Patent Description:
This invention relates to display technology, and more particularly, to a virtual reality all-in-one apparatus.

Virtual Reality (VR) technology is a technology that utilizes computer simulation system to create and experience a virtual world. The VR technology first uses computers to generate a simulated environment. Then, users are immersed in the simulated environment through interactive three-dimensional dynamic view of multi-source information integration and system simulation of entity behavior.

In conventional technology, in order to realize a virtual reality display, a virtual reality apparatus typically includes a housing, a display screen disposed inside the housing, an optical lens assembly, and a circuit board, etc.. During assembly of the virtual reality apparatus, it is necessary to sequentially mount the above-mentioned components on the housing. However, when hardware or optical system of a VR apparatus is upgraded, it is necessary to adjust sizes of multiple components such as the display screen, the optical lens assembly, or the circuit board in the VR apparatus. In this case, in order to accommodate the sizes of the upgraded components, it is necessary to re-design structure of the housing and accordingly develop new molds for manufacturing the new housing. This in turn prolongs a production and marketing cycle of a product, thereby reducing market competitiveness of the product.

<CIT> and <CIT> show examples of a VR apparatus known in the art.

Accordingly one example of the present disclosure is a virtual reality all-in-one apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:.

The present invention is described with reference to embodiments of the invention. Throughout the description of the invention reference is made to <FIG>. When referring to the figures, like structures and elements shown throughout are indicated with like reference numerals. The described embodiments are merely part of the present invention, and do not constitute all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without departing from the inventive work are within the scope of the present invention.

<FIG> shows a schematic view of a decomposed structure of a virtual reality all-in-one apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a VR all-in-one apparatus) according to one embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the VR all-in-one apparatus comprises a middle frame <NUM> and a front housing <NUM> mounted on a side of the middle frame <NUM>. Furthermore, the VR all-in-one apparatus further comprises a core function module <NUM>, which is provided inside the middle frame <NUM>. The core function module <NUM> includes a frame assembly <NUM> and a display module <NUM>. The display module <NUM> is mounted on the frame assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural view of a display module on a frame assembly according to one embodiment. As described above, the display module <NUM> is mounted on the frame assembly <NUM>. Thus, when sizes of some components of the display module <NUM> change due to upgrade of some hardware or optical system in the display module <NUM>, the core function module <NUM> can be directly disassembled from the middle frame <NUM>, and furthermore, the components to be upgraded in the display module <NUM> can be disassembled from the frame assembly <NUM>. Then, shape and structure of the frame assembly <NUM> may be adjusted so that the upgraded components can still be fixed to the frame assembly <NUM>. In this way, modular design of the display module <NUM> can be achieved through the core function module <NUM>. As such, when the sizes of some components of the display module <NUM> change, the core function module <NUM> is directly adjusted without re-designing the shape and size of the housing, such as the middle frame <NUM>. Accordingly, investment in mold development is reduced, product market cycle is shortened, and family characteristic of a product line is formed.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural view of a display module according to one embodiment. Specific configuration of a frame assembly <NUM> and a display module <NUM> mounted on the frame assembly <NUM> are described in detail below. The VR all-in-one apparatus realizes 3D display mainly through a display module <NUM>. In one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the display module <NUM> comprises a display screen <NUM>. The display screen <NUM> is capable of displaying a left-eye image and a right-eye image. After the left-eye image and the right-eye image are transmitted to a human brain through left eye and right eye respectively, these images are synthesized by the human brain to form a 3D image.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of principle of displaying a 3D image on a display screen according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, in order to enable the display screen <NUM> to display a left-eye image and a right-eye image, the display screen <NUM> may comprise a display screen body <NUM> and a slit grating <NUM> located on a display side of the display screen body <NUM>. The slit grating <NUM> is an optical apparatus comprising spaced light-shielding stripes. A user's left eye may see the left-eye image provided by a portion of pixels (e.g., multiple pixels B) on the display screen body <NUM> through slits of the slit grating <NUM>. A user's right eye may see the right-eye image provided by another portion of pixels (e.g., multiple pixels A) of the display screen body <NUM> through slits of the slit grating <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural view of a frame assembly according to one embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the frame assembly <NUM> comprises a first frame <NUM>. The display screen <NUM> is mounted on the first frame <NUM>. Since the shape of the display screen <NUM> is generally rectangular, the first frame <NUM> may be a rectangular frame. The display screen <NUM> may be fixed in the rectangular frame.

It is to be noted that a method of fixing the display screen <NUM> is not limited in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a bonding method may be used. In another embodiment, a fixed position is provided on the first frame <NUM>, and the display screen <NUM> is attached to the fixed position by a fixing member. The fixing member may comprise a threaded connector, a fastener, or the like.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural view of a first frame of a frame assembly with mounted sub-screens according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the display screen <NUM> may include a left-eye image sub-screen <NUM> for displaying a left-eye image and a right-eye image sub-screen <NUM> for displaying a right-eye image. As shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, the first frame <NUM> includes a first left sub-frame <NUM> and a first right sub-frame <NUM>, both of which are located on the same horizontal plane. The left-eye image sub-screen <NUM> and the right-eye image sub-screen <NUM> are mounted on the first left sub-frame <NUM> and the first right sub-frame <NUM> respectively. Since shapes of the left-eye image sub-screen <NUM> and the right-eye image sub-screen <NUM> are generally rectangular, the first left sub-frame <NUM> and the first right sub-frame <NUM> may be rectangular frames. As such, the left-eye image sub-screen <NUM> and the right-eye image sub-screen <NUM> may be fixed in the above-described different rectangular frames respectively. The left eye image sub-screen <NUM> and the right-eye image sub-screen <NUM> may be fixed in the same manner as the display screen <NUM>.

In addition, in order to improve 3D effect of a VR display, a display image provided by a VR all-in-one apparatus needs to have certain perceptual depth. As such, a user can infer a distance of an object according to a size of the object seen by eyes and perceive an actual size of the object. Accordingly, reality feel of the VR display can be further enhanced. In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment, the display module <NUM> may also comprise an optical lens assembly <NUM> located on a display side of the display screen <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural view of a second frame of a frame assembly with mounted optical lenses according to one embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the optical lens assembly <NUM> comprises a left lens subassembly <NUM> corresponding to a position of the left eye and a right lens subassembly <NUM> corresponding to a position of the right eye. Each of the left lens subassembly <NUM> and the right lens subassembly <NUM> includes at least one lens, which is thick in the center and thin on the edge. Accordingly, the left lens subassembly <NUM> and the right lens subassembly <NUM> can correct incident angles of a light on positive lens of left eye and right eye of a user respectively. The light is then re-read by the user's eyes. As such, nearby objects reaches the user's retina faster than those in distance. Furthermore, nearby objects look more three-dimensional relative to those in distance.

In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the frame assembly <NUM> comprises a second frame <NUM> opposite the first frame <NUM>. The optical lens assembly <NUM> is mounted on the second frame <NUM>.

In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, when the optical lens assembly <NUM> comprises a left lens subassembly <NUM> and a right lens subassembly <NUM>, the second frame <NUM> comprises a second left sub- frame <NUM> and a second right sub-frame <NUM>, both of which are located on the same horizontal plane. In one embodiment, a method of mounting optical lens assembly <NUM> comprises mounting the left lens subassembly <NUM> and the right lens subassembly <NUM> on the second left sub-frame <NUM> and the second right sub-frame <NUM> respectively. Since the left lens subassembly <NUM> and the right lens subassembly <NUM> are generally round in shape, the second left sub-frame <NUM> and the second right sub-frame <NUM> may be round in shape. As such, the left lens subassembly <NUM> and the right lens subassembly <NUM> may be fixed within the second left and right sub-frames respectively. A method of fixing the optical lens assembly <NUM> is not limited herein.

As described above, left and right eyes of a user need to receive a left-eye image and a right-eye image respectively in order to realize a 3D display. If crosstalk happens between the left-eye image and the right-eye image and the result of the crosstalk is received by the user's eyes, quality of the 3D display is reduced or a 3D image even cannot be displayed normally. Therefore, in order to avoid the crosstalk between the left-eye image and the right-eye image, in one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the frame assembly <NUM> further comprises a baffle plate <NUM>. The baffle plate <NUM> is disposed between the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>. Furthermore, the baffle plate <NUM> is perpendicular to the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the second left sub-frame <NUM> and the second right sub-frame <NUM> in the second frame <NUM> are disposed on the left and right sides of the baffle plate <NUM> respectively. As such, the baffle plate <NUM> can isolate the left-eye image of the left lens subassembly <NUM> mounted on the second left sub-frame <NUM> from the right-eye image of the right lens subassembly <NUM> mounted on the second right sub-frame <NUM>. Accordingly, probability of crosstalk between the left-eye image and the right-eye image is reduced.

In another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, in order to realize the VR display, the display module <NUM> further comprises a main control circuit board <NUM> for installing an application processor (AP). The application processor controls the display screen <NUM> to display 3D images.

In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the frame assembly <NUM> further comprises a third frame <NUM> for mounting the main control circuit board <NUM>. The third frame <NUM> is located on the same side of the display screen <NUM> as the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>. Furthermore, two ends of the third frame <NUM> are connected with the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> respectively. Compared with a conventional technology in which a control circuit board <NUM> is mounted on a non-display side of the display screen <NUM>, the control circuit board <NUM> in this disclosure can be mounted on the third frame <NUM>, which is on a display side of the display screen <NUM>. As such, the control circuit board <NUM> is located at the top of the display screen <NUM>, thereby reducing thickness of the entire display module <NUM>. A thickness direction of the display module <NUM> is the same as that of the display screen <NUM>.

It is to be noted that direction terms such as "left", "right", "top" are defined herein with respect to locations of various components in the display module <NUM> in the Figures. These directional terms are relative concepts and used for description and illustration purposes. These directional terms may change accordingly with the direction of the display module <NUM>.

With improving computing and graphics processing capabilities of application processors, heat generated by the application processors also increase. Accordingly, if the heat cannot be dissipated in time, operational life span of the application processors and other components thereof are reduced.

In order to solve heat dissipation problem of an application processor, in one embodiment, the display module <NUM> further comprises a fan mounted on the main control circuit board <NUM>. When in operation, the fan can increase air flow rate around the application processor on the main control circuit board <NUM>, thereby reducing a surface temperature of the application processor. In the present disclosure, a type of the fan is not limited. In one embodiment, the fan may be an axial fan or a centrifugal fan.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural view of a middle frame according to one embodiment. The heat generated by the application processor needs to be dissipated as soon as possible from the VR all-in-one apparatus in order to prevent the heat from affecting other components. In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a spaced heat dissipation window <NUM> is provided at least at a position on the middle frame <NUM>, which corresponds to a position of the fan on the main control circuit board <NUM>. The spaced heat dissipation window <NUM> is composed of a plurality of dustproof bars arranged at intervals.

In one embodiment, when a frame assembly <NUM> mounted with a display module <NUM>, which is a core function module <NUM>, is then mounted in a middle frame <NUM>, a heat dissipation window <NUM> is provided above the fan on the middle frame <NUM>. As such, the air flow rate around the application processor on the main control circuit board <NUM> is increased when the fan is in operation, and accordingly heat generated by the application processor is quickly dissipated out by the flowing air through the heat dissipation window <NUM>. As a result, improvement of cooling effect is achieved.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural view of a front housing according to one embodiment. In order to further improve the heat dissipation effect, in another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the front housing <NUM> may include a first surface C1 used for covering the display screen <NUM>, a second surface C2 and a third surface C3. The second surface C2 and the third surface C3 are disposed on both sides of the first surface C1 respectively. In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a heat dissipation window <NUM> is provided at least on the second surface C2.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of internal heat dissipation path of a virtual reality all-in-one apparatus according to one embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the third surface C3 and the surface of the middle frame <NUM> having the heat dissipation window <NUM> are provided on the same side of the first surface C1. As such, the heat dissipation window <NUM> on the middle frame <NUM> is located at the top and the heat dissipation window <NUM> of the second surface C2 of the front housing <NUM> is located at the bottom. When the core function module <NUM> is mounted inside the middle frame <NUM> and the front housing <NUM> is mounted on the middle frame <NUM>, the fan rotates to draw outside air having a lower ambient temperature into the middle frame <NUM> through the heat dissipation window <NUM> provided at the bottom of the front housing <NUM>, which is the second surface C2, along a direction indicated by the arrows in <FIG>. In addition, heat on the main control circuit board <NUM> of the display module <NUM> is dissipated out from both ends, as indicated by the arrows, by rotation of the fan. Furthermore, the heat in the middle frame <NUM> can be dissipated from the heat dissipation window <NUM> on the middle frame <NUM> corresponding to the position of the fan under continuous rotation of the fan.

In another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a heat dissipation window <NUM> is provided on the top of the front housing <NUM>, that is, the third surface C3. Heat in the middle frame <NUM> can also be dissipated through the heat dissipation window <NUM> on the third surface C3.

The above description is only examples of installation position of the heat dissipation window101. Those skilled in the art can also increase the number of the heat dissipation windows <NUM> according to actual needs. For example, a heat dissipation window <NUM> may be added at the bottom of the middle frame <NUM>.

In one embodiment, respective components constituting the frame assembly <NUM> such as the first frame <NUM>, the second frame <NUM>, and the baffle plate <NUM> are made of metal. As such, heat dissipation effect is further improved because metal has excellent thermal conduction properties. In addition, stiffness of the frame assembly <NUM> made of metal is also improved.

In order to meet different needs of users, a VR apparatus may need a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) for inputting high-definition resources and a U disk interface. In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the display module <NUM> may further comprise an interface board <NUM> for connecting the above-described interfaces.

In another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the frame assembly <NUM> may further comprise a fourth frame <NUM> disposed on a side surface of the second frame <NUM>. The interface board <NUM> may be mounted on the fourth frame <NUM>. As such, the interface board <NUM> may be mounted on the frame assembly <NUM> so as to realize modular design. In addition, because the fourth frame <NUM> is on the side surface of the second frame <NUM>, the interface board <NUM> mounted on the frame assembly <NUM> is located outside the frame assembly <NUM>, facilitating connection with the interfaces on the middle frame <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a decomposed structure of a virtual reality all-in-one apparatus according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, a method of assembling respective components in a VR all-in-one apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below.

First, respective components in the display assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, are mounted on the different frames of the frame assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, respectively to form a core function module <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Then, the frame assembly <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> are connected by a first fixing assembly, thereby mounting the core functional module <NUM> inside the middle frame <NUM>. Next, in one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, in order to prevent external dust from entering the VR all-in-one apparatus to affect its internal components such as the display screen <NUM>, at least one air filter <NUM> is mounted between the front housings <NUM> and the display screen <NUM>.

Then, the frame assembly <NUM> is connected to the front housing <NUM> through a second fixing assembly. The front housing <NUM> is connected to the middle frame <NUM> through a third fixing assembly.

Finally, the VR all-in-one apparatus, as shown in <FIG>, further comprises a face-mounting assembly <NUM> provided on another side of the middle frame. The face-mounting assembly <NUM> is connected to the frame assembly <NUM> through a fourth fixing assembly. As such, the VR all-in-one apparatus assembly is completed. <FIG> shows a schematic view of appearance of an assembled virtual reality all-in-one apparatus according to one embodiment.

In the embodiment, a front end of the frame assembly <NUM> is connected to the front housing <NUM> by the second fixing assembly. A middle of the frame assembly <NUM> is connected to the middle frame <NUM> by the first fixing assembly. A rear end of the frame assembly <NUM> is connected to the veneer assembly <NUM> by the fourth fixing member. In this way, the frame assembly <NUM> may be subject to force in the front, middle and rear parts respectively, thereby evenly distributing the force on the entire frame assembly <NUM>. As such, deformation of the frame assembly <NUM> caused by non-uniformly distributed force at one end is avoided.

In one embodiment, each of the first fixing assembly, the second fixing assembly, the third fixing assembly, and/or the fourth fixing assembly comprises a positioning pin and a matching threaded hole. The threaded hole may be formed in a component by means of an in-mold injection molding. For example, for the second fixing assembly connecting the frame assembly <NUM> to the front housing <NUM>, the second fixing assembly includes threaded holes on the frame assembly <NUM> and the front housing <NUM> respectively and positioning pins for inserting into the two threaded holes to connect the frame assembly <NUM> and the front housing <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the above-mentioned fixing assembly may include a hook and a matching slit. For example, for the first fixing assembly connecting the frame assembly <NUM> to the middle frame <NUM>, the first fixing assembly includes a hook on the frame assembly 301and a matching slit on the middle frame <NUM> to interlock with the hook. Likewise, other fixing assemblies may be set up as described above and are not described here.

In addition, specific positions of the first fixing assembly, the second fixing assembly, the third fixing assembly, and the fourth fixing assembly are not limited in the present disclosure.

<FIG> shows a schematic view of a user wearing a virtual reality all-in-one apparatus according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, in order to facilitate the user to wear the VR all-in-one apparatus, the middle frame <NUM> of the VR all-in-one apparatus is provided with a fixing ring <NUM>. The fixing ring <NUM> is used for mounting a strap <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As such, when the VR all-in-one apparatus <NUM> is used by the user, a side of the face-mounting assembly <NUM> in the VR all-in-one apparatus <NUM> can be attached to the face. The strap <NUM> on the fixing ring <NUM> is then worn on the head. The strap <NUM> can be adjusted according to a user's head circumference to achieve best wearing effect.

Claim 1:
A virtual reality all-in-one apparatus comprising:
a middle frame (<NUM>),
a front housing (<NUM>) on a side of the middle frame (<NUM>), and
a core function module (<NUM>) inside the middle frame (<NUM>),
wherein the core function module (<NUM>) comprises a frame assembly (<NUM>) and a display module (<NUM>) mounted on the frame assembly (<NUM>),
wherein the display module (<NUM>) comprises a display screen (<NUM>) and an optical lens assembly (<NUM>) facing a display side of the display screen (<NUM>), and
the frame assembly (<NUM>) comprises a first frame (<NUM>) and a second frame (<NUM>) opposite the first frame (<NUM>), the display screen (<NUM>) being mounted on the first frame (<NUM>) and the optical lens assembly (<NUM>) being mounted on the second frame (<NUM>); and
wherein the optical lens assembly (<NUM>) comprises a left lens subassembly (<NUM>) and a right lens subassembly (<NUM>),
characterized in that both the left lens subassembly (<NUM>) and the right lens subassembly (<NUM>) includes at least one sheet-like lens, and the at least sheet-like one lens is thicker in a center and thinner on an edge; and
frame assembly (<NUM>) comprises a baffle plate (<NUM>) which is disposed between the first frame (<NUM>) and the second frame (<NUM>) and is perpendicular to the first frame (<NUM>) and the second frame (<NUM>).