PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11762429-B1
Application Number: US-201816114087-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Hinged wearable electronic devices

Abstract:
An electronic device may have rigid members such as links in a strap that are joined by rotating joints. The joints may include friction hinges. In a head mounted device, straps may be folded for storage within an interior region in the housing of the head mounted device. A strap coupled to a wristwatch may have portions that fold to hide components mounted on the strap. A strap with two parallel strap portions may be configured to serve as a support for a cellular telephone or other device with a display. A strap can also be configured to tilt a display that is coupled to the strap to a desired viewing angle relative to a user&#39;s wrist. An electronic device may have multiple support structures that are joined by a friction hinge. The support structures may be used to clamp the device on a user&#39;s finger.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a first support structure having a first portion that rotates about a first axis; 
 a second support structure having a second portion that rotates about a second axis; 
 a friction hinge that joins the first and second support structures and that allows the first and second support structures to rotate relative to one another about a third axis, wherein the first and second support structures are configured to clamp onto a user&#39;s finger while being held in place on the finger by the friction hinge, wherein the friction hinge is configured to rest on a top portion of the finger, and wherein the first and second support structures extend only partially around a diameter of the user&#39;s finger; 
 a sensor coupled to the first support structure; and 
 control circuitry configured to gather input with the sensor. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second support structures each include multiple ribs. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device defined in  claim 2  further comprising support members having portions that pass through openings in the ribs and configured to allow the first and second support structures to twist along their lengths. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device defined in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a haptic output device, wherein the control circuitry is configured to use the haptic output device to provide haptic output. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device defined in  claim 4  further comprising wireless communications circuitry coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to provide the haptic output with the haptic output device in response to detection of at least one of: (i) user input gathered with the sensor and (ii) information received with the wireless communications circuitry.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/558,568, filed Sep. 14, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This relates generally to electronic equipment, and, more particularly, to wearable electronic devices with input-output capabilities. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices may have components such as straps. Straps can be used to hold a device in place on the body of a user. For example, a strap can be used to hold a wristwatch on the wrist of a user or a strap may be used to hold a head-mounted display on the head of a user. 
     In some situations, straps may be insufficiently durable, may not be visually appealing, or may be insufficiently adjustable to provide a user with desired functionality. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device may have rigid members such as links in a strap that are joined by rotating joints. The joints may include spring-loaded joints such as joints that include torsion springs, may include friction hinges, and may include freely rotating hinges. 
     Straps may be used to form watch bracelets, straps for head mounted devices, and straps for other electronic equipment. In some configurations, circuitry can be included in the rigid members that form a strap. This circuitry may include, for example, sensors, control circuitry for gathering user input from the sensors, wireless circuitry for receiving information from remote equipment, and haptic output devices that the control circuitry can use to provide a user with haptic output based on user input from a sensor, information received from wireless communications circuitry, and/or other information. 
     In a head mounted device, straps may be folded for storage within an interior region in the body of the head mounted device. The strap coupled to a wristwatch may have portions that fold to hide displays or other components mounted on the strap. A strap with two parallel strap portions or other strap may be configured to serve as a support for a cellular telephone or other device with a display. A strap can also be configured to tilt a display that is coupled to the strap to a desired viewing angle relative to a user&#39;s wrist. 
     An electronic device may have a pair of support structures with ribs or other members that are joined by a friction hinge. Sensors, haptic output devices, and other components may be mounted to the support structures. Elastomeric material may be molded over the ribs. Freely rotating joints may be used to support the ribs while allowing the support structures to twist along their lengths. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an illustrative hinged wearable device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of illustrative support members coupled at a joint in an illustrative hinged wearable device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of illustrative support members in a hinged wearable device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is an end view of an illustrative hinged wearable device having first and second support structures joined by a friction hinge and configured to clamp to a user&#39;s finger in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram showing how a hinged wearable device may have support members such as ribs embedded in a polymer in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of an illustrative friction hinge in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view of a pair of illustrative members with interlocking structures configured to form a joint such as a friction hinge joint in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an illustrative torsion spring for use in a spring-loaded hinge joint in a hinged wearable device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of an illustrative hinged wearable device with rigid rib members that is being worn on a user&#39;s wrist in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of an illustrative wearable device with deformable members such as wires in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of an illustrative wearable device with hinged members that are coupled to a rigid housing member associated with the main unit of the device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of an illustrative wearable device with a strap formed from hinged members in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of an illustrative wearable device in which members are coupled at joints such as joints with friction hinges and/or torsion springs in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  15    is a side view of a portion of a wearable device having a rotational encoder and other circuitry in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  16    is a side view of an illustrative hinged wearable device that has been positioned to enhance user viewing of a display in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  17    is a side view of an illustrative wearable device with a tilting display in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  18    is a side view of an illustrative expandable link member for a strap or other structure in a hinged wearable device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  19    is a cross-sectional side view of the illustrative link member of  FIG.  18    in an expanded configuration within a strap in a wearable device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  20    is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative hinged wearable device showing how components such as displays can be mounted within folded link members in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view of an illustrative device with a pair of parallel independently adjustable hinged strap portions in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  22    is a perspective view of the illustrative device of  FIG.  21    in an arrangement in which one of the hinged strap portions has been configured to form a stand for a portable electronic device with a display such as a cellular telephone in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective view of an illustrative head mounted device with hinged straps in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  24    is a side view of an illustrative head mounted device showing how hinged straps may be stowed within the housing of a main unit of the device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective view of an illustrative head mounted device that may be folded on itself for storage in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices may be provided with straps or other structures that allow the devices to be worn on the body of a user. In some embodiments, a device may be provided with one or more straps. Straps and other structures in an electronic devices may have members that are joined by rotatable joints. The joints may include friction hinges, spring-loaded hinges, and freely-rotating hinge joints. 
     Hinged straps and other structures in a device may be used to allow a device to be worn on a user&#39;s body. For example, a hinged device may be worn on a user&#39;s finger, wrist, arm, hand, head, neck, leg, foot, waist, or other body part. Configurations in which wearable devices such as devices with hinged straps and other hinged structures are worn on a user&#39;s finger, wrist, and head, may sometimes be described herein as example. This is merely illustrative. The devices may be worn on any suitable portion of a user&#39;s body. 
     A perspective view of an illustrative hinged wearable electronic device is shown in  FIG.  1   . As shown in  FIG.  1   , device  10  may have first and second support structures such as first portion  10 A and second portion  10 B. Portions  10 A and  10 B may rotate relative to each other about hinge axis  32 . Compressing member  30  (e.g., a bolt) may squeeze portions of ribs  40  together to form a friction hinge at a joint associated with axis  32 . When portions  10 A and  10 B are spread open in directions  42  (e.g., when rotated away from each other about axis  32 ), device  10  will be released from user finger  38 . When portions  10 A and  10 B are rotated towards each other in directions  44  about axis  32 , portions  10 A and  10 B clamp down on user finger  38  and hold device  10  in place on finger  38 . 
     Ribs  40  of portions  10 A and  10 B may be supported by support members  36 . Members  36  may be, for example, bolts that extend through openings in ribs  40  and that run along respective bolt axes such as axis  34 . Support members  36  may be loosely coupled to ribs  40  through the openings in ribs  40 . As a result, ribs  40  may be allowed to rotate around support members  36 , thereby allowing the portions  10 A and  10 B to twist along their lengths. As an example, portions  10 A and  10 B may twist inwardly towards each other at the tip of finger  38  (e.g., so that the outline of device  10  tapers inwardly at increasing distances towards the tip of finger  38 ). Other twisting arrangements may also be used to accommodate mounting of a hinged device such as device  10  on a user&#39;s body. The example of  FIG.  1    is merely illustrative. 
     In general, the joints that join structures in device  10  may be provided with friction hinges (e.g., hinges in which friction is created by compressing members towards each other or using other friction hinge arrangements such as the joint formed along axis  32  of  FIG.  1    between portions  10 A and  10 B of device  10  of  FIG.  1   ), may be provided with spring-loaded hinges (e.g., torsion springs or other biasing structures), and/or may be freely rotating hinges that do not include friction structures or biasing structures 
     Device  10  may include circuitry that is mounted to the support structures of  FIG.  1    (e.g., portions  10 A and/or  10 B), a cosmetic cover, and/or other components. During operation, sensors and other input circuitry in device  10  can gather input such as user input. Output components can provide a user with corresponding output (e.g., haptic output or other output based on a sensor input, output based on information received by device  10  using wired or wireless communications circuitry, etc.). Device  10  can be used as a stand-alone device or as an accessory for use with other devices (e.g., in a configuration in which the output supplied by device  10  includes control signals that adjust an on-screen cursor in other equipment based on input gathered with device  10 , etc.). 
     A schematic diagram of a system that may include a wearable electronic device such as the hinged finger-mounted device of  FIG.  1    or other wearable device is shown in  FIG.  2   . Electronic systems such as illustrative system  8  of  FIG.  2    may include electronic devices such as electronic device  10  and one or more additional electronic devices such as electronic device  24 . Device  10  and/or device  24  may be a wearable device (e.g., a finger-mounted device as shown in  FIG.  1   , a wristwatch device or other device worn on a wrist, a device worn on an arm, head, neck, waist, foot, leg, or other portion of a user&#39;s body, etc.), may be a stand-alone mouse, trackpad, or other pointing device, a laptop computer, a computer monitor containing an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a cellular telephone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device, a pendant device, a headphone or earpiece device, a device embedded in eyeglasses or other head-mounted equipment worn on a user&#39;s head, or other wearable or miniature device, a computer display that does not contain an embedded computer, a gaming device, a navigation device, an embedded system such as a system in which electronic equipment with a display is mounted in a kiosk or automobile, a remote control, a voice-controlled internet-connected speaker (e.g., an artificial intelligence assistance device, home assistant, etc.), a set-top box, equipment that implements the functionality of two or more of these devices, or other electronic equipment. Illustrative configurations in which device  10  is a wearable device and in which device  24  is a computer or other electronic equipment that is controlled using input from a user that is gathered by one or more sensors in the computer pointing device and/or in which device  10  is a stand-alone device may sometimes be described herein as an example. Other devices may be used in system  8 , if desired. 
     As illustrated by communications link  22 , device  10  may communicate with one or more additional devices such as device  24 . Devices such as device  24  may be peer devices (e.g., additional devices such as device  10 ), may be accessories (e.g., speakers, headphones, displays, pointing devices, and/or other accessories that operate with device  10 ), and/or may be one or more electronic devices that are controlled by device  10  (e.g., a cellular telephone, a computer, a television, a display with an embedded computer, a display without any embedded computer, a set-top box, a countertop digital assistant, and/or other electronic equipment). Links such as link  22  in system  8  may be wired or wireless communication links. Each device in system  8  such as device  10  may include communications circuitry such as communications circuitry  20  of device  10  for supporting communications over links such as link  22 . 
     Communications circuitry  20  may include wired and wireless communications circuitry. Communications circuitry  20  in one device may be used to support communications over one or more wired or wireless communications links (e.g., link  22 ) with one or more additional devices (e.g., a peer device, a host, an accessory, etc.). Wireless circuitry in communications circuitry  20  may include one or more antennas and one or more radio-frequency transceiver circuits. Wireless communications circuitry may be used to support wireless communications over cellular telephone bands, wireless local area network bands, near field communications bands, etc. 
     Each of the electronic devices in system  8  such as illustrative electronic device  10  may include control circuitry such as control circuitry  12  of device  10 . Control circuitry  12  may include storage and processing circuitry for supporting the operation of device  10 . 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 circuitry  12  may be used to control the operation of device  10 . The processing circuitry may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors, power management units, audio chips, application specific integrated circuits, etc. 
     Input-output circuitry may be included in each device in system  8 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , for example, device  10  may include input-output circuitry  16  to allow data to be supplied to device  10  and to allow data to be provided from device  10  to external devices such as device  24 . Input-output circuitry  16  may include input-output devices such as buttons, joysticks, scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards, microphones, speakers, tone generators, vibrators, cameras, displays and/or other light-emitting components, light-emitting diodes and other status indicators, data ports, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , for example, input-output devices  16  may include sensors such as sensors  18 . Sensors  18  may include microphones, force sensors, touch sensors, temperature sensors, air pressure sensors, moisture sensors, ambient light sensors and other light-based sensors, magnetic sensors, sensors for measuring movement of device  10  along a surface, image sensors for such as visible-light and infrared cameras (e.g., digital image sensors and lenses for measuring three-dimensional hand gestures and other user gestures, etc.), grip sensors (e.g., capacitance-based grip sensors, optical grip sensors, etc.), and/or other sensors. If desired, sensors  18  may include sensors for measuring the orientation, movement, and/or position of device  10  such as inertial measurement units that include accelerometers, compasses, and/or gyroscopes. An accelerometer may be used to measure vibrations that pass to device  10  through a tabletop or other surface from a user&#39;s fingers. 
     In some configurations, circuitry  16  may include one or more displays  26 . Displays  26  may be light-emitting diode displays such as an organic light-emitting diode displays, liquid crystal displays, electrophoretic displays, or other suitable displays. Displays  26  may be touch sensitive displays (e.g., touch screen displays that include two-dimensional touch sensors), may include force sensors, and/or may include other sensors. 
     Haptic output components  14  may be used for providing a user with haptic output. Haptic output components  14  may include piezoelectric devices, electromagnetic actuators (e.g., servomotors, linear actuators, vibrators, etc.), actuators based on electroactive polymers, actuators based on shape memory alloy structures, and/or other haptic output components. Haptic output components  14  in input-output devices  16  may be used to provide haptic output to a user based on sensed user input, wirelessly received information, and/or other information. In some configurations (e.g., when a haptic output component  14  has a piezoelectric material), components can serve both as haptic output components  14  and as sensors  18 . For example, a piezoelectric material may be driven with a signal to supply haptic output and, when not driven, may produce an output signal indicative of applied force. 
     In addition to displays  26 , sensors  18 , and haptic output devices  14 , device  10  may include other input and output components. For example, device  10  may include output components such as speakers and other components that create sound, status indicator lights and other light-emitting components, and/or other components that generate output. 
     During operation, electronic device  10  may gather information about the environment surrounding device  10  and user input. As an example, sensors in device  10  may make pressure measurements, temperature measurements, ambient light measurements, and other measurements on the ambient environment. Device  10  may also measure user touch input, user force input, user motion input, user voice input, and other user input. In some configurations, health data may be gathered (e.g., user heartbeat information, etc.). Based on environmental data, user input, and/or based on wirelessly received information and/or information received over a wired link, device  10  can take suitable actions. For example, device  10  may display information on displays, may play sound through speakers, may issue alerts, may play media for a user, may support two-way communications with other devices, may produce haptic output with haptic output devices  14 , and/or may perform other electronic device functions. User input may be used in manipulating visual objects (e.g., icons, etc.), may be used in supplying system  8  with text, may be used in making menu selections, and/or may otherwise be used in operating the equipment of system  8 . 
     Joints in device  10  may be used to allow support structures such as ribs  40  in respective support structures such as portions  10 A and  10 B of  FIG.  1    or other support members (e.g., bracelet links in a wrist strap, links in a head strap, other rigid members, and/or other structures in device  10 ) to rotate relative to each other. An illustrative joint that may be used to facilitate rotational movement between members in device  10  is shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , device  10  may include movable members such as members  40 . Members  40  may be coupled at joint  50 . Joint  50  may have mating structures that form a hinge (e.g., a hinge that allows members  40  to rotate relative to each other about rotational axis  52 ). In some configurations, joint  50  may be provided with structures that produce sufficient friction to hold members  40  in place after they have been moved into a particular position by a user. In these configurations, joint  50  may form a friction hinge. As another example, joint  50  may be provided with structures that allow members  40  to rotate freely with respect to each other without imparting significant force. In these situations, joint  50  does not form a friction hinge and members  40  will not remain in a defined position after being positioned. In another arrangement, a flexible biasing structure such as a torsion spring or other spring may be used to push members  40  in defined directions relative to each other. For example a torsion spring may cause one member to rotate clockwise about rotational axis  52  relative to another. 
       FIG.  4    is a top view of a portion of device  10  of  FIG.  1   . As shown in the example of  FIG.  4   , compressing member  30  may be tightened to press rib members  40  together in directions  56 . This causes friction between adjacent members  40  so that joint  50  forms a friction hinge at axis  32 . Support member  36  may have portions  36 ′ that help separate respective members  40  to create gaps  54 . Member  36  may be a rod or other member that passes through openings (e.g., circular openings) in members  40  to allow member  36  to form a freely moving (non-friction-hinge) joint (e.g., to allow members  40  to twist along the lengths of support structures  10 A and  10 B when device  10  is mounted on a user&#39;s finger). 
       FIG.  5    is a front view of a portion of device  10  of  FIG.  1   . As shown in  FIG.  5   , device  10  may, if desired be provided with housing structures such as housing structure  58 . Structure  58  may, for example, have portions that form a cosmetic cover for device  10 . Internal components such as component  60  may include input-output circuitry  16 , control circuitry  12 , and/or communications circuitry  20  of  FIG.  2   . Housing structure such as housing structure  58  of  FIG.  5    and/or support structures such as structures  40  of  FIG.  5    and/or other structural portions of device  10  (e.g., rigid link members in a strap, etc.) may be formed from metal, plastic, glass, or other materials, and may include sheets of material, fabric, molded parts, wires, etc. 
     If desired, rigid structures (e.g., ribs  40  or other support structures) may be embedded in polymer (e.g., molded polymer). For example, housing structure  58  may be formed from rigid and/or flexible polymer that is molded over some or all of members  40  (e.g., members  40  can be embedded in an elastomeric polymer or a rigid polymer forming housing structures such as structure  58 , as shown in  FIG.  6   ). The side view of  FIG.  7    shows how joint  50  may be a friction hinge formed from mating portions  40 ′ and  40 ″ of structures in device  10  such as members  40 . 
       FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a portion of device  10  in which mating support structures such as members  40 - 1  and  40 - 2  have been configured to form joint  50 . Member  40 - 1  has slots or other recessed portions  62  that receive corresponding tabs or other protruding portions  66  of member  40 - 2 . Recesses  64  and mating protrusions  68  may help hold members  40 - 1  and  40 - 2  together. If desired, pins and/or other structures may be used to further support members  40 - 1  and  40 - 2 . The friction produced when mating members  40 - 1  and  40 - 2  so that protrusions  68  are received within corresponding recesses  64  may be sufficient to allow joint  50  to serve as a friction hinge (e.g., to hold members  40 - 1  and  40 - 2  in a desired configuration) and/or so that joint  50  allows members  40 - 1  and  40 - 2  to rotate freely about axis  52 . In arrangements in which a spring-loaded joint is desired, a torsion spring such as spring  70  of  FIG.  9    or other spring may be incorporated into joint  50  (e.g., to form a torsion spring hinge or other spring-loaded hinge). 
       FIG.  10    is a side view of a user&#39;s hand and an associated hinged wearable device. As shown in  FIG.  10   , device  10  may have housing structures such as one or more rigid housing wall members that form main unit  10 M. Components such as control circuitry  12 , input-output circuitry  16 , and/or communications circuitry  20  may be used in main unit  10 M and/or other portions of device  10 . Device  10  may also have a wrist band (strap, etc.) formed from hinged members  40  (e.g., members  40  such as ribs that are joined along rotational axis  32  of  FIG.  1    using compressing member  30  to form a friction hinge and/or other joint that allow members  40  to rotate relative to each other and clamp onto or otherwise conform to the shape of user wrist  72 ). 
     If desired, device  10  may have deformable members such as members  74  of  FIG.  11   . Members  74  may be formed from deformable metal encapsulated in a soft elastomer (e.g., silicone) and/or other plastic and may be coupled to main unit  10 M. Each member  74  may be individually deformed into a desired shape so that device  10  can be worn on the body of a user. Devices such as illustrative device  10  of  FIG.  10    and device  10  of  FIG.  11    may, if desired, be worn on a user&#39;s arm, leg, foot, hand, wrist, finger, and/or other portion of a user&#39;s body. A fabric covering, plastic covering, metal covering, leather covering, and/or other covering layer(s) may be used to enclose device  10  and the circuitry of  FIG.  2    that is incorporated into the structures of device  10 . 
       FIG.  12    is a top view of a portion of device  10  showing how rib members  40  may be coupled to main unit  10 M. Joints with compressing members  30  may be located at one or more locations along the lengths of members  40  (e.g., in configurations in which portions of rib members  40  rotate relative to each other). Device  10  of  FIG.  12    may be, for example a wrist watch device in which main unit  10 M has rotatable knob  76  (sometimes referred to as a digital crown) for supplying user input to device  10 . In some configurations, members  40  may have joints that couple members  40  of  FIG.  12    to additional members such as planar rigid bracelet links to form a wrist strap. If desired, a touch sensitive display  26  may be mounted on the front (top) face of main unit  10 M or elsewhere in device  10 . 
       FIG.  13    is a perspective view of device  10  in an illustrative configuration in which the housing structures that form main unit  10 M have been coupled to a wrist strap (e.g., a bracelet) formed from planar members  40 . Planar members  40 , which may sometimes be referred to as links, strap segments, or bracelet segments, may be joined with joints  50  (friction hinges, torsion spring hinges, freely rotating hinges, etc.). Members  40  (e.g., members  40  at or near the ends of the strap) may include magnets and/or other structures for forming a clasp that joins these members together and holds the strap onto the user&#39;s wrist or other body part. 
     As shown in the side view of  FIG.  14   , some of joints  50  may be torsion spring hinges (T) and some of joints  50  may be friction hinges (F). This allows the shape of the strap formed from link members  40  to be adjusted comfortably around wrist  72  of a user. The torsion springs at torsion spring hinges T may, as an example, be configured to cause the strap of device  10  to clamp inwardly in directions  78  on the user&#39;s wrist  72 . Portions  40 C may form a clasp for the strap (e.g., a magnetic clasp or other fastener). If desired, members  40  may be omitted from strap closure region  80  (e.g., to from an open U-shaped bracelet that holds itself on wrist  72  without a closure and without closing completely). 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   , members  40  (e.g., links in a bracelet-style strap with joints  50  as shown in  FIG.  14    and/or other members in a hinged device arrangement) may serve as housings for circuitry  60 . Circuitry  60  may, for example, include components that are mounted to exterior portions of members  40  and/or within interior regions of members  40 . The circuitry mounted in members  40  may include sensors  18  and other components for gathering user input (e.g., user touch input, tap input, force input, proximity gesture input, etc.), may include haptic output devices  14  for providing corresponding haptic output (e.g., haptic feedback, haptic alerts, etc.), may include control circuitry  12  and communications circuitry  20 , may include display(s)  26 , and/or may include other circuitry. Components such as these may also be mounted in main unit  10 M and/or other housing structures for device  10 . Wires, traces on flexible printed circuits and rigid printed circuits, and/or other signal paths and/or wireless links may be used in conveying signals between circuitry in members  40  and/or between circuitry in members  40  and main unit  10 M. 
       FIG.  15    shows how members  50  may be jointed using joints  50  that include fiducials, magnets, and/or other encoding information  50 F. Encoding circuitry  60 ′ (e.g., a sensor  18  such as an optical encoder, capacitive encoder, resistive encoder, and/or other rotary encoder) may sense the rotational orientation of a corresponding joint  50  (e.g., by measuring the orientation of fiducials  50 F and/or by making other measurements indicative of the relative angular orientations of adjacent members  40 ). Using this information, control circuitry  12  can determine the orientation of some or all members  40  relative to other members  40  (e.g., adjacent members  40 ) and can take suitable action. For example, control circuitry  12  can adjust the type of output that is being supplied to a user (e.g., content can be adjusted) and/or the mode of providing output (e.g., visual, haptic, audio, etc.) based on determining whether device  10  is being worn or has been removed from a user&#39;s body, etc. Control circuitry  12  may also place device  10  in a low-power sleep mode (e.g., when device  10  is not being worn) or may awaken device  10  from a low-power sleep mode (e.g., in response to determining that device  10  is being worn) based on information from rotational encoder  60 ′). 
     As shown in the cross-sectional side view of illustrative device  10  of  FIG.  16   , the presence of joints  50  (e.g., joints with friction hinges and/or torsion springs, etc.) allows main unit  10 M of device  10  to be selectively placed at an angled position with respect to user&#39;s wrist  72 . A user may, for example, manipulate members  40  of the strap of device  10  to tilt display  26  and main unit  10 M at a non-zero angle A with respect to horizontal axis  84  (e.g., when wrist  72  is being held horizontal). This creates an air gap  82  between main unit  10 M and part of the upper surface of wrist  72  and angles display  26  toward the user. As shown in  FIG.  16   , the angle A may be selected to enhance viewing for a user such as viewer  88  who is viewing device  10  in direction  90 . 
       FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional side view of device  10  in an illustrative configuration in which main unit  10 M is coupled to a strap formed from support member  40 ′ using a joint  50  (e.g., a friction hinge) that is located along one edge of main unit  10 M. This allows unit  10 M and display  26  to be rotated by angle A, as described in connection with  FIG.  16   . As shown in  FIG.  17   , the strap for device  10  may, if desired, include a flexible band such as band (strap)  86  (e.g., a band formed from leather, plastic, fabric, chain links, metal link segments such as members  40  that are coupled by joints  50 , etc.). 
       FIG.  18    shows how bracket links such as member  40  may have extendable structures that allow the length of the strap for device  10  to be adjusted. In the example of  FIG.  18   , extendable member  98  is a layer of flexible material that is stowed in the interior of member  40  (e.g., inside wall  92 ). When it is desired to stow member  98 , member  98  may be wrapped around roller  96 , as shown by retracted portion  94  of member  98 . When it is desired to extend the length of member  40 , member  98  may be extended outwardly in direction  10  through opening  102  in wall  92  of member  40 . Roller  96  may be spring loaded, may have a clutch or other structure that applies a fixed and/or variable friction to roller  96 , may have a locking mechanism (e.g., to lock member  98  in a retracted, partially extended, or fully extended position), and/or may have a motor or other electrically adjustable component to electrically adjust the length of member  98 .  FIG.  19    is a side view of a portion of device  10  showing member  98  in an extended position. This lengthens the length of the member  40  containing member  98  and thereby lengthens the strap or other hinged structure formed from members  40  of device  10 . 
     Another illustrative configuration for device  10  is shown in  20 . As shown in  FIG.  20   , components  104  may be mounted on one or more of members  40 . Components  104  may be displays  26 , sensors  18 , haptic output devices  14 , other input-output circuitry  16 , etc. For example, components  104  may be touch sensitive displays (displays with pixel arrays overlapped by touch sensors) that overlap haptic output devices. The strap for device  10  may have sufficient length to allow the members  40  that include components  104  to be folded back on themselves (e.g., folded towards each other to hide components  104  from view when the strap is being worn around a user&#39;s wrist). When it is desired to view content on component  104  (e.g., displays), members  40  can be unfolded by rotating these members about joint  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  21   , the strap of device  10  may have multiple parallel strap portions formed from respective sets of members  40  (e.g., a first strap portion formed from members  40 A and a second strap portion formed from members  40 B) that are joined by joints  50  (friction hinges, torsion spring hinges, freely rotating hinges, etc.). The members of each of the parallel strap portions can be adjusted independently (e.g., to form a display stand or other support structures, to allow a component on a member of one portion to be angled at an angle that is desirable for viewing or other use while the other portion remains wrapped around a wrist or other portion of a user&#39;s body). Magnetic attachment structures, clamps or other mechanical attachment structures, or other mounting structures may be used mount an external device with a display on one or both of the parallel strap portions in device  10 . For example, a cellular telephone or other electronic device such as electronic device  24  of  FIG.  22    may be mounted to a first strap portion formed from members  40 B while a second parallel strap portion formed from members  40 A is used to hold device  10  on a user&#39;s wrist. This allows a user to view display  26 ′ on device  24  while device  10  and device  24  are supported on user&#39;s wrist  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  23   , device  10  may be a head mounted device (e.g., googles, glasses, a helmet, and/or other device configured to be worn on a head of a user). While being worn, a user can view one or more internal displays such as display  26  in direction  110  (e.g., using lenses, waveguides, prisms, and/or other optical components to route light to a user&#39;s eyes). Display  26  may be mounted in a housing structure such as the housing forming main unit  10 M of  FIG.  23   . Straps formed from members  40  and joints  50  (e.g., friction hinges, torsion spring hinges, freely rotating hinges, etc.) may be used in forming side straps  120  and/or top strap  122 .  FIG.  24    shows how a straps for a device such as head mounted device  10  may be folded for storage in an interior housing cavity formed from the housing walls of main unit  10 M. 
     In the illustrative configuration of device  10  that is show in  FIG.  25   , main unit  10 M includes first main unit portion  10 MA and second main unit portion  10 MB. Portions  10 MA and  10 MB may be rotatably coupled using joint  50 ′ (e.g., a friction hinge, spring-loaded hinge, freely rotating hinge, etc.) and can close for storage. Members  40  may form straps  120  that mount main unit  10 M on a user&#39;s head and that fold when retracted into the interior portions of portions  10 MA and  10 MB. Joints  50  (e.g., friction hinges, spring-loaded hinges, freely rotating hinges, etc.) may be used in coupling adjacent members  40  to each other and may be used in coupling strap  120  to the housing of main unit  10 M. Magnetic fasteners or other clasps  40 C may be provided at the ends of straps  120 . Lenses  132  and/or other optical components may be used to allow the user to view images on displays such as left display  26 A and right display  26 B. Rings  130  of pliable material (e.g., an elastomeric polymer or other soft that can conform to the shape of a user&#39;s face) may enhance user comfort as the inner edges of unit  10 M rest against the face of the user. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180827
Publication Date: 20230919
Grant Date: 20230919
Priority Date: 20170914
Inventors: WANG, PAUL X.
ZIMMERMAN, AIDAN N.
CHEUNG, Michael Y.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1681", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/014", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0339", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0331", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/014", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1681", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/014", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0331", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0339", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 88067834