Virtual reality device with external control for hospital environments and similar

Abstract

The invention relates to a virtual reality device with external control, which comprises a stand-alone virtual reality headset and an external processing unit connected to a touch screen. The processing unit includes software that allows applications or experiences to be selected and launched in the display of the virtual reality device without needing to use manual controllers. The device is intended to facilitate the use of virtual reality by persons with reduced mobility or technological difficulties, allowing the activation thereof by third parties. The processing unit and the virtual reality device can be connected wirelessly. The device may include a support base with a battery, a charging support and an auxiliary lighting system.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] VIRTUAL REALITY EQUIPMENT WITH EXTERNAL CONTROL FOR HOSPITAL AND SIMILAR ENVIRONMENTS

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as stated in the present descriptive report, refers to a virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments that provides, to the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below.

[0005] The object of the present invention is an electronic device that, basically comprising a stand-alone virtual reality (VR) headset, i.e., with hand controls, has the particularity of having an external user interface, for example a touch screen, with its own processing unit and specific software, which additionally allows the control of the headset externally, its main purpose being to allow, especially in hospital and similar environments such as residences, recovery institutions, etc., the launch of virtual reality experiences and apps from said external screen in an unattended, autonomous and simple manner to the headset.

[0006] These features eliminate the need for the wearer, such as people with mobility issues, hospitalized patients, or those who struggle with technology, to perform any action to use the glasses. A third party, such as a nurse, can control the glasses by interacting with a user interface separate from the glasses themselves. For example, they can activate an experience simply by clicking on a touchscreen that displays the available options.

[0007] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The field of application of the present invention is within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of accessories for hospital and / or health use, encompassing at the same time the field of virtual reality electronic equipment.

[0009] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0010] There are many different types and brands of virtual reality headsets available on the market. Currently, the most popular are the standalone headsets, which are independent devices that don't require a computer or console; they consist of a headset and controllers for handheld use.

[0011] However, these types of virtual reality glasses, which have been evolving and improving their features and capabilities, require, for most immersive experiences and apps for which they are designed, the use of these manual controllers as well as some prior training to be able to use them correctly.

[0012] The problem is that many potential users of this type of equipment are people who cannot or do not know how to use them, either because of health or mobility problems, whether permanent or temporary, and / or because they are elderly people who generally have difficulty getting around and learning to use new technologies.

[0013] Thus, for example, in the hospital setting, patients admitted, those awaiting surgery, those in recovery, and those who may experience anxiety or restlessness are ideal candidates for these types of glasses. They can benefit from calming or relaxing immersive experiences that, in turn, can positively impact their emotional state, promoting a faster recovery. However, these same individuals often have difficulty using standalone virtual reality glasses effectively.

[0014] The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an improved virtual reality equipment that allows, if necessary and without implying a limitation, the control of the operation of the StandAlone type virtual glasses, for example, by a third party, from an external control to the glasses, preferably easy to use such as a touch screen.

[0015] This improved virtual reality equipment allows people with difficulty moving and / or interacting with virtual reality glasses to enjoy the experience.

[0016] Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least as far as the applicant is concerned, there is no knowledge of any other equipment, nor any other invention of similar application, that presents technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal or similar to those claimed herein.

[0017] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments that the invention proposes is configured as an optimal solution to the objectives indicated above, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0019] Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, is an electronic device comprising a virtual reality glasses device, in particular a Stand-Alone VR glasses device consisting of a visor and two manual control handles or hand controllers, distinguished by the fact that it comprises a processing unit and software associated with a screen, preferably touch-sensitive, which allows it to act as an alternative user interface for controlling the glasses externally.

[0020] The primary purpose of this invention is to enable, particularly in hospital and similar environments such as nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, etc., where there are often people with mobility difficulties and / or difficulties learning how to use virtual reality devices, the activation or launch of virtual reality experiences and other executable applications on virtual reality headsets from an external module. This external module comprises an external screen that is easily and unattended connected to the headset, thus allowing...

[0021] The use of the external module by a third party, for example, the doctor or any other member of the hospital staff or the institution, or even by the user himself, avoids the use of manual controllers for the activation or launch of virtual reality experiences and other executable applications on virtual reality glasses.

[0022] The user interface of the external module preferably displays a list of experiences on a touch screen, and the user only needs to click on the experience or application to launch for it to start displaying on the glasses.

[0023] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a sheet of drawings is attached to this descriptive document as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic front elevation view of an example of the virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments, which is the subject of the invention, showing its general configuration and main components; Figure 2 shows a view of the example of the equipment of the invention shown in Figure 1, in this case with the VR device's viewer not attached to the base support where the touchscreen is located; and Figure 3 shows a diagram of the different elements of the equipment of the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted therein, an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the externally controlled virtual reality equipment for hospital and similar environments of the invention can be observed, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0027] Thus, as shown in the figures, the equipment (1) of the invention comprises:

[0028] • a Stand-Alone type VR device (2), consisting of a viewer (2.1) and optionally at least one handheld controller (2.2),

[0029] • an external processing unit to the VR device (2), such as a microcomputer, comprising either specific software programmable to include virtual reality applications and experiences or a screen, preferably touch-sensitive (3) that displays a user interface through which the user interacts with the processing unit; or means of connection with the VR device (2) such that a user, such as the person wearing the headset (2.1) or a third party, simply by interacting with the user interface, selects an app or experience from a list displayed on the touch-sensitive screen (3), the processing unit connects with the VR device (2) and activates or launches said app or experience in the headset (2.1).

[0030] This equipment is especially useful in hospital and similar environments as a means of relaxation therapy or care for patients and / or users of such centers who cannot or have difficulty handling the manual controllers (2.2) to use the viewer (2.1) of said VR device (2).

[0031] The connection of the processing unit and the VR device (2) can be made by cable or wirelessly.

[0032] Preferably, the processing unit connects or links to the VR device's display (2.1) via a wireless connection, such as Wi-Fi. For this purpose, the VR device (2) preferably comprises a microcontroller with wireless connection means that connects to the processing unit, which also has wireless connection means. The microcontroller with the wireless connection means of the VR device (2) preferably has its own battery for power.

[0033] The fact that the VR device (2) has a microcontroller with wireless connection means allows the virtual reality equipment vapor manager with external control to activate vapors from them simultaneously and remotely by connecting to all of them wirelessly.

[0034] Preferably, the processing unit associated with the screen, preferably touch-sensitive, (3) is incorporated into a support base (4).

[0035] The support base (4) preferably also comprises a support (5) for the VR device (2), formed by the display assembly (2.1) and hand controllers (2.2). This support (5) preferably serves as a charging base for the VR device (2) by means of connectors (5.1).

[0036] Also preferably, the support base (4) has an LED lighting system (6), such as in the form of a perimeter strip, which allows indirect illumination of the space surrounding the location of the equipment (1).

[0037] Preferably, the support base (4) has a battery that allows the operation of the elements included therein, such as the processing unit, the card base of the RV device (2) or the LED lighting system (6), without these being connected to the electrical network.

[0038] The support base (4) can be fixed to a wall or in the form of a pedestal to stand on the floor, allowing it to be easily moved to any desired location. In either case, it can have different shapes and designs.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the touchscreen (3) is a 7-inch DHX-7inch DSI Touchscreen with case portable touchscreen from the Luckfox brand, with a USB connector.

[0040] Preferably, the processing unit comprising the equipment (1) connected to the touch screen (3) is a board, for example Raspberry Pi 36 ES, with a Cortex-type processor and 4096Mb of SDRAM-type RAM, with Wi-Fi wireless connection and USB ports.

[0041] Preferably, the Stand-Alone type VR glasses device (2) is a Meta Quest 3 type glasses device, with the following characteristics:

[0042] Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 SoC

[0043] 8 GB RAM

[0044] Pancake-style glasses

[0045] Two LCD Screens

[0046] Resolution 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye

[0047] Infinite Display 4K+ technology with 25 PPD and 1218 PPI

[0048] Two RGB cameras with 18 PPD for mixed reality tracking. Integrated speakers with 3D and spatial sound.

[0049] Storage 128 GB / 512 GB

[0050] TruTouch Variable Haptic Controller Technology

[0051] Bluetooth

[0052] Preferably, the stand (5) is a specific stand for the Meta Quest 3 VR glasses device (2) which, provided with USB connectors, serves as a charging base for the same and includes a central charging support frame for the visor (2.1), with a connection cable and a rechargeable battery, and two side charging covers for the respective manual controllers (2.2).

[0053] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field can understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments, characterized by comprising, • a Stand-Alone type VR device (2), consisting of a viewer (2.1) and optionally at least one handheld controller (2.2), • an external processing unit to the VR device (2), such as a microcomputer, comprising either specific software programmable to include virtual reality applications and experiences or a screen, preferably touch-sensitive, (3) that displays a user interface through which the user interacts with the processing unit; or means of connection with the VR device (2) such that a user, such as the person wearing the headset (2.1) or a third party, simply by interacting with the user interface, selects an app or experience from a list displayed on the touch-sensitive screen (3), the processing unit connects with the VR device (2) and activates or launches said app or experience in the headset (2.1).

2. Virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments, according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means of the external processing unit with the VR device (2) are wireless and in that the VR device (2) comprises a microcontroller with wireless connection means suitable for connecting with the wireless connection means of the external processing unit. 3.- Virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing unit associated with the screen, preferably touch-sensitive, (3) is incorporated into a support base (4) which also comprises a support (5) for the VR device (2), formed by the viewer (2.1) and optionally the manual controllers (2.2).

4. Virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments, according to claim 3, characterized in that the support (5) also comprises a charging base for the VR device (2) by means of, for example, connectors (5.1).

5. Virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments, according to any of claims 3-4, characterized in that the support base (4) has an LED lighting system (6), which allows indirect illumination of the space surrounding the location of the equipment (1). 6.- Virtual reality equipment with external control for hospital and similar environments, according to any of claims 3-5, characterized in that the support base (4) has a battery that allows the operation of the elements included therein, such as the processing unit, the card base of the VR device (2) or the LED lighting system (6), without these being connected to the electrical network.

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