USER INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR HEAD-WORN COMPUTERS
Aspects of the present disclosure relates to user interface systems and methods for use in head-worn computing systems.
1 . A wearable head device comprising:
a display;
a frame adapted to position the display in front of an eye of a user of the wearable head device;
a battery internal to the wearable head device, wherein power is delivered from the battery to the wearable head device; and
a tactile effects system, wherein:
the tactile effects system is configured to couple to the battery, and
the battery is configured to provide power to the tactile effects system when the tactile effects system is coupled to the battery,
wherein the tactile effects system is configured to provide vibration or haptic feedback to the user.
2 . The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the tactile effects system is configured to provide the vibration or haptic feedback to the user coordinated with digital content presented by the display to the user.
3 . The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the tactile effects system is configured to provide the vibration or haptic feedback to the user to provide the user an indication of engagement or change, a tingling sensation to the user, an indication of the user touching a digital object, or an indication of a sudden change in elevation.
4 . The wearable head device of claim 1 , further comprising a speaker,
wherein the tactile effects system is configured to provide the vibration or haptic feedback to the user coordinated with sound presented by the speaker to the user.
5 . The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the tactile effects system comprises a vibration motor or a piezo motor, and
wherein the vibration motor or the piezo motor is disposed over a temple, over an ear, over a back of a head of the user, or in an arm of the wearable head device.
6 . The wearable head device of claim 5 , further comprising a vibration conduit disposed between the vibration motor or the piezo motor and a surface of a head of the user to translate a vibration from the vibration motor or the piezo motor to the surface of the head of the user.
7 . The wearable head device of claim 6 , wherein the surface of the head of the user is selected from the group consisting of a temple, a ear, a nose, a forehead, and a back of the head.
8 . The wearable head device of claim 6 , wherein the vibration conduit is made of a soft/malleable material configured to form to the head of the user for a more accurate fit of the wearable head device to the head of the user, or to increase amount of contact between the vibration conduit and the head of the user.
9 . The wearable head device of claim 6 , wherein the vibration conduit is mounted to the frame on a pivot.
10 . The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the tactile effects system comprises a plurality of haptic segments.
11 . The wearable head device of claim 10 , wherein a first haptic segment of the plurality of haptic segments is configured to be controlled independent of a second haptic segment of the plurality of haptic segments.
12 . The wearable head device of claim 10 , wherein a haptic segment of the plurality of haptic segments is configured to be controlled over a range of vibration levels.
13 . The wearable head device of claim 10 , wherein a first haptic segment of the plurality of haptic segments has a greater vibration capacity compared to a second haptic segment of the plurality of haptic segments,
wherein the plurality of haptic segments is disposed substantially along a length of an arm of the wearable head device, and
wherein respective vibration capacities of each of the plurality of haptic segments increases along the length of the arm of the wearable head device.
14 . The wearable head device of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of haptic segments increases in size to provide increasing vibration capacity.
15 . The wearable head device of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of haptic segments is arranged in a pattern selected from the group consisting of linear, curved, compound shape, one-dimensional array, two-dimensional array, and three-dimensional array.
16 . The wearable head device of claim 10 , further comprising a processor configured to regulate respective amounts of power applied to each of the plurality of haptic segments, and
wherein the processor is configured to regulate the respective amounts of power applied to individual haptic segments or sub groups of haptic segments of the plurality of haptic segments.
17 . The wearable head device of claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured control each of the plurality of haptic segments to generate a pattern based on parameters selected from the group consisting of frequency, duration, intensity, and segment type,
wherein the pattern may indicate a user interface interaction to the user.
18 . The wearable head device of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of haptic segments are disposed on a non-conductive substrate with varying width corresponding to varying force, and
wherein the non-conductive substrate conforms to a curvature of a head of the user.
19 . The wearable head device of claim 10 , wherein a haptic segment of the plurality of haptic segments comprise a piezo strip.
20 . The wearable head device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable head device is selected from the group consisting of glasses, goggles, and headbands.