WEARABLE DEVICE WITH INPUT AND OUTPUT STRUCTURES

• US 20130044042A1
• Filed: 08/18/2011
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Olsson, Maj Isabelle, Heinrich, Mitchell Joseph, Lapetina, John, Kelly, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,285,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0158 with adjustable nose pad
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

An electronic device including a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user is disclosed. The frame can include a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user and a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge and configured to be positioned over a side of a brow of the user. The frame can further include an arm coupled to the brow portion and extending to a free end. The first arm can be positionable over a temple of the user with the free end disposed near an ear of the user. The device can also include a transparent display affixed to the frame adjacent the brow portion and an input affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with a function. Information related to the function can be presentable on the display.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user, the frame including a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user, a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge to a first end remote therefrom and configured to be positioned over a first side of a brow of the user, and a first arm having a first end coupled to the first end of the brow portion and extending to a free end, the first arm being configured to be positioned over a first temple of the user with the free end disposed near a first ear of the user, wherein the bridge is adjustable for selective positioning of the brow portion relative to an eye of the user;

a generally transparent display;

means for affixing the display to the frame such that display is moveable with respect to the frame through rotation about a first axis that extends parallel to the first brow portion; and

an input device affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with a function, wherein information related to the function is presentable on the display.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the bridge includes a pair of projections configured for contacting opposing sides of the nose of the user, and wherein the bridge is adjustable by movement of the projections toward each other and away from each other.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the means for affixing are configured such that the first axis is a longitudinal axis of the display, and wherein the first axis is positioned at a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the brow portion.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the selective positioning of the brow also positions the display over the eye of the user in a first direction toward and away from the brow of the user.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the display includes a planar viewing surface, and wherein the rotation of the display about the first axis is such that the viewing surface is positionable normal to a line from the viewing surface to a focal center of the eye of the user within a range of adjustment of the display in the first direction.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the means for affixing is further configured such that the display is moveable with respect to the frame through translation along the first axis.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the means for affixing include a mounting portion affixed to the first brow portion near the first arm, the mounting portion including a post defining the first axis, and wherein the display is configured to receive the post to rotatably affix the display to the frame.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the display is configured to be movable in a transverse direction along the post.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the generally transparent display is a prism of a transparent material configured to make an image projected into a side of the prism visible at a surface of the prism that is at a nonzero angle to the side of the prism.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the projected image is viewable by a wearer of the device in conjunction with an external image viewable through the prism.

11. An electronic device, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user, the frame including a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user, a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge to a first end remote therefrom and configured to be positioned over a first side of a brow of the user, and a first arm having a first end coupled to the first end of the brow portion and extending to a free end, the first arm being configured to be positioned over a first temple of the user with the free end disposed near a first ear of the user;

a generally transparent display affixed to the frame and positioned adjacent the brow portion thereof;

an input device affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with a function, wherein information related to the function is presentable on the display; and

an electronics housing containing control circuitry for the electronic device affixed on the free end of the first arm and having a portion that extends away from the arm and is configured to extend around at least a portion of the ear of the user.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the display and the input device exert a first weight force centered over a first side of the ear of the user, and wherein the electronics housing is positioned and configured to provide a balancing weight against the first weight force that is centered over a second side of the ear.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the electronics housing is further configured such that the first weight force and the balancing weight force contribute to an overall weight of the device that is distributed among the nose of the user and the first ear of the user such that a majority of the overall weight is applied to the first ear.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronics housing is further configured to contact a portion of a side of the head of the user on the second side of the first ear.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, further including a camera affixed to the frame adjacent to the display and facing a direction opposite the first arm and generally perpendicular to the brow portion.

16. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the display, the camera, and the input device exert a first weight force centered over a first side of the ear of the user, and wherein the electronics housing is positioned and configured to provide a balancing weight against the first weight force centered over a second side of the ear.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, further including at least one additional component having a respective weight and affixed to one of the electronics housing and the frame such that an overall weight of the device is distributed among the nose of the user and the first ear of the user such that a majority of the overall weight is applied to the first ear.

18. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronics housing is further configured to enclose a battery to provide power the device, the housing affixed on a portion of the frame.

19. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the brow portion of the frame further extends away from the bridge to a second end opposite the first end thereof and is further configured to be positioned over a second side of the brow of the user, the frame further including a second arm having a first end coupled to the second end of the brow portion and extending to a free end thereof, the second arm being configured to be positioned over a second temple of the user with the free end thereof disposed near a second ear of the user.

20. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronics housing is rotatably affixed to the free end of the first arm.

21. An electronic device, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user, the frame including;

a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user;

a brow portion having a body coupled to and extending away from the bridge to a first end remote therefrom, the body including a flange along at least a portion thereof, and the end including a first wall substantially perpendicular to the flange, the flange and the first wall together defining a receiving portion, wherein the brow portion is configured to be positioned over a first side of a brow of the user; and

a first arm having a first end coupled to the first end of the brow portion and extending to a free end, the first arm being configured to be positioned over a first temple of the user with the free end disposed near a first ear of the user;

a display unit including a display housing and a generally transparent display element, the display unit being affixed within the receiving portion of the brow portion; and

an input device affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with a function, wherein information related to the function is presentable on the display element.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the brow portion further includes a third wall extending perpendicular to the first wall and parallel to the flange, the third wall further defining the receiving portion

23. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the input is touch input affixed to the first arm and having a touch-sensitive surface that extends flush with the first wall.

24. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein the touch-sensitive surface includes a texture along at least a portion thereof.