HMD Viewpoint Fidelity Measurement Using Virtual Shape Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Determining the accuracy of viewpoint fidelity in head-mounted displays (HMDs) for flight simulation remains challenging, as existing methods struggle to objectively measure and test HMD errors, which can impact the realism and effectiveness of the simulation experience.

Innovation Solution

A method is provided to measure viewpoint fidelity by generating a virtual environment with adjustable shapes, recording reference data, and calculating positional and orientation displacement vectors to determine HMD tracking errors, ensuring they fall within predefined thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If head-mounted displays are used in flight simulation to provide immersive training environments, then the realism and effectiveness of the simulation experience is improved, but the ability to objectively measure and test HMD errors becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation realismVSAvoidHMD error measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces virtual test objects (first and second shapes) as intermediaries between the HMD tracking system and the measurement process. These virtual objects serve as mediators that enable objective error measurement without disrupting the immersive simulation environment. The first shape is affixed to the viewpoint and moves with virtual viewpoint adjustments, while the second shape is affixed in the virtual environment and remains stationary, allowing their relative displacement to indicate tracking errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of test objects within the simulation environment that mirror real-world reference objects. By rendering virtual shapes that correspond to physical calibration objects, the system can measure HMD tracking accuracy through digital comparisons rather than direct physical measurement, maintaining both simulation realism and measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If tracking technologies combine optical systems with inertial measurement units to provide precise head position data, then the accuracy of viewpoint rendering is improved, but the complexity of determining and testing viewpoint fidelity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead position accuracyVSAvoidviewpoint fidelity testing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the viewpoint fidelity testing process into distinct components: virtual test object generation, reference data recording, displacement calculation, and error determination. By segmenting the testing methodology into these manageable parts, the system reduces the complexity of implementing comprehensive viewpoint fidelity testing while maintaining high measurement precision through the combined optical and inertial tracking system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4715530A1Systems and methods for measuring viewpoint fidelity in a head mounted display
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 TRU SIMULATION TRAINING
  • EP4715530A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4715530A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4715530A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Example methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are provided. Example methods include generating (1002) a virtual environment including a first shape and a second shape in a virtual viewpoint, the first shape in front of the second shape. The second shape adjusts as the virtual viewpoint adjusts, and is offset from the first shape along a test axis. The first shape is affixed to the virtual viewpoint. The virtual viewpoint is configured to adjust in response to movement of a HMD. The method includes moving (1004) a position of the virtual viewpoint with respect to the second shape in response to the movement. The method includes recording (1008) reference data associated with moving of the position of the virtual viewpoint. The method includes generating (1010) a positional displacement vector by comparing reference data of the second shape with reference data of the first shape, and determining (1012) a HMD movement tracking error based on the vector.