Patent Application
20230041202
The present disclosure is related generally to a user interface for headsets and wearable devices. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to assembly and integration of electronic circuits in smart glasses for enhanced reality applications.
Wearable devices have simple user interfaces so that users can easily provide commands and adjust settings on the go. Typical procedures to place lenses within the frame of a glass assembly include applying pressure to snap lenses in a groove of the frame. However, for smart glasses including an active, layered structure within the lenses, this methodology causes shear stress that may damage the layered structure causing the entire glass assembly to be discarded. It is also important to provide an impermeable electrical connection to the layered structure. In addition, it is desirable to simplify the lens mounting methodology so that prescription devices can be easily accommodated and replaced within a given glass assembly.
In a first embodiment, a device includes a frame, and an eyepiece. The eyepiece includes: a front glass, a rear glass, and an active element sandwiched between the front glass and the rear glass, and configured to be electrically activated, via an interconnect, by a flex circuit enclosed between a top portion of the frame and a cap, the flex circuit comprising a memory and a processor.
In a second embodiment, an augmented reality headset includes a frame including a flex circuit, a memory, and a processor. The augmented reality headset includes an eyepiece mounted on the frame, including an active element configured to modify an image transmitted through a front glass and a rear glass, and an interconnect configured to electrically couple the flex circuit with the active element.
A method for assembling a headset, includes placing a flex circuit inside a top portion of a frame for the headset, the flex circuit comprising a memory and a processor, placing an eyepiece on the frame for the headset, the eyepiece including an electrically active element having an interconnect, coupling the interconnect of the electrically active element in the eyepiece to the flex circuit in the frame, and placing a cap over the flex circuit and the interconnect.
In the figures, elements having the same or similar referral number have the same or similar features unless explicitly stated otherwise.
In the field of wearable devices, electrical interconnects for smart glasses present a challenge due to the delicate parts involved and the stressful environmental conditions under which the devices are expected to operate seamlessly. For example, it is expected that electrical interconnects be compact, have a reduced weight, and be hermetic or impermeable to water, moisture, sweat, and other liquids. In addition, some of the electrically active circuits lay over or are adjacent to the eyepieces, which presents several challenges on its own. For example, mounting the eyepieces to the frame of the smart glass may require exertion of forces and stresses that can permanently damage the electrically active element. In addition, and assuming that an assembly process is devised to overcome the above challenge, there is the issue of having the ability to easily re-configure the smart glasses for a different user, or for a different optical prescription for the same user. If the assembly process is too complex and requires a series of steps in a specific sequence, these re-adjustments may create logistical problems for replacement components and storage/availability thereof. Accordingly, it is desirable to have smart glasses with simple, safe, and compact interconnects that have a seamless assembly process that allows reconfiguration of prescription glasses and part replacement without major factory rearrangements.
To resolve at least some of the above technical difficulties, several embodiments are proposed herein, as follows.
The present disclosure is related generally to a user interface for headsets and wearable devices. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to assembly and integration of electronic circuits in smart glasses for enhanced reality applications, according to some embodiments. Some embodiments include a flex circuit electrically coupled with active elements in the left and right eyepieces via an interconnect, on a top portion of the frame. In some embodiments, to protect the flex circuit, a cast-in-place gasket may be provided using a foaming material injected between the frame and a cap, before assembling the glasses, or after assembly, through a dedicated port. Some embodiments include a cap placed after the eyepiece is fitted into the groove on the lower side of the frame. This procedure reduces the forces exerted onto the eyepiece. Moreover, when a removable cap is used, the eyepiece may be replaced without substantive work, e.g., when a prescription component in the eyepiece needs adjustment or replacement. In some embodiments, a reduced size active layer structure in the smart glasses is placed between a front lens and a back lens. The active layer may include a liquid crystal sandwiched between two electrode layers, an oversized front glass, and an undersized rear glass. The front glass has a larger cross section that extends beyond the active layer structure and the rear glass. Accordingly, the front glass may be snapped into a groove in the frame, leaving the active layer structure untouched by the forces involved in the snapping/clamping mechanism. In some embodiments, the active layer may include additionally a prescription optics layer glued on top, also with reduced dimensions to avoid contact with the forces involved in the snapping/clamping mechanism. In yet other embodiments, an over-mold seal is applied on one point of retention in the lens-active layer structure compound. The over-mold seal snaps into a groove on the frame, and includes copper contacts that reach a flex circuitry within the frame of the smart glasses via a pin connector, so that the eyepiece is snuggly fit within the frame.
In some embodiments, eyepieces 105 may include active elements such as liquid crystal layers configured to provide a variable tint or dimming of the glasses and other optical elements in eyepieces 105. Thus, the transparency of smart glass 100 may be adjusted either automatically or by user control according to environmental conditions, or user desire. To assess environmental conditions, smart glass 100 may include one or more sensors 125 configured as ambient light sensors, acoustic detectors, and the like, e.g., an inertial motion unit—IMU—such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The ambient light sensors may be configured to detect visible light (VIS, 450 nm-750 nm), ultraviolet light (UV, 200 nm to 450 nm wavelength), infra-red light (IR, 750 nm to 10 μm wavelength), or any other desired wavelength range. For example, in some embodiments, a UV detector may indicate the presence of direct sunlight (e.g., the user is outdoors and/or in a bright sunny day). In addition, and as part of a user interaction system, smart glass 100 may include a speaker/microphone 121 so that the user may provide voice commands and receive audio feedback. In some embodiments, the user interface may include touch-sensitive controllers and cameras 123. All the above elements and components may be electrically coupled with one another via electrical circuit interconnects. The electrical circuit interconnects introduce considerations in the assembly and manufacturing of smart glass 100, as well as the materials used thereof, as disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, active element 235 may include a liquid crystal layer having a birefringent material with molecules configured to rotate according to an applied electric field (e.g., between electrodes 252). As the birefringent material rotates, a difference in polarization refraction may become susceptible to transmission changes through eyepiece 205, thus creating a desirable dimming or any other effect. In some embodiments, active element 235 and electrodes 252 are pixelated across the plane of eyepiece 205, so that an image may be superimposed (e.g., for an augmented reality application).
Each of forces F1-F4, independently, produce shear stress on glasses 215, potentially damaging glue portions 233. The combination of forces F5, F7, and F9, or of forces F8, F10, and F6 produces a bending of eyepiece 205, thus straining its cohesion and structural stability. The combination of forces F5 and F8, or F7 and F10, or of forces F1 and F2 or F3 and F4 produces compression. In some embodiments, compression effects may be acceptable, as their effect on the stability of the layered structure is less direct than for sheer stresses.
The foaming material, after cast, provides mechanical protection to flex circuit 350 and interconnects 355, and also serves as an absorber to remove humidity caused by sweat, water, and other liquids filtrating from the environment.
Over-mold seal 665 snaps into a groove on a front side 612-1 and a rear side 612-2 of a frame 611. An interconnect 655 (e.g., copper) reaches a flex circuit within a frame 611 of the smart glasses via a pin connector 670. In some embodiments, instead of a pin connector 670, interconnect 655 may include a spring loaded pogo pin. Eyepiece is snuggly fit within frame 611 while interconnect 655 is securely placed in contact with the flex circuit via over-mold seal 665.
Step 1002 includes disposing a flex circuit inside a top portion of a frame for the smart glass, the flex circuit including a memory and a processor.
Step 1004 includes disposing an eyepiece on the frame for the smart glass, the eyepiece including an electrically active element having an interconnect. In some embodiments, step 1004 includes clamping a front glass in the eyepiece and snapping the front glass in a groove of the frame with a clamping device. In some embodiments, step 1004 includes over-molding, over the interconnect, an electrically insulating material, fixing the electrically insulating material to a groove in the frame, and snuggly fitting the eyepiece within the frame.
Step 1006 includes coupling the interconnect of the electrically active element in the eyepiece to the flex circuit in the frame.
Step 1008 includes disposing a cap over the flex circuit and the interconnect. In some embodiments, step 1008 includes filling a space between the flex circuit and the interconnect with a moisture absorbing material that is also electrically insulating.
In one aspect, a method may be an operation, an instruction, or a function and vice versa. In one aspect, a claim may be amended to include some or all of the words (e.g., instructions, operations, functions, or components) recited in other one or more claims, one or more words, one or more sentences, one or more phrases, one or more paragraphs, and/or one or more claims.
To illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, items such as the various illustrative blocks, modules, components, methods, operations, instructions, and algorithms have been described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (e.g., each item). The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.
A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. The term “some” refers to one or more. Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject technology, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”
While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be described, but rather as descriptions of particular implementations of the subject matter. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially described as such, one or more features from a described combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the described combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
The subject matter of this specification has been described in terms of particular aspects, but other aspects can be implemented and are within the scope of the following claims. For example, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. The actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the aspects described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all aspects, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.
The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the described subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately described subject matter.
The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of the applicable patent law, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.
The present disclosure is related and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Prov. Appln. No. 63/229,034, entitled SMART GLASS INTERCONNECT FOR ENHANCED REALITY APPLICATIONS, filed on Aug. 3, 2021, to Johana ESCUDERO, et al., and to U.S. Prov. Appln. No. 63/278,350, entitled ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT INTEGRATION TO SMART GLASSES FOR ENHANCED REALITY APPLICATIONS, filed on Nov. 11, 2021, to Igor MARKOVSKY, et al., the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63229034 | Aug 2021 | US | |
| 63278350 | Nov 2021 | US |
