Modular Eyewear with Projection Speakers for Unobstructed Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current eyewear devices are not easily reconfigurable to meet individual user needs, and existing solutions like earphones obstruct the ear canal, interfering with hearing of both far and near field sounds.

Innovation Solution

A modularized eyewear system with interchangeable temples and frame components that incorporate various sensors and electronics, allowing for customizable functionality and non-occlusive audio delivery through projection speakers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If earphones or earbuds are used for personalized sound transmission, then audio delivery is achieved, but the ear canal is obstructed and hearing of far field and near field sounds is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio deliveryVSAvoidhearing obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses projection speakers as an intermediary device to deliver audio content without direct contact with the ear canal. The speakers project sound waves through air to the user's ear, mediating the audio delivery process to avoid the harmful occlusion effect of traditional earphones while maintaining personalized audio transmission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional prescription glasses are used, then vision correction is provided, but the devices are expensive and not readily reconfigured to different user's needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevision correctionVSAvoidreconfigurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The eyewear device is divided into separate modular components including interchangeable temples, frame sections, and lens assemblies. Each module can be independently configured, removed, or replaced to accommodate different user needs, allowing the same base frame to be reconfigured for various prescriptions and styles without requiring completely different devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal platform where a single eyewear system can perform multiple functions through interchangeable components. The modular architecture allows the same frame structure to support different lens types, temple configurations, and electronic components, making the device adaptable to diverse user requirements while maintaining cost efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11835798B2Eyewear systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing assistance to a user

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 KOPIN CORP

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are taught that provide assistance to a user through an eyewear device. Data is received from a first sensor. The first sensor is incorporated into an eyewear device. The first sensor measures a parameter related to the user. A state of the user is analyzed using the data. Assistance is provided to the user. The assistance is in a form of feedback, and the feedback is related to the state of the user. The assistance can also be related to a context of the user and a state of the user. The context of the user is determined from the data.