VR Viewer Touchscreen Input Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual reality viewers face challenges in providing effective user input mechanisms that are compatible with a wide variety of smartphones, as existing solutions often require specific magnetic sensors, complex electronic circuitry, or cumbersome dedicated input devices.
Innovation Solution
A virtual reality viewer with an integrated input mechanism that includes a housing for receiving a mobile electronic device and an input device with a surface that can contact the touchscreen, allowing for capacitive touch inputs to be transferred to the device, enabling user interactions without the need for specific sensor placement or dedicated connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnets are used on the exterior of the viewer as input devices, then user interaction is enabled, but compatibility is limited to specific smartphone devices with fixed magnetic sensor locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable input mechanism as an intermediary between the user and the touchscreen. This mechanism includes a movable member that can be actuated by the user and a corresponding contact point that transfers the input to the touchscreen, eliminating the need for magnetic sensors on the smartphone and enabling universal compatibility across different device models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based input system with a direct mechanical contact system. Instead of using magnets that require specific sensor placements, the invention uses a movable mechanical member that physically contacts the touchscreen to register inputs, thereby eliminating dependency on specific sensor locations and improving device compatibility
2Ease of operation
If dedicated input devices like video game controllers are used, then user input capture is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to wired or wireless connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the input functionality from complex external devices and integrates it directly into the viewer housing. The input mechanism is simplified to a movable member with a contact point that directly interfaces with the touchscreen, eliminating the need for separate controllers, wired or wireless connections, and complex electronic circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the input device functionality with the viewer housing itself. The movable member is integrated into the housing structure, combining the viewer and input device into a single unified system, thereby reducing overall complexity and eliminating the need for separate dedicated input devices
3Shape
If the touchscreen is concealed within the viewer housing, then a three-dimensional viewing experience is achieved, but user interaction with the touchscreen becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic movement to the input mechanism, allowing the movable member to transition between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic capability enables the user to interact with the touchscreen through mechanical actuation while maintaining the concealed three-dimensional viewing experience, as the contact point can be positioned precisely when needed
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
The solution allows for seamless user input capture and transfer to a variety of smartphones, enhancing tactile interaction capabilities without the complexity of wireless connectivity or dedicated cables, and is usable with different smartphone models and screen layouts.
Implementation Method 1
an input device with a surface that can contact the touchscreen, allowing for capacitive touch inputs to be transferred to the device
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual reality viewer for use with a mobile electronic device having a touchscreen, the viewer includes: a first lens and a second lens, wherein the first lens is facing the same direction as the second lens, and wherein the first lens and the second lens are spaced apart; an enclosure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side configured to hold the first lens and the second lens, the second side configured to receive the mobile electronic device; and a touchscreen input constructed of conductive material, wherein the touchscreen input is selectively in physical contact with the touchscreen, wherein the touchscreen input is responsive to a depressible button user input device that is accessible from an exterior of the enclosure and wherein the depressive user button does not rely on capacitance of a human finger to generate a contact action.