Apple Inc.

Jie Gu

Paul Xiaopeng Wang

Pol Pla I Conesa

An electronic device may have a housing. The housing may be characterized by a vertical axis and may have housing structures such as cylindrical housing structures with a cylindrical surface. A speaker may be mounted in the housing to provide sound through openings in the housing structures. A visual output device may be mounted in the housing to provide light through openings in the housing structures. The visual output device may include an electrophoretic display, a light-emitting diode display, or other display with an array of pixels that display images or may include other components for emitting light. During operation, voice commands may be received by a microphone in the device and action taken based on the commands and other information. The action taken may include playing sound with the speaker and providing visual output with the visual output device.

Electronic device with sensors and display devices

A head-mountable device can help a user distinguish between the physical objects and the virtual objects when desired. Indications provided by the head-mountable device can be visually applied to physical objects and/or virtual objects within a view provided by the head-mountable device. The indications can be provided to notify the user of objects outside the view provided by the head-mountable device. The indications can be visual, auditory, and/or haptic in nature. The indications can be provided based on a user's detected action, intention, and/or attention so that the indication is more targeted to a user's needs. The indications can be provided under particular conditions, so that the user can more easily maintain an immersive experience when the indications are not desired.

Head-mountable device with output for distinguishing virtual and physical objects

A fabric item may have control circuitry and input-output devices. A fabric haptic output device may be formed in the fabric item. The fabric haptic output device may be based on an electromagnetic fabric actuator, a piezoelectric fabric actuator, or other actuator formed from fabric. The fabric actuator may have a permanent magnet portion and an electromagnet portion. During operation, signals supplied to a coil in the electromagnet portion may create a magnetic field that moves the permanent magnet portion. Fabric support structures may be used to support an electromagnet or permanent magnet. Fabric springs may be coupled between the fabric support structures and the electromagnet or permanent magnet. The fabric of the support structures, magnetic structures, and springs may be incorporated into a wearable fabric structure, part of a cover or case for a device, a housing structure such as a housing wall, or other fabric structure.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Jie Gu