Eyeglass Nose-Piece Switch for Contactless Frame Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-worn devices face challenges with sensor-based control systems that add bulk and complexity, often interfering with the aesthetic and functional integrity of eyewear, and require direct contact for activation, which is inconvenient in certain environments.
Innovation Solution
Integration of switch elements into the nose piece of eyewear, allowing activation through pressing the frame or temple pieces without direct contact, utilizing sensors like Hall effect or compression switches that detect movement relative to the wearer's face, enabling remote control of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensor-based control systems are added to head-worn devices, then device control capability is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the switch element directly with the nose piece structure, integrating the control mechanism into the existing eyewear framework rather than adding separate sensor modules. This merging approach enables device control capability while avoiding the bulk and complexity associated with separate sensor mounting systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor-based control systems are added to head-worn devices, then device control capability is improved, but aesthetic characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The switch element is integrated into the nose piece, making the control mechanism invisible or indistinguishable from the normal eyewear structure. This allows device control capability to be added without altering the aesthetic appearance or recognizable form of the eyewear.
3Speed
If direct contact sensors are used for activation, then control responsiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates in contamination-prone environments
Solution Approach 1:
The nose piece acts as an intermediary between the user and the sensor. By pressing the nose piece, the user indirectly activates the switch element without direct contact with the sensor itself. This mediator approach maintains rapid control responsiveness while enabling operation in contamination-prone environments where direct sensor contact would be unsanitary or impractical.
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
Provides convenient, contamination-resistant, and single-hand operable control of devices without altering the eyewear's appearance, suitable for environments where direct contact is impractical or unsanitary.
Implementation Method 1
Such compression switches may include Hall effect sensors or other forms of sensors
Implementation Method 2
The switch elements may include compression switches integrated with or attached to the nose piece of the eyewear
Data Source
AI summary
Eyewear or other head-worn apparatus are fitted with an activation accessory that includes one or more switch elements integrated with or attached to a nose piece of the eyewear. The switch elements are communicably coupled to a processor-based controller so as to provide input signals to the controller responsive to wearer-initiated activations of the switch elements through interaction with a frame or temple piece of the eyewear. Upon receipt, the controller evaluates the input signals to determine whether or not they represent a command for the controlled device by assessing the input signals for a signal pattern indicative of such a command, and then, if the evaluation determines that the input signals do represent the command, issues the command to the controlled device. Otherwise the controller proceeds to receive and evaluate further input signals from the switch elements in a like manner as the first input signals.