WO2018177487A1

WO2018177487A1 - Vr headset with a head mount with speaker, with safety element and/or with an inductive charging adapter

Info

Publication number: WO2018177487A1
Application number: PCT/DK2018/050051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Morten Georg JENSEN; Alistair David Morton; Kendra BANNISTER; Anders Bang KIERTZNER; Steffen Kongensbjerg Larsen; Steffen Gyrn; Stine Graff NYSOM; Stephanie KNÖDLER; William Christopher GURLEY
Original assignee: Tivoli A/S
Priority date: 2017-03-29
Filing date: 2018-03-21
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

A head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience. The head mount having a front element for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user. The front element comprises one or more speakers arranged in the front element so that they will be positioned anterior to the opening of the ear canal of the user when the head mount is arranged on the head of the user and being configured to transmit sound towards the ears of the user. An amusement ride with such head mounts and the use of such a head mount is also disclosed.

Description

VR headset with a head mount with speaker, with safety element and/or with an inductive charging adapter

Field of the invention

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience.

The present invention relates in a second aspect to a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience, said head mount having a front element adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and securing the head mount to the head of the user. The invention further relates to a carriage for an amusement ride provided with a head mount according to the second aspect of the invention.

The present invention relates in a third aspect to a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience, the head mount having a front element adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user, where the front element comprises a coupling device adapted for reception of and connection to an audiovisual device, such as a mobile telephone, providing the display. The present invention furthermore relates to a system comprising a head mount according to the third aspect of the invention, an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone, and a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audio-visual device.

The present invention still further in a fourth aspect relates to an amusement ride comprising at least one such head mount or at least one such system. State of the art

Such head mounts, which are typically secured to the head of the user by means of an elastic strap passing around the back of the head, have been known since the early days of virtual reality, and a lot of effort has been put into reducing the weight so that the wearer can move virtually freely while interacting with the virtual environment.

Virtual reality head mounts typically depend on earphones inserted into the ear canal of the user or resting on the external parts of the ear.

A recent trend is to integrate virtual reality experiences with traditional amusement rides in amusement parks, so that the users experience the physical action from the ride while seeing a virtual world.

EP3041591 discloses examples of such amusement rides.

Amusement rides are however typically used by a very large number of guests each day. This results in significant wear of the head mount. Furthermore, it is important that the head mount is easy to take on and off.

Thus it remains a problem to provide a head mount that is durable and simple to use.

In the amusement ride with head mounts known from EP3041591 , the head mounts are secured to the head of the user by means of a strap passing around the back of the head. Such head mounts with elastic head straps have been known since the early days of virtual reality, and a lot of effort has been put into reducing the weight so that the user can move virtually freely while interacting with the virtual environment. Experience has shown that these standard head mounts work well when the rides move at moderate speeds, but when the physical action becomes stronger there is a risk that the head mount becomes displaced, either ending up around the neck of the user or falling off.

Furthermore, head mounts for supporting a display adapted to pro- vide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience of the above-mentioned type have within the later years become widely known, especially in connection with amusement rides, e.g. roller coaster rides, in amusement parks. To generate and provide to the user the sound and image environment building up the virtual reality or augmented reality experience, an audio-visual device is connected to the head mount. Typically, a mobile telephone or a smartphone is used as the audio-visual device.

For instance, EP 3041591 A1 also describes a method for operating an amusement ride involving the user riding the amusement ride wearing such a head mount and thus being provided with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience. EP 3041591 A1 describes that the head mount comprises a head-mounted display, and explains that a mobile terminal gen- erating the virtual reality is connected to the head mount and may sit in a head-mounted display or may alternatively be firmly integrated in the head- mounted display, but provides no details as to how this is obtained.

Such head mounts are often used in applications where a high number of users per ride and per hour or day is to be served, and where each head mount available is thus used many times each day. Such applications include e.g. amusement rides and movie theatres as will be described further below. Consequently, it is necessary to re-charge the audio-visual device several times per day. Thus, it is desirable to provide for a simple and straight forward re-charging process at the site of use.

The presence of a mobile telephone or a smartphone used as the audio-visual device may furthermore be a temptation to some persons using the headgear. It is therefore also desired to provide a solution minimizing or altogether eliminating the risk of theft of the audio-visual device from the head mount.

Especially in the case of amusement rides, the head mounts are furthermore exposed to high forces and must be capable of fulfilling strict security standards. It is therefore furthermore desired to provide a solution solving the abovementioned problems and simultaneously fulfilling relevant security standards, particularly by ensuring a secure and durable attachment of the audio-visual device to the head mount.

Short description of the invention According to a first aspect the invention relates to a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience said head mount having a front element for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user, wherein said front element comprises one or more speakers arranged in the front element so that they will be positioned anterior to the opening of the ear canal of the user when the head mount is arranged on the head of the user and being configured to transmit sound towards the ears of the user.

Consequently, a more robust head mount result since the speakers will be protected by the front element.

Arranging the speakers anterior of the ears of the user ensures that the ear does not come into contact with the speakers. Thus a more hygienic head mount is provided. Furthermore, the head mount is easier to adapt to a new user since there is no need to secure that the speakers are aligned with the opening of the ear canal.

The head mount may be of the type having a non-removable display integrated adapted to provide a virtual reality or augmented reality experi- ence. Alternatively, the head mount may be of the type configured to receive a removable display adapted to provide a virtual reality or augmented reality experience e.g. where the display forms part of an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone.

Normal anatomical definitions are used in this disclosure. Thus the nose is anterior to the eyes, the eyes is anterior to the ears, the back of the head is posterior to the ears and so forth. In contrast to normal headphones, the one or more speakers will not be positioned directly over the opening of the ear canal but is moved in a direction towards the eyes of the user.

The one or more speakers may be configured to receive an electron- ic sound signal and transform the electronic sound signal into an acoustic signal.

The front element may further comprises a first optical element and a second optical element, the first and the second optical element have an inner surface for facing the eyes of the user and an outer surface for facing said display wherein the distance from the centre of the one or more speakers to a first reference plane is less than 10 cm, 8 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, or 4 cm, wherein the first reference plane is arranged so that the average distance from the points of the inner surface of the first optical element to the first reference plane and from the points of the inner surface of the second optical element to the first reference plane is minimized.

The one or more speakers may be configured to transmit sound in a main direction being angled with an angle relative to a second reference plane between 0 degrees and 80 degrees, 0 degrees and 60 degrees, 0 degrees and 45 degrees, or 0 degrees and 20 degrees, wherein the second reference plane is the centre plane that divides the head mount into two substantially equal halves.

In some embodiments said head mount further comprises a sound guide connected to said front element and configured to cover the ears of the user and guide the sound transmitted from said one or more speakers towards the ears of the user.

Consequently, a good sound experience may be provided even when the head mount is used in a high velocity virtual reality amusement ride such as an virtual reality roller coaster where the external noise and the high amounts of wind creates a challenging external acoustic environment.

The sound guide is preferably made of a material enabling easy cleaning.

In some embodiments said sound guide is made of a flexible material allowing the sound guide to be adapted to different head shapes.

Consequently, the same head mount may be used for larger group of users. As an example if the head mount is used in an amusement ride only a few sizes may be needed e.g. only a single size.

In some embodiments said sound guide has a first side for facing the head of the user and a second side opposite to said first side.

In some embodiments said fastening element engages with said second side of said sound guide allowing said fastening element to keep said sound guide in proximity of the head of the user.

The sound guide may be attached to the fastening element e.g. using a hook and loop fastener system.

In some embodiments said sound guide has a circumferential wall protruding from the first side for engaging with the head of the user, wherein said circumferential wall extends along at least a part of the circumference of the sound guide.

This allows the sound guide to form a cavity from the one or more speakers to the ears of the user allowing the sound to travel in said cavity.

In some embodiments said circumferential wall is made of a flexible foam material.

In some embodiments said sound guide is detachable attached to the front element e.g. using a hook and loop fastener system.

This may make it easier to clean the sound guide. Furthermore if the head mount is used for amusement ride the sound guide may be changed regularly.

In some embodiments said front element has an internal side for facing the head of the user said internal side having a circumferential wall having a shape substantially matching the shape a normal human face, and wherein said sound guide at least substantially covers said circumferential wall of the front element and thereby at least substantially prevents the front element from coming into contact with the face of the user.

In some embodiments said sound guide extends on each side X cm from said front element in a direction along a first reference axis, said first reference axis being a normal axis to the first reference plane, wherein X is at least 5 cm, 7 cm or 8 cm.

The first reference plane is arranged so that the average distance from the points of the inner surface of the first optical element to the first ref- erence plane and from the points of the inner surface of the second optical element to the first reference plane is minimized.

In some embodiment said sound guide has a height of at least 5 cm, 8 cm, or 10 cm measured along a second reference axis, said second reference axis being perpendicular to the first reference axis and parallel with a second reference plane, wherein the second reference plane is the centre plane that divides the head mount into two substantially equal halves.

Consequently, by having a larger sound guide the head mount be used for people having different head sizes and head shapes.

In some embodiments the front element further comprises a first optical element, a second optical element, a first speaker, and a second speaker, the first and the second optical element having an inner surface for facing the eyes of the user, an outer surface for facing said display, a first side and a second side opposite to said first side and wherein said first speaker is arranged on a first side of said first and second optical element and configured to transmit sound towards a first ear of the user and the second speaker is arranged on the second of said first and second optical element and being configured to transmit sound towards a second ear of the said user.

Consequently stereo sound may be provided to the user.

It is an object of the invention to provide a head mount, which is better suited for use on high speed amusement rides. A second object is to provide an improved carriage for an amusement ride, and a third object is to pro- vide a safer amusement ride with head mounts.

In a second aspect of the invention this is achieved with a head mount where the fastening element includes a crown member adapted for spanning the crown of the user's head, and where the head mount further comprises a safety element, which is attached to the fastening element and/or to the front element, at least when the head mount is in use, and adapted for being connected directly or indirectly to a carriage of an amusement ride.

The crown member prevents the head mount from coming down around the neck of the user, which is potentially dangerous if the head mount at the same time gets stuck on an object, which is moving in relation to the carriage, such as for example a branch of a nearby tree.

The safety element will retain the head mount in case it falls off the head of the user. Thus it will make sure that the head mount stays with the carriage instead of flying off and potentially hitting persons in other carriages of the amusement ride or people or objects located in the vicinity of the ride. This is particularly useful on amusements rides where the users are facing head down during the ride. The safety element may be connected directly to the carriage by establishing a physical connection between them or indirectly by being connected to an item worn by the user.

The combination of the crown member and the safety element thus ensures that the head mount is safe to use on amusement rides moving at high speed, even if differences in the user's head sizes and the need for get- ting people quickly on and off the ride may results in the head mount not fitting tightly on all users.

It has been suggested to secure the head mount to the head of the user by applying a strap going underneath the chin of the user, but this is presently not preferred as it will involve an increased risk of neck and head injuries. Not only in case that the head mount becomes stuck on a foreign object but also due to gravitational forces resulting from the weight of the head mount. When the head mount simply rests on top of the head of the user, it will be pulled off when affected by high loads and thus will not pull on the user's head and neck to any considerable degree. For the same reason it is presently preferred to make the fastening element from substantially non- elastic materials.

In one embodiment the crown member spans from one side of the user's head to the other when in use, i.e. starting at one of the user's temples and ending at the other. This provides stability to the head mount, helping it to maintain its intended shape when not in use, but other orientations of the crown member are also possible. Moreover, the side-to-side orientation of the crown member leaves a room open between the crown member and the back member, which will give room for pony tails and like hairdos, thus removing a potential reason for not putting the head mount on correctly.

In one embodiment, the safety element is attached to the fastening element, preferably at one side of the fastening element so that the point of attachment is located in the vicinity of one temple of the user when the head mount is in use.

The attachment of the safety element to the fastening element has the advantage that the risk of damage to the display or an audio-visual device attached to the front element, which may occur if the safety device is exposed to high loads, is reduced. High loads may occur as a result of the head mount falling of the user while the carriage is in motion, but may also result from people pulling on the safety device when the head mount is being put on or taken off. For the same reason the safety element should preferably be separate from any electrical or optical wiring connecting the front element to other devices on the carriage.

In order to strengthen the connection between the fastening element and the safety element, the fastening element may further comprise a reinforcing member. In one embodiment two reinforcing members are arranged one at each side of the fastening element in a position so that they will be lo- cated one at each temple of the user when in use. This means that the safety element may be attached at either side of the fastening element depending for example on the position on the carriage. In a presently preferred embodiment the safety element, the front element, and the remaining parts of the fastening element are connected independently to the reinforcing members so that there is no direct force transmission between them. The reinforcing members can also be used for interconnecting the back member and the crown member. Moreover, if made from a relatively stiff material, the reinforcing members will provide stability to the head mount, allowing it to maintain its intended shape when not in use, thus making it easy to put on.

In a presently preferred embodiment the reinforcing member(s) is/are made from aluminium, but it is also possible to use other metals, polymers, wood, composites or any other material having the necessary strength and stability.

Another advantage of the safety device being attached to the fas- tening element is that the front element may then be removed, for example for charging, cleaning or repair, without having to loosen the safety device.

A still further advantage of the safety element being attached to the fastening element is that the safety element will be of minimal hindrance to the user. This is particularly so when the safety element is attached at one side of the fastening element so that the point of attachment is located in the vicinity of one temple of the user when the head mount is in use.

For the same reason it is presently considered advantageous that the safety element is attached to the carriage at a position behind or to the side of the intended position of the head of the user when seated in the carriage, but other positions may be advantageous depending on the physical design of the amusement ride and particularly of the carriage. The attachment of the safety element(s) may be different in different carriages of the same ride and/or for different seats of the same carriage, both with respect to the attachment to the carriage and with respect to the attachment to the fastening element and/or the front element.

In amusement parks having only a single ride provided with a virtual reality function the head mounts will naturally be associated with this specific ride, but if the park has several such rides it may be advantageous to let the users bring their own head mount from one ride to the next. In that case it may be advantageous to attach the safety element to an item worn by the user, such as a belt, a harness or a west, thereby indirectly attaching it to the carriage when the user is seated and has fastened the seat belt or safety brace.

The total length of the safety element should be long enough to allow the user to move in relation to the carriage as a fixation of the head could cause neck injuries, but still short enough to keep the head mount from hitting other persons. Preferably the safety element should ensure that the head mount stays within the carriage, as it might otherwise get stuck on objects outside the carriage such as the supporting structure of the amusement ride, decorations or nearby tree. It is presently preferred that the safety element has a total length of 15-75 cm, preferably 20-60 cm, and still more preferred 35-55 cm.

If the safety element is relatively short and/or attached to the carriage at a position above the head of the user, the safety element may contribute to keeping the head mount from coming down around neck of the user in the unlikely event that the crown member should fail.

Experience has shown that some users may become so absorbed in the virtual reality that they move more around in the carriage than on compa- rable amusement rides without virtual reality. Making the safety element relatively short and connecting it directly to the carriage may be used for providing a tactile feed-back to users, which will help them remember to stay seated and/or keeping the arms inside the carriage.

The safety element may comprise a first connector member adapted for attachment to the fastening element and/or front element, in order to allow the safety element to be released. This will not only allow the head mount to be removed from the carriage, for example for cleaning, repair or charging, but will also serve as a safety feature allowing detachment in a case of emergency. Using releasable first connector members also allows the head mount to be fitted on the user's head away from the amusement ride so that once the user is seated it will only be necessary to attach the safety element before being able to go.

Regardless of whether the safety element comprises a first connector member or not, it may comprise a second connector member adapted for be- ing connected to the carriage. As described for the first connector member above, this will allow the head mount to be removed from the carriage, for example for cleaning, repair or charging, and will serve as a safety feature allowing detachment in a case of emergency.

In one embodiment said second connector member is adapted for snap-locking engagement with the carriage. As described above this will allow a relatively easy attachment of the head mount to the carriage, thereby allowing each user to be provided with a head mount before entering the carriage and to then attach the safety element to the carriage once the user is seated.

A snap-locking attachment of a first and/or a second connector member may also be considered advantageous from a security point of view as it will allow a rapid evacuation of the carriage if needed. It is, however, important to choose a mode of attachment, which minimizes the risk of uninten- tional detachment, and which does not tempt users to detach the safety element at inappropriate times.

At present it is preferred to use snap-hooks as snap-locking connector members, but catch locks and snap fasteners may also be employed. It is even possible to use hook-and-loop type fasteners, such as Velcro®, as connector members.

In one embodiment the first and/or second connector member is provided with a winding device of the so-called yo-yo type, which is adapted for automatically winding up the safety element when it is not under tension. Such a device may also be provided elsewhere on the safety element.

In order to reduce the risk of the head mount bouncing back when dropped, the safety element can be made from substantially non-elastic materials), such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene, or aliphatic or semi- aromatic polyamides. If using one or more connector members, the materials used for these should be chosen under due consideration to the material(s) used for the safety element and vice versa.

In order to reduce the risk of the head mount falling off the head of the user, the fastening element can be adapted for engaging the back of the head underneath the occipital bone. Moreover, the fastening element is pref- erably provided with one or more size adjustment members allowing an adjustment of the size and/or shape of the cavity adapted for fitting over the head of the user. This applies independent of the design of the safety element.

The head mount may be of the type having a non-removable display adapted to provide a virtual reality or augmented reality experience. Alternatively, the head mount may be of the type configured to receive a removable display adapted to provide a virtual reality or augmented reality experience e.g. where the display forms part of an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone.

The invention further relates to a carriage for an amusement ride provided with a head mount as described above with reference to the second aspect of the invention, and where said carriage includes at least one seat for seating a user of the amusement ride.

It is another object of present invention to overcome the above- mentioned problems, and to provide a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experi- ence with which a simple and straight forward re-charging process at the site of use is enabled and with which the risk of theft of the audio-visual device from the head mount is minimized or altogether eliminated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such head mount which also ensures a secure and durable attachment of the audio-visual de- vice to the head mount.

According to a third aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved by means of a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience, said head mount having a front element adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user, where the front element comprises a coupling device adapted for reception of and connection to an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone, providing the display, where the coupling device comprises a first front piece, a second front piece, a first end section, a second end section opposite to the first end section, at least two first connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the first front piece to the first end section and at least two second connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the second front piece to the second end section, where the first front piece and the sec- ond front piece are adapted for, when the first front piece is attached to the first end section and the second front piece is attached to the second end section, respectively, and when an audio-visual device is connected to the coupling device, protruding over opposite end sections of the audio-visual device connected to the coupling device in such a manner that the audio- visual device cannot be removed without releasing at least one of the first and second front pieces, and where the first and second front pieces are shaped in such a way that they between them form an opening adapted for receiving a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audiovisual device.

It is noted that as used herein the term "end section(s) of the audiovisual device" is intended to mean any end section being sufficiently large to ensure the desired fixing of the audio-visual device onto the coupling device and simultaneously sufficiently small to interfere minimally or not to interfere at all with a display or screen of the of the audio-visual device.

By providing a coupling device comprising a first front piece, a second front piece, a first end section, a second end section, at least two first connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the first front piece to the first end section and at least two second connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the second front piece to the second end section, and by providing the first front piece and the second front piece as adapted for protruding over opposite end sections of an audio-visual device connected to the coupling device in the manner described above, a head mount is provided with which at least one of the first and second front piece must be released and removed before removal of the audio-visual device is possible.

Thereby, the the risk of theft of the audio-visual device from the head mount is lowered considerably. Furthermore, the provided combination of front pieces and connection elements provide for a robust durable and in terms of security reliable connection between the front pieces and coupling device.

By furthermore providing the first and second front pieces with such a shape that they between them form an opening enabling access of a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audio-visual device, re-charging of the audio-visual device may be carried out by simply placing the head mount on top of the charging device in such a way that the charging device is received or arranged in the opening provided by the front pieces. Thereby a head mount is provided with which the arrangement of the head mount on the charging device (or vice versa) follows in a simple and straightforward manner. Thus, a simple and straight forward re-charging process at the site of use is enabled. The first and second front pieces may by way of examples be any one of a finger, an arm, a bracket, a plate and a panel.

In an embodiment the coupling device comprises an outer at least partially circumferential rim, the at least one of the first and second front piec- es comprises a first edge section or surface section extending, in the attached condition of the front piece, across the coupling device between two mutually opposite points on the outer rim of the coupling device, and the first section is shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to at least a part of an outer edge of a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audio-visual device.

In a particular embodiment, the first section is concave, whereby the first section is conforming, at least partially, to at least a part of an outer edge of most commonly available wireless charging devices.

By way of further examples, the first section may be curved in such a way that an apex of the first section points towards an outer edge of the at least one front piece, and/or be shaped e.g. as a segment of a circle curving towards an outer edge of the at least one front piece, or substantially as an angled bracket with rounded ends.

Thereby a head mount is provided with which the arrangement of the head mount on the charging device (or vice versa) can only follow in one way and position. Thus, a particularly simple and straight forward re-charging process is enabled.

In an embodiment the first surface section comprises a lower edge, and the lower edge is shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to an outer surface of the audio-visual device.

The lower edge may be curved in such a way that in the attached condition of the front piece an apex of the lower edge points towards the upper surface of the at least one front piece. The lower edge of the first section may more particularly be shaped e.g. as a segment of a circle which in the attached position of the front piece curves away from the remaining part of the coupling device, or it may be substantially straight.

Such an embodiment is in particular advantageous in case at least one of the first and second front pieces is adapted for holding an end section of the audio-visual device between the coupling device and the said at least one of the first and second front pieces. In this case a lower edge of the above-mentioned shape provides for an improved a firm holding or retaining of the audio-visual device since it enables that the shape of the front piece follows the shape of the audio-visual device.

In an embodiment at least one of the first and second front pieces comprises a through hole and at least one of the at least two first and second connection elements each comprises a hole, preferably a threaded hole, adapted for receiving a fastening element, such as a screw or a bolt, passed through the said through hole such as to attach the said at least one of the first and second front piece to the coupling device.

Thereby, a head mount is provided with which the at least one of the first and second front piece to be released and removed before removal of the audio-visual device can only be released by means of an appropriate tool.

In a supplementary embodiment the fastening element may be chosen or made, for instance with a specially and/or uniquely shaped slot, in such a way that it can only be operated with a special tool.

Thereby, the the risk of theft of the audio-visual device from the head mount is minimized or even eliminated altogether.

The through hole in the first and second front piece may be threaded or unthreaded. The through hole in the first and second front piece is preferably provided in a second surface section of the circumferential edge or surface to be described further below, whereby easy access to the fastening means is provided.

In an embodiment each of the at least two first connection elements and the at least two second connection elements are arranged at opposite upper and lower sections of the rim of the coupling device for a further improved robustness of the attachment of the front pieces.

In an embodiment the at least two first connection elements and the at least two second connection elements are made of a metal or a hard plastic material for optimized durability of both the connection elements them- selves and the attachment of the front pieces.

In an embodiment the coupling device comprises four first connection elements and four second connection elements, and, for each of the four first connection elements and the four second connection elements, two of the four connection elements are arranged at an upper section of the rim of the coupling device and two of the four connection elements are arranged at a lower section of the rim of the coupling device opposite to the upper section.

Thereby an optimized robustness of the attachment of the front pieces is obtained. Furthermore, the risk of theft is minimized even further, as a larger number of fastening elements must be removed in order to enable removal of a front piece.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second front pieces is adapted for clamping an end section of the audio-visual device between the coupling device and the said at least one of the first and second front pieces.

In an alternative or additional embodiment, the coupling device may comprise a clamping element or a snap-locking element adapted for forming a clamping or snap locking connection with the audio-visual device.

Thereby a head mount is provided with which a sufficiently secure and durable attachment of the audio-visual device to the head mount to fulfil any relevant security standard is obtained.

In an embodiment the coupling device comprises an outer at least partially circumferential rim, at least one of the first and second front pieces comprises a second edge section or surface section, the second edge section or surface section extending, in the attached condition of the front piece, along the rim of the coupling device, and the second edge section or surface section is shaped in such a way that the second edge section or surface section conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the coupling device.

Thereby easy and secure mounting of the front pieces on the coupling device prior to mounting of the attachment means in such a manner that the through holes in the front pieces and the threaded holes in the connection elements are brought to coincide is enabled.

In an embodiment the second surface section furthermore is shaped in such a way that when the at least one of the first and second front pieces is attached to the coupling device, the second surface section abuts the outer surface of the coupling device.

Thereby the mounting of the front pieces on the coupling device prior to mounting of the attachment means is made even simpler, as it is made possible to mount the end piece in only one specific way.

In an embodiment the outer surface of the coupling device comprises a step arranged in a distance from the outer rim, and the second surface section is furthermore shaped in such a way that, when at least one of the first and second front pieces is attached to the coupling device, the second surface section extends past the rim of the coupling device and terminates in any one of: i) a distance from the step of the coupling device, ii) a substantially constant distance from the step of the coupling device when measured along the outer edge of the front piece and iii) in abutment with the step of the cou- pling device.

In addition to the advantages of the two embodiments escribed immediately above, options i) and ii) have the further advantage of providing an amount of play between a lower edge of the second surface section of a front piece and the step, while options ii) and iii) have the further advantage of providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the head mount.

In a further embodiment the coupling device comprises an at least partially circumferential rim, and the first and/or second front piece comprises an upper surface facing, in the attached condition of the front piece, away from the coupling device, and a lower surface extending substantially in paral- lei with the upper surface and facing, in the attached condition of the front piece, towards the coupling device.

Thereby the front piece or pieces are covering the end sections of the audio-visual device substantially completely, thus providing an extra protection of the audio-visual device during use of the head mount.

According to the invention, the above and other objects are also achieved by means of a system comprising a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience, the head mount having a front element adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user, an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone, providing the display, and a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audio-visual device, where the front element comprises a coupling device adapted for reception of and connection to the audio-visual device, and where the coupling device comprises a first front piece, a second front piece, a first end section, a second end section opposite to the first end section, at least two first connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the first front piece to the first end section and at least two second connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the second front piece to the second end section in such a way that when the audio-visual device is connected to the coupling device, the first and second front pieces pro- trude over opposite end sections of the audio-visual device in such a manner that the audio-visual device cannot be removed without releasing at least one of the first and second front pieces, and where the first and second front pieces are shaped in such a way that they between them form an opening for receiving of the charging device.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the above and other objects are achieved by means of an amusement ride comprising one or more movable carriages and at least one head mount according to any one of the first, second and third aspect of the invention, or at least one system according to the invention comprising at least one head mount according to the third aspect of the invention, said at least one head mount being provided in connection with at least one of said one or more movable carriages, said at least one head mount supporting a display, wherein said display is adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience by being communicatively coupled with a processing unit configured to estimate the position of said at least one carriage and control the display to display virtual reality or augmented reality content in response to the estimated position.

Examples of amusement rides are roller coasters, drop towers and swing rides. The carriage may comprise one or more seats for seating users. The carriage may be movable along a track from a beginning to an end. EP 3041591 A1 discloses methods for estimating the position of a movable carriage and methods for controlling a display to display virtual content in re- sponse to the estimated position. The head mount may be connected to the movable carriage or provided separate from the movable carriage. The same head mount be used with multiple movable carriages e.g. the system may be configured to detect the specific carriage the user wearing the head mount is seated in and control the display to display virtual reality or augmented reality content in response to the estimated position of the specific carriage.

The different aspects of the present invention can be implemented in different ways including as head mounts and amusement rides described above and in the following, each yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above, and each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the preferred embodiments described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above and/or disclosed in the dependent claims. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments described in connection with one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other as- pects.

Short description of the drawings

Below, the invention will be described in further detail with reference to an embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, where

Fig. 1 shows a head mount according to the invention in a perspective view in an angled back view,

Fig. 2 shows the head mount in Fig. 1 in an angled front view with a left-hand front piece removed,

Fig. 3 shows the head mount in Fig. 1 from the back,

Fig. 4 shows the head mount in Fig. 1 from the side,

Fig. 5 shows the head mount in Fig. 1 from above,

Fig. 6 shows the head mount in Fig. 1 with the sound guide loos- ened, where the fastening element and front element are seen from above and from the back, while the sound guide is seen directly from above,

Fig. 7 is a closer view of the detail marked VII in Fig. 2 from a slightly different angle,

Fig. 8 shows the head mount in Fig. 1 from the front and with the outlines of an audio-visual device and a wireless charging device added in broken lines,

Fig. 9 shows the head mount in Fig. 1 placed on top of a wireless charging device, and

Fig. 10 is a schematic sketch of an amusement ride with a carriage and a head mount.

Detailed description of the invention

The embodiment of the head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience according to the invention shown in Figs. 1 -9 consists of a front element 1 and a fastening element 2.

The embodiment of the head mount according to the invention shown in Figs. 1 -9 may also consist of a front element 1 , a fastening element 2 and safety element 3.

The front element 1 includes a first optical element and a second optical element 1 1 i.e. a first lens and a second lens 1 1 .

The head mount is of the type configured to receive a removable display adapted to provide a virtual reality or augmented reality experience e.g. where the display forms part of an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone.

The front element 1 includes two lenses 1 1 , two speakers 12, a sound guide 13, and a coupling device 14 adapted for supporting a display 5 (shown only in Figs 7 and 8). The head mount is herein of the type configured to receive a removable display 5 adapted to provide a virtual reality or augmented reality experience, where the display 5 forms part of an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone. The front element 1 is adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user so that the lenses 1 1 , which are best seen in Fig. 3, are positioned in front of the user's eyes and so that the user can see the display 5 through the lenses 1 1 .

The front element 1 comprises further one or more speakers 12 arranged in the front element 1 so that they will be positioned anterior to the opening of the ear canal of the user when the head mount is arranged on the head of the user. The one or more speakers 12 are configured to transmit sound towards the ears of the user.

The front element comprises a first speaker, and a second speaker

12. The first and the second optical element 1 1 have an inner surface for facing the eyes of the user, an outer surface for facing the display, a first side and a second side opposite to said first side. The first speaker 12 is arranged on a first side of the first and second optical element 1 1 and configured to transmit sound towards a first ear of the user and the second speaker 12 is arranged on the second of the first and second optical element 1 1 and being configured to transmit sound towards a second ear of the user.

The speakers 12 are preferably arranged close to the optical elements 1 1 . Thus as shown in Fig. 4, the distance 95 between the centre of the speakers 12 and a first reference plane A is preferably less than 10 cm, more preferably less than 5 cm, where the first reference plane A is arranged so that the average distance from the points of the inner surface of the first optical element 1 1 to the first reference plane A and from the points of the inner surface of the second optical element 1 1 to the first reference plane A is min- imized.

Consequently, a more robust head mount result since the speakers 12 are protected by the front element 1 . Having the speakers arranged anterior of the ears of the user will furthermore provide a more uniform acoustic experience for users with different head sizes since the sound will be travel- ling towards the ears from a known direction.

The front element 1 comprises a mini jack stick 144 for being inserted in a mini jack port of a mobile telephone. This enables the front element 1 to receive an audio signal from the mobile telephone and deliver the sound signal to the speakers 12.

The speakers 12 are configured to transmit sound in a main direction being angled with an angle relative to a second reference plane B between 0 degrees and 80 degrees, 0 degrees and 60 degrees, 0 degrees and 45 degrees, or 0 degrees and 20 degrees, wherein the second reference plane B is the centre plane that divides the head mount into two substantially equal halves. The second reference plane B is shown on Fig. 5. Thus, the speakers 12 are angled so that they transmit sound in a direction backward towards the ears of the users. This is in contrast to standard headphone that transmit sound in a direction being approximately perpendicular to the second reference plane B, i.e. directly into the ear canal.

The head mount comprises further a sound guide 13 connected to the front element 2 and configured to cover the ears of the user and guide the sound transmitted from the speakers 12 towards the ears of the user.

Thus, a good sound experience may be provided even when the head mount is used in a high velocity virtual reality amusement ride such as a virtual reality roller coaster where the external noise and the high amounts of wind creates a challenging external acoustic environment.

The sound guide 13 is preferably made of a material enabling easy cleaning.

The sound guide 13 may be made of a flexible material allowing the sound guide to be adapted to different head shapes.

This allows the head mount to be used for larger group of users. As an example if the head mount is used in an amusement ride only a few sizes may be needed e.g. only a single size.

The sound guide 13 has a first side 133 for facing the head of the user and a second side 134 opposite to said first side 133.

In some embodiments the fastening element 2 engages with the second side of said sound guide 134 allowing the fastening element 2 to keep the sound guide 13 in proximity of the head of the user.

The sound guide 13 may be attached to the fastening element e.g. using a hook and loop fastener system.

The sound guide 13 has a circumferential wall 132 protruding from the first side 133 of the sound guide 13. The circumferential wall is configured to engage with the head of the user. The circumferential wall 132 extends along at least a part of the circumference of the sound guide 13.

This allows the sound guide to form a cavity from the one or more speakers to the ears of the user allowing the sound to travel in the cavity.

The circumferential wall 132 may be made of a flexible foam material.

The sound guide 13 is detachable attached to the front element 1 e.g. using a hook and loop fastener system.

This may make it easier to clean the sound guide 13. Furthermore, if the head mount is used for an amusement ride the sound guide 13 may be changed regularly.

The front element 1 has an internal side for facing the head of the user where the internal side having a circumferential wall 199 having a shape substantially matching the shape a normal human face. The sound guide 13 covers at least substantially the circumferential wall 199 of the front element 1 and thereby at least substantially prevents the front element 1 from coming into contact with the face of the user.

The sound guide 13 extends 91 on each side X cm from the front element 1 in a direction along a first reference axis 93, the first reference axis 93 being a normal axis to the first reference plane A, see Fig. 4. X is preferably at least 5 cm, 7 cm or 8 cm.

The sound guide has a height of Y cm measured along a second reference axis 94, the second axis 94 being perpendicular to the first reference axis 93 and parallel with the second reference plane B. Y is preferably at least 5 cm, 8 cm, or 10 cm.

Consequently, by having a larger sound guide the head mount may be used for people having different head sizes and head shapes.

The fastening element 2 includes a back member 21 adapted for engaging with the back of the head of the user and a crown member 22 adapted for spanning the crown of the user's head. In this embodiment the crown member 22 spans from one side of the user's head to the other when in use, i.e. starting at one of the user's temples and ending at the other. This provides stability to the head mount and gives room for pony tails and like hair- dos, but other orientations are of course possible, just as it possible to provide the fastening element with one or more additional members stretching between the grown member and the back member and/or between the crown member and the front element.

Both are provided with adjustment elements 21 1 , 221 for adjusting the size and/or shape of the fastening element to the size and shape of the user's head. The adjustment element 21 1 of the back member 21 is provided with a roller, which allows adjustment using only one hand and while the user is wearing the head mount. The adjustment element 221 on the crown member 22 is of a simpler design with rows of matching pins and holes and pri- marily intended for adjustment before putting the head mount on. In normal use on amusement rides used by adults it will usually be sufficient to adjust the length of the back member 21 to get a sufficiently good fit to the head of the user, and the adjustment element 221 on the crown member 22 is thus primarily intended for adjusting the size to the average head size of the users. On rides used both by adults and small children a more easily operated adjustment member may be provided also on the crown member 22.

The back member 21 is here adapted for engaging the back of the head underneath the occipital bone, which will allow the fastening element to resist moderate forces before being pulled off the head of the user.

In this embodiment the fastening element 2 further includes two reinforcing members 23 adapted for being positioned opposite the user's temples. The front element 1 and the safety element 3 are connected to these reinforcing members 23, but in other embodiments one or both may be connected to the back member and/or to the crown member.

The safety element 3 includes a strap 31 , which is here connected to one reinforcing member 23 of the fastening element 2 at one end, but it could also or alternatively be connected to the front element 1 . At the other end the strap is provided with a connector member 32 adapted for being connected to a carriage of an amusement ride, here in the form of a snap-hook.

The combination of the head mount having both a crown member 22 on the fastening element 2 and a safety element 3 means that the head mount is as the same time prevented from coming down around the neck of the user and from flying off the carriage.

The connection between the safety element 3 and the fastening element 2 is here achieved by the strap 31 having been passed through a hole in the reinforcing member 23 and the end of the strap having been sown to the main body of the strap in a non-releasable manner. It is, however, also possible to attach the end with a hook-and-loop type fastener, a snap fastener, or another releasable connector member (not shown). Using a non-releasable mode of attachment makes sure that the safety element stays in place and cannot be loosened by users. Using a releasable mode of attachment on the other hand allows easy replacement and repair.

The second connector member 32 is adapted for being connected to the carriage, which is preferably provided with a counterpart (not shown) adapted for engagement with the connector member. The counterpart may be a simple ring or opening adapted for snap-locking engagement with a snap- hook, one part of a snap fastener, a looped material suitable for engagement with a hooked material or the like.

In the embodiment shown in Figs 1 -9 the safety element 3 has a total length of 42 cm, 8 cm of which are constituted by the second connector member 32. The strap is attached to the second connector member in the same ways as to the reinforcing member 23, i.e. by the end being bent around the snap-hook and sown to the main body of the strap. The strap is here 15 mm wide and made from woven nylon, which is a semi-aromatic pol- yamide, while the snap-hook has a maximum opening of 25 mm and is made from polyoxymethylene (POM), but other sizes, shapes and materials may be employed.

The reinforcing members 23 may further be used for connecting the front element 1 to the fastening element 2 so that there is no direct force transmission between the front element and the back and crown members 21 ,22.

In the embodiment shown the reinforcing members 23 are made from aluminium by moulding and are thus relatively strong and stiff, thus providing stability to the head mount, both with respect to strength and shape.

In an embodiment two speakers 12 are arranged one on either side of the lenses 1 1 , i.e. so that one will be positioned on either side of the user's head when the head mount is in use. As is best seen in Fig. 5 the front element and the sound guide 13 is shaped such that a cavity 131 is formed be- tween the head of the user and the speakers when the head mount is in use. A circumferential wall 132 keeps the sound guide at a distance from the head of the user, preferably ensuring that the cavity extends all the way back to the ears of the user.

The fastening element 2 is adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user. The fastening element 2 includes a back member 21 adapted for engaging with the back of the head of the user and a crown member 22 adapted for spanning the crown of the user's head. Both are provided with adjustment elements 21 1 , 221 for adjusting the size and/or shape of the fastening ele- ment to the size and shape of the user's head. In the embodiment shown, the fastening element further includes two reinforcement members 23 adapted for being positioned opposite the user's temples.

The coupling device 14 is here adapted for reception of and connection to an audio-visual device in the form of a mobile telephone (shown in Figs 7 and 8). The audio-visual device provides the display 5 to be supported by the head mount as well as a sound generating device. The coupling device 14 comprises two front pieces 141 attached to opposite end sections of the front element. Each front piece is attached to connection elements 142 as may be seen in Fig. 2, where the left-hand front piece has been left out, and further connection members 143 and 144 for establishing connection to the audiovisual device are provided underneath the front piece. When mounted, both front pieces 141 protrude over opposite end sections of an audio-visual de- vice mounted in front of the lenses 1 1 such that the audio-visual device cannot be removed, and they are shaped in such a way that an opening enabling access of a charging device 4 is formed between the front pieces 141 as will be described in more detail below.

The first connection member 143 may for instance be a mini-USB plug or another suitable data connection member. The second connection member 144 may for instance be a mini-jack plug or another suitable audio connector. The first connection member 143 and/or the second connection member 144 may be arranged on or integrated in a snap-locking element adapted for forming a snap locking connection with the audio-visual device. The snap-locking element may be spring biased. In the embodiment shown, the first connection member 143 is in fact an integrated data connector and snap locking element. Also, a further snap-locking element may be provided at an end of the coupling device 14 opposite to the first and second connec- tion members 143 and 144 for snap locking engagement with an opposite end of the audio-visual device.

Turning now to Fig. 7 to 9 further details of the coupling device 14 will be described.

As mentioned, the coupling device 14 comprises a first front piece 141 and a second front piece 141 . The coupling device 14 also comprises a first end section 148 and a second end section 149 opposite to the first end section 148. Referring also to Fig. 2, the coupling device 14 further comprises four first connection elements 142 for releasable attachment of the first front piece 141 to the first end section 148. The coupling device 14 further com- prises four second connection elements 142 adapted for releasable attachment of the second front piece 141 to the second end section 149. Two of the four first connection elements 142 are arranged at an upper section of the rim 145 of the coupling device 14 and two of the four first connection elements are arranged at a lower section of the rim 145 of the coupling device 14 op- posite to the upper section. The same configuration applies to the four second connection elements. However, not all the connection elements are visible in the figures due to the angles of view. The coupling device 14 further compris- es an outer at least partially circumferential rim 145 and a step 146 arranged in a distance from the outer rim 145.

The first and second front pieces 141 each comprises two through holes 1418. The four first and second connection elements 142 each com- prises a threaded hole (not visible) adapted for receiving a fastening element (not shown) passed through the through hole 1418. The fastening element(s) may be screws or bolts, optionally with a specially shaped slot for engagement with a corresponding special tool or key. In an alternative embodiment, the four first and second connection elements 142 may each comprise an un- threaded hole (not visible) adapted for receiving a suitable fastening element (not shown) passed through the through hole 1418. The un-treaded holes and the suitable fastening element(s) may here be adapted for forming e.g. a snap-locking or friction-locking connection, and may optionally comprise a specially shaped slot for engagement with a corresponding special tool or key.

As also mentioned, when the first and the second front piece 141 are attached to the coupling device 14 and an audio-visual device, e.g. a mobile telephone, is connected to the coupling device 14, the first and second front piece 141 are adapted for protruding over opposite end sections of the audio- visual device connected to the coupling device 14 in such a manner that the audio-visual device cannot be removed without releasing at least one of the first and second front pieces 141 .

Also, the first and second front pieces 141 are shaped in such a way that they between them form an opening 147 adapted for receiving a charging device 4 (Fig. 8) for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audio-visual device or mobile telephone. In the embodiment shown the opening 147 is shaped to form part of a circle, and is therefore adapted to receive a charging device 4 being substantially circular. Other shapes of the opening 147, such as square with rounded corners, are, however, feasible in case differently shaped charging devices are to be used. Typically, the charging device 4 is a wireless, for instance induction based, charging device.

The first and second front pieces 141 therefore each comprises a surface section 141 1 extending, in the attached condition of the front piece 141 , across the coupling device 14 between two mutually opposite points on the rim 145 of the coupling device. The first surface section 141 1 is shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to at least a part of an outer edge of an appropriate charging device 4 for charging the audio-visual device or mobile telephone. Therefore, the first surface section 141 1 is, in the embodiment shown, concave. In the embodiment shown, the concavity of the first surface section 141 1 is shaped to form a segment of a circle. Differently shaped concavities of the first surface section 141 1 are also feasible. Also, in an alternative embodiment, an edge section may be provided in lieu if the surface section 141 1 .

In the embodiment shown, the first surface section 141 1 further comprises a lower edge 1416 (cf. Fig. 7). The lower edge 1416 is optionally shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to an outer surface of the audio-visual device. Therefore, the lower edge 1416 is curved in such a way that an apex of the lower edge 146 in the attached position of the front piece 141 points away from the remaining coupling device 14 and away from the optical elements 1 1 . Differently shaped curves are feasible, as are in this case a lower edge 1416 being straight.

The first and second front pieces 141 each comprises a second surface section 1414. The second surface section 1414 extends, in the attached condition of the front piece 141 , along the rim 145 of the coupling device 14. The first surface section 1416 and the second surface section 1414 together form a substantially circumferential surface 1415 of the front piece 14. The second surface section 1414 is shaped in such a way that it conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the coupling device 14.

Furthermore, the second surface section 1414 comprises a lower edge 1417. When the front piece 141 is attached to the coupling device 14, the second surface section 1414 abuts the outer surface of the coupling de- vice 14. In the embodiment shown, the second surface section 1414 extends past the rim 145 of the coupling device 14 and terminates with the lower edge 1417 arranged in a distance, optionally a constant distance, from the step 146 of the coupling device 14. In an alternative embodiment the second surface section 1414 may terminate with its lower edge 1417 abutting the step 146.

In the embodiment shown, the first and the second front piece 141 further comprises an upper surface 1412 facing, in the attached condition of the front piece 141 , away from the remaining part of the coupling device, and a lower surface 1413 extending substantially in parallel with the upper surface 1412 and facing away from the upper surface 1412. The first and second front pieces 141 are thus outwardly closed, plate or panel shaped elements. Thus the front pieces 141 covers and protects both the end sections of the audio- visual device and the connection members 143 and 144.

In the embodiment shown, the first surface section 141 1 and the second surface section 1414, and thus the entire circumferential surface 1415 extend from the lower surface 1413 in a direction away from the upper surface 1412. The lower surface 1413 and the upper surface 1412 thus form op- posite surfaces of the same plate-shaped element. Alternatively, the lower surface 1413 and the upper surface 1412 may be distanced from one another, for instance such that the lower surface 1413 extends perpendicular to and level with the lower edge 1416 of the first surface section 141 1 , whereas the upper surface 1412 extends perpendicular to and level with an upper edge of the first surface section 141 1 opposite to the lower edge 1416. In such an embodiment, the space between the lower surface 1413 and the upper surface 1412 may be hollow or filled with a suitable material. In still other embodiments it is also feasible to omit the upper and lower surfaces 1412 and 1413 partially or even fully.

An amusement ride 8 with a carriage 81 is illustrated in Fig. 10. The carriage is adapted for moving along a track 82 and has two seats 83. A head mount 84 according to the invention is connected to each seat by a safety element 85. As will be seen, each safety element 85 is attached to the respective seat 83 of the carriage 81 at a position behind the intended position of the head of the user when seated. Each head mount supports a display arranged in a front element 86. The display of each head mount 84 is communicatively coupled with a processing unit 87 configured to estimate the po- sition of the carriage and control the display of the front element 86 to display virtual reality or augmented reality content in response to the estimated position. The processing unit 87 may be configured to estimate the position of the carriage 81 by receiving sensor signals from a sensor 88 arranged on the car- riage 81 or on the track 82. In the illustrated embodiment a single central processing unit 87 communicates with the displays of the head mounts 84. However, in other embodiments each head mount 84 may comprise a processing unit communicatively coupled with the display and possibly also the sensor 88. Wireless communication between the processing unit 87 and the displays of the head mounts 84 and the sensor 88 is illustrated by dash-dotted arrows, but other forms of communication are also possible.

Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the con- trary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S

1 . A head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience said head mount having a front element for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fas- tening element for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user, wherein said front element comprises one or more speakers arranged in the front element so that they will be positioned anterior to the opening of the ear canal of the user when the head mount is arranged on the head of the user and being configured to transmit sound towards the ears of the user.

2. A head mount according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more speakers are configured to transmit sound in a main direction being angled with an angle relative to a second reference plane between 0 degrees and 80 degrees, 0 degrees and 60 degrees, 0 degrees and 45 degrees, or 0 degrees and 20 degrees, wherein the second reference plane is the centre plane that divides the head mount into two substantially equal halves.

3. A head mount according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said head mount further comprises a sound guide connected to said front element and configured to cover the ears of the user and guide the sound transmitted from said one or more speakers towards the ears of the user.

4. A head mount according to claim 3, wherein said sound guide is made of a flexible material allowing the sound guide to be adapted to different head shapes.

5. A head mount according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein said sound guide has a first side for facing the head of the user and a second side opposite to said first side, said fastening element engages with said second side of said sound guide allowing said fastening element to keep said sound guide in proximity of the head of the user.

6. A head mount according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said sound guide has a circumferential wall protruding from the first side for engaging with the head of the user, wherein said circumferential wall extends along at least a part of the circumference of the sound guide.

7. A head mount according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said sound guide is detachable attached to the front element e.g. using a hook and loop fastener system..

8. A head mount according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said sound guide extends on each side X cm from said front element in a direction along a first reference axis, said first reference axis being a normal axis to the first reference plane, wherein X is at least 5 cm, 7 cm or 8 cm, wherein the first reference plane is arranged so that the average distance from the points of the inner surface of the first optical element to the first reference plane and from the points of the inner surface of the second optical element to the first reference plane is minimized.

9. A head mount according to any one of claim 3 to 8, wherein said sound guide has a height of at least 5 cm, 8 cm, or 10 cm measured along a second reference axis, said second reference axis being perpendicular to the first reference axis and parallel with a second reference plane, wherein the second reference plane is the centre plane that divides the head mount into two substantially equal halves.

10. An amusement ride comprising one or more movable carriages and at least one head mount according to any one of claims 1 to 9 provided in connection with at least one of said one or more movable carriages, said at least one head mount supporting a display, wherein said display is adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience by being communicatively coupled with a processing unit configured to estimate the position of said at least one carriage and control the display to display virtual reality or augmented reality content in response to the estimated position.

1 1 . Use of a head mount according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in an amusement ride.

12. A head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience, said head mount having a front element adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and securing the head mount to the head of the user, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that fastening element includes a crown member adapted for spanning the crown of the user's head, and in that the head mount further comprises an safety element, which is attached to the fastening element and/or to the front element, at least when the head mount is in use, and adapted for being connected directly or indirectly to a carriage of an amusement ride.

13. A head mount according to claim 12, where the safety element is attached to the fastening element, preferably at one side of the fastening element so that the point of attachment is located in the vicinity of one temple of the user when the head mount is in use.

14. A head mount according to claim 12 or 13, where the safety ele- ment comprises a first connector member adapted for attachment to the fastening element and/or front element.

15. A head mount according to one or more of the preceding claims 12-14, where the safety element comprises a second connector member adapted for being connected to the carriage, said second connector member preferably being adapted for snap-locking engagement with the carriage.

16. A head mount according to one or more of the preceding claims 12-15, where the safety element has a total length of 15-75 cm, preferably 20- 60 cm, and still more preferred 35-55 cm.

17. A head mount according to one or more of the preceding claims

12-16, where the safety element is made from substantially non-elastic materials), such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene, or aliphatic or semi- aromatic polyamides.

18. A head mount according to one or more of the preceding claims

12-17, where the fastening element is adapted for engaging the back of the head underneath the occipital bone.

19. A carriage for an amusement ride provided with a head mount according to any of claims 12-18, said carriage including at least one seat for seating a user of the amusement ride.

20. A carriage according to claim 19, where the safety element is attached to the carriage at a position behind or to the side of the intended posi- tion of the head of the user when seated in the carriage.

21 . An amusement ride comprising one or more movable carriages and at least one head mount according to any one of claims 12 to 18 provided in connection with at least one of said one or more movable carriages, said at least one head mount supporting a display, wherein said display is adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience by being communicatively coupled with a processing unit configured to estimate the position of said at least one carriage and control the display to display virtual reality or augmented reality content in response to the estimated position.

22. Use of a head mount according to any of claims 12-18 in a carriage according to any of claims 19-20 and/or in an amusement ride.

23. A head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience, said head mount having a front element adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user, wherein the front element comprises a coupling device adapted for reception of and connection to an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone, providing the display,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the coupling device comprises a first front piece, a second front piece, a first end section, a second end section opposite to the first end section, at least two first connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the first front piece to the first end section and at least two second connection elements adapted for releasable at- tachment of the second front piece to the second end section, in that

the first front piece and the second front piece are adapted for, when the first front piece is attached to the first end section and the second front piece is attached to the second end section, and an audio-visual device is connected to the coupling device, protruding over opposite end sections of the audio-visual device in such a manner that the audio-visual device cannot be removed without releasing at least one of the first and second front pieces, and in that

the first and second front pieces are shaped in such a way that they between them form an opening adapted for receiving a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audio-visual device.

24. A head mount according to claim 23, wherein the coupling device comprises an outer at least partially circumferential rim, wherein at least one of the first and second front pieces comprises a first edge section or surface section extending, in the attached condition of the front piece, across the coupling device between two mutually opposite points on the outer rim of the coupling device, and wherein the first section is shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to at least a part of an outer edge of a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charging, of the audio-visual device, and/or wherein

the first section is concave.

25. A head mount according to claim 24, wherein the first surface section comprises a lower edge, and wherein

the lower edge is shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to an outer surface of the audio-visual device, and/or

the lower edge is curved in such a way that, in the attached condition of the front piece, an apex of the lower edge points away from the remaining part of the coupling device.

26. A head mount according to any one of the above claims 23-25, wherein at least one of the first and second front pieces comprises a through hole and at least one of the at least two first and second connection elements each comprises a threaded hole adapted for receiving a fastening element, such as a screw or a bolt, passed through the said through hole such as to attach the said at least one of the first and second front piece to the coupling device.

27. A head mount according to any one of the above claims 23-26, wherein the coupling device comprises four first connection elements and four second connection elements, and wherein, for each of the four first connec- tion elements and the four second connection elements, two of the four connection elements are arranged at an upper section of the rim of the coupling device and two of the four connection elements are arranged at a lower section of the rim of the coupling device opposite to the upper section.

28. A head mount according to any one of the above claims 23-27, wherein at least one of the first and second front pieces is adapted for clamping an end section of the audio-visual device between the coupling device and the said at least one of the first and second front pieces.

29. A system comprising a head mount for supporting a display adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experi- ence, said head mount having a front element adapted for being arranged over the eyes of the user and a fastening element adapted for engaging with at least the back of the head of the user and secure the head mount to the head of the user, an audio-visual device, such as a mobile telephone, providing the display, and a charging device for charging, preferably wireless charg- ing, of the audio-visual device,

wherein the front element comprises a coupling device adapted for reception of and connection to the audio-visual device, and

c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the coupling device comprises a first front piece, a second front piece, a first end section, a second end section opposite to the first end section, at least two first connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the first front piece to the first end section and at least two second connection elements adapted for releasable attachment of the second front piece to the second end section in such a way that when the audio-visual device is connected to the coupling device, the first and second front pieces protrude over opposite end sections of the audiovisual device in such a manner that the audio-visual device cannot be removed without releasing at least one of the first and second front pieces, and in that

the first and second front pieces are shaped in such a way that they between them form an opening for receiving the charging device.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein the coupling device comprises an outer at least partially circumferential rim, wherein at least one of the first and second front pieces comprises a first edge section or surface section extending, in the attached condition of the front piece, across the coupling device between two mutually opposite points on the outer rim of the coupling device, and wherein the first section is shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to at least a part of an outer edge of the charging device.

31 . A system according to claim 30, wherein the first surface section comprises a lower edge, and wherein the lower edge is shaped in such a way that it is adapted for conforming to an outer surface of the audio-visual device.

32. An amusement ride comprising one or more movable carriages and at least one head mount according to any one of claims 23 to 28, or at least one system according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , said at least one head mount being provided in connection with at least one of said one or more movable carriages, said at least one head mount supporting a display, wherein said display is adapted to provide a user with a virtual reality or an augmented reality experience by being communicatively coupled with a pro- cessing unit configured to estimate the position of said at least one carriage and control the display to display virtual reality or augmented reality content in response to the estimated position.

33. Use of a head mount according to any one of claims 23 to 28 or a system according to any one of claims 29 to 31 in an amusement ride.