Adjustable Opacity Light Seal for Head-Mounted Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mountable devices lack the ability to seamlessly transition between immersive and partially open experiences without requiring removal, as they struggle to control light and airflow from the external environment effectively.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a light seal element with adjustable opacity, featuring overlapping covers that can transition between retracted and extended configurations to control light and airflow, allowing users to switch between immersive and external environment views while wearing the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a head-mountable device uses a fixed opaque display to provide immersive visual information, then the user experiences complete immersion in the displayed content, but the user cannot observe the external environment without removing the device

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to switch between immersive and external environment viewsVSAvoidStructure of light seal element with moving covers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal element incorporates movable covers that can transition between extended and retracted configurations, allowing the device to dynamically adjust its light-blocking properties. This enables the user to switch between immersive mode (covers extended to block external light) and external environment view mode (covers retracted to allow light through), resolving the contradiction between immersion and environmental awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The light seal element is divided into multiple overlapping covers that can independently move between extended and retracted positions. This segmentation allows for gradual adjustment of opacity and provides multiple states between fully immersive and fully open, enhancing adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the light seal element is fully extended to block all external light for immersive experience, then external light interference is eliminated, but airflow between the device and user's face is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveExternal light interferenceVSAvoidAirflow comfort for the user

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of fully extending all covers to maximum opacity, the system allows partial extension where some covers are extended to block light while others remain retracted to maintain airflow. This partial action approach provides sufficient light blocking for immersive experience while preserving adequate airflow pathways for user comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light seal element can have different cover extension states, allowing local optimization where light-blocking regions are extended while airflow channels remain open. This creates zones with different optical properties within the same light seal element, simultaneously addressing light interference and airflow needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the device maintains a fixed configuration, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the user must remove the device to transition between immersive and external environment modes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveStructural reliability of fixed configurationVSAvoidTime required to remove and reattach device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If overlapping covers are used to control light and airflow, then opacity can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdjustable opacity for light and airflow controlVSAvoidNumber of moving parts in light seal element

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overlapping covers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they control light blocking, regulate airflow, and provide structural support for the light seal element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving adjustable opacity and airflow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11733530B1Head-mountable device having light seal element with adjustable opacity

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 APPLE INC

AI summary

A head-mountable device can include a light seal element with adjustable opacity. In various configurations of the light seal element, the opacity there through can be adjusted to control an amount of light and/or airflow from an external environment. For example a cover or combination of overlapping covers can be adjusted to selectively exclude light from an external environment or provide a direct view to the external environment. Transitions can be achieved while the head-mountable device is worn by a user.