Wearable devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a wearable device that is attached to clothing, captures images of the user's surroundings, and provides voice input. [Solution] The device comprises a main body housing 100, a front cover 110, a first lens window 111a and a second lens window 111b formed on the front cover spaced apart from each other, light-shielding ribs 112 projecting forward from the periphery of each lens window, an acoustic guide duct 311 projecting from the top surface of the main body housing to guide external sound to the internal microphone, and a shutter tab 412 positioned on the side, which is slidable and works in conjunction with an internal shutter member to physically open or close each lens window; and a back plate that is magnetically attached to the rear surface of the main body and includes a spring clip for holding a part of clothing and a protective pad for the area where the clip is not placed. This improves the stability of attachment to clothing, image quality, sound collection efficiency, and mechanical privacy protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of wearable devices. More specifically, it relates to a detachable wearable device that can be easily and firmly attached and detached at various positions on clothing, and has an improved structure that provides functions such as ensuring the imaging quality of a camera, improving the voice collection efficiency of a wearer, and providing a mechanical privacy protection function, and is equipped with a pin (clip-on) type microphone.

Background Art

[0002] A portable recording device is an item that collects and stores the user's speech or ambient sound. In order to achieve miniaturization, weight reduction, and improved portability, it has been developed in various housing shapes and internal arrangement structures. In recent years, a device that can transfer and manage recording data in conjunction with a smartphone has been proposed, and its utilization as a peripheral device for a smartphone has increased.

[0003] On the other hand, although the call function of a smartphone is widely used, call recording may be restricted or voice acquisition may not be smooth depending on a specific terminal or operating environment, and there is a demand to use a separate external recording device in combination with a smartphone. Along with this, a wearable recording device that is attached or coupled to the outside of a smartphone and records call voices and ambient sounds has been proposed.

[0004] However, when conventional wearable recording devices use coupling means such as clips, double-sided tapes, bands, etc., the external appearance integration is reduced and the attachment and detachment are complicated. Even when magnetic coupling is applied, the magnetic arrangement structure is simple, so the alignment of the attachment position is reduced, and rotation, slipping, and dropping may occur during use.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and its main objective is to provide a wearable device equipped with a detachable structure that can be stably and firmly fixed regardless of the type or thickness of clothing, while simultaneously minimizing damage to the clothing.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a wearable device that can improve image quality by eliminating unwanted light interference through structural improvements around the lens.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to provide a wearable device that can enhance the directivity of the wearer's voice collection by improving the structure of the acoustic inflow path.

[0008] Furthermore, another objective of this invention is to provide a privacy protection function that can physically block camera shooting by applying a mechanical shielding structure that can be intuitively operated by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A wearable device that can be attached to clothing according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: a main body housing that forms an internal space for housing a camera module and electronic components; a front cover coupled to the front of the main body housing and having a lens window formed therein at a position corresponding to the lens of the camera module for opening the optical path; and a back plate that is magnetically and detachably coupled to the rear of the main body housing and has fastening means for fixing to clothing on its rear surface.

[0010] Herein, the front cover is characterized by including a ring-shaped shading rib that protrudes forward to a predetermined height along the periphery of the lens window and blocks side light incident on the lens window.

[0011] Furthermore, a hollow acoustic guide duct for guiding external sounds to the internal microphone is formed protruding from the upper surface of the main body housing, and the acoustic inlet of the acoustic guide duct is formed to be inclined upward or backward upward so as to face the wearer of the device.

[0012] Furthermore, the main housing is characterized by further including a shutter tab on its side that can be slid by user operation, and a mechanical shutter member that physically shields or opens the lens window in conjunction with the movement of the shutter tab.

[0013] On the other hand, the fastening means for the back plate is characterized by including a spring clip provided on one side of the rear surface of the back plate that holds clothing by elastic force, and a protective pad made of a flexible material attached to the other side of the rear surface of the back plate that increases friction with the clothing and prevents damage to the clothing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to each embodiment of the present invention described above, the following effects can be achieved. (1) By employing a double fixing structure that combines a spring clip and a large-area friction protection pad on the back plate, which is separated from the main body, the device can maintain a stable shooting angle without easily sliding or rotating on the clothing, and damage to the clothing fabric caused by clip pressure can be suppressed. (2) By forming a protruding ring-shaped light-shielding rib around the lens window of the front cover, unwanted stray light entering from the side is physically blocked, ensuring clear image quality even in backlit conditions. (3) By providing the upper part of the main unit with a tube-shaped acoustic guide duct that is inclined upward toward the wearer's mouth, the wearer's voice can be collected intensively while reducing the inflow of ambient noise, thereby improving the voice recognition rate and call quality. (4) By applying a mechanical shutter structure that physically shields the lens window in conjunction with the operation of a slide tab on the side of the main unit, the user can reliably block shooting when desired, providing psychological reassurance and reliability against concerns such as hacking. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the main body housing that constitutes the main body of a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the rear surface of the back plate, which is detachably attached to the rear surface of the main housing by magnetic force or the like. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the main body housing (100) that constitutes the main body of a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The main body housing (100) provides an internal housing space for accommodating electronic components such as a camera module, control circuit board, and battery, and contributes to the appearance and rigidity. The main body housing (100) may have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape for ease of installation, but the corners and surfaces near the corners may be rounded. For example, it may have external dimensions in the range of 45-65 mm in width, 25-40 mm in height, and 9-16 mm in thickness.

[0018] A front cover (110) is attached to the front surface of the main housing (100), and stepped protrusions or engaging grooves / ribs may be formed on the periphery of the front cover (110) to enhance the stability of the connection with the main housing (100). For example, a step of 0.3 to 0.8 mm in the thickness direction may be formed on the periphery of the front cover (110), and a locking rib may be formed on the main housing (100) side corresponding to this step for fitting and connection.

[0019] In the upper region of the front cover (110), a first lens window (111a) and a second lens window (111b) are formed at a predetermined distance apart, opening the optical path so that a dual camera module (not shown) can image external subjects. Each lens window (111a, 111b) may be formed as a square or circular opening, and for example, the opening width (or diameter) may be in the range of 6 to 10 mm. The distance between the centers of the first lens window (111a) and the second lens window (111b) may be set in the range of 12 to 24 mm, thereby balancing miniaturization of the main unit with ensuring imaging parallax. Furthermore, the lens windows (111a, 111b) are recessed by 0.3 to 1.0 mm from the outer surface of the front cover (110), which may provide a protective stepped structure against external forces.

[0020] Ring-shaped shading ribs (112) are formed to project forward from the periphery of the first lens window (111a) and the second lens window (111b). The shading ribs (112) may be formed as a continuous ring structure along the periphery of the lens window, or as a multi-stage ring shape. For example, the forward projection height of the shading ribs (112) may be in the range of 0.5 to 1.8 mm, and the average thickness of the ribs may be in the range of 0.6 to 1.5 mm. The cross-section of the ribs may be formed in the shape of an arc or trapezoid, and may simultaneously provide a shading effect to suppress obliquely incident light from the side and a physical protection effect that functions as a bumper in the event of an external impact. In addition, the outer circumference of the shading ribs (112) may be rounded (e.g., R0.3 to R1.0) to reduce slippage and dents.

[0021] On the upper surface of the main body housing (100), an acoustic guide duct (311) for guiding external sounds, particularly the wearer's voice, to an internal microphone (not shown) is provided to protrude. The acoustic guide duct (311) has a tube shape protruding from the upper surface of the main body housing (100), and can be arranged at an angle inclined upward or rearward so that the external duct opening faces the direction of the wearer's mouth or the sound source direction. For example, the central axis of the duct can have an inclination angle of 20 to 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, the protruding length can be in the range of 6 to 16 mm, and the inner diameter can be in the range of 3 to 7 mm. A flange or reinforcing rib for suppressing swinging and breakage can be formed at the base end of the duct. For example, the outer diameter of the flange can be formed to be 1.2 to 2.0 times the outer diameter of the duct. Also, a mesh (not shown) for suppressing the inflow of foreign matter can be arranged inside the duct or at the duct opening, and the void size of the mesh can be set in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 mm.

[0022] On one side surface of the main body housing (100), a shutter tab (412) that can be slidably moved by a user operation is installed. The shutter tab (412) is arranged to be linearly movable along a guide slot (not shown) formed on the side surface of the main body housing (100), and the length of the guide slot defines the effective movement distance of the tab. For example, the length of the guide slot can be set in the range of 7 to 15 mm, the slot width can be in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 mm, and the effective movement distance of the tab can be in the range of 5 to 12 mm. Stopper walls for restricting excessive movement can be formed at both ends of the guide slot, and a locking protrusion-recess or detent structure for suppressing arbitrary movement at a predetermined phase can be further included. The shutter tab (412) is interlocked with a mechanical shutter member (not shown) inside the main body housing (100) by a link or a protrusion-recess coupling structure, and is configured to physically open or close the first lens window (111a) and the second lens window (111b) according to the movement of the tab.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the rear surface of a back plate (600) detachably coupled to the rear surface of a main body housing (100) by magnetic force or the like. Here, the rear surface of the back plate (600) means the surface facing the clothes or the body when the user wears the device. The back plate (600) is generally formed as a plate-like member, and the outer peripheral edge can be rounded to reduce catching and foreign object sensation during wearing. For example, the outer dimensions of the back plate (600) can be set in the range of 55 to 75 mm in width, 25 to 45 mm in length, and 1.0 to 2.8 mm in thickness. To reinforce the rigidity of the back plate (600), reinforcing ribs (not shown) can be formed on the back surface or inside, and for example, the rib height can be in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

[0024] A spring clip (630) for fixing the device to the clothes is installed in one side region of the back plate (600). The spring clip (630) can be implemented as a structure including a fixing portion fixed to the back plate (600), a pressing portion pressing the clothes with an elastic force, and a clamping protrusion (clamping claw) supporting the clothes. The clip width can be set in consideration of clothes clamping stability and miniaturization, and for example, it can be set in the range of 10 to 22 mm in width and 25 to 45 mm in length. The clamping interval (entrance gap) can be designed in the range of 0.5 to 3.5 mm considering thin clothes to thick fabrics, and an uneven pattern or friction material for slip suppression can be formed / attached on the clamping surface. Also, the clip coupling portion can be fixed to the back plate (600) by screws, rivets or locking couplings, and for example, in the case of screw fastening, it can be implemented with a structure using a small-diameter screw of 1.4 to 2.0 mm class.

[0025] A protective pad (640) is attached to the rear surface of the back plate (600), excluding the area occupied by the spring clip (630). The protective pad (640) may be made of a flexible material with a high coefficient of friction, such as silicone, rubber, or fiber material, and serves as a cushion to prevent slipping and damage to clothing. For example, the thickness of the protective pad (640) may be in the range of 0.8 to 2.5 mm, and the effective area of ​​the pad may be set in the range of 20 to 40 mm horizontally and 18 to 35 mm vertically. The back plate (600) may have a recessed pad housing (not shown) on which the protective pad (640) is placed in order to align the pad and prevent it from falling off. For example, the depth of the recess may be in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 mm. Alternatively, an edge rib may be formed to surround the outer circumference of the pad, and the height of the edge rib may be in the range of 0.3 to 0.9 mm. The outer surface of the protective pad (640) may be formed with a fine uneven pattern to improve friction, and can be implemented, for example, as a grid or dot pattern with a pitch of 0.5 to 2.0 mm.

[0026] On the other hand, the back plate (600) may include magnets or magnetic material (not shown) for attachment and detachment to the main housing (100). For example, 2 to 5 circular magnets with a diameter of 3 to 6 mm and a thickness of 1 to 2 mm may be arranged inside the back plate (600), and a magnetic plate may be arranged on the rear surface of the main housing (100) in correspondence with these. To suppress rotation or eccentric movement during coupling, at least one of the back plate (600) or the main housing (100) may further include alignment projections / grooves, for example, the diameter of the alignment projections may be in the range of 1.0 to 2.5 mm and the projection height may be in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 100: Main housing 110: Front cover 111a: First lens window 111b: Second lens window 112: Light-blocking rib 311: Acoustic guide duct 412: Shutter tab 600: Backplate 630: Spring clip

Claims

1. In a wearable device that is attached to clothing, captures images of the user's surroundings, and performs voice input, A main body comprising: a main housing; a front cover coupled to the front surface of the main housing; a first lens window and a second lens window formed on the front cover at a distance from each other; light-shielding ribs projecting forward from the periphery of the first lens window and the second lens window; an acoustic guide duct projecting from the upper surface of the main housing and guiding external sound to a microphone inside the main body; and a shutter tab positioned on the side of the main housing, slidably movable and in conjunction with a shutter member inside the main body to physically open or close the first lens window and the second lens window; and A back plate that is magnetically attached to the rear surface of the main body, the back plate comprising a spring clip configured to hold a part of clothing, and a protective pad attached to an area where the spring clip is not located; A wearable device characterized by comprising the following:

2. The first lens window and the second lens window are positioned recessed by 0.3 to 1.0 mm from the outer surface of the front cover. The wearable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-shielding rib has a forward projection height of 0.5 to 1.8 mm and an average thickness of 0.6 to 1.5 mm, and its outer edge is rounded to R0.3 to R1.

0.

3. The aforementioned acoustic guide duct is positioned at an inclination angle of 20 to 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, has a protruding length of 6 to 16 mm, and is formed as a tube shape with an inner diameter of 3 to 7 mm. The wearable device according to claim 2, characterized in that a mesh with a gap size of 0.2 to 0.8 mm is placed in the opening of the acoustic guide duct.

4. A recessed pad housing portion for placing a protective pad is formed in the back plate with a depth of 0.3 to 1.0 mm, and an edge rib with a height of 0.3 to 0.9 mm is formed around the recessed pad housing portion. The wearable device according to claim 3, characterized in that two to five magnets, each 3 to 6 mm in diameter and 1 to 2 mm thick, are arranged inside the back plate, a magnetic plate corresponding to the magnets is arranged on the rear surface of the main body housing, and at least one of alignment protrusions and alignment grooves is further provided to suppress rotation or eccentric movement during coupling.

Images