Electronic device with optical assembly position sensor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices with optical assembly position sensors. A head-mounted device can include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. Each optical assembly can have a support configured to support a display, a lens through which images from the display are presented to an eyebox for viewing, and a sensor. Each support can 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 or another fixed portion of the head-mounted device can include at least a portion of a position sensor. As an example, the position sensor can be a potentiometer, a pressure sensor, a magnetic encoder, an optical sensor, and / or a pneumatic pressure sensor. The position sensor can measure a position of the optical assembly relative to the guide rod.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 375,066, filed October 30, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 734,673, filed December 16, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in general to electronic devices, including head-mounted devices. Background Technology

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

[0004] This invention relates to a head-mounted device that may include optical components for presenting images to a user. To accommodate users with different interpupillary distances, the optical components may move together or separately.

[0005] Each optical component may have a support configured to support a display; a lens through which an image from the display is presented to an eye-friendly area for viewing; and a sensor. Each support may have an opening configured to receive a guide rod along which the support slides.

[0006] Each guide post of the head-mounted device may include at least a portion of a position sensor. As an example, the position sensor may be a potentiometer, a pressure sensor, a magnetic encoder, an optical sensor, and / or a pneumatic pressure sensor. The position sensor measures the position of the optical component relative to the guide post.

[0007] Alternatively or otherwise, the position sensor may be formed on another fixed part of the head-mounted device, such as the base of the head-mounted device's housing. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 These are illustrations of head-mounted devices based on some implementation schemes.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a top view of an exemplary optical assembly and a guide rod with a position sensor, according to some implementation schemes.

[0010] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a view of an exemplary potentiometer, according to some implementation schemes, which can be used to determine the position of an optical component relative to a guide rod.

[0011] Figure 4A and Figure 4BThis is a view of an exemplary pressure sensor, according to some implementation schemes, that can be used to determine the position of an optical component relative to a guide rod.

[0012] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a view of an exemplary magnetic encoder, according to some implementation schemes, which can be used to determine the position of an optical component relative to a guide rod.

[0013] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a view of an exemplary optical sensor, according to some implementation schemes, that can be used to determine the position of an optical component relative to a guide rod.

[0014] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a view of an exemplary pneumatic pressure sensor, according to some implementation schemes, which can be used to determine the position of an optical component relative to a guide rod.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a top view of an exemplary head-mounted device according to some embodiments, the exemplary head-mounted device having optical components and guide rods as well as position sensors located in a fixed portion of the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Electronic devices such as head-mounted displays may have a display for showing images and lenses for presenting the images to the eye zone for the user to view. Different users have different interpupillary distances, sometimes referred to as pupillary distance. To accommodate users with different pupillary distances, head-mounted displays may be equipped with movable optical components.

[0017] The head-mounted device may have position sensors to measure the position of optical components. This information can be used to accurately control the spacing between the optical components. In one exemplary embodiment, the optical components may slide along guide rods during positioning operations, and the position sensors may perform position measurements. To reduce the space required for the position sensors, they may be at least partially integrated into the guide rods. As an example, potentiometers, pressure sensors, magnetic encoders, optical sensors, and / or other suitable position sensors may be incorporated into each guide rod to determine the movement of the optical components along the guide rods.

[0018] Figure 1 This is an illustration of an exemplary electronic device that may include movable optical components to accommodate different interpupillary distances. Figure 1 Device 10 may be a head-mounted device, such as goggles, glasses, a helmet, and / or another head-mounted device. In one exemplary configuration, 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 1As shown in an exemplary cross-sectional top view of device 10, device 10 may have a housing, such as housing 12 (sometimes referred to as a head-mounted support structure, head-mounted housing, or 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 the bridge of the nose portion NB of housing 12 rests against the user's nose.

[0020] The main portion 12M of the outer shell 12 can be attached to the headband 12T. The headband 12T is used to assist in mounting the main portion 12M on the user's head and face. The main portion 12M may have a rigid shell formed of shell walls made of polymer, glass, metal and / or other materials. When the outer shell 12 is worn on the user's head, the front portion of the outer shell 12 may face outward away from the user, and the rear portion of the outer shell 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 adaptation zone 36.

[0021] Device 10 may have electrical and optical components for displaying an image to an eye-fitting area 36 when device 10 is worn. These components may include a left optical assembly 20 and a right optical assembly 20 (sometimes referred to as optical module 20). 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 a guide rod 22 (sometimes referred to as a guide rail 22) along which the optical assembly 20 can slide to adjust the optical assembly-to-optical assembly spacing to accommodate different user interpupillary 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 guide rod 22 may have a triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, semi-circular, etc. cross-sectional shape). Cylindrical guide rods are sometimes described herein as examples.

[0022] Each component 20 may have a display 32 and a lens 34, the display having a pixel array for displaying images. The lens 34 may optionally have a removable vision-correcting lens for correcting a user's visual impairments, such as refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and / or astigmatism. In each component 20, the display 32 and lens 34 may be coupled to and supported by a support 38. During operation, the image displayed by the display 32 is presented to the eye-adaptive zone 36 via the lens 34 for the user to view. Although each optical component 20 is shown as having a dedicated display 32 and lens 34, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, the user's left and right eyes may view a single display through dedicated optical components for the left and right eyes.

[0023] The rear portion 12R may include flexible structures (e.g., flexible polymer layers, flexible fabric layers, and / or other flexible shell structures) such that portion 12R is stretchable to accommodate movement of the support 38 toward and away from each other, thereby accommodating different user interpupillary distances. Alternatively or otherwise, the rear portion 12R may include rigid or hard portions, such as metal, plastic, and / or other materials.

[0024] The walls of the housing 12 separate the internal region 28 of the device 10 from the external region 30 surrounding the device 10. In the internal region 28, the optical component 20 can be mounted on the guide rod 22. The support member 38 may have an opening that receives the guide rod 22 and allows the support member 38 and the component 20 to slide along the guide rod 22 to adjust the spacing between the components 20. In some embodiments, for example, each support member 38 may have a suspension member with a through-opening that allows one of the guide rods 22 to pass through and hold the support member 38 in position.

[0025] Each guide rod 22 may be formed from a hollow cylindrical tube with a circular cross-sectional shape, a hollow tube with other cross-sectional shapes (triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, semi-circular, etc.), or a solid rod (e.g., a solid cylindrical rod or a solid rod with other suitable shapes). Each guide rod 22 may be formed from a fiber composite material (e.g., the guide rod 22 may be a glass fiber rod or carbon fiber rod formed from epoxy resin or other polymers filled with fibers such as glass fiber or carbon fiber), may be formed from a polymer (e.g., a polymer without embedded fibers), and may be formed from ceramics, glass, metals, natural materials such as wood, other materials, and / or combinations of these materials.

[0026] Each support 38 may have one or more guide rods 22 (e.g., each support may accommodate an upper guide rod and a lower guide rod 22, or each support may accommodate a single guide rod). 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, allowing these ends to float relative to the housing 12 within the internal region 28). However, if desired, the outer ends of the guide rods 22 may be supported.

[0027] Device 10 may include a control circuit system and other components such as component 40. The control circuit may include a memory, processing circuitry formed by one or more microprocessors, and / or other circuitry. The control circuit 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 circuit 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 (e.g., microphones), touch sensors and / or proximity sensors (e.g., capacitive sensors), optical sensors (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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.).

[0028] Optical component 20 may include gaze tracker 62 (sometimes referred to as gaze tracking sensor). Gaze tracker 62, operable via lens 34, may include one or more light sources, such as infrared LEDs that emit infrared light to illuminate the user's eye in eye-fitting zone 36. Gaze tracker 62 also includes an infrared camera for capturing images of the user's eyes and measuring the reflection (flash) of infrared light from each of the infrared light sources. By processing these eye images, gaze tracker 62 can track the user's eyes and determine the user's gaze point. Gaze tracker 62 can also measure the positioning of the user's eyes (e.g., the user's interpupillary distance and interpupillary distance).

[0029] To accommodate users with different interpupillary distances (eye-to-eye distances), the spacing between the left and right optical components 20 in device 10 can be adjusted (e.g., to match or nearly match the user's measured interpupillary distance). 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 internal gears, can be used to rotate an elongated threaded shaft (screw), such as shaft 44. Nut 46 may be provided on each shaft 44. If desired, the nut, which may be formed by a portion of 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). This, in turn, 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 forming a cylindrical opening or other suitable structure that accommodates one of the guide rods 22 so that the component is guided along the guide rod. By controlling the activity of motor 48, the distance between the left and right optical components of device 10 can be changed, thereby allowing interpupillary distance adjustment of device 10 to accommodate different users' interpupillary distances. For example, if the user's eyes are close together, component 20 can be moved inward (towards each other and the bridge of the nose NB of housing 12), and if the user's eyes are wide apart, component 20 can be moved outward (away from each other).

[0030] although Figure 1 A motor 48 coupled to shaft 44 is shown, but this is only illustrative. In some embodiments, motor 48 may be coupled to guide rod 22. Alternatively or otherwise, a single motor 48 may be used to adjust both the left optical assembly 20 and the right optical assembly 20.

[0031] When device 10 is worn by a user, the user's head is located in area 68. One or more sensors (e.g., a gaze tracker 62 that can detect the presence of the user's eyes in the eye-fitting area 36, ​​a rear-facing sensor such as sensor 66 on the main part 12M, a head-facing sensor mounted on the belt 12T such as sensor 64, and / or other head presence sensors) can be used to determine the presence of the user's head (and thus determine whether device 10 is being worn). These sensors may include cameras, light sensors (e.g., visible light or infrared sensors that measure when ambient light levels decrease due to obstruction 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).

[0032] Outputs from the head presence sensor, the sensor measuring the presence of the user's nose in the bridge of the nose NB, and / or outputs from the gaze tracker 62 can be used to control the motor 48 to automatically adjust the spacing of the optical components 20. The optical component spacing can also be adjusted manually (e.g., by using buttons such as button 71 to control the motor 48).

[0033] Figure 2 This is a top view of the interior portion of the device 10, showing how the support 38 of each optical component 20 can have an opening to accommodate the corresponding guide rod 22. Position sensors for measuring the position of the component 20 (e.g., the position of the support 38 relative to the guide rod 22) can be formed using a sensor 70 that is at least partially integrated into and / or on the guide rod 22.

[0034] Sensor 70 may be a potentiometer in guide rod 22, and the potentiometer may have a spring connected to support 38. When support 38 moves relative to guide rod 22, the potential measured by the potentiometer will change, and the position of support 38 can be determined based on the change in potential. In this way, the position of support 38 relative to guide rod 22 can be measured.

[0035] Alternatively, sensor 70 may include a pressure sensor measuring a corresponding leaf spring or other protrusion on support 38, a magnetic encoder measuring one or more corresponding magnets on support 38, an optical sensor measuring one or more corresponding optical patterns on support 38, a pneumatic pressure sensor measuring pressure changes in a sealed tube surrounding the guide rod, and / or any other suitable sensor.

[0036] The sensor 70 can be a relative position sensor, an absolute position sensor, or a hybrid position sensor (e.g., a position sensor that provides both relative and absolute sensor measurements at different positions of the support 38 relative to the guide rod 22).

[0037] By at least partially integrating the sensor 70 into the guide rod 22, the size of the guide rod 22 can be reduced / minimized. For example, by way of example, the guide rod 22 may have a diameter of 1 mm or less, 2 mm or less, or 3 mm or less (or other thicknesses depending on the shape of the guide rod 22). However, in general, the guide rod 22 may have any suitable diameter / thickness, such as a thickness greater than 1 mm.

[0038] Figure 3A An illustrative example of a potentiometer that can be used to determine the position of an optical module relative to a guide rod is shown. Specifically, Figure 3A This is a side view (and / or cross-sectional side view) of the interior portion of device 10, showing the guide rod 22 in the opening 72 of support member 38. A potentiometer 74 may be formed in and / or on the guide rod 22.

[0039] The potentiometer 74 may include a retaining portion 76 that is coupled to (e.g., fixed to) the guide rod 22. For example, the guide rod 22 may have one or more recesses, such as recesses 75A and 75B. The retaining portion 76 may include one or more extensions, such as extensions 77A and 77B, which extend into and are coupled to each recess. The extensions 77 may be coupled to the recesses 75 of the guide rod 22 using an adhesive, may be press-fitted into the recesses 75, or may otherwise be attached to the guide rod 22 within the recesses 75.

[0040] The fixed portion 76 may include a resistor, such as a resistance band. The potentiometer 74 may also include a vernier 78, which may include a spring, such as a copper spring. In some embodiments, the spring of the vernier 78 may allow the vernier 78 to move across the surface while in contact with the surface of the fixed portion 76. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, the vernier 78 may include any suitable material.

[0041] The vernier 78 can be attached to the circuit board 80, which can be a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible PCB, and / or another suitable circuit board. The circuit board 80 can be attached to the support 38 using adhesive or another suitable attachment.

[0042] During operation, when support member 38 (and Figure 1 and Figure 2 As the optical module 20 moves relative to the guide rod 22, the vernier 78 can move across the fixed portion 76. Because the fixed portion 76 includes a resistor, a potential can be measured via the vernier 78 (e.g., using circuitry on the circuit board 80 and / or other suitable circuitry). Based on the measured potential (e.g., a change in potential), the position of the support 38 (and the optical module 20) relative to the guide rod 22 can be determined. An illustrative front view showing the relationship between the support 38, the guide rod 22, and the potentiometer 74 is shown in [the image / description]. Figure 3B As shown in the image.

[0043] like Figure 3B As shown, it is connected to the support member 38 ( Figure 3A The circuit board 80 is movable relative to the guide rod 22 in direction 82. Direction 82 corresponds to the +X and -X directions. As the circuit board 80 and the support 38 move in direction 82, the vernier 78 can move across the surface of the fixed portion 76. Because the fixed portion 76 includes a resistor, a potential can be measured by the vernier 78 (e.g., using circuitry on the circuit board 80 and / or other suitable circuitry). Based on the measured potential (e.g., a change in potential), the support 38 (and...) can be determined. Figure 1 and Figure 2The position of the optical module 20 relative to the guide rod 22. In this way, a potentiometer formed on / in the guide rod 22 can be used to determine the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod.

[0044] although Figure 3A and Figure 3B A single fixed portion 76 of the potentiometer 74 is shown, but this is only illustrative. Multiple fixed portions 76 with resistors can be formed along the guide rod 22 if desired.

[0045] In some implementations, a pressure sensor may be used as an alternative to or supplement to using a potentiometer to measure the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod. Figure 4A An illustrative example is shown below.

[0046] Figure 4A This is a side view (and / or cross-sectional side view) of the internal portion of device 10, showing the guide rod 22 in the opening 72 of support 38. A pressure sensor 88 can be used to determine the support 38 relative to the guide rod 22. Specifically, the pressure sensor 88 can be coupled to circuit board 80. The pressure sensor 88 can be a strain gauge or other suitable pressure sensor. A corresponding protrusion 86 can be coupled to the guide rod 22. The protrusion 86 can be a spring, such as a leaf spring or another desired protrusion. In some embodiments, the protrusion 86 can be compliant (e.g., flexible) to allow the pressure sensor 88 to move on the protrusion 86. However, if desired, the protrusion 86 can be rigid or stiff. The protrusion 86 can be coupled to the surface of the guide rod 22, for example, using an adhesive or another suitable attachment, or can be integrally formed on the surface of the guide rod 22.

[0047] During operation, when support member 38 (and Figure 1 and Figure 2 As the optical module 20 moves relative to the guide rod 22, the pressure sensor 88 can move across the protrusion 86. Pressure changes (e.g., strain) can be measured by the pressure sensor 88. Based on the measured pressure changes, the position of the support 38 (and the optical module 20) relative to the guide rod 22 can be determined. An illustrative front view showing the relationship between the support 38, the guide rod 22, and the pressure sensor 88 is shown in [the image / description]. Figure 4B As shown in the image.

[0048] like Figure 4B As shown, it is connected to the support member 38 ( Figure 3AThe circuit board 80 is movable relative to the guide rod 22 in direction 82. Direction 82 can correspond to the +X and -X directions. As the circuit board 80 and the support 38 move in direction 82, the pressure sensor 88 is movable across the surface of the protrusion 86. As the pressure sensor 88 moves across the protrusion 86, the pressure (e.g., strain) measured by the pressure sensor 88 will change based on the positioning of the pressure sensor 88 relative to the protrusion 86. Based on the measured pressure (e.g., the change in pressure), the support 38 (and...) can be determined. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The position of the optical module 20 relative to the guide rod 22. In this way, the pressure sensor can be used to determine the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod.

[0049] although Figure 4A and Figure 4B A single protrusion 86 on the guide rod 22 is shown, but this is only illustrative. If desired, multiple protrusions 86 may be formed along the guide rod 22 for sensing by the pressure sensor 88. Alternatively or otherwise, multiple pressure sensors (such as pressure sensor 88) may be formed on the circuit board 80 and / or otherwise coupled to the support 38 to determine the position of the support 38 relative to the guide rod 22.

[0050] In some implementations, a magnetic encoder may be used as an alternative to or supplement to using a potentiometer and / or pressure sensor to measure the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod. Figure 5A An illustrative example is shown below.

[0051] Figure 5A This is a side view (and / or cross-sectional side view) of the internal portion of device 10, showing the guide rod 22 in the opening 72 of support 38. A magnetic encoder 90 can be used to determine the position of support 38 relative to guide rod 22. Specifically, the magnetic encoder 90 can be coupled to circuit board 80. The magnetic encoder 90 can be a Hall effect sensor or other suitable magnetic sensor. A corresponding magnet 92 can be coupled to guide rod 22. In some embodiments, magnet 92 can be a permanent magnet, such as a rare-earth magnet. Magnet 92 can be coupled to the surface of guide rod 22, such as using adhesive or another suitable attachment.

[0052] During operation, when support member 38 (and Figure 1 and Figure 2 As the optical module 20 moves relative to the guide rod 22, the magnetic encoder 90 passes over the magnet 92. The magnetism of the magnet 92 can be detected by the magnetic encoder 90. Based on the measured magnetism (e.g., based on the magnetic encoder measurement), the position of the support 38 (and the optical module 20) relative to the guide rod 22 can be determined. An illustrative front view showing the relationship between the support 38, the guide rod 22, and the magnetic encoder 90 is shown in [the image / description]. Figure 5B As shown in the image.

[0053] like Figure 5B As shown, it is connected to the support member 38 ( Figure 3A The circuit board 80 is movable relative to the guide rod 22 in direction 82. Direction 82 can correspond to the +X and -X directions. When the circuit board 80 and the support 38 move in direction 82, the magnetic encoder 90 can pass over the magnet 92. When the magnetic encoder 90 passes over the magnet 92, the magnetism measured by the magnetic encoder 90 will change based on the positioning of the magnetic encoder 90 relative to the magnet 92. Based on the magnetic encoder measurement, the support 38 (and...) can be determined. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The position of the optical module 20 relative to the guide rod 22. In this way, a magnetic encoder (e.g., a magnetic sensor) can be used to determine the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod.

[0054] although Figure 5A and Figure 5B A single magnetic encoder 90 on circuit board 80 is shown, but this is only illustrative. Multiple magnetic encoders 90 may be located on circuit board 80 and / or otherwise coupled to support 38 to determine the position of support 38 relative to guide rod 22.

[0055] In some implementations, optical sensors may be used as an alternative to or supplement to using potentiometers, pressure sensors, and / or magnetic encoders to measure the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod. Figure 6A An illustrative example is shown below.

[0056] Figure 6A This is a side view (and / or cross-sectional side view) of the internal portion of device 10, showing the guide rod 22 in the opening 72 of support 38. An optical sensor 94 can be used to determine the position of support 38 relative to the guide rod 22. Specifically, the optical sensor 94 can be coupled to circuit board 80. The optical sensor 94 can be an optical encoder or other suitable optical sensor and may include a light source (e.g., a light-emitting diode) and / or a light sensor (e.g., a photodetector). In some embodiments, the optical sensor 94 may use a light source to emit light and a light sensor to detect reflected light. In other embodiments, the optical sensor 94 may detect light from the scene without emitting light (e.g., in the case where the optical sensor 94 is an image sensor). The surface 96 of the guide rod 22 may include an optical pattern. This optical pattern may be, for example, a pattern etched onto surface 96 (e.g., using a laser or other suitable etching tool).

[0057] During operation, when support member 38 (and Figure 1 and Figure 2As the optical module 20 moves relative to the guide rod 22, the optical sensor 94 passes over a pattern on the surface 96. The pattern on the surface 96 can be detected by the optical sensor 94. Based on the measured optical pattern (e.g., measurements based on the optical pattern), the position of the support 38 (and the optical module 20) relative to the guide rod 22 can be determined. An illustrative front view showing the relationship between the support 38, the guide rod 22, and the optical sensor 94 is shown in [the image / image]. Figure 6B As shown in the image.

[0058] like Figure 6B As shown, it is connected to the support member 38 ( Figure 3A The circuit board 80 is movable relative to the guide rod 22 in direction 82. Direction 82 can correspond to the +X and -X directions. As the circuit board 80 and the support 38 move in direction 82, the optical sensor 94 can pass over the optical pattern 98 on the surface 96. When the optical sensor 94 passes over the optical pattern 98, the measurement value of the optical sensor 94 will change based on the positioning of the optical sensor 94 relative to the optical pattern 98. Based on the measurement value, the support 38 (and...) can be determined. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The position of the optical module 20 relative to the guide rod 22. In this way, the optical sensor can be used to determine the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod.

[0059] exist Figure 6B In the example, the optical pattern 98 includes a plurality of rectangular etched portions (e.g., recesses) in the guide rod 22. However, these etched portions are merely illustrative. In general, etched portions of any suitable shape can be formed in the guide rod 22 to form the optical pattern 98. Alternatively or in addition, protrusions can be formed on the guide rod 22 to form the optical pattern 98, and / or a patterned coating can be formed on the guide rod 22 to form the optical pattern 98.

[0060] although Figure 6A and Figure 6B A single optical sensor 94 on circuit board 80 is shown, but this is only illustrative. Multiple optical sensors 94 may be located on circuit board 80 and / or otherwise coupled to support 38 to determine the position of support 38 relative to guide rod 22.

[0061] In some implementations, a pneumatic pressure sensor may be used as an alternative to or supplement to using a potentiometer, pressure sensor, magnetic encoder and / or optical sensor to measure the position of the optical module relative to the guide rod. Figure 7A An illustrative example is shown below.

[0062] Figure 7AThis is a side view (and / or cross-sectional side view) of the interior portion of device 10, showing the guide rod 22 in the opening 72 of support 38. One or more pneumatic pressure sensors 102 can be used to determine the support 38 relative to the guide rod 22. Specifically, the pneumatic pressure sensor 102 may be coupled to support 38 (e.g., coupled to one or more circuit boards 80 to which support 38 is coupled (see...) Figure 3A A pneumatic pressure sensor 102 measures the pressure within the opening 72. A seal 100 is coupled to a support 38 and surrounds the opening 72. The seal 100 may be a gasket, such as a polymer gasket, which partially or completely seals the opening 72.

[0063] An illustrative front view showing the relationship between the support member 38, the guide rod 22, and the pneumatic pressure sensor 102. Figure 7B As shown in the diagram, pneumatic pressure sensors 102A and 102B may be formed within an air gap created by opening 72 in the sealed portion 103. Specifically, pneumatic pressure sensors 102A and 102B may be formed on a circuit board 80. In operation, the circuit board 80, coupled to the support member 38, may move relative to the guide rod 22 in direction 82. Direction 82 may correspond to the +X and -X directions. As the support member 38 moves relative to the guide rod 22, the pneumatic pressure sensors 102A and 102B will sense different pneumatic pressures (e.g., due to the sealed portion 103 of the air gap created by opening 72, and optional protrusions from the guide rod 22, such as protrusion 104). In this way, the position of the support member 38 relative to the guide rod 22 can be determined by measuring the change in pneumatic pressure within the air gap created by opening 72.

[0064] As an alternative or supplement to including pneumatic pressure sensors 102A and 102B on the circuit board 80 / support 38, pneumatic pressure sensors may be formed on the guide rod 22, as indicated by positions 102A' and 102B'. In these embodiments, protrusions (such as protrusion 104) may be formed on the circuit board 80 / support 38 or on the guide rod 22.

[0065] Generally, the device 10 may include any suitable number of pneumatic pressure sensors 102 within the sealed portion 103, such as, for example, at least one pressure sensor, at least two pressure sensors, or at least four pressure sensors. Alternatively or otherwise, if desired, the device 10 may include multiple sealed portions 103 between the support member 38 and the guide rod 22.

[0066] although Figure 2Figure 7 has shown and described the sensor in conjunction with, within, or relative to the guide rod 22, but this is only illustrative. Generally, sensors (such as potentiometers, pressure sensors, magnetic encoders, optical sensors, and / or pneumatic pressure sensors) may be formed on, within, or near any suitable fixed part of the device 10. Figure 8 An illustrative example is shown below.

[0067] like Figure 8 As shown, the sensor 70 can be incorporated into a fixed portion of the device 10 (e.g., fixed in place relative to other components within the device 10), such as the fixed portion 12P of the housing 12. Figure 1 The fixed part 12P can be the base of the device 10, the housing of the device 10 (e.g., Figure 1 The main part 12P and / or another suitable fixed part of the device 10. In some embodiments, the fixed part 12P may be a rigid or hard part of the device 10. As the support 38 moves along the guide rod 22, the sensor 70 can determine the position of the support 38, such as in combination with Figure 2 As described in Figure 7.

[0068] although Figure 8 A sensor 70 is shown in the fixed portion 12P of the housing 12, but the sensor 70 may otherwise be incorporated into or onto the support 38. In some embodiments, the sensor 70 may be formed on the support 38 and may detect a portion of the fixed portion 12P (e.g., a resistor on the fixed portion 12P, such as when combined with...). Figure 3A and Figure 3B The potentiometer described; the protrusion on the fixed part 12P, such as in combination Figure 4A and Figure 4B The pressure sensor described; the magnet on the fixed part 12P, as combined Figure 5A and Figure 5B The magnetic encoder described; the optical pattern on the fixed part 12P, such as in combination Figure 6A and Figure 6B The optical sensor described; and / or part of a pneumatic pressure sensor system, such as in combination Figure 7A and Figure 7B (As described).

[0069] Generally speaking, a single electronic device 10 may include combinations Figures 2 to 8 One or more position sensors are shown and described individually or in any combination.

[0070] To help protect user privacy, best practices can be used to handle any personal user information collected by device 10. These best practices include meeting or exceeding any applicable privacy rules. Option-join and option-opt-out options and / or other options can be provided that allow users to control the use of their personal data.

[0071] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device includes: a head-mounted housing; guide rods coupled to the head-mounted housing, each guide rod including at least a portion of a position sensor; and optical components. Each optical component includes: a lens; a display configured to provide an image to an eye-adaptive area through the lens; and a support for the lens, the display, and the sensor. The support for each optical component is configured to slide along at least one corresponding guide rod, and the position sensor of the corresponding guide rod is configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the corresponding guide rod.

[0072] According to another embodiment, the position sensor may optionally include a potentiometer.

[0073] According to another embodiment, each rod may optionally include a groove, and the potentiometer may optionally include a fixed portion located in the groove.

[0074] According to another embodiment, the potentiometer may optionally further include a vernier coupled to the support and configured to contact the fixed portion, the potentiometer being configured to measure a change in potential as the vernier moves across the fixed portion as the optical component moves relative to the guide rod, and the position sensor being configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod among the guide rods based on the change in potential.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the position sensor may optionally include a pressure sensor.

[0076] According to another embodiment, the guide rod may optionally include a leaf spring, the pressure sensor is coupled to the support and configured to contact the leaf spring, and the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod among these guide rods based on measured pressure changes.

[0077] According to another embodiment, the position sensor may optionally include a magnetic encoder.

[0078] According to another embodiment, the guide rod may optionally include a magnet, the magnetic encoder being coupled to the support and configured to pass over the magnet, and the position sensor being configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod among these guide rods based on measurements from the magnetic encoder.

[0079] According to another embodiment, the position sensor may optionally include an optical sensor.

[0080] According to another embodiment, each of the guide rods optionally includes an optical pattern, the optical sensor is coupled to the support, and the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod among these guide rods based on measurements of the optical pattern.

[0081] According to another embodiment, the support member is optionally configured to surround the respective guide rod among these guide rods, and the support member may also include a seal that seals the air gap between the support member and the respective guide rod among these guide rods.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the position sensor may optionally include at least one pneumatic pressure sensor configured to measure changes in pneumatic pressure in the air gap between the support and the respective guide rod among the guide rods, in order to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod among the guide rods.

[0083] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device includes: a head-mounted housing; a support member coupled to the head-mounted housing and configured to move relative to the head-mounted housing; a display supported by the support member; a lens supported by the support member; a fixing portion coupled to the head-mounted housing; and a position sensor coupled to the fixing portion, wherein the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the support member when the support member moves relative to the head-mounted housing.

[0084] According to another embodiment, the fixed portion may optionally include a guide rod, and the support member is coupled to the guide rod and configured to slide relative to the guide rod.

[0085] According to another embodiment, the position sensor is optionally configured to determine the position of the support relative to the guide rod when the support slides relative to the guide rod.

[0086] According to another embodiment, the fixing part may optionally include a portion of the head-mounted housing.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the fixing part may optionally be the base of the head-mounted housing.

[0088] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device includes: a head-mounted housing; a guide rod coupled to the head-mounted housing, wherein the guide rod includes a potentiometer; a support member having an opening configured to receive the guide rod and allow the support member to slide along the guide rod, wherein the potentiometer is configured to determine the position of the support member along the guide rod; and a display supported by the support member.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the guide rod may optionally include a groove, and the potentiometer includes a fixed portion located in the groove.

[0090] According to another embodiment, the potentiometer may optionally include a vernier extending from the fixed portion to the support, and the potentiometer is configured to measure the change in potential as the support slides relative to the guide rod to determine the position of the support along the guide rod.

[0091] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described implementation scheme. The foregoing implementation scheme can be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

1. A head-mounted device, the head-mounted device comprising: Headset-style casing; Guide rods, which are connected to the head-mounted housing, each guide rod including at least a portion of a position sensor; and Optical components, wherein each optical component includes: lens, A display configured to provide an image to an eye-friendly area via the lens; and A support member for the lens, the display, and the sensor, wherein the support member for each optical component is configured to slide along at least a corresponding guide rod in the guide rods, and the position sensor of the corresponding guide rod in the guide rods is configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the corresponding guide rod in the guide rods.

2. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises a potentiometer.

3. The head-mounted device of claim 2, wherein each rod includes a groove, and the potentiometer includes a fixed portion in the groove.

4. The head-mounted device of claim 3, wherein the potentiometer further comprises a vernier coupled to the support and configured to contact the fixed portion, the potentiometer being configured to measure a change in potential as the vernier moves across the fixed portion as the optical component moves relative to the guide rod, and the position sensor being configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod in the guide rod based on the change in potential.

5. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor includes a pressure sensor.

6. The head-mounted device of claim 5, wherein the guide rod includes a leaf spring, the pressure sensor is coupled to the support and configured to contact the leaf spring, and the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod in the guide rod based on a measured pressure change.

7. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises a magnetic encoder.

8. The head-mounted device of claim 7, wherein the guide rod includes a magnet, the magnetic encoder is coupled to the support and configured to pass over the magnet, and the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod in the guide rod based on measurements taken by the magnetic encoder.

9. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises an optical sensor.

10. The head-mounted device of claim 9, wherein each of the guide rods includes an optical pattern, the optical sensor is coupled to the support, and the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod among the guide rods based on measurements of the optical pattern.

11. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the support is configured to surround the respective guide rod in the guide rod, and the support further includes a seal that seals the air gap between the support and the respective guide rod in the guide rod.

12. The head-mounted device of claim 11, wherein the position sensor comprises at least one pneumatic pressure sensor configured to measure a change in pneumatic pressure in the air gap between the support and the respective guide rod in the guide rod to determine the position of the optical component relative to the respective guide rod in the guide rod.

13. A head-mounted device, the head-mounted device comprising: Headset-style casing; A support member, which is coupled to the head-mounted housing and configured to move relative to the head-mounted housing; The display is supported by the support member; The lens is supported by the support member; A fixing part is attached to the head-mounted housing; and A position sensor is coupled to the fixed portion, wherein the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the support member when the support member moves relative to the head-mounted housing.

14. The head-mounted device of claim 13, wherein the fixing portion includes a guide rod, and the support member is coupled to the guide rod and configured to slide relative to the guide rod.

15. The head-mounted device of claim 14, wherein the position sensor is configured to determine the position of the support relative to the guide rod when the support slides relative to the guide rod.

16. The head-mounted device of claim 13, wherein the fixing portion comprises a portion of the head-mounted housing.

17. The head-mounted device of claim 16, wherein the fixing portion is the base of the head-mounted housing.

18. A head-mounted device, the head-mounted device comprising: Headset-style casing; A guide rod, the guide rod being connected to the head-mounted housing, wherein the guide rod includes a potentiometer; A support member having an opening configured to receive the guide rod and allow the support member to slide along the guide rod, wherein the potentiometer is configured to determine the position of the support member along the guide rod; and A display, which is supported by the support member.

19. The head-mounted device of claim 18, wherein the guide rod includes a groove, and the potentiometer includes a retaining portion in the groove.

20. The head-mounted device of claim 19, wherein the potentiometer further includes a vernier extending from the fixed portion to the support, and the potentiometer is configured to measure a change in potential as the support slides relative to the guide rod to determine the position of the support along the guide rod.

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