Wearable device with input and output structures

• US 9,529,197 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2012
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Olsson, Maj Isabelle, Martin, Matthew Wyatt, Hebenstreit, Joseph John, Cazalet, Peter Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Kent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shah, Sujit
• Application Number:
  US13/426,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20130249776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,742 Days
• Field of Search: 345/8, 241/0
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0159 with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/003 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

A head-wearable device includes a center support extending in generally lateral directions, a first side arm extending from a first end of the center frame support and a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support. The device further includes an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element. The extension arm extends at least partially along the first side arm on a first side of the center support and further extends from the first side arm to a display end that supports the display element in a position on a second side of the center support. The extension arm has a joint therein configured for movement of the display element at least in a direction having a lateral component relative to the center support.

Claims

1. A head-wearable device, comprising:

a center support extending in generally lateral directions, the center support being supported over a brow of a user;

a first side arm extending from a first end of the center support, the first side arm having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adjacent to the center support and the second portion being coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a first free end remote from the center support, the first free end being enlarged relative to the first portion, wherein at least a portion of the first side arm houses electronic circuitry configured to operate the head-wearable device;

a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support, the second side arm having a second free end remote from the center support, the first free end of the first side arm being enlarged relative to the second free end of the second side arm; and

an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element, the extension arm being coupled to the first portion of the first side arm;

wherein the electronic circuitry of the first side arm is arranged within the first and second portions thereof so as to provide a balancing weight distribution of the first side arm and the extension arm between a first weight of the first side arm and the extension arm carried by only a first ear of the user supporting the first side arm and a second weight of the first side arm and the extension arm carried by a nose of the user, wherein only the first ear of the user and the nose of the user carry the respective first and second weights of the first side arm and the extension arm, and

wherein the center support and the first and second side arms are configured as a band extending between the first and second free ends respectively positioned on the first and second side arms, the first and second free ends being remote from the center support and spaced apart from each other at a first distance, and wherein the band is resiliently deformable to selectively increase the first distance and to secure the band to a head of the user, and wherein the band includes a compliant inner portion defining the inner surface of the band extending continuously from the first free end to the second free end through the center support and a resilient outer portion defining the outer surface of the band extending continuously from the second free end to a portion adjacent to the first free end, the resilient outer portion being a substantially uniform structure.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element, the extension arm being coupled to the first portion of the first side arm, wherein the center support extends in an arc along a first plane, and a joint of the extension arm is configured for movement of the display element, wherein the movement includes rotation of the display element on a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane, and wherein the rotation of the display element also causes the translation thereof in the direction having at least a lateral component relative to the center support.

3. The device of claim 1, further including a pair of spaced apart pads affixed to the center support by corresponding, selectively deformable support arms.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first side arm is comparatively more rigid than the center support.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element, the extension arm being coupled to the first portion of the first side arm, wherein deformation of the band to increase the first distance rotates the extension arm in a first direction, and wherein a joint is configured to enable movement of the display element that includes rotation of the display in a second direction that opposes the first direction.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the band is configured for resilient deformation to increase the first distance by at least 40% under a maximum force of 1.2 N.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the band is configured for resilient deformation to increase the first distance by about 50% under a maximum force of about 0.6 N.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the free end of the first side arm is elongated relative to a free end of the second side arm to form an asymmetric U shape.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the joint rotatably connects first and second portions of the extension arm, the first portion being attached with the first side arm, and the second portion including the display element.

10. The device of claim 9, further including a camera disposed on the second portion of the extension arm.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element, the extension arm being coupled to the first portion of the first side arm, wherein the extension arm includes an inside surface facing the second side arm, the device further including a button disposed on the inside surface for controlling a function of the device.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the button includes an illuminable portion through which an indicator light associated with the function is viewable.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the enlarged free end is configured to include one or more components to operate the device.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more components to operate the device include at least one of a battery and controller circuitry.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the band is a continuous band.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a center support including a nosepiece affixed thereto, wherein the nosepiece is configured to rest on the nose of a user with the center support being supported over a brow of the user;

a first side arm extending from a first end of the center support and configured to contact a portion of the head of the user near a first ear, the first side arm having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adjacent to the center support and the second portion being coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a first free end remote from the center support, the free end being enlarged relative to the first portion, wherein at least a portion of the first side arm houses electronic circuitry configured to operate the head-wearable device;

a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support and configured to contact a portion of the head of the user near a second ear, the second side arm having a second free end remote from the center support, the first free end of the first side arm being enlarged relative to the second free end of the second side arm; and

an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element, the extension arm being coupled to the first portion of the first side arm;

wherein the electronic circuitry of the first side arm is arranged within the first and second portions thereof so as to provide a balancing weight distribution of the first side arm and the extension arm between a first weight of the first side arm and the extension arm carried by only the first ear of the user supporting the first side arm and the extension arm and a second weight of the first side arm and the extension arm carried by a nose of the user, wherein the only the first ear of the user and the nose of the user carry the respective first and second weights of the first side arm and the extension arm, and

wherein the center support and the first and second side arms are configured as a band extending between the first and second free ends respectively positioned on the first and second side arms and defining a U shape, wherein the band is resiliently deformable to be wearable on a user'"'"'s head by expansion of the “

U”

shape and to secure the band to a head of the user, and wherein the band includes a compliant inner portion defining the inner surface of the “

U”

shape extending continuously from the first free end to the second free end through the center support and a resilient outer portion defining the outer surface of the “

U”

shape extending continuously from the second free end to a portion adjacent to the first free end, the resilient outer portion being a substantially uniform structure and the compliant inner portion lining the resilient outer portion.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the band is a continuous band.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an extension arm being coupled to the first portion of the first side arm, wherein a joint is positioned within the extension arm for movement of the display element, wherein the movement includes rotation of the display element that causes lateral translation of the display.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein rotation of the display element is configured to compensate for a change in position of the display element due to expansion of the “

U”

shape.