Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a head-worn computer according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> discloses an eyeglass-mount display with a vertical and horizontal adjustment mechanism of a nose pad.

Wearable computing systems have been developed and are beginning to be commercialized. Many problems persist in the wearable computing field that need to be resolved to make them meet the demands of the market.

The invention is directed to a head worn computer according to claim <NUM>.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

Embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers may be used throughout to reference like features and components that are shown in the Figures:.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and are encompassed herein.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to head-worn computing ("HWC") systems. HWC involves, in some instances, a system that mimics the appearance of head-worn glasses or sunglasses. The glasses may be a fully developed computing platform, such as including computer displays presented in each of the lenses of the glasses to the eyes of the user. In embodiments, the lenses and displays may be configured to allow a person wearing the glasses to see the environment through the lenses while also seeing, simultaneously, digital imagery, which forms an overlaid image that is perceived by the person as a digitally augmented image of the environment, or augmented reality ("AR").

HWC involves more than just placing a computing system on a person's head. The system may need to be designed as a lightweight, compact and fully functional computer display, such as wherein the computer display includes a high resolution digital display that provides a high level of emersion comprised of the displayed digital content and the see-through view of the environmental surroundings. User interfaces and control systems suited to the HWC device may be required that are unlike those used for a more conventional computer such as a laptop. For the HWC and associated systems to be most effective, the glasses may be equipped with sensors to determine environmental conditions, geographic location, relative positioning to other points of interest, objects identified by imaging and movement by the user or other users in a connected group, and the like. The HWC may then change the mode of operation to match the conditions, location, positioning, movements, and the like, in a method generally referred to as a contextually aware HWC. The glasses also may need to be connected, wirelessly or otherwise, to other systems either locally or through a network. Controlling the glasses may be achieved through the use of an external device, automatically through contextually gathered information, through user gestures captured by the glasses sensors, and the like. Each technique may be further refined depending on the software application being used in the glasses. The glasses may further be used to control or coordinate with external devices that are associated with the glasses.

Referring to <FIG>, an overview of the HWC system <NUM> is presented. As shown, the HWC system <NUM> comprises a HWC <NUM>, which in this instance is configured as glasses to be worn on the head with sensors such that the HWC <NUM> is aware of the objects and conditions in the environment <NUM>. In this instance, the HWC <NUM> also receives and interprets control inputs such as gestures and movements <NUM>. The HWC <NUM> may communicate with external user interfaces <NUM>. The external user interfaces <NUM> may provide a physical user interface to take control instructions from a user of the HWC <NUM> and the external user interfaces <NUM> and the HWC <NUM> may communicate bi-directionally to affect the user's command and provide feedback to the external device <NUM>. The HWC <NUM> may also communicate bi-directionally with externally controlled or coordinated local devices <NUM>. For example, an external user interface <NUM> may be used in connection with the HWC <NUM> to control an externally controlled or coordinated local device <NUM>. The externally controlled or coordinated local device <NUM> may provide feedback to the HWC <NUM> and a customized GUI may be presented in the HWC <NUM> based on the type of device or specifically identified device <NUM>. The HWC <NUM> may also interact with remote devices and information sources <NUM> through a network connection <NUM>. Again, the external user interface <NUM> may be used in connection with the HWC <NUM> to control or otherwise interact with any of the remote devices <NUM> and information sources <NUM> in a similar way as when the external user interfaces <NUM> are used to control or otherwise interact with the externally controlled or coordinated local devices <NUM>. Similarly, HWC <NUM> may interpret gestures <NUM> (e.g. captured from forward, downward, upward, rearward facing sensors such as camera(s), range finders, IR sensors, etc.) or environmental conditions sensed in the environment <NUM> to control either local or remote devices <NUM> or <NUM>.

We will now describe each of the main elements depicted on <FIG> in more detail; however, these descriptions are intended to provide general guidance and should not be construed as limiting. Additional description of each element may also be further described herein.

The HWC <NUM> is a computing platform intended to be worn on a person's head. The HWC <NUM> may take many different forms to fit many different functional requirements. In some situations, the HWC <NUM> will be designed in the form of conventional glasses. The glasses may or may not have active computer graphics displays. In situations where the HWC <NUM> has integrated computer displays the displays may be configured as see-through displays such that the digital imagery can be overlaid with respect to the user's view of the environment <NUM>. There are a number of see-through optical designs that may be used, including ones that have a reflective display (e.g. LCoS, DLP), emissive displays (e.g. OLED, LED), hologram, TIR waveguides, and the like. In embodiments, lighting systems used in connection with the display optics may be solid state lighting systems, such as LED, OLED, quantum dot, quantum dot LED, etc. In addition, the optical configuration may be monocular or binocular. It may also include vision corrective optical components. In embodiments, the optics may be packaged as contact lenses. In other embodiments, the HWC <NUM> may be in the form of a helmet with a see-through shield, sunglasses, safety glasses, goggles, a mask, fire helmet with see-through shield, police helmet with see through shield, military helmet with see-through shield, utility form customized to a certain work task (e.g. inventory control, logistics, repair, maintenance, etc.), and the like.

The HWC <NUM> may also have a number of integrated computing facilities, such as an integrated processor, integrated power management, communication structures (e.g. cell net, WiFi, Bluetooth, local area connections, mesh connections, remote connections (e.g. client server, etc.)), and the like. The HWC <NUM> may also have a number of positional awareness sensors, such as GPS, electronic compass, altimeter, tilt sensor, IMU, and the like. It may also have other sensors such as a camera, rangefinder, hyper-spectral camera, Geiger counter, microphone, spectral illumination detector, temperature sensor, chemical sensor, biologic sensor, moisture sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and the like.

The HWC <NUM> may also have integrated control technologies. The integrated control technologies may be contextual based control, passive control, active control, user control, and the like. For example, the HWC <NUM> may have an integrated sensor (e.g. camera) that captures user hand or body gestures <NUM> such that the integrated processing system can interpret the gestures and generate control commands for the HWC <NUM>. In another example, the HWC <NUM> may have sensors that detect movement (e.g. a nod, head shake, and the like) including accelerometers, gyros and other inertial measurements, where the integrated processor may interpret the movement and generate a control command in response. The HWC <NUM> may also automatically control itself based on measured or perceived environmental conditions. For example, if it is bright in the environment the HWC <NUM> may increase the brightness or contrast of the displayed image. In embodiments, the integrated control technologies may be mounted on the HWC <NUM> such that a user can interact with it directly. For example, the HWC <NUM> may have a button(s), touch capacitive interface, and the like.

As described herein, the HWC <NUM> may be in communication with external user interfaces <NUM>. The external user interfaces may come in many different forms. For example, a cell phone screen may be adapted to take user input for control of an aspect of the HWC <NUM>. The external user interface may be a dedicated UI, such as a keyboard, touch surface, button(s), joy stick, and the like. In embodiments, the external controller may be integrated into another device such as a ring, watch, bike, car, and the like. In each case, the external user interface <NUM> may include sensors (e.g. IMU, accelerometers, compass, altimeter, and the like) to provide additional input for controlling the HWD <NUM>.

As described herein, the HWC <NUM> may control or coordinate with other local devices <NUM>. The external devices <NUM> may be an audio device, visual device, vehicle, cell phone, computer, and the like. For instance, the local external device <NUM> may be another HWC <NUM>, where information may then be exchanged between the separate HWCs <NUM>.

Similar to the way the HWC <NUM> may control or coordinate with local devices <NUM>, the HWC <NUM> may control or coordinate with remote devices <NUM>, such as the HWC <NUM> communicating with the remote devices <NUM> through a network <NUM>. Again, the form of the remote device <NUM> may have many forms. Included in these forms is another HWC <NUM>. For example, each HWC <NUM> may communicate its GPS position such that all the HWCs <NUM> know where all of HWC <NUM> are located.

<FIG> illustrates a HWC <NUM> with an optical system that includes an upper optical module <NUM> and a lower optical module <NUM>. While the upper and lower optical modules <NUM> and <NUM> will generally be described as separate modules, it should be understood that this is illustrative only and the present disclosure includes other physical configurations, such as that when the two modules are combined into a single module or where the elements making up the two modules are configured into more than two modules. In embodiments, the upper module <NUM> includes a computer controlled display (e.g. LCoS, DLP, OLED, etc.) and image light delivery optics. In embodiments, the lower module includes eye delivery optics that are configured to receive the upper module's image light and deliver the image light to the eye of a wearer of the HWC. In <FIG>, it should be noted that while the upper and lower optical modules <NUM> and <NUM> are illustrated in one side of the HWC such that image light can be delivered to one eye of the wearer, that it is envisioned by the present disclosure that embodiments will contain two image light delivery systems, one for each eye. It should also be noted that while many embodiments refer to the optical modules as "upper" and "lower" it should be understood that this convention is being used to make it easier for the reader and that the modules are not necessarily located in an upper-lower relationship. For example, the image generation module may be located above the eye delivery optics, below the eye delivery optics, on a side of the eye delivery optics, or otherwise positioned to satisfy the needs of the situation and/or the HWC <NUM> mechanical and optical requirements.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to the mechanical and electrical construction of a side arm of a head worn computer. In general, when a head worn computer takes the form of glasses, sun-glasses, certain goggles, or other such forms, two side arms are included for mounting and securing the had worn computer on the ears of a person wearing the head worn computer. In examples, the side arms may also contain electronics, batteries, wires, antennas, computer processors, computer boards, etc. In examples, the side arm may include two or more sub-assemblies. For example, as will be discussed in more detail below, the side arm may include a temple section and an ear horn section. The two sections may, for example, be mechanically arranged to allow an ear horn section to move such that both side arms can fold into a closed position.

<FIG> illustrates three separate views 102A, 102B and 102C of a head worn computer <NUM>. Turning to the head worn computer illustrated as 102A, one side arm of the HWC <NUM> is folded into its closed position. The ear horn section <NUM> of the side arm is rotated relative to its temple section <NUM> to create space relative to the other side arm <NUM> so when the other side arm is moved into its closed position it can fully close. In a situation where the ear horn did not rotate to create the space (not illustrated) the ear horn would physically interfere with the other side arm <NUM>, when the side arm was in the closed position, and prevent the other side arm <NUM> from fully closing. The HWC 102B view illustrates the HWC 102B with both side arms folded into a fully closed position. Note that the ear horn <NUM> is in the rotated position with respect to its temple section <NUM> such that the other arm <NUM> closed without interfering with the ear horn <NUM>. The HWC 102C view also illustrates both arms in closed positions with the ear horn <NUM> rotated to create the space for the other arm <NUM> to fully close. <FIG> also illustrates a portion of the HWC <NUM> where electronics may be housed in a top mount <NUM>. The top mount may contain electronics, sensors, optics, processors, memory, radios, antennas, etc..

<FIG> illustrates a side arm configuration. In this example, the side arm includes two sub-assemblies: the temple section <NUM> and the ear horn <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates two views of the side arm assembly, one from an outer perspective and one from a sectioned perspective. The ear horn includes a pin <NUM> that is designed to fit into a hole <NUM> and to be secured by connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is rotatable and in one position locks the pin <NUM> in place and in another position unsecures the pin <NUM> such that the ear horn <NUM> can be removed and re-attached to the temple section <NUM>. This allows the detachment and re-attachment of the ear horn <NUM> from the temple section <NUM>. This also allows for the sale of different ear horns <NUM> for replacement, of which a variety of colors and patterns may be offered. In examples, the temple section <NUM> may include a battery compartment <NUM> and other electronics, wires, sensors, processors, etc..

<FIG> illustrates several views of a HWC side arm with temple <NUM> and ear horn <NUM> sections. The views include outer perspectives and cross sections as well as various states of the security of the ear horn <NUM> with the temple section <NUM>. Figure set <NUM> illustrates the ear horn <NUM> and the temple section <NUM> in a secure un- rotated position. The same pin <NUM> and connector <NUM> system described in connection with <FIG> is illustrated in the cross sections of <FIG>. In the secured un-rotated position the pin is pulled internally within the temple section firmly such that it stays in place. Figure set <NUM> illustrates a state where the ear horn <NUM> is separated from the temple section <NUM>. This state is achieved when pressure is used to pull on the ear horn <NUM>. In examples, the pressure is exerted by a user pulling on the ear horn <NUM>, which compresses a spring 10B that is mechanically associated with the pin <NUM> in the ear horn <NUM>. The mechanism uses the spring to maintain pressure on the pin <NUM> to maintain connection with the connector <NUM> when the connector <NUM> is in a position to lock the pin <NUM> in position. Figure set <NUM> illustrates a state where, after the ear horn <NUM> has been pulled into the state described in connection with state <NUM>, the ear horn <NUM> is rotated about the pin <NUM>. This puts the ear horn <NUM> in a rotated position as described herein such that the first arm, with this rotated ear horn <NUM>, does not interfere with the closure of the other arm <NUM> when the two arms are folded into the closed position.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an adjustable nose bridge. An adjustable nose bridge may be important with head worn computers, especially those with computer displays, to ensure comfort and alignment of the displays and/or other portions of the head worn computer. <FIG> illustrates a HWC <NUM> with an adjustable nose bridge <NUM>. The nose bridge is adjustable through a mechanism in the HWC <NUM>. In embodiments, the mechanism includes a fixed notched attachment <NUM>, a movable pin <NUM> adapted to fit into the notches of the notched attachment <NUM>, and a selection device <NUM> that is attached to the movable pin <NUM>. The movable pin <NUM> and nose bridge <NUM> are connected such that the as the movable pin <NUM> shifts in position the nose bridge <NUM> moves in position as well. The selection device <NUM> causes the movable pin <NUM> to engage and disengage with the fixed notched attachment <NUM> when presses and allowed to retract. As illustrated in <FIG>, the selection device <NUM> is not in a pressed position so the movable pin <NUM> is engaged with the notched attachment <NUM> such that the nose bridge is securely attached in a stable position. <FIG> illustrates a scenario where the selection device is pressed, or activated, such that the moveable pin <NUM> is no longer engaged with the fixed notched attachment <NUM>. This allows the nose bridge <NUM> to move up and down with respect to the rest of the HWC <NUM>. Once the movable pin <NUM> aligns with a notch of the notched attachment <NUM>, the two parts may engage to re-secure the nose bridge in the HWC <NUM>.

In examples, a side arm of the HWC <NUM> may include an audio jack (not shown) and the audio jack may be magnetically attachable to the side arm. For example, the temple section <NUM> or ear horn section <NUM> may have a magnetically attachable audio jack with audio signal wires associated with an audio system in the HWC <NUM>. The magnetic attachment may include one or more magnets on one end (e.g. on the head phone end or the side arm end) and magnetically conductive material on the other end. In other examples, both ends of the attachment may have magnets, of opposite polarization, to create a stronger magnetic bond for the headphone). In examples, the audio signal wires or magnetic connection may include a sensor circuit to detect when the headphone is detached from the HWC <NUM>. This may be useful in situations where the wearer is wearing the headphones during a period when there is not constant audio processing (e.g. listening for people to talk with periods of silence). In examples, the other side's headphone may play a tone, sound, signal, etc. in the event a headphone is detached. In examples, an indication of the detachment may be displayed in the computer display.

In examples, the HWC <NUM> may have a vibration system that vibrates to alert the wearer of certain sensed conditions. In examples, the vibration system (e.g. an actuator that moves quickly to cause vibration in the HWC <NUM>) may be mounted in a side arm (e.g. the temple portion <NUM>, or ear horn <NUM>), in the top mount <NUM>, etc. In examples, the vibration system maybe capable of causing different vibration modes that may be indicative of different conditions. For example, the vibration system may include a multimode vibration system, piezo-electric vibration system, variable motor, etc, that can be regulated through computer input and a processor in the HWC <NUM> may send control signals to the vibration system to generate an appropriate vibration mode. In examples, the HWC <NUM> may be associated with other devices (e.g. through Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) and the vibratory control signals may be associated with sensors associated with the other device. For example, the HWC <NUM> may be connected to a car through Bluetooth such that sensor(s) in the car can cause activation of a vibration mode for the vibration system. The car, for example, may determine that a risk of accident is present (e.g. risk of the driver falling asleep, car going out of its lane, a car in front of the wearer is stopped or slowing, radar in the car indicates a risk, etc.) and the car's system may then send a command, via the Bluetooth connection, to the HWC <NUM> to cause a vibratory tone to be initiated in the HWC <NUM>.

In examples, the connection between the speaker system and the HWC <NUM> may be positioned other than under the temple section. It may be positioned on a side, top, bottom, end of a section of the side arm, for example. It may be positioned on the front bridge, for example. In examples, the speaker system may be connected to a top or side portion and the speaker may be further positioned to face forward, away from the user's ear. This may be a useful configuration for providing sound to others. For example, such a configuration may be used when the user wants to provide translations to a person nearby. The user may speak in a language, have the language translated, and then spoken through the forward facing speakers.

The removable nature of the speaker systems may be desirable for breakaway situations so a snag does not tear the glasses from the user or pull hard on the user's ear. The removable nature may also be useful for modularity configurations where the user wants to interchange speaker types or attach other accessories. For example, the user may want ear buds at one point and an open ear speaker configuration at another point and the user may be able to make the swap with ease given this configuration. The port on the HWC <NUM> may also be adapted for other accessories that include lights or sensors for example. The accessory may have an ambient light sensor to assist with the control of the lighting and contrast systems used in the HWC <NUM> displays, for example. In examples, the speaker port may be used as a charging port for the HWC <NUM> or data port for the HWC <NUM>.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an adjustable nose bridge assembly of a head-worn computer. Positioning of a head-worn computer can be complicated by the nature of the computer displays that are intended to be positioned in front of the user's eyes along with the fact that people have different shaped heads, noses, eye positions, etc. The inventors have appreciated the difficulties in such positioning and have developed an intuitive mechanism for a multi-axis adjustment system for the head-worn computer. In examples, the multi-axis adjustment system provides for vertical adjustment of the nose bridge, persistent rotational settings for the nose pads, and persistent outward/inward flex of the nose pads. Such a system is designed to be used on a wide variety of nose shapes and head sizes.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of a head-worn computer <NUM> with a mounting area <NUM> for an adjustable nose bridge assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable nose bridge assembly <NUM> in three different vertical positions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In embodiments, the adjustable nose bridge <NUM> has a selection device <NUM> and nose pads <NUM>. In embodiments, the selection device is a button, or other suitable user interface, and is mechanically arranged such that pushing the button releases the nose bridge such that it can be moved up and down. In this embodiment, the button engages with a tooth or other such feature to hold the nose bridge in place. In embodiments, the adjustment may be continuous or discrete and may be mechanically, electrically, or otherwise controlled.

<FIG> illustrates an engagement mechanism for removing and replacing the nose pads from and to the vertical adjustment portion of the adjustable nose bridge assembly. As can be seen in <FIG>, the nose pads are attached to a clip style mechanism that is adapted to mate with the vertical nose bridge adjustment system. <FIG> also shows a clear version of one nose pad to illustrate how it is over- molded to a stiff (e.g. metal) member. The inventors appreciate that there are a number of ways to attach the nose pads to the vertical adjustment system and this example is provided as a non-limiting example.

<FIG> illustrates a system providing two additional movable features for the nose pads. Together with the vertical adjustment portion, this configuration provides for a three-way adjustment system. Adjustment <NUM> illustrates how the nose pads may be rotated or otherwise manipulated from a rear facing view. Adjustment <NUM> illustrates how the nose pads may be rotated or otherwise manipulated from a top view. Once assembled on the head-worn computer, the vertical adjustment and two nose pad rotational adjustments provide for a system that accommodates many nose, face, and head shapes.

<FIG> illustrates a nose pad mount <NUM>. As previously described, the nose pads may be over-molded on to the ends of a mount. In this embodiment, the nose pads are over-molded on the ends of the nose pad mount <NUM>. The nose pad mount <NUM> is designed to be malleable around the <NUM> dimension shown. This permits the user to twist, turn, bend, flare, or otherwise manipulate the nose pad mount <NUM> to change the positions of the nose pads, which then can accommodate the user's facial structure. While the embodiment shown in <FIG> illustrates a single piece, the inventors have appreciated that this mount may be assembled in multiple pieces.

Claim 1:
A head-worn computer (<NUM>), comprising
a display;
a removable and replaceable adjustable nose bridge assembly (<NUM>), wherein the adjustable nose bridge assembly (<NUM>) has at least three user adjustable features to mechanically position the adjustable nose bridge assembly (<NUM>) to the user's nose,
wherein a first adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features is adapted to move the adjustable nose bridge assembly up and down relative to the display of the head-worn computer,
wherein a second adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features is adapted to rotate a nose pad (<NUM>) of the adjustable nose bridge assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to a top frame of the head-worn computer,
wherein a third adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features is adapted to flare the nose pad to a side of the axis, and
characterized in that the nose pad (<NUM>) is attached to a clip style mechanism (<NUM>) that is configured to be removably mated with a vertical nose bridge adjustment system (<NUM>) providing the first user adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features, the removable mating occurring without affecting the first adjustment.