Zuckerberg's Meta is Filing Smartglasses related Patents at a Frenzied Pace. This report covers the first two filed this week with more tomorrow
While Meta is continuing to work on a smartwatch to compete with Apple Watch, their first priority is clearly to beat Apple to market with true AR smartglasses. It was reported this week that Meta was in talks with EssilorLuxottica SA to take a 5% stake in Ray-Ban, the company behind Meta's current photo glasses. That's a really small stake in a company that they hope to use for future AR Glasses. So only time will tell where that story leads. Until then, this has been a busy July for Meta regarding patents relating to future AR smartglasses. Our report provides you with an overview of two new smartglasses related patents and with more likely to be covered tomorrow. So stay tuned.
Mechanism to adjust Inter-Axial Lens Distance in VR/AR Glasses
Patent Abstract: A linear actuation mechanism includes a first threaded rod rotatably fixed on a frame, an actuator mechanically coupled to the first threaded rod and configured to cause a rotation thereof, a first nut threaded onto the first threaded rod and attached to a first eyecup configured to hold a first optical element for a headset display, and a rail on the frame configured to support the first eyecup as it moves with the first nut. A headset including a display and two eyepieces supported by at least the first eyecup and the above linear actuation mechanism, and a method for using the linear actuation mechanism to adjust an inter-axial distance between the eyepieces are also provided.
Meta's patent FIG. 1 below illustrates a headset including a mechanism to adjust inter-axial lens distance (IAD) between eyepieces of smartglasses; FIG. 1 illustrates a headset including a mechanism to adjust IAD between eyepieces; FIGS. 2A and 4D illustrate a threaded rod mechanism to adjust inter-axial distance (IAD) in VR/AR headsets/smartglasses.
To dive further into the details, review Meta's patent application WO2024151399 filed in Europe.
Thermal Hinge System
Patent Abstract: A method and system to conduct thermal energy between two hinged portions of an electric device. In examples, the method employs a thermal hinge system configured to transfer or spread thermal energy, and optionally electrical energy, through a mechanical articulation or hinge in an electronic device. A thermal hinge may include a thermally conductive living hinge, complementary and/or mating thermal interface components, or a combination of both.
Meta's FIG. below 4 illustrates a portion of an example of an electronic device that may include a mechanical articulation and a combination of a living hinge and thermal interface components.
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For full details, check out Meta's patent application 12032171.
There are more smartglasses+ patents that we're likely to cover tomorrow.