Headset Computer Hands-Free Emergency Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices face limitations in replicating a high-resolution, large-format display and are hands-dependent, making them less suitable for hands-free, high-quality, portable use, especially in unsafe environments where users need assistance.

Innovation Solution

A headset computer equipped with sensors, a camera, microphone, and user interface functions like speech recognition and gesture recognition, which activates an emergency response mode upon detecting a threatening situation, enabling features like audio/video recording, silent calls, and remote device control to alert authorities and assist in personal safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile computing devices use hands-dependent interfaces (keyboard or touch-screen), then data entry and selection functions are available, but user convenience and safety in hands-free environments are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehands-free operation capabilityVSAvoidinterface system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/touch-based input interfaces with acoustic and gestural sensing systems. The acoustic interface captures voice commands and biometric voice prints, while the gestural interface detects hand movements and gestures in 3D space, eliminating the need for physical contact with keyboards or touch screens and enabling hands-free operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensors (acoustic sensors, gestural sensors, biometric sensors) as intermediaries between the user and the computing device. These sensors capture user intentions through voice and gestures, translating physical actions into digital commands without requiring direct interaction with traditional input devices, thus enabling hands-free operation while maintaining interface functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the device provides comprehensive emergency response features (recording, broadcasting, remote control), then personal safety and emergency response capability are improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency response reliabilityVSAvoidsystem feature complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection and preparation of emergency response capabilities. The system continuously monitors for emergency conditions using sensors and pre-configures emergency response protocols. When a threat is detected, the system automatically activates recording, broadcasting, and remote control features without requiring manual intervention, ensuring reliable emergency response while managing complexity through automated triggers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates multiple emergency response functions (audio recording, video recording, biometric capture, wireless broadcasting, remote device control) into a single unified emergency response system. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into one coordinated system rather than separate independent features, improving reliability through comprehensive coverage while managing overall system complexity through integrated architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the headset computer activates emergency features visibly (camera, microphone on), then emergency response capability is enhanced, but the attacker may be alerted and the situation worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency feature activationVSAvoidattacker awareness of emergency mode
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the emergency response functionality from visible external indicators and embeds it within the device's operational background. The camera, microphone, and other sensors continue operating in a dormant or normal state appearance while secretly capturing and transmitting emergency data. This extraction of emergency functions from visible activation states prevents attacker awareness while maintaining reliable emergency response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs subtle visual changes or no visual changes to indicate emergency mode activation. Instead of obvious visual indicators that would alert an attacker, the system uses covert methods such as subtle display changes, no display changes, or indicator lights that are not easily detectable to an attacker, thereby maintaining emergency response reliability while preventing harmful attacker awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

4Measurement precision

If the device uses high-resolution display and sophisticated sensors, then display quality and detection accuracy are improved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor detection accuracyVSAvoidheadset computer weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical sensors with sophisticated electronic and optical sensing systems. Instead of using bulky mechanical components for detection, the system employs high-resolution cameras, acoustic sensors, and gestural sensors that achieve superior detection accuracy through electronic and optical mechanisms, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing weight increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes sensor parameters and detection thresholds to achieve high measurement precision without proportionally increasing hardware capacity. By carefully tuning sensor sensitivity, resolution, and detection algorithms, the system achieves accurate threat detection and biometric recognition while minimizing the weight and size of the sensor components required to achieve these performance levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9351141B2Headset computer with handsfree emergency response
Publication Date: 2016.05.24 KOPIN CORP
  • US9351141B2 patent drawing
  • US9351141B2 patent drawing
  • US9351141B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Operating conditions for a headset computer are used to detect a situation where an emergency response mode should be activated. In emergency response mode, the headset computer may then broadcast location, live (real time) audio and video/data streams, and record other information concerning a possible theft and/or other situation of interest to law enforcement and/or security services.