Eye gaze responsive virtual reality headset

• US 10,200,680 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2016
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thika Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Thika Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Cambridge, Vivien Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Anand S
• Application Number:
  US15/283,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20170099478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 348 36- 61
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0134 of stereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0159 with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 with head-mounted left-right displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/383 for tracking with gaze detection, i.e. detecting the lines of sight of the viewer's eyes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2213/001 Constructional or mechanical details

Abstract

A headset for providing images to a user is provided. The headset is configured to attach to a user'"'"'s head and includes displays positioned adjacent to a user'"'"'s eyes. A display support arm is connected to the displays. A motor is connected to the display support arm and drives the display support arm between multiple positions. A camera is positioned adjacent to the user'"'"'s eyes and records the user'"'"'s eyes. A processor receives data from the camera regarding a position and movement of the user'"'"'s eyes. The processor uses the data from the camera to drive the motor and to position the display support arm with respect to the user'"'"'s eyes such that the displays maintain a position adjacent to the user'"'"'s eyes.

Claims

1. A headset for providing images to a user comprising:

a headset configured to attach to a user'"'"'s head;

displays positioned adjacent to a user'"'"'s eyes;

a display support arm connected to the displays;

a motor connected to the display support arm that drives the display support arm between multiple positions;

a camera positioned adjacent to the user'"'"'s eyes that records the user'"'"'s eyes; and

a processor that receives data from the camera regarding a position and movement of the user'"'"'s eyes, and the processor uses the data from the camera to drive the motor and to position the display support arm with respect to the user'"'"'s eyes such that the displays maintain a position adjacent to the user'"'"'s eyes.

2. The headset of claim 1, wherein the displays include two displays.

3. The headset of claim 1, wherein the motor includes a pitch motor and a yaw motor.

4. The headset of claim 1, wherein the camera tracks a user'"'"'s eye movement.

5. The headset of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer that measures movement of the user'"'"'s head.

6. The headset of claim 1, further comprising convex lenses positioned between the displays and the user'"'"'s eyes, wherein the convex lenses are attached to the display support arm.

7. The headset of claim 1, further comprising a transmission/receiving unit that sends data from the processor to a central processor.

8. The headset of claim 1, wherein the displays project stereoscopic images to the user.

9. The headset of claim 1, wherein the processor generates images related to the position and the movement of the user'"'"'s eyes.

10. A headset for providing images to a user comprising:

a headset configured to attach to a user'"'"'s head;

two displays, each one of the two displays positioned in front a respective one of a user'"'"'s eyes, such that the two displays provide stereoscopic images to the user'"'"'s eyes;

a display support arm connected to the two displays;

a pitch motor and a yaw motor, at least one of the pitch motor or the yaw motor connected to the display support arm to drive the display support arm between multiple positions;

a camera positioned adjacent to the user'"'"'s eyes that records the user'"'"'s eyes;

an accelerometer that measures movement of a user'"'"'s head; and

a processor that receives data from the camera regarding a position and movement of the user'"'"'s eyes and data from the accelerometer regarding movement of the user'"'"'s head, and the processor uses the data from the camera and the accelerometer to drive the pitch motor and the yaw motor and to position the display support arm with respect to the user'"'"'s eyes such that the two displays maintain a position adjacent to the user'"'"'s eyes, and images provided to the displays are modified based on the data from the camera and the accelerometer.