IP Library Granted Patent US 11,586,048
Granted Patent B2
US 11,586,048 · App. 17/894,926 · Granted Feb 21, 2023

Modular systems for head-worn computers

Inventors: Ralph F. Osterhout (San Francisco, CA); Robert Michael Lohse (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC
G02B27/0176G06F1/163G06F1/1632G06F1/1658G02B2027/0156G02B2027/0161G02B2027/0178G06F3/012G06F3/013G06F3/016G06F3/017G06F3/0346G06F3/0362G06F3/03545
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,586,048
App. No.
17/894,926
Granted
Feb 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to modular expansion systems for use in head-worn computing systems. In an head-worn computer, an electrical connector is adapted to electrically connect with a modular expansion module, wherein the modular expansion module adds a capability to the head-worn computer and is removeably mounted to the head-worn computer, and a mount is adapted to physically secure the modular expansion module to the head-worn computer.

Claims (53)

1. A wearable head device comprising:

a first see-through display region adapted to be positioned in front of a first eye of a user of the wearable head device;

a second see-through display region adapted to be positioned in front of a second eye of the user;

a frame coupled to the first see-through display region and further coupled to the second see-through display region;

an electrical connector configured to removably mount to an expansion module; and

one or more processors configured to perform a method comprising:

determining that the expansion module is mounted to the wearable head device via the electrical connector via a mount adapted to physically secure the electrical connector to the frame, the expansion module associated with a function;

identifying the function associated with the expansion module; and

in response to identifying the function:

configuring an operation of the expansion module, and

presenting an output of the operation to the user via the first see-through display region and via the second see-through display region.

2. The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein removably mounting the expansion module to the electrical connector comprises mounting the expansion module via a magnetic element configured to physically attach the expansion module to the wearable head device.

3. The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable head device is not configured to perform the operation when the expansion module is not mounted to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

4. The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the method performed by the one or more processors further comprises:

in response to the determination that the expansion module is mounted to the wearable head device, identifying a schema for the function associated with the expansion module, wherein configuring the operation of the expansion module comprises configuring the expansion module to operate in accordance with the schema.

5. The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the expansion module is further configured to perform the operation when not mounted to the wearable head device.

6. The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the operation comprises capturing video of the user via a camera.

7. The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the operation comprises presenting captured video via a video conferencing application.

8. A method comprising:

determining that an expansion module is mounted to a wearable head device via an electrical connector of the wearable head device via a mount adapted to physically secure the electrical connector to a frame, the expansion module associated with a function;

identifying the function associated with the expansion module; and

in response to identifying the function:

configuring an operation of the expansion module, and

presenting an output of the operation to a user via a first see-through display region and via a second see-through display region,

wherein:

the first see-through display region is adapted to be positioned in front of a first eye of the user,

the second see-through display region is adapted to be positioned in front of a second eye of the user,

the frame is coupled to the first see-through display region and further coupled to the second see-through display region, and

the electrical connector is configured to removably mount to the expansion module.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein removably mounting the expansion module to the electrical connector comprises mounting the expansion module via a magnetic element configured to physically attach the expansion module to the wearable head device.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the wearable head device is not configured to perform the operation when the expansion module is not mounted to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: in response to the determination that the expansion module is mounted to the wearable head device, identifying a schema for the function associated with the expansion module,

wherein configuring the operation of the expansion module comprises configuring the expansion module to operate in accordance with the schema.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the expansion module is further configured to perform the operation when not mounted to the wearable head device.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the operation comprises capturing video of the user via a camera.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the operation comprises presenting captured video via a video conferencing application.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:

determining that an expansion module is mounted to a wearable head device via an electrical connector of the wearable head device via a mount adapted to physically secure the electrical connector to a frame, the expansion module associated with a function;

identifying the function associated with the expansion module; and

in response to identifying the function:

configuring an operation of the expansion module, and

presenting an output of the operation to a user via a first see-through display region and via a second see-through display region,

wherein:

the first see-through display region is adapted to be positioned in front of a first eye of the user,

the second see-through display region is adapted to be positioned in front of a second eye of the user,

the frame is coupled to the first see-through display region and further coupled to the second see-through display region, and

the electrical connector is configured to removably mount to the expansion module.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the wearable head device is not configured to perform the operation when the expansion module is not mounted to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises: in response to the determination that the expansion module is mounted to the wearable head device, identifying a schema for the function associated with the expansion module,

wherein configuring the operation of the expansion module comprises configuring the expansion module to operate in accordance with the schema.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the expansion module is further configured to perform the operation when not mounted to the wearable head device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the operation comprises capturing video of the user via a camera.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the operation comprises presenting captured video via a video conferencing application.

Assignments (6)
SECURED PARTY BILL OF SALE Recorded Nov 20, 2025
From: OSTERHOUT GROUP, INC.
To: JGB COLLATERAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 073641/0930 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2025
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073480/0540 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2025
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073388/0027 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2025
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073109/0476 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2025
From: OSTERHOUT, RALPH F.; LOHSE, ROBERT MICHAEL
To: OSTERHOUT GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072492/0332 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 062681/0065 →
Cited By (2)
US 12,387,636 US 12,710,662