Interface device with three-dimensional (3-D) viewing functionality
An interface device is provided that is configured to allow viewing of three-dimensional (3-D) content when the interface device is worn. In certain embodiments, a wearable visualization device can be removably coupled to the interface device. The wearable visualization device, when in use, may provide additional viewing functionality, such as facilitating the viewing of augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR).
1 . A combined three-dimensional (3-D) and virtual reality (VR), augmented reality, and/or mixed reality viewing system, comprising:
an interface device comprising:
a head strap assembly configured to be worn on a head of a user to secure the interface device to the head;
an interface frame coupled to the head strap assembly;
a 3-D viewing component coupled to the interface frame to form a 3-D viewing assembly, wherein the 3-D viewing component is configured to allow viewing of one or more coded two-dimensional (2-D) images as one or more deciphered 3-D features; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably couple a wearable visualization device to the 3-D viewing assembly; and
the wearable visualization device configured to be tethered to a ride vehicle, wherein the wearable visualization device comprises one or more displays and is configured to encompass an entire view of the user.
2 . The viewing system of claim 1 , wherein the 3-D viewing component comprises a first lens having a first polarization and a second lens having a second polarization, different than the first polarization, and the one or more displays of the wearable visualization device, when coupled to the attachment mechanism, comprise a corresponding first lens and a corresponding second lens having matching polarization with the first lens and the second lens respectively.
3 . The viewing system of claim 1 , comprising:
a processing system comprising one or more processors; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions executable by the processing system to cause the processing system to perform operations comprising:
determining whether the wearable visualization device is coupled to the 3-D viewing assembly; and
in response to determining that the wearable visualization device is coupled to the 3-D viewing assembly, instructing the wearable visualization device to display a VR environment on the one or more displays to enable the user to view the VR environment on the one or more displays through lenses of the 3-D viewing component.
4 . The viewing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more displays are opaque.
5 . The viewing system of claim 1 , wherein the 3-D viewing component comprises a first anaglyph lens and a second anaglyph lens of a different color from the first anaglyph lens.
6 . The viewing system of claim 1 , wherein the 3-D viewing component comprises active shuttering lenses comprising a first liquid crystal layer and a second liquid crystal layer, the first liquid crystal layer is configured to be opaque in response to application of power to the active shuttering lenses, and the second liquid crystal layer is configured to be translucent in response to the application of power to the active shuttering lenses.
7 . The viewing system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one or more electromagnets configured to be selectively activated to magnetically engage corresponding magnets or metallic attachment structures provided on the wearable visualization device.
8 . The interface device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of attachment structures, and the wearable visualization device is configured to removably couple to a first side of the 3-D viewing assembly via a first attachment structure of the plurality of attachment structures, and the wearable visualization device is configured to removably couple to a second side of the 3-D viewing assembly via a second attachment structure of the plurality of attachment structures.
9 . The viewing system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable visualization device is configured to be tethered to the ride vehicle via a cable that electronically couples the wearable visualization device to a computer graphics generation system that generates a VR environment for display on the one or more displays.
10 . A combined three-dimensional (3-D) and virtual reality, augmented reality, and/or mixed reality viewing system, comprising:
a 3-D display device comprising a projector or an electronic display device, wherein the 3-D display device is configured to project or display 3-D images on a display surface in a physical environment;
a wearable visualization device comprising one or more displays and configured to encompass an entire view of a user, wherein the wearable visualization device is distinct from the 3-D display device and the one or more displays are physically separate from the display surface in the physical environment; and
an interface device configured to be worn on a head of a user, the interface device comprising:
a 3-D viewing assembly comprising an interface frame and a 3-D viewing component coupled to the interface frame, wherein the 3-D viewing component is configured to allow viewing of the projected or displayed 3-D images on the display surface in the physical environment; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably couple the wearable visualization device to the 3-D viewing assembly.
11 . The viewing system of claim 10 , comprising:
a processing system comprising one or more processors; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions executable by the processing system to cause the processing system to perform operations comprising:
instructing the projector or the electronic display device to project or display the projected or displayed 3-D images.
12 . The viewing system of claim 11 , wherein the projected or displayed 3-D images comprise a prompt to couple the wearable visualization device to the 3-D viewing assembly.
13 . The viewing system of claim 10 , comprising:
a processing system comprising one or more processors; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions-executable by the processing system to cause the processing system to perform operations comprising:
determining whether the wearable visualization device is coupled to the 3-D viewing assembly; and
instructing the wearable visualization device to display a virtual environment on the one or more displays in response to determining that the wearable visualization device is coupled to the 3-D viewing assembly.
14 . The viewing system of claim 13 , wherein the operations comprise instructing the projector or the electronic display device to display the projected or displayed 3-D images in response to determining that the wearable visualization device is not coupled to the 3-D viewing assembly.
15 . A combined three-dimensional (3-D) and virtual reality (VR), augmented reality, and/or mixed reality viewing system, comprising:
a 3-D display device comprising a projector or an electronic display device, wherein the 3-D display device is configured to project or display 3-D images on a display surface in a physical environment;
a plurality of wearable visualization devices distinct from the 3-D display device, wherein each wearable visualization device of the plurality of wearable visualization devices comprises one or more displays and is configured to encompass an entire view of a user, and the one or more displays are physically separate from the display surface in the physical environment;
a plurality of interface devices, wherein each interface device of the plurality of interface devices comprises:
an interface frame configured to be worn on a head of the user;
a 3-D viewing component coupled to the interface frame to form a 3-D viewing assembly, wherein the 3-D viewing component is configured to allow viewing of the projected or displayed 3-D images on the display surface in the physical environment; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably couple a wearable visualization device of the plurality of wearable visualization devices to the 3-D viewing assembly.
16 . The viewing system of claim 15 , comprising:
a processing system comprising one or more processors; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions executable by the processing system to cause the processing system to perform operations comprising:
determining whether at least one wearable visualization device of the plurality of wearable visualization devices is coupled to at least one corresponding interface device of the plurality of interface devices; and
instructing the at least one wearable visualization device to display a VR environment on the one or more displays of the at least one wearable visualization device in response to determining that the at least one wearable visualization device is coupled to the at least one corresponding interface device.
17 . The viewing system of claim 16 , wherein the operations comprise instructing the projector or the electronic display device to display the projected or displayed 3-D images in response to determining that the at least one wearable visualization device of the plurality of wearable visualization devices is not coupled to the at least one corresponding interface device.
18 . The viewing system of claim 17 , wherein the operations comprise instructing the projector or the electronic display device to stop display of the projected or displayed 3-D images in response to determining that the at least one wearable visualization device of the plurality of wearable visualization devices is coupled to the at least one corresponding interface device.
19 . The viewing system of claim 15 , wherein each wearable visualization device of the plurality of wearable visualization devices is configured to display a VR environment based on a position of a respective user relative to a ride path of a ride.
20 . The viewing system of claim 19 , wherein each wearable visualization device of the plurality of wearable visualization devices is tethered to a ride vehicle configured to travel along the ride path of the ride.