Electronic devices with illumination systems
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsEdward S Huo, Devinne Cullinane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A head-mounted device may include displays for presenting images to a user. The head-mounted device may have a hand tracker for gathering hand tracking input from a user. The hand tracker may include a steerable illumination system such as a steerable infrared illuminator. Infrared light may be steered by selectively activating light-emitting diodes in an array and/or using positioners to move an infrared light source and/or lens in the illuminator. An infrared image sensor may gather images of the hands. Based on the monitored movement of a hand, the steerable illumination system may steer the infrared light to ensure that the hand remains illuminated even during hand movements.
Claims20
A head-mounted device, comprising:
- a head-mounted housing;
- displays in the head-mounted housing;
- and
- a hand tracker in the head-mounted housing, wherein the hand tracker comprises:
- a steerable infrared illuminator configured to provide infrared light;
- and
- an infrared image sensor configured to gather infrared hand tracking images illuminated by the infrared light.
A head-mounted device, comprising:
- a head-mounted housing;
- displays in the head-mounted housing;
- and
- a hand tracker in the head-mounted housing, wherein the hand tracker comprises:
- an adjustable infrared illuminator configured to provide infrared light, wherein the adjustable infrared illuminator comprises multiple infrared light-emitting diodes that produce the infrared light and a lens through which the infrared light passes;
- and
- an infrared image sensor configured to gather infrared hand tracking images illuminated by the infrared light.
An electronic device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a display in the housing and configured to present images to an eye box;
- an infrared camera in the housing;
- and
- a steerable infrared light illuminator in the housing that faces away from the eye box and is configured to steer infrared light to illuminate a target, wherein the infrared camera is configured to capture an image of the illuminated target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.