Eyeglass Nose-Piece Switches for Hidden Remote Control Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-worn devices face issues with bulkiness and operational complexity due to the addition of sensors for remote control, which can interfere with the aesthetic and functional integrity of eyewear, and are difficult to manipulate, especially in environments where hands are contaminated or gloved.
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 sensors are added to existing eyewear for remote control, then remote operation capability is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the switch element directly with the nose piece structure, merging the control function into an existing structural component. This eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting hardware and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining remote operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nose piece serves dual purposes: it provides structural support for the eyewear and simultaneously houses the switch element for remote control. This multi-functionality approach reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are added to existing eyewear for remote control, then remote operation capability is improved, but aesthetic characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the switch element into the nose piece rather than adding separate sensors to visible portions of the eyewear, the control mechanism becomes hidden within the structural framework. This preserves the aesthetic appearance of the eyewear while enabling remote operation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If touch-sensitive sensors are used for control, then remote operation capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates in contaminated environments
Solution Approach 1:
The nose piece acts as an intermediary between the user and the sensor. Users can activate the switch by pressing against the nose piece structure itself rather than directly touching the sensor surface. This indirect actuation method allows operation even when hands are contaminated or gloved, as the force is transmitted through the nose piece to the sensor.
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 seamless, contamination-resistant, and single-hand operable control of devices without altering the eyewear's aesthetics, suitable for various environments and applications, including virtual reality headsets and tactical radios.
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.