Touch-Sensitive Light Seal Input for Lightweight Head-Mountable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mountable devices face a challenge in providing increased functionality without increasing size or weight, particularly in integrating effective input devices that enhance user interaction while maintaining an immersive experience.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a touch-sensitive surface into the light seal of a head-mountable device, utilizing conductive fabric and strain gauges to detect user inputs, combined with visual, tactile, and haptic feedback mechanisms to guide users to the input areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If input devices are added to enhance functionality, then user interaction capability is improved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the touch-sensitive surface directly into the light seal structure, merging the input device function with the existing light-blocking component. This eliminates the need for separate input device housings and reduces overall device weight while maintaining full input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light seal is designed to serve multiple functions: it blocks ambient light from the external environment and simultaneously houses the touch-sensitive input surface. This multi-functionality approach allows the same structural element to provide both environmental sealing and user input capabilities without adding extra components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If input devices are added to enhance functionality, then user interaction capability is improved, but device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive surface is integrated within the existing light seal volume rather than adding a separate input device. The light seal's internal cavity houses the conductive fabric and sensing elements, utilizing already-allocated space to provide input functionality without increasing device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The input sensing elements (conductive fabric, strain gauges) are nested within the light seal structure. The light seal acts as a container that holds the input device components, similar to a nested doll configuration, maximizing space utilization without external volume increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the light seal is made opaque to block ambient light, then immersive experience is improved, but user ability to locate input areas is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient light blockingVSAvoidinput area location

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal incorporates regions with different optical properties - mostly opaque to block ambient light, but with specific translucent or transparent zones that allow users to locate the touch-sensitive input areas. These optical variations serve as visual guides without compromising the overall light-blocking functionality for immersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces indicator elements (such as translucent regions, projected light patterns, or haptic guides) that act as intermediaries between the opaque light seal and the user. These indicators provide location information for input areas while the bulk of the light seal remains opaque to maintain immersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables additional user input options without adding bulk, enhancing user interaction through intuitive and efficient touch-sensitive surfaces that provide haptic and visual cues, thus improving the overall functionality of the device.

Implementation Method 1

The touch sensitive surface of the head-mountable device includes a conductive fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction (electrical): Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a strain gauge disposed in the frame and electrically connected to the touch sensitive surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain gauge effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12386451B2Touch sensitive input surface

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 APPLE INC

AI summary

In at least one example of the present disclosure, a head-mountable device includes a display, a frame at least partially surrounding the display, a facial interface attached to the frame, a cover disposed around the facial interface, and a touch sensitive surface incorporated into the cover to receive input from a user for the head-mountable device.