Predictive RF Beamforming for Wireless HMD Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current head-mounted display (HMD) systems require wired connections for high-quality video transmission, which restricts user mobility, detracts from the immersive experience, and poses tripping hazards due to the need for stable and high-bandwidth data transfer.

Innovation Solution

Implementing predictive RF beamforming that uses inertial data and image analysis to adjust the beamforming direction and angular spread of an RF transceiver, allowing for wireless data transmission to the HMD, maintaining signal strength and stability as the user moves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired connection is used to transmit high-quality video data to the HMD, then the video quality and connection stability are improved, but the user mobility and freedom of movement are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiduser mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless RF transmission system. The computing device transmits video data wirelessly to the HMD using RF signals, eliminating the physical wire that restricts user movement while maintaining high-quality video transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium from physical wire to electromagnetic RF waves. By adjusting RF transmission parameters such as power, frequency, and beamforming characteristics, the system achieves stable wireless connection comparable to wired connections while providing full user mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If wireless RF transmission is used to enable user mobility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection stability and signal strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary tracking of the HMD's position and predicts future position before data transmission. By anticipating where the HMD will be, the system pre-adjusts beamforming directions and transmission parameters to maintain continuous stable connection as the user moves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously receives feedback about the HMD's actual position and compares it with predicted position. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts beamforming parameters and transmission power to compensate for position deviations and maintain connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Illumination intensity

If high-resolution video is transmitted wirelessly to maintain immersion, then the visual quality is improved, but the bandwidth requirements and data transmission volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo qualityVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies differential rendering that renders different regions of the virtual environment at different resolutions. The foveal region (where the user is looking) is rendered at high resolution, while peripheral regions are rendered at lower resolution, reducing overall data transmission volume while maintaining perceived visual quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits only the necessary portion of video data at high resolution (the foveal region) rather than transmitting the entire high-resolution scene. This partial action approach reduces data volume while providing sufficient visual quality for the user's actual viewing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables a stable and high-bandwidth wireless connection for HMDs, enhancing user mobility and immersion by anticipating the user's movements and adjusting the beamforming parameters accordingly, thus eliminating the need for physical wires.

Implementation Method 1

adjusting a beamforming direction of an RF transceiver towards the predicted future location of the HMD

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Data Source

PatentEP3519066B1Wireless head mounted display with differential rendering and sound localization
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3519066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3519066B1 patent drawingFigure 2A-1
  • EP3519066B1 patent drawingFigure 2A-2

AI summary

A method is provided, including the following method operations: receiving captured images of an interactive environment in which a head-mounted display (HMD) is disposed; receiving inertial data processed from at least one inertial sensor of the HMD; analyzing the captured images and the inertial data to determine a predicted future location of the HMD; using the predicted future location of the HMD to adjust a beamforming direction of an RF transceiver towards the predicted future location of the HMD.