Fibrous-Sensor Garment for Input and Notifications Without Handheld Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional technologies restrict user actions beyond the operation of a tablet terminal when communicating with external machines, necessitating the user to hold the machine for input and notification.
Innovation Solution
A garment equipped with a mutual capacitive contact sensor, transmitting section, and notification section that allows communication and notification without the user holding a machine, using fibrous electric conductors to detect input operations and transmit information to an external machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tablet terminal is used for communication with external machines, then information input and notification functions are achieved, but user action freedom is restricted due to the need to hold the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical handheld operation system with a capacitive sensor-based detection system integrated into the garment. The mutual capacitive contact sensors embedded in the fabric detect user inputs through body capacitance changes, eliminating the need for mechanical handheld device operation while maintaining input functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment integrates multiple functions including input detection, wireless communication, and notification delivery into a single wearable device. This multi-functional integration allows the garment to replace the tablet terminal's communication and input functions, freeing the user from holding the device while maintaining all necessary operational capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tablet terminal is held for input operations, then communication with external machines is enabled, but user mobility and action freedom are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the input interface from a handheld two-dimensional tablet surface to a three-dimensional garment surface that conforms to the user's body. The mutual capacitive sensors are distributed across the fabric, allowing input detection across multiple spatial dimensions and body positions, thereby enhancing user mobility while maintaining operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If handheld devices are used for notification delivery, then information transmission is achieved, but user convenience is reduced due to the need to hold the device
Solution Approach 1:
The garment serves itself as both the input device and the notification delivery mechanism. The integrated notification section delivers information directly to the user through the wearable fabric, eliminating the need for the user to hold or actively engage with a separate notification device. The system automatically receives and presents notifications through the garment interface.
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 users to perform input operations and receive notifications without holding a machine, reducing action restrictions and improving flexibility compared to handheld devices, while minimizing the risk of forgetting to wear a terminal.
Implementation Method 1
a mutual capacitive contact sensor which has fibrous electric conductors and which detects an input operation performed by a user
Data Source
AI summary
Reduced is, when a user performs an input operation, restriction of an action of the user other than the operation. A garment includes: a contact sensor which has fibrous electric conductors and which detects an input operation performed by a user; a transmitting section that transmits information indicative of the input operation to a management device; and a notification section that executes notification according to an instruction from the management device.