Wearable Display Weight Reduction via Segmented Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic systems, such as virtual reality and augmented reality head-mounted devices, face challenges due to the added weight and bulk of electronics, which can hinder user movement and overall experience.
Innovation Solution
A multi-device system is proposed where the wearable display device and processing device are separate, with wireless communication and power interfaces, allowing the distribution of weight and functionality across multiple devices, enabling a more compact and user-friendly design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all electronics are integrated into the wearable display device, then the system functionality is complete, but the weight and bulk of the wearable device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial reality system is divided into multiple separate devices: a wearable display device and one or more processing devices. The processing device(s) contain the heavier electronics (sensors, processors, power sources) while the wearable display device contains only the essential display subsystem and communication interface. This segmentation distributes weight away from the user's head while maintaining complete system functionality through wireless communication between devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all electronics are integrated into the wearable display device, then the system functionality is complete, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into functionally distinct devices: the wearable display device handles only display and communication functions, while processing devices handle sensing, computation, and environmental mapping. This functional segmentation reduces the complexity of each individual device, making the wearable component simpler and more comfortable while distributing overall system complexity across multiple specialized components.
3Ease of operation
If the wearable device is made compact, then user comfort improves, but the battery capacity and processing power are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power source (battery) is extracted from the wearable display device and relocated to the processing device(s). This allows the wearable display device to be made compact and comfortable for the user, while the processing device can accommodate a larger battery capacity without affecting user comfort. The separation enables independent optimization of each device's size and power characteristics.
4Ease of operation
If the wearable device is made compact, then user comfort improves, but the system functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless communication interfaces serve as intermediaries between the compact wearable display device and the externally located processing devices. This intermediary communication system enables the small wearable device to access the full system functionality by receiving image data, position information, and control signals from the processing device(s), maintaining complete adaptability without compromising user comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system may include (1) a wearable display device including (a) a display subsystem that presents an image, and (b) a first wireless interface that receives image data, where the display subsystem bases the image on the image data, and (2) a processing device that is physically separate from the display device and includes (a) a display data processing subsystem that generates the image data, (b) a second wireless interface that transmits the image data directly to the first wireless interface, and (3) a position detection subsystem including a sensor that captures depth data in a local environment of the display device, where the position detection subsystem determines a location or an orientation of a portion of a user within the local environment, and the display data processing subsystem generates the image data based on the location or orientation. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.