Facebook Patent | Audio headphones for virtual reality head-mounted display

Patent: Audio headphones for virtual reality head-mounted display

Publication Number: 10149039

Publication Date: 2018-12-04

Applicants: Facebook Technologies, LLC

Abstract

An audio headphone to couple to a strap for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The audio headphone includes a headphone speaker, a strap connector, and a four-bar linkage coupled to the strap connector to provide movement of the headphone speaker with respect to a user’s ear. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member coupled to the strap connector via a first joint, a second member coupled to the first member via a second joint, a third member coupled to the second member via a third joint, and a fourth member coupled to the third member. The fourth member has first and second sides that are coupled to the first member via a fourth joint.

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality head-mounted displays have wide applications in various fields, including engineering design, medical surgery practice, military simulated practice, and video gaming. For example, a user wears a virtual reality head-mounted display integrated with an audio headphone while playing video games so that the user can have an interactive experience in an immersive virtual environment.

However, it may be difficult for a user to properly adjust and comfortably wear the head-mounted display and the integrated audio headphone using the existing virtual reality technology, which may negatively affect the user's experience.

SUMMARY 

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an audio headphone to couple to a strap for a head-mounted display. In accordance with some embodiments, an audio headphone includes a headphone speaker; a strap connector; and a four-bar linkage coupled to the strap connector to provide inward and outward movement of the headphone speaker with respect to a user's ear. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member, a second member, a third member, and a fourth member. The first member has a first end portion coupled to the strap connector via a first joint; the second member has a first end portion coupled to a second end portion of the first member via a second joint; the third member has a first end portion coupled to a second end portion of the second member via a third joint, the third member comprising a rigid pole extending from the second member to the fourth member and surrounded by an elastic spring; and the fourth member has a first portion coupled to the rigid pole and first and second sides that are connected by the first portion and that extend along a vertical dimension. The first member is further coupled to the first and second sides of the fourth member via a fourth joint. The fourth member has a second portion coupled to the strap connector via a fifth joint.

In accordance with some embodiments, a head-mounted system provides virtual reality experience for a user. The head-mounted system comprises a head-mounted display; a strap system for mounting the head-mounted display on the user's head; and first and second audio headphones coupled to the strap system and integrated with the head-mounted display. The strap system comprises first and second flexible segments that are stretchable; first and second rigid guide segments coupled to the first and second flexible segments respectively, the first and second rigid guide segments further connected to the head-mounted display, wherein the first and second flexible segments are stretchable within the first and second rigid guide segments respectively along the lateral dimension so as to adjust the strap system in accordance with the user's head; and at least one semi-rigid segment, coupled to the first and second rigid guide segments, to conform to a portion of the user's head, the at least one semi-rigid segment comprising arc portions to extend from above the user's ears to below the user's occipital lobe. Each of the first and second the audio headphones comprises a headphone speaker; a strap connector coupling the audio headphone to the first or second rigid guide segment of the strap system; and a four-bar linkage, coupled to the strap connector to provide inward and outward movement of the headphone speaker with respect to a user's ear. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member, a second member, a third member, and a fourth member. The first member has a first end coupled to the strap connector via a first joint; the second member has a first end coupled to a second end of the first member via a second joint; the third member has a first end coupled to a second end of the second member via a third joint, the third member comprising a rigid pole extending from the second member to the fourth member and surrounded by an elastic spring; and the fourth member has a first portion coupled to the rigid pole and first and second sides that are connected by the first portion and that extend along a vertical dimension. The first member is further coupled to the first and second sides of the fourth member via a fourth joint. The fourth member has a second portion coupled to the strap connector via a fifth joint.

In accordance with some embodiments, an audio headphone arm to couple to a strap for a head-mounted display comprises a four-bar linkage to provide inward and outward movement of a headphone speaker with respect to a user's ear, and a frame to couple to the headphone speaker. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member, a second member, a third member, and a fourth member. The first member includes a bend at a mid portion; the second member has a first end coupled to an end of the first member via a first joint; the third member has a first end coupled to a second end of the second member via a second joint, the third member comprising a rigid pole extending from the second member to the fourth member and surrounded by an elastic spring; and the fourth member has a first portion connected to the rigid pole and first and second sides that are connected by the first portion and that extend along a vertical dimension, the mid portion of the first member coupled to mid portions of the first and second sides of the fourth member at a third joint. The four-bar linkage is to couple to a strap connector through an opening in the frame. The frame is to slide upward and downward with respect to the four-bar linkage.