E-Paper Eyewear Display for Customization Without Visual Distraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for personalized and easily changeable eyewear frames that allow for customization of design, color, and branding, while maintaining a sleek and non-distracting display solution that does not require continuous power to maintain images.
Innovation Solution
The integration of user-configurable displays, such as e-paper or bistable displays, into eyewear systems that can be supported by the frames or ear stems, allowing for image display without being in the wearer's field of view, and can be easily updated or erased with electrical energy, using technologies like electrophoretic, cholesteric liquid crystal, or electrochromic displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a display is integrated into eyewear frames or ear stems, then personalized and dynamic designs are enabled, but the display may create visual distraction for the wearer
Solution Approach 1:
The display is repositioned from the traditional front-facing location (within the wearer's field of view) to alternative locations such as the ear stems or lateral surfaces of the frames. This spatial repositioning removes the display from the visual path while preserving its functionality for personalization and information display.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional displays are used in eyewear, then image display is achieved, but continuous power is required to maintain images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional display technologies that require continuous power to bistable display technologies (such as electrophoretic, cholesteric liquid crystal, or electrochromic displays) that maintain their state without power input. This parameter change in display technology fundamentally alters the energy consumption profile from continuous to intermittent (only during state changes).
Solution Approach 2:
The bistable display maintains its displayed image automatically without requiring external power input or active maintenance. The display 'serves itself' by retaining its state through its inherent bistable properties, eliminating the need for continuous energy supply to maintain the image.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed design elements are used in eyewear frames, then manufacturing is simplified, but personalization and easy customization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed design elements of traditional eyewear into dynamic, changeable displays. The frame structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, while the display component adds the capability for dynamic personalization. Users can change designs, colors, and information displayed without any physical modification to the frame itself.
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 personalized and dynamic eyewear designs that conserve energy, maintain images indefinitely without power, and can be easily updated, providing a unique personal expression while minimizing visual distraction for the wearer.
Implementation Method 1
The user-configurable display includes a bistable display
Implementation Method 2
The user-configurable display includes an electrophoretic display
Implementation Method 3
The user-configurable display includes a cholesteric liquid crystal display
Implementation Method 4
The user-configurable display includes an electrochromic display
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of displaying an image on an E-Paper display insert in eyeglasses or other brittle structures are disclosed. E-Paper displays provide a changeable medium where an image such as a logo may be displayed and maintained with little to no energy. The E-Paper display may be changeable by emitting a charge from a source such as a battery or an electrically connected docking system.