Apple's granted patent that bypassed the patent application phase under Apple, covers various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced.
The appended drawings constitute a part of the detailed description which includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.
Head-mountable devices, such as head-mountable displays, headsets, visors, smartglasses, head-up display, etc., can perform a range of functions that are managed by the components (e.g., sensors, circuitry, and other hardware) included with the wearable device.
Many of the functions performed by a head-mountable device are optimally experienced when the components are in their most preferred position and orientation with respect to a user wearing the head-mountable device. For example, the head-mountable device can include a display element that visually outputs display-based information toward the eyes of the user. The position and orientation of the display elements relative to the eyes depends, at least in part, on how the head-mountable device is positioned on the face of the user.
Due to variations in facial features across different users, a given head-mountable device may require adjustment to accommodate different users. For example, different users can have different facial features (e.g., face plane slope, forehead size, eye location). Accordingly, different users may perceive the displayed information differently unless a preferred arrangement is provided. Additionally, a different position and/or orientation and/or tightness of fit may be preferred for particular activities.
It can be costly to require each user to acquire an entire head-mountable device that is specifically tailored to their facial features. In particular, such an approach would require customization of each head-mountable device and/or the ability to choose from a wide variety of head-mountable devices.
Systems of the present patent can provide a head-mountable device with an ability to adjust a fit as needed for a particular user or activity. For example, a light seal module that provides engagement of a user's face and transmits light from a display element can be coupled to an HMD module.
The light seal module can be provided in a wide variety of adjustable sizes and/or shapes to allow any given user to select an appropriate one for optimal alignment of an HMD module. The head-mountable device and/or other electronic devices can be operated to guide a user to select the optimal light seal module arrangement for use with an HMD module.
For example, the head-mountable device or another device can include sensors for detecting an identity of a user, features of the user's face, forces distributed on the face when worn, and/or an activity being performed.
In Apple's patent FIGS. 2 and 3 below, the light seal module can have an adjustable thickness that allows the HMD module to be positioned at a desired distance from the head, face, and/or eyes of the user. For example, as shownin FIG. 2,the light seal module #200 can have a thickness #18 in a first configuration, in which an inner side of the light seal module and an inner side of the HMD module are separated by a first distance. Such a configuration can place the display element #140 at a desired distance away from the eyes of the user. Such a distance can provide proper viewing of the display element.
By further example, as shown inFIG. 3,the light seal module can adjust its thickness in to achieve a second configuration, in which an inner side of the light seal module and an inner side of the HMD module are separated by a second distance, greater than the first distance. Such a configuration can place the display element at a greater distance away from the eyes of the user. Such a greater distance can provide adequate clearance, for example for additional components such as glasses, lenses, or other optical equipment.
In Apple's patent FIGS. 4&5, a position of the HMD module can be adjusted relative to a light seal module based on one or more automated or manually controlled mechanisms. While the light seal module itself can change its thickness, it will be understood that the position of the HMD module can optionally be adjusted by altering its position relative to the light seal module, regardless of whether the light seal module changes its thickness.
Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 9,the light seal module can have an adjustable and variable thickness that allows the HMD module to be oriented at a desired orientation with respect to the head, face, and/or eyes of the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the light seal module can form an angle #20 in a first configuration, in which the HMD module #110 is tilted to achieve a first orientation. Such a configuration can place the display element at a desired orientation with respect to the eyes of the user. Such an orientation can provide proper viewing of the display element. By further example, as shown in FIG. 9, the light seal module can adjust the angle #20 to achieve a second configuration, in which the HMD module is tilted to achieve a second orientation, different than the first orientation.
Apple's patentFIG.13, a tilt of the HMD module can be adjusted relative to a light seal module based on one or more automated or manually controlled mechanisms. While the light seal module itself can change its thickness, it will be understood that the angle of the HMD module can optionally be adjusted by altering its orientation relative to the light seal module, regardless of whether the light seal module changes its shape.
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 1400 for determining a recommended light seal module with corresponding output to a user.
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