External Sound System Latency Compensation for Synchronized HMD Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality systems lack integration with consumer home theater entertainment systems, resulting in inferior audio and video playback quality, inconsistent specifications, and inconvenience due to tethering requirements, which limits the immersive experience for multiple users.
Innovation Solution
A method for synchronizing audio output from an external sound system with video output from a head-mounted display using a host player device, involving latency compensation and wireless connectivity to ensure synchronized playback across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If HMD is tethered to a PC to supply higher quality playback, then audio and video playback quality is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cables and tethering requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tethering system (cables connecting HMD to PC) with a wireless communication system. The host player device transmits audio and video data wirelessly to the HMD player device, eliminating the need for physical connections while maintaining high-quality playback. This substitution resolves the contradiction by preserving playback quality without the operational inconvenience of tethering.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple HMDs are tethered to share VR experience, then multiple users can access content, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to cable management difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple physical cable connections with a single wireless communication channel. The host player device establishes wireless connections with multiple HMD player devices simultaneously, allowing multiple users to share the VR experience without any cable management issues. This eliminates the complexity of managing multiple cables while maintaining multi-user capability.
3Reliability
If latency compensation is implemented to synchronize audio and video, then playback synchronization is improved, but device complexity increases due to latency measurement and compensation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary latency measurement before actual content playback. The host player device and HMD player device perform latency measurement and compensation setup in advance, storing the measured latency value for later use. This preliminary action ensures accurate synchronization during playback without adding complexity to the ongoing playback process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic latency measurement and compensation without requiring user intervention. The host player device and HMD player device automatically exchange test signals, measure latency, calculate compensation values, and apply corrections autonomously. This self-service approach maintains synchronization accuracy while minimizing the perceived complexity for users.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for simultaneous output of video from a head-mounted display device and audio output from an external sound system includes compensating for latency in the external sound system relative to the head-mounted display. The latency is measured by outputting test content using one of alternative methods.