PRESSURE SENSING TO IDENTIFY FITNESS AND COMFORT OF VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET

• US 20170277254A1
• Filed: 03/28/2016
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: OSMAN, STEVEN
• Granted Patent: US 10,359,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/33 using wide area network [WAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• 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 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 : characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 : the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 : Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3234 : Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 : Power saving in display device
• 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 3/013 : Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A sensor generates signals representing whether a computer game headset is being worn properly so that the wearer may be advised. The sensor may be a pressure sensor or motion sensor or stretch sensor on the headset, or it may be a camera that images the wearer and uses image recognition to determine if the headset is on correctly.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

at least one computer memory that is not a transitory signal and that comprises instructions executable by at least one processor to;

receive a signal from at least one sensor;

compare the signal to a reference; and

based on the comparison of the signal to the reference, output a signal representing whether a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) headset is being properly worn,

2. The device of claim 1, comprising the at least one processor.

3. The device of claim 1, comprising the headset.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor mounted on the headset and the reference is a pressure reference.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a motion sensor mounted on the headset and the reference is a motion reference.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a strain gage mounted on the headset and the reference is a strain reference.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a stretch sensor mounted on the headset and the reference is a stretch reference.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a camera imaging a wearer of the headset, and the reference includes an image recognition template.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable to select a first reference responsive to a wearer of the headset having a first physical trait and a second reference responsive to the wearer having a second physical trait.

10. A method, comprising:

receiving a signal from a sensor on a headset indicating whether the headset is being worn by &

person;

responsive to receiving the signal, determining whether the headset is being worn by a person;

responsive to a determination that the headset is not being worn by a person, automatically configuring the headset in a power conservation mode or deenergizing the headset.

11. The method of claim 10, responsive to a determination that the headset is not being worn by a person, sending from the headset to a component a signal representative thereof.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal is a command to redirect video presentation to a display other than the headset.

13. An assembly, comprising:

a headset wearable by a person;

at least one sensor on the headset configured for generating signals at least in part based on motion of or contact with the person;

at least one processor configured to receive signals from the at least one sensor; and

at least one storage with instructions executable by the processor for;

determining, based at least in part on at least one signal from the sensor, that the headset is not being properly worn; and

responsive to the determining, generating a human-perceptible signal.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the human-perceptible signal is audible.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the human-perceptible signal is visible.

16. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the human-perceptible signal is tactile.

17. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor mounted on the headset.

18. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor is a motion sensor mounted on the headset.

19. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor includes a camera imaging a wearer of the headset.

20. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable for:

responsive to a determination, based on the signal, that the headset is not being worn by a person, automatically configuring the headset in a power conservation mode or deenergizing the headset.