On this last granted patent day of 2023, Apple was granted 60 newly granted patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In this particular report we briefly cover a smartglasses patent titled "Optical Systems with Resolution-Enhancing Spectral Shifting." We also link to another HMD patent relating an "Adjustable Heat Extraction" system. And, as always, we wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple this week.

Optical Systems with Resolution-Enhancing Spectral Shifting

The first HMD granted patent relates to both virtual reality glasses or may be an augmented reality headset that allows a viewer to view both computer-generated images and real-world objects in the viewer's surrounding environment.

The near-eye display may provide images to an eye box. The display may include a display module and a waveguide. The display module may include first light sources that produce first illumination light of a first set of wavelengths. The display module may include second light sources that produce second illumination light of a second set of wavelengths that is offset from the first set of wavelengths (e.g., by 20 nm or less). The display module may include a reflective display panel that reflects the first illumination light to produce first image light and that reflects the second illumination light to produce second image light. The first light sources may be turned on during first time periods and the second light sources may be turned on during second time periods that are interleaved with the first time periods.

An illustrative system having a device with one or more near-eye display systems is shown in patent FIG. 1 below. System #10 may be a head-mounted device having the shape of a pair of eyeglasses (e.g., supporting frames), may form a housing having a helmet shape, or may have other configurations to help in mounting and securing the components of near-eye displays #14 on the head or near the eye of a user.

For full details and more patent figures, review Apple's granted patent 11852816.

A second HMD related patent (11852834) issue today covers an HMD like Apple Vision Pro with  an "Adjustable Heat Extraction" system that may include fans configured to force air to flow between airflow inlets and outlets while passing over heat sinks. The heat sinks may have fins that are adjusted in orientation and/or that are otherwise adjusted based on changes in optical module spacing. The airflow inlets and/or outlets may have adjustable louvers or other structures that allow these ports to be fully opened, fully closed, or partly closed.

This Week's Remaining Granted Patents