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Oct 06, 2023

Apple Wins a Patent covering Securement Mechanisms for future Smartglasses

Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to future smartglasses, and more specifically, to securement mechanisms for smartglasses. Apple presents a

Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to future smartglasses, and more specifically, to securement mechanisms for smartglasses. Apple presents a simple foldable design and a pro-like alternative design with a higher degree of adjustability using a tensioner system. The emphasis of the patent is on smartglasses.

Apple's granted patent covers Head-mountable devices, such as smart eyeglasses, other HMDs, visors, head-up display, and the like can perform a range of functions that is determined by the components (e.g., sensors, circuitry, and other hardware) included with the wearable device as manufactured. It can be desirable to provide the components of the head-mountable device with mechanisms to secure the head-mountable device against a head of the user.

It can also be desirable to provide the components of the smartglasses with operative connections for communication there between. It can also be desirable to provide the components of the head-mountable device with adjustable fit features to allow a variety of users to comfortable wear the head-mountable device.

The securement can be based on an arrangement of spring elements that have biased configurations and allow gentle retraction against a head of the user. Head-mountable devices of the present disclosure can provide adjustable securement against a head of a user by allowing custom fitting, for example with a tensioner.

Apple's patent FIG. 1, which is the focus of the patent, illustrates a perspective view of a head-mountable device in the form of smartglasses; FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of smartglasses in a stowed position; FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of smartglasses in an open position; FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a portion of smartglasses in an open position; FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a portion of smartglasses in a stowed position. This figures illustrates the hinge better and the sheath.

Apple's patent FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a hinge assembly for smartglasses.

The optical module #50 illustrated above can transmit light from a physical environment for viewing by the user. Such an optical module can include optical properties, such lenses for vision correction based on incoming light from the physical environment.

Additionally or alternatively, an optical module can provide information as a display within a field of view of the user. Such information can be displayed based on operation of a display element #80 that projects light onto and/or communicates with one or more elements of the optical module.

The patent then shifts to an alternative securement mechanism design, one that could technically be Apple's way of supporting a "Pro" version of their smartglasses.

Apple's patent FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of smartglasses in an open position; FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of smartglasses with a tensioner; FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of a tensioner assembly for smartglasses; and FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of a tensioner assembly for smartglasses.

For more details, review Apple's granted patent 11714285.

Posted by Jack Purcher on August 01, 2023 at 08:40 AM in 2. Granted Patents, HMDs, Apple Vision Pro, Smartglasses + | Permalink | Comments (0)