Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published two of Apple's patent applications that relates to future headsets. One covers dynamic seals that protect both the display and lenses while the other covers a display with internal light reflection suppression.

On November 3^rd, Apple was Granted Patent #10,823,971 titled "Dynamic seals for adjustable display devices." Apple's granted patent noted that in one aspect on the invention covers a wearable display system with an internal housing; a lens that is positioned within the internal housing; a display module including a display panel that is positioned within the internal housing to allow for relative movement between the lens and the display module to adjust focus of the display panel; and a seal that extends between the internal housing and the display module so as to permit relative movement between the lens and the display module."

 In certain embodiments, the presently disclosed seals are configured and positioned to extend between the internal housing and the display module to define an interior space that accommodates the display panel and/or the lens). The seals include (e.g., are formed from) a deformable material that is durable, yet allows for bending, flexing, stretching, compression, expansion, rolling, twisting, or other deformation of the seals during relative movement between the lens and the display module without compromising the integrity of the enclosed interior space.

In certain embodiments, it is also envisioned that all or a portion of the lens 228 may be positioned (or movable through) the interior space 238. The seal 230 thus inhibits (or entirely prevents) the ingress of water, moisture, particulate, debris, dust, etc., to protect the display panel 232 and the lens 228, preserve image/video quality, and increase the usable life of the display system.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a top, perspective view of a display system configured as a wearable HMD; FIG. 9 is a partial, side, perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the seal including a corrugated portion.

Today's patent report isn't about a new invention application but rather a continuation patent wherein Apple is updating and/or adding specific technologies, features and/or methods that they want to legally extend, protect and fold into their granted patent which is legally permitted. Any change and/or addition to their invention is restricted to Apple's patent claims that are legally binding. 

Apple has updated their invention with 20 new patent claims. Below are just a few of the additions:

Patent Claim #1: A wearable display system, comprising: a housing; a display module positioned within the housing and including a lens and a display panel; and a seal extending between the housing and the display module, wherein the seal is configured to allow relative movement between the lens and the display panel to adjust focus of the display panel, and wherein the seal includes first and second segments with generally linear configurations and a third segment with an arcuate configuration that is positioned between the first and second segments."

Patent Claim #2: "The display system of claim 1, wherein the seal is configured to inhibit water, moisture, particulate, debris, dust, or other foreign material from reaching the display panel and the lens by defining an enclosed interior space within the housing."

Patent Claim #13: "A seal for use in a wearable display system including a housing and a display module movable relative to the housing to adjust focus, the seal including: a first portion connectable to the housing; and a second portion connectable to the display module, wherein the seal includes corrugations to facilitate controlled deformation of the seal during relative movement of the display module."

Patent Claim #18: "A seal for use in a wearable display system including a housing and a display module movable relative to the housing to adjust focus, the seal including: a first portion configured to connect to the housing; and a second portion configured to connect to the display module, wherein the first portion has an arcuate configuration, and wherein the second portion has a linear configuration and includes a bellows portion."

To review all 20 added patent claims, check out Apple's continuation patent 20210033874. Considering that this is a continuation patent, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.

A secondary patent application relating to a future headset was published today titled "Electronic Device Having Display with Internal Light Reflection Suppression." To learn more about this technical patent, review patent application 20210036265