Smart Glasses Temple Antennas Using Structural Metal Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart glasses face challenges in integrating antennas due to the use of metal for structural integrity and thermal dissipation, which limits antenna placement and performance, especially given the compact size and need for wireless communication across various frequencies.

Innovation Solution

Metallic structures on smart glasses are utilized as both antenna grounds and elements, allowing for the implementation of folded and monopole antennas with adjustable lengths and widths to accommodate different frequencies, while maintaining structural integrity and thermal dissipation capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal is utilized on smart glasses temples and frames to provide structural integrity and thermal dissipation, then structural strength and thermal management are improved, but antenna placement and wireless communication performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidantenna placement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the structural metal frame with antenna functionality by integrating antenna elements directly into the temple structure. The metal temple serves dual purposes: providing structural support and acting as part of the antenna system, thereby merging structural and communication functions into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal temple structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural integrity, thermal dissipation, and antenna functionality. By making the temple multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate antenna components that would consume additional space and compromise the structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are added to smart glasses for various wireless communication frequencies, then wireless communication versatility is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the temple structure into distinct functional zones, with different portions of the temple serving as different antenna elements. Each segment can be optimized for specific frequency ranges, allowing multiple antennas to coexist within the limited space of a single temple without creating a complex multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the three-dimensional structure of the temple, extending antenna elements along the length and curvature of the temple. By exploiting the spatial dimensionality of the temple geometry, the patent accommodates multiple antenna elements with different orientations and lengths, enabling support for various wireless frequencies without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 approach enables efficient integration of multiple antennas on smart glasses temples, enhancing wireless communication capabilities across various frequencies without compromising structural support or thermal management.

Implementation Method 1

Metallic structures on smart glasses can be utilized to provide structural integrity and/or thermal dissipation capability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Metallic structures on smart glasses can be utilized as antenna grounds, with corresponding antenna elements being electrically coupled thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12057623B2Antenna design and manufacturing for smart glasses antennas
Publication Date: 2024.08.06 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US12057623B2 patent drawing
  • US12057623B2 patent drawing
  • US12057623B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Metallic, electrically conductive, structures on smart glasses, which can be utilized to provide structural integrity and/or thermal dissipation capability, can be leveraged to provide antenna capability as well. Metallic structures on smart glasses are utilized as antenna grounds, with corresponding antenna elements being electrically coupled thereto, and located on the glasses temple. Such antenna elements implement folded antennas having an antenna length selected in accordance with desired communicational frequencies. A shorting pin establishes the electrical connection to the antenna ground. Metallic structures on smart glasses are also utilized as antenna elements, with different metallic structures acting as the antenna ground. Such antenna elements implement monopole antennas having a length selected in accordance with desired communicational frequencies, and a width that can maintain structural integrity and/or thermal dissipation capability. Multiple antenna elements are manufactured onto a single glasses temple, and both temples of the smart glasses comprise antennas.