Modular components for a head-mounted display

• US 10,365,493 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2016
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RealWear, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RealWear, Inc.
• Inventors: Pombo, Stephen A., Hines, George Henry, Parkinson, Christopher Iain, Lowery, Andrew Michael, Lustig, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Balaoing, Ariel A
• Application Number:
  US15/390,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20180180895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0161 characterised by the relative positioning of the constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

A head-mounted display that is modular and configured for securement to an item of headwear is provided. The head-mounted display may comprise a selection of components that are desired for a particular application, such as a display boom, camera, microphone, position-tracking component, etc., and may include an attachment mechanism for securing the selection of components to the item of headwear. The head-mounted display may include a display module having a corresponding display characteristic that provides a visual display and/or display functionality that is appropriate for a particular application. The display module may include a micro display that is non-transparent and/or a waveguide optic that is at least partially transparent, and may be configured to provide an augmented reality display for a user.

Claims

1. A sound-dampening ear-cover assembly for use with a head-mounted display, the assembly comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion;

a rotatable coupling that movably couples the first portion to the second portion;

a receiving enclosure sized and shaped to receive a portion of the head-mounted display,

wherein the first and second portions are adjustable about the rotatable coupling between a first configuration and a second configuration,

wherein, in the first configuration, the first portion and the second portion are in a first position relative to each other,

wherein, in the second configuration, the first portion and the second portion are in a second position relative to each other, and

wherein, when the head-mounted display is coupled to the assembly, and the portion of the head-mounted display is positioned in the receiving enclosure, the portion of the head-mounted display remains in a fixed position as the first portion and the second portion are moved between the first configuration and the second configuration.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising

a lever coupled to the second portion, the lever useable for adjusting a position of the second portion relative to the first portion in order to adjust between the first configuration and the second configuration.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a concave contour that forms at least part of the receiving enclosure, and wherein the second configuration more fully encloses the portion of the head-mounted display than the first configuration when the head-mounted display is coupled to the assembly and the portion of the head-mounted display is positioned in the receiving enclosure.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first configuration comprises a raised position of the second portion, and wherein the second configuration comprises a lowered position of the second portion that provides increased sound protection for a wearer when the sound-dampening ear-cover assembly is coupled to the head-mounted display.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a securement component, wherein the first and second portions are releasably securable in the second configuration using the securement component.

19. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more straps coupled to the assembly, the one or more straps adapted for supporting the assembly in an as-worn configuration.

6. A sound-dampening ear-cover assembly for use with a head-mounted display, comprising:

a first portion comprising an attachment structure that is adapted to be coupled to the head-mounted display and/or to a piece of headwear coupled to the head-mounted display;

a second portion comprising a sound dampening portion that is adapted to provide selective sound protection to a wearer of the head-mounted display, the sound dampening portion comprising a housing portion secured to an ear-covering portion, the sound dampening portion comprising a curved contour sized and shaped to at least partially enclose a portion of the head-mounted display; and

a rotatable coupling coupled to the sound dampening portion that allows the sound dampening portion to be rotated between a first position and a second position relative to an ear of the wearer,

wherein, in the second position, the sound dampening portion is adapted to at least partially enclose the ear of the wearer, and

wherein, when the first portion is coupled to the head-mounted display and/or to the piece of headwear and the portion of the head-mounted display is at least partially enclosed by the curved contour, the sound dampening portion can be rotated between the first position and the second position while the portion of the head-mounted display remains in a fixed position.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the second position comprises a lowered position and the first position comprises a raised position, and wherein, in the second position, the sound dampening portion more fully encloses the portion of the head-mounted display at least partially enclosed by the curved contour than the first position.

8. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising a lever coupled to the sound dampening portion, the lever useable for adjusting the sound dampening portion between the first position and the second position.

9. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising a securement component that is useable for releasably securing the sound dampening portion in the second position.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the securement component comprises at least one of a latch, a clip, and a strap.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the securement component comprises a latch.

12. The assembly of claim 6, wherein, when the portion of the head-mounted display is at least partially received and enclosed by the curved contour, the portion of the head-mounted display is positioned at least partially between the first portion and the second portion of the assembly.

13. A sound-dampening ear-cover assembly for a head-mounted display, comprising:

a first portion comprising an attachment structure that is useable for attaching the sound-dampening ear-cover assembly to the head-mounted display and/or to a piece of headwear coupled to the head-mounted display;

a second portion comprising a sound dampening portion;

a coupling that movably couples the first portion to the second portion allowing the first and second portions to be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration relative to each other,

wherein, in the first configuration, the second portion is at a first position relative to the first portion,

wherein, in the second configuration, the second portion is at a second position relative to the first portion,

wherein the sound dampening portion includes a concave contour that is sized and shaped to receive and enclose at least a portion of the head-mounted display when the sound-dampening ear-cover assembly is coupled thereto and the first and second portions are in the second configuration, and

wherein, when the at least a portion of the head-mounted display is received and enclosed by the concave contour, and the first and second portions are in the second configuration, the sound dampening portion more fully encloses the at least a portion of the head-mounted display than when the first and second portions are in the first configuration.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the coupling comprises a rotatable coupling.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein, when the sound-dampening ear-cover assembly is coupled to the head-mounted display and the first and second portions are in the second configuration, the portion of the head-mounted display is at least partially enclosed between the first portion and the second portion.

16. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a lever coupled to the sound dampening portion, the lever useable for adjusting a position of the sound dampening portion to provide adjustment between the first configuration and the second configuration.

17. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a securement component, the securement component adapted for releasably securing the first and second portions to each other in the second configuration.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the securement component comprises at least one of a latch, a clip, and a strap.