of the real environment that the user can see at a given time.

[0109] In a third operation 1030, when the audio output device is outside the field of view of the display screen 114, a visual indicator 1070 is displayed to indicate the physical proximity of the audio output device to the head-mounted display unit (e.g., to the coupling location of the detachable speaker unit 132). For example, the controller 150 may send a display signal to the head-mounted display unit 110 to display the visual indicator 1070 on the display screen 114 according to the location determined in the first operation 1010. As described above, the visual indicator 1070 may include an illustration 1070a representing the detachable speaker unit 132 and an illustration 1070b representing the coupling location in spatial relationship thereto, which represents the physical spatial relationship (e.g., physical proximity) of the detachable speaker unit 132 to the coupling location on the head-mounted display unit 110. It should be noted that one, the other, or both of the second operation 1020 and the third operation 1030 may be performed.

[0110] In a fourth action 1040, which may occur simultaneously with the second action 1020 (i.e., when the audio output device is in the field of view) and / or the third action 1030 (i.e., when the audio output device is out of the field of view), virtual auditory content may be output by the HMD speakers 118, thereby spatially simulating sound emanating from the audio output device (e.g., spatially balanced and / or varying in volume from left to right to represent the left and right orientation and / or distance of the audio output device, respectively). The virtual auditory content may correspond to, and for example, be temporally coincident with the display of, visual indicator 1060 or visual indicator 1070.

[0111] Although the method 1000 is described as providing both visual indicators 1060, 1070, the method 1000 may instead include operations for providing only one of the visual indicators 1060, 1070.

[0112] As mentioned above, method 1000 may be used with audio output devices other than audio headset 130 or detachable speaker units 132 associated with display system 100. For example, another audio output device may be an external speaker that is not physically coupleable to the head-mounted display unit.

[0113] Additionally, method 1000 may be used in conjunction with the above-described methods 500, 600, and 700. For example, as described with methods 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900, the visual indicators 1060 and 1070 may be displayed simultaneously with sound output from the HMD speaker 118 and / or the detachable speaker unit 132.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 11 , the controller 150 may have the hardware configuration shown and described, or any other suitable configuration. The controller 150 may include a processor 1151, a memory 1152, a storage device 1153, a communication interface 1154, and a bus 1155 connecting such components or devices for communication therebetween. The processor 1151 is operable to execute computer program instructions and perform operations described by such instructions. By way of example, the processor 1151 may be a central processing unit or other conventional processing device. The memory 1152 may be a volatile, high-speed, short-term information storage device (e.g., a random access memory module). The storage device 1153 may be a non-volatile information storage device (e.g., a hard drive). The communication interface 1154 is configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., wired or wireless) to and / or from, for example, the head-mounted display unit 110 and / or the audio headset 130.

[0115] The physical environment refers to the physical world that people can sense and / or interact with without the aid of electronic systems. A physical environment, such as a physical park, includes physical objects such as physical trees, physical buildings, and physical people. People can directly sense and / or interact with the physical environment through their senses, such as sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell.

[0116] In contrast, a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment refers to a wholly or partially simulated environment that people sense and / or interact with through electronic systems. In a CGR, a subset of a person's physical movements or representations thereof are tracked, and in response, one or more properties of one or more virtual objects simulated within the CGR environment are adjusted to behave according to at least one law of physics. For example, a CGR system may detect a person's head rotation and, in response, adjust the graphical content and sound field presented to the person in a manner similar to how such views and sounds might change in a physical environment. In some circumstances (e.g., for accessibility reasons), adjustments to the property(ies) of a virtual object(s) in a CGR environment may be made in response to representations of physical movements (e.g., voice commands).

[0117] A person may sense and / or interact with a CGR object using any one of these senses, including sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. For example, a person may sense and / or interact with an audio object that creates a 3D or spatially expansive audio environment that provides the perception of a point sound source in 3D space. In another example, an audio object may enable audio transparency, selectively incorporating ambient sounds from the physical environment with or without computer-generated audio. In some CGR environments, a person may sense and / or interact with only the audio object.

[0118] Examples of CGR include virtual reality and mixed reality.

[0119] A virtual reality (VR) environment refers to a simulated environment designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory input for one or more senses. A VR environment includes multiple virtual objects that a person can sense and / or interact with. For example, computer-generated images of trees, buildings, and avatars representing people are examples of virtual objects. A person can sense and / or interact with virtual objects in a VR environment through a simulation of the person's presence in the computer-generated environment and / or through a simulation of a subset of the person's physical movements in the computer-generated environment.

[0120] In contrast to VR environments, which are designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory input, mixed reality (MR) environments refer to simulated environments that are designed to incorporate sensory input from, or representations of, the physical environment in addition to including computer-generated sensory input (e.g., virtual objects). On the virtuality continuum, a mixed reality environment is anywhere between, but not including, a fully physical environment at one end and a virtual reality environment at the other.

[0121] In some MR environments, computer-generated sensory inputs may respond to changes in sensory inputs from the physical environment. Also, some electronic systems for presenting MR environments can track the location and / or orientation of virtual objects relative to the physical environment to allow them to interact with real objects (i.e., physical items or representations thereof from the physical environment). For example, the system can account for movement so that a virtual tree appears stationary relative to the physical ground.

[0122] Examples of mixed reality include augmented reality and augmented virtuality.

[0123] An augmented reality (AR) environment refers to a simulated environment in which one or more virtual objects are overlaid on a physical environment or a representation thereof. For example, an electronic system for presenting an AR environment may have a transparent or translucent display through which a person can directly view the physical environment. The system may be configured to present virtual objects on the transparent or translucent display, whereby a person uses the system to perceive the virtual objects overlaid on the physical environment. Alternatively, the system may have an opaque display and one or more imaging sensors that capture images or videos of the physical environment, which are representations of the physical environment. The system composites the images or videos with the virtual objects and presents the composite on the opaque display. A person uses the system to indirectly view the physical environment through the images or videos of the physical environment and perceive the virtual objects overlaid on the physical environment. As used herein, video of a physical environment shown on an opaque display is referred to as “pass-through video,” meaning that the system captures images of the physical environment using one or more imaging sensors and uses those images in presenting the AR environment on the opaque display. Further alternatively, the system may include a projection system that projects virtual objects into the physical environment, for example as holograms or onto physical surfaces, so that a person using the system perceives the virtual objects as overlaid on the physical environment.

[0124] Augmented reality environments also refer to simulated environments in which a representation of a physical environment is transformed by computer-generated sensory information. For example, in providing pass-through video, a system may transform one or more sensor images to be imposed with a selected perspective (e.g., viewpoint) that differs from the perspective captured by the imaging sensor. As another example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically altering (e.g., magnifying) a portion thereof, thereby rendering the altered portion a representative but non-photorealistic version of the originally captured image. As a further example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically removing or obscuring a portion thereof.

[0125] An augmented virtuality (AV) environment refers to a simulated environment in which the virtual or computer-generated environment incorporates one or more sensory inputs from the physical environment. The sensory inputs may be representations of one or more characteristics of the physical environment. For example, an AV park may have virtual trees and virtual buildings, while people with faces are realistically recreated from images of physical people. As another example, virtual objects may adopt the shape or color of physical items imaged by one or more imaging sensors. As a further example, virtual objects may adopt shadows that match the position of the sun in the physical environment.

[0126] A wide variety of electronic systems exist that allow humans to sense and / or interact with various CGR environments. Examples include head-mounted systems, projection-based systems, heads-up displays (HUDs), vehicle windshields with integrated display capabilities, windows with integrated display capabilities, displays formed as lenses designed to be placed over a person's eyes (e.g., similar to contact lenses), headphones / earphones, speaker arrays, input systems (e.g., wearable or handheld controllers with or without haptic feedback), smartphones, tablets, and desktop / laptop computers. A head-mounted system may have one or more speaker(s) and an integrated opaque display. Alternatively, a head-mounted system may be configured to accept an external opaque display (e.g., a smartphone). A head-mounted system may incorporate one or more imaging sensors for capturing images or video of the physical environment and / or one or more microphones for capturing audio of the physical environment. Rather than an opaque display, a head-mounted system may have a transparent or translucent display. A transparent or translucent display may have a medium through which light representing an image is directed to a person's eye. The display may utilize digital light projection, OLED, LED, uLED, liquid crystal on silicon, laser-scanned light source, or any combination of these technologies. The medium may be a light guide, a holographic medium, an optical combiner, an optical reflector, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the transparent or translucent display may be configured to be selectively opaque. A projection-based system may employ retinal projection technology that projects a graphic image onto a person's retina. A projection system may also be configured to project virtual objects into a physical environment, for example, as a hologram or onto a physical surface.

[0127] As mentioned above, one aspect of the present technology is to collect and use data available from various sources to display visual content and output audio content, which may include changing content based on a user's head or eye movement or state. The present disclosure contemplates that, in some examples, this collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies a particular person or that can be used to contact or locate a particular person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, phone numbers, email addresses, Twitter IDs, home addresses, data or records regarding a user's health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), birth date, or any other identifying or personal information.

[0128] This disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present technology can be used to benefit the user. For example, personal information data can be used to output content, thus enabling an enhanced user experience. Furthermore, other uses of personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by this disclosure. For example, health and fitness data can be used to provide insight into the user's overall wellness, or can be used as proactive feedback to individuals using the technology to pursue wellness goals.

[0129] This disclosure contemplates that entities involved in the collection, analysis, disclosure, transmission, storage, or other use of such personal information data will adhere to robust privacy policies and / or privacy practices. Specifically, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the strict confidentiality of personal information data. Such policies should be easily accessible to users and should be updated as data collection and / or use changes. Personal information from users should be collected for the entity's lawful and legitimate use and should not be shared or sold except for those lawful uses. Furthermore, such collection / sharing should be carried out after the user's informed consent is obtained. Furthermore, such entities should consider taking all necessary measures to protect and secure access to such personal information data and to ensure that others with access to that personal information data comply with their privacy policies and procedures. Furthermore, such entities may be able to undergo third-party assessments to demonstrate their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. Furthermore, policies and practices should be tailored to the specific types of personal data collected and / or accessed and should comply with applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For example, in the United States, the collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and / or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be addressed accordingly. Therefore, different privacy practices should be maintained with respect to different types of personal data in each country.

[0130] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which a user selectively blocks use of or access to personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and / or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of observing a user's head or eye state or movement, the present disclosure may be configured to allow the user to "opt in" or "opt out" of participating in personal information data collection during service registration or at any time thereafter. In another example, the user may choose not to provide user movement or state data or to limit the amount of time user observation data is observed or maintained. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications regarding access or use of personal information. For example, the user may be notified upon downloading an app that will access the user's personal information data, and then again immediately before the app accesses the user's personal information data.

[0131] Furthermore, it is the intent of this disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed in a manner that minimizes the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting data collection and deleting data when it is no longer needed. Furthermore, where applicable, de-identification of data can be used to protect user privacy in certain health-related applications. De-identification can be facilitated, where appropriate, by removing certain identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than a street address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and / or other methods.

[0132] Thus, while this disclosure broadly encompasses the use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, this disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments may be implemented without requiring access to such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable by the absence of all or part of such personal information data. For example, content may be provided to a user by inferring preferences based on non-personal information or a minimal amount of personal information, such as content requested by a device associated with the user or publicly available information.

Claims

1. a head mounted display unit for outputting visual content to a user; a detachable speaker unit detachably coupleable to the head-mounted display unit for providing auditory content to the user; At least one of the visual content or the auditory content is changed according to a position of the detachable speaker unit relative to the head mounted display unit. Display system.

2. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the head-mounted display unit includes built-in speakers, and the output of the auditory content is output from one or more of the detachable speaker unit or the built-in speakers according to the position.

3. 3. The display system of claim 2, wherein the volume of the built-in speaker is changed according to the position of the removable speaker unit.

4. 4. The display system of claim 3, wherein the volume of the built-in speaker is positive when the detachable speaker unit is not coupled to the head-mounted display unit and is zero when the detachable speaker unit is coupled to the head-mounted display unit, and wherein another volume of the detachable speaker unit is positive when the detachable speaker unit is coupled to the head-mounted display unit.

5. The display system of claim 4 , wherein the other volume of the detachable speaker unit is positive when the detachable speaker unit is not coupled to the head-mounted display unit.

6. 6. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein audio signal processing of the auditory content output by the detachable speaker unit changes as the detachable speaker unit is moved towards a docking position on the head-mounted display unit.

7. 7. The display system of claim 6, wherein the audio signal processing includes increasing the volume as the detachable speaker unit is moved toward the docking position.

8. 8. A display system according to claim 6, wherein the audio signal processing includes equalisation, which includes increasing low frequency gain as the detachable speaker unit is moved towards the docking position.

9. 9. A display system according to claim 6, wherein the audio signal processing includes increasing the dynamic range as the detachable speaker unit is moved towards the docking position.

10. 10. The display system of claim 1, wherein the visual content includes a visual indicator in spatial proximity to the detachable speaker unit when the detachable speaker unit is within the field of view of the head-mounted display unit.

11. The display system of claim 10 , wherein the visual indicator indicates to the user the sound output capabilities of the detachable speaker unit.

12. 12. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the visual content includes a visual indicator of the physical proximity of the detachable speaker unit to a coupling position where the detachable speaker unit can be removably coupled to the head-mounted display unit to provide the auditory content to the user when the detachable speaker unit is out of the field of view of the head-mounted display unit.

13. 13. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first and second detachable speaker units receive audio signals and power from the head-mounted display unit when coupled to the head-mounted display unit.

14. 14. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first and second detachable speaker units are powered and receive audio signals when detached from the head-mounted display unit.

15. 15. A display system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second detachable speaker units are detachably coupleable to the head mounted display unit using magnetic attachment.

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