Artificial Horizon Lighting Cues for Motion Sickness Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motion sickness in enclosed spaces occurs due to conflicting visual and vestibular system information, with current systems inducing motion sickness while attempting to simulate motion effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing lighting cues to project an artificial horizon synchronized with vestibular sensing, using multiple visual effect sources and a controller to adjust lighting effects based on orientation and acceleration, providing a visual cue to align with vestibular inputs and reduce motion sickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If visual effects are used to simulate motion in enclosed spaces, then the feeling of motion is enhanced, but motion sickness is induced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual effect intensityVSAvoidmotion sickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of strong visual motion cues (which cause motion sickness) into a beneficial effect by synchronizing them with vestibular sensations. The system uses motion platforms to generate actual vestibular cues that match the visual motion displayed, thereby converting the previously harmful visual-only stimulation into a beneficial multi-sensory experience that reduces motion sickness while maintaining motion simulation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If multiple visual effect sources are used to create artificial horizon, then visual cue accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual cue accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the visual display system into multiple independent visual effect sources (projectors, LED strips, or display panels) positioned at different locations within the enclosed space. Each source displays a segment of the artificial horizon, and the controller coordinates them to form a complete, accurate visual cue that matches the vestibular sensation, thereby improving visual cue accuracy through distributed segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller serves multiple functions: it generates the artificial horizon visual cues, coordinates multiple visual effect sources, receives vestibular sensor data, and adjusts visual output in real-time. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating control operations into a single central unit rather than requiring separate specialized devices for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4310817A1Reduction in motion sickness
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS INC
  • EP4310817A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4310817A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4310817A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for displaying an artificial horizon in an enclosed space. The system includes a first plurality of visual effect sources located in the enclosed space and configured to generate a first visual effect of the artificial horizon consistent with an orientation detected by an orientation sensor (302). The system further includes a second plurality of visual effect sources separate from the first plurality of visual effect sources and located in the enclosed space and configured to generate a second visual effect of the artificial horizon different from the first visual effect consistent with the orientation detected by the orientation sensor (302).