PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11137612-B2
Application Number: US-201916562293-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device with adjustable support structures

Abstract:
A head-mounted device may include a housing structure, a display module mounted in the housing structure, and adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure. The adjustable support structures may include a first portion that rests against a user&#39;s forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user&#39;s cheeks or temples. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include posts with adjustable lengths, telescoping layers of material, inflatable structures, and/or elastomeric materials that expand and retract to accommodate different face shapes and sizes. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include a cable located in a flexible member. When pressure is applied to a forehead portion of the flexible member, the cable pulls the temple portions of the flexible member towards each other. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include a movable member that pivots about a pivot axis.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head-mounted device configured to be worn on a user&#39;s head, comprising:
 a housing structure; 
 a display module mounted in the housing structure; and 
 adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure, wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a first portion that rests against the user&#39;s forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user&#39;s respective left and right cheeks when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head, wherein the adjustable support structures are configured to expand and retract, and wherein the adjustable support structures comprises posts with adjustable lengths. 
 
     
     
       2. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 1  wherein the first, second, and third portions of the adjustable support structures are configured to expand and retract independently of one another. 
     
     
       3. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 1  wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a pad located at one end of each post. 
     
     
       4. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 1  wherein the adjustable support structures comprise an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       5. A head-mounted device configured to be worn on a user&#39;s head, comprising:
 a housing structure; 
 a display module mounted in the housing structure; and 
 adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure, wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a first portion that rests against the user&#39;s forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user&#39;s respective left and right cheeks when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head, wherein the adjustable support structures are configured to expand and retract, and wherein the adjustable support structures comprise at least two telescoping layers of material. 
 
     
     
       6. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 5  wherein the at least two telescoping layers of material each form a continuous loop that surrounds a periphery of the user&#39;s eyes when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head. 
     
     
       7. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 5  wherein the at least two telescoping layers of material each have an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the upper portion is decoupled from the lower portion such that the upper and lower portions expand and retract independently of one another. 
     
     
       8. A head-mounted device configured to be worn on a user&#39;s head, comprising:
 a housing structure; 
 a display module mounted in the housing structure; and 
 adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure, wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a first portion that rests against the user&#39;s forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user&#39;s respective left and right cheeks when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head, wherein the adjustable support structures are configured to expand and retract, and wherein the adjustable support structures comprise an inflatable structure having a valve and open-cell foam that self-inflates when the valve is open. 
 
     
     
       9. A head-mounted device configured to be worn on a user&#39;s head, comprising:
 a housing structure; 
 a display module mounted in the housing structure; and 
 adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure, wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a first portion that rests against the user&#39;s forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user&#39;s respective left and right temples when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head, and wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a cable that pulls the second and third portions towards each other when pressure is applied to the first portion. 
 
     
     
       10. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 9  wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a flexible member and wherein the cable is located in the flexible member. 
     
     
       11. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 10  wherein the flexible member forms a loop that surrounds a periphery of the user&#39;s eyes when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head. 
     
     
       12. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 11  wherein the cable forms an additional loop within the flexible member that surrounds the periphery of the user&#39;s eyes when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head. 
     
     
       13. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 10  wherein the flexible member has first and second pivot points, wherein the first pivot point is located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second pivot point is located between the first portion and the third portion, and wherein the flexible member pivots at the first and second pivot points when the cable pulls the second and third portions towards each other. 
     
     
       14. A head-mounted device configured to be worn on a user&#39;s head, comprising:
 a housing structure; 
 a display module mounted in the housing structure; and 
 adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure, wherein the adjustable support structures comprise a movable member having a first portion that rests against the user&#39;s forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user&#39;s respective left and right cheeks when the head-mounted device is worn on the user&#39;s head, and wherein the movable member is configured to rotate about a pivot point. 
 
     
     
       15. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 14  wherein the pivot point is located at the second portion. 
     
     
       16. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 14  wherein the pivot point is located between the first and second portions. 
     
     
       17. The head-mounted device defined in  claim 14  further comprising a strap that attaches the housing structure to the user&#39;s head, wherein the movable structure rotates relative to the strap.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/730,480, filed Sep. 12, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to wearable electronic device systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices are sometimes configured to be worn by users. For example, head-mounted devices are provided with head-mounted structures that allow the devices to be worn on users&#39; heads. The head-mounted devices may include optical systems with lenses. The lenses allow displays in the devices to present visual content to users. 
     Users have faces of different shapes and sizes. This can pose challenges when a head-mounted device is to be used by multiple users. If care is not taken, a head-mounted device may not fit well for certain users. 
     SUMMARY 
     A head-mounted device may have a display that displays content for a user. Head-mounted support structures in the device support the display on the head of the user. 
     The head-mounted device may have lenses in lens modules. A left positioner may be used to position a left lens module. A right positioner may be used to position a right lens module. The left and right lens modules may have respective left and right lenses and respective left and right portions of a display. 
     To accommodate users with different face shapes and sizes, the head-mounted device may include adjustable support structures coupled to the housing structure. The adjustable support structures may include a first portion that rests against a user&#39;s forehead and second and third portions that rest against the user&#39;s cheeks or temples. In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures may be configured to expand and retract to accommodate different face shapes and sizes. The adjustable support structures that expand and retract may include posts with adjustable lengths, telescoping layers of material, inflatable structures, and/or elastomeric materials. 
     In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures include a cable located in a flexible member. When pressure is applied to a forehead portion of the flexible member, the cable pulls the temple portions of the flexible member towards each other (e.g., towards the user&#39;s temples). 
     In some arrangements, the adjustable support structures may include a movable member that pivots about a pivot axis. The pivot axis may be located at a lower end of the movable member, an upper end of the movable member, or between the upper and lower ends of the movable member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device such as a head-mounted device having adjustable support structures in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are side views of illustrative face profiles that can be accommodated using adjustable support structures in a head-mounted device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of illustrative faces with different widths that can be accommodated using adjustable support structures in a head-mounted device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures such as extendable posts in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures such as a cable that pulls left and right side members towards the user&#39;s temples in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the head-mounted device of  FIG. 7  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures such as a movable member that pivots about a pivot point at the bottom of the movable member in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures such as a movable member that pivots about a pivot point at the center of the movable member in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures such as a telescoping layers that expand and contract in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures such as an inflatable member that expands and contracts in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an illustrative head-mounted device having adjustable support structures a deformable structure in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices may include displays and other components for presenting content to users. The electronic devices may be wearable electronic devices. A wearable electronic device such as a head-mounted device may have head-mounted support structures that allow the head-mounted device to be worn on a user&#39;s head. 
     A head-mounted device may contain a display formed from one or more display panels (displays) for displaying visual content to a user. A lens system may be used to allow the user to focus on the display and view the visual content. The lens system may have a left lens that is aligned with a user&#39;s left eye and a right lens that is aligned with a user&#39;s right eye. 
     Not all users have the same face shape or face size. To ensure that a wide range of users are able to comfortably view content on the display, the head-mounted device may be provided with adjustable support structures. The adjustable support structures may be used in adjusting the size and/or position of the head-mounted device to accommodate different face shapes and sizes. 
     A schematic diagram of an illustrative system having an electronic device with adjustable support structures that help ensure satisfactory placement of lenses relative to a user&#39;s facial features is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  8  may include one or more electronic devices such as electronic device  10 . The electronic devices of system  8  may include computers, cellular telephones, head-mounted devices, wristwatch devices, and other electronic devices. Configurations in which electronic device  10  is a head-mounted device are sometimes described herein as an example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , electronic devices such as electronic device  10  may have control circuitry  12 . Control circuitry  12  may include storage and processing circuitry for controlling the operation of device  10 . Circuitry  12  may include storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., electrically-programmable-read-only memory configured to form a solid-state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. 
     Processing circuitry in control circuitry  12  may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors, power management units, audio chips, graphics processing units, application specific integrated circuits, and other integrated circuits. Software code may be stored on storage in circuitry  12  and run on processing circuitry in circuitry  12  to implement control operations for device  10  (e.g., data gathering operations, operations involved in processing three-dimensional facial image data, operations involving the adjustment of components using control signals, etc.). Control circuitry  12  may include wired and wireless communications circuitry. For example, control circuitry  12  may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry such as cellular telephone transceiver circuitry, wireless local area network (WiFi®) transceiver circuitry, millimeter wave transceiver circuitry, and/or other wireless communications circuitry. 
     During operation, the communications circuitry of the devices in system  8  (e.g., the communications circuitry of control circuitry  12  of device  10 ), may be used to support communication between the electronic devices. For example, one electronic device may transmit video and/or audio data to another electronic device in system  8 . Electronic devices in system  8  may use wired and/or wireless communications circuitry to communicate through one or more communications networks (e.g., the internet, local area networks, etc.). The communications circuitry may be used to allow data to be received by device  10  from external equipment (e.g., a tethered computer, a portable device such as a handheld device or laptop computer, online computing equipment such as a remote server or other remote computing equipment, or other electrical equipment) and/or to provide data to external equipment. 
     Device  10  may include input-output devices  22 . Input-output devices  22  may be used to allow a user to provide device  10  with user input. Input-output devices  22  may also be used to gather information on the environment in which device  10  is operating. Output components in devices  22  may allow device  10  to provide a user with output and may be used to communicate with external electrical equipment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , input-output devices  22  may include one or more displays such as display  14 . In some configurations, display  14  of device  10  includes left and right display panels (sometimes referred to as left and right portions of display  14  and/or left and right displays) that are in alignment with the user&#39;s left and right eyes, respectively. In other configurations, display  14  includes a single display panel that extends across both eyes. 
     Display  14  may be used to display images. The visual content that is displayed on display  14  may be viewed by a user of device  10 . Displays in device  10  such as display  14  may be organic light-emitting diode displays or other displays based on arrays of light-emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, liquid-crystal-on-silicon displays, projectors or displays based on projecting light beams on a surface directly or indirectly through specialized optics (e.g., digital micromirror devices), electrophoretic displays, plasma displays, electrowetting displays, or any other suitable displays. 
     Display  14  may present computer-generated content such as virtual reality content and mixed reality content to a user. Virtual reality content may be displayed in the absence of real-world content. Mixed reality content, which may sometimes be referred to as augmented reality content, may include computer-generated images that are overlaid on real-world images. The real-world images may be captured by a camera (e.g., a forward-facing camera) and merged with overlaid computer-generated content or an optical coupling system may be used to allow computer-generated content to be overlaid on top of real-world images. As an example, a pair of mixed reality glasses or other augmented reality head-mounted display may include a display device that provides images to a user through a beam splitter, prism, holographic coupler, or other optical coupler. Configurations in which display  14  is used to display virtual reality content to a user through lenses are described herein as an example. 
     Input-output circuitry  22  may include sensors  16 . Sensors  16  may include, for example, three-dimensional sensors (e.g., three-dimensional image sensors such as structured light sensors that emit beams of light and that use two-dimensional digital image sensors to gather image data for three-dimensional images from light spots that are produced when a target is illuminated by the beams of light, binocular three-dimensional image sensors that gather three-dimensional images using two or more cameras in a binocular imaging arrangement, three-dimensional lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors, three-dimensional radio-frequency sensors, or other sensors that gather three-dimensional image data), cameras (e.g., infrared and/or visible digital image sensors), gaze tracking sensors (e.g., a gaze tracking system based on an image sensor and, if desired, a light source that emits one or more beams of light that are tracked using the image sensor after reflecting from a user&#39;s eyes), touch sensors, buttons, force sensors, sensors such as contact sensors based on switches, gas sensors, pressure sensors, moisture sensors, magnetic sensors, audio sensors (microphones), ambient light sensors, microphones for gathering voice commands and other audio input, sensors that are configured to gather information on motion, position, and/or orientation (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, and/or inertial measurement units that include all of these sensors or a subset of one or two of these sensors), fingerprint sensors and other biometric sensors, optical position sensors (optical encoders), and/or other position sensors such as linear position sensors, and/or other sensors. 
     User input and other information may be gathered using sensors and other input devices in input-output devices  22 . If desired, input-output devices  22  may include other devices  24  such as haptic output devices (e.g., vibrating components), light-emitting diodes and other light sources, speakers such as ear speakers for producing audio output, and other electrical components. Device  10  may include circuits for receiving wireless power, circuits for transmitting power wirelessly to other devices, batteries and other energy storage devices (e.g., capacitors), joysticks, buttons, and/or other components. 
     Electronic device  10  may have housing structures (e.g., housing walls, straps, etc.), as shown by illustrative support structures  26  of  FIG. 1 . In configurations in which electronic device  10  is a head-mounted device (e.g., a pair of glasses, goggles, a helmet, a hat, etc.), support structures  26  may include head-mounted support structures (e.g., a helmet housing, head straps, temples in a pair of eyeglasses, goggle housing structures, and/or other head-mounted structures). The head-mounted support structures may be configured to be worn on a head of a user during operation of device  10  and may support display(s)  14 , sensors  16 , other components  24 , other input-output devices  22 , and control circuitry  12 . Support structures  26  may include adjustable support structures so that device  10  can fit to faces of different shapes and sizes. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of electronic device  10  in an illustrative configuration in which electronic device  10  is a head-mounted device. As shown in  FIG. 2 , electronic device  10  may include support structures (see, e.g., support structures  26  of  FIG. 1 ) that are used in housing the components of device  10  and mounting device  10  onto a user&#39;s head. These support structures may include, for example, support structures  26 - 1 ,  26 - 2 , and  26 - 3 . Support structures  26 - 3  may form a main unit (e.g., a main housing structure) with housing walls and other structures (e.g., exterior housing walls, lens module structures, etc.) for supporting display  14  and other optical and electrical components. Support structures  26 - 2  may include straps or other supplemental support structures that help to hold main unit  26 - 3  on a user&#39;s face and/or head so that the user&#39;s eyes are located within eye boxes  60 . Support structures  26 - 1  may rest against the front of a user&#39;s face (e.g., a user&#39;s forehead, cheeks, temples, and/or nose) and may include padding, foam, and/or other soft materials for enhancing comfort. Support structures  26  such as support structures  26 - 1 ,  26 - 2 , and  26 - 3  may be formed from metal, polymer (e.g., thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or other plastic), fabric, glass, ceramic, shape memory alloy, foam, elastomeric material, other materials, or combinations of these materials. 
     Some or all of support structures  26  may be adjustable. For example, support structures  26 - 2  (sometimes referred to as straps  26 - 2 ) may include adjustable straps to accommodate different head shapes and sizes. Support structures  26 - 1  may include adjustable structures for accommodating different face shapes and sizes. Support structures  26 - 1  may include adjustable structures that can be moved linearly (e.g., parallel to the X, Y, and/or Z axes of  FIG. 2 ) and/or may include adjustable structures that can be rotated (e.g., rotated about the X, Y, and/or Z axes of  FIG. 2 ). Accommodating different face shapes and sizes can help enhance user comfort while also ensuring that displays  14  are properly aligned with respect to the user&#39;s eyes. 
     Display  14  may include left and right display panels (e.g., left and right pixel arrays, sometimes referred to as left and right displays or left and right display portions) that are mounted respectively in left and right display modules  70  corresponding respectively to a user&#39;s left eye (and left eye box  60 ) and right eye (and right eye box  60 ). Modules  70 , which may sometimes be referred to as lens support structures, lens housings, or lens and display housings, may be individually positioned relative to the housing wall structures of main unit  26 - 3  and relative to the user&#39;s eyes using positioning circuitry such as respective left and right positioners  58 . Positioners  58  may be stepper motors, piezoelectric actuators, motors, linear electromagnetic actuators, and/or other electronic components for adjusting lens module positions. Positioners  58  may be controlled by control circuitry  12  during operation of device  10 . For example, positioners  58  may be used to adjust the spacing between modules  70  (and therefore the lens-to-lens spacing between the left and right lenses of modules  70 ) to match the interpupillary distance of a user&#39;s eyes. This allows the user to view the left and right display portions of display  14  in the left and right lens modules. If desired, one or both of positioners  58  may also be used to adjust the position of adjustable support structures  26 - 1  to accommodate different face geometries. This is, however, merely illustrative. If desired, adjustable support structures  26 - 1  may be adjusted manually by a user. 
       FIGS. 3, 4, and 5  show illustrative examples of different face geometries that can be accommodated with adjustable support structures such as adjustable support structures  26 - 1  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The examples of  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate how users may have different forehead and cheek positions. The prominence of a user&#39;s forehead and cheeks is significant because support structures  26 - 1  may have an upper surface that rests on a user&#39;s forehead and a lower surface that rests on a user&#39;s cheeks. If a user&#39;s forehead is significantly more prominent than the user&#39;s cheeks, this can lead to a backward tilt of display modules  70  (e.g., where the upper edge of display modules  70  is tilted away from the user&#39;s eyes) if care is not taken. Conversely, if a user&#39;s forehead is recessed relative to the user&#39;s cheeks, this can lead to a forward tilt of display modules  70  (e.g., where the upper edge of display modules  70  is tilted towards the user&#39;s eyes). Adjustable support structures  26 - 1  may be adjusted to account for the relative prominence of a user&#39;s forehead and cheeks. 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the user&#39;s forehead is significantly more prominent than the user&#39;s cheeks. Line  96  extending between the user&#39;s cheeks and forehead is at angle θ 1  with respect to vertical axis Y. In the example of  FIG. 4 , the user&#39;s forehead is only slightly more prominent than the user&#39;s cheeks. Line  98  extending between the user&#39;s cheeks and forehead is at angle θ2 with respect to vertical axis Y, where θ2 is less than θ1. Adjustable support structures  26 - 1  may allow the position of device  10  to be adjusted to account for different cheek-to-forehead angles (e.g., θ1, θ2 and any other cheek-to-forehead angle). This ensures that display  14  is appropriately aligned with respect to the focal plane of the user&#39;s eyes, regardless of the prominence of his or her forehead and cheeks. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates how users may have different face widths. As shown in  FIG. 5 , user  90  may have face width W 1  and user  92  may have face width W 2 , which is larger than W 1 . Adjustable support structures  26 - 1  may allow device  10  to be adjusted to account for different face widths (e.g., W 1 , W 2 , and any other suitable face width). 
       FIGS. 3, 4, and 5  are merely illustrative examples of ways in which face shapes and face sizes can vary. In general, device  10  may include adjustable support structures for accommodating any face shape or size. 
       FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13  show illustrative examples of adjustable support structures that may be used to accommodate different face shapes and face sizes. It should be understood that the following examples are merely illustrative of adjustable support structures. If desired, other adjustable support structures may be used instead of or in addition to the following examples. If desired, device  10  may include a combination of any two or more of the following examples of adjustable support structures. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an illustrative example of support structures  26 - 1  in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , device  10  may include frame  84 . Frame  84  may have an outer surface  86  that couples to main unit  26 - 3  and an inner surface  88  that faces towards the user&#39;s face. Frame  84  may include left and right attachment structures  36  for coupling frame  84  to straps  26 - 2  of  FIG. 2 . If desired, frame  84  and attachment structures  36  may form part of main unit  26 - 3  or may form part of adjustable support structures  26 - 1 . 
     Support structures  26 - 1  may include one or more extendable posts  32  extending from inner surface  88  of frame  84 . Each extendable post  32  may have a first end coupled to inner surface  88  of frame  84  and a second opposing end coupled to a face pad such as face pad  34 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , there are three extendable posts  32  each coupled to an associated one of face pads  34 A,  34 B, and  34 C. Face pad  34 A may rest upon a user&#39;s forehead, and face pads  34 B and  34 C may rest upon a user&#39;s left and right cheeks, respectively. Each post  32  may extend and retract along direction  30  (e.g., parallel to the Z-axis of  FIG. 6 ). The length L of each post  32  may be adjusted independently of other posts  32 , if desired. The length L of each post  32  may be adjusted to 0 mm (e.g., so that the corresponding face pad  34  is contacting inner surface  88  of frame  84 ), between 0 mm and 2 mm, between 0 mm and 1 mm, between 1 mm and 5 mm, between 3 mm and 8 mm, greater than 8 mm, less than 8 mm, or any other suitable length. 
     In some arrangements, posts  32  and face pads  34  may only be configured to move linearly along direction  30  (e.g., parallel to the Z-axis). In other arrangements, posts  32  and face pads  34  may be configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of posts  32 . 
     Posts  32  may extend and retract using any suitable length-adjustment mechanism (e.g., using multiple telescoping tubular sections, multiple folding sections, etc.) and may be locked in place at the desired length using any suitable locking mechanism (e.g., mating grooves and protrusions, screws, magnets, friction, spring force, clutch mechanisms, etc.). Posts  32  may be locked into place at any suitable length L or may be locked into place only at predetermined lengths L. Posts  32  may be expanded and retracted using computer-controlled positioners  58  and/or may be expanded and retracted manually by a user. In arrangements where posts  32  are locked at a given length using a clutch mechanism, a user may press a button or provide other user input to unlock the clutch mechanism and thereby allow posts  32  to expand or retract. In arrangements where posts  32  are locked using friction, a user may simply pull or push posts  32  to adjust the length of posts  32 . By individually adjusting the lengths L of each post  32 , device  10  may be appropriately positioned on the user&#39;s face to align display modules  70  with the user&#39;s eyes, regardless of the prominence of the user&#39;s forehead and cheeks (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     The example of  FIG. 6  in which there are three posts  32  and three corresponding face pads  34  is merely illustrative. If desired, there may be fewer than three posts  32  or there may be more than three posts  32  (e.g., there may be 5, 10, 15, 20, more than 20, or less than 20 posts  32 ). Each post  32  may be coupled to an associated one of face pads  34 , there may be multiple posts  32  coupled to each face pad  34 , or there may be multiple face pads  34  coupled to each post  32 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show another illustrative example of adjustable support structures  26 - 1  in device  10 . As shown in the bottom view of  FIG. 7 , device  10  may include frame  84 . Frame  84  may have an outer surface  86  that couples to main unit  26 - 3  and an inner surface  88  that faces towards the user&#39;s face. If desired, frame  84  may form part of main unit  26 - 3  or may form part of adjustable support structures  26 - 1 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , adjustable support structures  26 - 1  include flexible member  102  that rests upon the user&#39;s face. In particular, flexible member  102  may include forehead portion  48  that rests upon a user&#39;s forehead, nose portion  46  that rests adjacent to a user&#39;s nose, and left and right side portions  44  that rest upon a user&#39;s left and right cheeks or temples. A cable such as cable  42  may be located within flexible member  102 . Flexible member  102  and cable  42  may have one or more pivot points such as pivot points  50 . When a user places device  10  on his or her head, the user&#39;s forehead may press against forehead portion  48 , which in turn presses against cable  42 . Cable  42  may be held under tension within flexible member  102  such that pressure against cable  42  in direction  40  causes the portions of cable  42  in left and right side portions  44  to be pulled inwards in directions  38  (e.g., such that side portions  44  move inward towards the user&#39;s temples). 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , flexible support member  102  may form a continuous loop that extends around the periphery of a user&#39;s eyes. If desired, cable  42  may also form a continuous loop within flexible support member  102 . There may be any suitable number of pivot points  50  in flexible frame member  102 . In the example of  FIG. 8 , pivot points  50  are located to the left of forehead portion  48 , to the right of forehead portion  48 , to the left of nose portion  46 , and to the right of nose portion  46 . When a user&#39;s forehead applies pressure to cable  42  in forehead portion  48  and/or nose portion  46 , the tension of cable  42  causes side portions  48  to move toward each other in directions  38  (e.g., towards the user&#39;s temples). This mechanism may be used to adjust the width of device  10  to accommodate different face widths (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 9  shows an another illustrative example of adjustable support structures  26 - 1  in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , adjustable support structures  26 - 1  may include frame  84 . Frame  84  may have an outer surface  86  that couples to main unit  26 - 3  and an inner surface  88  that faces towards the user&#39;s face. Frame  84  may include left and right attachment structures  36  for coupling frame  84  to straps  26 - 2  of  FIG. 2 . If desired, frame  84  and attachment structures  36  may form part of main unit  26 - 3  or may form part of adjustable support structures  26 - 1 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 9 , adjustable support structures  26 - 1  include movable member  54 . Movable member  54  may be interposed between frame  84  and the user&#39;s face. Movable member  54  may have a continuous loop shape that matches the loop shape of frame  84 , or there may be a left movable member  54  that surrounds or partially surrounds the user&#39;s left eye and a right movable member  54  that surrounds or partially surrounds the user&#39;s right eye. Movable member  54  may be configured to pivot about pivot point  56 . As movable member  54  pivots, movable member  54  may move along direction  52  between a vertical position (e.g., in which movable member  54  is substantially parallel to the inner surface  88  of frame  84 , as indicated by solid lines  54 ) and a tilted position (e.g., in which movable member is tilted with respect to inner surface  88  of frame  84 , as indicated by dashed lines  54 ′). If desired, a locking mechanism may be used to lock movable member  54  into the desired position. 
     The example of  FIG. 9  in which pivot point  56  is located at the bottom of movable member  54  (e.g., the portion of movable member  54  that rests against a user&#39;s cheeks) is merely illustrative. If desired, pivot point  56  may be located at the top of movable member  54  (e.g., the portion of movable member  54  that rests against a user&#39;s forehead) or may be located elsewhere in movable member  54 . In  FIG. 10 , for example, pivot point  104  is located in the middle of movable member  54 . This allows top portion  54 T and bottom portion  54 B of movable member  54  to be tilted towards or away from frame  84 . 
     By adjusting the position of movable member  54 , device  10  may be appropriately positioned on the user&#39;s face to align display modules  70  with the user&#39;s eyes, regardless of the prominence of the user&#39;s forehead and cheeks (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
       FIG. 11  shows an another illustrative example of adjustable support structures  26 - 1  in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , device  10  may include frame  84 . Frame  84  may have an outer surface  86  that couples to main unit  26 - 3  and an inner surface  88  that faces towards the user&#39;s face. If desired, frame  84  may form part of main unit  26 - 3  or may form part of adjustable support structures  26 - 1 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 11 , adjustable support structures  26 - 1  are formed from telescoping layers of material such as layers of material  64 . There may be two, three, four, more than four, or less than four telescoping layers of material  64 . Each telescoping layer  64  may form a continuous loop around the periphery of a user&#39;s eyes or there may be separate sets of telescoping layers  64  for the user&#39;s left and right eyes. Telescoping layers  64  may be configured to expand and retract along direction  62 . When telescoping layers  64  are in a fully retracted position, layers  64  may overlap one another near frame  84 . When telescoping layers  64  are in a fully extended position, layers  64  may be spread out in direction  62 . In some arrangements, each telescoping layer  64  may move as one solid piece such that expanding or contracting top portion  64 T of layer  64  also expands or contracts bottom portion  64 B of layer  64 . In other arrangements, portions of each layer  64  may be decoupled from one another to allow for independent movement of one portion of layer  64  relative to another portion of layer  64 . For example, top portion  64 T of each layer  64  may be decoupled from bottom portion  64 B of each layer  64 , thereby allowing top portion  64 T and bottom portion  64 B to expand and retract independently of one another. 
     Layers  64  may be expanded to the desired position and locked in place using any suitable locking mechanism (e.g., mating grooves and protrusions, screws, magnets, friction, spring force, clutch mechanisms, etc.). Layers  64  may be locked at any suitable position or may only be locked at a set number of predetermined positions. In arrangements where layers  64  are locked at a given length using a clutch mechanism, a user may press a button or provide other user input to unlock the clutch mechanism and thereby allow layers  64  to expand or retract. In arrangements where layers  64  are locked using friction, a user may simply pull or push layers  64  to adjust the position of layers  64 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of another illustrative example of adjustable support structures  26 - 1  in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , device  10  may include frame  84 . Frame  84  may have an outer surface  86  that couples to main unit  26 - 3  and an inner surface  88  that faces towards the user&#39;s face. If desired, frame  84  may form part of main unit  26 - 3  or may form part of adjustable support structures  26 - 1 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 12 , adjustable support structures  26 - 1  comprise inflatable structure  76 . Inflatable structure  76  (sometimes referred to as an air bladder) may include a valve such as valve  66  through which air can enter and exit in direction  68 . When air enters valve  66 , inflatable structure  76  may expand along direction  74 . When the inflatable structure  76  has reached the appropriate expanded position, valve  66  may be closed. When it is desired to retract and compress inflatable structure  76 , valve  66  may be opened to allow air to exit inflatable structure  76 . 
     In some arrangements, inflatable structure  76  may be inflated manually by a user (e.g., by manually blowing or otherwise forcing air into valve  66 ). In other arrangements, inflatable structure  76  may include a self-inflating, open-cell foam. With this type of configuration, the open-cell foam in structure  76  automatically pulls air into structure  76  when valve  66  is open, causing structure  76  to inflate and expand until the open-cell foam is full and/or until valve  66  is closed. When inflatable structure  76  reaches the appropriate expanded position, valve  66  may be closed. When it is desired to compress inflatable structure  76 , valve  66  may be opened and inflatable structure  76  may be compressed, forcing the air out of the foam and out of inflatable structure  76  through valve  66 . 
     The example of  FIG. 12  in which adjustable support structures  26 - 1  include one inflatable structure  76  and one corresponding valve  66  is merely illustrative. If desired, adjustable support structures  26 - 1  may include multiple air chambers (e.g., adjustable support structures  26 - 1  may include two, three, four, more than four, or less than four inflatable structures  76 , each having a corresponding valve  66 ). For example, a first inflatable structure  76  and valve  66  may be configured to rest upon a user&#39;s forehead, a second inflatable structure  76  and valve  66  may be configured to rest upon a user&#39;s left cheek, and a third inflatable structure  76  and valve  66  may be configured to rest upon a user&#39;s right cheek, if desired. This allows the expansion and contraction of individual portions of support structures  26 - 1  to be controlled independently of one another. 
       FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of another illustrative example of adjustable support structures  26 - 1  in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , device  10  may include frame  84 . Frame  84  may have an outer surface  86  that couples to main unit  26 - 3  and an inner surface  88  that faces towards the user&#39;s face. If desired, frame  84  may form part of main unit  26 - 3  or may form part of adjustable support structures  26 - 1 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 13 , adjustable support structures  26 - 1  include deformable structure  82 . Deformable structure  82  may include flexible materials such as polymer, elastomer, fabric, shape memory alloy materials, thermoplastic materials that become soft and malleable when heated to an appropriate temperature (e.g., 45° C. or other suitable temperature), and/or other suitable materials. The entirety of structure  82  may be flexible or there may be rigid structures attached to or embedded within structure  82  (e.g., metal sheets, metal wires, a skeletal frame, other rigid structures, etc.). Structure  82  may have outer side portions  108 . Outer side potions  108  may be configured to rest against a user&#39;s temples when device  10  is worn on a user&#39;s head. Due to the flexibility and elasticity of structure  82 , outer side portions  108  of structure  82  may be configured to expand outward and retract inward in direction  80  to accommodate different face widths (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190905
Publication Date: 20211005
Grant Date: 20211005
Priority Date: 20180912
Inventors: JO, YOONHOO
DEGEN, THOMAS E.
HOENIG, JULIAN
JAEDE, JULIAN
MOSSOP, AIDEN D.
NAQVI, ATIF H.
OSHITA, Scott Y.
WILLIAMSON, Heidi
WONG, EDWARD W.
WRIGHT, TIMON A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B2027/0187", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B2027/0154", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B2027/0181", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B2027/0154", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0179", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0179", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0176", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B2027/0154", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B2027/0187", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69719519