METHOD FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL IMAGE TO USER IN HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY DEVICE, MACHINE-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, AND HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY DEVICE

• US 20140111838A1
• Filed: 10/24/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: HAN, Soon-Seob, KIM, Sang-Tae, LEE, Doo-Woong
• Granted Patent: US 10,001,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/13
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted

Abstract

A method is disclosed for providing a virtual image to a user in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device. The method includes detecting an ambient illumination, calculating a target transmissivity of window provided in the HMD device, based on the ambient illumination, adjusting a transmissivity of the window based on the calculated target transmissivity, and providing a virtual image to the user by projecting light to the window from a projector provided in the HMD device.

Claims

1. A method for providing a virtual image to a user in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device, the method comprising:

detecting an ambient illumination;

calculating a target transmissivity of a window provided in the HMD device, based on the ambient illumination;

adjusting a transmissivity of the window based on the calculated target transmissivity; and

providing a virtual image to the user by projecting light to the window from a projector provided in the HMD device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the projected light reflected by the window converges to a pupil or crystalline lens of an eye of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmissivity of the window corresponding to the detected ambient illumination is calculated by using a data table that indicates ambient illumination values and corresponding transmissivities of the window.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmissivity of the window is reduced when the detected ambient illumination is higher than a currently set ambient illumination, and the transmissivity of the window is increased when the detected ambient illumination is lower than the currently set ambient illumination.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input of the user; and

updating and displaying the virtual image according to the input of the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual image is a Graphic User Interface (GUI) corresponding to a user input or event occurrence.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon a program for executing a method for providing a virtual image to a user in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device, the method comprising:

detecting an ambient illumination;

calculating a target transmissivity of a window provided in the HMD device, based on the ambient illumination;

adjusting a transmissivity of the window based on the calculated target transmissivity; and

providing a virtual image to the user by projecting light to the window from a projector provided in the HMD device.

8. A Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device comprising a computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon a program for executing a method for providing a virtual image to a user in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device, the method comprising:

detecting an ambient illumination;

calculating a target transmissivity of a window provided in the HMD device, based on the ambient illumination;

adjusting a transmissivity of the window based on the calculated target transmissivity; and

providing a virtual image to the user by projecting light to the window from a projector provided in the HMD device.

9. A Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device for providing a virtual image to a user, the HMD device comprising:

a sensor unit configured to detect an ambient illumination;

a projector configured to project light;

a window configured to condense and reflect the light projected by the projector and to provide a virtual image formed by the reflected light to the user; and

a controller configured to calculate a target transmissivity of the window corresponding to the detected ambient illumination and adjust a transmissivity of the window according to the target transmissivity.

10. The HMD device of claim 9, wherein the window passes ambient light therethrough.

11. The HMD device of claim 9, wherein the light reflected by the window converges to a pupil or crystalline lens of an eye of the user.

12. The HMD device of claim 9, wherein the window comprises:

a glass having a transmissivity that changes with a signal applied from the controller; and

a Holographic Optical Element (HOE) having a holographic pattern for reflecting and condensing the light input from the projector.

13. The HMD device of claim 9, further comprising a memory for storing a data table that indicates ambient illumination values and corresponding transmissivities of the window,,

wherein the controller calculates the transmissivity of the window corresponding to the detected ambient illumination by using the data table.

14. The HMD device of claim 9, wherein the controller applies a voltage corresponding to the target transmissivity to the window to adjust the transmissivity of the window.

15. The HMD device of claim 9, wherein the controller reduces the transmissivity of the window when the detected ambient illumination is higher than a currently set ambient illumination, and increases the transmissivity of the window when the detected ambient illumination is lower than the currently set ambient illumination.