Wearable device, its manufacturing method and its operating method

Abstract

A wearable device, a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of operating the same are disclosed. A wearable device according to one embodiment may include a frame for fixing the wearable device to a user's head; and a transparent display connected to the frame and provided at a position corresponding to the user's eyes, wherein the transparent display may include a plurality of light-emitting pixels for image output.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a wearable device worn on a user's head, a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of operating the same. Background Technology

[0002] Eyeglasses (or spectacles) are vision aids comprising a frame that secures the device to a person's head and lenses connected to the frame and positioned at a location corresponding to the person's eyes.

[0003] Meanwhile, with the development of digital technology, smart glasses that output lens images onto existing glasses have been proposed.

[0004] Currently, smart glasses provide images generated by light emitting from a light source located in the frame by reflecting them through the lenses, allowing the user to view the reflected image.

[0005] However, smart glasses of the described method have the problem of reduced image resolution and brightness because they provide reflected images, and the disadvantage of not being able to utilize the space inside the frame because the light source must be positioned at the frame.

[0006] Therefore, a technology needs to be proposed to address the described problems and disadvantages. The problem to be solved

[0008] One embodiment proposes a wearable device having a structure in which a plurality of light-emitting pixels and a plurality of light-receiving pixels for image output are included in a transparent display to improve the resolution and brightness of the provided image and to utilize the space within the bezel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for operating the same.

[0009] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above problems and can be expanded in various ways without departing from the technical concept and scope of the present invention. means of solving the problem

[0010] According to one embodiment, a wearable device may include a frame for fixing the wearable device to a user's head; and a transparent display connected to the frame and positioned at a location corresponding to the user's eyes, wherein the transparent display may include a plurality of light-emitting pixels for image output.

[0011] According to one aspect, the plurality of light-emitting pixels may be characterized by being formed by being embedded inside the transparent display.

[0012] According to another aspect, each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels may be characterized by having a micro lens or color filter disposed on the surface of the transparent display in correspondence with each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels.

[0013] According to another aspect, the plurality of light-emitting pixels may be characterized by being formed with a preset transmittance to have transparency so as not to obstruct the user's front view through the transparent display.

[0014] According to another aspect, the transparent display may further include transparent electrodes or a transparent film that connect the plurality of light-emitting pixels by column or row.

[0015] According to another aspect, the transparent display may further include a transparent pixel controller that controls the plurality of light-emitting pixels and transparent connection lines that connect the transparent pixel controller and the plurality of light-emitting pixels.

[0016] According to another aspect, the plurality of light-emitting pixels may be characterized by being included in a near area on the transparent display.

[0017] According to another aspect, the frame may be characterized by including a battery that supplies power to the plurality of light-emitting pixels and a computing system that processes an image for image output through the plurality of light-emitting pixels.

[0018] According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a wearable device comprises the steps of: forming a frame for fixing the wearable device to a user's head; and providing a transparent display at a position corresponding to the user's eye so as to be connected to the frame, wherein the step of providing the transparent display comprises a plurality of light-emitting pixels for image output.

[0019] According to one aspect, the step of providing the above may be characterized as a step of forming the plurality of light-emitting pixels by embedding them inside the transparent display.

[0020] According to another aspect, the above-described step may be characterized by including the step of forming the plurality of light-emitting pixels with a preset transmittance to have transparency so as not to obstruct the user's front view through the transparent display.

[0021] According to another aspect, the step of providing the above may be characterized by forming the plurality of light-emitting pixels in a near area on the transparent display.

[0022] According to another aspect, the step of forming the frame may be characterized by including a battery that supplies power to the plurality of light-emitting pixels in the frame and a computing system that processes an image for image output through the plurality of light-emitting pixels.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a method of operating a wearable device comprising a frame fixed to a user's head and a transparent display provided at a position corresponding to the user's eyes so as to be connected to the frame may include the step of providing the user's front view through the transparent display; and the step of outputting an image using a plurality of light-emitting pixels included in the transparent display.

[0024] According to one side, the step of providing and the step of outputting may be characterized by being performed simultaneously in real time. Effects of the invention

[0025] One embodiment proposes a wearable device having a structure in which a plurality of light-emitting pixels and a plurality of light-receiving pixels for image output are included in a transparent display, a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for operating the same, thereby achieving a technical effect of improving the resolution and brightness of the provided image and utilizing the space inside the bezel.

[0026] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects and can be extended in various ways without departing from the technical concept and scope of the present invention. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating a wearable device according to one embodiment. FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings showing only the transparent display included in the wearable device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a wearable device according to embodiments. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of a wearable device according to embodiments. FIGS. 7 to 9 are drawings illustrating the appearance reflected on a transparent display to explain the operation method of the wearable device shown in FIG. 6. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited or restricted by the embodiments. Also, the same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same components.

[0030] Furthermore, the terminology used in this specification is used to appropriately describe preferred embodiments of the invention, and may vary depending on the intent of the viewer or operator, or the conventions of the field to which the invention belongs. Accordingly, the definitions of these terms should be based on the content throughout this specification. For example, in this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. Also, as used in this specification, "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be understood that various embodiments of the present invention are different but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the present invention in relation to one embodiment. Additionally, it should be understood that the location, arrangement, or configuration of individual components within each presented category of embodiments may be changed without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0033] In the following embodiments, a wearable device having a structure in which a plurality of light-emitting pixels and a plurality of light-receiving pixels for image output are included in a transparent display to improve the resolution and brightness of the provided image and to utilize the space within the bezel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for operating the same are described.

[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating a wearable device according to one embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating only a transparent display included in the wearable device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0036] Referring to the drawings, the wearable device (100) may include a frame (110) that secures the wearable device (100) to the user's head and a transparent display (120) connected to the frame (110) and provided at a position corresponding to the user's eyes.

[0037] In particular, the transparent display (120) may include a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) for image output.

[0038] Here, the fact that the transparent display (120) includes a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) for image output means that the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) are formed by being embedded inside the transparent display (120).

[0039] However, it is not necessary for all components of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) to be formed by being embedded inside the transparent display (120). For example, only the photodiode (121-1) of each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) may be formed by being embedded inside the transparent display (120), and the micro-lens or color filter (122) of each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) may be formed on the surface of the transparent display (120). In this case, the micro-lens or color filter (122) of each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) may be positioned on the surface of the transparent display (120) in correspondence with each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121).

[0040] Additionally, the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) may have transparency by being formed with a preset transmittance so as not to obstruct the user's front view through the transparent display (120). Thus, the fact that the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) have transparency by being formed with a preset transmittance so as not to obstruct the user's front view through the transparent display (120) means that the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) have transparency when in a non-operational state where they are not outputting an image, rather than when they are in an operating state where they are outputting an image.

[0041] A plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) may be included in a near-vision area on the transparent display (120) to improve the user's recognition rate of the output image. The near-vision area on the transparent display (120) is an area located at the bottom relative to the center of the transparent display (120) when the wearable device (100) is worn by the user, and refers to an area where the focus is set when the user views an object located at a close distance.

[0042] At this time, the image directly output to the transparent display (120) through the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) may be an image captured through a camera (not shown) included in the wearable device (100) or an image obtained through a communication module of a computing system included in the wearable device (110).

[0043] Additionally, the transparent display (120) may further include transparent electrodes or a transparent film (123) that connect a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) by column or row.

[0044] Additionally, the transparent display (120) may further include a transparent pixel controller (124) that controls a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) and transparent connection lines (125) that connect the transparent pixel controller (124) and the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121).

[0045] Although it has been described that a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) are included in the transparent display (120), it is not limited thereto and a plurality of light-receiving pixels (not shown) may also be included. In such cases, the manner in which the plurality of light-receiving pixels are included in the transparent display (120) may be the same as the manner in which the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) are included in the transparent display (120).

[0046] In this way, the wearable device (100) includes a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) in the transparent display (120) and directly provides an image on the transparent display (120), thereby eliminating the need to position a light source on the border (110) and securing the space inside the border (110).

[0047] Accordingly, the frame (110) may include a battery (not shown) that supplies power to a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) and a computing system (not shown) that processes an image for image output through the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121). In this case, the computing system may not only process images but also track the user's eyes or support communication with other devices, and may be an AI system equipped with an artificial intelligence model used to provide various functions to the user.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a wearable device according to embodiments. The manufacturing method described below is for manufacturing a wearable device (100) having the structure shown in FIG. 1 to 4, and is based on the premise that it is performed by an automated and mechanized manufacturing system.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, the manufacturing system can manufacture a wearable device (100) by forming a frame (110) that secures the wearable device (100) to the user's head in step (S510), and then providing a transparent display (120) at a position corresponding to the user's eyes to be connected to the frame (110) in step (S520).

[0051] In particular, the manufacturing system may have a transparent display (120) comprising a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) for image output in step (S520).

[0052] More specifically, the manufacturing system can form a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) by embedding them inside a transparent display (120) in step (S520).

[0053] However, it is not necessary for all components of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) to be formed by being embedded inside the transparent display (120). For example, the manufacturing system may form only the photodiode (121-1) of each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) by being embedded inside the transparent display (120), and may form the micro-lens or color filter (122) of each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) on the surface of the transparent display (120). In this case, the micro-lens or color filter (122) of each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) may be positioned on the surface of the transparent display (120) corresponding to each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121).

[0054] Additionally, the manufacturing system may form a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) with a preset transmittance to have transparency so as not to obstruct the user's front view through the transparent display (120) in step (S520). Thus, the fact that the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) have transparency by being formed with a preset transmittance so as not to obstruct the user's front view through the transparent display (120) means that the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) have transparency when in a non-operational state where they do not output an image, rather than when they are in an operating state where they output an image.

[0055] In particular, the manufacturing system may form a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) in a near-vision area on the transparent display (120) in step (S520) to improve the user's recognition rate of the output image. The near-vision area on the transparent display (120) is an area located at the bottom relative to the center of the transparent display (120) while the wearable device (100) is worn by the user, and refers to an area where the focus is set when the user views an object located at a close distance.

[0056] Additionally, the manufacturing system may have a transparent display (120) further comprising transparent electrodes or a transparent film (123) that connect a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) in a column or row at step (S520).

[0057] Additionally, the manufacturing system may have a transparent display (120) further comprising a transparent pixel controller (124) that controls a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) in step (S520) and transparent connection lines (125) that connect the transparent pixel controller (124) and the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121).

[0058] The wearable device (100) manufactured in this way includes a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) in a transparent display (120) and directly provides an image on the transparent display (120), thereby eliminating the need to position a light source on the border (110) and allowing the space inside the border (110) to be secured.

[0059] Accordingly, the manufacturing system may include a battery (not shown) that supplies power to a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) in the frame (110) at step (S510), and a computing system (not shown) that processes an image for image output through the plurality of light-emitting pixels (121).

[0061] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of a wearable device according to embodiments, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are drawings illustrating the appearance reflected on a transparent display to explain the operation method of the wearable device illustrated in FIG. 6. The operation method described below is based on the premise that it is performed by a wearable device (100) of the structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 6, the wearable device (100) can provide a front view of the user through a transparent display (120) in step (S610) and output an image using a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) included in the transparent display (120) in step (S620).

[0063] At this time, the steps (S610 to S620) are characterized by being performed simultaneously in real time.

[0064] For example, the wearable device (100) can provide the user's front view (710) through a transparent display (120) as shown in FIG. 7, and at the same time, output an image (720) in which a specific part of the front view (710) is captured using a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) included in the transparent display (120).

[0065] As another example, the wearable device (100) can provide the user's front view (810) through a transparent display (120) as shown in FIG. 8, and at the same time, output an image (820) of information about a specific object within the front view (810) (e.g., a menu provided by a specific restaurant in a specific building) using a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) included in the transparent display (120).

[0066] As another example, the wearable device (100) may provide the user's front view (910) through a transparent display (120) as shown in FIG. 9, and at the same time output an image (920) captured by a drone using a plurality of light-emitting pixels (121) included in the transparent display (120).

[0068] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to limited examples and drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from the description above. For example, suitable results can be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a form different from described, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[0069] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

Claim 1 A wearable device comprising: a frame for fixing the wearable device to a user's head; and a transparent display connected to the frame and positioned at a location corresponding to the user's eyes, wherein the transparent display comprises a plurality of light-emitting pixels for image output, wherein the plurality of light-emitting pixels are formed by being embedded within the transparent display, and are formed with a pre-set transmittance to have transparency so as not to obstruct the user's frontal view through the transparent display, and are included in a near-vision area on the transparent display. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels has a micro lens or color filter disposed on the surface of the transparent display in correspondence with each of the plurality of light-emitting pixels. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent display further comprises transparent electrodes or a transparent film that connect the plurality of light-emitting pixels by column or row. Claim 6 A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent display further comprises a transparent pixel controller that controls the plurality of light-emitting pixels and transparent connection lines that connect the transparent pixel controller and the plurality of light-emitting pixels. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a battery that supplies power to the plurality of light-emitting pixels and a computing system that processes an image for image output through the plurality of light-emitting pixels. Claim 9 A method for manufacturing a wearable device comprising: a step of forming a frame for fixing the wearable device to a user's head; and a step of providing a transparent display at a position corresponding to the user's eyes so as to be connected to the frame, wherein the step of providing the transparent display comprises a plurality of light-emitting pixels for image output, wherein the plurality of light-emitting pixels are formed by embedding them inside the transparent display, and the plurality of light-emitting pixels are formed with a pre-set transmittance to have transparency so as not to obstruct the user's frontal view through the transparent display, and the plurality of light-emitting pixels are formed in a near-vision area on the transparent display. Claim 10 delete Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 A method for manufacturing a wearable device according to claim 9, wherein the step of forming the frame comprises the step of including in the frame a battery that supplies power to the plurality of light-emitting pixels and a computing system that processes an image for image output through the plurality of light-emitting pixels. Claim 14 A method of operation of a wearable device comprising a frame fixed to a user's head and a transparent display provided at a position corresponding to the user's eyes so as to be connected to the frame, the method comprising: providing a front view of the user through the transparent display; and outputting an image using a plurality of light-emitting pixels included in the transparent display, wherein the outputting step is a step of outputting the image without obstructing the user's front view through the transparent display, such that the plurality of light-emitting pixels are embedded within a near-vision area on the transparent display and formed with a pre-set transmittance to have transparency. Claim 15 A method of operation of a wearable device according to claim 14, wherein the step of providing and the step of outputting are performed simultaneously in real time.

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