Integrated mobile device packaging and virtual reality headset

• US 10,139,637 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• 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, Goossens, Erik Hubert Dolly
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Darryl J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sumlar, Journey
• Application Number:
  US15/052,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20170031165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 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 23/18 for binocular arrangements focusing binocular pairs G02B7/06; adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs G02B7/12
• 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

Abstract

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a base portion that is open on a first side, and a first lens and a second lens disposed within a second side of the base portion. The apparatus can also include a ledge disposed around at least a portion of an interior perimeter of the base portion, the ledge being configured to physically support an electronic device inserted from the first side of the base portion. The apparatus can further include a lid portion that is open on a first side and closed on a second side, and a hinge that couples the base portion with the lid portion. The base portion, the lid portion and the hinge can be configured such that the base portion and the lid portion are hingeably moveable, relative to one another, between an open position and a closed position.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

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

a base portion that is open on a first side;

a first lens and a second lens disposed within a second side of the base portion;

a ledge disposed around at least a portion of an interior perimeter of the base portion, the ledge being configured to physically support an electronic device inserted from the first side of the base portion;

a lid portion that is open on a first side and closed on a second side; and

a hinge coupling the base portion with the lid portion,

the base portion, the lid portion and the hinge being configured such that the base portion and the lid portion are hingeably moveable, relative to one another, between an open position and a closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the lid portion have corresponding angled mating surfaces.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion includes:

an outer base portion having a first lens aperture and a second lens aperture;

an inner base portion having;

a first lens aperture aligned with the first lens aperture of the outer base portion; and

a second lens aperture aligned with the second lens aperture of the outer base portion; and

an adhesive layer affixing the inner base portion to the outer base portion, the inner base portion being at least partially disposed within the outer base portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the first lens and the second lens are fixedly retained between the inner base portion and the outer base portion;

an optical portion of the first lens is disposed within the first lens aperture of the inner base portion and the first lens aperture of the outer base portion; and

an optical portion of the second lens is disposed within the second lens aperture of the inner base portion and the second lens aperture of the outer base portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first lens and the second lens each include a plurality of tabs configured to fixedly retain the first lens and the second lens between the inner base portion and the outer base portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the lid portion have a cutout defined therein, the cutout being configured for placement over a nose of a user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a button mechanism affixed with the base portion, the button mechanism being configured to selectably interact with a touchscreen of the electronic device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base portion includes an aperture that is associated with the button mechanism, a portion of the button mechanism being exposed through the aperture.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the button mechanism includes a conductive material.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base portion includes an inner base portion and an outer base portion, the button mechanism being fixedly retained between the inner base portion and the outer base portion, the inner base portion including a cutout configured to receive a portion of the button mechanism, the outer base portion including an aperture that is associated with the button mechanism, a portion of the button mechanism being exposed through the aperture.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base portion includes an inner base portion and an outer base portion, the inner base portion including a recessed portion, the button mechanism being fixedly attached to the recessed portion, such that the button mechanism is fixedly retained between the inner base portion and the outer base portion, the inner base portion including a cutout configured to receive a portion of the button mechanism.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge includes:

a first hinge portion coupled with at least one interior surface of the apparatus; and

a second hinge portion coupled with at least one exterior surface of the apparatus.

13. An article of manufacture comprising:

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

a base portion that is open on a first side;

a first lens and a second lens disposed within a second side of the base portion;

a ledge disposed around at least a portion of an interior perimeter of the base portion, the ledge being configured to physically support an electronic device inserted from the first side of the base portion;

a lid portion that is open on a first side and closed on a second side; and

a hinge coupling the base portion with the lid portion, the base portion, the lid portion and the hinge being configured such that the base portion and the lid portion are hingeably moveable, relative to one another, between an open position and a closed position;

a sleeve configured to slidably fit over the base portion and the lid portion when in the closed position; and

a tray configured to be placed within the base portion, the tray including a plurality of legs configured to prevent physical contact between the tray and the first lens and the second lens.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the tray is configured to contain at least one accessory for the electronic device.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the base portion and the lid portion have corresponding angled mating surfaces.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the base portion includes:

an outer base portion having a first lens aperture and a second lens aperture;

an inner base portion having;

a first lens aperture aligned with the first lens aperture of the outer base portion; and

a second lens aperture aligned with the second lens aperture of the outer base portion; and

an adhesive layer affixing the inner base portion to the outer base portion, the inner base portion being at least partially disposed within the outer base portion.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein:

the first lens and the second lens are fixedly retained between the inner base portion and the outer base portion;

an optical portion of the first lens is disposed within the first lens aperture of the inner base portion and the first lens aperture of the outer base portion; and

an optical portion of the second lens is disposed within the second lens aperture of the inner base portion and the second lens aperture of the outer base portion.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the base portion and the lid portion have a cutout defined therein, the cutout being configured for placement over a nose of a user.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 13, further comprising a button mechanism affixed with the base portion, the button mechanism being configured to selectably interact with a touchscreen of the electronic device.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the hinge includes:

a first hinge portion coupled with at least one interior surface of one of the base portion or the lid portion; and

a second hinge portion coupled with at least one exterior surface of the apparatus other of the base portion or the lid portion.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a container that is both a shipping container for a mobile 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 at least a portion of an interior perimeter of the chassis of the goggle portion, the ledge being configured to physically support the mobile electronic device when inserted from the first side of the chassis of the goggle portion; and

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

the cover portion being configured to be placed over the first side of the chassis of the goggle portion, such that the mobile electronic device is retained between the ledge and an interior surface of the second side of the cover portion.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, 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.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, 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.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein 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.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, 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,

a focal length of the first aspherical lens and a focal length of the second aspherical lens being based, at least in part, on a distance from the lens assembly to a surface of a display of the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is placed on the ledge with the display facing the lens assembly.