Head-Mounted Optical Module Alignment With Integrated Camera Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted devices face challenges in accommodating varying interpupillary distances and maintaining alignment of optical modules and cameras, which can lead to misalignment issues during use.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates adjustable optical module positioning systems with actuators and guide members to accommodate different interpupillary distances, and uses a rigid camera support structure with integrated antennas to maintain alignment of cameras and optical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If optical modules are made adjustable to accommodate varying interpupillary distances, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional actuators and guide members

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to interpupillary distancesVSAvoidcomplexity of optical module positioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical module positioning system employs actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of optical modules along guide members, allowing the system to adapt to different interpupillary distances. The actuators can move the optical modules between multiple discrete positions or continuously along the guide members, providing adaptability while maintaining a structured approach to complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is segmented into distinct components: optical modules, guide members, and actuators. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates modular assembly and maintenance, addressing the complexity issue by breaking down the overall system into manageable functional units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a rigid camera support structure is used to maintain alignment, then reliability is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment stability of cameras and optical componentsVSAvoidweight of camera support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The camera support structure utilizes composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio and controlled thermal expansion properties. These composite materials maintain the rigidity needed for precise alignment stability while minimizing the overall weight of the support structure, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are integrated into the device housing, then communication functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidease of integrating multiple antennas
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device housing is designed as a multi-functional structure that simultaneously serves as mechanical support, thermal management pathway, and antenna integration platform. The housing incorporates embedded antenna elements and conductive features that can be manufactured using standard processes, allowing multiple antennas to be integrated without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4332661B1Electronic devices with antennas and optical components
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 APPLE INC
  • EP4332661B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4332661B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4332661B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing. The housing may include a frame with left and right openings that receive respective left and right optical modules that present images to a user's eyes. Each optical module may have a lens and display that presents an image through the lens. Camera support members may be coupled to respective left and right peripheral portions of the frame. Each camera support member may have openings configured to receive cameras. Antennas may be formed on a camera support member. The antennas may have metal traces on a surface of the camera support member, may have conductive structures embedded within the camera support member, and/or may have patterned metal traces on printed circuits attached to or embedded in the camera support member. The cameras may operate through portions of a display cover layer that covers an outwardly-facing display on the head-mounted housing.