Head-mountable devices with connectable lens assemblies
A head-mountable device can include modules that provide vision correction and operable connections between the modules. By providing head-mountable devices with modular features, certain lens assemblies can provide the desired vision correction for any given user and facilitate exchange with a different lens assembly for a different user. The lens assembly can identify itself and/or a feature thereof (e.g., vision correction and/or user identification) via an operable connection through the optical assembly onto which it attaches. By providing the operable connection through the optical assembly, part count, weight, complexity, and install procedures can be reduced. By sealing the cable providing the operable connect from an external environment, the reliability and robustness of the connection can be enhanced.
1 . A head-mountable device comprising:
a control board comprising a control board connector;
an optical assembly comprising:
a display; and
an optical assembly housing surrounding a periphery of the display;
a first optical assembly connector on an outer side of the optical assembly housing;
a second optical assembly connector on an inner side of the optical assembly housing; and
a cable extending within the optical assembly housing between the first optical assembly connector and the second optical assembly connector; and
an electronic lens assembly comprising:
a lens;
a lens assembly housing surrounding a periphery of the lens; and
a lens assembly connector on an outer side of the lens assembly housing, wherein the electronic lens assembly is operably connected to the control board when the first optical assembly connector is connected to the control board connector and the lens assembly connector is connected to the second optical assembly connector.
2 . The head-mountable device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a camera;
a microphone;
a speaker;
a frame supporting the control board, the optical assembly, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker; and
a head engager configured to secure the frame to head.
3 . The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic lens assembly further comprises a memory that stores information including an identity corresponding to the lens assembly.
4 . The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic lens assembly further comprises a memory that stores an indicator corresponding to the lens.
5 . The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic lens assembly further comprises a sensor configured to detect a condition within the head-mountable device.
6 . The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic lens assembly further comprises an antenna.
7 . The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic lens assembly further comprises a light emitter.
8 . The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein:
the optical assembly comprises an optical assembly engager; and
the electronic lens assembly comprises a lens assembly engager configured to releasably secure the electronic lens assembly to the optical assembly.
9 . The head-mountable device of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the optical assembly engager or the lens assembly engager comprises at least one of a magnet, a lock, a latch, a snap, a pin, or a threaded screw.
10 . A head-mountable device comprising:
an optical assembly comprising:
a display;
an optical assembly housing surrounding a periphery of the display and configured to releasably couple to an electronic lens assembly comprising a lens and a memory storing information corresponding to the electronic lens assembly;
a cable sealed within the optical assembly housing;
a first optical assembly connector on an outer side of the optical assembly housing; and
a second optical assembly connector on an inner side of the optical assembly housing, wherein the cable extends between the first optical assembly connector and the second optical assembly connector; and
a control board configured to be operatively connected to the memory by the cable when the electronic lens assembly is coupled to the optical assembly, the control board being configured to control an operation of the display based on the information corresponding to the lens.
11 . The head-mountable device of claim 10 , wherein the information includes an identity corresponding to the electronic lens assembly.
12 . The head-mountable device of claim 10 , wherein the information includes an indicator corresponding to the lens.
13 . The head-mountable device of claim 10 , wherein the control board further comprises a control board connector, wherein the memory of the electronic lens assembly is operably connected to the control board through the first optical assembly connector, the second optical assembly connector, and the control board connector.
14 . A lens assembly for a head-mountable device, the lens assembly comprising:
a lens;
a lens assembly housing surrounding a periphery of the lens;
a lens assembly engager;
a lens assembly connector on an outer side of the lens assembly housing;
a memory storing information corresponding to the lens assembly; and
an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is configured to be actively operated by a control board of the head-mountable device via an optical assembly connector of an optical assembly of the head-mountable device when:
the lens assembly engager engages the optical assembly, the optical assembly comprising a display; and
the lens assembly connector is connected to the optical assembly connector.
15 . The lens assembly of claim 14 , wherein the information stored by the memory further includes an identity corresponding to the lens assembly.
16 . The lens assembly of claim 14 , wherein the electronic component is a sensor configured to detect a condition within the head-mountable device.
17 . The lens assembly of claim 14 , wherein the electronic component is an antenna.
18 . The lens assembly of claim 14 , wherein the electronic component is a light emitter.
19 . The lens assembly of claim 14 , wherein the lens assembly engager comprises at least one of a magnet, a lock, a latch, a snap, a pin, or a threaded screw.