Flexible Camera Watch Band with Independent Optical Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smartwatches with rigidly mounted cameras require users to adopt uncomfortable positions to capture images or videos, leading to arm fatigue and difficulty in viewing the display during capture, limiting their image-capturing capabilities compared to smartphones or other devices.
Innovation Solution
A camera watch band with an independently positionable optical sensor at the distal end, allowing flexible manipulation and maintenance of camera orientation relative to the watch body, enabled by a flexible material or malleable core, and powered by a processor and battery within the band, with data transfer to the watch body for real-time viewing or storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the optical sensor is rigidly mounted to the watch body, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the user must adopt uncomfortable arm positions to capture images or videos, leading to arm fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two independent functional units: the watch body and the camera watch band with optical sensor. This segmentation allows the optical sensor to be positioned independently on the wrist, enabling comfortable image capture without requiring the user to hold the watch body in awkward positions, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera watch band is designed to be flexible and manipulable by the user, allowing dynamic adjustment of the optical sensor's position and orientation relative to the watch body. This dynamic positioning capability enables users to achieve optimal camera angles without fixed rigid mounting constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical sensor is positioned at the distal end of the watch band, then independent positioning and flexible manipulation are enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The camera watch band serves multiple functions: it acts as both a traditional wrist strap for securing the watch and a flexible mounting structure for the optical sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate camera mounting devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving versatile positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor is integrated within or attached to the watch band structure itself, nesting the camera functionality within the existing band components. This integration approach minimizes additional external parts while achieving independent positioning capability.
3Reliability
If the optical sensor is integrated into the watch band, then real-time viewing and data transfer are enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A data connection (acting as an intermediary) is established between the optical sensor and the watch body, enabling reliable data transfer for real-time viewing. This intermediary connection layer simplifies the integration process by providing a standardized interface for data communication between the sensor and main device.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera optical sensor is disposed at a distal end portion of a camera watch band that attaches a watch body to a user's wrist. The camera watch band is configured to be coupled to at least one side of the watch body, and the camera watch band includes an optical sensor or camera, and an operable connection to transfer data between the optical sensor and the display or other device. The band is flexible and may be manipulated by a user to aim an optical sensor disposed at the distal end portion of the camera watch band separately from the watch body. The display or other device functions as the viewfinder for the optical sensor.