Wearable device and communication method

Abstract

A wearable device includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, a third antenna element, a first phase shifter, a second phase shifter, a third phase shifter, a signal combiner, and a carrier element. The first antenna element can receive a first wireless signal. The second antenna element can receive a second wireless signal. The third antenna element can receive a third wireless signal. The first phase shifter may provide a first compensation phase to the first wireless signal. The second phase shifter can provide a second compensation phase to the second wireless signal. The third phase shifter can provide a third compensation phase to a third wireless signal. The signal combiner can generate an integrated signal according to the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal and the third wireless signal. The first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element may be configured in different directions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable device, and in particular, to a wearable device and a communication method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of mobile communication technology, mobile devices have become increasingly popular in recent years. Common examples include laptop computers, mobile phones, multimedia players, and other portable electronic devices with mixed functions. In order to meet people's needs, mobile devices usually have wireless communication functions. Some include wireless communication ranges covering long distances, such as mobile phones using 2G, 3G, LTE (Long Term Evolution) systems and their used 700MHz, 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz, and 2500MHz frequency bands for communication. Some cover short-range wireless communication ranges, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth systems using 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, and 5.8GHz frequency bands for communication.

[0003] Antennas are indispensable elements in the field of wireless communication. If the polarization direction of the antenna used for receiving or transmitting signals is too limited, it is easy to cause the communication loss of the mobile device to rise. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new solution to overcome the difficulties of the prior art. SUMMARY

[0004] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a wearable device, comprising: a first antenna element receiving a first wireless signal; a second antenna element receiving a second wireless signal; a third antenna element receiving a third wireless signal; a first phase shifter coupled to the first antenna element, wherein the first phase shifter provides a first compensation phase to the first wireless signal; a second phase shifter coupled to the second antenna element, wherein the second phase shifter provides a second compensation phase to the second wireless signal; a third phase shifter coupled to the third antenna element, wherein the third phase shifter provides a third compensation phase to the third wireless signal; a signal combiner coupled to the first phase shifter, the second phase shifter, and the third phase shifter, wherein the signal combiner generates a combined signal according to the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal; and a carrier element, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are disposed on the carrier element and arranged in different directions.

[0005] In some embodiments, each of the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal is a satellite communication signal.

[0006] In some embodiments, the wearable device is a smart glass with wireless communication function.

[0007] In some embodiments, the carrier element includes a frame element and an extension element, and the extension element is connected to the frame element.

[0008] In some embodiments, the frame element is a frame of a glass.

[0009] In some embodiments, the extension element is a temple of a glass.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first antenna element is disposed on the extension element.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second antenna element and the third antenna element are disposed on different positions of the frame element.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element is a linearly polarized antenna.

[0014] In some embodiments, the wearable device further includes a control circuit generating a control signal, wherein the first compensation phase, the second compensation phase, and the third compensation phase are determined according to the control signal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the control circuit includes an inertial measurement unit.

[0016] In some embodiments, the control circuit includes a global positioning system module.

[0017] In some embodiments, a first phase difference between the first compensation phase and the second compensation phase is substantially equal to 90 degrees.

[0018] In some embodiments, a second phase difference between the second compensation phase and the third compensation phase is substantially equal to 90 degrees.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the present application provides a communication method, comprising the steps of: providing a carrier element, a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are disposed on the carrier element and arranged along different directions; receiving a first wireless signal through the first antenna element; receiving a second wireless signal through the second antenna element; receiving a third wireless signal through the third antenna element; providing a first compensation phase to the first wireless signal; providing a second compensation phase to the second wireless signal; providing a third compensation phase to the third wireless signal; and generating an integrated signal according to the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic view of a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0021] Figure 2A A perspective view of a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0022] Figure 2B A perspective view of a wearable device according to another embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 A flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0024] LIST OF SYMBOLS

[0025] 100, 200, 201: wearable device

[0026] 110, 210: first antenna element

[0027] 120, 220: second antenna element

[0028] 130, 230: third antenna element

[0029] 140: first phase shifter

[0030] 150: second phase shifter

[0031] 160: third phase shifter

[0032] 170: signal combiner

[0033] 180, 280: carrier element

[0034] 190, 290: control circuit

[0035] 241: first auxiliary antenna element

[0036] 242: Second auxiliary antenna element

[0037] 243: Third Auxiliary Antenna Element

[0038] 244: Fourth Auxiliary Antenna Element

[0039] 245: Fifth Auxiliary Antenna Element

[0040] 246: Sixth Auxiliary Antenna Element

[0041] 284: Frame Components

[0042] 285: Extension element

[0043] 291: Inertial Measurement Unit

[0044] 292: Global Positioning System

[0045] S1: First wireless signal

[0046] S2: Second wireless signal

[0047] S3: Third wireless signal

[0048] S310, S320, S330, S340, S350, S360, S370, S380: Steps

[0049] SC: Control Signal

[0050] SX: Integrated Signal

[0051] X: X-axis

[0052] Y: Y-axis

[0053] Z: Z-axis

[0054] θ1: First compensated phase

[0055] θ2: Second compensated phase

[0056] θ3: Third compensated phase Detailed Implementation

[0057] To make the objectives, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Certain terms are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific elements. Those skilled in the art will understand that hardware manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same element. This specification and claims do not distinguish elements by differences in name, but rather by differences in function. The terms "comprising" and "including" used throughout the specification and claims are open-ended and should be interpreted as "comprising but not limited to." The term "generally" means that within an acceptable margin of error, those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem and achieve the basic technical effect within a certain margin of error. Furthermore, the term "coupled" in this specification includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means. Therefore, if a first device is described as coupled to a second device, it means that the first device can be directly electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly electrically connected to the second device via other devices or connection means.

[0059] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples to implement the various features of this application. The following disclosure describes specific examples of the various components and their arrangements for simplification. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, if this disclosure describes a first feature formed on or above a second feature, it indicates that it may include embodiments where the first and second features are in direct contact, or embodiments where an additional feature is formed between the first and second features, so that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Furthermore, the same reference numerals and / or designations may be repeated in the different examples disclosed below. These repetitions are for simplification and clarity and are not intended to limit any specific relationship between the different embodiments or / and structures discussed.

[0060] Furthermore, spatially related terms, such as "below," "lower," "above," "higher," and similar terms, are used to facilitate the description of the relationship between one element or feature and another element(s) in the accompanying drawings. In addition to the orientations shown in the drawings, these spatially related terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. The device may be rotated to different orientations (90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related terms used herein may be interpreted in the same way.

[0061] Figure 1 The diagram shows a wearable device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the wearable device 100 can be applied to the fields of Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR), but is not limited thereto. Figure 1In some embodiments, the wearable device 100 includes at least: a first antenna element 110, a second antenna element 120, a third antenna element 130, a first phase shifter 140, a second phase shifter 150, a third phase shifter 160, a signal combiner 170, and a carrier element 180. The first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 can all be made of metal, such as copper, silver, aluminum, iron, or their alloys. It must be understood that, although not shown in… Figure 1 However, the wearable device 100 may also include other components, such as a transmission line, a signal source, an electrode, a battery, or a power supply module.

[0062] The shape and type of the first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 are not particularly limited in this invention. For example, each of the first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 may be a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, a patch antenna, or a chip antenna.

[0063] The first antenna element 110 can receive a first wireless signal S1. A first phase shifter 140 is coupled to the first antenna element 110, wherein the first phase shifter 140 can provide a first compensation phase θ1 to the first wireless signal S1.

[0064] The second antenna element 120 can receive a second wireless signal S2. A second phase shifter 150 is coupled to the second antenna element 120, wherein the second phase shifter 150 can provide a second compensated phase θ2 to the second wireless signal S2. For example, a first phase difference between the first compensated phase θ1 and the second compensated phase θ2 can be approximately equal to 90 degrees, but is not limited to this.

[0065] The third antenna element 130 can receive a third wireless signal S3. A third phase shifter 160 is coupled to the third antenna element 130, wherein the third phase shifter 160 can provide a third compensated phase θ3 to the third wireless signal S3. For example, a second phase difference between the second compensated phase θ2 and the third compensated phase θ3 can be approximately equal to 90 degrees, but is not limited to this.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first compensation phase θ1 may be approximately equal to 0 degrees, the second compensation phase θ2 may be approximately equal to 90 degrees, and the third compensation phase θ3 may be approximately equal to 180 degrees. In other embodiments, the first compensation phase θ1 may be approximately equal to 180 degrees, the second compensation phase θ2 may be approximately equal to 90 degrees, and the third compensation phase θ3 may be approximately equal to 0 degrees.

[0067] In some embodiments, each of the first wireless signal S1, the second wireless signal S2, and the third wireless signal S3 may be a satellite communication signal. For example, the first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 may cover an operational frequency band, which may be between 1 GHz and 30 GHz. In other embodiments, the wearable device 100 may also support frequency bands used by non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as L-band (n255), S-band (n256), etc.

[0068] Signal combiner 170 is coupled to first antenna element 110 via first phase shifter 140. Signal combiner 170 is further coupled to second antenna element 120 via second phase shifter 150. Signal combiner 170 is also coupled to third antenna element 130 via third phase shifter 160. Additionally, signal combiner 170 can generate an integrated signal SX based on first wireless signal S1, second wireless signal S2, and third wireless signal S3. For example, integrated signal SX can record all relevant information of the first wireless signal S1, second wireless signal S2, and third wireless signal S3.

[0069] In some embodiments, the integrated signal SX can be generated based on only any two of the first wireless signal S1, the second wireless signal S2, and the third wireless signal S3, and can be considered as two target wireless signals. For example, these target wireless signals can have similar signal strengths, and the phase difference between them can be close to 90 degrees. In other embodiments, a first time slot can correspond to the first wireless signal S1 and the second wireless signal S2, and a second time slot can correspond to the second wireless signal S2 and the third wireless signal S3, wherein the aforementioned second time slot follows the aforementioned first time slot.

[0070] The carrier element 180 may be made of a non-conductive material, such as plastic. The shape and type of the carrier element 180 are not particularly limited in this invention. The first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 may all be disposed on the carrier element 180. In other embodiments, the first phase shifter 140, the second phase shifter 150, the third phase shifter 160, and the signal combiner 170 may also be disposed on the carrier element 180, but this is not a limitation.

[0071] In some embodiments, the wearable device 100 further includes a control circuit 190. The control circuit 190 is coupled to a first phase shifter 140, a second phase shifter 150, and a third phase shifter 160. The control circuit 190 can generate a control signal SC, wherein the aforementioned first compensation phase θ1, second compensation phase θ2, and third compensation phase θ3 can all be determined according to this control signal SC. It must be understood that the control circuit 190 is only an optional component and may be removed in other embodiments.

[0072] For example, each of the first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 can be a linearly-polarized antenna. In a preferred embodiment, the first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 are configured along different directions, such that any combination of the first antenna element 110, the second antenna element 120, and the third antenna element 130 can be used to receive various wireless signals with circular polarization characteristics. Furthermore, the addition of the first phase shifter 140, the second phase shifter 150, and the third phase shifter 160 helps to correct the non-ideal characteristics of the first wireless signal S1, the second wireless signal S2, and the third wireless signal S3. According to actual measurement results, the wearable device 100 proposed in this invention can significantly reduce the overall reception loss of these wireless signals.

[0073] The following embodiments will illustrate different configurations and detailed structural features of the wearable device 100. It must be understood that these figures and descriptions are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0074] Figure 2A A perspective view of a wearable device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2A and Figure 1 Similar. Figure 2A In this embodiment, the wearable device 200 is a smart glasses device with wireless communication capabilities, and a carrier element 280 of the wearable device 200 includes a frame element 284 and an extension element 285, wherein the extension element 285 is connected to the frame element 284. For example, the frame element 284 may be a glasses frame, and the extension element 285 may be a temple.

[0075] In detail, the wearable device 200 also includes a first antenna element 210, a second antenna element 220, and a third antenna element 230. The first antenna element 210 is disposed on the extension element 285, while the second antenna element 220 and the third antenna element 230 are disposed at different locations on the frame element 284. Each of the first antenna element 210, the second antenna element 220, and the third antenna element 230 can be a linearly polarized antenna. It is important to note that the first antenna element 210, the second antenna element 220, and the third antenna element 230 are approximately perpendicular to each other. For example, the first antenna element 210 can be disposed approximately parallel to the Z-axis, the second antenna element 220 approximately parallel to the Y-axis, and the third antenna element 230 approximately parallel to the X-axis. Based on actual measurements, this orthogonal antenna configuration helps minimize the overall reception loss of various wireless signals with circular polarization characteristics.

[0076] Additionally, a control circuit 290 of the wearable device 200 may include an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) 291 and / or a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 292. For example, the IMU 291 may detect a user's movement or rotation information, while the GPS 292 may detect the user's location information. The control circuit 290 may generate a control signal SC based on the detection results of the IMU 291 and / or the GPS 292 (e.g., the aforementioned movement, rotation, or location information). Then, a first phase shifter, a second phase shifter, and a third phase shifter (not shown) of the wearable device 200 may provide a first compensation phase, a second compensation phase, and a third compensation phase, respectively, according to this control signal SC. With this design, the non-ideal characteristics of the corresponding wireless signal of the wearable device 200 can be further suppressed. Figure 2A The remaining features of the wearable device 200 are all the same as Figure 1 The wearable device 100 is similar, so both embodiments can achieve similar operational effects.

[0077] Figure 2B A perspective view of a wearable device 201 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2B and Figure 2A Similar. Figure 2B In some embodiments, the wearable device 201 further includes a first auxiliary antenna element 241, a second auxiliary antenna element 242, a third auxiliary antenna element 243, a fourth auxiliary antenna element 244, a fifth auxiliary antenna element 245, and a sixth auxiliary antenna element 246, which can be disposed at different positions on the frame element 284 and the extension element 285. The first auxiliary antenna element 241, the second auxiliary antenna element 242, the third auxiliary antenna element 243, the fourth auxiliary antenna element 244, the fifth auxiliary antenna element 245, and the sixth auxiliary antenna element 246 can respectively receive a first wireless signal, a second wireless signal, a third wireless signal, a fourth wireless signal, a fifth wireless signal, and a sixth wireless signal. In addition, an integrated signal of the wearable device 201 can be generated based on any four of the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, the third wireless signal, the fourth wireless signal, the fifth wireless signal, and the sixth wireless signal, which can be regarded as four target wireless signals. For example, these target wireless signals may have similar signal strength and can be used to support an Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) signal mode. Figure 2B The remaining features of the wearable device 201 are all the same as Figure 2ASimilar to the wearable device 200, both embodiments can achieve similar operational effects. In some embodiments, the aforementioned orbital angular momentum signal modes can be as described in Table 1 below:

[0078]

[0079]

[0080] Table 1: Orbital Angular Momentum Signal Modes

[0081] Figure 3 A flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. First, in step S310, a carrier element, a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element are provided, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are all disposed on the carrier element and configured along different directions. In step S320, a first wireless signal is received through the first antenna element. In step S330, a second wireless signal is received through the second antenna element. In step S340, a third wireless signal is received through the third antenna element. In step S350, a first compensation phase is provided to the first wireless signal. In step S360, a second compensation phase is provided to the second wireless signal. In step S370, a third compensation phase is provided to the third wireless signal. Finally, in step S380, an integrated signal is generated based on the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal. It must be understood that the above steps do not need to be performed sequentially, but... Figure 1 , 2A Each feature of the 2B embodiment can be applied to Figure 3 In the communication methods.

[0082] This invention proposes a novel wearable device. Based on actual measurement results, the overall wireless signal reception loss of the wearable device designed above will be significantly reduced, making it well-suited for application in a wide variety of devices.

[0083] It is worth noting that the component parameters described above are not limiting factors of the present invention. Designers can adjust these settings according to different needs. The wearable device and communication method of the present invention are not limited to... Figures 1-3 The state shown. This invention may include only... Figures 1-3 Any one or more features of any one or more embodiments. In other words, not all features of the figures need to be implemented simultaneously in the wearable device and communication method of the present invention.

[0084] The method, or a specific form or part thereof, of the present invention may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in a physical medium, such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, or any other machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage medium, or may be a computer program product, not limited to an external form, wherein when the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. The program code may also be transmitted via some transmission medium, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission method, wherein when the program code is received, loaded, and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. When executed in a general-purpose processing unit, the program code, in conjunction with the processing unit, provides a unique apparatus operating similarly to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0085] The ordinal numbers in this specification and claims, such as "first," "second," "third," etc., are not sequential in any particular order; they are only used to distinguish between two different elements with the same name.

[0086] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wearable device, comprising: A first antenna element receives a first wireless signal; A second antenna element receives a second wireless signal; A third antenna element for receiving a third wireless signal; A first phase shifter is coupled to the first antenna element, wherein the first phase shifter provides a first compensated phase to the first wireless signal; A second phase shifter is coupled to the second antenna element, wherein the second phase shifter provides a second compensated phase to the second wireless signal; A third phase shifter is coupled to the third antenna element, wherein the third phase shifter provides a third compensated phase to the third wireless signal; A signal combiner is coupled to the first phase shifter, the second phase shifter, and the third phase shifter, wherein the signal combiner generates an integrated signal based on the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal. as well as A carrier element, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are disposed on the carrier element and configured in different directions.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein each of the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal is a satellite communication signal.

3. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wearable device is a smart glasses device with wireless communication function.

4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the carrier element includes a frame element and an extension element, and the extension element is connected to the frame element.

5. The wearable device of claim 4, wherein the frame element is a mirror frame.

6. The wearable device of claim 4, wherein the extension element is a temple.

7. The wearable device of claim 4, wherein the first antenna element is disposed on the extension element.

8. The wearable device of claim 4, wherein the second antenna element and the third antenna element are disposed at different positions on the frame element.

9. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are substantially perpendicular to each other.

10. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein each of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element is a linearly polarized antenna.

11. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising: A control circuit generates a control signal, wherein the first compensation phase, the second compensation phase, and the third compensation phase are all determined according to the control signal.

12. The wearable device of claim 11, wherein the control circuit includes an inertial measurement unit.

13. The wearable device of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry includes a global positioning system module.

14. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein a first phase difference between the first compensation phase and the second compensation phase is approximately equal to 90 degrees.

15. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein a second phase difference between the second compensation phase and the third compensation phase is approximately equal to 90 degrees.

16. A communication method, comprising the following steps: A carrier element, a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element are provided, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are all disposed on the carrier element and configured along different directions; A first wireless signal is received through the first antenna element; A second wireless signal is received through this second antenna element; A third wireless signal is received through this third antenna element; Provide a first compensation phase to the first wireless signal; Provide a second compensation phase to the second wireless signal; Provide a third compensated phase to the third wireless signal; and An integrated signal is generated based on the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal.

17. The communication method of claim 16, wherein each of the first wireless signal, the second wireless signal, and the third wireless signal is a satellite communication signal.

18. The communication method of claim 16, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element are substantially perpendicular to each other.

19. The communication method of claim 16, wherein a first phase difference between the first compensation phase and the second compensation phase is approximately equal to 90 degrees.

20. The communication method of claim 16, wherein a second phase difference between the second compensation phase and the third compensation phase is approximately equal to 90 degrees.

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