GB2534538A

GB2534538A - Virtual reality headset

Info

Publication number: GB2534538A
Application number: GB1420316.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ashley Deane Louis
Original assignee: VISR VR Ltd
Current assignee: VISR VR Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-14
Filing date: 2014-11-14
Publication date: 2016-08-03
Also published as: GB201420316D0

Abstract

The virtual reality headset has a base unit configured for holding a portable computing device in situ via one of a plurality of magazines 102. Each magazine is configured for holding a differently sized portable computing device such as a mobile phone, cellphone, smart-phone or tablet. The headset also has a focusing unit 104 comprising at least two lenses 105 configured for focusing a screen of the portable computing device for a wearer of the headset. The focusing unit may be slideable in relation to the base unit such that the screen and lens are moveable toward and away from one another to facilitate focusing by the wearer of the headset (see figure 3). A friction lock mechanism using UV cured ink may be used to hold the magazine and base together.

Description

Virtual Reality Headset

Field of Invention

The present invention is in the field of virtual reality. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a virtual reality headset for use with a portable computing device.

Background

To provide for full engagement with users in the field of virtual reality, headsets have been developed that enable a wearer to view an image for the left eye and a different image for the right eye to provide a simulation of 3D.

One such headset is the Oculus RiftTM. Unfortunately a disadvantage with the Oculus Rift, and similar headsets, is the hardware technology is complex and proprietary. This results in a long development life-cycle (the Oculus Rift has been under development for over two years and a consumer version is not expected until 2015), and an expensive consumer product (the Oculus Rift will be priced between $200 and $400USD).

Due to the long development life-cycle, it is difficult for third party software developers to create 3D software suitable for use on the Oculus Rift because there are few ways to effectively simulated the headset.

To ameliorate some of these problems, GoogleTM has developed a foldable template called the Google Cardboard. This template may be printed out by users and folded (with the addition of other components such as lenses) into a headset within which a user may insert their smart-phone. The smart-phone may then display, using pre-configured software, two side-by-side images one configured for the left eye and the other configured for the right eye.

Unfortunately the Google Cardboard has several disadvantages. To provide a highly effective VR headset, ambient light must be blocked from entering the user's eyes. The Google Cardboard has many gaps once a smart-phone is inserted that provide for the entry of light (even when constructed by a third party distributor such as the DodoCase VRTM). Furthermore, the Google Cardboard only appears to work with limited types of devices and with lenses of specific qualities.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved virtual reality 10 headset for use with a portable computing device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a virtual reality headset, comprising: a base unit configured for holding a portable computing device in situ via one of a plurality of magazines, each magazine configured for holding a differently sized portable computing device; and a focusing unit, comprising at least two lenses configured for focusing a screen of the portable computing device for a wearer of the headset.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a virtual reality headset, comprising: a base unit configured for holding a portable computing device in situ; and a focusing unit, comprising at least two lenses configured for focusing a screen of the portable computing device for a wearer of the headset; wherein the focusing unit is slideable in relation to the base unit such that the screen and lens are moveable toward and away from one another to facilitate focusing by the wearer of the headset.

Other aspects of the invention are described within the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la: shows a front isometric view of a virtual reality headset in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 b: shows a front elevation view of the virtual reality headset of Figure la; Figure lc: shows a rear isometric view of the virtual reality headset of Figures la and 1 b; Figure 2: shows a magazine blank for use with a virtual reality headset in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3: shows the functioning of a sliceable focusing mechanism of a virtual reality headset in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4: shows a focusing unit blank and base unit and focusing unit illustrating tension springs of a virtual reality headset in accordance with an 25 embodiment of the invention; Figure 5: shows blanks for the bodies of a base unit, focusing unit, and magazine for a virtual reality headset in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6: shows flowchart illustrating a method for constructing a virtual reality headset in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides a virtual reality headset for use with a portable 5 computing device.

The inventors have discovered that a more effective virtual reality headset for different devices, such as smart-phones, can be constructed using low cost materials such as cardboard or plastic without compromising quality of the 3D experience by designing a headset that can accommodate different magazines for holding differently sized devices.

The inventors have also discovered that greater variability for lenses and greater support for different devices can be facilitated by designing a headset 15 with a slideable focusing mechanism.

In Figures 1a, lb, and lc, a virtual reality headset 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown.

The headset 100 includes a base unit 101 configured for holding a portable computing device, such as a smart-phone, tablet, or other portable user device with a display, in position.

The device may be held in position via a removable magazine 102. The base unit 101 may be configured for holding the magazine 102 in place via a slot 103 in the top of the base unit 101. The base unit 101 may be configured for receiving one of many different magazines configured for holding differently sized devices.

The headset 100 includes a focusing unit 104 configured for holding in place two lenses 105. The focusing unit 104 may be moveable in relation to the screen of the portable computing device when it is being held by the base unit 101. For example, the focusing unit 104 may slideable towards and away from the plane of the screen within the base unit 101.

The focusing unit 104 may include two walls 106 which overlap with walls 107 5 of the base unit 101.

The base unit 101 may include one or more slots 108 configured to receive a headband, such as an elastic band, for use by the wearer to hold the headset 100 firmly in place on the wearer's head. The slots 108 may be positioned such that the headband passes behind the portable computing device and acts to push the portable computing device towards the wearer of the headset 100.

In Figure 2, a magazine blank 200 configured for a portable computing device 15 for use with a virtual reality headset in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will now be described.

The magazine 200 comprises a frame 201 surrounding a cut-out 202 in a rectangular shape correlating to the screen of the portable computing device.

The magazine 200 comprises a rear panel 203 for holding the portable computing device against the frame when the magazine 200 is constructed and inserted into the base unit of the virtual reality headset.

The magazine 200 may include a tab, loop 204, or handle for easy removable and/or insertion of the magazine 200 into a base unit of the virtual reality headset. The tab, loop 204, or handle may be formed within both the frame 201 and the rear panel 203.

Different magazines may include variable size padding flaps 205 on either size of the frame 201 to facilitate use of different sized portable computing devices.

The magazine 200 may comprise a bottom panel 206 connecting both the frame 201 and rear panel 203 upon which the portable computing device rests during use.

A friction lock mechanism may hold the magazine 200 within the base unit. The friction lock mechanism may comprise ink printed on, at least, the surfaces of the magazine 200 and the base unit which overlap after insertion of the magazine 200. To provide sufficient friction, the ink may be, for example, UV cured ink.

In Figure 3, a virtual reality headset 300 showing a slideable mechanism for adjusting the focus of the headset is shown.

The slideable mechanism may comprise movement toward and away from the screen of the portable computing device when the portable computing device is inserted into the base unit 301.

To manifest the slideable mechanism, the focusing unit 302 may slide back and forth within the chamber 303 of the base unit 301 such that the lenses 304 within the focusing unit 302 move toward and away from the screen of the portable computing device whilst maintaining the same distance to the eyes of a wearer of the headset 300.

The focusing unit 302 may hold a position along the sliding axis within the chamber 303 of the base unit 301 via the use of a pressure means between the walls 305 of the focusing unit 302 and the walls 306 of the base unit 301. The pressure means may be a tension spring mechanism as described in Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows a tension spring mechanism 400 for holding the focusing unit 401 in position in relation to the base unit 402 of a virtual reality headset.

The tension spring 400 may be formed by tabs 403 on the focusing unit blank 404. During construction the tabs may be folded back against the flute of the construction material.

Figures 5 shows a blank 500 for constructing the body of the base unit, a blank 501 for constructing the body of the focusing unit, and a blank 502 for constructing the magazine.

Each blank may be formed from a single sheet of material. The material may be corrugated. The material may be, preferably, cardboard, plastic, or leather.

The base unit blank 500 may comprise a floor panel 501 connected via a first wall panel 502 to a top panel 503. The top panel 503 may be connected to a second wall panel 504 and configured via a cut-out 505a to receive a magazine. The floor panel 501 may be further connected to one or more rear panels 505. The floor panel 501 may be connected to a third wall panel 506 opposite the first wall panel 502.

The wall panels 502, 504 and 506 may include slots 507 configured to receive a headband once constructed.

The focusing unit blank 508 may comprise a front panel 509 comprising two cut-outs 510 with tabs configured to permit two lens to sit behind when constructed and further connected to two wall panels 511. The focusing unit blank 508 may also comprise a centre panel 512 comprising two cut-outs 513 configured to permit the two lens to sit within when constructed and a back panel 514 comprising two cut-outs 515 configured to permit the two lens to sit in front when constructed. The centre panel 512 may be connected to a long edge of the front panel 509 and the back panel 514 may be connected to the other long edge of the front panel 509. The two wall panels 511 may include cut-outs 515 configured to facilitate positioning of the focusing unit within a chamber of the base unit once constructed and in use. The centre panel 512 and back panel 514 may include tension tabs 516 on each short edge.

The magazine blank 517 for a portable computing device may comprise a frame 518 surrounding, at least partially, a cut-out 519 configured to permit the screen of the portable computing device to be visible, when in use, connected by a panel 520, at least, the width of the portable computing device to a rear panel 521.

Referring to Figure 6 there will now be described a 600 method for constructing a virtual reality headset from the blanks described in relation to Figure 5 and two lenses.

In step 601, folding the rear panels of the base unit blank towards the floor 15 panel to form a rear wall.

In step 602, folding the first wall panel along a fold line with the floor panel and a fold line with the top panel to form a four-sided box with the rear wall.

In step 603, folding the second wall panel along a fold line with the floor panel to form the base unit with a chamber for the focusing unit and a cut-out to receive a magazine. To facilitate construction of the chamber, the second wall panel may be overlaid on a third wall panel.

In step 604, folding the two wall panels of the focusing unit blank along fold lines with the centre panel to form a U-shape.

In step 605, folding the centre panel to align the cut-outs of the centre panel and the front panel.

In step 606, inserting the two lenses into the cut-outs of the centre panel.

In step 607, folding the back panel to align the cut-outs of the centre panel with the cut-outs of the back panel and to hold the two lens in situ to form the focusing unit. To create a tension spring mechanism to assist holding the position of the focusing unit within the chamber of the base unit, the tension tabs on the centre panel and/or back panel may be folded against the flute of corrugate material of the centre panel/back panel.

In step 608, folding the frame along a fold line with the panel of the magazine blank and folding the rear panel along a fold line with the panel of the 10 magazine blank to form a case for the portable computing device.

In step 609, inserting the focusing unit within the chamber of the base unit such that the walls of the focusing unit align with the walls of the base unit.

In step 610, inserting a portable computing device into the magazine and inserting the magazine into the cut-out of the base unit.

Potential advantages of some embodiments of the present invention are that use of the magazines mean that differently size portable computing devices can be accommodated within the virtual reality headset, and the use of the slideable focus mechanism mean that different types of lenses can be used within the virtual reality headset.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

Claims 1. A virtual reality headset, comprising: a base unit configured for holding a portable computing device in situ via one of a plurality of magazines, each magazine configured for holding a differently sized portable computing device; and a focusing unit, comprising at least two lenses configured for focusing a screen of the portable computing device for a wearer of the headset.
2. A headset as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magazine and base unit are configured with a friction lock mechanism configured to hold both together in use.
3. A headset as claimed in claim 2, wherein the friction lock mechanism comprises ink printed on, at least, the surfaces of the magazine and base unit that touch when in use.
4. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the headset is configured such that the magazines are removed and inserted by a user of the headset.
5. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magazines include a loop, tab, or handle configured to permit removal and insertion of the magazine by a user of the headset.
6. A virtual reality headset, comprising: a base unit configured for holding a portable computing device in situ; and a focusing unit, comprising at least two lenses configured for focusing a screen of the portable computing device for a wearer of the headset; wherein the focusing unit is slideable in relation to the base unit such that the screen and lens are moveable toward and away from one another to facilitate focusing by the wearer of the headset.
7. A headset as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base unit comprises two walls for receiving the focusing unit.
8. A headset as claimed in claim 7, wherein the focusing unit comprises a pressure means configured to apply pressure to at least one of the walls to hold the position of the focusing unit relative to the base unit in use.
9. A headset as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pressure means is a tension spring.
10. A headset as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tension spring is formed by one or more foldable tabs on the focusing unit.
11. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the body of the base unit, focusing unit, and magazines are each constructed from a single blank.
12. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the body of the base unit, focusing unit, and magazines are constructed from corrugate material.
13. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the body of the base unit, focusing unit, and magazines are constructed from cardboard, plastic, or leather.
14. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the headset further includes an elastic headband for securing the headset to the head of the user.
15.A headset as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base unit is further configured with a plurality of channels to permit the elastic headband to pass through.
16. A headset as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plurality of channels are positioned on the base unit such that headband passes behind the portable computing device when held in situ by the base unit.
17. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some edges of the base unit are covered with a flexible edge channel.
18. A headset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two lenses are constructed out of a material selected from the set of glass, plastic, crystal, and liquid.
19. Blanks for constructing a virtual reality headset, comprising: a base unit blank comprising: a floor panel connected via a first wall panel to a top panel; and the top panel connected to a second wall panel and configured via a cut-out to receive a magazine; wherein the floor panel is further connected to one or more rear panels; a focusing unit blank comprising: a front panel comprising two cut-outs with tabs configured to permit two lens to sit behind when constructed and further connected to two wall panels; a centre panel comprising two cut-outs configured to permit two lens to sit within when constructed; and a back panel comprising two cut-outs configured to permit two lens to sit in front when constructed; and at least one magazine blank for a portable computing device comprising: a frame surrounding a cut-out configured to permit the screen of the portable computing device to be visible connected by a panel, at least, the width of the portable computing device to a rear panel.
20. Blanks as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least one of the centre panel and the back panel of the focusing unit blank further include two tension tabs.
21. A method of constructing a virtual reality headset from a plurality of blanks as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 and two lenses, including: a) folding the rear panels of the base unit blank towards the floor panel to form a rear wall; b) folding the first wall panel along a fold line with the floor panel and a fold line with the top panel to form a four-sided box with the rear wall; c) folding the second wall panel along a fold line with the floor panel to form the base unit with a chamber for the focusing unit and a cut-out to receive a magazine; d) folding the two wall panels of the focusing unit blank along fold lines with the centre panel to form a U-shape; e) folding the centre panel to align the cut-outs of the centre panel and the front panel; f) inserting the two lenses into the cut-outs of the centre panel; g) folding the back panel to align the cut-outs of the centre panel with the cut-outs of the back panel and to hold the two lens in situ to form the focusing unit; h) folding the frame along a fold line with the panel of the magazine blank and folding the rear panel along a fold line with the panel of the magazine blank to form a case for the portable computing device; and i) inserting the focusing unit within the chamber of the base unit such that the walls of the focusing unit align with the walls of the base unit.
22. A method as claimed in 21 when dependent on claim 20, further including the step of folding the tension tabs against the flute of corrugate material of centre panel and/or back panel to form tension springs.
23. A kit for constructing a virtual reality headset, comprising: blanks as claimed in claim 19; and at least two lenses for the focusing unit.
24. A kit as claimed in claim 23, further including an elastic headband.
25. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 24, further including at least one flexible edge channel configured for covering an edge of the base unit.
26.A virtual reality headset as herein described with reference to the Figures.