Patents by Inventor Cameron Harder
Cameron Harder 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).
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Publication number: 20240103280Abstract: A display may include a waveguide having an output coupler that couples image light out of the waveguide and towards a lens, which imparts a first power to the image light. A cover layer may have an outer surface with a three-dimensional curvature and an inner surface. A portion of the inner surface overlapping the output coupler may have a different three-dimensional curvature that forms an additional lens in the cover layer that transmits world light to the output coupler. The output coupler may transmit the world light to the lens, which transmits the world and image light to the eye box. The curvature of the portion of the inner surface may impart power to the world light that reverses the first power and/or a power imparted to the world light by the outer surface of the cover layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Barbara J. Kruse, Vikrant Bhakta, John Raff, Cameron A. Harder, Nawaf Al-Baghly
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Publication number: 20240103303Abstract: A wearable apparatus can include a head-mountable device that includes: a display, a display frame housing the display, arms connected to the display frame, a processor, and a battery electrically coupled to the processor. In addition, the wearable apparatus can include a wearable power device connectable to the battery of the head-mountable device when the head-mountable device is worn on a person or a clothing of the person.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Alison B. Shutzberg, Christopher W. Sarli, Darshan R. Kasar, Cameron A. Harder, John Raff
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Publication number: 20240085703Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a housing having openings that receive lenses. Displays may output images. Waveguides that overlap the lenses may receive the images from the displays and may direct the images to eye boxes that are aligned with the lenses. Infrared light sources such as infrared light-emitting diodes or lasers may be used to supply infrared light to the waveguides. Each waveguide may have multiple localized output couplers that overlap the lenses. The localized output couplers of each lens each direct a beam of the infrared light out of the waveguide towards an eye surface in the eye box associated with that lens to produce an eye glint. A gaze tracker infrared camera may captured images of the eye glints to determine a user's point of gaze.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Chih Jen Chen, Brian S Lau, Cameron A Harder, David A Kalinowski
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Publication number: 20240027753Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a housing with a frame that supports lenses. Each lens may have a positive bias lens element and a negative bias lens element. A waveguide may overlap the lens. During operation, images from the waveguide may be provided to an eye box through the negative bias lens element. An eye sensor such as a gaze tracking camera may operate through the negative bias lens element. The negative bias lens element may have a protruding portion through which the sensor operates, may have a surface facing the sensor that has a curved surface to provide a desired lens characteristic, may have a prism for helping to couple light from the eye box to the eye sensor, and/or may have other features to facilitate use of the eye sensor to monitor the eye of a user in the eye box.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Michael J. Oudenhoven, Brian S. Lau, Cameron A. Harder, Depeng Wang, Vikrant Bhakta
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Publication number: 20230393405Abstract: Eyewear such as a head-mounted device may include display-optimized lenses. The lenses may be optimized for viewing an external display while also providing sun protection for the user's eyes. The external display may form part of a handheld electronic device that serves as a controller for the head-mounted device. The lenses in the head-mounted device may reduce ambient light brightness while maintaining the brightness of the external display so that the user can use the external display while wearing the head-mounted device. The user may, for example, provide touch input to the external display to adjust display content on the head-mounted display. The lenses may include a polarizer and a color filter having a transmission spectrum curve with peaks corresponding to the primary colors of the external display. The lenses may be removable clip-on lenses and the light filter may be an electrochromic filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Jonathan C Moisant-Thompson, Alexandre Chapiro, Bennett S Wilburn, Seth E Hunter, Ove Lyngnes, Nicolas P Bonnier, Cameron A Harder, Nawaf Al-Baghly
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Publication number: 20230377536Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a left display and a right display that provide respective left and right images. Left and right optical combiner systems may be configured to pass real-world light to left and right eye boxes while directing the left and right images respectively to the left and right eye boxes. Misalignment of the left and right images with respect to the left and right eye boxes may be detected using gaze tracking systems, using cameras such as front-facing cameras in conjunction with a database of known real-world object properties, using visual inertial odometry systems formed from cameras and inertial measurement units, or using one or more sensors in a portable head-mounted device case or other item with a receptacle configured to receive a head-mounted device. Compensating adjustments may be made to the images based on the measured misalignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: David A. Kalinowski, Brian S. Lau, Cameron A. Harder, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Patent number: 11774757Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include a light projection display element that is directly coupled to an assembly that includes a waveguide. Such a direct coupling can be achieved by bonding the light projection display element directly to a lens or other optical component that is, in turn, directly coupled to the waveguide. Such an optical module can be assembled outside of the head-mountable device for precision alignment and subsequently installed as an integrated unit. These measures can help maintain component alignment while allowing a head-mountable device to be lightweight and small in size.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Cameron A. Harder, David A. Kalinowski
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Publication number: 20230305301Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include connection mechanisms that provide adjustable and exchangeable connections with other devices to enhance performance of the head-mountable device. Such connections can provide both mechanical engagement and operable communication between the connected devices. Accessory devices and/or external devices can be easily connected to provide different components and functions at different times as desired. Accordingly, a main portion of the head-mountable device need not include permanent components that provide every function that will later be desired by the user. Instead, the head-mountable device can have expanded and customizable capabilities by the use of one or more accessory devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Darshan R. KASAR, Leah M. Cohen, Cameron A. Harder, John Raff, Paul X. Wang, David A. Kalinowski
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Patent number: 11763779Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a left display and a right display that provide respective left and right images. Left and right optical combiner systems may be configured to pass real-world light to left and right eye boxes while directing the left and right images respectively to the left and right eye boxes. Misalignment of the left and right images with respect to the left and right eye boxes may be detected using gaze tracking systems, using cameras such as front-facing cameras in conjunction with a database of known real-world object properties, using visual inertial odometry systems formed from cameras and inertial measurement units, or using one or more sensors in a portable head-mounted device case or other item with a receptacle configured to receive a head-mounted device. Compensating adjustments may be made to the images based on the measured misalignment.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David A. Kalinowski, Brian S. Lau, Cameron A. Harder, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Patent number: 11726335Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include adjustment mechanisms to achieve optimal alignment of optical components during and/or after assembly thereof within the head-mountable device. The alignment mechanisms can be integrated into the head-mountable device itself. A light projecting display element can be adjustable based on movement of ramp members within the head-mountable device (e.g., within an arm) to adjust an orientation of the light projecting display element relative to the waveguide onto which it projects light. Alignment can be verified based on the optical output of the display element. The adjustment mechanisms can adjust the display element during initial assembly and/or be operated by actuators that actively adjust the alignment as needed over time.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Cameron A. Harder, David A. Kalinowski
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Patent number: 11714285Abstract: Head-mountable devices can provide comfortable securement to a head of a user while also providing operative connections for communication across a hinge of the head-mountable device. The securement can be based on an arrangement of spring elements that have biased configurations and allow gentle retraction against a head of the user. Head-mountable devices of the present disclosure can provide adjustable securement against a head of a user by allowing custom fitting, for example with a tensioner.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David A. Kalinowski, Cameron A. Harder, Brian S. Lau, Eric N. Vergo
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Patent number: 11613882Abstract: Toilet assemblies having various embodiments of a cleaning system are described herein which include a toilet assembly and a cleaning system. The toilet assembly has a toilet bowl, a toilet tank, a flush valve, a rim inlet port and a rim flow path (which may be an isolated rim path) extending from an outlet of the flush valve to the rim inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Christophe Bucher, David Grover, Ronald Barndt, Frank Seggio, James McHale, Chris Cicenas, Matthew O'Kelly, Scott J. Rote, Cameron Harder, Christopher Helmstetter, Nathan J. Wicker, Matthew C. Morris
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Patent number: 11340466Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include an arrangement of components that include a waveguide that is decoupled from the ability of system loads to be transferred into the waveguide. Such decoupling can be achieved by utilizing an elastic bond with low stiffness to bond certain components together. This allows the system to flex and deform without transferring stress to the waveguide. Such decoupling can also be achieved by selectively bonding in regions that have relatively lower displacements between a support structure and the waveguide. These measures can help preserve component alignment while allowing a head-mountable device to be lightweight and small in size.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Cameron A. Harder, David A. Kalinowski
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Patent number: 11275250Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include adjustment mechanisms to achieve optimal alignment of optical components during and/or after assembly thereof within the head-mountable device. The alignment mechanisms can be integrated into the head-mountable device itself. A light projecting display element can be adjustable based on operation of one or more actuators within the head-mountable device (e.g., within an arm) to adjust a position and/or orientation of the light projecting display element relative to the waveguide onto which it projects light. The adjustment mechanisms can adjust the display element during initial assembly and/or be operated by actuators that actively adjust the alignment as needed over time.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Chih Jen Chen, Cameron A. Harder
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Publication number: 20210405378Abstract: An electronic device may include an optical combiner with a waveguide. The waveguide may have an output coupler that directs high resolution light towards an eye box within a field of view. Peripheral light sources may provide low resolution peripheral light to the eye box about a periphery of the field of view. The peripheral light sources may be mounted to a frame for the waveguide, to an additional substrate mounted to the frame and overlapping the waveguide, in a low resolution projector that projects the peripheral light towards reflective structures in the additional substrate, or in a display module that produces the high resolution light. The optical combiner may overlay real world light with the high resolution light and the low resolution peripheral light.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Hyungryul Choi, Bradley C. Steele, Brian S. Lau, Cameron A. Harder, David A. Kalinowski, Eric J. Hansotte, Guolin Peng, Scott M. DeLapp, Vikrant Bhakta, Jonathan C. Moisant-Thompson
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Publication number: 20210149203Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include adjustment mechanisms to achieve optimal alignment of optical components during and/or after assembly thereof within the head-mountable device. The alignment mechanisms can be integrated into the head-mountable device itself. A light projecting display element can be adjustable based on operation of one or more actuators within the head-mountable device (e.g., within an arm) to adjust a position and/or orientation of the light projecting display element relative to the waveguide onto which it projects light. The adjustment mechanisms can adjust the display element during initial assembly and/or be operated by actuators that actively adjust the alignment as needed over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Chih Jen CHEN, Cameron A. HARDER
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Publication number: 20210063745Abstract: An electronic device such as a head mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure. A portion of the head-mounted support structure may form a transparent housing member through which real-world objects can be viewed from eye boxes. A display system for the head-mounted device may have a display device that provides image light to a waveguide and may have an output coupler that couples the image light out of the waveguide toward the eye box. Peripheral portions of the transparent housing member or other peripheral device structures may be provided with a peripheral display that emits diffuse light into a user's peripheral vision. The peripheral display may use light guide structures, light sources, reflective structures, and other structures that provide transparency to real-world light.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Austin S. Young, Cameron A. Harder, David A. Kalinowski, Jae Hwang Lee
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Publication number: 20210026139Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include a light projection display element that is directly coupled to an assembly that includes a waveguide. Such a direct coupling can be achieved by bonding the light projection display element directly to a lens or other optical component that is, in turn, directly coupled to the waveguide. Such an optical module can be assembled outside of the head-mountable device for precision alignment and subsequently installed as an integrated unit. These measures can help maintain component alignment while allowing a head-mountable device to be lightweight and small in size.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Cameron A. HARDER, David A. KALINOWSKI
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Publication number: 20210026147Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include adjustment mechanisms to achieve optimal alignment of optical components during and/or after assembly thereof within the head-mountable device. The alignment mechanisms can be integrated into the head-mountable device itself. A light projecting display element can be adjustable based on movement of ramp members within the head-mountable device (e.g., within an arm) to adjust an orientation of the light projecting display element relative to the waveguide onto which it projects light. Alignment can be verified based on the optical output of the display element. The adjustment mechanisms can adjust the display element during initial assembly and/or be operated by actuators that actively adjust the alignment as needed over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Cameron A. HARDER, David A. KALINOWSKI
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Publication number: 20210026146Abstract: Head-mountable devices can include an arrangement of components that include a waveguide that is decoupled from the ability of system loads to be transferred into the waveguide. Such decoupling can be achieved by utilizing an elastic bond with low stiffness to bond certain components together. This allows the system to flex and deform without transferring stress to the waveguide. Such decoupling can also be achieved by selectively bonding in regions that have relatively lower displacements between a support structure and the waveguide. These measures can help preserve component alignment while allowing a head-mountable device to be lightweight and small in size.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Cameron A. Harder, David A. Kalinowski