Patents by Inventor Ritu Shah

Ritu Shah has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240176100
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing that is configured to be worn on a head of a user. While the head-mounted device is being worn, displays in the head-mounted device may provide images to eye boxes. The user may view images in the eye boxes. The head-mounted housing may have a forward-facing front portion, may have a rearward-facing rear portion that faces away from the front portion towards the eye boxes, and may have a middle portion between the front and rear portions. The middle portion may have openings that receive left and right optical modules containing left and right displays and corresponding left and right lenses. A camera bracket and optical module guide rails may be centrally attached to the middle housing portion between the left and right openings and may have ends that are suspended in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Edward S. Huo, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Evan D. Christensen, Jan K. Quijalvo, Jason C. Sauers, Jason L. Slupeiks, Jeremy C. Franklin, Ritu Shah
  • Patent number: 11953690
    Abstract: Multiple head-mounted devices and/or other electronic devices can operate in concert to provide multiple users with shared experiences and content enjoyment. Such operations can be facilitated by a connection between multiple head-mounted devices and/or other electronic devices to allow different users to receive content. Such a connection can be made possible by a connector that directly and physically connects head-mounted devices and/or other electronic devices to each other and transmits signals there between. By providing a physical connection, the signals can be efficiently transmitted even when other types of connections (e.g., wireless) are not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest C. Wang, Ritu Shah
  • Publication number: 20240077739
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing. The head-mounted housing may have rear-facing displays that display images for a user. The images are viewable from eye boxes while the head-mounted device is being worn by the user. The displays may be mounted in left and right optical modules that have respective left and right lenses. A positioning system may be used to adjust the spacing between the left and right optical modules to accommodate different interpupillary distances. An adjustable heat extraction system may be provided that includes fans configured to force air between airflow inlets and outlets past heat sinks. The heat sinks may have fins that are adjusted in orientation and/or that are otherwise adjusted based on changes in optical module spacing. The airflow inlets and/or outlets may have adjustable louvers or other movable members that allow these ports to be fully opened, fully closed, or partly closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Forrest C. Wang, Ritu Shah
  • Patent number: 11871517
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display with an array of pixels for displaying images. The electronic device may also have a lens through which the images are viewable on the display. The display may have a display panel that is mounted to a printed circuit stack. The printed circuit stack may include multiple printed circuit layers to which components are mounted. The components may include an orientation sensor overlapped by the display panel. A camera may be mounted to a printed circuit stack and may overlap one or more electrical components such as an orientation sensor. The printed circuit stacks may include rigid and flexible printed circuits coupled together using solder and other conductive connections. Air gaps may be created between stacked printed circuit layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad F. Hossain, Syed F. Mohiuddin, Ritu Shah, Jonathan C. Atler, Nicholas C. Soldner
  • Patent number: 11852834
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing. The head-mounted housing may have rear-facing displays that display images for a user. The images are viewable from eye boxes while the head-mounted device is being worn by the user. The displays may be mounted in left and right optical modules that have respective left and right lenses. A positioning system may be used to adjust the spacing between the left and right optical modules to accommodate different interpupillary distances. An adjustable heat extraction system may be provided that includes fans configured to force air between airflow inlets and outlets past heat sinks. The heat sinks may have fins that are adjusted in orientation and/or that are otherwise adjusted based on changes in optical module spacing. The airflow inlets and/or outlets may have adjustable louvers or other movable members that allow these ports to be fully opened, fully closed, or partly closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest C. Wang, Ritu Shah
  • Publication number: 20230359048
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing. The head-mounted housing may have rear-facing displays that display images for a user. The images are viewable from eye boxes while the head-mounted device is being worn by the user. A publicly viewable front-facing display may be mounted on a front face of the head-mounted housing. A display cover layer may overlap a pixel array associated with the front-facing display. An inactive border area of the display cover layer may overlap optical components. Shutter systems may be provided between the display cover layer and the optical components to selectively block light. Actuators may move shutter members or other movable members to cover and uncover the optical components. A removable cover may be used to protect the display cover layer and may have portions in different areas that have different optical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ritu Shah, Forrest C. Wang
  • Patent number: 11800231
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a display unit, a head support, and cameras. The display unit includes a display for outputting graphical content. The head support is coupled to the display unit for engaging a head of a user to support the display unit with the display in front of an eye of the user. The cameras are each coupled to one of the display unit or the head support. The cameras have camera fields of view that overlap horizontally to cooperatively provide the head-mounted display with a head-mounted display field of view of 360 degrees horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ritu Shah, Forrest C. Wang
  • Publication number: 20230336708
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include display elements and/or cameras that can be calibrated for accurate recording and visual output. Whereas some aspects of a head-mountable device can be calibrated at the time of production, usage and wear of the head-mountable device can result in certain components becoming misaligned. A case or other reference can be used to calibrate the cameras of the head-mountable device to ensure that the captured images are recorded in a target alignment. The case can be operated with the head-mountable device to calibrate the display elements of the head-mountable device to ensure that the images are output in a target alignment. Such calibration can include consideration of any lenses installed in front of the display elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ritu SHAH, Forrest C. WANG
  • Publication number: 20230324690
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure. Displays may present images to eye boxes at the rear of the head-mounted support structure. Cameras and other sensors may be supported by the head-mounted support structure. Tracking cameras may be used to track the movement of a user's hands or other external objects. In dim ambient lighting conditions, a supplemental illumination system may be activated to provide supplemental illumination for the tracking cameras. A single beam of supplemental illumination may be emitted over a given coverage area or a smaller beam of supplemental illumination may be steered across the given coverage area. Light-emitting devices such as infrared light-emitting diodes and infrared lasers may be used to form infrared light sources for the supplemental illumination system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Ritu Shah, Edward S. Huo, Jason L. Slupeiks, Ryan J. Dunn, Tom Sengelaub, Tong Chen
  • Publication number: 20230325039
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a head mounted device may have an inner display that displays an image for a user through lenses. Head-mounted support structures may be used to support the display and lenses. One or more external displays may be publicly viewable while the head-mounted device is being worn. The head-mounted support structures may have a front face on which an external display is mounted. One or more finger sensors that are configured to detect touch input, force input, and/or other input from an external object such as a user's finger may be included in the head-mounted device. A finger sensor may have an elongated shape that runs along a peripheral edge of an external display on the front face. Finger sensors may also be located on other portions of the support structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Forrest C. Wang, Ritu Shah
  • Publication number: 20230314808
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure. Rear-facing displays may present images to eye boxes at the rear of the head-mounted support structure. A forward-facing publicly viewable display may be supported on a front side of the head-mounted support structure facing away from the rear-facing displays. The forward-facing display may have pixels that form an active area in which images are displayed and may have a ring-shaped inactive border area that surrounds the pixels. A cosmetic covering structure such as ring-shaped shroud member may overlap optical components in the inactive border area. The optical components may be received within through-hole openings in the cosmetic covering structure and/or may operate through transparent portions of the cosmetic covering structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Olson, Anthony S. Montevirgen, David A. Schmuck, Divakar Singamsetty, Edward S. Huo, Jason L. Slupeiks, Jeremy C. Franklin, Ritu Shah, Timothy Y. Chang, Yamile Pariente Monalli, Jason C. Sauers
  • Publication number: 20230306927
    Abstract: Operating an outward-facing display device for low light conditions may include receiving information indicative of ambient lighting conditions for the display device's environment; in accordance with a determination that the ambient lighting conditions do not satisfy a brightness criterion, determining a set of pixels in the outward-facing display device corresponding to an area of interest in the environment; and driving the set of pixels at a particular brightness to improve lighting in the area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Ritu Shah, Ryan J. Dunn, Tom Sengelaub
  • Publication number: 20230300313
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure. Rear-facing displays may present images to eye boxes at the rear of the head-mounted support structure. A forward-facing publicly viewable display may be supported on a front side of the head-mounted support structure facing away from the rear-facing displays. The forward-facing display may have pixels that form an active area in which images are displayed and may have a ring-shaped inactive border area that surrounds the pixels. The active area may have a curved peripheral edge with a nose bridge recess. The inactive border area may have a periphery that runs parallel to the peripheral edge of the active area. The forward-facing display may have a cover layer with a developable surface overlapping the active area and a ring-shaped surface of compound curvature that overlaps the inactive area. Optical components may operate through the cover layer in the inactive area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Olson, Anthony S. Montevirgen, David A. Schmuck, Divakar Singamsetty, Edward S. Huo, Jason L. Slupeiks, Jeremy C. Franklin, Ritu Shah, Timothy Y. Chang, Yamile Pariente Monalli, Jason C. Sauers
  • Patent number: 11747632
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing. The head-mounted housing may have rear-facing displays that display images for a user. The images are viewable from eye boxes while the head-mounted device is being worn by the user. A publicly viewable front-facing display may be mounted on a front face of the head-mounted housing. A display cover layer may overlap a pixel array associated with the front-facing display. An inactive border area of the display cover layer may overlap optical components. Shutter systems may be provided between the display cover layer and the optical components to selectively block light. Actuators may move shutter members or other movable members to cover and uncover the optical components. A removable cover may be used to protect the display cover layer and may have portions in different areas that have different optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ritu Shah, Forrest C. Wang
  • Patent number: 11740742
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a head mounted device may have an inner display that displays an image for a user through lenses. Head-mounted support structures may be used to support the display and lenses. One or more external displays may be publically viewable while the head-mounted device is being worn. The head-mounted support structures may have a front face on which an external display is mounted. One or more finger sensors that are configured to detect touch input, force input, and/or other input from an external object such as a user's finger may be included in the head-mounted device. A finger sensor may have an elongated shape that runs along a peripheral edge of an external display on the front face. Finger sensors may also be located on other portions of the support structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest C. Wang, Ritu Shah
  • Patent number: 11729373
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include display elements and/or cameras that can be calibrated for accurate recording and visual output. Whereas some aspects of a head-mountable device can be calibrated at the time of production, usage and wear of the head-mountable device can result in certain components becoming misaligned. A case or other reference can be used to calibrate the cameras of the head-mountable device to ensure that the captured images are recorded in a target alignment. The case can be operated with the head-mountable device to calibrate the display elements of the head-mountable device to ensure that the images are output in a target alignment. Such calibration can include consideration of any lenses installed in front of the display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ritu Shah, Forrest C. Wang
  • Publication number: 20230228999
    Abstract: Multiple head-mounted devices and/or other electronic devices can operate in concert to provide multiple users with shared experiences and content enjoyment. Such operations can be facilitated by a connection between multiple head-mounted devices and/or other electronic devices to allow different users to receive content. Such a connection can be made possible by a connector that directly and physically connects head-mounted devices and/or other electronic devices to each other and transmits signals there between. By providing a physical connection, the signals can be efficiently transmitted even when other types of connections (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Forrest C. WANG, Ritu Shah
  • Publication number: 20230229007
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include modules that provide fit adjustment capabilities when assembled together. By providing a head-mountable device with modular features, certain modules can provide fit adjustment capabilities without requiring other modules to be custom designed or available in a wide variety of sizes and/or shapes. The head-mountable device and/or other electronic devices can be operated to guide a user to select the optimal light seal module for use with an HMD module. For example, the head-mountable device or another device can include sensors for detecting features of the user's face, forces distributed on the face when worn, and/or entry of light from an external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Ritu SHAH, Yoonhoo Jo, Forrest C. Wang, Scott M. Leinweber, Adam Y. Kollgaard
  • Publication number: 20210089150
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a head mounted device may have an inner display that displays an image for a user through lenses. Head-mounted support structures may be used to support the display and lenses. One or more external displays may be publically viewable while the head-mounted device is being worn. The head-mounted support structures may have a front face on which an external display is mounted. One or more finger sensors that are configured to detect touch input, force input, and/or other input from an external object such as a user's finger may be included in the head-mounted device. A finger sensor may have an elongated shape that runs along a peripheral edge of an external display on the front face. Finger sensors may also be located on other portions of the support structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Forrest C. Wang, Ritu Shah
  • Publication number: 20210092292
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a display unit, a head support, and cameras. The display unit includes a display for outputting graphical content. The head support is coupled to the display unit for engaging a head of a user to support the display unit with the display in front of an eye of the user. The cameras are each coupled to one of the display unit or the head support. The cameras have camera fields of view that overlap horizontally to cooperatively provide the head-mounted display with a head-mounted display field of view of 360 degrees horizontal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Ritu Shah, Forrest C. Wang