IP Library Granted Patent US 10,359,806
Granted Patent B2
US 10,359,806 · App. 15/082,335 · Granted Jul 23, 2019

Pressure sensing to identify fitness and comfort of virtual reality headset

Inventor: Steven Osman (San Mateo, CA)
Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
G06F1/163A63F13/211A63F13/212A63F13/213A63F13/25A63F13/285A63F13/32A63F13/327A63F13/33A63F13/335A63F13/533A63F13/85G02B27/017G02B27/0172G06F1/1686G06F1/3231G06F1/3234G06F1/3265G06F3/011G06F3/013G06F3/016G06F3/167A63F13/218A63F2300/1087A63F2300/405A63F2300/407A63F2300/8082G02B2027/014G02B2027/0138G02B2027/0178Y02D10/153Y02D10/173
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,359,806
App. No.
15/082,335
Granted
Jul 23, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensor generates signals representing whether a computer game headset is being worn properly so that the wearer may be advised. The sensor may be a pressure sensor or motion sensor or stretch sensor on the headset, or it may be a camera that images the wearer and uses image recognition to determine if the headset is on correctly.

Claims (41)

1. A device, comprising:

at least one computer memory that is not a transitory signal and that comprises instructions executable by at least one processor to:

receive a signal from at least one sensor;

compare the signal from the sensor to a reference;

based on the comparison of the signal from the sensor to the reference, output a first signal representing whether a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) headset is being worn; and

based at least in part on the first signal, output feedback keyed to content of a computer simulation being played by a wearer of the headset such that first feedback is output based on the first signal for first content of the computer simulation and second feedback is output based on the first signal for second content of the computer simulation; and

alert the wearer of the headset to adjust the headset based at least in part on the second content.

2. The device of claim 1 , comprising the at least one processor configured to communicate with the at least one computer memory to execute the instructions.

3. The device of claim 1 , comprising the headset configured to play the first and second content.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor mounted on the headset and the reference is a pressure reference.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a motion sensor mounted on the headset and the reference is a motion reference.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a strain gage mounted on the headset and the reference is a strain reference.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a stretch sensor mounted on the headset and the reference is a stretch reference.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a camera imaging a wearer of the headset, and the reference includes an image recognition template.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are executable to select a first reference to compare the signal from the sensor to responsive to a wearer of the headset having a first physical trait and a second reference to compare the signal from the sensor to responsive to the wearer having a second physical trait.

10. A method, comprising:

receiving respective first and second signals from at least first and second sensors on a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) headset communicating computer content to a person indicating whether the headset is being worn by the person;

responsive to receiving the first and second signals, determining whether the headset is being worn by the person;

outputting a third signal representing whether the headset is being worn based on comparison of the first and second signals to at least one reference;

based at least in part on the third signal, output a feedback keyed to content of a computer simulation being played by the Person such that first feedback is output based on the third signal for first content of the computer simulation and second feedback is output based on the third signal for second content of the computer simulation; and

alerting the person wearing the headset to adjust the headset based at least in part on the second content.

11. The method of claim 10 , comprising:

responsive to a determination that the headset is not being worn by a person, sending from the headset to a component external to the headset a signal representative thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the signal is a command to redirect video presentation to a display other than the headset.

13. An assembly, comprising:

a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) headset wearable by a person;

at least one processor; and

at least one storage with instructions executable by the processor to:

receive a signal from at least one sensor;

compare the signal from the sensor to a reference;

based on the comparison of the signal from the sensor to the reference, output a first signal representing whether the headset is being worn;

based at least in part on the first signal, output feedback keyed to content of a computer simulation being played by a wearer of the headset such that first feedback is output based on the first signal for first content of the computer simulation and second feedback is output based on the first signal for second content of the computer simulation; and

generate an alert to the wearer of the headset to adjust the headset based at least in part on the second content.

14. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the alert is audible.

15. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the alert is visible.

16. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the alert is tactile.

17. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor mounted on the headset.

18. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor is a motion sensor mounted on the headset.

19. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a camera imaging a wearer of the headset.

20. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the instructions are executable for:

responsive to a determination, based on the signal, that the headset is not being worn by a person, automatically configuring the headset in a power conservation mode or deenergizing the headset.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 6, 2016
From: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
To: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 039276/0023 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2016
From: OSMAN, STEVEN
To: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 038274/0810 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170277254A1 · Sep 28, 2017