Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a patent application from Apple that relates to a future Headset with a possible intelligent modular securement assembly with a unique identifier given to each set of straps that allow for customized settings per user in a multi-user household or office that share a common headset.

Modular Strap for XR Headset

In a particular example of the present disclosure, a wearable electronic device includes a head mountable display (HMD) having a housing, a display, and a sensor, and a securement assembly including an electronic strap having a unique identifier, the electronic strap being removable from, and connectable to, the HMD. 

In such an example, the sensor detects the unique identifier and user specific settings are applied to the HMD based on the unique identifier.

In this way, one or more users, which may all use the same HMD device, for example a family device within a home, can use their own modular connector straps, which they can each connect to the HMD with each use, and the HMD will operate according to user settings associated with that person. In this way, the HMD can automatically be tailored and applied to the desired settings of each user without hassle.

As shown in FIG. 8 above, one or more external and separate devices with which the connector strap can communicate include external speakers #858, 860, and 862. In addition, the connector straps #810 and # 812 can communicate, via antennas #830, with headphones #863. Each of these external and separate devices can be configured with their own transmitter/receiver to communicate with the antennas of the connector straps. Communication between the connector straps and the HMD in particular with certain communication, data transmission, and processing components of the HMD, can synchronize the audio outputs of the external and separate speakers #'s 858-863 such the audio outputs correlate to the visual output of the display screen #806 of the HMD.

Furthermore, VR/MR devices and components thereof, including connector straps having sensors and communication modules, can detect and identify other devices worn or donned by a user, for example a user's smartwatch on his or her wrist or a user's smartphone in his or her pocket. Once detected, the connector straps or other components of the VR/MR devices described herein can identify the approaching user and automatically update or apply the settings of the VR/MR device before the user assembles or begins using the device. In this way, the customization of the HMD for each use and for each user, in combination with the integration of other devices, can effortlessly provide tailored and immersive VR/MR experiences. This is presented in patent FIG. 9 below.

For full details, review Apple's patent application 20240211195.