Electronic device with optical component position sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device with an optical component position sensor. A head-mounted device may include an optical assembly for presenting an image to a user. Each optical assembly may have a support configured to support a display; a lens through which an image from the display is presented to the eye-fit area for viewing; and a sensor. Each support may have an opening configured to receive a guide rod along which the support slides to adjust a position at which the optical assembly is positioned along the guide rod. Each guide rod may include a position index, such as a strip index formed from alternating magnetic poles or alternating bright and dark regions. As the support slides along the guide rod, the magnetic sensor or the optical sensor may monitor the position index to determine the position of the support and the optical assembly along the guide rod.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 755,068, filed on June 26, 2024, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 519,605, filed on August 15, 2023, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their 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] The present invention relates to a head mounted device, which may include an optical assembly for presenting an image to a user. In order to accommodate users with different pupil distances, the optical assembly may be moved together or separately.

[0005] Each optical assembly may have a support configured to support a display; a lens through which an image from the display is presented to the eye zone for viewing; and a sensor. Each support may have an opening configured to receive a guide rod along which the support slides. Each guide rod may include a position index such as a strip index formed by alternating magnetic poles, alternating light and dark areas, or other suitable position indexing structures. As the support slides along the guide rod, a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor may monitor the position index to determine the position of the support and the optical assembly along the guide rod. Relative and absolute position sensing techniques may be used. 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 top view of an exemplary optical assembly and guide rods according to one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative guide rod according to one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary guide rod according to one embodiment.

[0010] Fig.10is an illustration of an illustrative single track position index strip that may be included in a guide bar according to one embodiment.

[0011] Fig.11 is an illustration of an illustrative multi-track position index strip that may be included in a guide bar according to one embodiment.

[0012] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative multi-element sensor for reading position information from an associated guide rod multi-track position index strip according to one embodiment.

[0013] Fig.13 is a diagram of an illustrative hybrid relative-absolute position index bar according to one embodiment.

[0014] Fig.14 is an illustration of an illustrative guide rod having a hybrid position index formed by embedded guide rod fibers and a series of discrete absolute position codes according to one embodiment.

[0015] Fig.15 is a cross-sectional end view of an illustrative portion of an optical assembly and associated guide rods according to one embodiment, showing how a sensor on the optical assembly can read position information from a strip position index on the guide rods. 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. In order to accommodate users with different pupil distances, the head mounted device may be provided with a movable optical assembly.

[0017] The head mounted device may have a position sensor to measure the position of the optical assembly. This information can be used to accurately control the spacing between the optical assemblies. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical assembly can slide along the guide rod during the positioning operation, and the position sensor can use the position address on the guide rod for position measurement. The position address (sometimes referred to as a position code, position mark, or position index) can be formed using a magnetic structure (e.g., a series of discrete magnets, magnetic domains formed in a strip of magnetic tape or other strip of magnetic material, etc.), an optical mark (e.g., a code, a scale mark, a one-dimensional and / or two-dimensional barcode, or other optical index measured using an optical sensor), and / or other index structures (e.g., an index sensed using a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a force sensor, and / or other sensors). Configurations in which the guide rod includes a magnetic index and an optical index are sometimes described herein as examples.

[0018] Figure 1 is an illustration 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.).

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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 12M 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 be 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.

[0021] The device 10 may have electrical and optical components for displaying images to the eye zone 36 when the device 10 is worn. These components may include left and right optical components 20 (sometimes referred to as optical modules). Each optical component 20 may have an optical component support 38 (sometimes referred to as a lens barrel, an optical module support, a lens support, a lens and display support, a support or a support structure) and a guide rod 22 (sometimes referred to as a guide rail 22), along which the optical component 20 may slide to adjust the optical component to the optical component spacing to accommodate different user pupil distances. The guide rod 22 may be cylindrical (e.g., the guide rod 22 may have a circular cross-sectional shape) or may have other suitable shapes (e.g., the rod 22 may have a cross-sectional shape of a triangle, rectangle, hexagon, semicircle, etc.). Cylindrical guide rods are sometimes described herein as examples.

[0022] 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 area 36 through the lens 34 for viewing by the user.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The wall of the housing 12 may separate the interior region 28 of the device 10 from the exterior region 30 surrounding the device 10. In the interior region 28, the optical components 20 may be mounted on the guide rods 22. The support 38 may have an opening that receives the guide rods 22 and allows the support 38 and the components 20 to slide along the guide rods 22 to adjust the spacing between the components 20. There may be one or more guide rods 22 for each support 38 (e.g., each support may receive an upper guide rod and a lower guide rod 22). The guide rods 22 may be attached to the central housing portion 12C. If desired, the outer ends of the guide rods 22 may be unsupported (e.g., the outer end portions of the guide rods 22 may not directly contact the housing 12, so that these ends float relative to the housing 12 in the interior region 28).

[0025] 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, light emitting 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 measurements (e.g., device motion measurements, temperature measurements, ambient light readings, etc.).

[0026] 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).

[0027] 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 left and right actuators (e.g., motors), such as motor 48. Each motor 48, which may include internal gears, can be used to rotate an elongated threaded shaft (screw), such as shaft 44. A nut 46 may be provided on each shaft 44. If desired, the nut, which may be formed by a portion of the support 38, has threads that engage with the threads 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 rod 22 in the +X or -X direction. Each component 20 (e.g., support 38) may have a portion forming a cylindrical opening or other suitable structure that receives one of the guide rods 22 so that the component is guided along the guide rod. By controlling the activity of motor 48, the spacing between the left and right optical components of device 10 can be changed so that device 10 can be interpupillary adjusted to accommodate the interpupillary distances of different users. For example, if the user's eyes are closely spaced, assembly 20 can be moved inward (toward each other and the bridge of the nose portion NB of housing 12), and if the user's eyes are widely spaced, assembly 20 can be moved outward (away from each other).

[0028] 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 portion 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.

[0029] 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 (eg, by using buttons such as button 71 to control motor 48).

[0030] Figure 2is a top view of the interior portion of the device 10, which shows how the support 38 of each optical assembly 20 can have an opening to receive the corresponding guide rod 22. A position sensor that measures the position of the assembly 20 (e.g., the position of the support 38 along the length of the guide rod 22) can be formed using a sensor 70 and a position index 72. The position index 72 can be, for example, a magnetic index having alternating north and south poles or other patterns of magnetic poles (magnetic domains) that can be measured by a magnetic sensor or can be an optical index formed by a series of bright / dark patterns manufactured by ink printing, laser etching, scribing, and / or other optical index manufacturing techniques. As the sensor 70 moves along the index 72, the sensor 70 can measure magnetic field fluctuations when the sensor 70 passes the magnetic poles of the index 72 (in an embodiment in which the index 72 is a magnetic index) or can measure light fluctuations when the sensor 70 passes the bright optical mark and dark optical mark (or other optically visible mark) of the index 72 (in an embodiment in which the index 72 is an optical index). In this method, the index 72 is used as a reference that allows the sensor 70 to accurately measure the position of the sensor 70 along the guide rod 22. The index 72 may be used to implement a relative position sensor (e.g., a position sensor having a series of unlabeled scale marks where the position is determined by counting the number of scale marks passed by the sensor 70), an absolute position sensor (e.g., a position sensor where an address such as a bar code or other code is used to provide absolute position information to the sensor 70 so that the sensor 70 does not need to count the number of scale marks passed), or a hybrid position sensor (e.g., a position sensor that includes both a relative sensor index structure such as scale marks and an absolute position code such as a bar code that gives absolute position information). In a hybrid sensor, the absolute position codes (position addresses) may be interspersed within a row of scale marks that give relative position information at locations between the absolute position codes.

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary guide rod. Figure 3 As shown, the guide rod 22 may be provided with a position index (e.g., index 72). The index 72 may have a bar shape and may extend along the length of the guide rod 22. The index 72 may only partially surround the circumference of the guide rod 22 or the index 72 may completely surround the circumference of the guide rod 22.

[0032] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9is a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary guide rod. The guide rod 22 may be formed of a hollow cylindrical tube having a circular cross-sectional shape, a hollow tube of other cross-sectional shapes (triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, semicircular, etc.), or a solid rod (e.g., a solid cylindrical rod or a solid rod having other suitable shapes). The guide rod 22 may be formed of a fiber composite material (e.g., the guide rod 22 may be a glass fiber rod or a carbon fiber rod formed of an epoxy resin or other polymer filled with fibers such as glass fibers or carbon fibers), may be formed of a polymer (e.g., a polymer without embedded fibers), may be formed of ceramics, glass, metal, natural materials such as wood, other materials, and / or combinations of these materials.

[0033] exist Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 2 , position indexes 72 have been formed on the surface of the hollow tube forming the guide rod 22. An optional covering layer such as layer 74 may be formed over the indexes 72. In one exemplary configuration, Figure 4 The index 72 of the embodiment can be formed from a polymer strip or other elongated substrate on which magnets, a coating of magnetic material having a desired pattern of magnetic poles for forming a magnetic index, or optical index marks have been formed, and the layer 74 can be a polymer coating for the index 72 and the rod 22 (e.g., a cured coating of a liquid polymer) or a polymer tube used as a covering sleeve for the index 72 and the rod 22. If desired, a covering layer formed of one or more other materials (metal, glass, ceramic, etc.) can also be used. The covering layer 74 can be used to help protect the index 72 from wear and / or help reduce sliding friction when the support member 38 moves along the guide rod 22.

[0034] exist Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 7 , the index 72 has been embedded in the wall of the guide rod 22. The wall of the guide rod 22 may be formed, for example, from a polymer (with or without reinforcing embedded fibers).

[0035] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional end view of guide rod 22 in an exemplary configuration in which indexes 72 have been formed on the interior surface of guide rod 22 (eg, in a hollow cylindrical opening within a guide rod tube).

[0036] If desired, an adhesive may be used to attach the index 72 to the rod 22. An arrangement in which the index 72 is formed as an integral part of the rod 22 may also be used.

[0037] In some embodiments, the guide rod 22 can be formed using a pultrusion process, in which the guide rod material is pulled through a pultrusion die. As an example, the pultrusion tool can be provided with fibers (e.g., glass fibers or carbon fibers) and a liquid polymer (e.g., a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer in liquid form). Figure 7 A guide rod formed using this type of arrangement is shown in FIG. Figure 7As shown, the material pulled through the pultrusion tool can form a hollow guide rod having a fiber composite wall covered with a thin coating of a hardened liquid polymer, such as coating 76. Index 72 can be formed below coating 76. Figure 7 The index strips or other structures used to form the index 72 may be fed into the input end of the pultrusion tool along with the fibers and liquid polymer as the guide rod 22 is pulled through the tool.

[0038] If desired, the guide rod 22 may have grooves extending along its length, such as Figure 8 The index 72 (e.g., a series of discrete magnets, a strip of magnetic material magnetized to form alternating north / south magnetic poles or other magnetic pole pattern for the index 72, an optical index structure such as a strip of polymer, metal or other material with black and white optical scale markings or other light and dark markings) can be formed in the groove 78. The surface of the index 72 can be flush with the surface of the rod 22 or can be located above or below the surface of the rod 22. By using Figure 8 The outer surface of the index 72 is recessed below the surface of the guide rod 22, which can avoid wear on the index 72 and reduce sliding friction when the support member 38 is moved along the guide rod 22.

[0039] exist Fig. 9 Another exemplary arrangement for providing position indexing for the guide rod 22 is shown in FIG. Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 7 , the guide rod 22 has been provided with a magnetic material 84 to form the index 72 . As an example, Fig. 9 The index 72 may have a strip shape extending along the length of the rod 22. The rod 22 may be formed of a resin (e.g., the rod 22 may have a tubular wall formed of a polymer 82 with fibers 80 (e.g., glass fibers or carbon fibers) embedded in the tubular wall. A material 84, which may be formed of magnetic particles such as ferromagnetic particles, may be incorporated into the polymer 82 (e.g., during a pultrusion operation or other operation in which the rod 22 is formed) and then magnetized using an external magnet to form a desired pattern of magnetic poles for the index 72.

[0040] Fig.10 is a diagram of an exemplary single track position index strip that may be included in guide bar 22. Fig.10 In the example of FIG. 7 , the index 72 includes a series of index regions 86. The region 86 may include regions that are allowed to be detected by the sensor 70 ( Figure 2) measuring the magnetic poles or optical sensing pattern of index 72. As an example, region 86 may be formed by a series of alternating magnetic poles (e.g., north poles N and south poles S alternating along the length of index 72 in a pattern such as NSNSN...). As another example, region 86 may include materials with different reflectivities (and therefore different appearances under visible light and / or under other light such as infrared light). In an exemplary arrangement, region 86 may include white regions W (or other bright regions) and black regions B (or other dark regions) alternating along the length of index 72 in a pattern such as BWBWB... Region 86 may be formed by laser etching, by printing (e.g., with black and white ink or other ink), by mechanical processing (e.g., scribing, drilling, polishing, etc.), and / or other optical index patterning techniques.

[0041] With arrangements such as these (sometimes referred to as relative position sensor arrangements), sensor 70 ( Figure 2 ) can determine the position of the sensor 70 (and therefore the support 38) along the length of the index 72 (and therefore along the length of the guide rod 22) by monitoring the number of zones 86 that the sensor 70 passes through as the optical assembly 20 slides along the rod 22. If, for example, the sensor 70 passes through N zones 86, it can be inferred that the sensor 70 is located at a distance along the X axis equal to N zones 86 from its starting point. If the motor 48 reverses direction, the sensor 70 can similarly measure the number of zones 86 that the sensor 70 passes through as the sensor 70 travels in the -X direction (e.g., if the support 38 moves in the -X direction through M zones 86, the position sensor formed by the sensor 70 and the index 72 can determine that the support 38 is now located at a position that is NM zones 86 from its original starting point.

[0042] exist Fig.11 Another exemplary configuration of index 72 is shown in . In this type of arrangement, index 72 is a multi-track index having multiple parallel tracks (e.g., tracks 72-1, 72-2, and 72-3, as well as additional tracks if desired). Each of these tracks may be encoded using a different pattern of regions 86. For example, the tracks of index 72 may be formed by parallel strips of alternating magnetic poles or alternating light / dark optical marks, where each successive track has half the period of the previous track, thereby forming a binary position code across the tracks. Fig.12As shown, sensor 70 may have multiple corresponding elements (e.g., sensor element 70-1 for measuring region 86 in track 72-1, sensor element 70-2 for measuring region 86 in track 72-2, sensor element 70-3 for measuring region 86 in track 72-3, etc.). The elements of a multi-element sensor such as sensor 70 may be magnetic sensors (each of which measures the magnetic field generated by alternating north and south magnetic poles associated with region 86) or optical sensors such as photodetectors (each of which optically measures light reflected from alternating light / dark regions 86). Regions 86 in a track of a multi-track index are used to encode the absolute position of sensor 70 along the length of index 72 (e.g., in binary). By encoding the absolute position of sensor 70 along the length of index 72 in a multi-track index, the sensor 70 may be positioned relative to the track 72 in a manner similar to that of sensor 70. Fig.11 Provided a sufficiently large number of tracks in index 72 of FIG. 1 , the position sensor is able to decode the absolute position of sensor 70 (and therefore support 38 and assembly 20) along the length of index 72 (and therefore along the length of guide rod 22) with a desired accuracy. In general, increasing the number of tracks in index 72 will improve position accuracy (e.g., a larger number of tracks will allow the finest granular pattern of region 86 to exhibit a finer pitch), but will involve the use of correspondingly more sensor elements. Fig.11 and Fig.12 An arrangement of the type shown in may sometimes be referred to as an absolute position sensor arrangement, in which the position sensor determines the absolute position of the assembly 20 along the guide rod 22 .

[0043] Hybrid position sensors may also be used to monitor the position of component 20. As an example, index 72 may have an absolute position index portion 86' (e.g., a bar code or pattern of magnetic poles encoded to provide binary absolute position information to sensor 70, such as in combination with a relative position index portion (e.g., a region 86 containing alternating N / S magnetic poles or alternating light / dark spots that serve as optical scale markings) interspersed therein. Fig.11 and Fig.12 Utilizing this type of hybrid approach, each time the sensor 70 encounters one of the absolute position indices (one of the portions 86') in the absolute position index, the sensor 70 can read the absolute position of the sensor 70 along the index 72, and can then use the adjacent relative position sensor region 86 to read the relative position of the sensor 70 relative to the measured absolute position. In other words, the portions 86' can be used to provide absolute position information at a series of discrete locations, while the regions 86 between the portions 86' can be used to provide relative position information for the locations between the portions 86'. The absolute position sensor portions (regions) 86' can be used in conjunction with a one-dimensional barcode or a plurality of relative position sensors. Fig.12Other codes sensed by the one-dimensional array of photodetectors depicted by sensor elements 70-1, 70-2 and 70-3 of sensor 70 may form or portion 86' may include a QR code or other two-dimensional barcode read using a camera (eg, sensor 70 may be an image sensor for reading two-dimensional barcodes).

[0044] Fig.14 is a perspective view of an exemplary guide rod 22 having embedded fibers 80 (e.g., glass fibers in the case where the rod 22 is a fiberglass rod or carbon fibers in the case where the rod 22 is formed from a carbon fiber tube). The fibers 80 may be woven fibers, knitted fibers, braided fibers, or other fibers having a regular spacing (pitch) along the length of the tube 22. This allows the fibers 80 (and the spaces between fibers 80 having different optical reflectivity values) to function as index regions 86. If desired, an absolute position index portion (absolute position index) 86' may optionally be disposed along the length of the rod 22 (e.g., in a hybrid arrangement in which absolute index regions are interspersed with relative index regions). Fig.14 In an arrangement of the type shown in , the fiber 80 can be monitored by a photodetector or other optical sensor 70 as the sensor 70 moves along the length of the rod 22, so that separately patterned areas (e.g., light / dark areas of printed ink) can be omitted (or can optionally be used to form an absolute position address in portion 86').

[0045] Fig.15 is a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary portion of an optical assembly and associated guide rods. Fig.15 As shown in the exemplary arrangement of FIG. 1 , the support member 38 may have an opening, such as opening 94, to receive the guide rod 22. A spring-loaded pin, such as pin 90, or other biasing member may press the guide rod 22 into contact with a surface 96 of a V-shaped groove formed in the support member 38. This causes the rod 22 to contact the surface 96 at the location 92, thereby helping to accurately establish a known position for the guide rod 22 within the support member 38. The index 72 may be formed on the inner surface of the guide rod 22, may be embedded in a tubular wall or other structure forming the guide rod 22, or may be formed as shown in FIG. Fig.15 The sensor 70 is shown mounted on the outer surface of the guide rod 22. The sensor 70 can be mounted in an opening 94 adjacent to and facing the index 72 so that when the support member 38 moves along the guide rod 22 (in Fig.15 When entering or exiting the page in the orientation shown in , the sensor 70 can measure the area 86 in the index 72.

[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, comprising: a head-mounted shell; guide rods, the guide rods being connected to the head-mounted shell, each guide rod comprising a corresponding position index; and optical components, each optical component comprising a lens; a display, the display being configured to provide an image to an eye-adaptive zone through the lens; a sensor; and a support member, the support member being used for the lens, the display and the sensor, the support member of each optical component being configured to slide along a corresponding one of the guide rods, while the sensor of the optical component performs position measurement on the corresponding position index of the guide rod.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the respective position index of each guide rod has regions with different magnetic polarities.

[0049] According to another embodiment, the sensor of each optical assembly comprises a magnetic sensor.

[0050] According to another embodiment, each guide rod comprises a tube, and the respective position index of the guide rod comprises a magnetic position index extending along an outer surface of the tube.

[0051] According to another embodiment, each guide rod comprises a tube having a wall, and the respective position index of the guide rod comprises a magnetic position index embedded in the wall.

[0052] According to another embodiment, each guide rod comprises a tube having a wall, and the respective position index of the guide rod comprises a magnetic position index located on an inner surface of the wall.

[0053] According to another embodiment, each guide rod has a groove, and the respective position index of the guide rod is formed in the groove and extends along the guide rod.

[0054] According to another embodiment, each guide rod has a wall formed at least in part from a polymer, and the respective position index of the guide rod comprises strips of magnetic particles embedded in the polymer.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the support of each optical assembly has an opening configured to receive a corresponding one of the guide rods, and the sensor of the optical assembly is mounted in the opening facing the corresponding position index.

[0056] According to another embodiment, each position index comprises a relative position index, and the sensor is configured to monitor the relative position index to determine the relative position of the sensor along the relative position index.

[0057] According to another embodiment, each position index comprises an absolute position index containing encoded absolute position information, and the sensor is configured to monitor the encoded absolute position information to determine the absolute position of the sensor along the corresponding one of the guide rods.

[0058] According to another embodiment, each position index includes a relative position index area and an absolute position index portion, wherein the absolute position index portion is interspersed between the relative position index areas.

[0059] According to another embodiment, the corresponding position index of each guide rod has alternating light and dark areas, and the sensor comprises an optical sensor configured to perform the position measurement by measuring the alternating light and dark areas.

[0060] According to another embodiment, each guide rod has fibers configured to form at least a portion of the light and dark regions of the guide rod.

[0061] According to another embodiment, the corresponding position index of each guide rod has a plurality of tracks, and the sensor of the optical assembly sliding along the guide rod has a plurality of sensor elements, each of the plurality of sensor elements measuring a corresponding one of the plurality of tracks.

[0062] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device is provided, comprising: a head-mounted shell; a guide rod connected to the head-mounted shell, the guide rod having a magnetic strip extending along the guide rod; a support member, the support member having an opening, the opening being configured to receive the guide rod and allow the support member to slide along the guide rod; a display, the display being supported by the support member; a lens, the lens being supported by the support member; and a magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor being supported by the support member, the magnetic sensor being configured to measure the magnetic strip to determine the position at which the support member is positioned along the guide rod.

[0063] According to another embodiment, the magnetic stripe comprises a series of regions having alternating north and south magnetic poles, and the series of regions extends along the magnetic stripe.

[0064] According to another embodiment, the magnetic sensor is mounted within the opening.

[0065] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device is provided, comprising: a head-mounted shell; a guide rod connected to the head-mounted shell, the guide rod having a light area and a dark area; a support member, the support member having an opening, the opening being configured to receive the guide rod and allow the support member to slide along the guide rod; a display, the display being supported by the support member; a lens, the lens being supported by the support member; and an optical sensor, the optical sensor being configured to measure the light area and the dark area to determine the position where the support member is positioned along the guide rod.

[0066] According to another embodiment, the light and dark areas alternate in a strip along the guide rod.

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

Claims

1. A head mounted device, comprising: Head mounted housing; guide rods coupled to the head mounted housing, each guide rod including a corresponding position index; and Optical assemblies, wherein each optical assembly comprises: lens; a display configured to provide an image to the eye zone through the lens; Sensors; and A support member for the lens, the display and the sensor, wherein the support member of each optical component is configured to slide along a corresponding one of the guide rods while the sensor of the optical component performs position measurements at a corresponding position index of the guide rod.

2. A head-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding position index of each guide rod has areas with different magnetic polarities.

3. A head-mounted device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor of each optical component comprises a magnetic sensor.

4. A head-mounted device according to claim 3, wherein each guide rod comprises a tube, and wherein the corresponding position index of the guide rod comprises a magnetic position index extending along an outer surface of the tube.

5. A head-mounted device according to claim 3, wherein each guide rod comprises a tube having a wall, and wherein the corresponding position index of the guide rod comprises a magnetic position index embedded in the wall.

6. A head-mounted device according to claim 3, wherein each guide rod comprises a tube having a wall, and wherein the corresponding position index of the guide rod comprises a magnetic position index located on an inner surface of the wall.

7. A head mounted device according to claim 3, wherein each guide bar has a groove, and wherein a corresponding position index of the guide bar is formed in the groove and extends along the guide bar.

8. A head-mounted device according to claim 3, wherein each guide rod has a wall formed at least in part from a polymer, and wherein the corresponding position index of the guide rod comprises strips of magnetic particles embedded in the polymer.

9. A head-mounted device according to claim 3, wherein the support member of each optical component has an opening configured to receive a corresponding one of the guide rods, and wherein the sensor of the optical component is mounted in the opening facing the corresponding position index.

10. The head mounted device of claim 1, wherein each position index comprises a relative position index, and the sensor is configured to monitor the relative position index to determine a relative position of the sensor along the relative position index.

11. A head-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein each position index includes an absolute position index, the absolute position index containing encoded absolute position information, and the sensor is configured to monitor the encoded absolute position information to determine the absolute position of the sensor along a corresponding one of the guide rods.

12. The head mounted device according to claim 1, wherein each position index comprises a relative position index area and an absolute position index portion, wherein the absolute position index portion is interspersed between the relative position index areas.

13. A head-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding position index of each guide rod has alternating light areas and dark areas, and wherein the sensor includes an optical sensor configured to perform the position measurement by measuring the alternating light areas and dark areas.

14. The head mounted device of claim 13, wherein each guide rod has a fiber configured to form at least a portion of the light region and the dark region of the guide rod.

15. A head-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding position index of each guide rod has multiple tracks, and wherein the sensor of the optical component sliding along the guide rod has multiple sensor elements, each of the multiple sensor elements measuring a corresponding one of the multiple tracks.

16. A head mounted device comprising: Head mounted housing; a guide rod coupled to the head mounted housing, wherein the guide rod has a magnetic strip extending along the guide rod; a support member having an opening configured to receive the guide rod and allow the support member to slide along the guide rod; a display supported by the support member; a lens, wherein the lens is supported by the support member; and A magnetic sensor is supported by the support, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to measure the magnetic strip to determine where the support is positioned along the guide rod.

17. The head mounted device of claim 16, wherein the magnetic strip comprises a series of regions having alternating north and south magnetic poles, and wherein the series of regions extend along the magnetic strip.

18. The head mounted device of claim 17, wherein the magnetic sensor is mounted within the opening.

19. A head mounted device comprising: Head mounted housing; a guide rod coupled to the head mounted housing, wherein the guide rod has a light region and a dark region; a support member having an opening configured to receive the guide rod and allow the support member to slide along the guide rod; a display supported by the support member; a lens, wherein the lens is supported by the support member; and An optical sensor is configured to measure the light areas and the dark areas to determine where the support is positioned along the guide rod.

20. The head mounted device of claim 19, wherein the light areas and the dark areas alternate in a strip along the guide rod.

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