Clothing-Embedded Sensor Array for Discreet AR Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Enhanced reality systems face social awkwardness and imprecision in user input due to the need for hand movements in front of the user, lacking tactile feedback, and discomfort in public spaces.

Innovation Solution

A computing input device with an array of sensors embedded in clothing, such as pants or shirts, that receives touch inputs and converts them into signals to control enhanced reality environments, providing a non-obtrusive, ergonomic, and aesthetically appealing interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hand movements are used for input in enhanced reality systems, then user interaction capability is improved, but social awkwardness and imprecision increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidinput precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces clothing as an intermediary medium between the user and the enhanced reality system. Sensors embedded in the clothing detect touch inputs, serving as a mediator that translates physical contact into digital commands. This resolves the contradiction by providing precise input detection through the clothing intermediary while maintaining natural, socially acceptable user gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If hand movements in front of the user are required for input, then interaction control is improved, but social awkwardness in public spaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction controlVSAvoidsocial awkwardness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the input sensing function from the user's hands and relocates it to the clothing. By taking out the sensor array from the traditional hand-based interface and embedding it in the clothing, the system allows users to interact naturally without requiring conspicuous hand movements in public spaces, thereby eliminating social awkwardness while maintaining interaction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If sensors are exposed or visible on the user interface, then input functionality is improved, but aesthetics and discretion are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoidaesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nesting principle by embedding the sensor array within the clothing structure. The sensors are nested inside the fabric layers, making them invisible from the outside while remaining fully functional. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining complete input functionality through the concealed sensors while preserving the aesthetic appearance of the clothing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Extent of automation

If traditional input devices are used, then computing control is improved, but tactile feedback and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing controlVSAvoidtactile feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical touch interface of traditional input devices with a distributed sensor array embedded in the clothing. This replacement maintains computing control capabilities while providing superior tactile feedback through the fabric medium, which naturally conforms to the user's body and offers comfortable, intuitive touch interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11353951B2Computing input devices with sensors concealed in articles of clothing

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a computing input device is described. The computing input device includes an article of clothing to be worn by a user. An array of sensors is embedded in the article of clothing and receives a touch input. The array of sensors is concealed within the article of clothing. The computing input device also includes a control system to convert the touch input to the array of sensors into a computing input.