Reconfigurable headset that transitions between virtual reality, augmented reality, and actual reality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12169592-B2
Application number	US-202318486098-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 12, 2023
Priority date	Nov 8, 2021
Publication date	Dec 17, 2024
Grant date	Dec 17, 2024

Abstract

A method for switching a configuration of an enhanced reality headset is provided. The method includes identifying a scenario to switch a configuration of an enhanced reality headset between a virtual reality configuration, an augmented reality configuration, and a direct reality configuration, wherein the virtual reality configuration and the augmented reality configuration include a computer generated image, and the direct reality configuration and the augmented reality configuration include a real-time image of an environment of a user of the enhanced reality headset. The method includes providing a notification to a user of the enhanced reality headset including an intent to switch the configuration of the enhanced reality headset, and switching the configuration of the enhanced reality headset according to the scenario.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
identifying a scenario to switch a configuration of an enhanced reality headset between a virtual reality configuration and an augmented reality configuration, wherein the augmented reality configuration includes a real-time image of an environment of a user of the enhanced reality headset;
providing a notification to the user of the enhanced reality headset, the notification including an intent to switch the configuration of the enhanced reality headset between the virtual reality configuration and the augmented reality configuration;
subsequent to the notification, switching the configuration of the enhanced reality headset according to the scenario; and
subsequent to switching the configuration, providing a visual indicator of the user to a remote device communicatively coupled with the enhanced reality headset.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the scenario to switch the configuration comprises capturing an image of an environment of the user of the enhanced reality headset and identifying a potential hazard to the user from the image of the environment.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the scenario to switch the configuration comprises capturing an audio of an environment of the user of the enhanced reality headset and identifying an alert to the user from the audio of the environment.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the scenario to switch the configuration comprises determining that a period of time has lapsed without an alert or a potential hazard to the user having been identified.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the enhanced reality headset comprises multiple inertial motion sensors, and identifying a scenario to switch a configuration of an enhanced reality headset comprises identifying a signal pattern from the inertial motion sensors, the signal pattern being indicative of a potential hazard to the user.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the notification to the user includes an indication of the intent to switch the configuration, the indication further comprising providing, for the user, a through-video image in a portion of a display in the enhanced reality headset.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the user, a validation of the intent to switch the configuration of the enhanced reality headset.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the enhanced reality headset is configured to provide a through-video image in a portion of a display for the user, and a button for the user to select between the virtual reality configuration, and the augmented reality configuration, the method further comprising switching the enhanced reality headset per a user selection of the button.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising providing, to a remote device communicatively coupled with the enhanced reality headset, an indication that the configuration of the enhanced reality headset has been switched.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration is switched to the virtual reality configuration.

11. A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and
a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to:
identify a scenario to switch a configuration of an enhanced reality headset between a virtual reality configuration and an augmented reality configuration, wherein the augmented reality configuration includes a real-time image of an environment of a user of the enhanced reality headset;
provide a notification to the user of the enhanced reality headset, the notification including an intent to switch the configuration of the enhanced reality headset between the virtual reality configuration and the augmented reality configuration;
subsequent to the notification, switch the configuration of the enhanced reality headset according to the scenario; and
subsequent to the switch of the configuration, provide a visual indicator of the user to a remote device communicatively coupled with the enhanced reality headset.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein, to identify the scenario to switch the configuration, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to capture an audio of an environment of the user of the enhanced reality headset and identify an alert to the user from the audio of the environment.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein, to identify the scenario to switch the configuration, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to capture an image of an environment of the user of the enhanced reality headset and identify a potential hazard to the user from the image of the environment.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to:
provide, to a remote device communicatively coupled with the enhanced reality headset, an indication that the configuration of the enhanced reality headset has been switched.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein, to provide the notification to the user, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to provide, for the user, a through-video image in a portion of a display in the enhanced reality headset, wherein the notification to the user includes an indication of the intent to switch the configuration.

16. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause a computer to:
identify a scenario to switch a configuration of an enhanced reality headset between a virtual reality configuration and an augmented reality configuration, wherein the augmented reality configuration includes a real-time image of an environment of a user of the enhanced reality headset;
provide a notification to the user of the enhanced reality headset, the notification including an intent to switch the configuration of the enhanced reality headset between the virtual reality configuration and the augmented reality configuration;
subsequent to the notification, switch the configuration of the enhanced reality headset according to the scenario; and
subsequent to the switch of the configuration, provide a visual indicator of the user to a remote device communicatively coupled with the enhanced reality headset.

17. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein, to identify the scenario to switch the configuration, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the computer to capture an image of an environment of the user of the enhanced reality headset and identify a potential hazard to the user from the image of the environment.

18. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein, to identify the scenario to switch the configuration, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the computer to capture an audio of an environment of the user of the enhanced reality headset and identify an alert to the user from the audio of the environment.

19. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein, to provide the notification, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the computer to provide, for the user, a through-video image in a portion of a display in the enhanced reality headset, wherein the notification includes an indication of the intent to switch the

Assignees

• Meta Platforms Tech Llc

Inventors

• Cross Rachel
• Madruga Tiffany
• Fu Allison
• Fitzgerald Meaghan

Classifications

• G06V20/20

  in augmented reality scenes · CPC title

• G06V40/19

  Sensors therefor · CPC title

• G06V40/28

  Recognition of hand or arm movements, e.g. recognition of deaf sign language (static hand signs G06V40/113) · CPC title

• G02B2027/0118

  comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility · CPC title

• G02B27/286

  for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another (G02B5/3083 takes precedence; light guide coupling means utilising polarising elements G02B6/34) · CPC title