Virtual Horizon Display for Motion Sickness Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for mitigating motion sickness, such as medications and behavioral techniques, are limited in effectiveness and fail to address the underlying cause of visual-vestibular conflict.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that displays a set of illuminated pixels to create a representative horizon, which is aligned with the user's vestibular system by using sensor data from cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other sensors to minimize sensory disconnect and alleviate motion sickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medications are used to mitigate motion sickness, then symptoms may be relieved temporarily, but side effects occur and effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the horizon line that is displayed to the user instead of relying on the actual horizon. This virtual horizon is generated using sensors (cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes) to track vehicle motion and presents a stable visual reference that does not conflict with vestibular input, thereby mitigating motion sickness without the side effects of medications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual reference (the virtual horizon line) that mediates between the user's visual system and vestibular system. This intermediary element provides a stable visual cue that aligns with actual motion, reducing sensory conflict without requiring pharmaceutical intervention
2Reliability
If behavioral techniques such as focusing on a fixed point are used, then some relief may be achieved, but effectiveness is limited and requires user attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates and displays the virtual horizon line using onboard sensors without requiring active user participation. The accelerometers, gyroscopes, and cameras continuously monitor vehicle motion and automatically adjust the horizon display to match actual movement, providing passive relief without requiring the user to focus on specific techniques
3Reliability
If the actual horizon is visible, then visual reference is provided, but in enclosed vehicles the horizon is obstructed and unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the horizon line that can be displayed in any environment, regardless of whether the actual horizon is visible. The virtual horizon is generated using sensor data and can be projected onto surfaces within the vehicle interior, making it universally applicable in enclosed vehicles where the real horizon is obstructed
4Reliability
If sensor data is processed to create a representative horizon, then visual-vestibular conflict is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional sensors already present in modern vehicles (cameras for navigation, accelerometers for stability control, gyroscopes for orientation) to create the virtual horizon. Rather than adding dedicated hardware, the system repurposes existing sensors to provide motion reference, reducing the incremental complexity burden
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method displaying a representative horizon through virtual and augmented reality technology mitigates the effects of motion sickness. In some embodiments, images creating a representative horizon are delivered through virtual-reality (VR) goggles. In other embodiments, representative horizon images are presented in integrated augmented-reality (AR) glasses. In yet other embodiments, a representative horizon is projected on vehicle windows and surfaces. Augmented-reality (AR) and virtual-reality (VR) systems are used to create a representative horizon while allowing a view of one's environment. These present a stable representative horizon that aligns with a person's vestibular system to minimize sensory disconnect.