Foldable Virtual Reality Viewer Structure Integrated in Mailer and/or Product Packaging

• US 20180292666A1
• Filed: 06/08/2018
• Published: 10/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ginger Kong
• Original Assignee: Ginger Kong
• Inventors: Kong, Ginger
• Granted Patent: US 10,768,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0134 of stereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/028 characterised by the supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/04 having collapsible parts
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/37 Collapsible stereoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/021 for more than one lens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• 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 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components

Abstract

A new method of constructing a convertible virtual reality viewer on planar surface when in an unfolded state, or out of a box-type structure is described. Through its design of structural folds, the planar surface(s) can be configured into any shape such as, but not limited to, a package, box, container, mailer, and flyer of any material. Users of such a viewer download a software application onto a smart device and use this display apparatus to view a virtual image through a face plate, containing a pair of biconvex lenses. A viewer fashioned as such provides an environmental solution to reusing resources and limiting product waste by reusing product packaging as a virtual reality viewer with multiple uses. The planar surface(s) are intended for use as product packaging and/or mailer designed to be converted into a virtual reality viewer by the user.

Claims

1. A foldable convertible virtual reality viewer device for viewing a three-dimensional environment for use with a smart phone comprising:

a planar panel;

a perforated cutout within said planar panel, said perforated cutout configured to be removed from said planar panel;

folding panels;

flaps;

wherein said folding panels are delineated with pre-formed creases;

wherein said flaps are delineated with pre-formed creases;

slots, said slots configured to receive said flaps;

wherein folding of said folding panels and placement of said flaps within said slots erects a viewer housing, said viewer housing comprising;

a face plate, a spine/frame, and a back plate;

wherein said spine/frame is disposed centrally between said face plate and said back plate;

wherein said spine/frame is perpendicular to said face plate and said back plate;

a pair of biconvex lenses, said pair of biconvex lenses attached to a rear of said face plate;

a nose cut-out, said nose cutout disposed at a bottom of said face plate;

wherein said spine/frame and said back plate are configured to hold the smart phone between said spine/frame and said back plate;

at least one rubber band, said at least one rubber band disposed on said back plate; and

wherein said at least one rubber band secures the smart phone to said back plate.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a micro-suction pad, said micro suction pad configured to mount to the smart phone.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

lines of perforation on said planar panel, said lines of perforation delineate detachable portions to be folded.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising adhesive;

and

wherein said pair of biconvex lenses are attached to said rear of said face plate via said tabs.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one head strap;

and

wherein said at least one strap is in communication with a left side and a right side of said viewer housing.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a camera perforation;

wherein said camera perforation is disposed on said back plate; and

wherein said camera perforation is configured to be removed to provide access to a camera of the smart phone.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a haptic device, said haptic device disposed on an exterior of said back plate; and

wherein said haptic device is a motion sensor.

12. The device of claim 3, further comprising at least one head strap;

and

wherein said at least one strap is in communication with a left side and a right side of said viewer housing.

13. The device of claim 3, further comprising a camera perforation;

wherein said camera perforation is disposed on said back plate; and

wherein said camera perforation is configured to be removed to provide access to a camera of the smart phone.

14. The device of claim 4, further comprising:

a haptic device, said haptic device disposed on an exterior of said back plate; and

wherein said haptic device is a motion sensor.

8. A method for the construction of a virtual-reality viewer for use with a smart device from a planar panel derived from a packaging box by a user comprising:

the user unfolding the packaging box revealing the planar panel;

wherein the planar panel is delineated by perforations indicating a cutout;

the user detaching the perforations, removing the cutout from the planar panel;

the user detaching two identical, symmetrical circles from the cutout as indicated on the cutout, leaving two identical holes;

the user attaching a pair of biconvex lenses to a rear of the cutout, over said two identical holes via tabs;

folding flaps to form a series of creases;

securing the series of creases within slots as indicated on the cutout, forming a viewer housing;

wherein the viewer housing includes a face plate, a back plate, and a spine;

the user placing the smart device within the viewer housing;

wherein the spine and the back plate are configured to hold the smart device between the spine and the back plate;

the user securing the smart device to the back plate of the viewer housing with at least one rubber band; and

wherein the back plate of the viewer housing is erected with multiple folds of side panels, increasing the stability of the viewer housing when the smart device is secured to the back plate.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the user attaching a head strap to a right side and a left side of the viewer housing; and

wherein the back plate is shaped to resemble features of a face/character.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the user attaching a haptic feedback device to a front of the back plate of the viewer housing.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

the user attaching a haptic feedback device to a front of the back plate of the viewer housing.

20. The method of claim 8, wherein said planar panel is sufficiently strong along perforations of said perforated cutouts so that said planar panel can be fed through a printer without said perforated cutouts separating from said planar panel.

11. A foldable convertible virtual reality viewer device for viewing a three-dimensional environment for use with a smart phone comprising:

a planar panel;

a perforated cutout within said planar panel, said perforated cutout configured to be removed from said planar panel;

folding panels;

flaps;

wherein said folding panels are delineated with pre-formed creases;

wherein said flaps are delineated with pre-formed creases;

slots, said slots configured to receive said flaps;

wherein folding of said folding panels and placement of said flaps within said slots erects a viewer housing, said viewer housing comprising;

a face plate, a spine/frame, and a back plate;

wherein said back plate is reinforced by multiple folds of said folding panels;

wherein said spine/frame is disposed centrally between said face plate and said back plate;

wherein said spine/frame is perpendicular to said face plate and said back plate;

lens cutouts, said lens cutouts disposed within said face plate;

a pair of biconvex lenses, said pair of biconvex lenses attached to a rear of said face plate via tabs;

wherein said pair of biconvex lenses are aligned with said lens cutouts;

wherein said pair of biconvex lenses are connected as a unitary piece;

wherein said pair of biconvex lenses are oriented such that the sides of lesser curvature are facing away from the smart phone;

a nose cut-out, said nose cutout disposed at a bottom of said face plate;

wherein said spine/frame and said back plate are configured to hold the smart phone between said spine/frame and said back plate;

at least one rubber band, said at least one rubber band disposed on said back plate; and

wherein said at least one rubber band secures the smart phone to said back plate.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein said lens cutouts are shaped like eyebrows.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein said lens cutouts are shaped to resemble features of a face/character brand logo.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein said planar panel is shaped to resemble features of a face/character brand logo.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein said planar panel is sufficiently strong along perforations of said perforated cutouts so that said planar panel can be fed through a printer without said perforated cutouts separating from said planar panel.