Method and apparatus for orientation sensing

• US 6,057,810 A
• Filed: 06/20/1996
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Immersive Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Immersive Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Rogers, James, Roell, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AWAD, AMR A
• Application Number:
  US08/667,815
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 345/8, 345/7, 345/126, 359/632, 359/630, 348/115
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/307 by helmet-mounted projector or display G09B9/36 takes precedence; optical parts of head-up displays G02B27/01

Abstract

An exemplary viewing apparatus comprises a visual display which transmits image data to a user and which is rotatably coupled, preferably in three dimensions, to a boom which supports the visual display. According to one embodiment, the operator inserts his head into the visual display and grasps the control grips with both hands to interact in three dimensions with a virtual world and with virtual objects in the virtual world via graphics displayed to each eye. The visual display may be equipped with sensing devices which allow for the sensing of both location and directional coordinates in three dimensions relative to the user and the virtual world and objects. The visual display preferably houses two LCD displays which direct separate images to the user'"'"'s eyes so that the images are perceived stereoscopically. Because the visual display is mechanically coupled to the boom, the apparatus may be left unattended. The visual display also preferably has a shape such that it can be used by users of different sizes with minimal setup time.

Claims

1. A viewing apparatus comprising:

a visual display which transmits images to a user;

a first member rotatably connected to the visual display about a first horizontal axis;

a second member rotatably connected to the first member about a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal axis, wherein said first and second horizontal axis are located in a same plane;

a third member rotatably connected to the second member about a third vertical axis; and

an indicator disposed on the visual display for indicating a translational motion.

2. The viewing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a manual control.

3. The viewing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a boom connected to the third member; and

a counterweight boom mechanically coupled to the boom such that the boom and the counterweight boom move in unison, wherein the counterweight boom is disposed below the boom.

4. The viewing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the counterweight boom is enclosed within a housing.

5. The viewing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual display comprises two LCD displays which each have a diagonal of not less than 3 inches.

6. The viewing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second member is free to rotate 360 degrees about the third vertical axis without restriction at any angle.

7. The viewing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first potentiometer for sensing a first angular position of the visual display with respect to the first member about the first horizontal axis;

a second potentiometer for sensing a second angular position of the second member with respect to the first member about the second horizontal axis; and

an optical encoder for sensing a third angular position of the third member with respect to the second member about the third vertical axis, wherein the optical encoder senses the third angular position over 360 degrees without restriction at any angle.

8. A viewing apparatus comprising:

a visual display which transmits images to a user;

a first member rotatably connected to the visual display about a first horizontal axis;

a second member rotatably connected to the first member about a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal axis, wherein said first and second horizontal axis are located in a same plane; and

a third member rotatably connected to the second member about a third vertical axis;

wherein the first member comprises a first U-shaped yoke which is rotatably connected to the visual display along a centerline of the first U-shaped yoke; and

the second member comprises a second U-shaped yoke which is rotatably connected to sides of the first U-shaped yoke.

9. A viewing apparatus comprising:

a visual display which transmits images to a user;

a first member rotatably connected to the visual display about a first horizontal axis;

a second member rotatably connected to the first member about a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal axis, wherein said first and second horizontal axis are located in a same plane;

a third member rotatably connected to the second member about a third vertical axis;

wherein the first member comprises a counterweight which counterbalances a torque imparted on the first member by the visual display about the second horizontal axis.

10. The viewing apparatus of claim 9, wherein a position of the counterweight with respect to the first member is adjustable so as to vary a counterbalancing torque provided by the counterweight.

11. The viewing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the visual display comprises a first speaker positioned forward of a first ear of the user and a second speaker positioned rearward of the first ear of the user.

12. The viewing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the visual display comprises two LCD displays which each have diagonals of at least 3 inches.

13. The viewing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control unit generates different image data for each of the two LCD displays.