When Apple introduced Vision Pro at WWDC23, Richard Howarth, VP Industrial Design at one point stated that "We studied thousands of heads to get a detailed understanding of the huge variation in cheek width, face angle, and head shape. This led us to design a modular system that allows us to tailor the product to fit you perfectly [The modular design is seen in our cover graphic above]. 

Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that describe possible future 'Accessory' components that could be added to the Vision Pro's modular system.

Head-Mountable Device With Connectable Accessories

While Apple Vision Pro provides a base design and functionality, different users may have different preferences regarding the components and functions that are provided by a given head-mountable device.

Some users may desire certain capabilities, such as high-resolution display and long battery life, while other users may desire other capabilities, such as smaller form factor. Furthermore, a given user may desire different functions at different times. For example, a given user may desire high-resolution display at home and long battery life when outside the home.

Given the diversity of desired components and functions, it would be beneficial to allow a user to modify components and functions of a head-mountable device to customize the user experience according to the user’s desires. Head-mountable devices of the present disclosure facilitate customization, adaptability, and modification by a user according to the user’s desires. 

Head-mountable devices of the present disclosure 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. 

Apple's patent FIG. 13 below is an example of one such accessory. This accessory device #100 can provide a first end portion #140 that is connected to the head-mountable device #10 (e.g., at an arm #40) and a second end portion that is connected to an external device #200.

The external device can be a wearable device that is worn optionally near the head-mountable device. In FIG. 13, the external device is provided with the form of a curved component that can be wrapped around a portion of the user’s neck.

Further examples of accessory components and/or external components  include speakers. Such speakers can be operated in concert with or independently of the speakers of the head-mountable device. Speakers of the accessory device and/or the external device #200 can be provided and operated at locations that enhance the audio output of the combined system #2. For example, the speakers of the accessory device #100 and/or the external device #200 can be operated to provide added spatial audio to the user.

Further examples of accessory components and/or external components  include cameras. Such cameras can be operated in concert with or independently of the cameras of the head-mountable device. Cameras of the accessory device and/or the external device can be provided and operated at locations that enhance the visual capture capabilities of the combined system # 2. For example, the cameras of the accessory device 100 and/or the external device (optionally with the cameras of the head-mountable device can be operated in concert to capture a combined image that spans a wide field of view. For example, the field of view can be greater than 90°, 180°, 270°, or up to 360°. Images captured by one or more of the cameras of the accessory device and/or the external device can be displayed on the optical module of the head-mountable device.

Further examples of accessory components 150 and/or external components 250 include sensors. By providing sensing capabilities with a removable module, the user can select such an accessory device 100 and/or an external device 200 when sensing particular conditions is desired. Such sensors can be configured to sense substantially any type of characteristic such as, but not limited to, images, pressure, light, touch, force, temperature, position, motion, and so on. For example, the sensor may be a photodetector, a temperature sensor, a light or optical sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnet, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a chemical sensor, an ozone sensor, a particulate count sensor, and so on. The sensor can be used to sense ambient conditions in a neighboring environment. The sensor can be provided with exposure to the environment, for example with an opening in the accessory device and/or the external device.

Further examples of accessory components 150 and/or external components #250 include bio-sensors. By providing bio-sensing capabilities with a removable module, the user can select such an accessory device and/or an external device when tracking biometric characteristics, such as health and activity metrics, is desired. The one or more bio-sensors can include optical and/or electronic biometric sensors that may be used to compute one or more biometric characteristics.

For example, a bio-sensor can include a light source and a photodetector to form a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. An optical (e.g., PPG) sensor or sensors may be used to compute various biometric characteristic including, without limitation, a heart rate, a respiration rate, blood oxygenation level, a blood volume estimate, blood pressure, or a combination thereof. One or more of the bio-sensors may also be configured to perform an electrical measurement using one or more electrodes. The electrical sensor(s) may be used to measure electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics, galvanic skin resistance, and other electrical properties of the user’s body.

Additionally or alternatively, a bio-sensor can be configured to measure body temperature, exposure to UV radiation, and other health-related information.

Further examples of accessory components and/or external components #250 include user sensors. Such sensors can be used to detect features relating to the user wearing the head-mountable device and/or other individuals. For example, user sensors can perform facial feature detection, facial movement detection, facial recognition, eye tracking, user mood detection, user emotion detection, voice detection, etc.

Further examples of accessory components and/or external components #250 include components for receiving input from a user, providing output to a user, and/or performing other functions. Examples of such components include a speaker, a microphone, a display, a touch sensor, a haptic device, a camera, an optical sensor, a magnet, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and/or another I/O component. The I/O components can be used to detect and interpret user inputs. The I/O components can be used to provide information to the user. The I/O components can also be used to capture information relating to the user and/or the environment.

To review its full details and a multitude of alternative descriptive patent figures, review patent application 20230305301.