Smart Eyewear Hinge Contacts for Debug Signal Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Smart eyewear requires access to electronic components for functions like debug messages and log files without adding weight or compromising the cosmetic look, which existing technologies fail to achieve efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The eyewear uses metal components such as hinges, pins, and nose bridge/nose pads as electrical contacts to access electronic components, allowing external devices to connect and perform diagnostic or debug functions without additional connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If additional connectors and contacts are added to access electronic components, then accessibility for debugging and diagnostics is improved, but weight increases and cosmetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to electronic componentsVSAvoidweight of eyewear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Existing structural components (hinges, nose bridge, temple tips) are given dual functionality: their primary mechanical function plus electrical contact function for accessing electronic components. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated connectors, thereby avoiding additional weight while maintaining accessibility for debugging and diagnostics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing structural components of the eyewear serve themselves by also functioning as electrical contacts. The hinges, nose bridge, and temple tips that are already part of the eyewear structure automatically provide electrical access points without requiring any additional service components, thus avoiding weight increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If additional connectors and contacts are added to access electronic components, then accessibility for debugging and diagnostics is improved, but cosmetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to electronic componentsVSAvoidcosmetic appearance of eyewear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Existing structural components (hinges, nose bridge, temple tips) are given dual functionality: their primary mechanical function plus electrical contact function for accessing electronic components. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated connectors, thereby avoiding additional weight while maintaining accessibility for debugging and diagnostics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical contact function is merged with the existing structural components rather than being separated as distinct connectors. The hinges, nose bridge, and temple tips combine their mechanical support role with electrical signal transmission, creating a unified component that maintains cosmetic appearance while providing access functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If traditional connectors are used to access electronic components, then electrical access is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical access to componentsVSAvoidnumber of connectors and contacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Existing structural components (hinges, nose bridge, temple tips) are given dual functionality: their primary mechanical function plus electrical contact function for accessing electronic components. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated connectors, thereby avoiding additional weight while maintaining accessibility for debugging and diagnostics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dedicated connector components are extracted/removed from the design. Instead of adding separate connectors, the patent extracts the electrical contact function and integrates it into existing structural components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining electrical access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution enables access to electronic components for debugging and diagnostic purposes without adding weight or altering the appearance of the eyewear, facilitating efficient troubleshooting and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge is electrically connected to at least one of the electronic components and is used as an electrical contact to access signals from the electronic components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230400711A1Smart eyewear with access point for data input/output

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

An eyewear includes a frame configured to hold a first lens and a second lens, a first temple connected to the frame using a first hinge, and a second temple connected to the frame using a second hinge. At least one of the first temple and the second temple includes one or more electronic components and at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge is electrically connected to at least one of the electronic components and is used as an electrical contact to access signals from the electronic components. Thus, at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge is electrically connected to at least one of the electronic components and provided to form an access point at the eyewear for accessing signals from the electronic components by connecting an external device to at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge.