Some of the complaints about the original Vision Pro XR Headset was that it was way too heavy for wearing it for long periods of time amongst other complaints. Yesterday, Patently Apple posted a patent application report titled "Apple Invents a new Cartridge System for a future version of Vision Pro to make it much lighter while adding new functionality."

Today, we're covering a second patent application that was published last week for Apple by the U.S. Patent Office simply titled "Electronic Device." Apple's invention relates to adjustable features of a future HMD that will provide a user added comfort when wearing a headset to an extended period of time.

Apple further noted that the goal of head-mountable devices is prolonged and comfortable use, even though each user has a unique facial profile and thus different engagement points. Therefore, a head-mountable device capable of dynamically adjusting for comfortable prolonged use is desired.

Apple's patent covers a head-mountable device which can include a display portion including a display, a facial interface, a stiffness profile modifier, a sensor, and a securement assembly.

The facial interface can have a variable stiffness profile and the stiffness profile modifier can automatically change the facial interface from having a first stiffness profile to having a second stiffness profile in response to sensor data generated by the sensor. 

The securement assembly can be connectable to the display portion and can include a removable strap with electronics and a retention band connectable to the removable strap.

By automatically articulating the head-mountable device (HMD) via the stiffness profile modifier, one or more examples of the HMD can increase the comfort experienced by the user.

For example, over a prolonged duration of use of a head-mountable device, comfort profiles can change. In a first manner, indications can manifest themselves on the user's face signaling extended use, such indicators can include visually apparent color change where the head-mountable device contacts the user's face. In some instances, facial muscles and tissue experiencing prolonged contact can affect a user's comfort level.

To help increase comfort during extended use, an HMD can implement a variety of example embodiments. Some examples of an HMD include a stiffness profile modifier to automatically adjust a stiffness of regions or points of contact between the HMD and the user's face. In one example, a stiffness profile modifier can include a pneumatic bladder which can be locally inflated and/or deflated to control a pressure and stiffness of a specific pressure region.

In another example, a stiffness profile modifier can include various heaters or heat sources which can transport thermal energy along thermally conductive channels to selectively and controllably soften or harden seat-sensitive foam. Heaters can be infrared heaters, radiative heaters, or can utilize native heat dissipation from the HMD.

In another example, a stiffness profile modifier can include a pneumatic heat tensioner which can transport temperature-controlled gas or liquid to modify stiffness/pressure of pressure regions.

In another example, a stiffness profile modifier can include a mechanical tensioner which selectively tightens/loosens lines to adjust the pressure regions.

Other examples can include utilizing a magnetic-field-based viscosity dependence of a fluid, mechanical springs, etc. Additionally or alternatively, these or other examples can be combined in a variety of ways, as may be desired.

Additionally or alternatively, various examples of an HMD can implement a stiffness profile modifier that can be adjusted manually (e.g., via an input control, such as a button or dial) or via hands-free communication (e.g., hand gestures, eye movements, voice-commands, etc. detected by a sensor disclosed herein).

For full details, review Apple's patent application 20250044834.

Apple Inventors 

• Fletcher Rothkopf: Senior Director of Engineering, Vision Products Group
• Nikola Vukovic, PhD: Senior Research Scientist (AR/VR, Health AI, Neuroscience)
• Grant Mulliken: Senior Manager - R&D, Product Design
• Javier Mendez: Product Design Engineer