Apple wins a patent for an accessory device attachment system for Smartglasses that snaps in cameras, spatial audio speakers, sensors+

Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to head-mountable devices such as smartglasses and/or a cheaper Vision headset, and, more particularly, to removable accessory devices for such devices. Apple lists a number of possible attachable accessories including higher-end cameras, microphones to capture directional audio, speakers for spatial audio and much more.

Apple's granted patent covers HMD's including smartglasses. Given the diversity of desired components and functions, it would be beneficial to allow a user to modify components and functions of a head-mountable device to customize the user experience according to the user's desires. Head-mountable devices of the present disclosure facilitate customization, adaptability, and modification by a user according to the user's desires.

Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device with attachable and exchangeable accessory devices that provide a variety of different components and functions to achieve the results that are desired by a user. The attachable and exchangeable configurations allow a user to easily customize a head-mountable device with one or more accessory devices to provide features that integrate with other operations of the head-mountable device. The accessory devices can be easily exchanged with each other to provide different components and functions at different times. Accordingly, a main portion of the head-mountable device need not include permanent components that provide every function that will later be desired by the user. Instead, the head-mountable device can have expanded and customizable capabilities by the use of one or more accessory devices.

An accessory device can be connected to a head-mountable device in a manner that allows the accessory device to be removed thereafter. The connection can be fully reversible, such that when the accessory device and the head-mountable device are disconnected, each is restored to a condition held prior to the connection. Connection and disconnection of the accessory device and head-mountable device are facilitated in a manner that does not cause permanent damage, harm, or deformation to the accessory device or the head-mountable device.

Additionally, different head-mountable devices can have different sizes and/or shapes to accommodate different head and/or face structures. This can allow a user to choose from among multiple head-mountable devices that provide different ergonomic features so the user can select one according to comfort provided. By further example, different head-mountable devices can provide different functional features, such as different lenses for vision correction, so that a user can select a head-mountable device that is appropriate for a given activity (e.g., driving, reading, etc.). By further example, different head-mountable devices can have different aesthetic features to provide the user with different options for fashion and appearance.

Apple further notes that mechanisms such as locks, latches, snaps, screws, clasps, threads, magnets, pins, an interference (e.g., friction) fit, knurl presses, bayoneting, and/or combinations thereof can be included to lock the accessory device 200 to the head-mountable device.

Apple's patent FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated an HMD/Smartglasses that provides an accessory attachment system; FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a head-mountable device and one or more accessory devices.

Accessory Component Examples

Apple notes that accessory components (#290) can include speakers and more specifically speakers offering spatial audio.

Further examples of accessory components include cameras. Such cameras can be operated in concert with or independently of the headset's built-in cameras #130. For example, the cameras of the accessory device can be operated in concert to capture a combined image that spans a wide field of view. For example, the field of view can be greater than 90°, 180°, 270°, or up to 360°. Images captured by one or more of the cameras of the accessory device can be displayed on the display element #132 of FIG. 1.

Further examples of accessory components include microphones. Such microphones can be operated in concert with or independently of microphones of the head-mountable device. Microphones of the accessory device 200 can be provided and operated at locations that enhance the audio capture capabilities of the combined system. For example, the microphones of the accessory device can be operated to capture directional audio from an environment of the user.

Further examples of accessory components include sensors. By providing sensing capabilities with a removable module, the user can select such an accessory device when sensing particular conditions is desired. Such sensors can be configured to sense substantially any type of characteristic such as, but not limited to, images, pressure, light, touch, force, temperature, position, motion, and so on. For example, the sensor may be a photodetector, a temperature sensor, a light or optical sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnet, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a chemical sensor, an ozone sensor, a particulate count sensor, and so on. The sensor can be used to sense ambient conditions in a neighboring environment. The sensor can be provided with exposure to the environment, for example with an opening in the accessory device.

Further examples of accessory components include bio-sensors. By providing bio-sensing capabilities with a removable module, the user can select such an accessory device when tracking biometric characteristics, such as health and activity metrics, is desired. The one or more bio-sensors can include optical and/or electronic biometric sensors that may be used to compute one or more biometric characteristics. For example, a bio-sensor can include a light source and a photodetector to form a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. An optical (e.g., PPG) sensor or sensors may be used to compute various biometric characteristic including, without limitation, a heart rate, a respiration rate, blood oxygenation level, a blood volume estimate, blood pressure, or a combination thereof. One or more of the bio-sensors may also be configured to perform an electrical measurement using one or more electrodes. The electrical sensor(s) may be used to measure electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics, galvanic skin resistance, and other electrical properties of the user's body. Additionally or alternatively, a bio-sensor can be configured to measure body temperature, exposure to UV radiation, and other health-related information.

For finer details, review Apple's granted patent 11714286.

Posted by Jack Purcher on August 01, 2023 at 10:11 AM in 2. Granted Patents, HMDs, Apple Vision Pro, Smartglasses + | Permalink | Comments (0)