Patent · US Expired

Low cost virtual reality system

US6414731B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
23References
1Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 7, 2001
Grant dateJul 2, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 7, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG09B21/00
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.