Thermal management for head-worn computer

• US 10,520,996 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2016
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC (Magic Leap, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC (Magic Leap, Inc.)
• Inventors: Osterhout, Ralph F., Lohse, Robert Michael, Huynh, Michael Van
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez Cruz, Dimary S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wright, Ingrid D
• Application Number:
  US15/214,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20170031395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/143 having special ear pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/09 Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20409 Outer radiating structures on heat dissipating housings, e.g. fins integrated with the housing

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to thermal management systems for head-worn computers.

Claims

1. A wearable head device, comprising:

an upper compartment comprising a heat producing electronic system, the upper compartment positioned above a computer display configured for a user to view a surrounding environment, the upper compartment further comprising an outer plate;

a thermal conductor adapted to facilitate a thermal connection between the heat producing electronic system and the outer plate, wherein the heat producing electronic system is configured to be cooled by transference of heat through the thermal conductor and the outer plate; and

a first arm and a second arm adapted to secure the upper compartment on a user'"'"'s head, at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprising a battery compartment and a battery connection configured for powering the heat producing electronic system.

2. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the upper compartment further comprises a wireless communication system, wherein the heat producing electronic system is configured to communicates via the wireless communication system.

3. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm comprises a respective removable ear horn.

4. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first arm and the second arm comprises the battery compartment.

5. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment is in a temple section of one of the first arm and the second arm, wherein the temple section is disposed along one of the first arm and the second arm.

6. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the heat producing electronic system comprises a processor.

7. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the heat producing electronic system comprises one or more sensors.

8. The wearable head device of claim 7, wherein one or more sensors are configured to be cooled by transference of heat through the thermal conductor and the outer plate.

9. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the heat producing electronic system comprises an optical drive system.

10. The wearable head device of claim 9, wherein the heat producing electronic system further comprises a processor.

11. The wearable head device of claim 10, wherein the heat producing electronic system further comprises one or more sensors.