Handheld controllers with charging and storage systems

A system may include an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and a handheld controller for controlling the electronic device. The handheld controller may have a housing with an elongated shaft extending between first and second tip portions. The handheld controller may have power receiving circuitry configured to receive power from a power source. The power source may be incorporated into an electronic device such as a wireless charging dock or stick, a battery case, or a head-mounted device. The power source may supply power through terminals that form ohmic contacts with mating terminals in the finger device or may transmit power wirelessly using capacitive coupling or inductive charging arrangements. Magnets may be used to hold and align the elongated shaft of the handheld controller on the power source.

FIELD

This relates generally to computer systems and, more particularly, to input devices for computer systems.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as computers can be controlled using computer mice and other input accessories. In virtual reality systems, force-feedback gloves can be used to control virtual objects. Cellular telephones may have touch screen displays and vibrators that are used to create haptic feedback in response to touch input.

Devices such as these may not be convenient for a user, may be cumbersome or uncomfortable, or may provide inadequate feedback. In a virtual reality setting, it may be especially cumbersome for the user to charge or find storage for an input device without interrupting the virtual reality experience.

SUMMARY

A system may include an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and a handheld controller for controlling the electronic device. The head-mounted device or other device may have a display configured to display virtual content that is overlaid onto real-world content.

The handheld controller may have a housing with an elongated shaft extending between first and second tip portions. The housing may have a flat surface and a curved surface.

The handheld controllers may have power receiving circuitry configured to receive power from a power source. The power source may be incorporated into an electronic device such as a wireless charging dock or stick, a battery case, or a head-mounted device. The power source may supply power through terminals that form ohmic contacts with mating terminals in the finger device or may transmit power wirelessly using capacitive coupling or inductive charging arrangements. Magnets may be used to hold and align the elongated shaft of the handheld controller on the power source.

A wireless charging stick may include flat surfaces that mate with flat surfaces on one or more handheld controllers. A wireless charging dock may include a recess defined by walls that conform to the shape of the handheld controller. A battery case may include upper and lower housing portions with one or more recesses for respectively receiving one or more handheld controllers.

A head-mounted device may include a main housing portion with displays, lenses, and other electrical components. A head strap may be used to attach the main housing portion to a user's head. Magnets may be used to temporarily store and/or charge a handheld controller on the head strap or main housing portion of the head-mounted device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electronic devices that are configured to be held in the hand of a user may be used to gather user input and to provide a user with output. For example, electronic devices that are configured to control one or more other electronic devices, which are sometimes referred to as controllers, handheld controllers, or handheld input devices, may be used to gather user input and to supply output. A handheld controller may, as an example, include an inertial measurement unit with an accelerometer for gathering information on controller motions such as swiping motions, waving motions, writing movements, drawing movements, shaking motions, rotations, etc., and may include wireless communications circuitry for communicating with external equipment such as a head-mounted device, may include tracking features such as active or passive visual markers that can be tracked with an optical sensor in an external electronic device, may include input devices such as touch sensors, force sensors, buttons, knobs, wheels, etc., may include sensors for gathering information on the interactions between the handheld controller, the user's hands interacting with the controller, and the surrounding environment. The handheld controller may include a haptic output device to provide the user's hands with haptic output and may include other output components such as one or more speakers.

One or more handheld controllers may gather user input from a user. The user may use the handheld controllers to control a virtual reality or mixed reality device (e.g., head-mounted equipment such as glasses, goggles, a helmet, or other device with a display). During operation, the handheld controller may gather user input such as information on interactions between the handheld controller(s) and the surrounding environment, interactions between a user's fingers or hands and the surrounding environment, and interactions associated with virtual content displayed for a user. The user input may be used in controlling visual output on a display (e.g., a head-mounted display, a computer display, etc.). Corresponding haptic output may be provided to the user's fingers using the handheld controller. Haptic output may be used, for example, to provide the fingers of a user with a desired sensation (e.g., texture, weight, torque, pushing, pulling, etc.) as the user interacts with real or virtual objects using the handheld controller. Haptic output can also be used to create detents, to provide localized or global haptic feedback in response to user input that is supplied to the handheld controller, and/or to provide other haptic effects.

Handheld controllers can be held in one or both of a user's hands. Users can use the handheld controllers to interact with any suitable electronic equipment. For example, a user may use one or more handheld controllers to interact with a virtual reality or mixed reality system (e.g., a head-mounted device with a display), to supply input to a desktop computer, tablet computer, cellular telephone, watch, ear buds, or other accessory, to control household items such as lighting, televisions, thermostats, appliances, etc., or to interact with other electronic equipment.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system of the type that may include one or more handheld controllers. As shown inFIG.1, system8may include electronic device(s) such as handheld controller(s)10and other electronic device(s)24. Each handheld controller10may be held in the hand of a user. Additional electronic devices in system8such as devices24may include devices such as a laptop computer, a computer monitor containing an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer (e.g., a display on a stand with an integrated computer processor and other computer circuitry), a cellular telephone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device, a smaller device such as a wristwatch device, a pendant device, a headphone or earpiece device, a head-mounted device such as glasses, goggles, a helmet, or other equipment worn on a user's head, or other wearable or miniature device, a television, a computer display that does not contain an embedded computer, a gaming device, a remote control, a navigation device, an embedded system such as a system in which equipment is mounted in a kiosk, in an automobile, airplane, or other vehicle, a removable external case for electronic equipment, a strap, a wrist band or head band, a removable cover for a device, a case or bag that has straps or that has other structures to receive and carry electronic equipment and other items, a necklace or arm band, a wallet, sleeve, pocket, or other structure into which electronic equipment or other items may be inserted, part of a chair, sofa, or other seating (e.g., cushions or other seating structures), part of an item of clothing or other wearable item (e.g., a hat, belt, wrist band, headband, sock, glove, shirt, pants, etc.), or equipment that implements the functionality of two or more of these devices.

With one illustrative configuration, which may sometimes be described herein as an example, device10is a handheld controller having an elongated marker-shaped housing configured to be grasped within a user's fingers or a housing with other shapes configured to rest in a user's hand, and device(s)24is a head-mounted device, cellular telephone, tablet computer, laptop computer, wristwatch device, a device with a speaker, or other electronic device (e.g., a device with a display, audio components, and/or other output components). A handheld controller with a marker-shaped housing may have an elongated housing that spans across the width of a user's hand and that can be held like a pen, pencil, marker, wand, or tool.

Devices10and24may include control circuitry12and26. Control circuitry12and26may include storage and processing circuitry for supporting the operation of system8. The storage and processing circuitry may include storage such as nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory configured to form a solid state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. Processing circuitry in control circuitry12and26may be used to gather input from sensors and other input devices and may be used to control output devices. The processing circuitry may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors and other wireless communications circuits, power management units, audio chips, application specific integrated circuits, etc.

To support communications between devices10and24and/or to support communications between equipment in system8and external electronic equipment, control circuitry12may communicate using communications circuitry14and/or control circuitry26may communicate using communications circuitry28. Circuitry14and/or28may include antennas, radio-frequency transceiver circuitry, and other wireless communications circuitry and/or wired communications circuitry. Circuitry14and/or28, which may sometimes be referred to as control circuitry and/or control and communications circuitry, may, for example, support bidirectional wireless communications between devices10and24over wireless link38(e.g., a wireless local area network link, a near-field communications link, or other suitable wired or wireless communications link (e.g., a Bluetooth® link, a WiFi® link, a 60 GHz link or other millimeter wave link, etc.). Devices10and24may also include power circuits for transmitting and/or receiving wired and/or wireless power and may include batteries. In configurations in which wireless power transfer is supported between devices10and24, in-band wireless communications may be supported using inductive power transfer coils (as an example).

Devices10and24may include input-output devices such as devices16and30. Input-output devices16and/or30may be used in gathering user input, in gathering information on the environment surrounding the user, and/or in providing a user with output. Devices16may include sensors18and devices30may include sensors32. Sensors18and/or32may include force sensors (e.g., strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, resistive force sensors, etc.), audio sensors such as microphones, touch and/or proximity sensors such as capacitive sensors, optical sensors such as optical sensors that emit and detect light, ultrasonic sensors (e.g., ultrasonic sensors for tracking device orientation and location and/or for detecting user input such as finger input), and/or other touch sensors and/or proximity sensors, monochromatic and color ambient light sensors, image sensors, sensors for detecting position, orientation, and/or motion (e.g., accelerometers, magnetic sensors such as compass sensors, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units that contain some or all of these sensors), muscle activity sensors (EMG) for detecting finger actions, radio-frequency sensors, depth sensors (e.g., structured light sensors and/or depth sensors based on stereo imaging devices), optical sensors such as self-mixing interferometric sensors and light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors that gather time-of-flight measurements, optical sensors such as visual odometry sensors that gather position and/or orientation information using images gathered with digital image sensors in cameras, gaze tracking sensors, visible light and/or infrared cameras having digital image sensors, humidity sensors, moisture sensors, and/or other sensors. In some arrangements, devices10and/or24may use sensors18and/or32and/or other input-output devices16and/or30to gather user input (e.g., buttons may be used to gather button press input, touch sensors overlapping displays can be used for gathering user touch screen input, touch pads may be used in gathering touch input, microphones may be used for gathering audio input, accelerometers may be used in monitoring when a finger contacts an input surface and may therefore be used to gather finger press input, etc.). If desired, device10and/or device24may include rotating buttons (e.g., a crown mechanism on a watch or other suitable rotary button that rotates and that optionally can be depressed to select items of interest). Alphanumeric keys and/or other buttons may be included in devices16and/or30. In some configurations, sensors18may include joysticks, roller balls, optical sensors (e.g., lasers that emit light and image sensors that track motion by monitoring and analyzing changings in the speckle patterns and other information associated with surfaces illuminated with the emitted light as device10is moved relative to those surfaces), fingerprint sensors, and/or other sensing circuitry. Radio-frequency tracking devices may be included in sensors18to detect location, orientation, and/or range. Beacons (e.g., radio-frequency beacons) may be used to emit radio-frequency signals at different locations in a user's environment (e.g., at one or more registered locations in a user's home or office). Radio-frequency beacon signals can be analyzed by devices10and/or24to help determine the location and position of devices10and/or24relative to the beacons. If desired, devices10and/or24may include beacons. Frequency strength (received signal strength information), beacon orientation, time-of-flight information, and/or other radio-frequency information may be used in determining orientation and position information. At some frequencies (e.g., lower frequencies such as frequencies below 10 GHz), signal strength information may be used, whereas at other frequencies (e.g., higher frequencies such as frequencies above 10 GHz), indoor radar schemes may be used). If desired, light-based beacons, ultrasonic beacons, and/or other beacon devices may be used in system8in addition to or instead of using radio-frequency beacons and/or radio-frequency radar technology.

Devices16and/or30may include haptic output devices20and/or34. Haptic output devices20and/or34can produce motion that is sensed by the user (e.g., through the user's fingertips). Haptic output devices20and/or34may include actuators such as electromagnetic actuators, motors, piezoelectric actuators, electroactive polymer actuators, vibrators, linear actuators (e.g., linear resonant actuators), rotational actuators, actuators that bend bendable members, actuator devices that create and/or control repulsive and/or attractive forces between devices10and/or24(e.g., components for creating electrostatic repulsion and/or attraction such as electrodes, components for producing ultrasonic output such as ultrasonic transducers, components for producing magnetic interactions such as electromagnets for producing direct-current and/or alternating-current magnetic fields, permanent magnets, magnetic materials such as iron or ferrite, and/or other circuitry for producing repulsive and/or attractive forces between devices10and/or24). In some situations, actuators for creating forces in device10may be used in applying a sensation on a user's fingers (e.g., a sensation of weight, texture, pulling, pushing, torque, etc.) and/or otherwise directly interacting with a user's fingers. In other situations, these components may be used to interact with each other (e.g., by creating a dynamically adjustable electromagnetic repulsion and/or attraction force between a pair of devices10and/or between device(s)10and device(s)24using electromagnets).

If desired, input-output devices16and/or30may include other devices22and/or36such as displays (e.g., in device24to display images for a user), status indicator lights (e.g., a light-emitting diode in device10and/or24that serves as a power indicator, and other light-based output devices), speakers and other audio output devices, electromagnets, permanent magnets, structures formed from magnetic material (e.g., iron bars or other ferromagnetic members that are attracted to magnets such as electromagnets and/or permanent magnets), batteries, etc. Devices10and/or24may also include power transmitting and/or receiving circuits configured to transmit and/or receive wired and/or wireless power signals.

FIG.2is a perspective view of a user's hands (hands40) and an illustrative handheld controller10. As shown inFIG.2, controller10may be an elongated marker-shaped electronic device that fits within the user's hand40. The elongated shape of controller10allows hand40to hold controller10as if it were a pen, pencil, marker, or other writing implement. In other configurations, controller10may be held in hand40as a wand or baton would be held. In general, controller10may be held in hand40in any suitable manner (e.g., at the end, in the middle, between two, three, four, or all five fingers, with both hands, etc.).

A user may hold one or more of devices10simultaneously. For example, a user may hold a single one of devices10in the user's left or right hand. As another example, a user may hold a first device10in the user's left hand and a second device10in the user's right hand. Arrangements in which multiple devices10are held in one hand may also be used. Configurations in which devices10have bodies that are held within a user's hands are sometimes described herein as an example.

Control circuitry12(and, if desired, communications circuitry14and/or input-output devices16) may be contained entirely within device10(e.g., in housing54) and/or may include circuitry that is located in an external structure (e.g., in an external electronic device such as device24, a console, a storage case, etc.).

In general, electrical components such as control circuitry12, communications circuitry14, and/or input-output devices16(e.g., sensors18, haptic output devices20, and/or other devices22) may be mounted within and/or on the surface(s) of controller housing54in any suitable locations.

As shown inFIG.2, housing54may have an elongated marker shape, elongated tube shape, elongated cylindrical shape, and/or any other elongated shape. Housing54which may sometimes be referred to as an enclosure, body, or case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), fabric, other suitable materials, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. Housing54may be formed using a unibody configuration in which some or all of housing54is machined or molded as a single structure or may be formed using multiple structures (e.g., an internal frame structure, one or more structures that form exterior housing surfaces, etc.). Housing54may form outer housing walls, tip portions, and/or internal support structures for device10. Housing54may have a length L between 140 mm and 150 mm, between 130 mm and 160 mm, between 100 mm and 200 mm, between 120 mm and 160 mm, greater than 180 mm, less than 180 mm, or any other suitable length. The diameter D of housing54may be between 12 mm and 14 mm, between 10 mm and 15 mm, between 11 mm and 16 mm, between 15 mm and 20 mm, between 18 mm and 25 mm, greater than 25 mm, less than 25 mm, or any other suitable diameter.

Housing54may have one or more curved surfaces and one or more planar surfaces. In the illustrative example ofFIG.2, device10has a curved surface C that wraps around a first portion of device10and a flat surface F that extends along a second portion of device10. If desired, flat surface F may be located on a first side of device10and curved surface C may be located on a second opposing side of device10. Curved surface C and flat surface F wrap around device10to form an elongated tube shape that surrounds an elongated interior space for housing internal components such as control circuitry12, communications circuitry14, and input-output devices16. Housing54may have an elongated shaft portion such as shaft B extending between first and second tip portions such as tip portion T1at a first end of device10and tip portion T2at a second opposing end of device10. One or both of housing tip portions T1and T2may be removable from the main elongated shaft B between tip portions T1and T2.

Ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, inertial measurement units, touch sensors such as capacitive touch sensor electrodes, strain gauges and other force sensors, radio-frequency sensors, and/or other sensors may be used in gathering sensor measurements indicative of the activities of device10and/or hand40holding device10.

In some configurations, controller position, movement, and orientation may be monitored using sensors that are mounted in external electronic equipment (e.g., in a computer or other desktop device, in a head-mounted device or other wearable device, and/or in other electronic device24that is separate from device10). For example, optical sensors such as images sensors that are separate from device10may be used in monitoring device10to determine their position, movement, and/or orientation. If desired, devices10may include passive and/or active optical registration features to assist an image sensor in device24in tracking the position, orientation, and/or motion of device10. For example, devices10may include light-emitting devices. The light-emitting devices may include light-emitting diodes, lasers (e.g., laser diodes, vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers, etc.), or other light sources and may operate at visible wavelengths, ultraviolet wavelengths, and/or infrared wavelengths. The light-emitting devices may be arranged in an asymmetric pattern on housing54and may emit light that is detected by an image sensor, depth sensor, and/or other light-based tracking sensor circuitry in device24(e.g., a head-mounted device, desktop computer, stand-alone camera-based monitoring systems, and/or other electrical equipment with an image sensor or other tracking sensor circuitry). By processing the received patterned of emitted light, device24can determine the position, orientation, and/or motion of device10. If desired, the light-emitting devices can be removable and/or customizable (e.g., a user can customize the location and type of light-emitting devices).

Tracking can also be performed that involves extrapolating from a known body part orientation (e.g., a finger orientation) to produce orientation information on other body parts (e.g., wrist and/or arm orientation estimated using inverse kinematics). Visual odometry sensors may, if desired, be included in devices10. These sensors may include image sensors that gather frames of image data of the surroundings of devices10and may be used in measuring position, orientation, and/or motion from the frame of image data. Lidar, ultrasonic sensors oriented in multiple directions, radio-frequency tracking sensors, and/or other controller tracking arrangements may be used, if desired. In some arrangements, user input for controlling system8can include both user input to controller10and other user input (e.g., user eye gaze input, user voice input, etc.). For example, gaze tracking information such as a user's point-of-gaze measured with a gaze tracker can be fused with controller input to controller10when controlling device10and/or devices24in system8. A user may, for example, gaze at an object of interest while device10uses one or more of sensors18(e.g., an accelerometer, force sensor, touch sensor, etc.) to gather information such as tap input (tap input in which a user taps on device10with one or more fingers, tap input in which device10taps a table top or other external surface or object, and/or any other tap input resulting in measurable forces and/or accelerometer output from device10), double-tap input, force input, controller gestures (tapping, swiping, twirling, shaking, writing, drawing, painting, sculpting, gaming, and/or other gestures with device10, gestures on external surfaces with device10, gestures on external objects with device10, gestures interacting with virtual objects, gestures with controller10in the air, etc.), drag and drop operations associated with objects selected using a lingering gaze or other point-of-gaze input, etc. The controller input from controller10to system8may include information on finger orientation, position, and/or motion relative to controller10, may include information on how forcefully a finger is pressing against surfaces of controller10(e.g., force information), may include information on how forcefully controller10is pressed against an object or external surface (e.g., how forcefully a tip portion such as tip portion T1presses against an external surface), may include controller pointing input (e.g., the direction in which controller10is pointing), which may be gathered using radio-frequency sensors among sensors18and/or other sensors in device(s)10, and/or may include other controller input.

By correlating user input from a first of devices10with user input from a second of devices10and/or by otherwise analyzing controller sensor input, multi-device input may be detected and used in manipulating virtual objects or taking other actions in system8. Consider, as an example, the use of a tap gesture with device10to select a virtual object associated with a user's current point-of-gaze. Once the virtual object has been selected based on the direction of the user's point-of-gaze (or controller pointing direction input) and based on the tap gesture input or other user input, further user input gathered with one or more devices10may be used to rotate and/or otherwise manipulate the virtual object. For example, information on controller movement (e.g., rotational movement) may be gathered using an internal measurement unit or other sensor18in device(s)10and this rotational input may be used to rotate the selected object. In some scenarios, an object may be selected based on point-of-gaze (e.g., when a user's point-of-gaze is detected as being directed toward the object) and, following selection, object attributes (e.g., virtual object attributes such as virtual object appearance and/or real-world object attributes such as the operating settings of a real-world device) can be adjusted using strain gauge input, touch sensor input, controller orientation input (e.g., to rotate a virtual object, etc.).

If desired, gestures such as air gestures (three-dimensional gestures) with device10may involve additional input. For example, a user may control system8using hybrid gestures that involve movement of device(s)10through the air (e.g., an air gesture component) and that also involve contact between device10and one or more fingers of hand40. As an example, an inertial measurement unit in device10and/or a camera in device24may detect user movement of device10through the air (e.g., to trace out a path) while a sensor18in device10such as a two-dimensional touch sensor, a force sensor, or other sensor18detects force input, touch input, or other input associated with contact to device10.

The sensors in device10may, for example, measure how forcefully a user is moving device10against a surface (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the surface) and/or how forcefully a user is moving device10along a surface (e.g., shear force in a direction parallel to the surface). The direction of movement of device10can also be measured by the force sensors and/or other sensors18in device10.

Information gathered using sensors18such as force sensor input gathered with a force sensor, motion data gathered with a motion sensor (e.g., pointing input, rotations, etc.), location information indicating the location of controller10, touch input gathered with a touch sensor, and other user input may be used to control external equipment such as device24. For example, control circuitry12may send control signals to device24that include instructions to select a user interface element, instructions to scroll display content, instructions to select a different input function for controller10(e.g., to switch from using controller10as a drawing or writing implement to using controller10as a pointing device or game piece), instructions to draw a line or type a word on a display in device24, instructions to adjust operational settings of device24, instructions to manipulate display content on device24, and/or instructions to take any other suitable action with device24. These control signals may be sent in addition to or instead of providing feedback to sensor input from device10(e.g., haptic output, audio output, adjusting operational settings of device10, etc.).

In the illustrative configuration ofFIG.2, device10includes touch sensor42. Touch sensor42may be formed from an array of capacitive touch sensor electrodes such as electrodes46overlapping one or more surfaces of housing54such as curved surface C, flat surface F, and/or surfaces on tip portions T1and T2. Touch sensor42may be configured to detect swipes, taps, multitouch input, squeeze input, and/or other touch input. In some arrangements, touch sensor42is formed from a one-dimensional or two dimensional array of capacitive electrodes46. In some arrangements, touch sensor42may be a strain gauge that detects squeeze input to housing54(e.g., when a user squeezes or pinches device10between the user's fingers). Touch sensor42may be used to gather touch input such as input from direct contact and/or close proximity with a different finger of the user or other external object. In the example ofFIG.2, touch sensor42overlaps touch input area44on curved surface C of device10. If desired, additional touch input may be gathered in adjacent areas such as flat surface F of housing54. If desired, touch sensor42may include other types of touch sensing technologies such as optical touch sensors, acoustic-based touch sensors, etc. Touch sensor42may span the length L of device10, may span only partially along length L of device10, may cover some or all of curved surface C, may cover some or all of flat surface F, and/or may cover some or all of tip portions T1and T2. If desired, touch sensor42may be illuminated, may overlap a display (e.g., to form a touch-sensitive display region on device10), may overlap an indicator or textured surface, and/or may otherwise be visually or tangibly distinct from the surrounding non-touch-sensitive portions of housing54(if desired).

In addition to or instead of touch sensor42, device10may include one or more other user input devices such as user input device48. User input device48may be a mechanical input device such as a pressable button, a rotating knob, a rotating wheel, a rocker switch, a slider, or other mechanical input device, a force sensor such as a strain gauge or other force sensor, an optical sensor such as a proximity sensor, a touch sensor such as a capacitive, acoustic, or optical touch sensor, and/or any other suitable input device for receiving input from a user's hand40. If desired, one of haptic output devices20such as an actuator may be used to provide haptic feedback in response to user input to device48. For example, input device48may be a touch-sensitive button that does not physically move relative to housing54, but the user may feel a localized button click sensation from haptic output that is provided from an actuator20overlapping device48.

In addition to or instead of touch sensor42and input device48, device10may include one or more sensors at tip portions T1and T2. For example, tip portion T1and/or tip portion T2may be force-sensitive. As shown inFIG.2, device10may include sensor52. Sensor52may be located at one or both of tip portions T1and T2and/or may be located elsewhere in device10such as at a location along shaft B of device10. Shaft B, which may sometimes be referred to as a cylindrical housing, may form an elongated main body portion of housing54of device10that extends between tip T1and tip T2. One or more of tip portions T1and T2may be removable and may sometimes be referred to as a cap, a writing tip, etc. Sensors at tip portions T1and T2such as sensor52may include a device position sensor (e.g., an optical flow sensor having a light source that illuminates a portion of a surface that is contacted by device10and having an image sensor configured to determine a location of device10on the surface and/or to measure movement of the electronic device relative to the surface based on captured images of the illuminated portion, a mechanical position sensor such as an encoded wheel that tracks movements of device10on the surface, or other device position sensor), a force sensor (e.g., one or more strain gauges, piezoelectric force sensors, capacitive force sensors, and/or any other suitable force sensor), an optical proximity sensor such a light-emitting diode and light detector, a camera (e.g., a one-pixel camera or an in image sensor with a two-dimensional array of pixels), and/or other sensor.

Device10may circuitry for receiving wired and/or wireless power. For example, wired power may be conveyed to device10through a charging port such as charging port108, and wireless power may be conveyed to device10through capacitively coupled contacts and/or a inductive charging coil such as coil50. If desired, device10may only receive wired power and coil50may be omitted. In other arrangements, device10may only receive wireless power and charging port108may be omitted (or port108may serve as a data port, audio port, or other suitable port). In arrangements where device10includes circuitry for receiving wireless power, power can be conveyed wirelessly between device10and an external electronic device such as device24(e.g., a head-mounted device, a wireless charging mat, a storage case, a battery case, a wireless charging puck, or other electronic device). As an example, contacts (e.g., metal pads) may be capacitively coupled (without forming ohmic contact) to allow power to be transferred and/or power can be conveyed using a wireless power transmitter with a coil in device24to transmit wireless power signals to a wireless power receiver with a coil in device10. Inductive power transfer techniques may be used (e.g., wireless power can be transmitted using one or more wireless power transmitting coils in device24and transmitted wireless power signals can be received in a power receiving circuit in device10using a power receiving coil such as coil50). Received alternating-current wireless power signals from device24can be converted to direct-current power using a rectifier in device10for charging a battery in device10and/or for powering circuitry in device10. In configurations in which the power receiving circuit of device10receives power via a wired connection (e.g., using terminals), the power receiving circuit in device10may provide the received power to a battery and/or other circuitry in device10.

To help align wireless charging coil50in device10with a wireless charging coil in device24and/or to otherwise hold device10to a power source or other device (e.g., device24ofFIG.1), device10and device24may be provided with mating alignment features (e.g., mating protrusions and recesses and/or other interlocking alignment structures (e.g., key and keyhole structures that allow device10and/or device24to interlock when engaged by twisting or other locking motions), magnets (or ferromagnetic elements such as iron bars), and/or other alignment structures.

In configurations in which device10includes magnetic attachment structures (e.g., magnets, magnetic material that is attracted to magnets, or other magnetic attachment structures), device10may be held against the interior and/or exterior of device24using the magnetic attachment structures. For example, device24may be a battery case with a groove or other recess that receives device10. Magnetic attachment structures in device24(e.g., near the groove) and in device10may cooperate (magnetically attach) to help secure and align device10within the interior of the case (e.g., without allowing device10to rattle excessively inside the case). As another example, device24may be a head-mounted device (e.g., goggles and/or glasses) or a strap or other wearable device. In this type of arrangement, magnetic attachment structures may hold device10against an exterior surface of device24(e.g., against a portion of the housing of a pair of goggles or glasses such as along the frame of a pair of glasses, to the front, top, or side surface of a pair of goggles, etc.) or within a recess in the housing of device24. Magnets and other alignment features may be located near coil50or may be located in other portions of housing54.

Device10may include a battery such as battery74ofFIG.3. Power can be conveyed to device10from an external power source such as power source62to power circuitry in device10and/or to charge battery74. Power source62may be a stand-alone wired and/or wireless charging device (e.g., a wireless charging puck, a wireless and/or wired charging stand, dock, or base station, a wireless charging mat, or other wired and/or wireless power device) and/or may be incorporated into one or more of devices24for providing device10with power.

If desired, device10may also include an internal power source such as internal power source76. Power source76may be an energy harvesting device. With one illustrative configuration, power source76is a solar cell. The solar cell may convert ambient light (e.g., sunlight, etc.) into electrical power for powering device10(e.g., to power circuitry in device10and/or to charge battery74). If desired, power source76may be an energy harvesting device such as an electromechanical system or piezoelectric component that coverts kinetic energy (e.g., kinetic energy associated with vibrations and/or other movement of device10as device10is worn on a user's finger) to into electrical power for powering device10. Energy may also be harvested using a thermoelectric device that converts heat into electrical power, or other energy harvesting devices.

External power source62may receive wall outlet power (mains alternating-current power) at input72and/or may contain a battery such as battery56for supplying power source62with direct-current power. Power can be conveyed from power source62(e.g., a stand-alone power source such as base station or dock or a power source integrated into one of devices24such as a head-mounted device) to device10using contacts66(e.g., positive and ground terminals) on power source62and matching ohmically-contacted contacts68on device10(e.g., positive and ground terminals in a power receiving circuit in device10). If desired, power can be conveyed wirelessly between device24and device10. As an example, contacts66and68(e.g., metal pads) may be capacitively coupled (without forming ohmic contact) to allow power to be transferred and/or power can be conveyed using a wireless power transmitter with a coil in source62to transmit wireless power signals (e.g., electromagnetic signals58) to a wireless power receiver with a coil in device10(and/or devices24). Inductive power transfer techniques may be used (e.g., wireless power can be transmitted using one or more wireless power transmitting coils in source62such as wireless power transmitting coil64and transmitted wireless power signals can be received in power receiving circuit60using power receiving coil50). Received alternating-current wireless power signals from coil50can be converted to direct-current power using a rectifier in power receiving circuit60for charging battery74and/or for powering circuitry in device10. In configurations in which the power receiving circuit of device10receives power via a wired connection (e.g., using terminals68), the power receiving circuit may provide the received power to battery74and/or other circuitry in device10.

In the example ofFIG.4, power source62has a planar housing or other housing with a planar charging surface so that power source62can serve as a wireless charging mat. Device(s)10and/or device(s)24can be wirelessly charged by power source62when placed in the vicinity of power source62(e.g., on charging mat surface70). Configurations in which wireless power signals can be transmitted and received over larger distances (e.g., at least 1 cm, at least 10 cm, at least 100 cm, at least 1 m, at least 10 m, less than 20 m, less than 2 m, less than 200 cm, less than 20 cm, less than 5 cm, or other suitable distance) may also be used.

FIG.5shows an illustrative example in which power source62forms a docking or base station for storing and/or charging device10. As shown inFIG.5, power source62may have an elongated housing142with slightly larger dimensions than handheld controller10. Housing142, which may sometimes be referred to as an enclosure, body, or case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), fabric, other suitable materials, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. Housing142may be configured to rest on a surface (e.g., a table top surface such that recess78faces away from the table top surface), and/or may be mounted to an external object. For example, power source62may include a clip such as clip110that allows power source62to be attached to the user's clothing, a head-mounted device (e.g., clip110may be coupled to a head band or strap of a head-mounted device) or other electronic device24, a wall, etc.

Housing142may have a recess for receiving device10such as recess78. The interior surfaces of housing142that define recess78may have shapes that match the shape of device10. For example, if device10has a circular cross-sectional shape, recess78may be defined by curved walls with a semi-circular cross-section (or a cross-section that forms less than half of a circle). If device10has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, recess78may be defined by planar walls with a cross-section that forms part of a rectangle. Arrangements in which recess78is formed by walls with curved portions and planar portions (e.g., to accommodate curved surface C and flat surface F of device10ofFIG.2) may also be used. Recess78may be deep so that device10is contained entirely within recess78, or recess78may be shallow such that a portion of device10protrudes above the upper surface of housing142of power source62.

Power source62may be used to store and charge device10. When device10is no longer being used and/or is in need of charging, a user may place device10within recess78of power source62. Power source62may include a coil such as wireless charging coil64and/or may include other charging circuitry such as contacts66. Wireless charging coil64may transmit wireless power to power receiving coil50of device10. Additionally or alternatively, power may be conveyed to device10via capacitive coupling and/or ohmic contact between contacts66and contacts68. The example ofFIG.5in which power source62includes both contacts66and coil64is merely illustrative. If desired, power source62may include coil64without including contacts66, or may include contacts66without including coil64. Power source62may receive wireless power, may receive wall outlet power (mains alternating-current power) at port80, and/or may contain a battery (e.g., battery56ofFIG.3) for supplying power source62with direct-current power.

If desired, power source62and/or device10may include alignment features for helping align charging circuitry (e.g., contacts66and/or coil64) with associated power receiving circuitry in device10. Alignment features may include mating or interlocking surfaces, mating protrusions and recesses, other interlocking alignment structures (e.g., key and keyhole structures that allow device10and/or power source62to interlock when engaged by twisting or other locking motions), magnets (or ferromagnetic elements such as iron bars), and/or other alignment structures. In some arrangements, recess78may be defined by walls that have surface features matching surface features of device10. For example, walls of recess78may include a curved portion and a flat portion, such that coil50is aligned with coil64when curved surface C of device10meets the curved portion of recess78and flat surface F of device10meets the flat portion of recess78.

In some arrangements, magnetic alignment structures may be used to help align wireless charging coil50in device10with wireless charging coil64of power source62. As shown inFIG.5, for example, device10may include magnets138and power source62may include magnets140. Magnets138and140may include permanent magnets and/or structures formed from magnetic material (e.g., iron bars or other ferromagnetic members that are attracted to magnets such as electromagnets and/or permanent magnets). Magnets138and140may include north and south poles that are arranged such that magnets140are attracted to magnets138when coil50is aligned with coil64(and/or when contacts66are aligned with contacts68).

FIG.6shows an illustrative example in which power source62is integrated into a charging stick that attaches to device10. As shown inFIG.6, housing142may have an elongated shape with a rectangular cross-section. The outer surfaces of housing142may be flat. This allows one of the flat surfaces of housing142to mate with the flat surface F of device10. This is merely illustrative, however. If desired, housing142may have a concave outer surface that conforms the convex outer surface C of device10(FIG.2). Power source62may have smaller dimensions than device10(as shown in the example ofFIG.6), or power source62may have larger dimensions than device10. If desired, power source62may be used to charge multiple devices10at the same time. For example, a first surface of power source62may be coupled to a first handheld controller10and a second surface of power source62may be coupled to a second handheld controller10. Power source62may include multiple coils and/or multiple contacts for providing power to multiple devices10, if desired.

Power source62and/or device10may include alignment features for helping align charging circuitry in power source62(e.g., contacts66and/or coil64) with associated power receiving circuitry in device10(e.g., contacts68and/or coil64). Alignment features may include mating or interlocking surfaces, mating protrusions and recesses, other interlocking alignment structures (e.g., key and keyhole structures that allow device10and/or power source62to interlock when engaged by twisting or other locking motions), magnets (or ferromagnetic elements such as iron bars), and/or other alignment structures.

In some arrangements, magnetic alignment structures may be used to help align wireless charging coil50in device10with wireless charging coil64of power source62. As shown inFIG.6, for example, device10may include magnets138and power source62may include magnets140. Magnets138may include permanent magnets and/or structures formed from magnetic material (e.g., iron bars or other ferromagnetic members that are attracted to magnets such as electromagnets and/or permanent magnets). Magnets138and140may include north and south poles that are arranged such that magnets140are attracted to magnets138when coil50is aligned with coil64(and/or when contacts66are aligned with contacts68). This helps snap power source62to the correct location on device10for wireless charging.

When device10is in need of charging, a user may bring housing142close to device10. Magnets138and magnets140may be attracted to one another and power source62may be snapped to the appropriate location on device10such that coil50of device10is aligned with coil64of power source62(and/or such that contacts68of device10are aligned with contacts66of power source62). Power source62may receive wireless power, may receive wall outlet power (mains alternating-current power) via cable104and connector106, and/or may contain a battery (e.g., battery56ofFIG.3) for supplying power source62with direct-current power.

As shown inFIG.7, power source62may be incorporated into a storage case such as case86(e.g., a storage enclosure for device10, which may sometimes be referred to as a battery case). In this type of arrangement, case86may include power source62(e.g., a power source with a battery) for charging device10when device10is placed within the case. In the illustrative configuration ofFIG.7, case86has a first portion (e.g., a first housing portion) such as portion88A that rotates about rotational (hinge) axis84relative to a second portion (e.g., a second housing portion) such as portion88B. Flexible housing portions (e.g., portions of a plastic layer), interlocking metal hinge members, and/or other hinge structures along axis84may be provided to allow first housing portion88A to rotate relative to second housing portion88B.

One or more recesses82(e.g., device-shaped grooves or other structures) may be formed in the first portion88A and/or second portion88B of the housing of case86and may be configured to receive device10for storage within the interior of case86. The interior surfaces of case86that define recess82may have shapes that match the shape of device10. For example, if device10has a circular cross-sectional shape, recesses82may be defined by curved walls with circular cross-sections. If device10has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, recesses82may be defined by planar walls with rectangular cross-sections. Arrangements in which recesses82are defined by walls with curved portions and planar portions (e.g., to mate with curved surface C and flat surface F of device10ofFIG.2) may also be used.

In the example ofFIG.7, upper and lower housing portions88A and88B of case86each include first and second openings82for respectively receiving first and second handheld controllers10(FIG.2). A first handheld controller10may be received with a first opening82of lower housing portion88B and a second handheld controller10may be received within a second opening82of lower housing portion88B. When the lid formed by upper housing portion88A is closed, the first handheld controller10will be partially contained within a first opening in upper housing portion88A and the second handheld controller10will be partially contained within a second opening in upper housing portion88A. This is merely illustrative. If desired, case86may have only one recess82for storing and charging a single handheld controller10, or case86may include more than two recesses82for storing and charging more than two handheld controllers10.

Power source62may receive wireless power, may receive wall outlet power (mains alternating-current power) via port92, and/or may contain a battery (e.g., battery56ofFIG.3) for supplying power source62with direct-current power. In arrangements where case86receives wireless power, a magnet such as magnet90in case86may interact with a corresponding magnetic base such as base94(e.g., a stand-alone support structure, a portion of a charging mat with a power source, etc.). As described in connection with the preceding figures, magnetic structures (e.g., one or more permanent magnets) may be formed inside battery case86to help hold and/or align handheld controller10(e.g., so that a user may place device10loosely in a recess82, after which the magnets or other magnetic structures in the case and/or device10may pull device10completely into recess82). Magnetic structures (e.g., a permanent magnet) in case86may also be used to temporarily secure device10to the outer surface of the case, if desired.

In the example ofFIG.8, power source62may be incorporated into a storage cup such as storage cup96. In this type of arrangement, storage cup96may include power source62(e.g., a power source with a battery) for charging device10when device10is placed within storage cup96. Storage cup96may include have a recess such as recess98for receiving one or more handheld controllers10. Storage cup96may include one or more alignment features at the base of cup96. For example, alignment feature102may help gather the tips of handheld controllers10in the appropriate location for charging. Alignment feature102may include magnets, recesses, or other alignment structures. Storage cup96may receive wireless power, may receive wall outlet power (mains alternating-current power), and/or may contain a battery (e.g., battery56ofFIG.3) for supplying power source62with direct-current power.

FIG.9shows an example in which power source62is incorporated into an electronic device such as head-mounted device24(e.g., a pair of goggles, glasses, or other head-mounted device). Device24may, as an example, have displays, lenses, and/or other components for displaying images for a user in a support structure such as main housing portion112. Head-mounted device24may include additional support structures such as strap146for helping attach and support main housing portion112on the head of a user.

Handheld controller10may be used to control and provide user input to device24. Handheld controller10may be a virtual object in a virtual scene displayed by device24, may be used to select virtual objects or on-screen menu options, and/or may otherwise be used to interact with device24. For this reason, it may be convenient for a user to store and/or charge handheld controller on device24.

Strap146(sometimes referred to as support structures, head-mounted support structures, a head band, a head strap, etc.) may wrap completely or partially around the user's head. Strap146may be formed using rigid support structures and/or flexible materials such as fabric. As shown inFIG.9, strap146may include temple portions114and rear head strap portion116. Temple portions114may include a left temple portion and a right temple portion coupled to main housing portion112. Head band116may wrap at least partially around the back of the user's head and may have a first end coupled to the left temple portion114of head strap146and a second opposing end coupled to the right temple portion114of head strap146. Head band116(sometimes referred to as a fabric band, a fabric strap, a head strap, etc.) may wrap around the back of a user's head, over the top of a user's head, and/or may otherwise couple main housing portion112to the user's head. Arrangements in which head band116includes multiple bands extending across different portions of the user's head may also be used (e.g., to form upper and lower straps across the back of the head, to form a strap over the top of the head and a strap across the back of the head, etc.). If desired, temple portions114may include input-output devices, sensors, and/or other circuitry, while head band116may be free of circuitry (as an example). Temple portions114maybe removable from head band116and/or main housing portion112. This is merely illustrative. If desired, temple portions114and head band116may form a single continuous strap.

Power source62may be incorporated into device24for charging circuitry in device24and/or for charging handheld controller10. Charging circuitry in device24may be formed in main housing portion112and/or head strap146. In the example ofFIG.9, power source62in device24includes battery56in main housing portion112. Battery56may be used to provide power to the circuitry of device24and to the circuitry of handheld controller10. Battery56may receive power that is conveyed to device24wirelessly and may receive wall outlet power (mains alternating-current power).

In the example ofFIG.9, temple portion114of head strap146includes circuitry for conveying power to battery56. For example, temple portion114may include a connector such as connector118. Connector118may receive wired power from an external power source (e.g., a charging puck, a battery pack, or other stand-alone external power source such as another external power source62of the type shown inFIG.3), wall outlet power, or other suitable wired power. Additionally or alternatively, wireless power may be conveyed to a coil located in temple portions114. Power that is received via connector118may be conveyed to battery56over traces such as conductive traces122. Conductive traces122may be formed from metal that has been electroplated or otherwise formed on temple portion114. In other arrangements, traces122may be formed from conductive strands that are incorporated into the fabric of temple portion114. Temple portion114may include a connector such as connector120that electrically couples to a mating connector in main housing portion112so that power signals on traces122can be conveyed to battery56via connector120(e.g., an array of electrical contacts configured to mate with corresponding electrical contacts in main housing portion112). If desired, temple portions114may be removable from head band116and/or main housing portion112.

FIG.10is a side view of an illustrative head-mounted device of the type shown inFIG.9that is being used to store and charge a handheld controller10. As shown inFIG.10, power source150may be attached to connector118to provide power to head-mounted device24. Power source150may include charging circuitry154(sometimes referred to as power transmitting circuitry) configured to align with power receiving circuitry156. Charging circuitry154may include an inductive charging coil and power receiving circuitry156may include a power receiving coil. In other arrangements, charging circuitry154and power receiving circuitry156may include mating contacts that transfer power via direct contact or capacitive coupling. Charging circuitry154in power source150may receive power such as wall outlet power over cable152.

Power source150may include additional charging circuitry for simultaneously charging handheld controller10and device24. As shown inFIG.10, handheld controller10may be temporarily placed on power source150. Power source150may include charging circuitry such as a coil64and/or contacts66for charging handheld controller10. During storage on device24, the charging circuitry of power source150may supply power to device10(e.g., via direct contact between contacts68and66, capacitive coupling between contacts68and66, inductive power transfer between coil64and coil50, etc.) while simultaneously supplying power to device24. Magnets, press-fit structures, clips, hook-and-loop fastener material, straps, and/or other coupling structures in strap146and/or in power source150may be used to help hold device10in place (e.g., temporarily) on power source150. If desired, battery56may be omitted, and power source150may supply power directly to the circuitry of head-mounted device24while head-mounted device24is in use.

If desired, battery56of head-mounted device24(FIG.9) may supply power directly to handheld controller10without using power source150. This type of arrangement is illustrated inFIG.11. As shown inFIG.11, temple portion114of head strap146may include an inductive charging coil such as coil64. Coil64may receive power from battery56via connector120and traces122. The charging circuitry of power source62in device24may supply power to device10(e.g., via inductive power transfer between coil64and coil50, direct contact between contacts68and66, capacitive coupling between contacts68and66, etc.).

Magnets, press-fit structures, clips, hook-and-loop fastener material, straps, and/or other coupling structures may be used to help hold and align device10in place (e.g., temporarily) on temple portion114. In the example ofFIG.11, device10includes magnets126and temple portion114includes magnets124. Magnets126and124may include permanent magnets and/or structures formed from magnetic material (e.g., iron bars or other ferromagnetic members that are attracted to magnets such as electromagnets and/or permanent magnets). Magnets126and124may include north and south poles that are arranged such that magnets126are attracted to magnets124when coil50is aligned with coil64(and/or when contacts66are aligned with contacts68).

FIGS.12,13, and14show illustrative locations on device24that may be used for storing and/or charging handheld controller10. In the example ofFIG.12, handheld controller10is temporarily coupled to main housing portion112. Controller10may be coupled to an upper surface of main housing portion112, a front surface of main housing portion112, a side surface of main housing portion112, a lower surface of main housing portion112, or any other suitable portion of main housing portion112.

Magnets, press-fit structures, clips, hook-and-loop fastener material, straps, and/or other coupling structures may be used to help hold and align device10in place (e.g., temporarily) on main housing portion112. In the example ofFIG.12, device10includes magnets126and main housing portion112includes magnets128for helping align charging circuitry such as coil64in device24with coil50in device10.

In the example ofFIG.13, handheld controller10is temporarily coupled to head strap146. Controller10may be coupled to an upper surface of head strap146, a side surface of head strap146, a lower surface of head strap146, or any other suitable portion of head strap146. Magnets, press-fit structures, clips, hook-and-loop fastener material, straps, and/or other coupling structures may be used to help hold device10in place on head strap146. In the example ofFIG.13, device10includes magnets126and head strap146include magnets124for helping align charging circuitry such as coil64in device24with coil50in device10.

FIG.14is a side view of device24showing how controller10may be attached behind a user's ear. When device24is mounted on a user's head, head strap146may pass above the user's ear such as ear134. Head strap146may include an attachment structure such as attachment structure136. Attachment structure136may include magnets, press-fit structures, clips, hook-and-loop fastener material, straps, and/or other coupling structures for holding and aligning controller10on head strap146. If desired, attachment structure136may be angled relative to head strap146such that controller10extends partially behind ear134. Users may be accustomed to storing pencils behind the ear, so the ability to store controller10behind the ear allows for a natural movement with which the user can store device10on device24. If desired, attachment structure136may have an adjustable position (e.g., may be adjustable relative to strap146), so that the user can customize the location with which controller10is stored on device24(e.g., to support the best ergonomics for a particular user). If desired, arrangements in which controller10rests at least partially on the user's ear may also be used.

An arrangement of the type shown inFIG.14may be especially beneficial for providing a storage and/or charging solution for controller10while the user is wearing device24. If controller10runs out of battery during use, the user can quickly place controller10on attachment structure136behind the user's ear134. In other scenarios, the user may need to use free hands to handle a task while wearing device24. The ability to quickly store controller10by placing controller10on attachment structure136behind the user's ear34allows the user to use his or her hands for a task, then easily return to using controller10using muscle memory to simply reach above the ear (e.g., without having to fumble around to locate controller10stored in a less convenient location such as on a table or in a pocket). The user may be able to return to using controller10without having to remove device24from the user's head. The ability to easily store and charge controller10on device24may also allow controller10to have a smaller battery and lighter form factor. Arrangements in which controller10includes a super capacitor to store energy between charging periods may also be used, if desired.

As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of information such as sensor information. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, eyeglasses prescription, username, password, biometric information, or any other identifying or personal information.

Computer-generated reality: in contrast, a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment refers to a wholly or partially simulated environment that people sense and/or interact with via an electronic system. In CGR, a subset of a person's physical motions, or representations thereof, are tracked, and, in response, one or more characteristics of one or more virtual objects simulated in the CGR environment are adjusted in a manner that comports with at least one law of physics. For example, a CGR system may detect a person's head turning and, in response, adjust graphical content and an acoustic field presented to the person in a manner similar to how such views and sounds would change in a physical environment. In some situations (e.g., for accessibility reasons), adjustments to characteristic(s) of virtual object(s) in a CGR environment may be made in response to representations of physical motions (e.g., vocal commands). A person may sense and/or interact with a CGR object using any one of their senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. For example, a person may sense and/or interact with audio objects that create 3D or spatial audio environment that provides the perception of point audio sources in 3D space. In another example, audio objects may enable audio transparency, which selectively incorporates ambient sounds from the physical environment with or without computer-generated audio. In some CGR environments, a person may sense and/or interact only with audio objects. Examples of CGR include virtual reality and mixed reality.

Mixed reality: In contrast to a VR environment, which is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs, a mixed reality (MR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to incorporate sensory inputs from the physical environment, or a representation thereof, in addition to including computer-generated sensory inputs (e.g., virtual objects). On a virtuality continuum, a mixed reality environment is anywhere between, but not including, a wholly physical environment at one end and virtual reality environment at the other end. In some MR environments, computer-generated sensory inputs may respond to changes in sensory inputs from the physical environment. Also, some electronic systems for presenting an MR environment may track location and/or orientation with respect to the physical environment to enable virtual objects to interact with real objects (that is, physical articles from the physical environment or representations thereof). For example, a system may account for movements so that a virtual tree appears stationery with respect to the physical ground. Examples of mixed realities include augmented reality and augmented virtuality. Augmented reality: an augmented reality (AR) environment refers to a simulated environment in which one or more virtual objects are superimposed over a physical environment, or a representation thereof. For example, an electronic system for presenting an AR environment may have a transparent or translucent display through which a person may directly view the physical environment. The system may be configured to present virtual objects on the transparent or translucent display, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. Alternatively, a system may have an opaque display and one or more imaging sensors that capture images or video of the physical environment, which are representations of the physical environment. The system composites the images or video with virtual objects, and presents the composition on the opaque display. A person, using the system, indirectly views the physical environment by way of the images or video of the physical environment, and perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. As used herein, a video of the physical environment shown on an opaque display is called “pass-through video,” meaning a system uses one or more image sensor(s) to capture images of the physical environment, and uses those images in presenting the AR environment on the opaque display. Further alternatively, a system may have a projection system that projects virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. An augmented reality environment also refers to a simulated environment in which a representation of a physical environment is transformed by computer-generated sensory information. For example, in providing pass-through video, a system may transform one or more sensor images to impose a select perspective (e.g., viewpoint) different than the perspective captured by the imaging sensors. As another example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically modifying (e.g., enlarging) portions thereof, such that the modified portion may be representative but not photorealistic versions of the originally captured images. As a further example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically eliminating or obfuscating portions thereof. Augmented virtuality: an augmented virtuality (AV) environment refers to a simulated environment in which a virtual or computer generated environment incorporates one or more sensory inputs from the physical environment. The sensory inputs may be representations of one or more characteristics of the physical environment. For example, an AV park may have virtual trees and virtual buildings, but people with faces photorealistically reproduced from images taken of physical people. As another example, a virtual object may adopt a shape or color of a physical article imaged by one or more imaging sensors. As a further example, a virtual object may adopt shadows consistent with the position of the sun in the physical environment.