It begins by acknowledging the problem. Head-mountable displays (HMDs) are developed to be comfortably worn for extended periods of time. The ever increasing desire to improve performance, functionality, and battery life of HMDs results in a device that includes several electrical components, each of which add weight to the system. There is a constant balance between maximizing user comfort while maintaining or excelling the performance and functionality of the device. Unbalanced weight distribution experienced by a user while wearing the headmountable display, particularly weight distributed in front of the user’s face, can negatively impact the user’s experience. Thus, there is a need for a light-weight HMD assembly that does not sacrifice performance or functionality. Apple also admits the heat issue, stating that there needs to be a way to more efficiently dissipate heat. The company already keeps the weight down somewhat by using a tethered battery, and the patent document says it could also incorporate the processing power into this puck, which Apple refers to as a cartridge. A cartridge can include a housing, a processor positioned within the housing to provide video output to a display unit of a head-mounted display (HMD), and an attachment interface to removably attach the cartridge to the display unit. One option Apple describes is to have the processing unit in a removable unit that could be inserted into the headset or into the tethered casing. A head-mountable assembly can include a processor and a display unit defining a slot to receive the processor. In a first mode, the processor can be positioned within the slot to provide image data to the display unit. In a second mode, the processor can be removed from the slot and provide image data to the display unit.
Maybe not using materials like metal and glass could reduce the mass. Just a hunch of mine.
lol yes. Talk about just not thinking right about weight.