Apple continues to investigate ways to make the Vision Pro more comfortable. Now the tech giant has filed for a patent (number US 20240295740) for a “Face Engaging Structure.”
About the patent filing
The patent filing relates generally to facial interfaces of a head-mountable device (HMD). More particularly, the present embodiments relate to facial interfaces of a HMD that can provide increased comfort and flexure.
In the patent filing Apple notes that recent advances in portable computing have enabled HMDs such as the Vision Pro that provide augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences to users. Such head-mountable devices typically include various components such as a display, viewing frame, lens, battery, motor, speaker, and other components.
These components can operate together to provide an immersive user experience. In particular, head mountable-devices include components that help provide a distraction-free setting by blocking or sealing out the outer environment (e.g., ambient light).
Additionally, users have myriad different anatomical features, including head size, eye location, cheek and forehead bone structure, and so forth. Apple says that, unfortunately, conventional head-mountable devices fail to provide a custom, comfortable fit for a fully immersive experience.
After all, users of a HMD may have differing facial structures that the head-mountable device cannot accommodate. Apple says this user-to-user variation can create a poor user experience, causing pressure on a user’s face from the head-mountable device. Additionally, longer durations of wear can exacerbate ill-fitting conventional head-mountable devices.
Apple says a head-mountable device capable of dynamically adapting to different user facial profiles is desired. Likewise, Apple wants the Vision Pro to be capable of mitigating one or more effects of prolonged use.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “A head-mountable device can include: a display portion including a display; a pneumatic facial interface; and a securement assembly connectable to the display portion. In some examples, the securement assembly includes: a removable strap comprising an electronics pod; and a retention band connectable to the removable strap.”
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