Patent Application
20200033601
This disclosure generally relates to wearable head gear, and more specifically to a head cap that provides haptic feedback to an individual wearing the head cap.
A user wears a head mounted display to experience virtual reality (VR). A VR experience includes the provision of visual sensory feedback to the user. Therefore, the user wearing the head mounted display can be visually transported to encounter various scenarios. The visual sensory feedback is designed to ensure that the user truly feels like he/she is in the virtual location.
In addition to the head mounted display, some conventional systems can employ additional hardware to further immerse the user in the VR experience. For example, a user can also wear VR headsets that can provide audio feedback to a user in conjunction with the visual sensory feedback. Therefore, the combination of a head mounted display and headset can offer a more immersive VR experience to a user. However, although these conventional VR systems can provide a satisfactory VR experience to a user, there is still room to improve conventional VR systems to further immerse the user in the VR experience.
Embodiments relate to a haptic skull cap worn by a user that provides haptic feedback to the user. The skull cap is worn by the user in conjunction with a head mounted display to provide an immersive VR experience. In various embodiments, when worn by an individual the skull cap provides multiple types of haptic feedback. As an example, a first type of haptic feedback, such as a focal impact, may be provided through a linear actuator. The haptic skull cap can further provide, to the user, a second type of haptic feedback through each of one or more vibrational motors that are positioned at different locations on the internal surface of the skull cap. Therefore, the user can be provided vibrational haptic feedback through these vibrational motors.
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. For example, a letter after a reference numeral, such as “wire 180A,” indicates that the text refers specifically to the element having that particular reference numeral. A reference numeral in the text without a following letter, such as “wire 180,” refers to any or all of the elements in the figures bearing that reference numeral (e.g. “wire 180” in the text refers to reference numerals “wire 180A” and/or “wire 180B” in the figures).
Embodiments relate to a head mounted display system that includes a skull cap with haptic feedback actuators. The head mounted display system is worn on a user's head. Each haptic feedback actuator provides a type of haptic feedback to the user. More than one type of haptic feedback actuator may be provided on the skull cap to provide different types of haptic feedback. The haptic feedback, in conjunction with visual and/or auditory sensory feedback, can provide a user with a more immersive VR experience.
As shown in
Each of haptic feedback actuators 160 and 170 is physically attached to the fabric cap 122. In one embodiment, each haptic feedback actuator 160 and 170 is adhered to the fabric cap 122 through an adhesive (e.g., tape, glue, VELCRO), buttons, fasteners, and the like. In another embodiment, each haptic feedback actuator 160 and 170 is stitched onto the fabric cap 122. For example, each haptic feedback actuator 160 and 170 are sewn inside fabric pockets of the skull cap.
Each of haptic feedback actuators 160 and 170 provides haptic feedback to the user's head. Specifically, each haptic feedback actuator 160 and 170 provides haptic feedback to a particular location of the user's head that is located in close proximity to the haptic feedback actuator 160 and 170. For example, as shown in
In other embodiments, the location of the first haptic feedback actuator 160 and second haptic feedback actuator 170 on the fabric cap 122 may differ from the embodiment shown in
In various embodiments, the second haptic feedback actuator 170 can be located in a different elevational plane in comparison to the first haptic feedback actuator 160. For example, as shown in
In particular embodiments, the haptic skull cap 120 includes one of a first haptic feedback actuator 160 and three of the second haptic feedback actuators 170. The first haptic feedback actuator 160 is located at the front of the fabric cap 122 to provide haptic feedback to the user's forehead. In one embodiment, the three second haptic feedback actuators 170 can be differently positioned on the fabric cap 122 such that the haptic skull cap 120 can provide haptic feedback to distributed locations of the user's head. For example, second haptic feedback actuators 170 can be located on the left, front right, and rear sides of the fabric cap 122. In some embodiments, the three second haptic feedback actuators 170 can be equidistantly positioned around the fabric cap 122.
The fabric cap 122 can be composed of a material such as felt, wool, leather, mesh, cotton, or polyester. In various embodiments, the fabric cap 122 includes a stretchable material such as spandex, elastane, or polyurethane. In such embodiments, the fabric cap 122 is stretchable. A stretchable fabric cap 122 can be tautly worn by the user. In some scenarios, a stretchable fabric cap 122 may be preferred in comparison to a non-stretchable cap. Specifically, as the stretchable fabric cap 122 is tautly worn by a user, the first haptic feedback actuator 160 and second haptic feedback actuator 170 that are physically attached to the stretchable fabric cap 122 can more efficiently provide haptic feedback to the user as each feedback actuator 160 and 170 is in contact with or in close proximity to the user's head.
In various embodiments, the fabric cap 122 can be fabricated from different pieces of material. As shown in
Referring now to the head mounted display 110, it includes a head strap 130 that stabilizes the head mounted display 110 when worn by a user. A first portion 130A of the head strap 130 extends from the head mounted display 110. When the head mounted display 110 is worn by the user, the first portion 130A of the head strap 130 extends along the sagittal plane of the user. Additionally, a second portion 130B of the head strap 130 is connected to the first portion 130A of the head strap and couples with the head mounted display 110. When the head mounted display 110 is worn by the user, the second portion 130B of the head strap 130 wraps around one side of the user's head. Although
Referring now to the headphones 115, it provides auditory feedback to the user. Although
Generally, the head mounted display 110 is communicatively coupled to components of the haptic skull cap 120 and the headphones 115. The head mounted display 110 can include a memory storage and one or more processors for communicating with the haptic skull cap 120 and the headphones 115. In the embodiment shown in
Although
Altogether, communicatively coupling the head mounted display 110 with the headphones 115 and haptic skull cap 120 enables a fully immersive virtual reality experience through the combination of visual, auditory, and haptic feedback. For example, the head mounted display 110 communicates with both the actuators 160 and 170 of the haptic skull cap 120 and the headphones 115 such that the visual, auditory, and haptic feedback provided to the user are synchronized.
In one embodiment, the head mounted display 110 provides a stream of visual data to a user while each haptic feedback actuator 160 and 170 of the haptic skull cap 120 provides intermittent haptic feedback to a user. In various embodiments, each of the haptic feedback actuators 160 and 170 provides the haptic feedback in response to a signal sent by the head mounted display 110. As an example, one or both of the feedback actuators 160 and 170 of the haptic skull cap 120 can provide haptic feedback in response to a signal from the head mounted display 110 that corresponds to a trigger event. As used hereafter, a trigger event refers to an event detected by the head mounted display 110 in the virtual reality experience.
In various embodiments, trigger events are stored by the head mounted display 110 in a memory storage of the head mounted display 110. If a trigger event in the virtual reality experience occurs, a processor of the head mounted display 110 sends a signal to one or both of the haptic feedback actuators 160 or 170. In one embodiment, a trigger event stored by the head mounted display 110 can be specific for a particular haptic feedback actuator 160 or 170. For example, the head mounted display 110 stores a relationship between the trigger event and the specific haptic feedback actuator 160 or 170. When the trigger event occurs, the head mounted display 110 sends a signal to the corresponding haptic feedback actuator 160 or 170 identified in the stored relationship.
To provide context in relation to a trigger event, a user of the head mounted display system can be playing a virtual reality game, such as a first person shooter game. The head mounted display 110 provides a continuous stream of visual data to the user and can detect a trigger event. An example trigger event stored by the head mounted display 110 may be that the user's character in the virtual reality game is shot. In response to the trigger event being satisfied, the head mounted display 110 provides a signal to the first haptic feedback actuator 160 that causes the first haptic feedback actuator 160 to provide a haptic feedback. In this example, the plunger 165 of the first haptic feedback actuator 160 can actuate and impact the user's forehead, signaling to the user that the user's character in the virtual reality game was shot.
To provide another example of a trigger event that is specific for a second haptic feedback actuator 170, the example trigger event stored by the head mounted display 110 may be a shot that narrowly missed the user's character on the left side. Therefore, the head mounted display 110 can send a signal to the second haptic feedback actuator 170 that is located on the left side of the fabric cap 122. The second haptic feedback actuator 170 located on the left side of the fabric cap 122 provides a haptic feedback to the user, signaling to the user of a narrow miss on the left side of the user's character.
Each signal provided by the head mounted display 110 to the first haptic feedback actuator 160 or the second haptic feedback actuator 170 causes the first haptic feedback actuator 160 or the second haptic feedback actuator 170, respectively, to provide a haptic feedback. In various embodiments, the signal can be one of a direct current or alternating current signal. In one embodiment, the signal provided by the head mounted display 110 can be a binary high or low signal that causes the actuation or inactivation of either the first haptic feedback actuator 160 or the second haptic feedback actuator 170. In various embodiments, the signal can cause the first haptic feedback actuator 160 or second haptic feedback actuator 170 to provide varying levels of haptic feedback. As one example, the signal may have a particular amplitude that causes the plunger 165 of the first haptic feedback actuator 160 to travel at a particular speed, thereby causing a corresponding level of impact on the user's head. As another example, the signal causes the second haptic feedback actuator 170 to vibrate at a particular frequency, at a particular vibrational amplitude, or for a particular duration.
Referring first to the covers 210, each cover 210 can be composed of a fabric, plastic, polymer. In some embodiments, each cover 210 is fabricated from a material similar to that of the fabric cap such as felt, wool, leather, mesh, cotton, polyester, spandex, elastane, or polyurethane. Each cover 210 can sit flush with the internal surface 250 of the fabric cap 122. In various embodiments, each of the one or more covers 210 corresponds to a second haptic feedback actuator 170. Therefore, the second haptic feedback actuator 170 can provide a vibrational haptic feedback to the user's head through the corresponding cover 210. In various embodiments, the opening 220 corresponds to a first haptic feedback actuator 160. Specifically, the first haptic feedback actuator 160 provides a haptic feedback (e.g., a focal impact) to the user's head through the opening 220.
As shown in
Referring now to
In the embodiments shown in
As shown in
The solenoid 320 includes multiple electrical coils that encircle the internal housing 310B, a portion of the plunger 165, and a portion of the spring 350. In various embodiments, the solenoid 320 receives a signal from the head mounted display 110 through a wired (e.g., through wire 180A or 180B) or non-wired means. In response to the signal from the head mounted display 110, electron flow through the solenoid 320 generates a magnetic field. The plunger 165 is composed of a ferro-magnetic material and therefore, is actuated in response to the generated magnetic field.
When the first haptic feedback actuator 160 is at rest, as shown in
In the actuated state shown in
Referring now to
In various embodiments, the second haptic feedback actuator 170 can be embodied as a different type of vibrational motor. For example, the second haptic feedback actuator 170 can be a linear resonant actuator (LRM) vibrational motor. In these embodiments, the signal provided by the head mounted display 110 to the second haptic feedback actuator 170 is an alternating current that drives the alternating motion of a mass of the LRM motor to generate a vibrational haptic feedback. Thus, the LRM vibrational motor can provide the vibrational haptic feedback through a corresponding cover 210 to the user's head.
The haptic skull cap receives 520 a second signal for the actuation of a second haptic feedback actuator 170, such as a haptic feedback vibrator. In various embodiments, the second signal corresponds to a second trigger event in the virtual reality experience that was detected by the head mounted display 110. The second trigger event can be different from the first trigger event. The haptic skull cap 120 actuates 525 a second haptic feedback actuator 170 of the haptic skull cap 120 in response to the second signal. As an example, the second haptic feedback actuator 170 is a haptic feedback vibrator that provides a vibrational haptic feedback.
While particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
