This week the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a patent application from Apple that relates to a different variant of Vision/HMD device that could work with a separate or connected controller, a built-in projector and more.

HMD with Built-in or Externally Accessible Input-Output Device

One of Apple's latest inventions covers an alternative future Apple Vision device that may have input-output devices that are accessible on external surfaces.  The input-output devices may include, for example, buttons, , touch sensors such as touch sensors overlapping displays, and other input-output devices. The input-output devices of HMD may be used to gather user input from the user when the electronic device is not being worn on the user's head.

For example, the input-output devices may gather user input when the HMD is being held in a user's hand or is resting on a table top.

The HMD may communicate with associated external electronic equipment such as a computer, gaming system, cellular telephone, or other host. In some configurations, the head-mounted device may serve as a stand-alone device. 

In some configurations, an input-output component may be formed on a movable member that can be moved between a stored position and a deployed position.

A projector may project images onto nearby surfaces. The images may include a virtual keyboard with which a user may interact.

During on-head operations, the user may interact with the device using a controller or controls on the device. For example, the user may view and select on-screen options that are displayed on the display using one or more remote controls such as wireless handheld controllers.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system that includes an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and optional external electronic equipment.

Patent FIG. 5 below is perspective view of an HMD resting on a surface like a desk and being able to project images/photos/videos from a built-in HMD projector. A web browser of other app could be projected onto a desk or table as well.

The system is uniquely designed to allow a user to interact with the projected content with tap, double tap or other suitable gesture. The user would be able to use a projected virtual keyboard.

In Apple's patent FIG. 6 above is a perspective view of a portion of device #10 in an illustrative arrangement in which device #10 has been configured to store a removable handheld device such as handheld (portable) device #64 which could be a wireless stylus, a wireless remote control, an accelerometer-based wireless controller, and/or other electronic device. The built-in device could be held into the side of an HMD using magnets.

Apple's patent FIG. 7 illustrates an HMD with a hidden compartment in the face of the device that could open to reveal a touch screen display with selectable options forming keys for a keyboard, a physical keyboard, a track pad, buttons and/or touch sensors with haptic feedback, and/or other input-output devices #42) may be mounted on surface #76. When the input-output capabilities of these devices are not needed, member #72 may be stowed in the HMD by folding or sliding member #72 into a desired storage location).

Apple's patent was discovered in Europe where it was published last Thursday. In Europe they must reveal the company behind the invention whereas in the U.S., the patent could be hidden to the public by filing the patent temporarily under the inventors name. In this way, a search for Apple patents won't reveal a particular patent until it's granted. In this case, the U.S. patent was filed under Paul Wang, Senior Manager, Product Design.

New Figurative Shazam Trademark Filing

Apple filed for a new figurative Shazam trademark in the U.S. under #98703059 and in Hong Kong under number 306648571.

The U.S. Trademark Office notes that "The mark consists of a stylized letter "S" inside a circle with two pairs of concentric arcs emanating from each side of the circle.

The Mark For the S™ trademark registration was filed under International Class 009; it's intended to cover the categories of providing a website featuring online non-downloadable computer software for providing streaming, radio broadcast monitoring, song play tracking, and social data for music industry professionals; computer services, namely providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for use in market research, advertising, business research, retail marketing, music artist tours and promotion, and music talent and development for music industry professionals.