The present description relates generally to electronic devices, and, more particularly, to electronic devices that guide and direct a user with attention, memory, and cognition.
A head-mountable device can be worn by a user to display visual information within the field of view of the user. The head-mountable device can be used as a virtual reality (VR) system, an augmented reality (AR) system, and/or a mixed reality (MR) system. A user may observe outputs provided by the head-mountable device, such as visual information provided on a display. The display can optionally allow a user to observe an environment outside of the head-mountable device. Other outputs provided by the head-mountable device can include speaker output and/or haptic feedback. A user may further interact with the head-mountable device by providing inputs for processing by one or more components of the head-mountable device. For example, the user can provide tactile inputs, voice commands, and other inputs while the device is mounted to the user's head.
Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.
Head-mountable devices, such as head-mountable displays, headsets, visors, smartglasses, head-up display, etc., can perform a range of functions that are managed by the components (e.g., sensors, circuitry, and other hardware) included with the wearable device. The head-mountable device can provide a user experience that is immersive or otherwise natural so the user can easily focus on enjoying the experience without being distracted by the mechanisms of the head-mountable device.
Various electronic devices can be used to capture, create, and edit media, for example, by capturing images, recording audio, storing text, and other such media formats. Electronic devices have become increasingly portable in recent years, offering more opportunities for a user to create media while experiencing everyday life. In this regard, media can be any content that is generated by a user as records, inputs, and/or other data capable of being recorded by an electronic device, such as a head-mountable device. In many cases, media from a user can be based on and/or inspired by interactions with and/or observations of the external environment and/or outputs from an electronic device. As such, the user may create content under circumstances that are detectable, recordable, and reproducible.
In some instances, a user may be interrupted and/or otherwise desire to resume a thought process from an earlier time. However, the circumstances may have changed since that time. Inasmuch as the user's thoughts were mentally connected to the circumstances of that earlier thought process, it can be difficult for the user to resume such thoughts. It can be desirable to provide outputs to a user that will refresh the user's recollection and aid the user further develop thoughts and ideas from a prior mode. It can be further desirable to provide outputs that will respond to a user's attention state and help the user focus and/or perform activities the regain focus.
A head-mountable device can facilitate user thought processes by recording user-perceivable experiences during a first mode while the head-mountable device is operated in a capture mode. While in the capture mode, the head-mountable device can record inputs from the user. During a second mode, the head-mountable device can reproduce the previously recorded experiences as well as the user inputs so that the user can resume development of the thoughts and ideas associated with the first mode. The head-mountable device can also track the user's conditions to monitor attention levels of the user and provide indicators to prompt a user to perform activities that will help the user refocus.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to
According to some embodiments, for example as shown in
The frame 110 can provide structure around a peripheral region thereof to support any internal components of the frame 110 in their assembled position. For example, the frame 110 can enclose and support various internal components (including for example integrated circuit chips, processors, memory devices and other circuitry) to provide computing and functional operations for the head-mountable device 100, as discussed further herein. Any number of components can be included within and/or on the frame 110 and/or the head engager 120.
The frame 110 can include and/or support one or more cameras 130. The cameras 130 can be positioned on or near an outer side 112 of the frame 110 to capture images of views external to the head-mountable device 100. As used herein, an outer side 112 of a portion of a head-mountable device is a side that faces away from the user and/or towards an external environment. The captured images can be used for display to the user or stored for any other purpose.
It will be understood that the camera 130 can be one of a variety of input devices provided by the head-mountable device. Such input devices can include, for example, depth sensors, optical sensors, microphones, user input devices, user sensors, and the like.
By further example, a user sensor 170 can perform facial feature detection, facial movement detection, facial recognition, eye tracking, user mood detection, user emotion detection, voice detection, etc. Such eye tracking may be used to determine the direction of a user's attention. By further example, the user sensor 170 can be a bio-sensor for tracking biometric characteristics, such as health and activity metrics. The user sensor can include a bio-sensor that is configured to measure biometrics such as heart rate, electrocardiogra (ECG) characteristics, galvanic skin resistance, and other properties of the user's body. Additionally or alternatively, a bio-sensor can be configured to measure body temperature, exposure to UV radiation, and other health-related information.
The head-mountable device can be provided with one or more displays 140 that provide visual output for viewing by a user wearing the head-mountable device. As shown in
A display 140 can transmit light from a physical environment (e.g., as captured by a camera) for viewing by the user. Such a display can include optical properties, such as lenses for vision correction based on incoming light from the physical environment. Additionally or alternatively, a display 140 can provide information as a display within a field of view of the user. Such information can be provided to the exclusion of a view of a physical environment or in addition to (e.g., overlaid with) a physical environment.
It will be understood that the display 140 can be one of a variety of output devices provided by the head-mountable device. Such output devices can include, for example, speakers, haptic feedback devices, and the like.
A physical environment refers to a physical world that people can sense and/or interact with without aid of electronic systems. Physical environments, such as a physical park, include physical articles, such as physical trees, physical buildings, and physical people. People can directly sense and/or interact with the physical environment, such as through sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell.
In contrast, a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment refers to a wholly or partially simulated environment that people sense and/or interact with via an electronic system. In CGR, a subset of a person's physical motions, or representations thereof, are tracked, and, in response, one or more characteristics of one or more virtual objects simulated in the CGR environment are adjusted in a manner that comports with at least one law of physics. For example, a CGR system may detect a person's head turning and, in response, adjust graphical content and an acoustic field presented to the person in a manner similar to how such views and sounds would change in a physical environment. In some situations, (e.g., for accessibility reasons), adjustments to characteristic(s) of virtual object(s) in a CGR environment may be made in response to representations of physical motions (e.g., vocal commands).
A person may sense and/or interact with a CGR object using any one of their senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. For example, a person may sense and/or interact with audio objects that create 3D or spatial audio environment that provides the perception of point audio sources in 3D space. In another example, audio objects may enable audio transparency, which selectively incorporates ambient sounds from the physical environment with or without computer-generated audio. In some CGR environments, a person may sense and/or interact only with audio objects.
Examples of CGR include virtual reality and mixed reality.
A virtual reality (VR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs for one or more senses. A VR environment comprises a plurality of virtual objects with which a person may sense and/or interact. For example, computer-generated imagery of trees, buildings, and avatars representing people are examples of virtual objects. A person may sense and/or interact with virtual objects in the VR environment through a simulation of the person's presence within the computer-generated environment, and/or through a simulation of a subset of the person's physical movements within the computer-generated environment.
In contrast to a VR environment, which is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs, a mixed reality (MR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to incorporate sensory inputs from the physical environment, or a representation thereof, in addition to including computer-generated sensory inputs (e.g., virtual objects). On a virtuality continuum, a mixed reality environment is anywhere between, but not including, a wholly physical environment at one end and virtual reality environment at the other end.
In some MR environments, computer-generated sensory inputs may respond to changes in sensory inputs from the physical environment. Also, some electronic systems for presenting an MR environment may track location and/or orientation with respect to the physical environment to enable virtual objects to interact with real objects (that is, physical articles from the physical environment or representations thereof). For example, a system may account for movements so that a virtual tree appears stationery with respect to the physical ground.
Examples of mixed realities include augmented reality and augmented virtuality.
An augmented reality (AR) environment refers to a simulated environment in which one or more virtual objects are superimposed over a physical environment, or a representation thereof. For example, an electronic system for presenting an AR environment may have a transparent or translucent display through which a person may directly view the physical environment. The system may be configured to present virtual objects on the transparent or translucent display, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. Alternatively, a system may have an opaque display and one or more imaging sensors that capture images or video of the physical environment, which are representations of the physical environment. The system composites the images or video with virtual objects, and presents the composition on the opaque display. A person, using the system, indirectly views the physical environment by way of the images or video of the physical environment, and perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. As used herein, a video of the physical environment shown on an opaque display is called “pass-through video,” meaning a system uses one or more image sensor(s) to capture images of the physical environment, and uses those images in presenting the AR environment on the opaque display. Further alternatively, a system may have a projection system that projects virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment.
An augmented reality environment also refers to a simulated environment in which a representation of a physical environment is transformed by computer-generated sensory information. For example, in providing pass-through video, a system may transform one or more sensor images to impose a select perspective (e.g., viewpoint) different than the perspective captured by the imaging sensors. As another example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically modifying (e.g., enlarging) portions thereof, such that the modified portion may be representative but not photorealistic versions of the originally captured images. As a further example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically eliminating or obfuscating portions thereof.
An augmented virtuality (AV) environment refers to a simulated environment in which a virtual or computer generated environment incorporates one or more sensory inputs from the physical environment. The sensory inputs may be representations of one or more characteristics of the physical environment. For example, an AV park may have virtual trees and virtual buildings, but people with faces photorealistically reproduced from images taken of physical people. As another example, a virtual object may adopt a shape or color of a physical article imaged by one or more imaging sensors. As a further example, a virtual object may adopt shadows consistent with the position of the sun in the physical environment.
There are many different types of electronic systems that enable a person to sense and/or interact with various CGR environments. Examples include head-mountable systems, projection-based systems, heads-up displays (HUDs), vehicle windshields having integrated display capability, windows having integrated display capability, displays formed as lenses designed to be placed on a person's eyes (e.g., similar to contact lenses), headphones/earphones, speaker arrays, input systems (e.g., wearable or handheld processors with or without haptic feedback), smartphones, tablets, and desktop/laptop computers. A head-mountable system may have one or more speaker(s) and an integrated opaque display. Alternatively, a head-mountable system may be configured to accept an external opaque display (e.g., a smartphone). The head-mountable system may incorporate one or more imaging sensors to capture images or video of the physical environment, and/or one or more microphones to capture audio of the physical environment. Rather than an opaque display, a head-mountable system may have a transparent or translucent display. The transparent or translucent display may have a medium through which light representative of images is directed to a person's eyes. The display may utilize digital light projection, OLEDs, LEDs, uLEDs, liquid crystal on silicon, laser scanning light source, or any combination of these technologies. The medium may be an optical waveguide, a hologram medium, an optical combiner, an optical reflector, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the transparent or translucent display may be configured to become opaque selectively. Projection-based systems may employ retinal projection technology that projects graphical images onto a person's retina. Projection systems also may be configured to project virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface.
Referring now to
The input can be received by the head-mountable device during active operation of an application of the head-mountable device. For example, the user can provide content to the head-mountable device that is recorded based on operation of an application thereof. By further example, such applications can include a notepad application, a sketchpad application, a word processor application, a presentation application, a spreadsheet application, a drawing application, a 3D drawing application, a 3D clay sculpting application, and the like.
As shown in
As the input devices of the head-mountable device 100 receive input from a user, such inputs can be output by the head-mountable device 100. For example, an output 144 can include a representation of the input received and/or recorded from the user. Such an output 144 can allow the user to review, track, and/or monitor the user's own input as received by the head-mountable device 100. As such, the head-mountable device 100 can facilitate receiving and recording the user's inputs provided thereto and allow the user to make a record of thoughts and ideas generated during a first session (e.g., capture session) while the head-mountable device 100 is in a first mode (e.g., capture mode).
The user interface 142 can further include any content generated by the head-mountable device 100 as output 146, such as notifications, messages, text, images, display features, websites, app features, and the like. It will be understood that such content can be displayed visually and/or otherwise output as sound, and the like. Such content may be part of the capture mode or simply output based on other operations of the head-mountable device 100.
In operation 402, the head-mountable device can initiate a capture mode. Such a mode can be initiated in response to an input received from the user. For example, the user may initiate recordation of inputs (e.g., first input) from the user to the head-mountable device.
In operation 404, the head-mountable device receives and/or records the input from a user. Such input can be received by an input device, as described wherein. Optionally, the input can be also be output to the user for review.
In operation 406, the head-mountable device detects and/or records one or more features of an environment while the head-mountable device receives the user input. For example, an environment sensor can capture visual, auditory, and/or other features of an environment. Such features can be perceivable by the user, either directly or via the operations of the head-mountable device.
In operation 408, the head-mountable device detects and/or records one or more features of an output of the head-mountable device that are provided while the head-mountable device receives the user input. For example, the visual, auditory, and/or other output of the head-mountable device that are perceivable by the user can be recorded for later playback to recreate the experiences of the user.
In operation 410, the head-mountable device detects and/or records one or more conditions of the user exhibited while the head-mountable device receives the user input. For example, the user's heart rate, facial features (e.g., shape based on expressions), eye gaze, pupil dilation, and/or other health metrics can be monitored and/or recorded. Such information can be recorded for later usage to evaluate the effect and/or effectiveness of playback on the user as the head-mountable device, in a playback mode, recreates a user experience from the capture mode.
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring now to
By providing, during the playback mode, the outputs previously recorded from the capture mode, the user can be reminded of the user's own mental state during the capture mode. As such, the user may associate such outputs with the outputs from the capture mode and thereby be more able to continue the thoughts and ideas that started in the capture mode.
As shown in
The user interface 142 can further include the output 146 that was generated by the head-mountable device 100 during the capture mode. The content of the output 146 can be output in the same manner as during the capture mode. It will be understood that such content can be displayed visually and/or otherwise output as sound, and the like.
It will be understood that the output of the playback mode can include one, some, or all of the features detected in a capture mode. For example, the head-mountable device 100 can output those features that correspond to the user's attention (e.g., based on eye tracking by an eye sensor) during the capture mode. By further example, the output features can include other features that may not correspond to the user's direct attention during the capture mode, such as features in the peripheral vison of the user. Accordingly, different depths of immersion can be provided during playback mode (e.g., one, some, or all of the features detected during capture mode). The depth of immersion can be based on a detection by the head-mountable device regarding how the user is responding during the playback mode relative to how the user responded to during the capture mode, as described further herein.
The additional input can be received by the head-mountable device during active operation of an application of the head-mountable device. In some embodiments, the head-mountable device can launch an application that was active during the capture mode. For example, the user can be prompted to provide additional content to the head-mountable device that is recorded based on further operation of the same or a different application. As described herein, such applications can include a notepad application, a sketchpad application, a word processor application, a presentation application, a spreadsheet application, a drawing application, a 3D drawing application, a 3D clay sculpting application, and the like.
In operation 902, the head-mountable device can initiate a playback mode. Such a mode can be initiated in response to an additional input received from the user. For example, the user may initiate recordation of additional inputs (e.g., second or third inputs, etc.) from the user to the head-mountable device.
In operation 904, the head-mountable device outputs the input (e.g., first input) previously received from the user during the capture mode. Such output can allow the user to recall the previous input and know where and how to continue such inputs.
In operation 906, the head-mountable device can output one or more features of an environment recorded during the capture mode. For example, an output device can output features detected by an environment sensor, such as visual, auditory, and/or other features of an environment.
In operation 908, the head-mountable device can output one or more features of an output that was previously provided during the capture mode. It will be understood that such features need not be detected outside the operation of the head-mountable device, but may nonetheless be perceivable by the user to form, optionally with the features of the environment, an overall experience of the user during the capture mode. As such, by providing them during the playback mode, the user is provided with an experience that resembles the experience during the capture mode.
In operation 910, the head-mountable device receives and/or records additional input (e.g., second or third input) from a user. Such additional input can be received by an input device, as described wherein. Optionally, the additional input can also be output to the user for review. For example, the additional input can be added to and/or provided as a replacement for the first input provided as recorded output 144 in
In operation 912, the head-mountable device detects and/or records one or more additional conditions (e.g., second condition) of the user exhibited during the playback mode. It will be understood that the additional condition can be the same type of condition detected during the capture mode (e.g., heart rate, facial features, eye gaze, pupil dilation, and/or other health metrics). The additional condition can be compared to the initial condition to determine whether the user is responding to the outputs of the playback mode in a manner that resembles the user's response to the experience during the capture mode. For example, where one or more conditions satisfied (e.g., above or below) a threshold during the capture mode, the additional condition can be compared to such a threshold (and/or the initial condition itself acting as a threshold) to determine whether the outputs of the playback mode are inducing the same or similar reaction in the user.
Such a comparison can be used to modify the outputs of the head-mountable device. For example, where the second condition differs from the first condition, the outputs can be modified until the second condition of the playback mode matches the first condition of the capture mode. Such modifications can include presenting fewer or more of the features captured during the capture mode. For example, different levels of immersion can be provided by outputting a different number of the previously captured features and/or omitting features that are not part of the previously recorded capture mode. As such, the previously recorded features can be used to evaluate the effect and/or effectiveness of playback on the user as the head-mountable device, in a playback mode, recreates a user experience from the capture mode.
As used herein, an attention level of the user can be detected based on external conditions of the user. One or more of such conditions can be detected by the head-mountable device to determine whether interventions would be beneficial to the user. An attention level can represent a mental state of the user, including mental alertness and mental fatigue. While the user's mental state itself can involve a variety of factors, the attention level of a user can be indicated to the head-mountable device by measurable and objective metrics, as described further herein. As such, the head-mountable device can determine an attention level and react accordingly.
For example, an eye sensor can track features of the user wearing the head-mountable device 100, including conditions of the user's eye (e.g., focal distance, pupil size, etc.). For example, an eye sensor can optically capture a view of an eye (e.g., pupil) and determine a direction of a gaze of the user. Such eye tracking may be used to determine a location and/or direction of interest with respect to the display 140 and/or elements presented thereon. User interface elements can be provided on the display 140. The detections made by the eye-tracking sensor can determine where the user is devoting attention. The user's vision and/or gaze can be monitored to detect an attention level and/or changes thereof. Where a user has focused on a target object for a duration or proportion of time, the head-mountable device can determine that such activity from the user indicates a low attention level. By further example, if a user reads the same passage of text multiple times (e.g., as demonstrated by eye gaze), the head-mountable device can determine that the user is showing insufficient attention levels.
For example, the head-mountable device can include sensors to detect other conditions of the eye, such as pupil dilation, eyelid state (e.g., closure, openness, droopiness, etc.), blink rate, and the like. Such eye conditions can be compared to corresponding target thresholds to determine a user's attention level.
The head-mountable device can further measure health conditions of the user. For example, the head-mountable device can include sensors to detect heart rate, blood oxygenation, blood-sugar level, posture, temperature, complexion (e.g., color), and the like. Such health conditions can be compared to corresponding target thresholds to determine a user's attention level.
The head-mountable device can further measure expressive conditions of the user. For example, the head-mountable device can include sensors to perform facial feature detection, facial movement detection, facial recognition, user mood detection, user emotion detection, voice detection, and the like. Such expressive conditions can be compared to corresponding target thresholds to determine a user's attention level.
In operation 1302, a condition of the user is detect, as described herein. The condition represents an attention level of the user. Such a condition can be detected by one or more sensors of the head-mountable device and/or another device.
In operation 1304, the condition is compared to a threshold that represents a target attention level of the user. If the condition is above or at a threshold, then the detection can continue. If the condition is below a threshold, then the attention of the user is determined to be at an insufficient level.
In operation 1306, one or more indicators can be provided to the user. Such indicators can be based on the conditions, thresholds, and the like as described herein. The indicators can be progressively changing based on the detected conditions.
In operation 1308, if the user has not performed a recommended activity or otherwise remedied the attention level, then the indicator can remain or change until such conditions are addressed and/or ameliorated.
If the user has performed a recommended activity or otherwise remedied the attention level, then the head-mountable device can proceed to evaluate the effectiveness of the activity or the indicator. For example, in operation 1310, the head-mountable device can detect an updated condition of the user. Such a condition can be the same type of condition detected in operation 1302.
In operation 1312, the conditions can be compared to each other to determine how effective the indicator, the activity, and/or other events were at improving the attention level of the user.
In operation 1314, the indicator, activity, and/or other event can be recorded along with the comparison as a record of how effectively they improved the user's attention. Such a record can be used and referenced in later operations to determine how the head-mountable device will react to future changes in attention level. For example, where an indicator, activity, and/or other event are found to be highly effective (e.g., bring about a great change in attention level), such an indicator, activity, and/or other events can be used as needed when the user's attention level again is below a threshold. By further example, where an indicator, activity, and/or other event are found to be ineffective (e.g., bring about a small or no change in attention level), such an indicator, activity, and/or other event can be avoided or placed in lower priority when the user's attention level again is below a threshold. As such, the head-mountable device can, over time, become tuned to a user's attention level needs.
Referring now to
As shown in
The memory 182 can store electronic data that can be used by the head-mountable device 100. For example, the memory 182 can store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing and control signals or data for the various modules, data structures or databases, and so on. The memory 182 can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory 182 can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices.
The head-mountable device 100 can further include a display 140 for displaying visual information for a user. The display 140 can provide visual (e.g., image or video) output. The display 140 can be or include an opaque, transparent, and/or translucent display. The display 140 may have a transparent or translucent medium through which light representative of images is directed to a user's eyes. The display 140 may utilize digital light projection, OLEDs, LEDs, uLEDs, liquid crystal on silicon, laser scanning light source, or any combination of these technologies. The medium may be an optical waveguide, a hologram medium, an optical combiner, an optical reflector, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the transparent or translucent display may be configured to become opaque selectively. Projection-based systems may employ retinal projection technology that projects graphical images onto a person's retina. Projection systems also may be configured to project virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface. The head-mountable device 100 can include an optical subassembly configured to help optically adjust and correctly project the image-based content being displayed by the display 140 for close up viewing. The optical subassembly can include one or more lenses, mirrors, or other optical devices.
The head-mountable device 100 can include a battery 160, which can charge and/or power components of the head-mountable device 100. The battery 160 can also charge and/or power components connected to the head-mountable device 100.
The head-mountable device 100 can include the microphone 188 as described herein. The microphone 188 can be operably connected to the processor 150 for detection of sound levels and communication of detections for further processing, as described further herein.
The head-mountable device 100 can include the speakers 194 as described herein. The speakers 194 can be operably connected to the processor 150 for control of speaker output, including sound levels, as described further herein.
The head-mountable device 100 can include an input device 186, which can include any suitable component for receiving input from a user, including buttons, keys, body sensors, gesture detection devices, microphones, and the like. It will be understood that the input device 186 can be, include, or be connected to another device, such as a keyboard, mouse, stylus, and the like.
The head-mountable device 100 can include one or more other output devices 184, such as displays, speakers, haptic feedback devices, and the like.
The eye-tracking sensor 176 can track features of the user wearing the head-mountable device 100, including conditions of the user's eye (e.g., focal distance, pupil size, etc.). For example, an eye sensor can optically capture a view of an eye (e.g., pupil) and determine a direction of a gaze of the user. Such eye tracking may be used to determine a location and/or direction of interest with respect to the display 140 and/or elements presented thereon. User interface elements can then be provided on the display 140 based on this information, for example in a region along the direction of the user's gaze or a region other than the current gaze direction, as described further herein. The detections made by the eye-tracking sensor 176 can determine user actions that are interpreted as user inputs. Such user inputs can be used alone or in combination with other user inputs to perform certain actions. By further example, such sensors can perform facial feature detection, facial movement detection, facial recognition, user mood detection, user emotion detection, voice detection, and the like.
The head-mountable device 100 can include one or more other sensors. Such sensors can be configured to sense substantially any type of characteristic such as, but not limited to, images, pressure, light, touch, force, temperature, position, motion, and so on. For example, the sensor can be a photodetector, a temperature sensor, a light or optical sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnet, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a chemical sensor, an ozone sensor, a particulate count sensor, and so on. By further example, the sensor can be a bio-sensor for tracking biometric characteristics, such as health and activity metrics.
The head-mountable device 100 can include an initial measurement unit 172 (“IMU”) that provides information regarding a characteristic of the head-mounted device, such as inertial angles thereof. For example, the IMU can include a six-degrees of freedom IMU that calculates the head-mounted device's position, velocity, and/or acceleration based on six degrees of freedom (x, y, z, 0x, Oy, and Oz). The IMU can include one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or a magnetometer. Additionally or alternatively, the head-mounted device can detect motion characteristics of the head-mounted device with one or more other motion sensors, such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning sensor, a tilt sensor, and so on for detecting movement and acceleration of the head-mounted device.
The head-mountable device 100 can include image sensors, depth sensors 174, thermal (e.g., infrared) sensors, and the like. By further example, a depth sensor can be configured to measure a distance (e.g., range) to an object (e.g., region of the user's face) via stereo triangulation, structured light, time-of-flight, interferometry, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, a face sensor and/or the device can capture and/or process an image based on one or more of hue space, brightness, color space, luminosity, and the like.
The head-mountable device 100 can include a communication interface 192 for communicating with one or more servers or other devices using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communication interface 192 can support Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth, high frequency systems (e.g., 1400 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, TCP/IP (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), HTTP, BitTorrent, FTP, RTP, RTSP, SSH, any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. A communication interface 192 can also include an antenna for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a head-mountable device that can facilitate user thought processes by recording user-perceivable experiences during a first mode while the head-mountable device is operated in a capture mode. While in the capture mode, the head-mountable device can record inputs from the user. During a second mode, the head-mountable device can reproduce the previously recorded experiences as well as the user inputs so that the user can resume development of the thoughts and ideas associated with the first mode. The head-mountable device can also track the user's conditions to monitor attention levels of the user and provide indicators to prompt a user to perform activities that will help the user refocus.
Various examples of aspects of the disclosure are described below as clauses for convenience. These are provided as examples, and do not limit the subject technology.
Clause A: a head-mountable device comprising: an input device configured to receive a first input, a second input, and a third input from a user; an environment sensor configured to detect a feature of an environment; an output device; and a processor configured to operate the head-mountable device in a first mode in which: the input device receives the first input; and the environment sensor detects the feature of the environment while the input device receives the first input; the processor being further configured to operate the head-mountable device in a second mode in which: the input device receives the second input; the output device outputs to the user the first input and the feature of the environment from the first mode; the input device receives a third input from the user while the first input and the feature of the environment are being output; and record the third input to be stored with the first input.
Clause B: a head-mountable device comprising: an input device configured to receive a first input, a second input, and a third input from a user; a user sensor configured to detect a first condition and a second condition of the user; an output device; and a processor configured to operate the head-mountable device in a first mode in which: the input device receives a first input from the user; the processor records a feature of an event that is perceptible to the user while the input device receives the first input; and the user sensor detects a first condition of the user while the input device receives the first input; the processor being further configured to operate the head-mountable device in a second mode in which: the input device receives a second input from the user; the output device outputs the first input to the user; the user sensor tracks a second condition of the user while the input device receives the first input; and the output device outputs the feature of the event to the user based on a comparison between the first condition and the second condition.
Clause C: a head-mountable device comprising: an output device; a user sensor; and a processor configured to: operate the user sensor to detect a condition of a user wearing the head-mountable device, the condition indicating an attention level of the user with respect to an output of the output device; and when the condition of the user is below a threshold, operate the output device to provide an indicator to perform an activity until the condition exceeds the threshold.
One or more of the above clauses can include one or more of the features described below. It is noted that any of the following clauses may be combined in any combination with each other, and placed into a respective independent clause, e.g., clause A, B, or C.
Clause 1: the input device comprises at least one of a microphone, a touch input device, or an eye tracking device.
Clause 2: the output device comprises at least one of a speaker or a display.
Clause 3: the environment sensor is a camera; the output device is a display; and the processor is configured to: detect the feature of the environment by capturing an image of the environment with the camera; and output the feature of the environment by outputting the image with the display.
Clause 4: the input device is a microphone; the output device is a display; the first input is speech from the user; and the processor is configured to output the first input on the display as text corresponding to the speech.
Clause 5: an eye sensor configured to detect a condition of an eye of the user, wherein the feature of the environment is detected by the environment sensor and output by the output device based on a detection of the eye sensor.
Clause 6: the feature of the event that is perceptible to the user comprises a feature from an environment.
Clause 7: the feature of the event that is perceptible to the user comprises an output from the output device.
Clause 8: in the second mode, the feature of the event to the user is output until the second condition of the user matches the first condition of the user.
Clause 9: the user sensor is an eye tracking sensor, and the first condition and the second condition of the user are conditions of an eye of the user.
Clause 10: the user sensor is an eye sensor, and the condition comprises at least one of pupil dilation, eyelid status, or blink rate.
Clause 11: the user sensor comprises at least one of a depth sensor or a camera, and the condition comprises a feature of a face of the user.
Clause 12: the condition comprises at least one of heart rate, respiration rate, or temperature.
Clause 13: the output device comprises a display, and the indicator comprises a visual feature output by the display when the condition is below the threshold.
Clause 14: the threshold is a first threshold; the visual feature is a first visual feature; the indicator comprises a second visual feature, different than the first visual feature, output by the display when the condition is below a second threshold, different than the first threshold.
Clause 15: the display is configured to output an initial visual feature when the condition is above the first threshold, and the second visual feature replaces the initial visual feature when the condition is below the second threshold.
Clause 16: the processor is further configured to: detect whether the user has performed the activity; and if the user has performed the activity, operate the user sensor to detect an updated condition of the user and record, with the indicator, a comparison of the condition and the updated condition.
Clause 17: the processor is further configured to, after the user has performed the activity and when the condition of the user is below the threshold, operate the output device to provide the indicator based on the comparison of the condition and the updated condition.
As described above, one aspect of the present technology may include the gathering and use of data available from various sources. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.
The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user's general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals.
The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.
Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app.
Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user's privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods.
Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publicly available information.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; 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 predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. In one or more implementations, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code.
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.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration”. Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include”, “have”, or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects 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 are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. 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”.
The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/327,675, entitled “HEAD-MOUNTABLE DEVICE FOR USER GUIDANCE,” filed Apr. 5, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2023/017334 | 4/3/2023 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63327675 | Apr 2022 | US |