Electronic device with sensor indicator

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device with a sensor indicator. A head-mounted device can include a head-mountable housing, such as a frame, and can have an arm coupled to the frame. A lens can be coupled to the head-mountable housing, and a user can view an exterior through the lens. An optical sensor can be coupled to the head-mountable housing, and the optical sensor can be switchable between an on state, in which the optical sensor makes measurements of an external object, and an off state. An indicator on the head-mounted housing can indicate when the optical sensor is in the on state. The indicator can be an optical indicator on an outer surface of the frame, and / or can be a physical indicator on an outer surface of the frame. In this way, a person outside of the head-mounted device can be alerted as to whether the camera is active.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 641,144, filed April 7, 2026, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 798,446, filed May 1, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in its entirety to systems including electronic devices, such as head-mounted devices. Background Technology

[0003] Electronic devices (such as head-mounted devices) may have sensors for sensing the external environment of the device. These sensors may include optical sensors or other sensors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A head-mounted device may include a head-mountable housing, such as an eyeglass frame, and may have eyeglass arms coupled to the frame. Lenses may be coupled to the head-mountable housing, and a user may view the outside world through the lenses.

[0005] An optical sensor can be coupled to the head-mounted housing and can switch between an on and off state. In the on state, the optical sensor measures an external object. For example, the optical sensor can be a camera that can image the external object / environment.

[0006] An indicator may be included on the head-mounted housing to indicate when the optical sensor is in the on state. The indicator may be an optical indicator on the outer surface of the frame and / or a physical indicator on the outer surface of the frame. For example, the indicator may be an electronic ink layer, an electrochromic layer, an illuminated area, a physical shutter, and / or another suitable indicator on the eyeglass frame. In this way, a person outside the head-mounted device can be alerted to whether the camera is active. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system based on some implementation schemes.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a front view of an illustrative head-mounted device based on some implementation schemes.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a front view of an exemplary head-mounted device with a camera and lenses located in a frame, according to some implementation schemes.

[0010] Figure 4This is a front view of an exemplary head-mounted device with an optical indicator formed by an electronic control layer, according to some implementation schemes.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a front view of an exemplary head-mounted device having an optical indicator formed by electroluminescent wires, according to some implementation schemes.

[0012] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a view of an exemplary head-mounted device according to some embodiments, having an optical indicator formed by a light emitter illuminating a micro-perforated area.

[0013] Figures 7A to 7D This is a view of an exemplary head-mounted device according to some implementation schemes, having an optical indicator formed by a light emitter illuminating an illuminated area.

[0014] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a view of an exemplary head-mounted device with a physical indicator overlapping a camera, according to some implementation schemes.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a front view of an exemplary head-mounted device according to some implementation schemes, which has wires embedded in a frame to control a camera and indicator in the frame. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Electronic devices (such as head-mounted devices) may include input-output devices such as sensors, speakers, and / or displays. In some embodiments, the head-mounted device (such as goggles or glasses) may have lenses through which a user can observe the external environment; and may have a camera and / or microphone for measuring the external environment.

[0017] To indicate that sensors (such as cameras or microphones) in a head-mounted device are sensing the external environment, the device may include sensor indicators. For example, an electronic ink layer, electrochromic layer, or liquid crystal layer on the front of the device can indicate to another person outside that a camera is in use. Alternatively or additionally, illumination (such as illumination through a microperforated layer, light guide, or diffuser) can be used to indicate that a camera is in use. As another example, physical indicators (such as manually adjustable or automatically adjustable shutters) can be used to indicate that a camera is in use. In this way, a person outside the electronic device can know that a camera is in use.

[0018] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an exemplary system that may include a head-mounted device, which includes sensors and sensor indicators. Figure 1As shown, system 8 may include one or more electronic devices such as electronic device 10. The electronic devices of system 8 may include computers, cellular phones, head-mounted devices, wristwatches, and other electronic devices. Electronic device 10 is sometimes described herein as an example of a head-mounted device.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, system 8 may include one or more electronic devices, such as electronic device 10. Electronic device 10 may have control circuitry 12. Control circuitry 12 may include storage devices and processing circuitry for controlling the operation of device 10. Circuitry 12 may include storage devices such as hard disk drive storage devices, non-volatile memory (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory configured to form a solid-state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random access memory), etc. The processing circuitry in control circuitry 12 may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors, power management units, audio chips, graphics processing units, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and other integrated circuits. Software code may be stored on the storage devices in circuitry 12 and run on the processing circuitry in circuitry 12 to implement control operations for device 10 (e.g., data acquisition operations, operations involving adjusting components of device 10 using control signals, etc.). Control circuitry 12 may include wired and wireless communication circuitry. For example, control circuitry 12 may include radio frequency transceiver circuitry, such as cellular telephone transceiver circuitry, wireless local area network transceiver circuitry (e.g., WIFI). ® Circuits), millimeter-wave transceiver circuits, and / or other wireless communication circuits.

[0020] During operation, the communication circuitry of devices in system 8 (e.g., the communication circuitry of control circuitry 12 of device 10) can be used to support communication between electronic devices. For example, one electronic device can send video data, audio data, and / or other data to another electronic device in system 8. Electronic devices in system 8 can use wired and / or wireless communication circuitry to communicate over one or more communication networks (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, etc.). The communication circuitry can be used to allow device 10 to receive data from and / or provide data to external equipment (e.g., a network-shared computer, portable devices such as handheld devices (e.g., cellular phones), tablets or laptops, online computing equipment such as remote servers or other remote computing equipment), or other electrical equipment). For example, in some embodiments, some processing functionality of device 10 can be offloaded to another electronic device in system 8, and electronic device 10 can receive control signals directly from the other electronic device.

[0021] The communication circuit may include an antenna, radio frequency transceiver circuitry, and other wireless communication circuitry and / or wired communication circuitry. For example, the communication circuitry may be connected via a wireless link (e.g., a wireless LAN link, a near-field communication link, or other suitable wired or wireless communication link (e.g., Bluetooth). ® Link, WiFi ® A link (such as a 60GHz link or other millimeter-wave link) enables bidirectional wireless communication between devices 10. Device 10 may also include power circuitry (e.g., an inductive power coil for transmitting and / or receiving wired and / or wireless power) for transmitting and / or receiving wireless power, and may include a battery. In a configuration supporting wireless power transmission between devices 10, an inductive power transmission coil (as an example) may be used to support in-band wireless communication.

[0022] Device 10 may include an input-output device 22. The input-output device 22 may be used to allow a user to provide user input to device 10. The input-output device 22 may also be used to acquire information about the environment in which device 10 operates. Output components in device 22 may allow device 10 to provide output to a user and may be used to communicate with external electrical equipment.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, input-output device 22 may optionally include one or more displays (such as display 14). In some configurations, device 10 includes a left display device and a right display device (e.g., left and right components, such as a left projector and right projector based on a scanning mirror display device, a silicon-based liquid crystal display device, a digital mirror device, or other reflective display device; a left display panel and a right display panel based on a light-emitting diode pixel array (e.g., an organic light-emitting display panel, or a display device based on a pixel array formed from crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diode dies); a liquid crystal display panel; and / or other left and right display devices that provide images to the left and right eye-adaptive regions for viewing by the user's left and right eyes, respectively. Illustrative configurations of left and right display devices, such as left projectors and right projectors providing corresponding left and right images to the user's left and right eyes, are sometimes described herein as examples. However, in general, display 14 may include any desired display technology.

[0024] Display 14 can be used to display visual content to a user of device 10. The content presented on display 14 may include virtual objects and other content provided to display 14 by control circuitry 12. This virtual content may sometimes be referred to as computer-generated content. Computer-generated content may be displayed in the absence of real-world content, or may be combined with real-world content. For example, an optical coupling system may be used to allow computer-generated content to be optically overlaid on top of a real-world image. Specifically, device 10 may have a perspective display system that provides a computer-generated image to a user via a beam splitter, prism, holographic coupler, diffraction grating, or other optical coupler (e.g., an output coupler on a waveguide for providing the computer-generated image to the user), while allowing the user to view real-world objects through the optical coupler and other transparent structures (e.g., transparent waveguide structures, vision-correcting lenses, and / or other lenses, etc.). Alternatively, device 10 may have a perspective display system in which the external environment is imaged by a camera or other optical device, displayed on display 14, and optionally enhanced with virtual content. However, these examples are merely illustrative. In some embodiments, display 14 may be omitted from device 10.

[0025] Input-output device 22 may include sensor 16. Sensor 16 may include, for example, a 3D sensor (e.g., a 3D image sensor, such as a structured light sensor that emits a light beam and uses a 2D digital image sensor to acquire image data for a 3D image from a light spot generated when a target is illuminated by the light beam, a binocular 3D image sensor that uses two or more cameras in a binocular imaging arrangement to acquire 3D images, a 3D lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor, a 3D radio frequency sensor, or other sensors that acquire 3D image data), a camera (e.g., an infrared digital image sensor and / or a visible light digital image sensor), and a gaze tracking sensor (e.g., a gaze tracking system based on an image sensor and, if necessary, a light source that emits one or more light beams that reflect off the user's eye). The following sensors are used for tracking: image sensors, touch sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, light-based (optical) proximity sensors, other proximity sensors, force sensors, sensors such as switch-based contact sensors, gas sensors, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, magnetic sensors, audio sensors (microphones), ambient light sensors, color sensors (e.g., color ambient light sensors or cameras that detect light), microphones for acquiring voice commands and other audio inputs, sensors configured to acquire information about motion, position and / or orientation (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, and / or inertial measurement units that include all of these sensors or a subgroup of one or two of these sensors), strain gauge sensors and / or other sensors.

[0026] User input and other information can be acquired using sensors and other input devices in input-output device 22. If desired, input-output device 22 may include other components 24, such as haptic output devices (e.g., vibrating components), light-emitting diodes and other light sources, speakers (e.g., earphones for generating audio output), circuitry for receiving wireless power, circuitry for wirelessly transmitting power to other devices, batteries and other energy storage devices (e.g., capacitors), joysticks, microphones, buttons, and / or other components. Haptic output devices may generate motion sensed by the user (e.g., through the user's fingers or other body parts). The tactile output device in device 10 may include actuators such as electromagnetic actuators (such as solenoids), motors, piezoelectric actuators, electroactive polymer actuators, vibrators, linear actuators, rotary actuators, actuators for bending flexible members, actuator devices for generating and / or controlling repulsive and / or attractive forces between devices 10 (e.g., components for generating electrostatic repulsion and / or attraction, such as electrodes; components for generating ultrasonic output, such as ultrasonic transducers; components for generating magnetic interactions, such as electromagnets, permanent magnets, magnetic materials, such as iron or ferrite, for generating DC and / or AC magnetic fields; and / or other circuitry for generating repulsive and / or attractive forces between devices 10).

[0027] Electronic device 10 may have a housing structure, such as that made of Figure 1 An exemplary support structure 26 is shown. In configurations where the electronic device 10 is a head-mounted device (e.g., a pair of glasses, goggles, a helmet, a hat, etc.), the support structure 26 may include a head-mounted support structure (e.g., a helmet shell, a headband, a frame, arms, or temples in a pair of glasses, a goggles shell structure, and / or other head-mounted structures). The head-mounted support structure may be configured to be worn on a user's head during operation of the device 10 and may support the display 14, sensor 16, other components 24, other input-output devices 22, and / or control circuitry 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 10 may be a glasses device (also referred to herein as a glasses-type device or a smart glasses device) comprising a frame in which lenses and input-output devices 22 (e.g., a camera, a microphone, and / or a speaker) are mounted. Therefore, the support structure 26 may include arms / temples extending from the frame to support the device 10 when it is worn by a user (e.g., on the user's ears).

[0028] Figure 2 This is a front view of electronic device 10 in an exemplary configuration, where electronic device 10 is a head-mounted device. Figure 2As shown, the electronic device 10 may include a head-mounted support structure 26 to house components of the device 10 and support the device 10 on the user's head. The support structure 26 may include, for example, structures forming housing walls and other structures at the front of the device 10 (sometimes referred to as frames, lens support frames, eyeglass frames, eyeglass frames, etc.). Specifically, the support structure 26 may include a frame 26F (also referred to herein as eyeglass frame 26F) located at the front of the device 10. The support structure 26 may include additional structures, such as straps, temples / arms, or other auxiliary support structures, which help hold the frame and components within the frame on the user's face. If desired, the support structure 26 may include hinges between the frame 26F and the temples / arms of the support structure 26 (e.g., such that the temples of the device 10 can fold parallel to the frame at the front of the device 10 when not in use). The support structure 26 may be formed of metal, plastic, resin, polymer, and / or any other suitable material.

[0029] Lenses 28 may be mounted on either side of the nose bridge 36 within the frame 26F, which supports the frame 26F on the user's nose when the device 10 is worn. Lenses 28 may be clear lenses, for example, made of glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, and / or other suitable materials. Lenses 28 may have an associated lens power (e.g., a prescription lens power between +20.0 and -20.0 diopters) and / or may have additional prescription lens correction (e.g., spherical and / or cylindrical lens correction). Alternatively, one or both lenses of 28 may have no power correction (e.g., zero power correction) and / or may have no additional prescription lens correction (e.g., no spherical and / or cylindrical lens correction). Generally, the user of the device 10 can observe the external environment (e.g., the outside) around the device 10 through lenses 28.

[0030] Although lens 28 has been described as transparent, this is only illustrative. In general, lens 28 can have any suitable transparency. For example, lens 28 may be tinted to provide ultraviolet (UV) protection to the wearer of device 10. Lens 28 may be passively (e.g., permanently) tinted or actively tinted (e.g., using an electro-optic modulator layer, such as a liquid crystal layer).

[0031] Input-output device 22 may also be formed in frame 26F. Figure 2 In this exemplary example, the input-output device 22 includes a camera 30, a microphone 32, and a speaker 34. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, the input-output device 22 may include any suitable device coupled to the frame 26F and / or coupled to any other suitable part of the support structure 26 (e.g., the eyeglass arm of the support structure 26).

[0032] Camera 30 may be a visible light camera, an infrared camera, and / or a camera that generates an image in response to light of any other suitable wavelength. Microphone 32 may detect audio input (e.g., in the form of audio commands) from outside device 10 and / or from the user of device 10. Speaker 34 may emit sound to the user of device 10 and / or to people outside device 10. Although Figure 2 Two sets of cameras 30, microphones 32, and speakers 34 are shown, but this is only illustrative. In general, device 10 may include any suitable number of cameras, microphones, speakers, and / or other input-output devices 22, such as one or more of each device.

[0033] In an exemplary operation, a user of device 10 may wear device 10 and view the external environment through lens 28. The user may issue a voice command (or provide other input, such as taps, touches, button presses, etc.) to device 10 (or to another device in system 8) to record using camera 30 and microphone 32. Camera 30 and microphone 32 may then record the external environment for a predetermined period of time and / or until the user provides another command / input to stop recording. Alternatively or additionally, the user of device 10 may use camera 30 to capture a portion of the external environment, and device 10 may provide the user with information about that portion of the external environment.

[0034] Regardless of how the camera 30 and / or microphone 32 are used, it may be desirable to provide an indication to an individual outside the device 10 that the camera 30 and / or microphone 32 is recording them. For example, optical and / or physical indicators may be used to indicate when the camera and / or microphone in the device 10 are in use. The indicator may have a first appearance when the camera / microphone is off, and a different second appearance when the camera / microphone is on. Figure 3 An illustrative example of device 10 is shown when the camera / microphone is off.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, when the camera 30 is off (e.g., when the camera 30 is not recording), the frame 26F may have a first appearance. For example, when the camera 30 is off, the frame 26F may have a desired color and / or pattern.

[0036] On the contrary, such as Figure 4 As shown, when camera 30 is turned on (e.g., when camera 30 is recording), frame 26F may have a different appearance than the first one. Figure 3The second appearance of the camera 30. For example, the frame 26F may have different colors, patterns and / or other appearance characteristics (indicated by the line shadow 37) to indicate to an individual outside the device 10 that the camera 30 is in use.

[0037] The appearance of the frame 26F can be altered using an electrical control layer, such as an electronic ink layer (e.g., a monochrome electronic ink layer or a color electronic ink layer), an electrochromic layer, a liquid crystal layer, or another suitable layer. The electrical control layer may be formed on the outer surface of the frame 26F (e.g., on a surface of the frame 26F adjacent to the exterior of the device 10) or may be formed within the frame 26F (e.g., the electrical control layer may be covered by a transparent outer layer of the frame 26F).

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, frame 26F may be modified to have a green appearance (or another suitable color) to indicate that camera 30 is in use. Alternatively or additionally, frame 26F may be patterned (e.g., with a striped pattern) and / or modulated by pulses, flashes, or other means to indicate that camera 30 is in use. In this way, the electrical control layer in / on frame 26F can be used to optically indicate that camera 30 is in use.

[0039] If desired, the electrical control layer in frame 26F can be additionally used to personalize the appearance of frame 26F. For example, a user of device 10 can adjust the electrical control layer to personalize the color, pattern, and / or other appearance characteristics of frame 26F.

[0040] As an alternative or additional solution for incorporating an electrically controllable layer into / on the frame 26F, an illumination component may be incorporated into the frame 26F to indicate that the camera 30 is active. For example, an electroluminescent conductor may be formed in the frame 26F. Figure 5 An illustrative example is shown in the figure.

[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, an electroluminescent wire 38 may be formed within the frame 26F. For example, the electroluminescent wire 38 may be embedded within the frame 26F. The electroluminescent wire 38 may be, for example, a copper wire coated with phosphor. Current may be applied to the electroluminescent wire 38 to generate light using the phosphor. Specifically, when the camera 30 is in use, the electroluminescent wire 38 may be activated to generate light and indicate that the camera 30 is in an on state. Alternatively or additionally, the electroluminescent wire 38 may be modulated by pulses, flashes, or other means to indicate that the camera 30 is in an on state. In this way, the electroluminescent wire 38 can provide an optical indicator that the camera 30 has been activated.

[0042] exist Figure 5In the example, the electroluminescent wire 38 extends entirely around the lens 28. However, this arrangement is merely illustrative. In general, the electroluminescent wire 38 can be incorporated into any suitable portion of the frame 26F. For example, one or more electroluminescent wires 38 may at least partially surround one or two lenses 28. Alternatively or additionally, one or more electroluminescent wires 38 may at least partially surround one or two cameras 30, and / or may extend along the periphery of the frame 26F.

[0043] As an alternative or additional option, using electroluminescent wires to provide illumination to indicate that the camera 30 is in use, a light emitter (such as a light-emitting diode) can emit light outward from the frame 26F to indicate that the camera 30 is activated. Figure 6A An illustrative example is shown in the figure.

[0044] like Figure 6A As shown, frame 26F may include a micro-perforated region 40 surrounding camera 30. Although Figure 6A A micro-perforated region 40 is shown that completely surrounds the camera 30, but the micro-perforated region 40 may at least partially surround the camera 30 (e.g., a sensor window in frame 26F that overlaps with the camera 30), or the micro-perforated region 40 may be formed in another suitable portion of frame 26F.

[0045] One or more light sources in frame 26F (or elsewhere in support structure 26) can emit light through micro-perforated region 40. For example... Figure 6B As illustrated in the exemplary example, the microperforated region 40 may include microperforations 42 located in the surface of the frame 26F. The microperforations 42 may be openings with a diameter (width) of less than 100 micrometers, less than 50 micrometers, less than 10 micrometers, between 1 micrometer and 20 micrometers, or other suitable widths.

[0046] The micro-perforation 42 may overlap with one or more light guides 44. The light guide 44 may direct light emitted by the light emitter 46 into the micro-perforated region 40, where light may be emitted to the outside of the frame 26F. The light emitter 46 may be a light-emitting diode or another suitable light source formed in a part of the frame 26F or another part of the support structure 26. The light guide 44 may be formed of a transparent material (such as polycarbonate) and may direct light emitted by the light emitter 46 into the micro-perforated region 40.

[0047] When the camera 30 is on, the light emitter 46 can be activated, emitting light through the micro-perforated area 40 to indicate that the camera 30 is active. When the camera 30 is off, the light emitter 46 can similarly be deactivated to indicate that the camera 30 is inactive. In this way, the illuminated micro-perforated area 40 (and the light emitter 46) can form an optical indicator on the frame 26F for indicating whether the camera 30 is on.

[0048] although Figure 6B A camera 30 mounted in frame 26F is shown, but this is merely illustrative. Generally, the camera 30 and an indicator showing whether the camera 30 is activated can be formed in any suitable support structure and can be visible from the outside of frame 26F. For example, one or more components can be formed in the temple of the eyeglasses, which is attached to frame 26F. Figure 7A An illustrative example is shown in the figure.

[0049] like Figure 7A As shown, frame 26F may include an illumination area 48 surrounding camera 30 (e.g., surrounding a camera window in frame 26F that overlaps with camera 30). Although Figure 7A An illumination area 48 is shown that completely surrounds the camera 30, but the illumination area 48 may at least partially surround the camera 30, or the illumination area 48 may be formed in another suitable part of the frame 26F.

[0050] One or more light sources in frame 26F (or elsewhere in support structure 26) can emit light through illumination area 48. For example... Figure 7B As illustrated in the exemplary example, the illumination area 48 may include a light guide 50 located within the frame 26F. The light guide 50 may be formed of polycarbonate or other suitable material, and the light guide 50 may be embedded within the frame 26F.

[0051] An arm 26A (also referred to as an eyeglass arm 26A) may be coupled to a frame 26F at a surface 58. The arm 26A may extend from the frame 26F and may rest on the user's ear, thereby allowing the user to wear the device 10. One or more light emitters 46 and cameras 30 may be coupled to / mounted on the arm 26A.

[0052] When arm 26A is coupled to frame 26F, one or more light emitters 46 are aligned with light guide 50. Similarly, camera 30 may be aligned with camera window 52 of frame 26F. Camera window 52 may be an aperture in frame 26F and / or may be formed of a transparent material to allow camera 30 to image the environment around device 10.

[0053] When the camera 30 is turned on, the light emitter 46 emits light through the light guide 50 to illuminate the illuminated area 48 and indicate that the camera 30 is in use. When the camera 30 is turned off, the light emitter 46 can be turned off. In this way, the illuminated area 48 (and the light emitter 46) can form an indicator to indicate whether the camera 30 is active.

[0054] By forming the camera 30 and light emitter 46 in arm 26A, it may be unnecessary to have wiring, circuitry, and / or other electronic components in frame 26F to control the camera 30 and light emitter 46. Instead, all associated wiring, circuitry, and / or other electronic components for controlling the camera 30 and light emitter 46 can be formed in arm 26A. If needed, arm 26A can be removably coupled to frame 26F, allowing arm 26A to be replaced with another arm 26A if required.

[0055] exist Figure 7B In the diagram, the illumination area 48 is shown as including the light guide 50. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, any suitable optical layer can be incorporated into the frame 26F to form the illumination area 48. For example, a diffuser can be used. Figure 7C An illustrative example is shown in the figure.

[0056] like Figure 7C As shown, a diffuser 54 can be used to form an illumination area 48 in the frame 26F. The diffuser 54 can diffuse light at a maximum angle of at least 15°, at least 20°, at least 25°, at least 30°, at least 40°, between 10° and 50°, at least 60°, less than 80°, or another suitable angle. By diffusing the light emitted by the light emitter 46, the diffuser 54 can form illumination on the illumination area 48 of the frame 26F.

[0057] Frame 26F may optionally include window 56 that overlaps with window 52 and camera 30. Window 56 may be an opening or may be formed of a transparent material to allow camera 30 to operate through frame 26F.

[0058] Figure 7D The image shows an illustrative front view of a light emitter and a camera that can be attached to the temple of an eyeglass frame.

[0059] like Figure 7D As shown, a light emitter 46 and a camera 30 can be formed on the surface 58 of the arm 26A. Therefore, when the arm 26A is attached to the frame 26F, the light emitter 46 can emit light through the frame 26F, and the camera 30 can be operated through the frame 26F.

[0060] although Figure 7DFour light emitters 46 and one camera 30 are shown on surface 58 of arm 26A, but this is only illustrative. In general, any suitable number of light emitters and / or cameras can be formed on arm 26A, such as at least one light emitter and at least one camera.

[0061] A physical indicator may be used as an alternative or supplement to including an optical indicator on device 10 to indicate when camera 30 is in use. Figure 8A An illustrative example is shown in the figure.

[0062] like Figure 8A As shown, when camera 30 is not in use, physical indicator 60 may cover the camera (e.g., camera 30). For example, physical indicator 60 may be a shutter that overlaps with the camera. Physical indicator 60 may be formed of metal, plastic, or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, physical indicator 60 may include a reflector layer, a high-contrast coloring layer (e.g., a yellow or green layer), a textured layer, and / or a cross-shaped mark (X) to indicate to an individual outside device 10 that the camera is not in use. In other words, physical indicator 60 may cover the camera so that the camera cannot capture external images while indicating that the camera is not in use.

[0063] The physical indicator 60 can be controlled using switch 62. In other words, the physical indicator 60 can be a manual shutter controlled by switch 62. Figure 8B As shown, switch 62 can be located on one side of frame 26F and can be moved in direction 64. By tossing switch 62 in direction 64, physical indicator 60 can be switched from a closed position to an open position, in which the camera below is covered (e.g., as shown). Figure 8A As shown), in this open position, the camera below is not covered (e.g., as shown). Figure 3 (As shown). In this way, the user can adjust switch 62 according to whether they want to use the camera to capture images of the outside world.

[0064] If desired, switch 62 may include an additional indicator 66. For example, the cavity in which switch 62 is formed may have a color (e.g., orange or green) or pattern to form indicator 66. When switch 62 is in a first position, indicator 66 may be visible. When switch 62 is in a second position, indicator 66 may be hidden beneath switch 62. In this way, additional indicator 66 can indicate the position of switch 62, and thus indicate whether the camera is in use.

[0065] although Figure 8A and Figure 8BThe switch 62 is shown for manually controlling the position of the physical indicator 60, but this is only illustrative. In some embodiments, the device 10 may include an actuator, such as a motor, located in a portion of the support structure 26 (e.g., in frame 26F). The actuator may move the physical indicator 60 based on whether the camera below is to be used. In this way, the physical indicator 60 may be an automatic shutter that uses the actuator to open and close based on whether the camera is on or off.

[0066] Regardless of the type of indicator used to indicate that the camera is in use, device 10 may include circuitry for controlling the indicator, the camera, and / or other components in device 10. Figure 9 An illustrative example is shown in the figure.

[0067] like Figure 9 As shown, device 10 may include a wire 68 embedded in frame 26F. The wire 68 may be formed of metal or other conductive material, and the wire 68 may extend along (e.g., adjacent to) the peripheral edge 70 of frame 26F opposite to nose bridge 36.

[0068] Wire 68 can connect the control circuit in device 10 (such as control circuit 12) Figure 1 )) coupled to one or more components in device 10 (such as camera 30, microphone 32 and / or speaker 34) Figure 2 ) and / or one or more indicators. For example, wire 68 may be coupled to Figure 4 Electrically controlled (e.g., electronic ink or electrochromic) layers, Figure 5 Electroluminescent wires, Figure 6B or Figure 7B / Figure 7C Light emitter 46 and / or Figure 8A The physical indicator 60. In this way, the control circuit 12 can activate one or more indicators to indicate that the camera 30 is in the on state. Alternatively, the control circuit 12 can activate the camera 30 via a wire 68, and the camera 30 can be directly connected to one or more indicators. In other words, when the camera 30 is activated, one or more indicators can be automatically activated.

[0069] although Figures 3 to 9 An indicator for indicating whether a camera (e.g., camera 30) in a head-mounted device is on has been shown and described, but this is only illustrative. As an alternative or additional method for indicating whether a camera is on, Figure 3 Any of the indicators shown in Figure 8 can be used to indicate the microphone (e.g., Figure 2 The microphone 32) or another sensor is on. For example, the electronic control layer (such as...) Figure 4 The electrical control layer can display a specific color and / or pattern when the camera 30 is activated (e.g., activated together with the microphone 32), and can display a different specific color and / or pattern when the microphone 32 is activated without the camera 30. Similarly, Figure 5 Any of the light-based indicators in Figure 7 may display a specific color and / or pattern when the camera 30 is activated (e.g., activated together with the microphone 32), and may display a different specific color and / or pattern when the microphone 32 is activated without the camera 30. However, this is merely illustrative. Additional sensors in device 10, such as the microphone 32, may have dedicated indicators if desired. In this way, one or more indicators in device 10 may indicate whether the camera 30 and / or the microphone 32 is activated.

[0070] Additionally, although Figures 3 to 9 An indicator formed on the outer (front) surface of a head-mounted device has been shown. This is merely illustrative. In general, indicators can be formed on any suitable surface of the head-mounted device, such as the perimeter of the frame, the outer surface of the arm, etc.

[0071] System 8 (e.g., device 10) may collect and use personally identifiable information. It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and measures generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to the user.

[0072] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device configured to sense external objects includes: a head-mountable housing; a lens coupled to the head-mountable housing; an optical sensor coupled to the head-mountable housing, wherein the optical sensor is configured to switch between an on state and an off state; and an indicator coupled to the head-mountable housing, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate when the optical sensor is in an on state.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the head-mounted housing optionally includes an eyeglass frame, and the indicator includes an optical indicator on the surface of the eyeglass frame.

[0074] According to another embodiment, the optical indicator optionally includes an electronic ink layer.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the optical indicator optionally includes an electroluminescent wire that at least partially surrounds one of the lenses.

[0076] According to another embodiment, the eyeglass frame optionally includes a micro-perforated region that at least partially surrounds the optical sensor, and the optical indicator includes a light emitter configured to emit light through the micro-perforated region.

[0077] According to another embodiment, the head-mountable housing optionally includes an arm coupled to an eyeglass frame, on which an optical sensor is mounted, the eyeglass frame includes an optical layer, and an optical indicator includes a light emitter mounted on the arm, the light emitter being configured to emit light through the optical layer.

[0078] According to another embodiment, the optical layer optionally includes a light guide.

[0079] According to another embodiment, the optical layer optionally includes a diffuser.

[0080] According to another embodiment, the head-mounted housing optionally includes an eyeglass frame, and the indicator includes a physical indicator located on the surface of the eyeglass frame.

[0081] According to another embodiment, the physical indicator optionally includes a manual shutter, and the head-mounted device also includes a switch configured to open and close the manual shutter.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the physical indicator optionally includes an automatic shutter, and the head-mounted device also includes an actuator configured to open and close the automatic shutter in response to the optical sensor switching between an open and closed state.

[0083] According to another embodiment, the head-mounted housing optionally includes an eyeglass frame with a peripheral edge, the head-mounted device includes a wire extending along the peripheral edge, and the wire is coupled to an indicator.

[0084] According to another implementation, the wires are optionally also coupled to an optical sensor.

[0085] According to one embodiment, an eyewear device configured to detect external objects includes: a frame; an arm coupled to the frame; a lens mounted in the frame; an optical sensor coupled to the frame and configured to detect external objects; and an indicator coupled to the frame, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate when the optical sensor is activated.

[0086] According to another embodiment, the indicator optionally includes a light source configured to turn on when the optical sensor is activated.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the frame optionally includes an optical layer, a light source is mounted on one of the arms, and the light source is configured to emit light through the optical layer when the light source is turned on.

[0088] According to another implementation, the indicator optionally includes a shutter.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the indicator optionally includes an electronic ink layer located on the outward-facing surface of the frame.

[0090] According to one embodiment, a head-mounted device configured to sense external objects includes: a frame; a lens mounted in the frame; a camera coupled to the frame, wherein the camera is configured to switch between an on state and an off state; and an optical indicator coupled to the frame, wherein the optical indicator is configured to display an indication on the surface of the frame when the camera is on.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the optical indicator optionally includes an electronic ink layer located on the surface of the frame.

[0092] 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 configured to sense external objects, the head-mounted device comprising: Can be worn as a head-mounted shell; Lenses, the lenses being coupled to the head-mountable housing; An optical sensor coupled to the head-mountable housing, wherein the optical sensor is configured to switch between an on state and an off state; and An indicator coupled to the head-mounted housing, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate when the optical sensor is in the on state.

2. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted housing comprises an eyeglass frame, and the indicator comprises an optical indicator located on the surface of the eyeglass frame.

3. The head-mounted device of claim 2, wherein the optical indicator comprises an electronic ink layer.

4. The head-mounted device of claim 2, wherein the optical indicator comprises an electroluminescent wire that at least partially surrounds one of the lenses.

5. The head-mounted device of claim 2, wherein the eyeglass frame includes a micro-perforated region at least partially surrounding the optical sensor, and the optical indicator includes a light emitter configured to emit light through the micro-perforated region.

6. The head-mounted device of claim 2, wherein the head-mounted housing further comprises an arm coupled to the eyeglass frame, the optical sensor being mounted on the arm, the eyeglass frame including an optical layer, and the optical indicator including a light emitter mounted on the arm, the light emitter being configured to emit light through the optical layer.

7. The head-mounted device of claim 6, wherein the optical layer comprises a light guide.

8. The head-mounted device of claim 6, wherein the optical layer comprises a diffuser.

9. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted housing comprises an eyeglass frame, and the indicator comprises a physical indicator located on the surface of the eyeglass frame.

10. The head-mounted device of claim 9, wherein the physical indicator includes a manual shutter, and the head-mounted device further includes a switch configured to open and close the manual shutter.

11. The head-mounted device of claim 9, wherein the physical indicator includes an automatic shutter, and the head-mounted device further includes an actuator configured to open and close the automatic shutter in response to the optical sensor switching between the open state and the closed state.

12. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted housing includes an eyeglass frame having a peripheral edge, the head-mounted device includes a wire extending along the peripheral edge and coupled to the indicator.

13. The head-mounted device of claim 12, wherein the wire is further coupled to the optical sensor.

14. A glasses device configured to detect an external object, the glasses device comprising: frame; An arm, which is coupled to the frame; A lens, which is mounted in the frame; An optical sensor, coupled to the frame and configured to detect the external object; and An indicator coupled to the frame, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate when the optical sensor is activated.

15. The eyewear device of claim 14, wherein the indicator includes a light source configured to turn on when the optical sensor is activated.

16. The eyeglasses device of claim 15, wherein the frame includes an optical layer, the light source is mounted on one of the arms, and the light source is configured to emit light through the optical layer when the light source is turned on.

17. The eyeglasses device of claim 14, wherein the indicator comprises a shutter.

18. The eyewear device of claim 14, wherein the indicator comprises an electronic ink layer on the outer surface of the frame.

19. A head-mounted device configured to sense an external object, the head-mounted device comprising: frame; A lens, which is mounted in the frame; A camera coupled to the frame, wherein the camera is configured to switch between an on state and an off state; and An optical indicator coupled to the frame, wherein the optical indicator is configured to display an indication on the surface of the frame when the camera is in the on state.

20. The head-mounted device of claim 19, wherein the optical indicator comprises an electronic ink layer located on the surface of the frame.

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