IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,402,640
Granted Patent B1
US 11,402,640 · App. 16/892,129 · Granted Aug 2, 2022

Display adjustment for head-mountable device

Inventor: Divakar Singamsetty (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: APPLE INC.
G02B27/0176G02B27/0172G02B2027/0154G02B2027/0163G02B2027/0178
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,402,640
App. No.
16/892,129
Granted
Aug 2, 2022
Kind
B1
Abstract

A head-mountable device can include an optical module that provides a display element that is moveable based on pressure and/or temperature changes within an enclosed chamber. The control mechanisms can directly and/or indirectly alter one or more of the temperature, pressures, and/or volume of the enclosed chamber. As the conditions within the chamber are altered, an extendable member can expand and/or retract to move the display element towards and/or away from a user's eye. The mechanisms for controlling the position of the display element can be actively and/or passively controlled.

Claims (59)

1. A head-mountable device comprising:

an optical module comprising:

a housing;

an extendable member that is movable with respect to the housing, wherein the housing and the extendable member are sealed together to at least partially enclose a chamber;

a display element coupled to the extendable member; and

a heating element within the chamber; and

a controller configured to operate the heating element to alter a temperature within the chamber until the extendable member moves the display element to a target position relative to the housing.

2. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the extendable member comprises a bellows that is expandable to move the display element with respect to the housing.

3. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the extendable member comprises a piston that sealingly engages the housing while moving the display element with respect to the housing.

4. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure within the chamber; and

a second pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure outside the chamber, wherein the controller is configured to operate the heating element based on the pressure within the chamber and the pressure outside the chamber.

5. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature within the chamber; and

a second temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature outside the chamber, wherein the controller is configured to operate the heating element based on the temperature within the chamber and the temperature outside the chamber.

6. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first stopper configured to abut the display element when the display element moves to a first position with respect to the housing; and

a second stopper configured to abut the display element when the display element moves to a second position with respect to the housing.

7. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first valve configured to release a fluid from the chamber when the display element moves to a first position with respect to the housing; and

a second valve configured to inject a fluid into the chamber when the display element moves to a second position with respect to the housing.

8. A head-mountable device comprising:

an optical module comprising:

a housing;

an extendable member that is movable with respect to the housing, wherein the housing and the extendable member are sealed together to at least partially enclose a chamber;

a display element coupled to the extendable member; and

a blower; and

a controller configured to operate the blower to alter a temperature within the chamber until the extendable member moves the display element to a target position relative to the housing.

9. The head-mountable device of claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to operate the blower based on the target position of the display element and an operating parameter of the display element.

10. The head-mountable device of claim 8 , wherein the extendable member comprises a bellows that is expandable to move the display element with respect to the housing.

11. The head-mountable device of claim 8 , wherein the extendable member comprises a piston that sealingly engages the housing while moving the display element with respect to the housing.

12. The head-mountable device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure within the chamber; and

a second pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure outside the chamber, wherein the controller is configured to operate the blower based on the pressure within the chamber and the pressure outside the chamber.

13. The head-mountable device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature within the chamber; and

a second temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature outside the chamber, wherein the controller is configured to operate the blower based on the temperature within the chamber and the temperature outside the chamber.

14. The head-mountable device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first stopper configured to abut the display element when the display element moves to a first position with respect to the housing; and

a second stopper configured to abut the display element when the display element moves to a second position with respect to the housing.

15. The head-mountable device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first valve configured to release a fluid from the chamber when the display element moves to a first position with respect to the housing; and

a second valve configured to inject a fluid into the chamber when the display element moves to a second position with respect to the housing.

16. A head-mountable device comprising:

an optical module comprising:

a housing;

an extendable member that is movable with respect to the housing;

a piston that is movable with respect to the housing, wherein the housing, the extendable member, and the piston are sealed together to at least partially enclose a chamber;

an actuator configured to move the piston; and

a display element coupled to the extendable member; and

a controller configured to operate the actuator to move the piston with respect to the housing until the extendable member moves the display element to a target position relative to the housing.

17. The head-mountable device of claim 16 , wherein the extendable member comprises a bellows that is expandable to move the display element with respect to the housing.

18. The head-mountable device of claim 16 , wherein the extendable member comprises an additional piston that sealingly engages the housing while moving the display element with respect to the housing.

19. The head-mountable device of claim 16 , further comprising:

a first stopper configured to abut the display element when the display element moves to a first position with respect to the housing; and

a second stopper configured to abut the display element when the display element moves to a second position with respect to the housing.

20. The head-mountable device of claim 16 , further comprising:

a first valve configured to release a fluid from the chamber when the display element moves to a first position with respect to the housing; and

a second valve configured to inject a fluid into the chamber when the display element moves to a second position with respect to the housing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2020
From: SINGAMSETTY, DIVAKAR
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 054270/0695 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62887509 · Aug 15, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,430,709