IP Library Granted Patent US 11,977,238
Granted Patent B2
US 11,977,238 · App. 18/355,153 · Granted May 7, 2024

Modular systems for head-worn computers

Inventors: Ralph F Osterhout (San Francisco, CA); Robert Michael Lohse (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC
G02B27/0176G06F1/163G06F1/1632G06F1/1658G02B2027/0156G02B2027/0161G02B2027/0178G06F3/012G06F3/013G06F3/016G06F3/017G06F3/0346G06F3/03545G06F3/0362
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,977,238
App. No.
18/355,153
Filed
Jul 19, 2023
Granted
May 7, 2024
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2841
USPC
361/679.03
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 (49)

1. A system comprising:

a first see-through display region adapted to be positioned in front of a first eye of a user of a 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 electronic module; and

one or more processors configured to perform a method comprising:

determining that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device via the electrical connector, wherein the determining that the electronic module is coupled comprises determining that the electrical connector is secured to the electronic module;

in accordance with a determination that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device, receiving, by the wearable head device, data from the electronic module;

determining, based on the received data, an operation of the electronic module; and

presenting an output of the operation to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises identifying a function associated with the electronic module.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises in accordance with a determination that the electronic module is not coupled to the wearable head device, forgoing the receiving the data from the electronic module.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module is further configured to perform the operation when not coupled to the wearable head device.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module comprises one or more sensors.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein:

the one or more sensors comprises a sensor of a first sensor type,

the wearable head device does not comprise a sensor of the first sensor type.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module is configured to receive and transmit data wirelessly.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the electronic module is configured to receive and transmit data via Bluetooth.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module comprises a battery configured to provide energy to the electronic module.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output causes the wearable head device to perform an action associated with the operation.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises in accordance with the determination that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device, transmitting, by the wearable head device, second data to the electronic module.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module is configured to mount to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

13. A method for operating a system comprising:

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

an electrical connector configured to removably mount to an electronic module, the method comprising:

determining that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device via the electrical connector, wherein the determining that the electronic module is coupled comprises determining that the electrical connector is secured to the electronic module;

in accordance with a determination that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device, receiving, by the wearable head device, data from the electronic module;

determining, based on the received data, an operation of the electronic module; and

presenting an output of the operation to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising in accordance with a determination that the electronic module is not coupled to the wearable head device, forgoing the receiving the data from the electronic module.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising performing, by the electronic module, the operation when the electronic module is not coupled to the wearable head device.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving and transmitting wirelessly, by the electronic module, second data.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising causing, by the output, the wearable head device to perform an action associated with the operation.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising in accordance with the determination that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device, transmitting, by the wearable head device, second data to the electronic module.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising mounting the electronic module to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

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

the system comprises:

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

an electrical connector configured to removably mount to an electronic module, and

the method comprises:

determining that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device via the electrical connector, wherein the determining that the electronic module is coupled comprises determining that the electrical connector is secured to the electronic module;

in accordance with a determination that the electronic module is coupled to the wearable head device, receiving, by the wearable head device, data from the electronic module;

determining, based on the received data, an operation of the electronic module; and

presenting an output of the operation to the wearable head device via the electrical connector.

Assignments (5)
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 24, 2025
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073255/0581 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2025
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073008/0696 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2025
From: OSTERHOUT, RALPH F.; LOHSE, ROBERT MICHAEL
To: OSTERHOUT GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072492/0332 →