Today the U.S. Patent Office published a patent application of Apple's that relates to future smartglasses. In this patent, Apple describes side securement arms that could include a power port and/or data port positioned at a distal end or tip of the securement arm behind a user's ear.  

In Apple's patent background they note that various components of head-mountable electronic devices, such as display screens, viewing frames, securement arms, speakers, batteries, waveguides, and other components, operate together to provide an immersive and comfortable experience. Operation of these devices could require a connector for an external attachment. This attachment could be used for various purposes, such as for charging the device and any other purpose for the benefit of the user.

The attachment could also be configured to be used while a user is operating the head-mountable device. However, the anatomy of each user's head is unique. One user's ears could be a different size than another. The distance between the front of a user's head and their ear, as well as the distance between a user's ear and the back of their head could vary. Other anatomical features, including relative positions of a user's nose, forehead, eyes, as well as features such as hair length, could also vary between users. The anatomical variety of different users presents a challenge for connectors to external attachments for head-mountable devices designed for comfort and reliability.

Additionally, head-mountable devices, like smartglasses could be used in a variety of different settings and during a variety of different activities. These could range from lying down still in bed to mountain biking or hiking outdoors. In this way, even for a single user, the connection for an external attachment of a head-mountable device that is secure for one activity may not be secure for another activity.

On the technical side of things, today's patent application covers a device including a frame, a window secured to the frame, and a securement arm. The securement arm of the device could include a proximal end secured to the frame, and a distal tip opposite the proximal end. A waveguide could be disposed in the securement arm and configured to direct light displayed at the window. Furthermore, an electronic port could be disposed at the distal tip and could also be electrically coupled to the waveguide.

In one example, the distal tip of the device could be configured to be disposed behind a user's ear when the user dons the device. In another example, the securement arm of the device could include a first joint between the proximal end and the frame and a second joint could be disposed between the proximal end and the distal tip.

In various examples the port could be disposed distal to the second joint, which could be an area comfortable for the user. Furthermore, the waveguide could be disposed between the first joint and the second joint. In one example, the port could include an aperture that could be defined by the distal tip of the securement arm. The distal tip could include an inner surface, which could define the aperture, wherein first and second electrical contacts could further define the inner surface.

In at least one example, a battery could be disposed in the distal tip, which, in some examples, could electrically couple the first and second electrical contacts to the waveguide. The electronic port could include a first electrical contact defining an external surface of the securement arm. The electronic port could also include a second electrical contact defining the external surface.

In some examples an electronic securement arm for a wearable device could include a housing, wherein the housing could include a proximal portion and a distal portion. In at least one example, the distal portion could be disposed at an angle relative to the proximal portion, where the distal portion could define an aperture.

A battery, as well as a port, could also be disposed in the housing. Furthermore, the port could include the aperture and a contact electrically coupled to the battery, where in at least one example the contact could define the aperture. In some examples, a retention feature could also define the aperture, where the retention feature could enable the user to perform a variety of activities while donning the device connected to an external attachment.

In some examples,  a smartglasses arm could further include a distal tip, an electronic component disposed in the distal tip, and an electronic port disposed at the distal tip. In one or more examples, the electronic port could include a selectively translatable electrical contact, wherein the selectively translatable electrical contact could include an open configuration including the electrical contact exposed to an external environment and a closed configuration including the electrical contact being inaccessible and disposed within the distal tip.

In at least one example, the electronic port of the smart glasses arm could be configured to be manually operable between the open configuration and the closed configuration. In one example, the electronic port could include a magnet.

In one example, the electronic port could also be magnetically operable between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

In at least one example, a ferrous component could also be disposed in the distal tip, which could bias the electronic port in the closed configuration via the magnet.

Apple's Inventors

• Jos (Josiah) Frye: Product Design Engineer – Vision Products Group
• Ibuki Kamei: Product Design Engineer
• John Raff: (No profile)
• Varun Sanghvi: Product Design Engineer