Head-mounted display

• US 8,605,008 B1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Prest, Christopher D., Tang, John, Hankey, M. Evans
• Primary Examiner(s): Abdulselam, Abbas
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEPP JONES, SHAWNA T
• Application Number:
  US12/114,499
• Time in Patent Office: 2,048 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 345/8
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0181 Adaptation to the pilot/driver
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0185 Displaying image at variable distance
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects

Abstract

A goggle system for providing a personal media viewing experience to a user is provided. The goggle system may include an outer cover, a mid-frame, optical components for generating the media display, and a lens on which the generated media displayed is provided to the user. The goggle system, or head mounted display may have any suitable appearance. For example, the goggle system may resemble ski or motorcycle goggles. To enhance the user'"'"'s comfort, the goggle system may include breathable components, including for example breathable foam that rests against the user'"'"'s face, and may allow the user to move the display generation components for alignment with the user'"'"'s eyes. In some embodiments, the goggle system may include data processing circuitry operative to adjust left and right images generated by the optical components to display 3-D media, or account for a user'"'"'s eyesight limitations.

Claims

1. A head-mounted display, comprising:

a spacer operative to receive at least one component of the head-mounted display;

an outer cover coupled to the spacer, the outer cover forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the head-mounted display;

at least one optical module movably coupled to the spacer, substantially enclosed by the outer cover, and operative to be displaced along at least two axes and in rotation around at least one axis with respect to the spacer without moving the outer cover with respect to the spacer.

2. The head-mounted display of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of flexible fins extending away from the outer cover towards a user'"'"'s head.

3. The head-mounted display of claim 2, wherein the flexible fins are operative to bend to allow the spacer to conform to the shape of the user'"'"'s head.

4. The head-mounted display of claim 1, further comprising:

a frame coupled to the spacer, wherein the at least one optical module is enclosed within the frame.

5. The head-mounted display of claim 4, further comprising a stabilization system for coupling the frame to the spacer.

6. The head-mounted display of claim 1, wherein the outer cover comprises at least one of glass, plastic, ceramic, and metal.

7. The head-mounted display of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises at least one groove for receiving the outer cover.

8. The head-mounted display of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises at least perforation for at least one of allowing humidity to escape from within the head-mounted display and maintaining a constant temperature inside and outside the head-mounted display.

9. The head-mounted display of claim 1, wherein the at least one component comprises at least one of at least one strap, an inner cover, and an attachment feature.