Switchable VR AR Viewing Assembly Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems are often expensive and lack a cost-effective solution for switching between VR and AR configurations, limiting accessibility and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A switchable viewing assembly made from materials like cardboard, plastic, or metal sheets with a hinge mechanism allows users to easily transition between VR and AR modes by reconfiguring the device, using a smartphone or tablet as the display panel, and employing sensors for mode determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional VR and AR systems are used, then immersive environment generation capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between VR and AR modes. The same physical device can generate immersive virtual environments when in VR mode and superimpose computer-generated images on the real world when in AR mode, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The viewing assembly incorporates movable components including a hinge mechanism that allows the display assembly to rotate between positions. This dynamic structure enables the device to transition between VR and AR configurations by adjusting the orientation of the display relative to the user's field of view.
2Ease of operation
If expensive materials and complex mechanisms are used, then viewing quality and functionality are improved, but accessibility and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing assembly is divided into distinct modular components including a viewing assembly, display assembly, hinge mechanism, and mounting structure. Each component can be independently manufactured from simple materials like cardboard, plastic, or metal sheets, and assembled together, making the overall system more accessible while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive materials such as cardboard, plastic, or metal sheets for the structural components of the viewing assembly. These simple materials are sufficient to achieve the desired VR and AR viewing experience, significantly reducing the cost barrier to accessibility compared to traditional expensive VR headsets and AR glasses.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, devices, and apparatuses for a switchable augmented reality and virtual reality device are provided. An example device includes a handle, a device chamber, a viewport assembly, and a hinge assembly. The handle may be formed from folded sheets of material. The example device chamber is coupled to the handle and formed from folded sheets of material. The viewport assembly may be formed at least in part from folded sheets of material. The example hinge assembly pivotably couples the device chamber to the viewport assembly. For example, the hinge assembly may be operable to adjust the device between a virtual reality configuration and an augmented reality configuration. A display of a computing device held in the device chamber may be viewable through the viewport assembly in the virtual reality configuration and the display may be viewable without the viewport assembly in the augmented reality configuration.