U.S. Patent no. 10,286,299: Transitioning gameplay on a head-mounted display
Issued May 14, 2019 to Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Priority Date June 7, 2013
Summary:
U.S. Patent No. 10,286,299 (the ‘299 Patent) relates to head-mounted displays for increasing immersion in video games. The graphics on such a head-mounted display can cover a large portion or all of a user’s field of view. This allows the display to provide a more immersive experience for the user as well. The ‘299 Patent further relates to transitioning aspects of gameplay which includes receiving a signal to interrupt the gameplay that is presented on the display and the process where the gameplay transitions from an active to a paused state. A person is able to pause and resume the game by speaking audibly. A camera on the head-mounted display is also able to then display the surroundings to the user. This invention furthers a trend towards increasing immersion in video games.
Abstract:
A method includes the following: presenting gameplay of a video game through a head-mounted display (HMD), the HMD being disposed in a local environment; detecting a person speaking in the local environment, wherein detecting the person speaking includes capturing audio from the local environment by the HMD, and analyzing the captured audio to identify the person speaking in the local environment; responsive to detecting the person speaking in the local environment, presenting a notification through the HMD, the notification providing an option to pause the gameplay of the video game; responsive to receiving a command indicating selection of the option, pausing the gameplay of the video game and presenting through the HMD a view through an externally facing camera of the HMD that enables viewing of the person speaking in the local environment.
Illustrative Claim:
1. A method, comprising: presenting gameplay of a video game through a head-mounted display, the head-mounted display being disposed in a local environment; detecting a person speaking in the local environment, wherein detecting the person speaking includes capturing audio from the local environment by the head-mounted display, and analyzing the captured audio to identify the person speaking in the local environment; responsive to detecting the person speaking in the local environment, presenting a notification through the head-mounted display, the notification providing an option to pause the gameplay of the video game; responsive to receiving a command indicating selection of the option, pausing the gameplay of the video game and presenting through the head-mounted display a view provided through an externally facing camera of the head-mounted display that enables viewing of the person speaking in the local environment.