Today, Apple Vision Pro is powered by an external rechargeable battery that you can use for up to 2 hours of general use or 2.5 hours of video watching when fully charged. While that's Apple's first Vision Pro connectable accessory, a new patent application published today reveals that other accessories may be made available in the future.

Apple's invention relates to Head-mountable devices, such as head-mounted displays, headsets, visors, smartglasses, etc., that can perform a range of functions that is determined by the components (e.g., sensors, circuitry, and other hardware) included with the wearable device as manufactured.

However, space, cost, and other considerations may limit the ability to provide every component that might provide a desired function. For example, 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 select an accessory device for use with a head-mountable device to customize the user experience according to the user's desires.

By providing an accessory device that is separate from but connectable to the head-mountable device, the head-mountable device may be subject to forces applied to the accessory device. For example, if the accessory device is dropped, pulled, or moved a certain distance away from the head-mountable device, a corresponding force may be applied to the head-mountable device. Depending on the type of force, it may be beneficial to either release the accessory device from the head-mountable device or release the head-mountable device from the user.

Head-mountable devices of the present disclosure can include connection and engagement mechanisms that facilitate operation of a head-mountable device with an accessory device. Such connections can provide both mechanical engagement and operable communication between the connected devices.

A variable lock of the head-mountable device can distinguish between low-impulse and high-impulse forces applied to one or more connection regions. In the event of a low-impulse force, the variable lock can secure segments of a head engager together so the head-mountable device can remain on the head of the user.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below illustrates a side view of a head-mountable device and an accessory device; FIG. 5 illustrates a variable lock comprising a clip, the variable lock engaging a tether upon application of a first force.

The accessory device can be worn on a head, neck, ear, shoulders, and/or other portion of the user and/or the user's clothing (e.g., pocket). The accessory device can include an engager to secure the accessory device to or near a user.

Types of Possible Attachable Accessories beyond a Battery

Further examples of accessory circuitry 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 can be provided and operated at locations that enhance the audio output of the combined system. For example, the speakers of the accessory device  can be operated to provide spatial audio to the user.

Further examples of accessory circuitry include cameras. Such cameras can be operated in concert with or independently of the cameras 130 of the head-mountable device 10. Cameras of the accessory device 200 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 200 (optionally with the cameras 58 of the head-mountable device 10) 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 200 can be displayed on the display 50 of the head-mountable device 10.

Further examples of accessory circuitry include microphones. Such microphones can be operated in concert with or independently of microphones of the head-mountable device. Microphones of the accessory device can be provided and operated at locations that enhance the audio capture capabilities of the combined system. For example, the microphones of the accessory device can be operated to capture directional audio from an environment of the user.

Further examples of accessory circuitry include sensors. By providing sensing capabilities with a removable module, the user can select such an accessory device 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.

Further examples of accessory circuitry include Bio-Sensors. By providing bio-sensing capabilities with a removable module, the user can select such an accessory 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 circuitry 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 circuitry 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.