PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11036054-B2
Application Number: US-201816118515-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Head-mounted display with adjustment mechanism

Abstract:
A head-mounted display to be worn by a user includes a housing, and an eye chamber to be positioned adjacent to eyes of the user. A support assembly includes a headband and an adjustment mechanism that is operable to change fit of the headband relative to the head of the user in response to a control signal, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a feedback component, and the control signal is generated based on output from the feedback component.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head-mounted display to be worn by a user, comprising:
 a housing; 
 an eye chamber to be positioned adjacent to eyes of the user; and 
 a support assembly that includes a headband and an adjustment mechanism that is operable to change fit of the headband relative to a head of the user in response to a control signal, 
 wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a feedback component, and the control signal is generated based on output from the feedback component, 
 wherein content shown to the user is associated with a content type identifier, and 
 wherein the control signal is generated based on the content type identifier. 
 
     
     
       2. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an electric motor that changes fit of the headband relative to the head of the user by constricting or expanding a length of the headband. 
     
     
       3. The head-mounted display of  claim 2 , wherein the headband includes a first part and a second part that are interconnected by a gear rack to loosen or tighten the first part and the second part relative to each other by operation of the electric motor. 
     
     
       4. The head-mounted display of  claim 2 , wherein the headband includes a strap that is extendable and retractable by operation of the electric motor. 
     
     
       5. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback component is operable to measure tightness of the headband relative to the head of the user. 
     
     
       6. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an electric motor and the feedback component is operable to measure current draw of the electric motor. 
     
     
       7. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal is based in part on an input signal received from an input device. 
     
     
       8. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal is based in part on a head presence detector that outputs a signal representing whether the head of the user is present adjacent to the eye chamber. 
     
     
       9. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal is based in part on a hand contact detector that outputs a signal representing whether a hand of the user is in contact with the housing. 
     
     
       10. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an eye tracking system that is operable to measure motion of the housing relative to the eyes of the user, wherein the control signal is based in part on the motion of the housing relative to the eyes of the user. 
 
     
     
       11. The head-mounted display of  claim 1 , wherein the headband is configured to extend peripherally around the head of the user. 
     
     
       12. A method for adjusting a head-mounted display that includes a housing, a headband configured to secure the housing to a head of a user, and an adjustment mechanism configured to change a fit of the headband relative to the head of the user, the method comprising:
 using the adjustment mechanism, loosening the headband relative to the housing in response to detecting contact from the user with a first location and a second location on the housing; and 
 using the adjustment mechanism, tightening the headband relative to the housing in response to detecting cessation of the contact from the user with the first location or the second location on the housing. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first location on the housing is associated with a first hand contact detector that is operable to detect contact with a first hand of the user and the second location on the housing is associated with a second hand contact detector that is operable to detect contact with a second hand of the user. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein tightening the headband includes constricting the headband until a desired size is reached, wherein the desired size is based on a feedback signal. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein loosening the headband includes expanding a length of the headband until a desired size is reached, wherein the desired size is based on the feedback signal. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 using the adjustment mechanism, loosening or tightening the headband relative to the housing in response to receiving a control signal including a content type identifier associated with content shown to the user. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the head mounted display includes an eye tracking system that is operable to measure motion of the housing relative to eyes of the user, further comprising:
 using the adjustment mechanism, loosening or tightening the headband relative to the housing in response to receiving a control signal based on the motion of the housing relative to the eyes of the user. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an electric motor that changes the fit of the headband relative to the head of the user by constricting or expanding a length of the headband. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the headband includes a first part and a second part that are interconnected by a gear rack to loosen or tighten the first part and the second part relative to each other by operation of the electric motor. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the headband includes a strap that is extendable and retractable by operation of the electric motor. 
     
     
       21. A head-mounted display to be worn by a user, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a headband configured to secure the housing to a head of the user; and 
 an adjustment mechanism operable to change a length of the headband relative to the housing in response to a control signal, 
 wherein the control signal is based on output signals from hand presence sensors, the output signals representing whether hands of the user are in contact with respective locations on the housing. 
 
     
     
       22. The head-mounted display of  claim 21 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to lengthen the headband relative to the housing in response to the hand presence sensors detecting the hands of the user in contact with the respective locations on the housing. 
     
     
       23. The head-mounted display of  claim 21 , wherein changing the length of the headband includes loosening the headband relative to the head of the user until a desired size is reached, and wherein the desired size is based on the control signal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/555,143, filed on Sep. 7, 2017, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The application relates generally to adjustable support components for head-mounted displays. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Head-mounted displays are worn on a user&#39;s head and incorporate an optical display device. Head-mounted displays are typically supported relative to the user&#39;s head by a support structure that is connected to the head-mounted display. Examples of support structures include flexible headbands and rigid headbands that extend around or over the user&#39;s head. These support structures may include components that allow size adjustment. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a head-mounted display to be worn by a user. The head-mounted display includes a housing and an eye chamber to be positioned adjacent to eyes of the user. A support assembly for the head-mounted display includes a headband and an adjustment mechanism that is operable to change fit of the headband relative to the head of the user in response to a control signal. The adjustment mechanism includes a feedback component, and the control signal is generated based on output from the feedback component. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a head-mounted display to be worn by a user. The head-mounted display includes a housing, an eye chamber to be positioned adjacent to eyes of the user and a support assembly. The support assembly includes a headband and an adjustment mechanism that is operable to change fit of the headband relative to a head of the user, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a variable volume structure that changes fit of the headband relative to the head of the user by volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a method for adjusting a head-mounted display. The method includes loosening an adjustable headband relative to a housing in response to detecting user contact with a first location and a second location on the housing, and tightening the adjustable headband relative to the housing in response to detecting cessation of user contact with the first location or the second location on the housing. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a head-mounted display to be worn by a user. The head-mounted display includes a housing, an eye chamber to be positioned adjacent to eyes of the user, and a support assembly. The support assembly is configured to extend over a head of the user, has a first portion that is connected to the housing, a second portion that is adjustably connected to the first portion, and a third portion that is adjustably connected to the second portion, wherein the third portion defines a free end for the support assembly that is free from connection to the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration showing a head-mounted display including a support assembly according to a first example. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view showing the head-mounted display of  FIG. 1  worn by a user. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view showing the head-mounted display of  FIG. 1  worn by the user. 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-section view of the head-mounted display of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2B . 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration showing an adjustment mechanism of the head-mounted display of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view showing a head-mounted display including a support assembly according to a second example worn by the user. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view showing the head-mounted display of  FIG. 5A  worn by the user. 
         FIG. 6  is top view cross-section illustration showing an adjustment mechanism of the head-mounted display of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 7A  is a top view showing a head-mounted display including a support assembly having a variable volume adjustment mechanism, with the variable volume adjustment mechanism in a contracted position. 
         FIG. 7B  is a top view showing a head-mounted display of  FIG. 7A  with the variable volume adjustment mechanism in an expanded position. 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-section view showing a pneumatic variable volume adjustment mechanism in a contracted position. 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-section view showing the pneumatic variable volume adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 8A  in an expanded position. 
         FIG. 9A  is a cross-section view showing a shape-memory alloy adjustment mechanism in a contracted position. 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross-section view showing the shape-memory alloy adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 9A  in an expanded position. 
         FIG. 10A  is a side view showing a head-mounted display including a support assembly according to another example. 
         FIG. 10B  is a top view showing the head-mounted display of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11A  is a side view showing a head-mounted display including a support assembly according to another example. 
         FIG. 11B  is a top view showing the head-mounted display of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram that shows an example of a hardware configuration for electronic components of a head-mounted display. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a first example of a process for adjusting a head-mounted display. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a second example of a process for adjusting a head-mounted display. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing a third example of a process for adjusting a head-mounted display. 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing a fourth example of a process for adjusting a head-mounted display. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Head-mounted displays are used by persons having varied head shapes and sizes. Adjustment structures in head-mounted displays may be time consuming to adjust, and finding a comfortable fit may require trial and error by the user. The disclosure herein is directed to head-mounted displays that incorporate passive or active adjustment structures that conform to the shape and size of the user&#39;s head without requiring manual adjustment. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration showing a head-mounted display  100 . The head-mounted display includes a housing  102 , a face seal  104 , and support assembly. In this example, the support assembly includes a headband  106  and an adjustment mechanism  107 . As will be discussed herein, the support assembly incorporates automatic adjustment features. Portions of the head-mounted display  100  other than the support assembly are shown and described to provide context, and it should be understood that the features described herein can be utilized with head-mounted displays that utilize a broad range of configurations. 
     The housing  102  may be a single-piece structure or may be a multi-piece structure, and is either rigid or semi-rigid. As will be explained herein, the housing  102  houses components that allow content to be displayed to a user. 
     The face seal  104  is connected to the housing  102 . The face seal  104  is configured to engage and conform to the user&#39;s head in the area around the user&#39;s eyes. The face seal  104  may function to reduce the amount of light that reaches the user&#39;s eyes. The face seal  104  may also function to comfortably engage the housing  102  with the user&#39;s head. 
     The headband  106  is adjustably connected to the housing  102  by the adjustment mechanism  107  and is configured to support the housing  102  relative to the user&#39;s head. In the illustrated example, the housing  102  is a generally rectangular structure, and the headband  106  is connected to the lateral sides of the housing  102  to extend peripherally around a user&#39;s head. The headband  106  is a flexible or semi-rigid structure, as will be described herein. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view showing the head-mounted display  100  worn by a user  208 , and  FIG. 2B  is a top view showing the head-mounted display  100  worn by the user  208 . The face seal  104  contacts an upper part of the face  210  of the user  208 . As an example, the face seal  104  may contact the forehead, the temples, the cheeks, and/or the nose of the user  208 , and may extend around the eye area  212  of the user  208 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the head-mounted display  100  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2B . The head-mounted display  100  includes the housing  102 , which includes a lower wall  314 , an upper wall  315 , and a divider wall  316 . The head-mounted display  100  also includes lenses  318  (e.g. two lenses that are each paired with one of the user&#39;s eyes), display devices  320 , and electronic components  322 . Although two of the display devices  320  are included in the illustrated example, the head-mounted display  100  could instead include a single display device. In addition, although the display devices  320  and the electronic components  322  are shown and described herein as permanently attached components of the head-mounted display  100 , they could instead be removable and selectively attachable to the housing  102 . For example, a smart phone could be used as the display devices  320  and the electronic components  322 , such that the display devices  320  and the electronic components  322  are connectable to the housing  102  or are removably received within the housing. 
     The housing  102  includes an external structure of the head-mounted display  100  and may include parts of an internal structure of the head-mounted display  100 . The housing  102  is connected to the headband  106  ( FIGS. 1-2B ) or other support structure. Internal spaces of the head-mounted display  100  are defined by the housing  102 , in order to support and/or enclose portions of the head-mounted display  100  such as the divider wall  316 , the lenses  318 , the display devices  320 , and the electronic components  322 . The housing  102  may be a multi-part structure, or may be a single part structure. The housing  102  may be rigid or semi rigid, and with respect to multi-part structures for the housing  102 , may include various portions having differing material properties inclusive of rigid portions and flexible portions. 
     A front end of the housing  102  includes a peripheral portion  324 , which is adjacent to the user  208  when worn. The peripheral portion  324  extends around part or all of the housing  102  at the front end, and provides a support surface or support structure for the face seal  104 . Other components and/or structures may be formed on or supported by the peripheral portion  324 , such as sensors. 
     The divider wall  316  has a first side that is exposed the exterior, and is adjacent to an eye chamber  326 . The eye chamber  326  is defined within the housing  102  between the divider wall  316  and the face seal  104 . When the head-mounted display  100  is worn by the user  208 , the eyes of the user  208  are positioned adjacent to the eye chamber  326 . By engagement of the face seal  104  with the face  210  of the user  208 , the face seal  104  is operable to reduce or eliminate the amount of light from the environment outside the face seal  104  that enters the eye chamber  326 . It should be understood, however, that the face seal  104  could be omitted in favor of an open design for the eye chamber  326  that does not exclude light from outside of the head-mounted display  100 . 
     The divider wall  316  may support the lenses  318 , either directly or indirectly. In the illustrated example, the lenses  318  are connected to the divider wall  316  and are located in apertures  328  that are formed in the divider wall  316 . Other implementations of the head-mounted display  100  may connect the lenses  318  to the divider wall  316  indirectly. As one example, the lenses  318  can be supported by an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism that is operable to move the lenses  318  laterally toward or away from each other. As another example, the lenses  318  can be supported by an eye relief adjustment mechanism that is operable to adjust the position of the lenses  318  in the front-to-rear direction of the housing  102  to change the distance between the eyes of the user  208  and the lenses  318 . 
     The lenses  318  focus, redirect, and reshape the images from the display devices  320  to achieve a desired focal length and other optical properties. The display devices  320  are located in the housing  102  and are oriented such that they emit light (e.g., in patterns that form images) toward the lenses  318 . The lenses  318  direct the images emitted by the display devices  320  toward the eyes of the user  208  in a manner that simulates the way the light from a three-dimensional environment reaches the eyes of the user  208 . As one example, the lenses  318  may be biconvex lenses. As another example, the lenses  318  may be Fresnel lenses. Focal lengths for the lenses  318  may be, for example, between 25 mm and 50 mm. 
     On a second side of the divider wall  316 , opposite the eye chamber  326 , a component chamber  330  is formed between the divider wall  316  and the housing  102 . The component chamber  330  is an internal chamber having a substantially enclosed spaced defined by the housing  102  and the divider wall  316 . In some implementations, multiple internal chambers are present. In the illustrated example, the display devices  320  and the electronic components  322  are located in the internal chamber. The display devices  320  may be supported by the divider wall  316  (as illustrated), by the housing  102 , or by other structures that are located in the component chamber  330 . 
     The electronic components  322  are located in the component chamber  330  and may be supported by the housing  102  or by other structures that are present in the component chamber  330 . The electronic components  322  are connected to the display devices  320  and include components that generate or receive content, in the form or signals or data. The content is provided by the display devices to be output for display by the display devices  320  as images defined by emitted light. The electronic components  322  may also include sensors that detect conditions that are relevant to operation of the head-mounted display  100 , such as the position and orientation of the head-mounted display  100 . 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration showing an example of the adjustment mechanism  107  that is connected to the headband  106 . The adjustment mechanism  107  is operable to change fit of the headband  106  relative to the head of the user  208  in response to a control signal, as will be described herein. In the illustrated example, the adjustment mechanism  107  includes a housing  431 , a motor  432 , a spool  433 , a drive connection  434 , a feedback component  435 , and a controller  436 . 
     The motor  432  is an electric motor that is controlled by the controller  436 . Any type of electric motor or other actuator may be used to drive loosening and tightening of the headband  106 . The spool  433  is connected to the headband  106 , which in this example is a flexible member such as a strap. The spool  433  is operable to extend and retract the headband  106  to expand and constrict the fit of the headband  106  relative to the head of the user  208  by changing the length of the headband  106  between the points at which it connects to the housing  102 . The spool  433  is connected to the motor  432  by the drive connection  434 . The drive connection  434  is any component that interconnects the motor  432  and the spool  433  to cause rotation of the spool  433  in response to rotation by the motor  432  (i.e., at an output shaft of the motor  432 ). In the illustrated example, the drive connection  434  is a belt drive, but other structures can be used, such as a gear train or a direct connection of the motor  432  to the spool  433 . Also, the combination of the motor  432  and the spool  433  is one example of a motor-driven adjustment for a flexible headband, but other mechanisms can be used, such as motor-driven friction rollers that move the headband  106  relative to the housing  431  of the adjustment mechanism. 
     The feedback component  435  is a sensor (or a group of sensors) that measures the tightness (i.e., fit) of the headband  106  relative to the user  208  and outputs a signal indicating the tightness of the headband  106 . The feedback component  435  can, for example, measure tension of the headband  106  either directly or indirectly. As an example of direct measurement, the feedback component  435  may be a tension gauge that is connected to or embedded in the headband  106 . As an example of indirect measurement, the feedback component may be a force sensor that is in contact with the headband  106  such as a linear variable differential transformer that measures deflection of a spring-biased post that is in contact with the headband  106 . As another example of indirect measurement, the feedback component  435  may be electrically connected to the motor  432  to measure current draw by the motor  432 , since current draw is proportional to motor torque, which is related to tightness of the headband  106 . 
     The controller  436  regulates operation of the motor  432  to change the fit of the headband  106  by constricting or expanding the headband  106  relative to the head of the user  208 . The controller  436  can be, as examples, a circuit, processor that executes computer program instructions, an application specific integrated circuit, or a field programmable gate array. The controller  436  receives the signal output by the feedback component  435 , and may also receive signals from other sources, such as signals that represent user inputs or user actions. The controller  436  is electrically connected to the feedback component an optionally to other components to receive inputs that are used for controlling tightening and loosening of the headband  106 . 
     Based in part on the signal from the feedback component  435 , the controller  436  outputs the control signal from causing the motor  432  to constrict or expand the headband  106 . As an example, the controller  436  may cause the motor  432  to tighten the headband  106  when the signal from the feedback component  435  (e.g., representing strap tension), is below a threshold value, and the controller  436  may cause the motor  432  to stop tightening the headband  106  or to loosen the headband  106  when the signal from the feedback component  435  is above the threshold value. 
     In some implementations, a user-operated control device, such as a knob, is provided to allow manual control of the fit adjustment. The user-operated input device can change tightness by moving the components of the headband  106  in correspondence to an amount by which the control is displaced (i.e., tightening or loosening proportional to degrees by which the knob is rotated), or the user-operated input device can control speed based on angular displacement relative to a neutral position. The rate at which the headband  106  is loosened or tightened can be adjusted based on the current size of the headband  106  relative to the size of the user&#39;s head (e.g., detected by a camera or a proximity sensor), such that the same magnitude of user input causes larger amounts of loosening and tightening when the difference between the current size of the headband  106  and the user&#39;s head is large. 
     The head-mounted display  100  can be implemented using a single one of the adjustment mechanisms  107 , by connecting a first side of the headband  106  to the housing  102  using the adjustment mechanism  107  and using a fixed connection of a second side of the headband  106  to the housing  102 . The head-mounted display  100  can be implemented using a single one of the adjustment mechanisms  107 , by connecting a first and second sides of the headband  106  to the housing  102  using fixed connections and by positioning one or more of the adjustment mechanisms  107  along the headband  106 , such as at locations along the sides of the user&#39;s head or at a location behind the user&#39;s head. The head-mounted display  100  can be implemented using two of the adjustment mechanisms  107 , by connecting each of the first side and the second side of the headband  106  to the housing  102  using a respective one of the adjustment mechanisms  107 . In some implementations, the headband  106  includes an additional strap that extends over the head of the user in addition to a peripheral strap, and a third one of the adjustment mechanisms  107  may be used to adjustable connect this strap to the housing  102 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  are illustrations that shows a head-mounted display  500  having an adjustable support assembly according to another example in a side view ( FIG. 5A ) and a top view ( FIG. 5B ). The head-mounted display  500  may include the components described with respect to the head-mounted display  100 , and those components can be configured in the same manner and function in the same manner except as otherwise described herein. 
     The head-mounted display  500  includes a housing  502  that contains components as described with respect to the head-mounted display  100  for presenting content to the user  208 . The head-mounted display  500  can be supported relative to the head of the user  208  by a support assembly that includes a headband  506  and an adjustment mechanism  507 . 
     The headband  506  includes a first band portion  540   a  and a second band portion  540   b , each or which are connected to a respective side of the housing  502 . The first band portion  540   a  and the second band portion  540   b  may be rigid or semi-rigid structures. In some implementations, such as when the first band portion  540   a  and the second band portion  540   b  are rigid components, passive compliant structures such as joints, slides, elastic members, clutches, or slip faces may be incorporated in the headband  506  to prevent overtightening. 
     The adjustment mechanism  507  interconnects the first band portion  540   a  and the second band portion  540   b  in a manner that allows the fit of the headband  506  to be changed by constricting or expanding the headband  506 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the adjustment mechanism  507  includes a housing  641 , a motor  642 , and a gear rack assembly  643  that interconnects the first band portion  540   a  and the second band portion  540   b . The gear rack assembly  643  includes a gear train  644  that is rotated by the motor  642 . The motor  642  and the gear train  644  are connected to the housing  641  in a manner that restrains translation relative to the housing  641 . The gear rack assembly  643  is engaged with gear teeth that are formed on either or both of the first band portion  540   a  and the second band portion  540   b . Interconnection of the first band portion  540   a  and the second band portion  540   b  by the gear rack assembly  643  allows the headband  506  to be loosened or tightened by movement of the first band portion  540   a  relative to the second band portion  540   b  in response to operation of the motor  642 . 
     In the illustrated example, first gear teeth  645   a  are formed on the first band portion  540   a , and second gear teeth  645   b  are formed on the second band portion  540   b . Rotation of the gear train  644  translates the first band portion  540   a  and the second band portion  540   b  relative to the housing  641 , while keeping equal lengths for the first band portion  540   a  relative to the second band portion  540   b  between the housing  641  of the adjustment mechanism  507  and the housing  502  of the head-mounted display  500 . Alternatively, the first gear teeth  645   a  may be provided on the first band portion  540   a  while the second gear teeth  645   b  are omitted from the second band portion  540   b , with the second band portion  540   b  instead being connected to the housing  641  of the adjustment mechanism  507  in manner that does not include translation of the adjustment mechanism  507  relative to the second band portion. 
     The adjustment mechanism  507  may include a feedback component  646  and a controller  647  that control tightening and loosening of the headband  506  in the same manner described in connection with the adjustment mechanism  107 . 
     In the illustrated example, the support assembly of the head-mounted display  500  is connected to the housing  502  in a “goggles” style configuration in which the support assembly is connected to the sides of the housing  502  and the head-mounted display  500  is supported in part through contact of the user&#39;s face with a face seal  504  of the head-mounted display. Alternatively, the support assembly could be implemented using a “halo” style configuration in which the support assembly contacts the user&#39;s forehead, and is connected to the top of the housing  502  such that the housing  502  is suspended from the support assembly. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  are top view illustrations showing a head-mounted display  700  including a support assembly having a variable volume adjustment mechanism  750 , with the variable volume adjustment mechanism  750  in a contracted position ( FIG. 7A ) and with the variable volume adjustment mechanism  750  in an expanded position ( FIG. 7B ). The head-mounted display  700  may include the components described with respect to the head-mounted display  100 , and those components can be configured in the same manner and function in the same manner except as otherwise described herein. 
     The head-mounted display  700  includes a housing  702  and a headband  706  that is connected to the housing  702 . The variable volume adjustment mechanism  750  includes a variable volume structure  751  that changes fit of the headband  706  relative to the head of the user by volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction. The variable volume structure  751  is located on an interior surface of the headband  706 , so that it engages the head of the user when worn. The variable volume structure  751  may be, as examples, an electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic device that is able to expand and contract in a controllable manner (e.g., in response to supply of a signal or a fluid to the variable volume structure  751 . Expansion and contraction of the variable volume structure  751  is regulated by a control system  752 , which may be, as examples, an electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic control device that is operable to cause and control expansion and contraction of the variable volume structure  751 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a cross-section view showing a pneumatic variable volume adjustment mechanism  850  in a contracted position, and  FIG. 8B  is a cross-section view showing the pneumatic variable volume adjustment mechanism  850  in an expanded position. The pneumatic variable volume adjustment mechanism  850  can be used in place of the variable volume adjustment mechanism  750  in the head-mounted display  700 . The pneumatic variable volume adjustment mechanism  850  is connected to a headband  806  and includes a variable volume structure  851  that has a cover  852  and one or more internal bladders  853 . Air is supplied to the internal bladders  853  to inflate them and move the variable volume structure  851  from the contracted position to the expanded position. Air is released to return to the contracted position. Air can be supplied and released by a control system, as described with respect to the control system  752 . 
       FIG. 9A  is a cross-section view showing a shape-memory alloy adjustment mechanism  950  in a contracted position, and  FIG. 9B  is a cross-section view showing the shape-memory alloy adjustment mechanism  950  in an expanded position. The shape-memory alloy adjustment mechanism  950  can be used in place of the variable volume adjustment mechanism  750  in the head-mounted display  700 . The shape-memory alloy adjustment mechanism  950  is connected to a headband  906  and includes a variable volume structure  951  that has a cover  952  and a compressible material  953  (e.g. open cell foam). Shape-memory alloy wires  954  (i.e., “muscle wires”) are embedded in the cover  952  and move between the contracted and expanded positions in response to changes in supply of electrical current, to compress the compressible material  953  in the contracted position and to allow expansion of the compressible material  953  in the expanded position. Supply of current can be regulated by a control system, as described with respect to the control system  752 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10B  are illustrations that shows a head-mounted display  1000  having an adjustable support assembly according to another example in a side view ( FIG. 10A ) and a top view ( FIG. 10B ). The head-mounted display  1000  may include the components described with respect to the head-mounted display  100 , and those components can be configured in the same manner and function in the same manner except as otherwise described herein. 
     The head-mounted display  1000  includes a housing  1002  that contains components as described with respect to the head-mounted display  100  for presenting content to the user. The head-mounted display  1000  can be supported relative to the head of the user by a support assembly that includes a headband  1006 . The headband  1006  is configured to extend over a head of the user, and includes a first band portion  1061 , a second band portion  1062 , and a third band portion  1063 . The first band portion  1061  is connected to the housing  1002  by a mounting bracket  1064  that is connected to a top surface of the housing  1002  such that the housing  1002  is suspended from the first band portion  1061 . The second band portion  1062  is adjustably connected to the first band portion  1061 . The third band portion  1063  is adjustably connected to the second band portion  1062  and defines a free end for the support assembly that is free from connection to the housing  1002 . In use, the head of the user is positioned between the housing  1002  and the free end of the third portion of the housing  1002 . 
     In the illustrated implementation, adjustment of the support assembly is passive, utilizing mechanical components that do not include electrical control. The first band portion  1061  is connected to the second band portion  1062  by a first spring-biased joint  1065  that defines a spring-biased sliding connection between the first band portion  1061  and the second band portion  1062  to constrict until expanded by the user. The second band portion  1062  of the support assembly is connected to the third portion  1063  of the support assembly by a second spring biased joint  1066  that defines a spring-biased sliding connection between the second band portion  1062  and the third band portion  1063  to constrict until expanded by the user. 
     To engage the head of the user, the support assembly includes a first cushion pad  1067 , a second cushion pad  1068 , and a third cushion pad  1069 . The first cushion pad  1067  is connected to the support assembly near the housing  1002 . The second cushion pad  1068  is connected to the support assembly between the housing  1002  and the free end of the support assembly, to engage a top portion of the head of the user. The third cushion pad  1069  is located near the free end of the support assembly. As an example, the first cushion pad  1067  may be connected to the first band portion  1061  for engagement with a front portion of the head of the user, the second cushion pad  1068  may be connected to the second band portion  1062  for engagement with the top portion of the head of the user, the third cushion pad  1069  may be connected to the third band portion  1063  for engagement with a rear portion of the head of the user. 
       FIGS. 11A-11B  are illustrations that show a head-mounted display  1100  having an adjustable support assembly according to another example in a side view ( FIG. 11A ) and a top view ( FIG. 11B ). The head-mounted display  1100  may include the components described with respect to the head-mounted display  100 , and those components can be configured in the same manner and function in the same manner except as otherwise described herein. 
     The head-mounted display  1100  includes a housing  1102  that contains components as described with respect to the head-mounted display  100  for presenting content to the user. The head-mounted display  1100  can be supported relative to the head of the user by a support assembly that includes a headband  1106 . The headband  1106  is configured to extend over a head of the user, has a first band portion  1161 , a second band portion  1162 , and a third band portion  1163 . The first band portion  1161  is connected to the housing  1102  by a mounting bracket  1164  that is connected to a top surface of the housing  1102  such that the housing  1102  is suspended from the first band portion  1161 . The second band portion  1162  is adjustably connected to the first band portion  1161 . The third band portion  1163  is adjustably connected to the second band portion  1162 , and defines a free end for the support assembly that is free from connection to the housing  1102 . In use, the head of the user is positioned between the housing  1102  and the free end of the third portion of the housing  1102 . 
     In the illustrated implementation, adjustment of the support assembly is actively controlled, for example, using a control signal based on a feedback signal, and can include a controller and feedback components as discussed with respect to other examples. The first band portion  1161  is connected to the second band portion  1162  by a first motorized sliding joint  1165  that defines a controllable sliding connection between the first band portion  1161  and the second band portion  1162  to constrict and expand in response to a control signal. The second band portion  1162  of the support assembly is connected to the third band portion  1163  of the support assembly by a second motorized sliding joint  1166  that defines a controllable sliding connection between the second band portion  1162  and the third band portion  1163  to constrict and expand in response to a control signal. 
     The first motorized sliding joint  1165  and the second motorized sliding joint  1166  can each incorporate electric motors and a mechanical interconnection such as a gear rack that causes relative motion of the interconnected parts in response to operation of the electric motor. The first motorized sliding joint  1165  and the second motorized sliding joint  1166  could alternatively be controlled by a single electric motor connected to the joints by tension wires or other mechanical components. For example, tension wires could be used to constrict the first motorized sliding joint  1165  and the second motorized sliding joint  1166  in opposition to biasing forces applied by springs at each of the joints. 
     To engage the head of the user, the support assembly includes a first cushion pad  1167 , a second cushion pad  1168 , and a third cushion pad  1169 . The first cushion pad  1167  is connected to the support assembly near the housing  1102 . The second cushion pad  1168  is connected to the support assembly between the housing  1102  and the free end of the support assembly, to engage a top portion of the head of the user. The third cushion pad  1169  is located near the free end of the support assembly. As an example, the first cushion pad  1167  may be connected to the first band portion  1161  for engagement with a front portion of the head of the user, the second cushion pad  1168  may be connected to the second band portion  1162  for engagement with the top portion of the head of the user, the third cushion pad  1169  may be connected to the third band portion  1163  for engagement with a rear portion of the head of the user. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram that shows an example of a hardware configuration for the electronic components  1200  of the head-mounted display  100 . In the illustrated example, the electronic components  1200  include a processor  1202 , memory  1204 , storage  1206 , input devices  1208 , output devices  1210 , an external device interface  1212 , a motion tracking system  1214 , sensors  1216 , a camera  1218 , and a battery  1220 . In some embodiments, some or all of the electronic components  1200  are implemented as a system on a chip. 
     The processor  1202  is operable to execute computer program instructions and perform operations described by the computer program instructions. As an example, the processor  1202  may be a conventional device such as a central processing unit. The memory  1204  may be a volatile, high-speed, short-term information storage device such as a random-access memory module. The storage  1206  may be a non-volatile information storage device such as a hard drive or a solid-state drive. The input devices  1208  may include any type of human-machine interface such as buttons, switches, motion sensitive controllers, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen input device, a gestural input device, or an audio input device (e.g., a microphone). The output devices  1210  may include any type of device operable to provide an indication to a user regarding an operating state, such as the display devices  320  of the head-mounted display  100 , or an audio output device (e.g., speakers). 
     The external device interface  1212  is a wired or wireless interface using any type of protocol. As one example, the external device interface  1212  may include a wired connection to an external computing device that is utilized to generate content, such as content that is displayed by the display devices  320  of the head-mounted display  100 , such as by rendering the content. As another example, the external device interface  1212  can allow wireless connection to internet access to utilize server-based resources during operation of the head-mounted display  100 . 
     The motion tracking system  1214  can detect three axis rotations and accelerations of the head-mounted display  100 , and provide this information as inputs to the processor  1202  or to other systems. As an example, information output by the motion tracking system  1214  can be utilized to implement view tracking in certain software applications, and the information output by the motion tracking system  1214  can be used by the software application during generation of content. The motion tracking system  1214  can include, for example, an inertial measuring unit that utilizes accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to output information that describes motion. The motion tracking system can also include other types of motion tracking technologies, such as structured-light stereo devices, depth cameras, LIDAR devices, radar devices, ultrasonic devices, infrared detectors that measure signals from external infrared sources, and infrared beacons that emit signals that can be measured by external infrared detectors. 
     The sensors  1216  various types of sensors in addition to those in the motion tracking system. Examples include biometric sensors, temperature sensors, light sensors and force sensors. Some of the sensors  1216  may be included in other components. For example, a temperature sensor may be incorporated in the processor  1202 . Particular examples of sensors that are included in the sensors  1216  are a first hand presence sensor  1222  and a second hand presence sensor  1224  that utilize electromechanical (e.g., physical switch) or electrical (e.g., capacitance signal) sensing to detect that the user is holding the device in locations such as first and second side surfaces of a housing. A proximity sensor  1226  may be located in an eye chamber of a device to determine whether the user&#39;s face is positioned adjacent to the eye chamber. An eye tracking sensor  1228  (e.g., using infrared cameras located in an eye chamber of a device) may be provided to measure the location and gaze angle of the user&#39;s eyes. 
     The camera  1218 , which can include a single camera or multiple cameras, can be included to capture video of the environment surrounding the head-mounted display  100  or can be used to sense features in the environment or features of the user. As one example, the camera  1218  can be mounted in an eye chamber of a head-mounted display and used for eye tracking, such as in the eye chamber  326  of the head-mounted display  100 . 
     The battery  1220  supplies electrical power to various components of the head-mounted display  100 , including the electronic components  1200 . As an example, the battery  1220  can be a rechargeable battery of any suitable type. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart that shows a first example of a process  1300  for adjusting a head-mounted display. In the process  1300 , tightening and loosening of the adjustable headband is controlled based on contact of a user&#39;s hands with the head-mounted display, such that the head-mounted display is loosened when both hands are present and tightened when one or both hands are removed from the head-mounted display. The process  1300  can be implemented, for example, using the head-mounted display  100 , the head-mounted display  500 , the head-mounted display  700 , the head-mounted display  1000 , and the head-mounted display  1100 . The process  1300  may also be implemented using the electronic components  1200 . Some of the operations are performed using a computing device. One example of a computing device includes a processor, a memory, and computer-executable program instruction that are stored in the memory and can be executed by the processors to perform the operations that are described herein. The computing device may include the processor  1202  and the memory  1204  of the electronic components  1200 . 
     Operation  1302  includes loosening an adjustable headband relative to a housing in response to detecting user contact with a first location and a second location on the housing. The first location and the second location may be, for example, the positions of the first hand presence sensor  1222  and the second hand presence sensor  1224 , such as on left and right lateral sides of a housing of the head-mounted display (e.g., the housing  102  of the head-mounted display  100 ). Operation  1304  includes tightening the adjustable headband relative to the housing in response to detecting cessation of user contact with the first location or the second location on the housing. In operation  1306 , a feedback signal is received, indicating that the adjustable headband has been tightened appropriately. In operation  1308 , in response to the feedback signal received in operation  1306 , tightening of the adjustable headband ceases. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart that shows a first example of a process  1400  for adjusting a head-mounted display. In the process  1400 , tightening commences when the user&#39;s face is present adjacent to the eye chamber. The process  1400  can be implemented, for example, using the head-mounted display  100 , the head-mounted display  500 , the head-mounted display  700 , the head-mounted display  1000 , and the head-mounted display  1100 . The process  1400  may also be implemented using the electronic components  1200 . Some of the operations are performed using a computing device. One example of a computing device includes a processor, a memory, and computer-executable program instruction that are stored in the memory and can be executed by the processors to perform the operations that are described herein. The computing device may include the processor  1202  and the memory  1204  of the electronic components  1200 . 
     Operation  1402  includes obtaining a loosening an adjustable headband relative to a housing. In operation  1402 , a proximity sensor, such as the proximity sensor  1226 , may indicate that the user&#39;s face is not present adjacent to an eye chamber of the head-mounted display. In operation  1404 , tightening of the head-mounted display commences in response to determining, based on the output signal from the proximity sensor, that the user&#39;s face is now present adjacent to the eye chamber of the head-mounted display. In operation  1406 , a feedback signal is received, indicating that the adjustable headband has been tightened appropriately. In operation  1408 , in response to the feedback signal received in operation  1406 , tightening of the adjustable headband ceases. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart that shows a first example of a process  1500  for adjusting a head-mounted display. In the process  1500 , an adjustable headband of a head-mounted display is tightened in response to detecting motion of the head-mounted display relative to the user&#39;s head. The process  1500  can be implemented, for example, using the head-mounted display  100 , the head-mounted display  500 , the head-mounted display  700 , the head-mounted display  1000 , and the head-mounted display  1100 . The process  1500  may also be implemented using the electronic components  1200 . Some of the operations are performed using a computing device. One example of a computing device includes a processor, a memory, and computer-executable program instruction that are stored in the memory and can be executed by the processors to perform the operations that are described herein. The computing device may include the processor  1202  and the memory  1204  of the electronic components  1200 . 
     Operation  1502  includes detecting motion of the head-mounted display relative to the head of the user. Motion may be detected, for example, by measuring movement of the position of the user&#39;s eyes relative to the head-mounted display using an eye position sensor, such as the eye tracking sensor  1228 . Other sensing devices may be used to detect relative motion, such as, for example, a visible spectrum camera located on the outside of the housing of the head-mounted display. Operation  1504  includes tightening of the adjustable headband of the head-mounted display based on detection of relative motion in operation  1502 . For example, operation  1504  may be performed in response to determining that the relative motion detected in operation  1502  exceeds a threshold value. In operation  1506 , a feedback signal is received, indicating that the adjustable headband has been tightened appropriately. In operation  1508 , in response to the feedback signal received in operation  1506 , tightening of the adjustable headband ceases. 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart that shows a first example of a process  1600  for adjusting a head-mounted display. In the process  1600 , tightening of an adjustable headband of a head-mounted display is controlled based in part on the type of content being displayed to the user, to allow adjustment to a looser fit when the content is associated with low levels of user motion (e.g., a movie), and to allow adjustment to a tighter fit when the content is associated with high levels of user motion. The type of content can be determined based on identifying information, referred to herein as a content type identifier, that is associated with the content. The process  1600  can be implemented, for example, using the head-mounted display  100 , the head-mounted display  500 , the head-mounted display  700 , the head-mounted display  1000 , and the head-mounted display  1100 . The process  1600  may also be implemented using the electronic components  1200 . Some of the operations are performed using a computing device. One example of a computing device includes a processor, a memory, and computer-executable program instruction that are stored in the memory and can be executed by the processors to perform the operations that are described herein. The computing device may include the processor  1202  and the memory  1204  of the electronic components  1200 . 
     Operation  1602  includes obtaining a content type identifier that is associated with content that is being displayed to the user of the head-mounted display. The content type identifier may be associated with the content. As one example, the content type identifier can be a value such as a flag that is set by a content creator or other party. As another example, the content type identifier can be determined using logic, such as by analyzing the source of the content (e.g., a media player versus a game application) or by monitoring types of user input, such as inputs from controllers or motion-based inputs relative to the content. Operation  1604  includes determining a desired fit for the head-mounted display based on the content type. As an example, the desired fit may be expressed as a value representing tightness (a “tightness value”), with a first content type being associated with a lower tightness value than a second content type. 
     Operation  1606  includes tightening of the adjustable headband of the head-mounted display by outputting a control signal based on the desired fit determined in operation  1604 . In operation  1608 , a feedback signal is received, indicating that the adjustable headband has been tightened appropriately. In operation  1610 , in response to the feedback signal received in operation  1608 , tightening of the adjustable headband ceases. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources to improve adjustment of head-mounted devices. 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&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to store settings that allow automatic adjustment of a head-mounted device when it is worn by a user. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of head-mounted device adjustment, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, adjustment settings can be determined each time the device is used.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180831
Publication Date: 20210615
Grant Date: 20210615
Priority Date: 20170907
Inventors: POORE, KILLIAN J.
MEURSING, MARINUS
OLSON, JEFFREY C.
ROTHKOPF, FLETCHER R.
SAUERS, JASON C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B2027/0187", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02C3/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/012", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/012", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02C3/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/012", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02C3/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/017", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02C3/003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B2027/0141", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 63714013