RespawnFirst is able to track down a new patent from Sony Interactive Entertainment that, is safe to say, is for PlayStation VR 2. Sony’s new HMD comes with a number of design changes and the patent hints as a possible wireless signal which means no wired connection required with PlayStation 5 or PC.

The patent in question was filed on December 12, 2019, at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent related to an HMD device and a method of determining whether the device is being worn correctly by the user.

Sony’s new PlayStation VR headset is trying to solve a VR issue that relates to placing the HMD correctly on the user’s head. In some known VR devices, pupil tracking is used to determine if the HMD is in the correct position. The method involves capturing images of the user’s eyes with a camera and using computer vision or machine learning to correctly detect the position of the pupils within the captured pictures.

However, the main issue with this method is that the user’s pupils may not always fall within the camera’s FOV. This means it may not be possible to determine how the user should adjust the HMD’s position. Moreover, the presence of contact lenses or glasses further complicates the process.

The new PlayStation VR Headset tries to mitigate or somewhat alleviate this problem. The new invention provides a more “fail-proof” means to determine the position of the Head-Mounted Display. It’ll allow users to more accurately adjust the position of their headset. As a result, they’ll get an optimized visual experience.

The HMD uses ultrasound transducers to detect the position of the user’s eyes. These transducers are configured to emit ultrasound signals via their respective antennas or emitters. Normally, this involves using a beamforming oscillator to generate an electric signal consisting of pulses of sine waves oscillating at an ultrasonic frequency.

The ultrasound transducers are provided an electric signal which converts the signal into an ultrasound signal (i.e. ultrasonic signal). The signal can then be transmitted through the user’s skin, into the underlying tissue.

The HMD also comprises a sensor for detecting reflections of the ultrasound signals emitted by the ultrasound transducers. In some embodiments, the ultrasound transducers act as sensors. That is, the ultrasound transducers may be configured to both emit ultrasound signals and to receive reflections thereof. The reflections of the ultrasound signals can be used to generate an image of the user’s eye.

The planned improvements for PlayStation VR (2) also include less unwanted reflection in the user’s eyes. However, the most notable element of the patent is wireless connections.

Part of the patent document mentioned how the HMD design is able to receive audio and video signals over the same wireless connection.

The patent also suggests that the design might see further changes in the future, for example, a design similar to the Dlodlo Virtual Reality “Headset” is a possibility. Well, not as goofy of course but something similar to traditional eyewear.

You can check out the lengthy, technical document for yourself by following the link to USPTO.