Head Mount Display Automatic Inter-Pupillary Distance Adjustment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual reality headsets lack adjustable inter-lens distance, leading to a cumbersome and ineffective virtual reality experience due to fixed device designs that do not accommodate individual users' inter-pupillary distances.

Innovation Solution

A head mount display system that automatically adjusts the inter-lens distance based on a user's measured inter-pupillary distance, using a computing device to drive a motorized gear assembly to position the displays optimally for each user, ensuring a customized fit and enhanced viewing experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the headset uses a fixed inter-lens distance design, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the adaptability to different users' inter-pupillary distances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user IPDVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a motorized adjustment mechanism that allows the inter-lens distance to be dynamically changed based on user IPD measurements. The system transitions from a fixed design to an adjustable one, using a motor to move the display mounts and thereby changing the distance between lenses to match each user's pupillary distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically measures user IPD using cameras and computational algorithms, then self-adjusts the inter-lens distance without requiring manual user input or adjustment. The computing device processes images, calculates IPD, and drives the motor to achieve the correct lens spacing autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the headset includes manual adjustment mechanisms, then the adaptability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically measures user IPD using cameras and computational algorithms, then self-adjusts the inter-lens distance without requiring manual user input or adjustment. The computing device processes images, calculates IPD, and drives the motor to achieve the correct lens spacing autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an automated system that uses cameras, image processing, and motorized actuation. Instead of requiring users to manually adjust lenses, the system uses computational methods to measure IPD and electronically controls the motor to achieve the correct positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the inter-lens distance is fixed, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the measurement precision of user-specific optical alignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of optical alignmentVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a motorized adjustment mechanism that allows the inter-lens distance to be dynamically changed based on user IPD measurements. The system transitions from a fixed design to an adjustable one, using a motor to move the display mounts and thereby changing the distance between lenses to match each user's pupillary distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses cameras to capture user images, computationally determines IPD, and uses this feedback information to adjust the motorized lens positioning. The closed-loop process ensures that the inter-lens distance is precisely matched to each user's anatomical measurements, achieving high optical alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10567745B2Head mount display with automatic inter-pupillary distance adjustment

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 HYPER REALITY PARTNERS LLC

AI summary

A head mount display for use with a virtual reality system allows for an automatic adjustment of an inter-lens distance based on a particular user's inter-pupillary distance (IPD). The IPD for the user is measured, for example by taking an image of the user in a controlled environment and calculating the distance between the user's pupils within the image. Once the IPD is known, a desired inter-lens distance for the particular user may be defined based on user IPD. A computing device in communication with a head mount display unit may automatically adjust the inter-lens distance to match the desired inter-lens distance. A user's IPD and desired inter-lens distance may be stored for the user in a user account. As such, whenever the user participates in the virtual reality system, a head mount display used by the user may be configured with the user's desired inter-lens distance.