Temple pad, temple structure, and cross reality terminal

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a temple pad which is detachable from a glasses-type terminal and improves wearability. The temple pad comprises: a first portion that rests on the ears of a wearer of a cross-reality terminal; a second portion that presses a portion of the head of the wearer behind the ears; and a coupling portion that is connected to the first portion and the second portion and is coupled to the temples of the cross-reality terminal.

Description

Template Pad, Template Structure, and Cross-Reality Terminal

[0001] The present invention relates to a template pad, a template structure, and a cross-reality terminal. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-024649 filed in Japan on February 19, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Conventionally, goggle-type cross-reality (XR) terminals are known. Examples of the shape of the XR terminal include those that cover the head and further support the upper part of the head to make it less likely to shift and those that fix the glasses-type terminal to the side temples.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a head-mounted display (HMD) device having a main body, a belt for fixing the main body to the head, and a weight canceller for dispersing the weight of the main body to the rear of the head is disclosed. This is a structure in which a weight canceller arranged behind the occipital region corresponding to the weight of the main body is connected by a cable, and the total center of gravity position is made close to the position of the neck. As a result, the weights of the HMD main body and the weight canceller are evenly dispersed along the belt along the head and supported by the entire head. This has a shape in which the head is covered with a belt around it, which takes time to put on and is difficult to use casually.

[0004] Regarding the structure of the glasses-type terminal, those such as Patent Documents 2 and 3 can be cited. These can be used casually, but compared with the terminal having the configuration such as Patent Document 1, the terminal is likely to shift forward. As a configuration for suppressing forward shift, there is one that strengthens the suppression from the side of the temple, but since the facial part in contact with the side is likely to be painful when worn, reinforcement for supporting the temple suppression is required, the set is likely to be large, and the number of parts is likely to increase. For example, in Patent Document 2, a goggles that can be worn by the wearer's head where the temple is replaceable and the anti-slip member of the temple can slide back and forth in the inward direction is described. In Patent Document 3, a facial ornament is disclosed in which temples are attached to both ends of a frame, and side head clamping bodies are attached to the rear ends of the temples via rocking mechanisms in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-229048, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 8-000656, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-184688

[0006] The HMD terminal described in Patent Document 1 has the problem of being cumbersome to put on and not being easy to use. The temples disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, in glasses-type XR terminals that do not cover the entire head and are easy to put on, have the problem of poor wearing comfort due to the center of gravity being biased forward.

[0007] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a temple pad that is detachable from, for example, eyeglasses-type devices and improves the wearing comfort.

[0008] A temple pad according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first portion that rests on the ear of the wearer of the cross reality terminal, a second portion that presses against the portion of the wearer's head located behind the ear, and a connecting portion that is connected to the first portion and the second portion and coupled to the temple of the cross reality terminal.

[0009] This is a top view of an XR terminal equipped with the temple pads of this embodiment. This is a side view of a wearer wearing the XR terminal of this embodiment. This is a side view of the temple structure of this embodiment. This is a side view of the temple pads of this embodiment as seen from the side of the wearer's head. This is a side view of the temple pads of this embodiment as seen from the side of the wearer's head. This is a top view of a temple structure in which the position of the temple pads is adjustable relative to the temples of this embodiment, and the temple pads are mounted towards the front. This is a top view of a temple structure in which the position of the temple pads is adjustable relative to the temples of this embodiment, and the temple pads are mounted in the middle position. This is a top view of a temple structure in which the position of the temple pads is adjustable relative to the temples of this embodiment, and the temple pads are mounted towards the rear. This is a side view of a wearer wearing the Cross Reality terminal of Modification 1. This is a side view of the temple structure of Modification 2.

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] 1 Embodiment 1.1 XR Terminal Figure 1 is a top view of the XR terminal of this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a side view of a wearer wearing the XR terminal of this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the cross-reality terminal (XR terminal) 10 comprises a temple structure 12 and a main body 11. The main body 11 comprises an eyepiece lens and an image display device (not shown). Because the XR terminal 10 is of the eyeglass type, it does not require a fixing device that covers the entire head and can be worn easily. As shown in Figure 2, because the center of gravity of the XR terminal 10 is biased toward the main body 11 located in front of the wearer, it is prone to shifting and rotating as it is pulled forward and downward in the direction of F1.

[0013] 1.2 Temple Structure Figure 3 is a side view showing the temple structure of this embodiment. The temple structure 12 comprises a temple 14 and a temple pad 15, as shown in Figure 3.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the temple 14 is attached to the end 13 of the main body 11 of the XR terminal 10. The temple 14 may be detachable from the main body 11 or it may be fixed in place.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, two temples 14 are attached to the left and right ends 13 of the XR terminal 10, one at a time, and temple pads 15 are attached to each of the left and right temples 14. Temple structures 12 are provided at both the left and right ends of the XR terminal 10.

[0016] The temple 14 has a rod-like shape, extending almost horizontally from the end 13 to the head behind the ear. To stably support the main body 11, it is preferable that the front portion connected to the end 13 is thick in the vertical direction and tapers towards the wearer's ear. It is also preferable that it has a gently curved shape to conform to the head. The curve of the temple 14 conforms to the head, making it easier to apply force to the head in a direction that presses down on the head.

[0017] 1.3 Temple Pad Figures 4 and 5 are side views of the temple pad of this embodiment as seen from the wearer's head. Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C are top views of the temple structure of this embodiment in which the position of the temple pad is adjustable relative to the temple, and the temple pad is attached closer to the front, in the middle, and closer to the rear. As shown in Figure 4, the temple pad 15 has a first part 20, a second part 25, and a connecting part 30. The temple pad 15 is intended to be attached to an eyeglass-type XR terminal 10. The temple pad 15 is attached to the temple 14 and is detachable, as shown in Figure 3.

[0018] The position in which the temple pad 15 is attached to the temple 14 is not limited to just one place, and it is preferable that the structure allows the wearer to adjust the attachment position according to the shape of their head.

[0019] 1.3.1 First Part The first part 20 has a portion that rests on the wearer's ears when the XR terminal 10 is worn. The first part 20 is rectangular in shape. Preferably, the longer side is aligned with the temple 14 and the wearer's head. It has a slanted shape to make it easy to rest on the wearer's ears. The first part 20 has a lower edge 21, which follows the head and supports the load at the upper base of the ear. Preferably, the end of the lower edge 21 is rounded to reduce discomfort when worn. As shown in Figure 2, the first part 20 rests on the ears, allowing the ears to support the load of the XR terminal 10 that falls downwards.

[0020] When the XR terminal 10 with the temple pads 15 attached is worn, the first part 20 rests on the ear, and the part where the lower edge 21 of the first part 20 contacts the ear becomes the fulcrum for the weight of the XR terminal 10.

[0021] The inclined surface 22 of the first part 20 contacts the upper part of the wearer's ear, supporting the downward load from the temple 14 at the base of the upper part of the ear. The first part 20 is made of a material that elastically deforms to conform to the shape of the head and the base of the upper part of the ear. Because the part of the first part 20 that contacts the wearer's head and the base of the upper part of the ear is made of an elastically deformable material, the first part 20 does not interfere with holding down the head even when placed on the ear. Examples of suitable materials for the first part 20 include silicone rubber and elastomer. Furthermore, a plastically deformable core, such as metal, may be included in such an elastically deformable material.

[0022] The first portion 20 preferably has a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm. This range reduces the burden on the ear and allows it to stably support the load placed on the ear. However, the thickness of the first portion 20 is not necessarily limited to this range.

[0023] There are individual differences in the position of the wearer's ears. Therefore, it is preferable that the first part 20 has a length in the direction D along the temple 14 that can accommodate a wide range of individual differences in ear position.

[0024] 1.3.2 Second Part As shown in Figure 2, the second part 25 presses against the part of the wearer's head behind the ears. Preferably, the part pressed by the second part 25 includes the area around the mastoid process. By extending behind the ears and pressing against the area around the mastoid process, the second part 25 supports the load in the area around the mastoid process, suppressing displacement of the XR terminal 10 caused by the movement of the XR terminal 10 being pulled forward and rotated by the load of the main body 11. Furthermore, since there are individual differences in head size, it is also conceivable that the second part 25 may press against the back of the head behind the area around the mastoid process, and in this case as well, it is possible to suppress displacement by rotation forward.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the weight of the XR terminal 10 is biased forward when the temple pads 15 are not present. Therefore, it is prone to rotating and shifting due to a downward pulling force F1 in front of the wearer's face. When the temple pads 15 are attached to the XR terminal 10, the second portion 25 of the left and right temple pads 15 have a weight that balances the weight of the main body 11 in front, with the base of the ear, which contacts the first portion 20, as the pivot point. This generates a rotational force F2 that is in the opposite direction to the downward rotational force F1 of the main body 11. The upper part of the base of the ear, which contacts the first portion 20, acts as a pivot point to support the load F3 upward. Compared to the case without the temple pads 15, the forward bias of the weight is reduced, making it more stable, less likely to shift even when worn for long periods of time, and improving the wearing comfort.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the second part 25 has a shape that combines a shape that follows the temple 14, with an edge that connects to the joint part 30 where it overlaps with the temple 14, and a roughly elliptical shape that extends downward from the temple 14 and follows the wearer's head. The second part 25 also protrudes inward toward the head from the joint part 30. This shape allows it to press against the back of the head without any gaps. It also has a thickness that increases toward the lower tip. This shape allows it to press against the curved shape of the head near the mastoid process, preventing the XR terminal 10 from shifting due to friction.

[0027] 1.3.3 Joining Part As shown in Figure 4, the joining part 30 is connected to the first part 20 and the second part 25. The joining part 30 has a rectangular plate shape that follows the inside of the temple 14, and its long side is aligned horizontally with the temple 14. The joining part 30 is connected to the first part 20 at its lower edge and to the second part 25 at its rear edge. It may be made of a material that does not deform and conforms to a specific temple, or it may be made of a material that is capable of plastic and elastic deformation and can conform to any temple curve shape.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the connecting portion 30 is connected to the temple 14 of the XR terminal 10. The temple 14 has a structure that engages with the connecting portion 30, and the temple pad 15 is detachable from the structure of the temple 14. When the connecting portion 30 is connected to the temple 14, the temple pad 15 is attached to the temple 14, forming the temple structure 12. Examples of structures for connecting the temple 14 and the connecting portion 30 include a structure in which grooves are provided on both the connecting portion 30 and the temple 14, allowing them to engage and slide through the grooves; a structure in which a projection is fitted into a recess that engages with the projection and fixed; a structure in which a hook-and-loop fastener is used for fixing; and a structure in which a magnetic material is incorporated and fixed by magnetic force. Alternatively, either the connecting portion 30 or the temple 14 may have a claw-like hook structure, while the other does not have a special structure for connecting.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the first part 20 extends from the connecting part 30 in a direction inclined inward from below, such that its lower edge 21 follows the shape of the head and is supported at the upper base of the ear. The second part 25 is located at the rear end of the connecting part 30 and extends diagonally downward and backward. The inner surface 26 of the second part 25 is inward from the connecting part 30. In order to stably fix the first part 20 to the temple 14, it is preferable that the length of the connecting part 30 in the direction along the temple 14 is greater than or equal to the length of the first part 20 in the direction along the temple 14. The angle between the surface 31 of the connecting part 30 that follows the shape of the head and the inclined surface 22 of the first part 20 is preferably around 135°. However, this is not limited to this, as there are individual differences in head shape, and it depends on the intended wearer.

[0030] The position and shape of a person's ears and head shape vary from person to person, and the position of the mastoid process behind the ear also differs from person to person. Therefore, the temple pads 15 can be selected from multiple types to match the shape of the wearer's head, and can be replaced with different types of temple pads having different shapes. Examples of types of temple pads 15 include those in which the angle between the first part 20 and the second part 25 is approximately 45° as shown in Figure 4 and approximately 90° as shown in Figure 5, etc., those in which the temple pad 15 has a mechanism that allows the mounting position fixed to the temple 14 to be movable as shown in Figures 6A to 6C, those that include a mechanism that allows the angle to be moved, those with different weights, those with different thickness configurations, those with different elastic moduli of the first part 20, and those with different sizes of each component part.

[0031] The following describes the differences between Modification 1 and Modification 2 from the embodiment. For points not described, the same configuration as the embodiment is assumed.

[0032] 2. Modification 1 Figure 7 shows Modification 1, in which the rear ends of the left and right temples 14 are connected by a band 35. The XR terminal 10 is not limited to a form supported by separate left and right temples 14, but may also be a form in which the rear ends of the left and right temples 14 are connected by a band 35, as shown in Figure 7. Even if the XR terminal 10 is supported at the back of the head by a band 35, by providing a temple structure 12 with temple pads 15, the weight biased towards the front of the wearer can be balanced from the rear, improving the wearing comfort as if there were no band 35.

[0033] 3. Modification 2 Figure 8 is a side view showing the temple structure of Modification 2. As shown in the temple structure 12 of Figure 8, the second portion 25 of the temple pad 15 may be removable from the connecting portion 30. In this case, the second portion 25 has a structure that allows it to be directly attached to the temple 14 without going through the connecting portion 30, and this structure allows the distance between the first portion 20 and the second portion 25 and the contact point with the head to be adjusted to suit the shape of the wearer's head.

[0034] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be replaced with configurations that are substantially the same as those shown in the embodiments, configurations that produce the same effects, or configurations that can achieve the same purpose.

Claims

1. A temple pad comprising: a first portion that rests on the ears of the wearer of the cross-reality device; a second portion that presses against the portion of the wearer's head located behind the ears; and a connecting portion that is connected to the first and second portions and coupled to the temples of the cross-reality device.

2. The temple pad according to claim 1, wherein the portion includes a portion having a mastoid protrusion.

3. The temple pad according to claim 1, wherein the first portion has a lower edge, and the first portion extends from the connecting portion in a direction inclined downward and inward such that the lower edge follows the head and is supported at the upper base of the ear.

4. The temple pad according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is made of a material that elastically deforms to conform to the shape of the head and the upper base of the ear.

5. The temple pad according to claim 1, wherein the second portion has a thickness that increases toward the lower end.

6. A temple structure comprising the temple pad of claim 1 and the temple, wherein the temple is attached to the end of the body of the cross reality terminal, the temple has a structure that engages with the connecting portion, and the temple pad is a temple structure that is detachable from the structure.

7. The temple structure according to claim 6, wherein the temple pad can be replaced with a different type of temple pad having a different shape from the temple pad.

8. The temple structure according to claim 6, wherein the mounting position of the temple pad to the temple can be adjusted according to the shape of the head.

9. The temple structure according to claim 6, wherein the second part is detachable from the connecting part, and the second part is directly attachable to the temple.

10. A cross-reality terminal comprising the temple structure described in claim 6 and the main body.

11. The cross-reality terminal according to claim 10, wherein the second part has a weight that balances the weight of the main body with the upper base of the ear as a fulcrum.

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