Facial interface assemblies for head-mounted displays and related systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12372796-B2
Application number	US-202318474408-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 26, 2023
Priority date	Dec 7, 2018
Publication date	Jul 29, 2025
Grant date	Jul 29, 2025

Abstract

The disclosed flexible facial interface assemblies for head-mounted display systems may include a rigid support frame element and a flexible facial interface frame element. The rigid support frame element may be shaped and configured to physically support a display of a head-mounted display system in front of a user's eyes when the facial interface assembly is worn by the user. The flexible facial interface frame element may be configured to flex to conform to the user's facial features when the facial interface assembly is worn by the user. An outer periphery of the flexible facial interface frame element may be independently movable relative to an outer periphery of the rigid support frame element. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A facial interface assembly for a head-mounted display system, comprising:
a rigid support frame element dimensioned to physically support a display of the head-mounted display system; and
a flexible facial interface frame element configured to interface with a face of a user,
wherein:
the flexible facial interface frame element comprises at least one rigid support element that couples the flexible facial interface frame element to the rigid support frame element,
the at least one rigid support element is positioned in a laterally central region of the flexible facial interface frame element,
the flexible facial interface frame element comprises a laterally outer peripheral region, laterally outside of the at least one rigid support element,
the laterally outer peripheral region of the flexible facial interface frame element is configured to independently flex relative to a laterally outer peripheral region of the rigid support frame element, and includes a part configured to conform to the user's facial features located between an eye of the user and an ear of the user, and
at least a portion of the part configured to conform to the user's facial features located between the eye of the user and the ear of the user is decoupled from the rigid support frame element.

2. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein a first rigid support element of the at least one rigid support element provides a standoff between the rigid support frame element and the flexible facial interface frame element.

3. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the laterally outer peripheral region lacks any rigid support element between the laterally outer peripheral region of the flexible facial interface frame element and the laterally outer peripheral region of the rigid support frame element.

4. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one rigid support element comprises a first upper rigid support element.

5. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one rigid support element comprises a first lower rigid support element.

6. The facial interface assembly of claim 5 , wherein the at least one rigid support element comprises a second lower rigid support element different from the first lower rigid support element.

7. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an extensible material disposed between the rigid support frame element and the flexible facial interface frame element.

8. The facial interface assembly of claim 7 , wherein the extensible material comprises a flexible fabric material.

9. The facial interface assembly of claim 8 , wherein the flexible fabric material comprises a woven fabric material.

10. The facial interface assembly of claim 8 , wherein the flexible fabric material comprises a breathable fabric material.

11. The facial interface assembly of claim 7 , wherein the extensible material is configured to block at least some external visible light from reaching a user's eyes when the head-mounted display system is worn by the user.

12. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a facial interface padding coupled to a surface of the flexible facial interface frame element.

13. The facial interface assembly of claim 12 , wherein the facial interface padding is configured to contact a user's face when the head-mounted display system is worn by the user.

14. The facial interface assembly of claim 12 , wherein the facial interface padding comprises foam.

15. The facial interface assembly of claim 14 , wherein the facial interface padding comprises foam is covered by a fabric material.

16. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rigid support frame element comprises a bump for removably coupling the display to the rigid support frame element.

17. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rigid support frame element is configured to removably couple to the display using a magnet.

18. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible facial interface frame element comprises a nasal bridge portion configured to accommodate such different nose shapes and sizes for a comfortable fit on a variety of different users when the head-mounted display system is worn by the different users.

19. The facial interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible facial interface frame element is configured to flex to conform to the user's facial features when the head-mounted display system is worn by the user.

20. The facial interface assembly of claim 19 , wherein the head-mounted display system comprises a head strap, and the flexible facial interface frame element is configured to flex based on an application of a force applied by the head strap.

Assignees

• Meta Platforms Tech Llc

Inventors

• Morris Quintin
• Ellis Shane Michael
• Dallmeyer Scott Andrew
• Bristol Peter Wesley
• Pickett David Michael
• Jacobs Joel Bernard
• Chen Yi-Yaun
• Roig Enric Vial

Classifications

• A61F9/02

  Goggles (for swimming A63B33/00) · CPC title

• F16M13/02

  for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle · CPC title

• G02B2027/0158

  with adjustable nose pad · CPC title

• F16M13/04

  for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains {, e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head (apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B)} · CPC title

• G02B27/0176 Primary

  characterised by mechanical features · CPC title