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).

  • Publication number: 20250102810
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20250093910
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: John A. Porcella, Zachary M. Hammond, Dustin A. Hatfield, Megan Grant
  • Publication number: 20250060783
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel M. Strongwater, Kristi E. Bauerly
  • Publication number: 20250024183
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
  • Patent number: 12181919
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel M. Strongwater, Kristi E. Bauerly
  • Publication number: 20240398053
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20240402505
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Kristi E. Bauerly
  • Patent number: 12140995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel M. Strongwater, Kristi E. Bauerly
  • Publication number: 20240361829
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Dustin A. HATFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240348960
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 12111478
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Kristi E. Bauerly
  • Patent number: 12096175
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20240302669
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Dustin A. HATFIELD, Geng LUO, Benjamin A. SHAFFER, Julian JAEDE, Nicolas LYLYK, Paul X. WANG, Trevor J. NESS
  • Patent number: 12078812
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Kam Mui C. Siu, Angela M. Avera
  • Patent number: 12061735
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dustin A. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 12019248
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Geng Luo, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Julian Jaede, Nicolas Lylyk, Paul X. Wang, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20240192511
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11983034
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Daniel J. Spence, Lee M. Panecki, Cameron A. Harder
  • Patent number: 11985462
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20240069596
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Adam Y Kollgaard, Kristine S Atom, Vedant A Dhandhania, Ian A Guy, Dustin A Hatfield, Shannon Pomeroy, Paul X Wang