Electronic device with nose sensing

The integration of a movable optical assembly with a nasal pressure sensor in head-mounted devices addresses the challenge of accommodating varying pupil distances and nasal pressure, ensuring comfortable fit and usability.

CN119225017APending Publication Date: 2024-12-31APPLE INC
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202410771084.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-06-29
Filing Date
2024-06-14
Publication Date
2024-12-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Customizing electronic devices such as head-mounted devices to accommodate different user pupil distances and prevent discomfort due to nasal pressure is challenging.

Method used

Incorporating a movable optical assembly with adjustable spacing and a nasal pressure sensor that includes an air pressure sensor and a compressible inflatable chamber to detect and prevent excessive nasal pressure, using motors and actuators to adjust the optical assembly positioning.

Benefits of technology

Effectively adjusts the optical assembly spacing to fit different pupil distances while preventing discomfort by sensing and responding to nasal pressure, enhancing user comfort and device usability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN119225017A_ABST
    Figure CN119225017A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device with nose sensing. A head-mounted device may include an optical assembly for presenting an image to a user. The optical assembly positioning system may be used to adjust the spacing between the optical assemblies to accommodate different interpupillary distances. The optical component positioning system may have a motor. A nasal pressure sensor may be provided for detecting nasal pressure as the optical assemblies are moved toward each other and toward the nasal surface by the motor. Movement of the optical assembly may be stopped whenever the detected nasal pressure increases. The nasal pressure sensors may each include an air pressure sensor and a pressure sensing compressible plenum coupled to the air pressure sensor.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 18 / 344,692, filed on June 29, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to electronic devices such as head mounted devices. Background Art

[0003] Electronic devices have components such as displays and lenses. Customizing such devices for different users can be challenging. Summary of the invention

[0004] A head mounted device may include optical components for presenting an image to a user. An optical component positioning system may be used to adjust the spacing between the optical components to accommodate different pupil distances.

[0005] The optical assembly positioning system may use a motor to move the optical assembly. A nasal pressure sensor may be provided for detecting nasal pressure as the optical assemblies are moved toward each other and toward the user's nose by the motor. In this manner, movement of the optical assembly may be stopped when the detected nasal pressure increases. The nasal pressure sensor may include an air pressure sensor and a nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber coupled to the air pressure sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is an illustration of an illustrative head mounted device according to one embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional top view of a portion of a head mounted device according to one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative air pressure sensor coupled to an inflatable pressure sensing chamber, such as an air pillow, via a conduit, according to one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional top view of a portion of a head mounted device having an inflatable pressure sensing chamber according to one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rear portion of an illustrative head mounted device according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a rear portion of an illustrative head mounted device having a compressible chamber, such as an inflatable pressure sensing tube, according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary air-filled pressure sensing chamber.

[0013] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative pressure sensing element formed from a polymer overmolded onto a side portion of an optical assembly support according to one embodiment.

[0014] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative nasal pressure sensor having a pressure sensing chamber including an air pressure sensor, according to one embodiment.

[0015] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative inflatable bladder system for deploying a nasal sensor, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] An electronic device such as a head mounted device may have a display for displaying an image and a lens for presenting the image to the eye zone for viewing by the user. Different users have different eye distances, which are sometimes referred to as pupil distances. To accommodate users with different pupil distances, a head mounted device may be provided with a movable optical assembly.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device of the type that may include a movable optical assembly to accommodate different pupil distances. Figure 1 The device 10 may be a head-mounted device (e.g., goggles, glasses, helmets, and / or other head-mounted devices). In one exemplary configuration, the device 10 is a head-mounted device such as a pair of goggles (sometimes referred to as virtual reality goggles, mixed reality goggles, augmented reality glasses, etc.).

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown in the exemplary cross-sectional top view of device 10 of FIG. 1 , device 10 may have a housing, such as housing 12 (sometimes referred to as a head-mounted support structure, a head-mounted housing, or a head-mounted support). Housing 12 may include a front portion, such as front portion 12F, and a rear portion, such as rear portion 12R. When device 10 is worn on a user's head, rear portion 12R rests against the user's face and helps block stray light from reaching the user's eyes, and a nose bridge portion NB of housing 12 rests against the user's nose.

[0019] The main portion 12M of the housing 12 may be attached to a headband 12T. The headband 12T may be used to help mount the main portion 12 on the user's head and face. The main portion 12M may have a rigid shell formed by a shell wall of polymer, glass, metal, and / or other materials. When the housing 12 is worn on the user's head, the front of the housing 12 may face outwardly away from the user, and the rear of the housing 12 (and the rear portion 12R) may face the user. In this configuration, the rear portion 12R may face the user's eyes located in the eye zone 36.

[0020] Device 10 may have electrical and optical components for displaying images to eye zone 36 when device 10 is worn. These components may include left and right optical assemblies 20 (sometimes referred to as optical modules). Each optical assembly 20 may have an optical assembly support 38 (sometimes referred to as a lens barrel, optical module support, lens support, lens and display support, support, or support structure) and rails 22 along which the optical assemblies 20 may slide to adjust the spacing of the optical assemblies from one another to accommodate different user interpupillary distances.

[0021] Each assembly 20 may have a display 32 and a lens 34, the display having an array of pixels for displaying an image. The lens 34 may optionally have a removable vision correction lens for correcting a user's vision defects (e.g., refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and / or astigmatism). In each assembly 20, the display 32 and the lens 34 may be coupled to and supported by a support 38. During operation, the image displayed by the display 32 may be presented to the eye zone 36 through the lens 34 for viewing by the user.

[0022] Rear portion 12R may include a flexible structure (e.g., a flexible polymer layer, a flexible fabric layer, and / or other flexible shell structure) such that portion 12R can stretch to accommodate movement of supports 38 toward and away from each other, thereby accommodating different user interpupillary distances. These flexible portions may sometimes be referred to as curtains, stretchable fabric curtains, etc.

[0023] The walls of housing 12 may separate an interior region 28 of device 10 from an exterior region 30 surrounding device 10. In interior region 28, optical assembly 20 may be mounted on rails 22. Rails 22 may be attached to central housing portion 12C. If desired, outer ends of rails 22 may be unsupported (e.g., outer end portions of rails 22 may not directly contact housing 12, such that these ends float relative to housing 12 in interior region 28).

[0024] Device 10 may include control circuitry and other components such as component 40. The control circuitry may include memory, processing circuitry formed by one or more microprocessors, and / or other circuits. The control circuitry may be used to control any adjustable components in device 10, such as motors, actuators, displays, lighting components, audio components, etc. To support communication between device 10 and external equipment, the control circuitry may include wireless communication circuitry. Component 40 may include sensors such as force sensors (e.g., strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, resistive force sensors, etc.), audio sensors (such as microphones), touch sensors and / or proximity sensors (such as capacitive sensors), optical sensors (such as optical sensors that emit and detect light), ultrasonic sensors and / or other touch sensors and / or proximity sensors, monochrome and color ambient light sensors, image sensors, sensors for detecting position, orientation, and / or motion (e.g., accelerometers, magnetic sensors (such as compass sensors, gyroscopes, and / or sensors such as inertial measurement units that include some or all of these sensors)), radio frequency sensors, depth sensors (e.g., structured light sensors and / or depth sensors based on stereo imaging devices), optical sensors (such as self-mixing sensors and light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors that collect time-of-flight measurements), humidity sensors, moisture-sensitive sensors, visual inertial odometry sensors, current sensors, voltage sensors, and / or other sensors. In some arrangements, device 10 may use sensors to collect user input (e.g., button press input, touch input, etc.). Sensors can also be used to collect environmental motion (e.g., device motion measurements, temperature measurements, ambient light readings, etc.).

[0025] The optical assembly 20 may have a gaze tracker 62 (sometimes referred to as a gaze tracking sensor). The gaze tracker 62, which may be operated by the lens 34, may include one or more light sources, such as infrared light emitting diodes that emit infrared light to illuminate the user's eyes in the eye-adaptive zone 36. The gaze tracker 62 also includes an infrared camera for capturing images of the user's eyes and measuring reflections (flashes) of infrared light from each of the infrared light sources. By processing these eye images, the gaze tracker 62 can track the user's eyes and determine the user's gaze point. The gaze tracker 62 can also measure the position of the user's eyes (e.g., the user's eye distance and the user's pupil distance).

[0026] In order to accommodate users with different pupil distances (eye-to-eye spacing), the spacing between the left and right optical components 20 in the device 10 can be adjusted (e.g., to match or nearly match the user's measured pupil distance). The device 10 may have a left actuator and a right actuator (e.g., a motor), such as motor 48. Each motor 48 (which may include an internal gear) can be used to rotate an elongated threaded shaft (screw), such as shaft 44. A nut 46 is provided on each shaft 44. The nut has a thread that engages with the thread on the shaft 44. When the shaft is rotated, the nut on the shaft is driven in the +X or -X direction (depending on whether the shaft is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise). In turn, this causes the optical component 20 attached to the nut to move along its optical component guide 22 in the +X or -X direction. Each component 20 (e.g., support 38) may have a portion that receives one of the guides 22 so that the component is guided along the guide. By controlling the activity of motor 48, the spacing between the left and right optical components of the device 10 can be adjusted to accommodate the pupil distances of different users. For example, if the user's eyes are closely spaced, assembly 20 may be moved inward (toward each other and nose bridge portion NB of housing 12), and if the user's eyes are widely spaced, assembly 20 may be moved outward (away from each other).

[0027] When device 10 is worn by a user, the user's head is located in region 68. The presence of the user's head (and therefore whether device 10 is worn) may be determined using one or more sensors (e.g., gaze tracker 62 that can detect the presence of the user's eyes in eye-viewing zone 36, rear-facing sensors such as sensor 66 on main housing 12M, head-facing sensors mounted on band 12T such as sensor 64, and / or other head presence sensors). These sensors may include cameras, light sensors (e.g., visible light or infrared sensors that measure when ambient light levels drop due to occlusion by the user's head), proximity sensors (e.g., sensors that emit light such as infrared light and measure corresponding reflected light from the user's head using an infrared light sensor, capacitive proximity sensors, ultrasonic acoustic proximity sensors, etc.), switches, and / or other force sensing sensors that detect head pressure when the user's head is present, and / or other head presence sensors.

[0028] Output from the head presence sensor and / or output from gaze tracker 62 may be used to control motor 48 to automatically adjust the spacing of optical assembly 20. Optical assembly spacing may also be adjusted manually (e.g., by controlling motor 48 using a button such as button 71).

[0029] When device 10 is worn and the user's head is present in region 68, the user's nose will be located below nasal bridge portion NB of housing 12. When optical components 20 are moved toward each other so that components 20 are spaced apart by an amount that matches or nearly matches the user's pupil distance, inner side surfaces 60 of support structure 38 in components 20 and the overlapping portion of rear portion 12R will move toward the opposing outer side nasal surface 61 of the user's nose. As components 20 move sufficiently inward, surface 60 (and any intermediate portion of rear portion 12R) may contact and press against nasal surface 61. As a result, an outward force is generated on components 20 by nasal surface 61.

[0030] In order to avoid discomfort that may occur when the user's nose is pressed more than the desired amount, the device 10 may be provided with a nasal pressure sensor. The nasal pressure sensor may include an air pressure sensor connected to a pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chamber (tube, inflatable pillow, etc.). The inflatable chamber may be placed on or adjacent to the surface 60 so that the inflatable chamber is contacted and compressed when the surface 60 approaches the surface 61. When the inflatable chamber is compressed, the air pressure sensor connected to the inflatable chamber can sense the increase in pressure. Appropriate action can then be taken. For example, if a pressure exceeding a threshold amount is detected, the control circuit of the device 10 can infer the possibility of discomfort and further inward movement of the assembly 20 can be stopped.

[0031] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional top view of an exemplary left half of head mounted device 10 showing an exemplary location 72 that may be used for a pressure sensing compressible plenum chamber (sometimes referred to as a compressible plenum chamber, a pressure sensing plenum chamber, or a plenum chamber). Figure 2 As shown, optical assembly 20 may include support 38 for supporting display 32 and lens 34. When device 10 is worn on the user's head, the user's nose may be close to nose bridge portion NB, so that nose surface 61 may face optical assembly 20. Outer portion 74 of rear portion 12M faces nose surface 61, so rear portion 12M may be between surface 61 and surface 60.

[0032] If the optical assembly 20 moves in the X direction (in Figure 2 ), the surface 60 of the support 38 may approach the nose surface 61. The middle portion of the rear portion 12R of the housing 12 may then be compressed between the surface 60 of the support 38 and the nose surface 61. In order to sense the pressure caused by this nose contact, a pressure sensing plenum may be installed between the surface 61 and the surface 60. Figure 2As shown, locations 72 where these chambers may be mounted may include: 1) a location at the outer (exterior) side of portion 12R (between portion 12R and surface 61), 2) a location within portion 12R (e.g., embedded within a fabric layer if portion 12R is partially or completely comprised of fabric), 3) a location on the inner surface of portion 12R (e.g., a location between portion 12R and surface 60), and 4) a location on the outer surface of support 38 (e.g., a location on surface 60, which is also between portion 12R and surface 60). In locations such as these, the inflatable chambers will be compressed when surface 60 moves toward nasal surface 61.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary nasal pressure sensor. Figure 3 The nasal pressure sensor 80 includes an air pressure sensor 82, a hollow air-filled conduit 84 (such as tube 86), and a pressure-sensing compressible air-filled chamber 88. Tube 86 communicates with chamber 88 and sensor 82. When chamber 86 is compressed between nasal surface 61 and optical assembly 20, the air pressure in chamber 86 will increase, and thus the increased pressure will be sensed by sensor 82 through tube 86.

[0034] exist Figure 3 In the example of the embodiment, chamber 88 has the shape of a compressible pillow (e.g., a hollow pillow formed from an elastomer such as silicone or other flexible polymer that encloses an air-filled cavity). If desired, chambers such as chamber 88 may be formed from tubes. Sensor 82 may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor (e.g., a sensor having a deformable diaphragm whose deformation is measured using a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a strain gauge, or other sensing technology) or any other suitable air pressure sensor configured to measure air pressure. A gaseous fluid such as air, nitrogen, argon, and / or other gases may fill chamber 88 and conduit 84, or a liquid fluid such as water or other liquids may be used to fill chamber 88 and conduit 84. Configurations using air to transmit pressure measurements from chamber 88 to sensor 82 are described herein as examples.

[0035] The nasal pressure sensor 80 may have one or more chambers 88, and the conduit 84 may include one or more corresponding tubes 86, each coupled between a respective port of the sensor 82 and a respective one of the chambers 88. For example, the chambers 88 may be formed using pressure sensing compressible inflatable tubes that are wrapped at least partially around the structure 38, and each of these tubes may be coupled to a respective port of the sensor 82 via a respective tube 86. With this type of arrangement, the nasal pressure on each pressure sensing tube may be measured individually, thereby providing additional detail about the nature and location of the pressure on the nasal surface 61, and providing redundancy to the pressure sensing system.

[0036] exist Figure 4 In the illustrative example of , a pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber 88 has been embedded within portion 12R in the nose bridge portion NB at a location between the nasal surface 61 and the support member 38. If desired, chamber 88 may be located at a location 88' on the interior of portion 12R or at a location 88" on the exterior of portion 12R.

[0037] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rear portion of device 10, illustrating how chamber 88 may be positioned on or in nasal bridge portion NB of housing 12, in a position facing inwardly toward nasal surface 61, when device 10 is worn on the head of a user. Figure 5 The chamber 88 may be, for example, a compressible pillow-like elastomeric member having an air-filled cavity.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, a length of compressible inflation conduit (such as one or more tubes 88T) may be used as a nasal pressure chamber in place of the Figure 5 The tube 88T may be completely wrapped around the periphery of the assembly 20 or may be partially wrapped around the assembly 20 (e.g., the tube 88T may extend at least around the inside of the assembly 20, such as Figure 6 Tube 88T may be connected in series to sensor 82 ( Figure 3 ), or sensor 82 may have multiple pressure sensing ports, each of which is individually coupled to a different corresponding one of tubes 88T. When tubes 88T are used to sense nasal pressure independently, each of these tubes may be coupled to a different corresponding air pressure sensing port of sensor 82 (either by itself or via additional tubes).

[0039] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative arrangement for forming a pressure sensing compressible inflatable cavity for nasal pressure sensor 80.

[0040] exist Figure 7In the example of FIG. 1 , pressure sensing tube 88T has been formed in a block of elastomeric material (elastomeric block 90). Block 90 may be mounted on the exterior of portion 12R (e.g., surface 94 of block 90 may contact the exterior of portion 12R), within portion 12R (e.g., as an embedded structure or component of portion 12R), on the interior of portion 12R (e.g., surface 96 of block 90 may contact the interior of portion 12R), and / or on the exterior of support member 38 (e.g., surface 94 may contact surface 60 of support member 38). Block 90 may be formed from two separate parts joined along seam 92 (e.g., by polymer molding, adhesive bonding, heat welding, and / or other joining techniques), may be formed from a polymer member molded around a pre-existing set of inflation tubes, may be formed from a single piece of molded material, and / or may be formed using other arrangements that allow the inflation cavity within tube 88T to be compressed in response to nasal pressure.

[0041] exist Figure 8 In the example of FIG. 8 , pillow-shaped chambers 88 have been formed in the elastomer block 90 . Figure 7 As with the arrangement of FIG. 1 , the walls of block 90 and therefore the air-filled cavity within block 90 may be compressed in response to nasal pressure. Figure 8 Block 90 and its associated chamber 88 may be formed on an exterior surface of portion 12R (e.g., surface 94 may contact an exterior of portion 12R), may be formed within portion 12R (e.g., as an embedded structure or component of portion 12R), may be formed on an interior surface of portion 12R (e.g., surface 96 may contact an interior of portion 12R), and / or may be formed on an exterior of support member 38 (e.g., surface 94 may contact surface 60 of support member 38).

[0042] Fig. 9 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary nasal pressure sensor arrangement in which chamber 88 has been formed on surface 60 of support member 38 (e.g., by overmolding a polymer onto surface 60, by attaching chamber 88 to surface 60 with an adhesive, etc.). Portion 12R may also contact chamber 88. Chamber 88 may have an elastomeric chamber wall (such as wall 108) surrounding an air-filled cavity 106. Component 104 may be an air pressure sensor (e.g., Figure 3 The pressure sensor 82 of the chamber 106 may be connected to an air hose between the chamber 106 and the air pressure sensor 82 (see, for example, Figure 3 of tube 86).

[0043] like Fig.10As shown in the example of , the wall 108 of the chamber 88 can be configured to form a channel or other structure that couples the air pressure sensor 82 on the flexible printed circuit 110 to the plenum cavity 106 of the chamber 88. If desired, the pressure sensor 82 and the printed circuit 110 can be mounted within the cavity 106 (e.g., at position 111). The chamber 88 can be mounted between the surface 60 of the support member 38 and the inner surface of the portion 12R (as an example).

[0044] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary inflatable bladder system for deploying a nasal sensor according to one embodiment. Fig.11 As shown, a button (such as button 71) may be mounted on an exterior portion of housing 12 of device 10. A user may use button 71 to provide control over the movement of optical assembly 20 along guide rail 22 ( Figure 1 ) movement control input. Button 71 can be used to control the movement of motor 48 ( Figure 1 ) and / or speed of operation, and thus may be used to control whether optical assembly 20 moves inwardly toward nasal surface 61. Device 10 may also have a control element (such as button 114) for controlling the inflation of an inflatable bladder (such as bladder 112). An air pump (such as pump 116) may be used to inflate and deflate bladder 112. Button 114 may be an electrical button that controls air pump 116 (e.g., air pump 116 may be an electrically controlled air pump), or button 114 may be a mechanical button and pump 116 may be a mechanical air pump that is manually controlled by button 114. Button 114 (which may sometimes be referred to as a button element, controller, control element, control element, etc.) may be separate from button 71, may be adjacent to button 71, or may be formed as an integral part of button 71. When it is desired to move the optical assembly 20 toward the nasal surface 61, the button 71 and the button 114 can be used to turn on the motor 48 in the device 10 to move the assembly 20 toward the nasal surface 61 and cause the pump 116 to inflate the bladder 112. The inflation of the bladder 112 moves the chamber 88 away from the support 38 toward the portion 12R, and thereby helps to move the chamber 88 to a position close to the nasal surface 61. As a result, when the assembly 20 is moved toward the user's nose, the chamber 88 will be compressed earlier than otherwise due to the nasal contact pressure. The inflation of the bladder 112 can also help provide additional cushioning to help alleviate any discomfort caused by the nose contacting the portion 12R and the chamber 88. The bladder 114 can be deflated after the optical assembly 20 has been positioned as desired (e.g., to help reduce any undesirable static nasal pressure). There may be separate bladders 112 on the left and right sides of device 10 (adjacent the left and right optical components), and the inflation and deflation of these bladders may be controlled in unison by a single button or individually by separate buttons or other controls.

[0045] If desired, the control circuitry of the device 10 may process the pressure signal measured by the air pressure sensor 82. When the chamber 88 is in contact with the nasal surface 61, the output of the air pressure sensor 82 will contain user breathing and heartbeat information (e.g., the pressure will change as the user inhales and exhales and the pressure will change with the user's heartbeat). The user's breathing data and / or heartbeat data may be extracted by the control circuitry and appropriate actions may be taken (e.g., the display 32 may display the user's current breathing rate and / or the user's breathing rate history, the display 32 may display the user's current heartbeat and / or the user's heartbeat history, etc.). Generally, when the bladder 112 is inflated so that there is sufficient contact between the nasal surface 61 and the chamber 88 and / or when the chamber 88 is otherwise in contact with the user's skin, the air pressure sensor 82 may be configured to supply physiological outputs (such as breathing rate outputs and / or heartbeat outputs). Any appropriate actions may then be taken in response to the collected physiological data.

[0046] To help protect the user's privacy, best practices may be used to handle any personal user information collected by the device 10. These best practices include meeting or exceeding any applicable privacy regulations. Opt-in and opt-out options and / or other options may be provided that allow users to control the use of their personal data.

[0047] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device is provided, which includes: a head-mounted shell; optical components, which are located in the head-mounted shell and are configured to move toward and away from each other, each optical component includes a support and includes a lens and a display supported by the support, and the display of each optical component is configured to provide an image to an eye-adaptive zone through the lens; and a nasal pressure sensor, which is configured to measure nasal pressure when the optical components move toward each other, each nasal pressure sensor includes an air pressure sensor and a pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chamber, the pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chamber is connected to the air pressure sensor, and the air pressure sensor is configured to measure air pressure changes in the pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chamber due to nasal pressure on the pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chamber.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the head mounted housing has a flexible rear portion and each of the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chambers is located between the flexible rear portion and a corresponding one of the supports.

[0049] According to another embodiment, the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises an elastomeric polymer wall attached to the support.

[0050] According to another embodiment, the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber is located within the flexible rear portion of the head mounted housing.

[0051] According to another embodiment, the flexible rear portion of the housing comprises fabric.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the head mounted housing includes a flexible rear portion, and the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber is located on an outer surface of the flexible rear portion.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the head mounted device includes an inflatable bladder configured to move the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber when inflated.

[0054] According to another embodiment, the head mounted device includes a conduit coupling each of the air pressure sensors to a corresponding one of the pressure sensing compressible plenum chambers.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises an inflatable tube.

[0056] According to another embodiment, the air pressure sensors each have a plurality of ports, and each of the plurality of ports is connected to a corresponding one of the air tubes.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the air pressure sensor is mounted within a plenum cavity in the pressure sensing compressible plenum.

[0058] According to another embodiment, the head mounted device includes a flexible printed circuit, the air pressure sensor is mounted to the flexible printed circuit and is in communication with the inflatable cavity in the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber.

[0059] According to another embodiment, the support member has an outer surface and the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber includes a tube wrapped at least partially around the outer surface.

[0060] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device nasal pressure sensor is provided, the head-mounted device nasal pressure sensor comprising an air pressure sensor, a nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber, and a tube connecting the nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber to the air pressure sensor.

[0061] According to another embodiment, the air pressure sensor has a plurality of ports.

[0062] According to another embodiment, the nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber includes an elastomeric block having an inflatable cavity.

[0063] According to another embodiment, the nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises a tube.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device is provided, comprising: a display and a lens, wherein the lens is configured to transmit an image from the display to an eye-adaptive zone; a support member, wherein the support member is used for the display and the lens; a plurality of tubes, wherein the plurality of tubes are at least partially wrapped around the support member; and an air pressure sensor, wherein the air pressure sensor has a plurality of ports, each of the ports being connected to a corresponding one of the tubes.

[0065] According to another embodiment, each of the tubes comprises a compressible elastomeric tube configured to measure nasal pressure towards the support.

[0066] According to another embodiment, the head mounted device includes a rail, the support moves along the rail, and the air pressure sensor is configured to collect physiological data.

[0067] The foregoing is merely illustrative, and various modifications may be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented independently or in any combination.

Claims

1. A head mounted device, comprising: Head mounted housing; optical assemblies located in the head mounted housing and configured to move toward and away from each other, wherein each optical assembly includes a support and includes a lens and a display supported by the support, and wherein the display of each optical assembly is configured to provide an image to an eye zone through the lens; and a nasal pressure sensor configured to measure nasal pressure when the optical components are moved toward each other, wherein each nasal pressure sensor comprises: Air pressure sensor; and A pressure sensing compressible plenum is coupled to the air pressure sensor, wherein the air pressure sensor is configured to measure changes in air pressure in the pressure sensing compressible plenum due to nasal pressure on the pressure sensing compressible plenum.

2. A head-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the head-mounted shell has a flexible rear portion, and wherein each of the pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chambers is located between the flexible rear portion and a corresponding one of the support members.

3. A head-mounted device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises an elastomeric polymer wall attached to the support member.

4. The head-mounted device of claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chamber is located within a flexible rear portion of the head-mounted housing.

5. A head-mounted device according to claim 4, wherein the flexible rear portion of the housing comprises fabric.

6. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted housing includes a flexible rear portion, and wherein the pressure-sensing compressible inflatable chamber is located on an outer surface of the flexible rear portion.

7. The head mounted device of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable bladder configured to move the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber when inflated.

8. The head-mounted device of claim 1 , further comprising a conduit coupling each of the air pressure sensors to a corresponding one of the pressure-sensing compressible plenums.

9. The head mounted device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises an inflatable tube.

10. The head mounted device of claim 9, wherein the air pressure sensors each have a plurality of ports, and wherein each of the plurality of ports is connected to a corresponding one of the air tubes.

11. The head mounted device of claim 1, wherein the air pressure sensor is mounted within an air-filled cavity in the pressure sensing compressible air-filled chamber.

12. The head mounted device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible printed circuit, wherein the air pressure sensor is mounted to the flexible printed circuit and communicates with an inflatable cavity in the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber.

13. The head mounted device of claim 1, wherein the support has an outer surface, and wherein the pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises a tube wrapped at least partially around the outer surface.

14. A head-mounted device nasal pressure sensor, the head-mounted device nasal pressure sensor comprising: Air pressure sensor; nasal pressure-sensing compressible air chamber; and A tube couples the nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber to the air pressure sensor.

15. The head mounted device nasal pressure sensor of claim 14, wherein the air pressure sensor has a plurality of ports.

16. The head mounted device of claim 14, wherein the nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises an elastomeric block having an inflatable cavity.

17. The head mounted device of claim 14, wherein the nasal pressure sensing compressible inflatable chamber comprises a tube.

18. A head mounted device, comprising: a display and a lens configured to transmit an image from the display to an eye zone; A support member, the support member being used for the display and the lens; a plurality of tubes at least partially wrapped around the support; and An air pressure sensor has a plurality of ports, each of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the tubes.

19. The head mounted device of claim 18, wherein each of the tubes comprises a compressible elastomeric tube configured to measure nasal pressure toward the support.

20. The head mounted device of claim 19, further comprising a rail along which the support moves, wherein the air pressure sensor is configured to collect physiological data.