Electronic Eyeglasses Flexible Cable Capacitive Gesture Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic eyeglasses face challenges in integrating flexible cables and sensors in a way that enhances flexibility and user interaction while maintaining aesthetics and battery life.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a flexible cable within the front of the eyeglasses, extending to the nose pads and rim, which forms active regions acting as capacitive sensors to detect user gestures, thereby enhancing user interaction and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the flexible cable is concealed within the front of the eyeglasses, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the accessibility for user interaction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoiduser interaction accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces capacitive sensors as an intermediary mechanism that allows user interaction without requiring direct physical contact with the concealed flexible cable. The sensors detect gestures near the cable, enabling interaction while the cable remains hidden within the front structure, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic concealment and operational accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical interaction with the flexible cable with capacitive sensing technology. Instead of requiring users to physically touch or manipulate the cable, capacitive sensors detect electrical field changes caused by user gestures, substituting mechanical contact with electrical field-based detection, thereby maintaining aesthetics while enabling interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible cable is extended to the nose pads and rim region, then the versatility of gesture detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detection capabilityVSAvoidcable integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cable is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connectivity between components and incorporates capacitive sensing capabilities along its extended path to the nose pads and rim. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to enable both power/data transmission and gesture detection, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the flexible cable with the front structure through overmolding or adhesive bonding, integrating the cable into the existing framework rather than adding it as a separate component. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity while enabling the cable to extend to multiple regions for versatile gesture detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If the flexible cable is incorporated within the front using overmolding or adhesive bonding, then the aesthetic integration is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cable is pre-positioned and secured within the front structure using overmolding or adhesive bonding before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures the cable is concealed and integrated aesthetically before the product reaches the customer, while the chosen methods (overmolding or adhesive bonding) are standard manufacturing techniques that balance aesthetic integration with manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution allows for increased flexibility in electronic functionality, improved user interaction through gesture detection, and maintains the eyeglasses' aesthetic appeal by concealing the flexible cable and sensors.

Implementation Method 1

the flexible cable forms at least one active region at said nose pads and/or said rim which is adapted to act as a capacitive sensor in order to detect gestures on the part of the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250199339A1Electronic eyeglasses

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 LUXOTTICA SRL

AI summary

Electronic eyeglasses having a front and a pair of temples respectively connected to the front by hinges and further including a flexible cable adapted to be incorporated within the front, in order to carry data signals and/or power to the temples, the flexible cable extending at least to nose pads and/or to at least one rim region of the front, the flexible cable forming at least one active region at the nose pads and/or the rim which is adapted to act as a capacitive sensor in order to detect gestures on the part of the user.