Context-Aware Dynamic Color Changing Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eyewear is static in color and opacity, unable to dynamically adjust based on user situations such as business meetings or social events, lacking configurability by the user or context awareness.
Innovation Solution
A smart eyewear system that collects sensory data from cameras and microphones to identify situational contexts and adjusts the color and opacity of lenses using electrochromic glass technology, integrating with personality insights and IoT devices for dynamic configuration based on location, weather, and environmental data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional static eyewear is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different situations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lens appearance changeable from static to dynamic. The electrochromic glass allows the lens to dynamically adjust its color and opacity based on different situations, transforming a fixed component into an adaptable one that responds to environmental and contextual cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the optical properties of the lens through electrochromic technology. By changing electrical parameters (applying voltage), the lens transitions between different states of opacity and color, enabling adaptability without adding mechanical moving parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrochromic glass is used to enable dynamic color changing, then adaptability improves, but energy consumption increases due to continuous control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using intermittent control signals rather than continuous power supply. The controller provides periodic voltage pulses to the electrochromic glass to maintain desired states, and the system periodically adjusts lens appearance based on changing situational contexts, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor environmental conditions and user context, feeding this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the electrochromic glass accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes energy usage by only activating color changes when situational parameters warrant them.
3Loss of information
If sensors and controllers are integrated into eyewear, then context awareness improves, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional integrated system where sensors, processors, and electrochromic glass work together as a unified eyewear platform. The same sensor array serves multiple purposes (detecting light, motion, and environmental conditions), and the controller manages both context awareness and lens adjustment functions, reducing overall system complexity through functional integration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If location-based context matching is implemented, then adaptability to specific environments improves, but processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring location context entries with associated eyewear appearance settings. When the sensor detects the user's location, the system performs a rapid match against pre-stored context entries rather than analyzing all possible parameters in real-time, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high adaptability to specific environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the eyewear to dynamically change its appearance to match various situational contexts, enhancing user experience and adaptability to different environments and social situations.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromic glass utilizes a principle of electrochromism, which allows certain materials to change color or even opacity when a burst of charge is applied.
Implementation Method 2
While a small burst of electricity is required for changing the opacity of the glass, no electricity is needed for maintaining a particular shade once the glass implements the change.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided in which a lens system receives a set of location data corresponding to a location of a user wearing the lens system. Next, the lens system matches the set of location data to a location context entry stored in a storage area and, in turn, adjusts an appearance of the lens system based on a set of lens configuration attributes corresponding to the matched location context entry.