PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11983034-B1
Application Number: US-202016934665-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Wearable electronic device and compliant interface therefor

Abstract:
A compliant interface for a wearable electronic device includes a three-dimensional lattice structure that is coupleable to the wearable electronic device and compressible to conform to one or more of a facial feature or an upper cranial feature of a user wearing the wearable electronic device. The compliant interface may be one of a facial interface of a head-mounted display unit, a head interface of a head-mounted display unit, or a head interface of a headphones unit. The three-dimensional lattice structure may be formed of silicone that may form less than 35% of a volume of the three-dimensional lattice structure in an uncompressed state. Compliance of the facial interface may vary by locations at which the compliant interface engages the user. The compliance may vary according to one or more of geometric stiffness or maximum deflection of the three-dimensional lattice structure.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head-mounted display unit comprising:
 a display module; and 
 a compliant interface coupled to the display module and including a three-dimensional lattice structure that is compressible with a variable compliance according to a compliance characteristic of the three-dimensional lattice structure to conform to one or more of a facial feature or an upper cranial feature of a user wearing the head-mounted display unit. 
 
     
     
       2. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the three-dimensional lattice structure is formed of silicone that forms less than 35% of a volume of the three-dimensional lattice structure in an uncompressed state, and 
 compliance of the facial interface varies by locations at which the compliant interface engages the user according to geometric stiffness of the three-dimensional lattice structure. 
 
     
     
       3. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional lattice structure is formed of an elastomer that forms less than 35% of a volume of the three-dimensional lattice structure in an uncompressed state. 
     
     
       4. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 3 , wherein the three-dimensional lattice structure is formed by one of additive manufacturing or molding. 
     
     
       5. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomer is silicone. 
     
     
       6. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 1 , wherein compliance of the compliant interface varies by locations at which the compliant interface engages the user. 
     
     
       7. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 6 , wherein the compliance of the compliant interface varies by the locations according to maximum deflection of the three-dimensional lattice structure. 
     
     
       8. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of an outer layer that engages the user or a foam structure. 
     
     
       9. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 1 , wherein the compliant interface is one of a facial interface or a head interface. 
     
     
       10. The head-mounted display unit of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the three-dimensional lattice structure is formed of silicone that forms less than 35% of a volume of the three-dimensional lattice structure in an uncompressed state, and 
 wherein compliance of the facial interface varies by locations at which the compliant interface engages the user according to a maximum deflection of the three-dimensional lattice structure. 
 
     
     
       11. A compliant interface for a head-worn electronic device comprising:
 a chassis; and 
 compliant structures coupled to the chassis that provide variable compliance according to a compliance characteristic of the compliant structures at different locations at which the compliant interface engages anatomical features of a head of a user wearing the head-worn electronic device, one or more of the compliant structures being a three-dimensional lattice structure. 
 
     
     
       12. The compliant interface of  claim 11 , wherein the compliant interface extends left-to-right over the head of the user and includes a central segment and outer segments extending from opposite sides of the central segment, the central segment and the outer segments having a common thickness,
 the compliant structures provide the central segment and the outer segments with the different compliance that varies by one or more of geometric stiffness or maximum deflection, and 
 one of the central segment corresponds to a central protruding point of the head of the user and has greater compliance than the outer segments, or the outer segments correspond to outer protruding points of the head of the user and have greater compliance than the central segment. 
 
     
     
       13. The compliant interface of  claim 11 , wherein the compliant interface extends left-to-right over the head of the user and includes a central segment and outer segments extending from opposite sides of the central segment, and the compliant structures provide the central segment and the outer segments with different compliance. 
     
     
       14. The compliant interface of  claim 13 , wherein the different compliance of the central segment and the outer segments includes geometric stiffness. 
     
     
       15. The compliant interface of  claim 14 , wherein the different compliance differs in geometric stiffness or maximum deflection by at least 50%. 
     
     
       16. The compliant interface of  claim 15 , wherein the different compliance varies gradually between the central segment and the outer segments. 
     
     
       17. The compliant interface of  claim 15 , wherein the central segment corresponds to a central protruding point of the head of the user and has greater compliance than the outer segments. 
     
     
       18. The compliant interface of  claim 13 , wherein the outer segments correspond to outer protruding points of the head of the user and have greater compliance than the central segment. 
     
     
       19. A method for providing a compliant interface for a wearable electronic device, the method including:
 scanning one or more of a head or a face of a user in three dimensions; 
 determining compliance characteristics that provide a variable compliance for a compliant interface according to the scanning; and 
 providing the compliant interface fabricated according to the determined compliance characteristics. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein providing the compliant interface includes selecting the compliant interface or a component of the compliant interface having predetermined compliance characteristics. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein determining compliance characteristics includes determining the compliance characteristics that are unique to the user according to the scanning, and providing the compliant interface includes uniquely manufacturing the compliant interface with the compliance characteristics unique to the user. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the compliant interface includes a three-dimensional lattice structure. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , wherein the three-dimensional lattice structure is formed of an elastomer with an additive manufacturing process. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the compliant interface is one of a facial interface for a head-mounted display unit, a head interface for a head-mounted display unit, or a head interface for a headphones unit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/884,906, filed Aug. 9, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to wearable electronic device and, more particularly, interfaces therefor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wearable electronic devices may be worn by different users with different anatomical features, which may lead to inconsistent user experience and inconsistent user comfort. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are implementations of compliant interfaces for wearable electronic devices. In an implementation, a compliant interface for a wearable electronic device includes a three-dimensional lattice structure that is coupleable to the wearable electronic device and compressible to conform to one or more of a facial feature or an upper cranial feature of a user wearing the wearable electronic device. In an implementation, a head-mounted display unit includes a display assembly having a display and a compliant interface coupled to the display assembly. The compliant interface includes a three-dimensional lattice structure that is compressible to conform to one or more of a facial feature or an upper cranial feature of a user wearing the head-mounted display unit. 
     The compliant interface may be one of a facial interface of a head-mounted display unit, a head interface of a head-mounted display unit, or a head interface of a headphones unit. The three-dimensional lattice structure may be formed of silicone that may form less than 35% of a volume of the three-dimensional lattice structure in an uncompressed state. Compliance of the facial interface may vary by locations at which the compliant interface engages the user. The compliance may vary according to one or more of geometric stiffness or maximum deflection of the three-dimensional lattice structure. 
     In an implementation, a compliant interface for a head-worn electronic device includes a chassis and one or more compliant structures. The chassis is for coupling to the head-worn electronic device. The one or more compliant structures are coupled to the chassis and that provide different compliance at different locations at which the compliant interface engages anatomical features of a head of a user wearing the head-worn electronic device. 
     The compliant interface may extend left-to-right over the head of the user and may include a central segment and outer segments extending from opposite sides of the central segment. The central segment and the outer segments may have a common thickness. The one or more compliant structures includes a three-dimensional lattice structure that provides the central segment and the outer segments with the different compliance that varies by one or more of geometric stiffness or maximum deflection. The central segment corresponds to a central protruding point of the head of the user and has greater compliance than the outer segments, or the outer segments correspond to outer protruding points of the head of the user and have greater compliance than the central segment. 
     In an implementation, a method is provided for developing a compliant interface for a wearable electronic device. The method includes prototyping a component of the compliant interface with a three-dimensional lattice structure to simulate compliance characteristics of the component formed with another material. The method may further include determining compliance characteristics for the component with a first material, prototyping the component with a different material, testing the prototyped components, and mass producing the component with the other material. 
     In an implementation, a method is provided for providing a compliant interface for a wearable electronic device. The method includes: scanning one or more of a head or a face of a user in three dimensions; determining compliance characteristics for a compliant interface according to the scanning; and providing the compliant interface according to the determining. 
     The providing may include selecting the compliant interface or a component of the compliant interface having predetermined compliance characteristics. The determining may include determining the compliance characteristics uniquely to the user according to the scanning, and the providing may include uniquely manufacturing the compliant interface with the compliance characteristics. The compliant interface may include a three-dimensional lattice structure. The three-dimensional lattice structure may be formed of an elastomer with an additive manufacturing process. The compliant interface may be one of a facial interface for a head-mounted display unit, a head interface for a head-mounted display unit, or a head interface for a headphones unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a front view of a head-mounted display unit worn on a head of a user. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a top view of the head-mounted display unit worn on the head of the user. 
         FIG.  1 C  is a cross-sectional view of the head-mounted display unit taken along line  1 C- 1 C in  FIG.  1 B  and worn on a pointed-shape head. 
         FIG.  1 D  is a cross-sectional view of the head-mounted display unit taken along line  1 D- 1 D in  FIG.  1 B  and worn on square-shaped head. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of a headphones unit worn on a head of a user. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a partial front view of a compliant interface that may be used with the head-mounted display unit of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  or the headphones unit of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  3 B  is a partial front view of the compliant interface of  FIG.  3 A  in a compressed state. 
         FIG.  3 C  is a perspective exploded view of the compliant interface of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic view of a wearable electronic device with variants of compliant interfaces having different predetermined compliance characteristics interchangeably coupleable thereto. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic view of a wearable electronic device having a compliant interface having interchangeable components with different sets of predetermined compliance characteristics. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view of a wearable electronic device having a compliant interface having interchangeable components with customizable and predetermined compliance characteristics. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic view of a wearable electronic device with variants of compliant interfaces having different customized compliance characteristics interchangeably coupleable thereto. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart of a method for providing a compliant interface. 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart of a method for producing compliant interfaces. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed herein are compliant interfaces for wearable electronic devices, such as head-mounted display units and headphones. The compliant interface conforms to the user to support the wearable device thereon, while providing comfort to the user. Compliance and other structural properties of the compliant interface vary by location to account for differences in anatomical features between different users. As a result, a single version of a compliant interface may be used comfortably by several different users having different forms of anatomical features, or compliant interfaces may be partially or fully customizable to each user. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , a wearable device  100  is a head-mounted display unit that includes a display module  110 , a facial interface  120 , and a head interface  130 . The head-mounted display unit  100  may be used to provide graphical content of a computer-generated reality (discussed in further detail below). The display module  110  includes a generally rigid outer housing, which contains various electronics (not shown), such as one or more displays, a controller and processing device, and power electronics. In  FIGS.  1 A- 2   , dash-dash lines generally represent hidden components, dash-dot lines represent a portion of the human body, and dot-dot lines represent demarcations between different portions or segments of components of the facial interface  120  and the head interface  130 . 
     The facial interface  120  is coupled to the display module  110  and engages the face of the user to support the display module  110  thereon for displaying graphical content to the user. The facial interface  120  also functions to locate the display module  110 , especially the displays thereof, in a predetermined position relative to eyes of the user. As such, the facial interface  120  includes different portions that engage facial features as reference points (e.g., datums) for locating the display module  110  relative thereto. For example, the facial interface  120  includes brow portions  122  that engage the brow or forehead of the user, temple portions  124  that engage temples of the user, cheek portions  126  that engage the cheeks of the user, and a nose portion  128  that engages the nose of the user. The brow portions  122 , the temple portions  124 , the cheek portions  126 , and the nose portion  128  may, in a cooperative manner, extend substantially continuously around the eyes of the user to prevent environmental light from reaching eyes of the user. In other examples, various portions of the facial interface  120  may be omitted (e.g., omitting the temple portions  124  and the cheek portions  126 . 
     The facial interface  120  is a compliant interface, which varies in compliance corresponding to locations at which the facial interface  120  engages different facial features of the user. As will be discussed in further detail below, compliance characteristics of the facial interface  120  and the other compliant interfaces disclosed herein may be varied at different locations according to geometric stiffness, linearity of geometric stiffness, and maximum deflection. Geometric stiffness refers to the stiffness of one or more structures resultant from the geometry and material properties (e.g., Young&#39;s modulus) thereof. Geometric stiffness, as used herein to provide compliance, generally refers to axial stiffness (e.g., axial compressibility) that is in a direction generally normal (i.e., perpendicular) to the surface of the anatomical feature of the user engaged by the compliant interface. Geometric stiffness, however, also provides shear stiffness or resistance, so as to resist relative movement in planes generally parallel with the surface of the anatomical feature. Linearity of geometric stiffness refers to the variability of stiffness of one or more structures relative to deflection. For example, a two-part structure may have non-linear increasing stiffness resultant from the first structure having lower stiffness and becoming fully compressed prior to compression of the second structure having higher stiffness. In another example, a structure may have a non-linear decreasing stiffness resultant from buckling thereof. Maximum deflection refers to the distance over which the structure becomes fully compressed without plastic deformation, without failure, and/or otherwise under normal loading when the wearable device is worn by the user, which may include point loading from anatomical features. The compliance characteristics may be the individual and/or cumulative result of different compliant structures at a given location. 
     Still referring to the facial interface  120 , the brow regions of the user may be the primary anatomical support that bears a majority of the force applied by the facial interface  120  to the face of the user and also serve as a primary reference point for locating the display module  110  relative to the eyes of the user. The cheek regions of the user, in contrast, may be a secondary anatomical support that bears less than a majority of the force applied by the facial interface  120  and serve as a secondary reference point for locating the display module  110 , for example, by bearing sufficient force to pivot the display module  110  about the brow regions to properly orient the display module  110  relative to the face of the user. Furthermore, the cheek regions and the temple regions of the user may be soft-tissue regions for which sustained high levels of localized force levels (i.e., pressure) may provide discomfort to the user. As a result, the brow portion  122  of the facial interface  120  may be less complaint (e.g., having higher geometric stiffness and/or a lower maximum deflection) than the temple portions  124  and/or the cheek portions  126  to both reliably locate the display module  110  and provide enhanced comfort to the user by reducing pressure in sensitive regions. Furthermore, while the different portions (e.g.,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and/or  128 ) of the facial interface  120  may have different compliance, each such portion may have variable compliance therein as discussed in further detail below. 
     The head interface  130  is coupled to the display module  110  and engages the head  10  of the user to support the display module  110  thereon. The head interface  130 , as shown, includes a lower portion  132  that extends from one side of the display module  110  along sides of the head  10  of the user (e.g., as with bows or arms of glasses) or, as shown, around the head  10  of the user to the other side of the display module  110 . The head interface  130  may also include one or more of a longitudinal upper portion  134  or a lateral upper portion  136 , which are configured to engage upper cranial regions of the head  10  of the user (i.e., being entirely above the ears of the user, such as one, two, or more inches above the ears of the user.). The longitudinal upper portion  134  extends in longitudinal direction (i.e., front-to-back) from the display module  110  over the head  10  of the user to the lower portion  132  at the back of the head  10  of the user. The lateral upper portion  136  extends in a lateral direction (i.e., left-to-right) over the head  10  of the user between the left and right sides of the lower portion  132  (e.g., extending generally from ear-to-ear of the user). 
     The head interface  130  is a compliant interface, which may vary in compliance corresponding to locations at which the head interface  130  engages the head  10  of the user. For example, the lower portion  132  may include temple segments  132   a  and a back segment  132   b . The temple segments  132   a  are positioned on left and right sides of the head and extend rearward from the display module  110  along the temple regions of the head  10  of the user to proximate the ears of the user. The back segment  132   b , if provided, extends around the back of the head  10  of the user between the temple segments  132   a . In the case of the head interface  130  having a form factor similar to glasses, the temple segments  132   a  may engage the sides (e.g., the temple regions) of the head  10  of the user and/or the ears of the user. In the case of the head interface  130  extending around the head  10  of the user, the lower portion  132  of the head interface  130  pulls the display module  110  and the facial interface  120  against the face of the user with the temple segments  132   a  being in tension along the temple regions of the head  10  of the user and the back segment  132   b  applying a normal force against and being in tension along the back side of the head. 
     The temple segments  132   a  may, relative to the back segment  132   b  if provided, have lower geometric stiffness to provide comfort in the temple regions, but may have relatively low maximum deflection because the temple segments  132   a  are primarily in tension with low normal force being applied to the temple regions. The back segment  132   b  may have relatively low compliance due to the low sensitivity of the back of the head (e.g., skull), but may have localized high compliance (e.g., in a center thereof, where engaging a point of the occipital bone meeting the parietal bone), such as lower geometric stiffness and/or greater maximum deflection. 
     The longitudinal upper portion  134  of the head interface  130 , as referenced above, extends in a front-to-back direction from the display module  110  over the head  10  of the user to the lower portion  132  of the head interface  130 . The lateral upper portion  136  of the head interface  130 , as referenced above, extends in a left-to-right direction between left and right sides of the lower portion  132  of the head interface  130 . The longitudinal upper portion  134  and the lateral upper portion  136  may be configured to have higher compliance (i.e., lower geometric stiffness and/or higher maximum deflection) in areas more sensitive and/or more prone to pressure concentration. 
     For example, different ethnicities of people may have heads with a central protruding point or instead with two outer protruding points. The longitudinal upper portion  134  may include a central segment  134   a  with higher compliance than a forward segment  134   b  and a rearward segment  134   c  adjacent thereto, which corresponds to and reduces pressure for improving comfort at the central protruding point of a more pointed head  10 ′ of a user (see  FIG.  1 C  with the central protruding point illustrated in an exaggerated manner). The central protruding point may be considered an upper cranial feature (e.g., being positioned at a top of the head, spaced above the ears by one, two, or more inches, and/or by having a surface that points largely upward). 
     The lateral upper portion  136  may also include a central segment  136   a  with higher compliance than intermediate segments  136   b  adjacent thereto, which corresponds to and reduces pressure to improve comfort at the central protruding point of the more pointed head  10 ′ of the user. Referring to  FIG.  1 D , the lateral upper portion  136  may, instead or additionally, include outer segments  136   c  that are positioned outward of and have higher compliance than the intermediate segments  136   b . The outer segments  136   c  correspond to the two outer protruding points of a more squared head  10 ″ of a user, so as to reduce pressure to thereto and improve comfort at such locations of the head  10  of the user. The outer protruding points of the head  10 ″ are illustrated in an exaggerated manner and may be considered upper cranial features (e.g., by being positioned near the top of the head  10 ″, spaced above the ears by one, two, or more inches, and/or by having surfaces that point largely upward). 
     As is shown, the head interface  130  may include both the longitudinal upper portion  134  and the lateral upper portion  136 , which may be coupled to each other and have the central segment  134   a  and the central segment  136   a  be a common portion of the head interface  130 . Alternatively, the head interface  130  may include only the longitudinal upper portion  134  with the central segment  134   a , the forward segment  134   b , and the rearward segment  134   c  thereof, may include only the lateral upper portion  136  with the central segment  136   a , the intermediate segments  136   b , and the outer segments  136   c , or may include neither the longitudinal upper portion  134  nor the lateral upper portion  136 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a wearable device  200  is a headphones unit that generally includes two speaker modules  210 , two ear interfaces  220  that are each associated with one of the two speaker modules, and a head interface  230 . The speaker modules  210  each output sound to provide aural content to ears of the user. Each of the head-mounted display unit  100  and the headphones unit  200  may be considered a head-worn electronic device. 
     The two ear interfaces  220  are coupled to the speaker modules  210  and engage the user to support the speaker modules  210  in position for outputting sound to the ears of the user. The ear interfaces  220  may be provided in an over-ear configuration (as shown) or in an on-ear configuration. In the over-ear configuration, the two ear interfaces  220  engage portions of the head surrounding the ear for the user. In the on-ear configuration, two ear interfaces  220  engage the ear of the user. 
     The head interface  230  is coupled to the speaker modules  210  and engages the head to support the speaker modules  210  thereon. The head interface  230  extends over the head  10  of the user from the left to right sides (e.g., similar to the lateral upper portion  136  of the head interface  130  of the head-mounted display unit  100 ). The head interface  230 , like the lateral upper portion  136 , may include a central segment  230   a  that has higher compliance than intermediate segments  230   b  adjacent thereto and may, instead or additionally, include outer segments  230   c  that have higher compliance than the intermediate segments  230   b.    
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C , the compliant interfaces may include various different features that provide the variable compliance. For example, a compliant interface  330 , which may be any of the facial interface  120 , the head interface  130 , the head interface  230 , or any portion or segment thereof, may include one or more compliant structures of an outer layer  340 , a lattice structure  350 , a foam structure  360 , and/or a beam  370 . The compliant interface  330  may also include a chassis  380  to which the compliant structures are coupled and which is in turn coupled to the electronic devices (e.g., the display module  110  and/or the speaker modules  210 ). The outer layer  340 , the lattice structure  350 , the foam structure  360 , and the beam  370  cooperatively provide the compliant interface with variable compliance at different locations where engaging different anatomical features of the user. For example, as shown in  FIG.  3 A , the compliant interface  330  is shown in a relaxed state. As shown in  FIG.  3 B , the compliant interface  330  is shown in a conformed (e.g., compressed state) in which an anatomical feature of the user is presses against the compliant interface  330  causing compression and/or flexing of the outer layer  340 , compression of the lattice structure  350 , compression of the foam structure  360 , and bending of the beam  370 , while the chassis  380  remains generally undeformed. 
     The outer layer  340  is configured to contact the user and may, for example, include a textile fabric, an elastomer, a foam, or a combination thereof. The outer layer  340  is flexible, so as to follow the shape of the anatomical feature engaged thereby. The outer layer  340  may also be compressible in an axial direction (i.e., generally perpendicular to the anatomical feature), so as to conform thereto. Relative to the lattice structure  350  and/or the foam structure  360 , the outer layer  340  may have relatively low maximum deflection (e.g., being relatively thin). In one embodiment, the outer layer  340  may be generally uniform over the compliant interface  330 , for example, having a generally constant material composition, thickness, and/or properties over a substantial majority (e.g., 90% or more) of the surface area where contacting the anatomical feature (e.g., where the facial interface  120  engages the face of the user and/or where the head interfaces  130 ,  230  engage the head  10  of the user). 
     The lattice structure  350  is a compliant structure, which may be a unitary structure that is formed, for example, of a silicone, rubber, or other elastomer. The lattice structure  350  is compressible in the axial direction. The axial compressibility (i.e., axial compliance) may vary by lateral location (i.e., corresponding to the anatomical feature) and/or by depth (i.e., by having non-linear geometric stiffness and/or varying maximum dimension). The axial compliance is provided according to the material forming the lattice structure  350  and the structural features formed thereby. The material forming the lattice structure  350  may, for example, be a silicone, rubber, or other elastomer. The structural features to achieve the desired compliance at different locations with the selected material may be determined by computer modeling tools, which take as inputs the selected material and desired properties, and generate a model of the structural features therefrom. 
     As shown in the exploded view of  FIG.  3 C , the lattice structure  350  is a three-dimensional structure that generally includes segments  350   a  (e.g., segments) extending in three dimensions and that are interconnected to each other at joints  350   b  (e.g., nodes) to form the three-dimensional structure and that define windows  350   c  (e.g., voids between the segments  350   a ). Each of the segments  350   a  may have a uniform shape (e.g., constant cross-section, as is shown). Different ones of the segments  350   a  and/or the joints  350   b  may have uniform shapes (i.e., the same cross-sections and/or lengths as each other). Further, the segments  350   a  and/or the joints  350   b  may be arranged cooperatively in a uniform manner (e.g., spacing and/or orientations), such that the lattice structure  350  has uniform shape throughout. Alternatively, each of the segments  350   a  may have a non-uniform shape (e.g., a varying cross-sectional size and/or shape), different ones of the segments  350   a  and/or the joints  350   b  may have different shapes, and/or the segments  350   a  and/or the joints  350   b  may be cooperatively arranged in non-uniform manners throughout the lattice structure  350 , which may provide the lattice structure  350  with varying compliance properties throughout. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  3 C , one lateral portion of the lattice structure  350  may include segments  350   a  and/or joints  350   b  that provide greater geometric stiffness than another lateral portion (e.g., by having more material, as illustrated by thicker lines) and/or a portion may have non-linear geometric stiffness, for example, increasing in stiffness moving away from the user (e.g., by having more material away from the user than adjacent the user, as illustrated by thicker lines). While the segments  350   a  and joints  350   b  are depicted as having a regular pattern (e.g., forming rectangular prisms), in other applications, the lattice structure  350  may include segments  350   a  and joints  350   b  that may appear to have a random (e.g., organic appearance), while still providing the desired compliance properties. The lattice structure  350  has a generally open structure, such that in a relaxed state, material forming the lattice structure  350  forms less than 35% of the volume of the lattice structure  350  (e.g., 25%, 20%, 15%, or less) when in an uncompressed state (see, e.g.,  FIGS.  3 A and  3 C ). The lattice structure  350  may also be referred to as a three-dimensional lattice structure or lattice support structure. 
     The lattice structure  350 , in addition to providing desired properties of axial compliance as generally described above (i.e., compliance in generally normal direction to the anatomical feature of the user), may additionally provide desired properties of lateral (e.g., shear stability). For example, the segments  350   a , rather than being arranged only perpendicular to and parallel with a shear plane, as shown, may instead be arranged out of plane, such that compression of the segments  350   a  may resist shearing. 
     The lattice structure  350  may, for example, be formed via additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing. In the case of silicone being the selected material, layers of liquid silicone material are successively provided and cured (e.g., via a UV cure) to gradually build the lattice structure  350 . In another example, a mold for the lattice structure  350  may be formed (e.g., via additive manufacturing of three-dimensional printing), filled with the selected material (e.g., liquid silicone), the selected material cured, and the mold removed (e.g., precipitating out). 
     The structure that includes the lattice structure  350  may further include additional features formed therewith, such as a continuous outer layer (e.g., in place of or to which the outer layer  340  is coupled), tubular channels (e.g., to route fluid, such as for cooling), and/or coupling features by which the lattice structure  350  is coupled to the electronic device or to an intermediate feature of the compliant interface  330 , such as the foam structure  360  and/or the beam  370 ). 
     As referenced above, and illustrated in  FIG.  3 C , the compliance of the lattice structure  350  may vary by location having different geometric stiffness, non-linear geometric stiffness, and/or maximum deflection (e.g., thickness). For example, greater compliance of the lattice structure  350  may include having a geometric stiffness that is half or less than at other locations, and/or may include having a maximum deflection or thickness that is twice or greater than at other locations. Between locations of the lattice structure  350 , the compliance may preferably vary in a gradual manner, or in an abrupt or stepped manner. 
     In the case of the facial interface  120 , the lattice structure  350  and/or the compliant interface  330  as a whole may have greater compliance in the cheek portions  126  (e.g., having lower geometric stiffness and/or greater maximum deflection) than in the brow portions  122 . In a further example, the lattice structure  350  may be provided in the cheek portions  126  but not the brow portions  122 . In the case of the lower portion  132  of the head interface  130 , the lattice structure  350  and/or the compliant interface  330  may have greater compliance in the temple segments  132   a  (e.g., lower geometric stiffness) than in the back segment  132   b . In the case of the longitudinal upper portion  134  of the head interface  130 , the lattice structure  350  and/or the compliant interface  330  may have greater compliance in the central segment  134   a  corresponding to the central protruding point of the head than in the forward segment  134   b  or the rearward segment  134   c  (e.g., having lower geometric stiffness and/or greater maximum deflection). In the case of the lateral upper portion  136  of the head interface  130  or the head interface  230 , the central segment  136   a ,  230   a  of the lattice structure  350  and/or the compliant interface  330  may have greater compliance than the intermediate segments  136   b ,  230   b  and/or than the outer segments  136   c ,  230   c  (e.g., having lower geometric stiffness and/or greater maximum deflection). Instead or additionally, the outer segments  136   c ,  230   c  of the lattice structure  350  and/or the compliant interface  330  may have greater compliance than the central segments  136   a ,  230   a  and/or the intermediate segments  136   b ,  230   b  (e.g., having lower geometric stiffness and/or greater maximum deflection). 
     The foam structure  360  may include one or more suitable viscoelasatic open or closed cell foam material, such as silicone-, neoprene-, polyurethane-, or other elastomer-based foam materials. The foam structure  360  is compressible in the axial direction, which may vary by lateral location (i.e., corresponding to the anatomical feature) and/or by depth (i.e., by having a non-linear geometric stiffness and/or varying maximum dimension). The axial compliance may be varied according to the selected foam material, density, and/or thickness at the different locations. In some embodiments, the material of the foam structure  360  may be encased or otherwise engaged by another material which pre-compresses material forming the foam structure  360  to provide the variable compliance. For example, the material forming the foam structure  360  may, in a relaxed state, have different thicknesses at different locations, but be encased so as pre-compress (i.e., before engaging the user) material forming the foam structure  360 . Those areas of the foam structure  360  that, without the pre-compression, would be thicker will have lower compliance (e.g., higher geometric stiffness and/or lower maximum deflection) than those areas without the pre-compression. 
     As referenced above, the compliance of the foam structure  360  may vary by location having different geometric stiffness and/or maximum deflection (e.g., thickness). For example, greater compliance of the foam structure  360  may include having a geometric stiffness that is half or less than that at other locations, and/or may include having a maximum deflection or thickness that is twice or greater than at other locations. Between locations, the compliance of the foam structure  360  may preferably vary in a gradual manner or in an abrupt or stepped manner. The foam structure  360  may have more or less compliance in manners complementary to (e.g., the same relative compliance) as the lattice structure  350  described above. 
     The beam  370  is a deflectable member that deflects (e.g., bends) upon unequal application of force thereto, for example, by the different anatomical features. The beam  370 , thereby, provides further compliance to the compliant interface  330 . The beam  370  may be configured to bend under normal loading during use of the wearable electronic device but may generally not be compressible (e.g., being a plastic or metal member that is molded or stamped). Such bending and non-compression of the beam  370  is illustrated in  FIG.  3 B . 
     The beam  370  may have a generally uniform compliance (e.g., bending stiffness) or may vary by location, for example, having lower bending stiffness at locations corresponding to protruding anatomical features (e.g., the nose, the central and/or outer protruding points of the head), so as to distribute more force to locations adjacent thereto. 
     The chassis  380  is a base structure to which the compliant structures (e.g., the outer layer  340 , the lattice structure  350 , the foam structure  360 , and/or the beam  370 ) are directly or indirectly coupled and by which the compliant interface  330  is in turn coupleable to the electronic components (e.g., the display module  110  of the head-mounted display unit  100  or the speaker modules  210  of the headphones unit  200 ), for example, via magnetic and/or mechanical interfaces (e.g., latches, interference fit, and/or interfitting structures). The chassis  380  may be a generally rigid member (e.g., a backing plate for the facial interface  120 , or band of the head interfaces  130 ,  230 ), a sprung member (e.g., to elastically widen to accommodate the head  10  of the user, such as a band of the head interfaces  130 ,  230 ), or may be flexible (e.g., an elastic or inelastic fabric forming a band of the head interfaces  130 ,  230 ). In some embodiments, the beam  370  may function as the chassis  380  in which case the chassis  380  provides variable compliance. In still further embodiments, the beam  370  may be omitted with the other compliant structures being coupled directly or indirectly to the chassis  380 . 
     While having variable compliance at different locations, the compliant interface  330  may be otherwise configured to have a generally consistent (e.g., uniform) appearance at such locations. For example, the compliant interface  330  may, when not engaged with the anatomical features, have a generally constant thickness (e.g., a common thickness) measured from the innermost surface (e.g., the outer layer  340 ) and the outermost surface (e.g., the chassis  380  or other covering) at and/or between different locations having different compliance (e.g., differing by 50% of geometric stiffness and/or maximum deflection). For example, the facial interface  120  may have generally the same thickness (e.g., within 40% or less, such as 25%, 10%, or less) between the display module  110  and the brow regions of the user (i.e., of the brow portions  122 ) and between the display module  110  and the cheek regions of the user (i.e., of the cheek portions  126 ), while providing different compliance characteristics therebetween. For example, the head interfaces  130 ,  230  may have generally the same thickness (e.g., within 40% or less, such as 25%, 10%, or less) between the outer surface thereof (e.g., formed by the chassis  380  or other cover) and the inner surface thereof (e.g., formed by the outer layer  340 ) in the intermediate segments  136   b ,  230   b  and the central segments  136   a ,  230   a  and/or the outer segments  136   c ,  230   c  while providing different compliance therebetween. 
     In still further variations, the compliant interface  330  may include compliant structures that have changeable compliance characteristics. For example, the compliant interface  330  may include a sealable volume that receives a fluid (e.g., air) to change compliance characteristics (e.g., stiffness) and/or size thereof. In another example, the compliant interface  330  may include mechanical actuators that change one of the compliance characteristics, for example, by compressing the compliant interface  330  to increase stiffness of the compliant interface  330  and/or by decreasing maximum deflection of the compliant interface  330  at one or more locations. Furthermore, the compliant characteristics of the compliant interface  330  may be changeable over time, for example, to change force distribution between different anatomical features over time in a gradual or abrupt manner (e.g., shifting weight from one upper cranial region to another). 
     Variations of the compliant interface  330  are contemplated. For example, rather than the foam structure  360  being located between the lattice structure  350  and the beam  370 , the lattice structure  350  may be located between the foam structure  360  and the beam  370 . In further examples, one or more of the outer layer  340 , the lattice structure  350 , the foam structure  360 , and/or the beam  370  may be omitted at one or more locations. For example, the outer layer  340  may be entirely omitted (e.g., whereby the lattice structure  350  and/or the foam structure  360  directly engages the user), the lattice structure  350  may be omitted in one, or more, or all locations (e.g., the lattice structure  350  may be omitted in the brow portion  122  of the facial interface  120 ), the foam structure  360  may be omitted in one, more, or all locations (e.g., with compliance being primarily provided by the lattice structure  350 ), and/or the beam  370  may be omitted in one or more locations (e.g., instead having chassis  380  be rigid and configured to not bend under expected loading during use of the wearable device, or the lattice structure  350  and/or the foam structure  360  being configured to couple directly to the electronic device). 
     As referenced above, the compliance of the compliant interface  330  varies by location, which is cooperatively provided compliant structures thereof (e.g., the outer layer  340 , the lattice structure  350 , the foam structure  360 , and/or the beam  370 ). Between locations, the compliance of the compliant interface  330  of the foam structure  360  may preferably vary in a gradual manner, but may change in an abrupt or stepped manner. For example, the geometric stiffness of the lattice structure  350  may vary gradually moving laterally (e.g., changing geometry, changing material thickness, and/or changing overall thickness gradually) and/or the geometric stiffness of the foam structure  360  may vary gradually moving laterally (e.g., changing in density and/or pore size, material thickness, and/or material composition). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 - 7   , the compliant interface  330  may be provided in different manners to account for different users, such as a prefabricated compliant interface  430  with predetermined compliance characteristics, a partially customizable compliant interface  530  having interchangeable components with predetermined compliance characteristics, a partially customizable compliant interface  630  with components having customized compliance characteristics uniquely determined for the user, and/or an fully customized compliant interface  730  with compliance characteristics uniquely determined for the user. As will be discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIG.  8   , the compliant interfaces  430 ,  530 ,  630 ,  730  or components thereof may be selected or uniquely customized according to the unique facial characteristic of each user. For example, a three-dimensional scan of the face and/or head of the user may be performed to analyze the size, shape, and/or location of various anatomical features (e.g., eyes, forehead, cheeks, nose, temples, and/or other features of the head) according to which the compliant interfaces  430 ,  530 ,  630 ,  730  or components thereof are selected or uniquely customized. As a result, for example, an adult and a small child may have and use different compliant interfaces that are interchangeably coupleable to the common display module  110 , such as different temple segments  132   a  (e.g., longer and thinner for the adult, while shorter and thicker for the child). 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , in the case of the compliant interface  430  having predetermined compliance characteristics, each component of the compliant interface  430  is predetermined and assembled thereto. For example, the compliant interface  430  includes one or more of the compliant structures (e.g., the outer layer  340 , the lattice structure  350 , the foam structure  360 , and/or the beam  370 ) and/or the chassis  380  having fixed, non-interchangeable components, which provide a first set of predetermined compliance characteristics. Multiple different versions of the compliant interface  430 ′,  430 ″ with different sets of predetermined compliance characteristics may be provided and be interchangeably coupleable to the display module  110 , however, to account for users with different anatomical features (e.g., for different sizes, facial shapes, and/or ethnicities). One of the different compliant interfaces  430 ,  430 ′,  430 ″ may be selected according to generalized criteria (e.g., age, size, and/or ethnicity) or may be selected according to the three-dimensional scan or other automated analysis of the face and/or head of the user. It should be understood that while three different versions of the compliant interface  430 ,  430 ′,  430 ″ are illustrated different numbers of the compliant interface  430  with predetermined compliance characteristics may be available to be selected from. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , in the case of the partially customizable compliant interface  530 , the compliant interface  530  includes a predetermined set of interchangeable components  540  that have different sets predetermined compliance characteristics and other, non-interchangeable components  550  that are non-interchangeable. The interchangeable components  540  are interchangeably coupleable to the compliant interface  530  with other interchangeable components  540 ′,  540 ″ that have different predetermined compliance characteristics. The interchangeable components  540  may, for example, include the cheek portions  126  of the facial interface  120  (or lateral subsegment or compliant subcomponent thereof), while the brow portions  122  are non-interchangeable components  550 . In other examples, any one or more of the brow portions  122 , the temple portions  124 , the cheek portions  126 , and/or the nose portion  128  (or lateral subsegment or compliant subcomponent thereof) may be an interchangeable component  540 . The interchangeable components  540  may also include one or more of the lower portion  132 , the longitudinal upper portion  134 , and/or the lateral upper portion  136  of the head interface  130 , or lateral subsegment or compliant subcomponent thereof, or similar portions, subsegments, or subcomponents of the head interface  230 . For example, the interchangeable components  540  may include one or more of the central segments  134   a ,  136   a ,  230   a , the intermediate segments  136   b ,  230   b , and/or the outer segments  136   c ,  230   c  or compliant subcomponent thereof. Each of the interchangeable components  540  is removably coupleable, directly or indirectly, to the chassis  380 , the facial interface  120 , or the head interface  130  described previously. For example, the interchangeable components  540  may be removably couplable using any suitable mechanism, such as hook and loop fasteners, threaded fasteners, interference fit, or other coupling mechanism (e.g., springs, clips, male/female interfaces). 
     The interchangeable components  540  and variants thereof may include one or more of the compliant structures (e.g., the outer layer  340 , the lattice structure  350 , the foam structure  360 , and/or the beam  370 ). For example, the interchangeable component  540  may include both the lattice structure  350  and the foam structure  360 , only the lattice structure  350 , or only the foam structure  360 . The interchangeable components  540  may correspond to those anatomical features having the greatest variation among users, such as the cheek portions  126  of the facial interface  120 , the central segments  134   a ,  136   a ,  230   a  of the head interfaces  130 ,  230  (e.g., of the longitudinal upper portion  134  and/or the lateral upper portion  136 ), and/or the outer segments  136   c ,  230   c  of the lateral upper portion  136  of the head interface  130  or the head interface  230 . The compliant interface  530  may be provided as a kit that includes the compliant interface  530  and each of the predetermined variants of the interchangeable components  540 ,  540 ′,  540 ″. One of the different interchangeable components  540 ,  540 ′,  540 ″ may be selected according to generalized criteria (e.g., age, size, and/or ethnicity) or may be selected according to the three-dimensional scan or other automated analysis of the face and/or head of the user. It should be understood that while three different versions of the interchangeable components  540 ,  540 ′,  540 ″ are illustrated different numbers of the compliant interface  530  with predetermined compliance characteristics may be available to be selected from. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , in the case of the partially customizable compliant interface  630 , the compliant interface  630  includes a predetermined set of customized components  640  that have customized compliance characteristics and other, non-interchangeable components  550  that are non-interchangeable. The customized components  640  have compliance characteristics and/or dimensions that are customized to the user, for example, by assessing the anatomical characteristics of the user (e.g., the shape of the face or the head  10  of the user) and uniquely fabricating the customized component  640  according thereto (e.g., by manufacturing the lattice structure  350  via additive manufacturing and/or shaping the foam structure  360 ). Compliance characteristics and/or dimensions of the customized component  640  may be uniquely determined according to the three-dimensional scan or other automated analysis of the face and/or head of the user with the customized component  640  being uniquely manufactured according thereto. 
     The customized components  640  may include one or more of the compliant structures (e.g., the outer layer  340 , the lattice structure  350 , the foam structure  360 , and/or the beam  370 ). For example, the customized component  640  may include both the lattice structure  350  and the foam structure  360 , only the lattice structure  350 , or only the foam structure  360 . The customized components  640  may correspond to those anatomical features having the greatest variation among users, such as the cheek portions  126  of the facial interface  120 , the central segments  134   a ,  136   a ,  230   a  of the head interfaces  130 ,  230  (e.g., of the longitudinal upper portion  134  and/or the lateral upper portion  136 ), and/or the outer segments  136   c ,  230   c  of the lateral upper portion  136  of the head interface  130  or the head interface  230 . The compliant interface  630  may be initially provided with one or more interchangeable components  540  having a set of predetermined compliance characteristics (as discussed above), which may allow the compliant interface  630  to be used, for example, while the customized component  640  is being manufactured or for use by other users. 
     The customized components  640  may, for example, be those of the facial interface  120 , the head interface  130 , and/or the head interface  230  identified above as one of the interchangeable components  540 . The customized components  640  may be coupled to the compliant interface  630  (e.g., the chassis  380 , the facial interface  120 , or the head interface  130 ) removably using any suitable mechanism, such as hook and loop fasteners, threaded fasteners, interference fit, or other coupling mechanism (e.g., springs, clips, male/female interfaces). 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the fully-customized compliant interface  730  is customized in locations corresponding to most or all anatomical features engaged by the customized compliant interface  730 . The compliant interface  730  has compliance characteristics that are customized to the user, for example, by assessing the anatomical characteristics of the user (e.g., the shape of the face or the head  10  of the user) and fabricating the compliant interface  730  according thereto (e.g., by manufacturing the lattice structure  350  via additive manufacturing and/or shaping the foam structure  360 ). Compliance characteristics and/or dimensions of the customized compliant interface  730  may be uniquely determined according to the three-dimensional scan or other automated analysis of the face and/or head of the user with the customized compliant interface  730  being uniquely manufactured according thereto. 
     The customized dimensions and/or compliance characteristics may be provided by one or more of the compliant structures of the compliant interface  730 , while the other compliant structures have predetermined compliance characteristics. For example, the compliant interface  730  may include the lattice structure  350  as a fully-customizable component, while the outer layer  340 , the foam structure  360 , and/or the beam  370  (if included) have predetermined compliance characteristics. Thus, different users may have different fully-customized compliant interfaces  730 ,  730 ′,  730 ″ with different customized compliance characteristics, which may form the facial interface  120  and/or the head interface  130  and may further be interchangeably coupleable to the display module  110  to allow different users of the head-mounted display unit  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , a method  800  is directed to providing a compliant interface of a head-mounted display for a user. The method  800  includes scanning  810  the face and/or head of the user three-dimensionally, determining  820  dimensions and/or compliance characteristics of the compliant interface according to the scanning  810 , and providing  830  the compliant interface according to the determining  820 . 
     The scanning  810  of the face and/or head may be performed, for example, with any suitable three-dimensional scanning device (e.g., using depth sensors and/or imaging devices). 
     The determining  820  of the dimensions and/or compliance characteristics may be performed, for example, with any suitable computing device executing software instructions for facial analysis (e.g., identifying the shape, size, and/or location of facial features corresponding to portions of the compliant interfaces having predetermined or customizable dimensions and/or compliance characteristics). 
     The providing  830  of the compliant interface may, for example, include any one or more of: providing the compliant interface selected from multiple compliant interfaces having predetermined dimensions and compliance characteristics selected according to the determining  820  (e.g., the compliant interface  430 ), providing the compliant interface with interchangeable compliant components having predetermined dimensions and compliance characteristics selected according to the determining  820  (e.g., the compliant interface  530 ), providing the compliant interface with interchangeable compliant components having dimensions and/or compliance characteristics uniquely manufactured according to the determining  820  (e.g., the compliant interface  630 ), and/or providing the compliant interface with fixed dimensions and/or compliance characteristics manufactured according to the determining  820  (e.g., the custom compliant interface  730 ). 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the lattice structure  350  may, instead of or in addition to use in a finished compliant interface  330 , be useful as a development tool. In particular, the lattice structure  350  may be generated to simulate compliant interfaces  330  or components thereof that may ultimately be made of different materials. For example, while the compliant interface  330  may be made with a component formed of a foam material in mass production, during development, the compliant interface  330  may instead be made with a component formed with the lattice structure  350  having the same (e.g., design or production-intent) compliance characteristics. For example, as referenced above, a computer tool may generate the design of the lattice structure  350  to have desired compliance characteristics, which may be those of the foam material. With use of additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing, the component may be prototyped more quickly with the lattice structure  350  than with foam obtained from an outside supplier. 
     Furthermore, the lattice structure  350  may be formed with highly consistent compliance properties, while the foam material may have highly variable material properties (e.g., having variability in the voids formed therein). Accordingly, the component may be prototyped with multiple variations of the lattice structure  350  that simulate the production-intent foam (or other material) with different compliance properties. 
     Thus, referring to  FIG.  9   , a method  900  is provided for developing and producing a compliant interface, which may be any of the facial interface  120 , the head interface  130 , the head interface  230 , or components or segments thereof. The method  900  includes determining  910  compliance characteristics of a component to be made of a production material for a compliant interface of a wearable electronic device, prototyping  920  the component with a prototyping material, different from the production material, to have one or more lattice structures having the compliance characteristics (e.g., design intent and/or accounting for variability of production material), testing  930  the prototyped component formed with the one or more lattice structures (e.g., for user comfort and/or durability), and mass producing  940  the component with the production material and/or the compliant interface comprising the same. 
     A physical environment refers to a physical world that people can sense and/or interact with without aid of electronic systems. Physical environments, such as a physical park, include physical articles, such as physical trees, physical buildings, and physical people. People can directly sense and/or interact with the physical environment, such as through sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell. 
     In contrast, a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment refers to a wholly or partially simulated environment that people sense and/or interact with via an electronic system. In CGR, a subset of a person&#39;s physical motions, or representations thereof, are tracked, and, in response, one or more characteristics of one or more virtual objects simulated in the CGR environment are adjusted in a manner that comports with at least one law of physics. For example, a CGR system may detect a person&#39;s head turning and, in response, adjust graphical content and an acoustic field presented to the person in a manner similar to how such views and sounds would change in a physical environment. In some situations (e.g., for accessibility reasons), adjustments to characteristic(s) of virtual object(s) in a CGR environment may be made in response to representations of physical motions (e.g., vocal commands). 
     A person may sense and/or interact with a CGR object using any one of their senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. For example, a person may sense and/or interact with audio objects that create 3D or spatial audio environment that provides the perception of point audio sources in 3D space. In another example, audio objects may enable audio transparency, which selectively incorporates ambient sounds from the physical environment with or without computer-generated audio. In some CGR environments, a person may sense and/or interact only with audio objects. 
     Examples of CGR include virtual reality and mixed reality. 
     A virtual reality (VR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs for one or more senses. A VR environment comprises a plurality of virtual objects with which a person may sense and/or interact. For example, computer-generated imagery of trees, buildings, and avatars representing people are examples of virtual objects. A person may sense and/or interact with virtual objects in the VR environment through a simulation of the person&#39;s presence within the computer-generated environment, and/or through a simulation of a subset of the person&#39;s physical movements within the computer-generated environment. 
     In contrast to a VR environment, which is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs, a mixed reality (MR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to incorporate sensory inputs from the physical environment, or a representation thereof, in addition to including computer-generated sensory inputs (e.g., virtual objects). On a virtuality continuum, a mixed reality environment is anywhere between, but not including, a wholly physical environment at one end and virtual reality environment at the other end. 
     In some MR environments, computer-generated sensory inputs may respond to changes in sensory inputs from the physical environment. Also, some electronic systems for presenting an MR environment may track location and/or orientation with respect to the physical environment to enable virtual objects to interact with real objects (that is, physical articles from the physical environment or representations thereof). For example, a system may account for movements so that a virtual tree appears stationery with respect to the physical ground. 
     Examples of mixed realities include augmented reality and augmented virtuality. 
     An augmented reality (AR) environment refers to a simulated environment in which one or more virtual objects are superimposed over a physical environment, or a representation thereof. For example, an electronic system for presenting an AR environment may have a transparent or translucent display through which a person may directly view the physical environment. The system may be configured to present virtual objects on the transparent or translucent display, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. Alternatively, a system may have an opaque display and one or more imaging sensors that capture images or video of the physical environment, which are representations of the physical environment. The system composites the images or video with virtual objects, and presents the composition on the opaque display. A person, using the system, indirectly views the physical environment by way of the images or video of the physical environment, and perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. As used herein, a video of the physical environment shown on an opaque display is called “pass-through video,” meaning a system uses one or more image sensor(s) to capture images of the physical environment, and uses those images in presenting the AR environment on the opaque display. Further alternatively, a system may have a projection system that projects virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. 
     An augmented reality environment also refers to a simulated environment in which a representation of a physical environment is transformed by computer-generated sensory information. For example, in providing pass-through video, a system may transform one or more sensor images to impose a select perspective (e.g., viewpoint) different than the perspective captured by the imaging sensors. As another example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically modifying (e.g., enlarging) portions thereof, such that the modified portion may be representative but not photorealistic versions of the originally captured images. As a further example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically eliminating or obfuscating portions thereof. 
     An augmented virtuality (AV) environment refers to a simulated environment in which a virtual or computer-generated environment incorporates one or more sensory inputs from the physical environment. The sensory inputs may be representations of one or more characteristics of the physical environment. For example, an AV park may have virtual trees and virtual buildings, but people with faces photorealistically reproduced from images taken of physical people. As another example, a virtual object may adopt a shape or color of a physical article imaged by one or more imaging sensors. As a further example, a virtual object may adopt shadows consistent with the position of the sun in the physical environment. 
     There are many different types of electronic systems that enable a person to sense and/or interact with various CGR environments. Examples include head mounted systems, projection-based systems, heads-up displays (HUDs), vehicle windshields having integrated display capability, windows having integrated display capability, displays formed as lenses designed to be placed on a person&#39;s eyes (e.g., similar to contact lenses), headphones/earphones, speaker arrays, input systems (e.g., wearable or handheld controllers with or without haptic feedback), smartphones, tablets, and desktop/laptop computers. A head mounted system may have one or more speaker(s) and an integrated opaque display. Alternatively, a head mounted system may be configured to accept an external opaque display (e.g., a smartphone). The head mounted system may incorporate one or more imaging sensors to capture images or video of the physical environment, and/or one or more microphones to capture audio of the physical environment. Rather than an opaque display, a head mounted system may have a transparent or translucent display. The transparent or translucent display may have a medium through which light representative of images is directed to a person&#39;s eyes. The display may utilize digital light projection, OLEDs, LEDs, uLEDs, liquid crystal on silicon, laser scanning light source, or any combination of these technologies. The medium may be an optical waveguide, a hologram medium, an optical combiner, an optical reflector, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the transparent or translucent display may be configured to become opaque selectively. Projection-based systems may employ retinal projection technology that projects graphical images onto a person&#39;s retina. Projection systems also may be configured to project virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources to customize compliant interfaces for users. 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 customize compliant interfaces for users. 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 customized compliant interfaces, 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. In another example, users can select to not provide personal information for customizing compliant interfaces, for example, instead self-selecting components of the compliant interface. 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, compliant interfaces may be provided based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the compliant interfaces being provided according to general personal information, such as age range and/or ethnicity.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200721
Publication Date: 20240514
Grant Date: 20240514
Priority Date: 20190809
Inventors: HATFIELD, DUSTIN A.
SPENCE, DANIEL J.
PANECKI, LEE M.
HARDER, CAMERON A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29C64/393", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B33Y10/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B33Y50/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B33Y80/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29K2083/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29L2031/3475", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29L2031/3481", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B33Y10/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B33Y50/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29C64/393", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29L2031/3475", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29K2083/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29L2031/3481", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B33Y80/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B33Y80/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B29C64/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 91033886