Patents by Inventor Blake N. Trekell

Blake N. Trekell 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).

  • Patent number: 12287485
    Abstract: An optical module for a head-mounted device is configured to present content to a user. The optical module includes an optical module housing assembly, a display assembly, and an eye camera. The optical module housing assembly has a first end and a second end. The lens is connected to the optical module housing assembly and positioned at the first end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause the content to be displayed to the user through the lens. The eye camera is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The eye camera is configured to obtain images through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Jan K. Quijalvo, Anna V. Mirabella, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jeremy C. Franklin, Forrest C. Wang, Marinus Meursing, Blake N. Trekell, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20250067985
    Abstract: An optical module for a head-mounted device is configured to present content to a user. The optical module includes a housing, a first optical module disposed in the housing, and a second optical module disposed in the housing. The optical module includes an interpupillary distance adjustment assembly including supports coupled to the housing and configured to guide motion of the first optical module and the second optical module with respect to the housing to allow adjustment of a distance between the first optical module and the second optical module. The optical axes of the first optical module and the second optical module extend generally in a front-to-back direction of the housing. Motion axes of the supports extend generally in a side-to-side direction of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Jan K. Quijalvo, Anna V. Mirabella, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jeremy C. Franklin, Forrest C. Wang, Marinus Meursing, Blake N. Trekell, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20250036201
    Abstract: A head-mountable display can include a structural frame defining a viewing opening, an optical module coupled to the structural frame. The optical module can include a display screen to project light through the viewing opening. The display screen can define an inner edge, an outer edge opposite the inner edge, a lower edge extending between the inner edge and the outer edge, and an upper edge opposite the lower edge. The optical module can include a first camera disposed adjacent the inner edge and closer to the lower edge than the upper edge, and a second camera disposed adjacent the lower edge and closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Blake N. Trekell, Ivan S. Maric, Marinus Meursing
  • Publication number: 20250028179
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. The optical assemblies may each have a display for generating an image and a lens that presents the image to a corresponding eye box for viewing by a user. The optical assemblies may have lens barrels. Each lens barrel may have a first end to which a display is mounted and may have an opposing second end. A mount may be used to attach the lens to the second end of the lens barrel. The mount may have at least one flexure. The flexure may have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The mount may have a ring-shaped flexure that extends around a peripheral edge of the lens, may have flexure segments, or may have a set of three discrete flexures located at different positions along the edge of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Blake N Trekell, Aidan N Zimmerman, Clas Magnus Oscar Oldenbo, Andrew Nichols, Ransomed I Adebayo, Peter Pilarz, Jesse Melrose
  • Publication number: 20250013000
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. Each optical assembly may have a support with first and second portions that move relative to each other. A motor in each optical assembly may move the second portion of that optical assembly relative to the first portion of that optical assembly. The optical assemblies may each have guide rods along which the second portion of the optical assembly slides relative to the first portion. A lens in each optical assembly may be used to convey an image from a display in the optical assembly to an eye box for viewing by a user. The lens and display may be mounted to the second portion. Face bumpers may be mounted to the first portion. To adjust eye relief, the motor of each optical assembly may move the second portion relative to the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Trevor S. Chambers, Ivan S. Maric, Matin Seadat Beheshti, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Shannon Pomeroy, Blake N. Trekell
  • Publication number: 20240419002
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. Each optical assembly may have a support, a fixed lens mounted to the support, and a display configured to provide an image to an eye box through the fixed lens. Removable vision correction lenses may be used to correct for user vision defects such as nearsightedness. The vision correction lenses may be removably coupled to the optical assemblies. When coupled to the optical assemblies, the vision correction lenses overlap the fixed lenses. Each removable vision correction lens and corresponding optical assembly may have structures such as kinematic mount alignment protrusions and recesses configured to form a kinematic coupling. Debris mitigation features may be provided such as alignment structure debris covers, debris collection grooves, magnets for attracting debris, adhesive for gathering debris, and liquid drainage holes to facilitate washing to remove debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Ivan S Maric, Blake N Trekell
  • Patent number: 12158590
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. The optical assemblies may each have a display for generating an image and a lens that presents the image to a corresponding eye box for viewing by a user. The optical assemblies may have lens barrels. Each lens barrel may have a first end to which a display is mounted and may have an opposing second end. A mount may be used to attach the lens to the second end of the lens barrel. The mount may have at least one flexure. The flexure may have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The mount may have a ring-shaped flexure that extends around a peripheral edge of the lens, may have flexure segments, or may have a set of three discrete flexures located at different positions along the edge of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Blake N Trekell, Aidan N Zimmerman, Clas Magnus Oscar Oldenbo, Andrew Nichols, Ransomed I Adebayo, Peter Pilarz, Jesse Melrose
  • Publication number: 20240385686
    Abstract: A head-mountable display can include a structural frame defining a viewing opening, an optical module coupled to the structural frame. The optical module can include a display screen to project light through the viewing opening. The display screen can define an inner edge, an outer edge opposite the inner edge, a lower edge extending between the inner edge and the outer edge, and an upper edge opposite the lower edge. The optical module can include a first camera disposed adjacent the inner edge and closer to the lower edge than the upper edge, and a second camera disposed adjacent the lower edge and closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Blake N. Trekell, Ivan S. Maric, Marinus Meursing
  • Patent number: 12147598
    Abstract: A head-mountable display can include a structural frame defining a viewing opening, an optical module coupled to the structural frame. The optical module can include a display screen to project light through the viewing opening. The display screen can define an inner edge, an outer edge opposite the inner edge, a lower edge extending between the inner edge and the outer edge, and an upper edge opposite the lower edge. The optical module can include a first camera disposed adjacent the inner edge and closer to the lower edge than the upper edge, and a second camera disposed adjacent the lower edge and closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Blake N. Trekell, Ivan S. Maric, Marinus Meursing
  • Publication number: 20240192505
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. The optical assemblies may each have a display for generating an image and a lens that presents the image to a corresponding eye box for viewing by a user. The optical assemblies may have lens barrels. Each lens barrel may have a first end to which a display is mounted and may have an opposing second end. A mount may be used to attach the lens to the second end of the lens barrel. The mount may have at least one flexure. The flexure may have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The mount may have a ring-shaped flexure that extends around a peripheral edge of the lens, may have flexure segments, or may have a set of three discrete flexures located at different positions along the edge of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Blake N Trekell, Aidan N Zimmerman, Clas Magnus Oscar Oldenbo, Andrew Nichols, Ransomed I Adebayo, Peter Pilarz, Jesse Melrose
  • Publication number: 20240094548
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. Motors may be used to adjust the spacing between the optical assemblies to accommodate different interpupillary distances. Gaze trackers may be used to make interpupillary distance measurements and eye relief measurements. Adjustments to the positions of the optical assemblies may be made by the motors based on the interpupillary distance measurements and eye relief measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Shannon Pomeroy, Kristina A. Babiarz, Jia Tao, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Matin Seadat Beheshti, Blake N. Trekell, William W. Sprague, Anna V. Mirabella
  • Publication number: 20240045213
    Abstract: An optical module for a head-mounted device is configured to present content to a user. The optical module includes an optical module housing assembly, a display assembly, and an eye camera. The optical module housing assembly has a first end and a second end. The lens is connected to the optical module housing assembly and positioned at the first end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause the content to be displayed to the user through the lens. The eye camera is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The eye camera is configured to obtain images through the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Jan K. Quijalvo, Anna V. Mirabella, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jeremy C. Franklin, Forrest C. Wang, Marinus Meursing, Blake N. Trekell, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11822081
    Abstract: An optical module for a head-mounted device is configured to present content to a user. The optical module includes an optical module housing assembly, a display assembly, and an eye camera. The optical module housing assembly has a first end and a second end. The lens is connected to the optical module housing assembly and positioned at the first end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause the content to be displayed to the user through the lens. The eye camera is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The eye camera is configured to obtain images through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Jan K. Quijalvo, Anna V. Mirabella, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jeremy C. Franklin, Forrest C. Wang, Marinus Meursing, Blake N. Trekell, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20210063744
    Abstract: An optical module for a head-mounted device is configured to present content to a user. The optical module includes an optical module housing assembly, a display assembly, and an eye camera. The optical module housing assembly has a first end and a second end. The lens is connected to the optical module housing assembly and positioned at the first end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause the content to be displayed to the user through the lens. The eye camera is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The eye camera is configured to obtain images through the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Jan K. Quijalvo, Anna V. Mirabella, Wey-Jiun Lin, Jeremy C. Franklin, Forrest C. Wang, Marinus Meursing, Blake N. Trekell, Aidan N. Zimmerman