Wearable device with input and output structures

• US 9,316,836 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US14/611,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20150146300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 351/114, 351/158, 220/913
• 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 and in an arc along a first plane;

a first side arm extending from a first end of the center frame support and terminating at a first free end;

a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support and terminating at a second free end, the center support and the first and second side arms being 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

an extension arm configured to present information to a user via a display element, the extension arm including first and second portions, the second portion including the display element, the extension arm extending at least partially along the first side arm on a first side of the center support and further extending from the first side arm to a display end that supports the display element in a position on the first side of the center support, the extension arm including a joint therein configured for movement of the display element the first portion and the second portion being rotatably affixed to each other at the joint and about an axis extending through the joint in a direction perpendicular to the first plane,

wherein the joint of the extension arm is configured such that the movement includes rotation of the display element about the axis and along a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane,

wherein the free end of the first side arm is enlarged relative to the free end of the second side arm, the enlarged free end housing at least one of circuitry and a power source employed by the display element, and

wherein the extension arm further 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, the function comprising one or more of a lock function, a sleep function and a power state function.

2. The device of claim 1, 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, flexible support arms.

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

5. The device of claim 1, wherein deformation of the band to increase the first distance rotates the extension arm in a first direction, and wherein the joint is configured to enable movement that includes rotation of the display device 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 band includes a compliant inner portion and a resilient outer portion, the resilient outer portion being a substantially uniform structure and the compliant inner portion lining the resilient outer portion.

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

10. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the asymmetric U shape provides multiple points of contact for the user'"'"'s head; and

the enlarge free end of the first side arm provides a balancing weight relative to the extension arm.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the enlarged free end includes a plurality of electrical contacts to connect an external device with the at least one of circuitry and a power source.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the electrical contacts are substantially flush with an exterior surface of the enlarged end and are separated by a portion of the exterior surface.

13. The device of claim 1, 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.

14. The device of claim 13, further including a camera disposed on the second portion of the extension arm.

15. A head-wearable device, comprising:

a center support extending in generally lateral directions;

a first side arm extending from a first end of the center frame support and terminating at a first free end;

a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support and terminating at a second free end, the center support and the first and second side arms being 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

an extension arm configured to present information to a user via a display element, the extension arm including first and second portions, the second portion including the display element, the extension arm extending at least partially along the first side arm on a first side of the center support and further extending from the first side arm to a display end that supports the display element in a position on the first side of the center support, the extension arm including a joint therein configured for movement of the display element, the first portion and the second portion being rotatably affixed to each other at the joint and about an axis extending through the joint in a direction perpendicular to the first plane wherein the joint of the extension arm is configured such that the movement includes rotation of the display element about the axis and along a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane, and wherein the rotation of the display element about the axis also causes the translation thereof in the direction having at least a lateral component relative to the center support, and

wherein the free end of the first side arm is enlarged relative to the free end of the second side arm, the enlarged free end housing at least one of circuitry and a power source employed by the display element.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the band includes a compliant inner portion and a resilient outer portion, the resilient outer portion being a substantially uniform structure and the compliant inner portion lining the resilient outer portion.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the rotation of the display element about the axis also causes the translation thereof in the direction having at least a lateral component relative to the center support.