Integrated mobile device shipping container and virtual reality headset

• US 9,857,595 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2015
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Costa, Antonio Bernardo Monteiro, Henry, Damien, Weaver, Joshua, Plagemann, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Darryl J
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUMLAR, JOURNEY F
• Application Number:
  US14/815,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20170031164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0134 of stereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/028 characterised by the supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/04 with continuous faces that are rotationally symmetrical but deviate from a true sphere , e.g. so called "aspheric" lenses

Abstract

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a goggle portion having a chassis that is open on a first side, a lens assembly disposed on a second side of the chassis of the goggle portion and a ledge disposed around an interior perimeter of the chassis of the goggle portion. The ledge can be configured to physically support an electronic device inserted in the goggle portion. The apparatus can also include a cover portion having a chassis that is open on a first side and at least partially closed on a second side. The cover portion can be configured to be placed over the goggle portion, such that at least a portion of the goggle portion is disposed within the cover portion and the electronic device is retained between the ledge and an interior surface of the second side of the cover portion.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a container that is both a shipping container for an electronic device and a virtual reality headset, the container including;

a goggle portion including;

a chassis that is open on a first side;

a lens assembly disposed on a second side of the chassis of the goggle portion, the second side being opposite the first side of the chassis of the goggle portion; and

a ledge disposed around an interior perimeter of the chassis of the goggle portion, the ledge being configured to physically support the electronic device inserted from the first side of the chassis of the goggle portion; and

a cover portion including;

a chassis that is open on a first side and at least partially closed on a second side,

the cover portion being configured to be slidably placed over the goggle portion, such that at least a portion of the goggle portion is disposed within the cover portion and the electronic device is retained between the ledge and an interior surface of the second side of the cover portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassis of the goggle portion includes a left wall, a right wall, a bottom wall and a top wall, the left wall, the right wall, the bottom wall and the top wall defining the open, first side of the goggle portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lens assembly and the bottom wall have a cutout defined therein, the cutout being configured for placement over a nose of a user.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassis of the cover portion includes a left wall, a right wall, a bottom wall and a top wall, the left wall, the right wall, the bottom wall and the top wall defining the open, first side of the cover portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bottom wall has a cutout defined therein, the cutout being configured for placement over a nose of a user.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens assembly includes:

a first aperture;

a second aperture;

a first aspherical lens disposed within the first aperture; and

a second aspherical lens disposed within the second aperture.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a focal length of the first aspherical lens and a focal length of the second aspherical lens are based, at least in part, on a distance from the lens assembly to a surface of a display of the electronic device when the electronic device is placed on the ledge with the display facing the lens assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second side of the cover portion has an aperture defined therein, the aperture being configured to expose a camera of the electronic device when the electronic device is placed on the ledge with the camera facing the second side of the cover portion and the cover portion is placed over the goggle portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an input mechanism disposed on the chassis of the goggle portion, the input mechanism being configured to interact with the electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the input mechanism includes a magnetic input device.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the input mechanism includes a button.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the input mechanism is disposed on one of a left wall of the chassis of the goggle portion and a right wall of the chassis of the goggle portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the chassis of the cover portion includes an aperture configured to facilitate access to the input mechanism when the cover portion is placed over the goggle portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve configured to slidably fit over the goggle portion and the cover portion when the cover portion is placed over the goggle portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protective liner configured to be placed within the goggle portion to cover the lens assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the protective liner includes a tab disposed thereon, the tab being configured to facilitate removal of the protective liner from the goggle portion.

17. An article of manufacture comprising:

a container that is both a shipping container for an electronic device and a virtual reality headset, the container including;

a goggle portion including;

a chassis that is open on a first side;

a lens assembly disposed on a second side of the chassis of the goggle portion, the second side being opposite the first side of the chassis of the goggle portion; and

a ledge disposed around an interior perimeter of the chassis of the goggle portion;

a cover portion including;

a chassis that is open on a first side and at least partially closed on a second side,

the cover portion being configured to be slidably placed over the goggle portion, such that at least a portion of the goggle portion is disposed within the cover portion;

a protective liner configured to be placed within the goggle portion to cover the lens assembly; and

a sleeve configured to slidably fit over the goggle portion and the cover portion when the cover portion is placed over the goggle portion.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the protective liner includes a tab disposed thereon, the tab being configured to facilitate removal of the protective liner from the goggle portion.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the lens assembly includes:

a first aperture;

a second aperture;

a first aspherical lens disposed within the first aperture; and

a second aspherical lens disposed within the second aperture.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 17, further comprising an input mechanism disposed on the chassis of the goggle portion, the input mechanism being configured to interact with an electronic device disposed within the article of manufacture.