Modular AR Headset Segmentation for Hygienic Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) face challenges in being commercially viable for mass entertainment venues due to stringent cleaning laws and industry guidelines, which can damage sensitive electric and optical components during harsh washing processes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of modular and detachable component devices that can be easily cleaned or replaced, with washable components for physical contact and non-washable components for minimal contact, allowing for flexible combinations optimized for specific content consumption environments, reducing the need for a single monolithic device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wearable devices integrate large number of delicate electric and optical components to provide natural user experience, then user experience quality is improved, but device vulnerability to cleaning damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experience qualityVSAvoidcleaning damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device is divided into multiple detachable modules including a washable module (containing physical contact components) and a non-washable module (containing sensitive electronic and optical components). This segmentation allows the sensitive components to be isolated from the washing process while maintaining full device functionality when assembled together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensitive electronic and optical components are extracted from the main device body and placed in a separate non-washable module that can be detached before cleaning. This extraction removes the vulnerable elements from the cleaning process entirely, eliminating the risk of damage while preserving the device's core functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wearable devices are designed as single integrated unit, then device functionality is complete, but cleaning compliance becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidcleaning compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into washable and non-washable modules that can be separated for cleaning and reassembled for use. This maintains complete functionality when assembled while enabling compliance with cleaning requirements when separated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device configuration is made dynamic, allowing users to attach and detach modules based on the situation - fully assembled for use, separated for cleaning. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the device to adapt between functional completeness and cleaning compliance states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If wearable devices undergo harsh washing processes to meet cleaning guidelines, then hygiene compliance is improved, but component damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene complianceVSAvoidcomponent integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Sensitive components are extracted into a separate non-washable module that is removed before washing. This eliminates their exposure to harsh cleaning conditions entirely, preserving component integrity while the washable module undergoes necessary hygiene treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The washable module can be designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component that undergoes harsh cleaning, while the expensive sensitive components remain in the protected non-washable module. This sacrifices the lower-cost washable portion to protect the high-value sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If wearable devices use modular detachable components, then cleaning compliance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning complianceVSAvoidmodule assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two main modules (washable and non-washable) with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation enables cleaning compliance while the standardized interfaces minimize assembly complexity, making the modular system manageable despite having multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11762209B2Modular and detachable wearable devices for AR/VR/MR

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP

AI summary

A wearable device for augmented media content experiences can be formed with a mountable physical structure that has removably mountable positions and component devices that are removably mounted through the removably mountable positions. The component devices can be specifically selected based on a specific type of content consumption environment in which the wearable device is to operate. The mountable physical structure may be subject to a device washing process to which the component devices are not subject to, after the wearable device including the mountable physical structure and the component devices is used by a viewer in a content consumption session in the specific type of content consumption environment, so long as the component devices are subsequently removed from the mountable physical structure.