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ApplePatent applicationAR, VR & displaysInterest 6/10

Apple patents headset lights that change based on what you see

Apple describes a head-mounted display with lights arranged around its frame that can show different visual patterns. The system detects the state of an object in the user's view and switches between these light displays based on specific conditions.

Why it mattersThis could allow mixed-reality headsets to provide subtle visual feedback about the environment without blocking the main screen.

In the filing’s own words

One or more techniques for displaying a representation based on the state of an object are described.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A head-mounted display (HMD) device, comprising: a first display including a first set of one or more lights and a second set of one or more lights that are positioned around a frame of the HMD device, wherein the frame includes a first surface that separates the first set of one or more lights from the second set of one or more lights, and wherein the first set of one or more lights and the second set of one or more lights are configured to concurrently be in a field of view of a user wearing the HMD device; one or more processors; and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: receiving information corresponding to a respective state of an object in the field of view of the user; and in response to receiving information corresponding to the respective state of the object in the field of view of the user: in accordance with a determination that a first set of criteria is satisfied, wherein the first set of criteria includes a first criterion that is satisfied when the respective state of the object corresponds to a first state, displaying, via the first display of the HMD device, a first representation; and in accordance with a determination that a second set of criteria is satisfied, wherein the second set of criteria includes a second criterion that is satisfied when the respective state of the object corresponds to a second state that is different from the first state, displaying, via the first display of the HMD device, a second representation that is different from the first representation.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
MANAGING DEVICES HAVING ADDITIVE DISPLAYS
Publication number
US20260277318A1
Application number
19659985
Filed
Apr 27, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
5
Claims
9

Classified under

G06F 3/013 Physics & computingG02B 27/0093 Physics & computingG02B 27/0172 Physics & computingG02B 27/0179 Physics & computingG06T 5/70 Physics & computingG06T 19/006 Physics & computing

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.