18352967. Electronic Devices With Drop Protection simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)

Electronic Devices With Drop Protection

Organization Name

Apple Inc.

Inventor(s)

Matin Seadat Beheshti of Sunnyvale CA (US)

Aidan N. Zimmerman of Poway CA (US)

John S. Camp of Los Gatos CA (US)

Electronic Devices With Drop Protection - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18352967 titled 'Electronic Devices With Drop Protection

Simplified Explanation

The head-mounted device described in the patent application includes optical assemblies that present images to a user. Actuators are used to adjust the spacing between the optical assemblies to accommodate different interpupillary distances. In the event of a power-down or drop event, the device can be placed into an impact-safe mode. During this safe mode, the optical assemblies are moved to predetermined impact-safe positions, brakes such as optical guide rail brakes are adjusted, cushioning springs are deployed, clutches are adjusted, and other safety mechanisms are activated to protect the optical assemblies and other sensitive components from damage.

• Optical assemblies present images to the user
• Actuators adjust spacing between optical assemblies for different interpupillary distances
• Impact-safe mode activated in power-down or drop events
• Optical assemblies moved to impact-safe positions
• Brakes, cushioning springs, clutches, and other safety mechanisms activated to protect components

Potential Applications

The technology described in this patent application could be applied in various industries such as virtual reality, augmented reality, gaming, and medical devices.

Problems Solved

This technology solves the problem of potential damage to optical assemblies and sensitive components in head-mounted devices during power-down or drop events.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include increased durability and protection of components, ensuring a longer lifespan for head-mounted devices.

Potential Commercial Applications

The potential commercial applications of this technology include VR headsets, AR glasses, gaming headsets, and medical devices for surgical visualization.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be impact-safe mechanisms in other electronic devices such as smartphones or laptops to protect components from damage during falls or impacts.

How does the impact-safe mode affect the overall user experience of the head-mounted device?

The impact-safe mode described in the patent application focuses on protecting the internal components of the device. However, it is unclear how this mode may impact the user experience in terms of comfort, usability, and overall performance.

Are there any potential drawbacks or limitations to the impact-safe mode described in the patent application?

While the impact-safe mode is designed to protect the device from damage, there may be potential drawbacks or limitations such as increased weight, complexity, or cost of the device. It is important to consider these factors when implementing the impact-safe mode in practical applications.

Original Abstract Submitted

A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. Actuators may be used to adjust the spacing between the optical assemblies to accommodate different interpupillary distances. Upon detection of a power-down event or drop event, the device may be placed into an impact-safe mode. During the safe mode, the optical assemblies may be moved to predetermined impact-safe positions, brakes such as optical guide rail brakes may be adjusted, cushioning springs may be deployed, clutches may be adjusted, and/or other safety mechanisms may be activated to help protect the optical assemblies or other sensitive components from damage.