Abstract: Embodiments of a near-to-eye display include a light guide with a proximal end, a distal end, a front surface spaced apart from a back surface, an ambient input region on the front surface and an output region on the back surface. A display and a camera are positioned at or near the proximal end. A proximal optical element is positioned in the light guide and optically coupled to the display and the camera. A distal optical element is positioned in the light guide and optically coupled to the proximal optical element, the ambient input region and the output region. The proximal optical element can direct display light toward the distal optical element and ambient light to the camera, and the distal optical element can direct display light to the output region and ambient light to the output region and to the proximal optical element.

Abstract: Methods and systems for unlocking a screen using eye tracking information are described. A computing system may include a display screen. The computing system may be in a locked mode of operation after a period of inactivity by a user. Locked mode of operation may include a locked screen and reduced functionality of the computing system. The user may attempt to unlock the screen. The computing system may generate a display of a moving object on the display screen of the computing system. An eye tracking system may be coupled to the computing system. The eye tracking system may track eye movement of the user. The computing system may determine that a path associated with the eye movement of the user substantially matches a path associated with the moving object on the display and switch to be in an unlocked mode of operation including unlocking the screen.

Abstract: An optical system includes a display panel, an image former, a viewing window, a proximal beam splitter, and a distal beam splitter. The display panel is configured to generate a light pattern. The image former is configured to form a virtual image from the light pattern generated by the display panel. The viewing window is configured to allow outside light in from outside of the optical system. The virtual image and the outside light are viewable along a viewing axis extending through the proximal beam splitter. The distal beam splitter is optically coupled to the display panel and the proximal beam splitter and has a beam-splitting interface in a plane that is parallel to the viewing axis. A camera may also be optically coupled to the distal beam splitter so as to be able to receive a portion of the outside light that is viewable along the viewing axis.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for displaying one or more indications that indicate (i) the direction of a source of sound and (ii) the intensity level of the sound are disclosed. A method may involve receiving audio data corresponding to sound detected by a wearable computing system. Further, the method may involve analyzing the audio data to determine both (i) a direction from the wearable computing system of a source of the sound and (ii) an intensity level of the sound. Still further, the method may involve causing the wearable computing system to display one or more indications that indicate (i) the direction of the source of the sound and (ii) the intensity level of the sound.

Abstract: Methods and systems for unlocking a screen using eye tracking information are described. A computing system may include a display screen. The computing system may be in a locked mode of operation after a period of inactivity by a user. Locked mode of operation may include a locked screen and reduced functionality of the computing system. The user may attempt to unlock the screen. The computing system may generate a display of a moving object on the display screen of the computing system. An eye tracking system may be coupled to the computing system. The eye tracking system may track eye movement of the user. The computing system may determine that a path associated with the eye movement of the user substantially matches a path associated with the moving object on the display and switch to be in an unlocked mode of operation including unlocking the screen.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for displaying one or more indications that indicate (i) the direction of a source of sound and (ii) the intensity level of the sound are disclosed. A method may involve receiving audio data corresponding to sound detected by a wearable computing system. Further, the method may involve analyzing the audio data to determine both (i) a direction from the wearable computing system of a source of the sound and (ii) an intensity level of the sound. Still further, the method may involve causing the wearable computing system to display one or more indications that indicate (i) the direction of the source of the sound and (ii) the intensity level of the sound.

Abstract: An optical system has an aperture through which virtual and real-world images are viewable along a viewing axis. The optical system may be incorporated into a head-mounted display (HMD). By modulating the length of the optical path along an optical axis within the optical system, the virtual image may appear to be at different distances away from the HMD wearer. The wearable computer of the HMD may be used to control the length of the optical path. The length of the optical path may be modulated using, for example, a piezoelectric actuator or stepper motor. By determining the distance to an object with respect to the HMD using a range-finder or autofocus camera, the virtual images may be controlled to appear at various distances and locations in relation to the target object and/or HMD wearer.

Abstract: A wearable computing device includes a head-mounted display (HMD) that provides a field of view in which at least a portion of the environment of the wearable computing device is viewable. The HMD is operable to display images superimposed over the field of view. When the wearable computing device determines that a target device is within its environment, the wearable computing device obtains target device information related to the target device. The target device information may include information that defines a virtual control interface for controlling the target device and an identification of a defined area of the target device on which the virtual control image is to be provided. The wearable computing device controls the HMD to display the virtual control image as an image superimposed over the defined area of the target device in the field of view.

Abstract: A method includes generating a light pattern using a display panel and forming a virtual image from the light pattern utilizing one or more optical components. The virtual image is viewable from a viewing location. The method also includes receiving external light from a real-world environment incident on an optical sensor. The real-world environment is viewable from the viewing location. Further, the method includes obtaining an image of the real-world environment from the received external light, identifying a background feature in the image of the real-world environment over which the virtual image is overlaid, and extracting one or more visual characteristics of the background feature. Additionally, the method includes comparing the one or more visual characteristics to an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value and controlling the generation of the light pattern based on the comparison.

Abstract: An optical system includes a display panel, an image former, a viewing window, a proximal beam splitter, and a distal beam splitter. The display panel is configured to generate a light pattern. The image former is configured to form a virtual image from the light pattern generated by the display panel. The viewing window is configured to allow outside light in from outside of the optical system. The virtual image and the outside light are viewable along a viewing axis extending through the proximal beam splitter. The distal beam splitter is optically coupled to the display panel and the proximal beam splitter and has a beam-splitting interface in a plane that is parallel to the viewing axis. A camera may also be optically coupled to the distal beam splitter so as to be able to receive a portion of the outside light that is viewable along the viewing axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing electrical noise from an input signal from a touchpad device are provided. The touchpad device and one or more sensors may be coupled to a frame. Mechanical vibrations resulting from contact with a surface of the touchpad device during a motion input to the touchpad device may propagate via the frame to the one or more sensors. Information from the input signal and mechanical vibration signals received by one or more sensors may be processed to remove the electric noise from the input signal. In one example, information associated with relative motion of the input may be determined based on varying intensities of mechanical vibration signals received from the one or more sensors. Information of the input signal and the information associated with the relative motion may be correlated to determine position and/or movement information associated with the motion input.

Abstract: Methods and systems for unlocking a screen using eye tracking information are described. A computing system may include a display screen. The computing system may be in a locked mode of operation after a period of inactivity by a user. Locked mode of operation may include a locked screen and reduced functionality of the computing system. The user may attempt to unlock the screen. The computing system may generate a display of a moving object on the display screen of the computing system. An eye tracking system may be coupled to the computing system. The eye tracking system may track eye movement of the user. The computing system may determine that a path associated with the eye movement of the user substantially matches a path associated with the moving object on the display and switch to be in an unlocked mode of operation including unlocking the screen.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for displaying one or more indications that indicate (i) the direction of a source of sound and (ii) the intensity level of the sound are disclosed. A method may involve receiving audio data corresponding to sound detected by a wearable computing system. Further, the method may involve analyzing the audio data to determine both (i) a direction from the wearable computing system of a source of the sound and (ii) an intensity level of the sound. Still further, the method may involve causing the wearable computing system to display one or more indications that indicate (i) the direction of the source of the sound and (ii) the intensity level of the sound.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating audio at a requested location are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving from a client device a request for audio at a requested location. The method further includes determining a location of a plurality of audio sensors, where the plurality of audio sensors are coupled to head-mounted devices in which a location of each of the plurality of audio sensors varies. The method further includes, based on the requested location and the location of the plurality of audio sensors, determining an ad hoc array of audio sensors, receiving audio sensed from audio sensors in the ad hoc array, and processing the audio sensed from audio sensors in the ad hoc array to produce an output substantially estimating audio at the requested location.

Abstract: There is provided a media player including a casing with a front panel mounted thereon; the front panel including at least one touch sensor; and at least one mechanical switch incorporated within the casing. It is preferable that a combination of activating at least one touch sensor, and activating the at least one mechanical switch at least once is required for the activation of at least one function from a first set of functions of the media player. The media player may be an audio media player, a video media player, a digital photo viewer or a combination of the aforementioned. Associated methods to provide instructions to the media player are also disclosed.