Patents by Inventor Dustin A. Hatfield
Dustin A. Hatfield 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: 20250102810Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing containing rear-facing displays that display images for a user when the head-mounted housing is worn. The head-mounted housing may be coupled to the user's head using a headband. The headband may include an upper headband portion and a lower headband portion that extends from the first headband portion. The upper and lower headband portions may extend from the head-mounted housing at fixed angles and may be offset from a support post of the head-mounted housing. Stiffeners may be included in the upper and lower headband portions. The stiffeners may include graded stiffeners and/or braided cords that help the upper and/or lower headband portions conform to a user's head. The headband may also include a temple housing coupled to the upper and lower headband portions that has an opening to attach the headband to the support post and/or may include keeper loops.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Ryan M David, Benjamin A Shaffer, Benjamin A Stevenson, Evan A Cernokus, Robert V Tang, Dustin A Hatfield, Yuhao Pan, Erin Bosch, Alexander Siegel, Megan Grant, Zachary M Hammond, Lindsey J Scenna, Alyssa B Abood, Zilan Chen, Michael Wu, Venkata Narayana Murthy Arelekatti, Nathaniel M Henderson-Cox, Chad J Miller
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Publication number: 20250093910Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. The optical assemblies may be mounted in a head-mounted device housing. The head-mounted device housing may be supported at the front of the head of a user in front of the user's eyes using head-mounted support structures such as straps. The straps may include upper and lower straps. The upper and lower straps may be coupled to a rigid extending portion of the head-mounted device in a configuration that applies torque to the rigid extending portion and thereby helps to lift the head-mounted device housing upwardly. Releasable and/or rotatable connections may be used in coupling the straps to the rigid extending portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Inventors: John A. Porcella, Zachary M. Hammond, Dustin A. Hatfield, Megan Grant
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Publication number: 20250060783Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a display unit and a facial interface. The display unit includes a display for displaying graphical content to a user. The facial interface is coupled to the display unit and configured to engage a face of the user to support the display thereon. The facial interface includes discrete engagement regions that are configured to engage respective facial regions of the user. The discrete engagement regions include force distributors that are configured to apply forces to the respective facial regions. A first force distributor of a first discrete engagement region is configured to apply a first force to a first facial region of the user, and a second force distributor of a second discrete engagement region is configured to apply a second force to a second facial region of the user that is different than the first force.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2024Publication date: February 20, 2025Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel M. Strongwater, Kristi E. Bauerly
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Publication number: 20250024183Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2024Publication date: January 16, 2025Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
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Patent number: 12181919Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a display unit and a facial interface. The display unit includes a display for displaying graphical content to a user. The facial interface is coupled to the display unit and configured to engage a face of the user to support the display unit thereon. The facial interface includes an upper portion that engages a forehead of the user and side portions that engage temple regions of the user. The facial interface converts forward force applied to the upper portion by the forehead into inward force applied by side portions to the temple regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel M. Strongwater, Kristi E. Bauerly
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Publication number: 20240398053Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing containing rear-facing displays that display images for a user when the head-mounted housing is worn by the user. The head-mounted housing may be coupled to the user's head using a headband. The headband may include a first headband portion and a second headband portion that extends from the first headband portion at a fixed angle. Stiffeners may be included in the first and second headband portions. The stiffeners may be formed from braided cords and may be embedded in the first and second headband portions to allow the headband to conform to a user's head when worn. Other stiffeners may be mounted to a surface of the headband to maintain an angle between the first and second headband portions. The ends of the headband may have curved corners, and may appear seamless to the naked eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Ryan M David, Benjamin A Shaffer, Benjamin A Stevenson, Evan A Cernokus, Robert V Tang, Dustin A Hatfield, Erin M Bosch, Yuhao Pan, Venkata Narayana Murthy Arelekatti, Katherine E Christensen, Paul J Biestek, Alexander Siegel, Megan Grant, Zachary M Hammond, Lindsey J Scenna, Alyssa B Abood, Thanh T Tran, Zilan Chen, Michael Wu
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Publication number: 20240402505Abstract: A facial interface for a head-mounted display, which is to be worn on a head of a user, includes a chassis, an upper portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion engages an upper facial region above eyes of the user. The lower portion engages a lower facial region below the eyes of the user. The lower portion includes a lower facial support. The lower facial support includes a rolling contact, a first arm, and a second arm. The rolling contact defines an axis. The first arm and the second arm are each coupled to the chassis and support the rolling contact. The rolling contact rotates about the axis relative to the first arm and the second arm to allow displacement of the lower facial support relative to the lower facial region of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Kristi E. Bauerly
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Patent number: 12140995Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a display unit, a head support, and a balancing mass. The display unit displays graphical content to a user. The head support is coupled to the display to support the display unit on a head of the user for displaying the graphical content thereto. The balancing mass is movable relative to the display unit to offset changes in torque induced by the display unit when tilting the head-mounted display.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel M. Strongwater, Kristi E. Bauerly
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Publication number: 20240361829Abstract: A head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can provide guidance for optimal placement of the head-mountable device. The head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can be operated to guide a user to position the head-mountable device in a manner that will achieve proper alignment of components with respect to the user and maximize user comfort. For example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can include sensors for detecting features of the user's face, forces distributed on the face when worn, and/or alignment with the face (e.g., eyes). By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in adjustment and infer user discomfort based on the frequency and/or magnitude of such changes. By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in features of the user's face before, during, and/or after use of the head-mountable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Dustin A. HATFIELD
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Publication number: 20240348960Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that include earpad assemblies that improve acoustic isolation are discussed. User convenience features that include automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom, Lee M. Panecki, Phillip Qian, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene A. Whang, David H. Narajowski, Scott Y. Oshita, Dustin A. Hatfield, Zachary G. Segraves, Sean J. Docherty
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Patent number: 12111478Abstract: A facial interface for a head-mounted display, which is to be worn on a head of a user, includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion engages an upper facial region above eyes of the user. The lower portion that engages a lower facial region below the eyes of the user. The lower portion has a lower shear compliance in that is greater than an upper shear compliance of the upper portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2023Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Kristi E. Bauerly
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Patent number: 12096175Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2023Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
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Publication number: 20240302669Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device with a head securement element that allows a user to adjust both the magnitude, location, and direction of forces applied to the face of the user. Examples of adjustment mechanisms described herein allow a user to control the tilt of the head-mountable device relative to a head securement element, as well as the tightness of the head securement element. Accordingly, the user can select a fit that distributes forces widely, maximizes comfort, allows the user to enjoy the head-mountable device for longer durations of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventors: Dustin A. HATFIELD, Geng LUO, Benjamin A. SHAFFER, Julian JAEDE, Nicolas LYLYK, Paul X. WANG, Trevor J. NESS
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Patent number: 12078812Abstract: While head-mountable devices can provide immersive experiences, a user wearing a head-mountable device can also benefit from activities that include body motion and promote the user's health. Because such activities may not be intrinsically necessary to the operation of head-mountable devices, it can be beneficial to provide additional or modified operations that allow a user to continue operation of a head-mountable device while performing the desired body motions. The head-mountable device can detect movement and/or stasis of the user and determine whether motion would be recommended. Upon determining that motion, an additional motion, or a different motion would be beneficial, the head-mountable device can provide an output to the user that promote such motions. The output can include a notification to the user and/or a modification of the user interface that encourages the user to move in a particular way.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2023Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Kam Mui C. Siu, Angela M. Avera
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Patent number: 12061735Abstract: A head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can provide guidance for optimal placement of the head-mountable device. The head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can be operated to guide a user to position the head-mountable device in a manner that will achieve proper alignment of components with respect to the user and maximize user comfort. For example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can include sensors for detecting features of the user's face, forces distributed on the face when worn, and/or alignment with the face (e.g., eyes). By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in adjustment and infer user discomfort based on the frequency and/or magnitude of such changes. By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in features of the user's face before, during, and/or after use of the head-mountable device.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2023Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dustin A. Hatfield
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Patent number: 12019248Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device with a head securement element that allows a user to adjust both the magnitude, location, and direction of forces applied to the face of the user. Examples of adjustment mechanisms described herein allow a user to control the tilt of the head-mountable device relative to a head securement element, as well as the tightness of the head securement element. Accordingly, the user can select a fit that distributes forces widely, maximizes comfort, allows the user to enjoy the head-mountable device for longer durations of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Geng Luo, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Julian Jaede, Nicolas Lylyk, Paul X. Wang, Trevor J. Ness
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Publication number: 20240192511Abstract: A wearable device includes a support and a cushion that is coupled to the support, the cushion including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first stiffness, the second portion having a second stiffness, and the first stiffness is at least four times greater than the second stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2024Publication date: June 13, 2024Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dustin A. Hatfield, Liam R. Martinez, Kristine S. Atom, Adam Y. Kollgaard, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Joshua A. Hoover, Jenna L. Withrow, Robert V. Tang, Kendall L. Helbert, Geng Luo
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Patent number: 11983034Abstract: A compliant interface for a wearable electronic device includes a three-dimensional lattice structure that is coupleable to the wearable electronic device and compressible to conform to one or more of a facial feature or an upper cranial feature of a user wearing the wearable electronic device. The compliant interface may be one of a facial interface of a head-mounted display unit, a head interface of a head-mounted display unit, or a head interface of a headphones unit. The three-dimensional lattice structure may be formed of silicone that may form less than 35% of a volume of the three-dimensional lattice structure in an uncompressed state. Compliance of the facial interface may vary by locations at which the compliant interface engages the user. The compliance may vary according to one or more of geometric stiffness or maximum deflection of the three-dimensional lattice structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel J. Spence, Lee M. Panecki, Cameron A. Harder
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Patent number: 11985462Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that include earpad assemblies that improve acoustic isolation are discussed. User convenience features that include automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom, Lee M. Panecki, Phillip Qian, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene A. Whang, David H. Narajowski, Scott Y. Oshita, Dustin A. Hatfield, Zachary G. Segraves, Sean J. Docherty
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Publication number: 20240069596Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a main housing portion and displays in the main housing portion that provide images to eye boxes. A light seal may be coupled to the main housing portion and may at least partially surround the eye boxes. The head-mounted device may include sweat mitigation structures such as moisture-guiding channels in the light seal to guide sweat and other moisture away from the eye boxes. The moisture-guiding channels may be formed from grooves or moisture-wicking fabric. Control circuitry may adjust a fan based on humidity, temperature, or fog detected by a sensor. The light seal may include a directional pattern of grooves through which moisture is guided away from the eye boxes. A moisture barrier layer may be interposed between an inner foam layer and an outer light-blocking fabric to prevent sweat from penetrating into the foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Adam Y Kollgaard, Kristine S Atom, Vedant A Dhandhania, Ian A Guy, Dustin A Hatfield, Shannon Pomeroy, Paul X Wang