Wearable device with input and output structures

• US 9,933,623 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2016
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Olsson, Maj Isabelle, Heinrich, Mitchell Joseph, Kelly, Daniel, Lapetina, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Zheng, Xuemei
• Application Number:
  US15/018,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20160231572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0158 with adjustable nose pad
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

An electronic device including a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user is disclosed. The frame can include a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user and a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge and configured to be positioned over a side of a brow of the user. The frame can further include an arm coupled to the brow portion and extending to a free end. The first arm can be positionable over a temple of the user with the free end disposed near an ear of the user. The device can also include a transparent display affixed to the frame adjacent the brow portion and an input affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with a function. Information related to the function can be presentable on the display.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn on a head of a user, the frame including a central frame support having first and second ends, a first side arm extending from the first end of the center frame support and a second side arm extending from the second end of the center frame support;

a camera affixed to the frame and configured to capture real-world images viewed by the user;

an input device affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with the camera, the input device configured to provide tactile feedback to the user;

a lens element disposed within the frame, the lens element being at least partially transparent and configured to display captured images and information related to the camera; and

an outer housing positioned at a free end of the first side arm opposite the input device, the outer housing containing electronic components for the electronic device, and the outer housing configured to add weight to a rearward portion of the frame positioned behind an ear of the user so as to counterbalance a weight of the input device.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising an image projector disposed on the frame and configured to project the captured images onto the lens element.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the image projector is disposed on one of the first and second side arms.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the input device is a touch pad disposed at the first side arm.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the touch pad comprises a surface configured to provide tactile feedback to a user.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the surface is an edge surface comprised of one of a raised, an indented, or a roughened surface.

7. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the touch pad is comprised of at least one insulating layer and at least one conductive layer.

8. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the touch pad is configured to sense at least one of a position and a movement of a finger.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the touch pad is configured to sense finger movement in a direction parallel or planar to the touch pad.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn on a head of a user, the frame including a central frame support having first and second ends, a first side arm extending from the first end of the center frame support and a second side arm extending from the second end of the center frame support;

a camera disposed on the frame and configured to capture images external to the user;

an input device affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with the camera, the input device configured to provide tactile feedback to the user;

a lens element disposed within the frame and configured to display captured images so as to superimpose the captured images over a real-world view of a user; and

an outer housing positioned at a free end of the first side arm opposite the input device, the outer housing containing electronic components for the electronic device, and the outer housing configured to add weight to a rearward portion of the frame positioned behind an ear of the user so as to counterbalance a weight of the input device.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the input device is a touch pad.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the touch pad comprises a surface configured to provide tactile feedback to a user.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 wherein the surface is one of a raised, an indented, or a roughened surface.

14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the lens element further comprises a coating that reflects light projected onto the lens.

15. An electronic device comprising:

a frame configured to be worn on a head of a user, the frame including;

a central frame configured to be worn on the head of a user and supported on a nose of a user, the central frame having a first end and a second end;

a first arm having a first end coupled to the first end of the central frame, the first arm configured to be positioned over a first temple of the user with the free end disposed near a first ear of the user; and

a second arm having a second end coupled to the second end of the central frame, the second arm configured to be positioned over a second temple of the user with a free end disposed near a second ear of the user;

a camera disposed within the frame to capture images;

a pair of lenses disposed within the central frame, the pair of lenses being at least partially transparent and configured to display captured images;

a touch pad disposed on the frame and configured to receive from the user an input associated with the camera, the touch pad configured to provide tactile feedback to the user;

an outer housing positioned at the free end of the first side arm opposite the touch pad, the outer housing containing electronic components for the electronic device, and the outer housing configured to add weight to a rearward portion of the frame positioned behind the first ear of the user so as to counterbalance a weight of the touch pad.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the touch pad further comprises an edge surface, the edge surface being of a raised, an indented, or a roughened surface.

17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the touch pad is configured to sense at least one of a position and a movement of a finger.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the touch pad is configured to sense finger movement in a direction parallel or planar to the touch pad.

19. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the touch pad is comprised of at least one insulating layer and at least one conductive layer.

20. The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising an image projector disposed on the frame and configured to project the captured images onto one of the pair of lenses.