Transparent Antenna Light Routing for Wearable Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices like smartwatches face challenges in increasing interactive features without enlarging their size, complexity, and cost, as additional components for lighting and display features can make them too large or costly for comfortable wear and may be prohibitively expensive, especially for limited-use devices.

Innovation Solution

A wearable electronic device design featuring a base assembly with a processing unit, transparent antennas, and a light source optically coupled to a translucent band interface, allowing light to pass through the antennas and illuminate the band without increasing the device's size or complexity, using a passive display interface to provide interactive capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional lighting and display components are added to wearable devices, then interactive capabilities are improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive capabilitiesVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna structure with the lighting/display components, integrating multiple functions into a single component. The antenna serves both as a communication element and as a housing for light sources, eliminating the need for separate lighting components and reducing overall device volume while maintaining interactive capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna is designed to perform multiple functions: wireless communication, light emission for display purposes, and structural support. This multi-functionality allows the device to achieve enhanced interactive capabilities without adding dedicated lighting components that would increase device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional lighting and display components are added to wearable devices, then interactive capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive capabilitiesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the antenna and lighting components into a single integrated structure, the patent reduces the total number of components and interconnections required. This integration simplifies the device architecture while still providing enhanced interactive capabilities through the combined functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional antenna reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate control circuits and mounting structures for dedicated lighting components. A single component performing multiple functions reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining interactive capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional lighting and display components are added to wearable devices, then interactive capabilities are improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive capabilitiesVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of lighting components within the antenna structure reduces the total component count and assembly steps required. This merging of functions simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces device cost while maintaining interactive capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By designing the antenna to serve multiple purposes including light emission, the patent eliminates the need for separate purchasing and assembly of dedicated lighting components. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall device cost while achieving enhanced interactive capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enables enhanced interactive capabilities on wearable devices without increasing size, complexity, or cost, allowing for compact and cost-effective construction while providing visually appealing and interactive experiences.

Implementation Method 1

one or more transparent antennas; a light source optically coupled to the band interface, where a light emitted by the light source passes through at least a subset of the one or more transparent antennas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission through transparent material: Light

Implementation Method 2

a translucent band coupled to the band interface, where the band is illuminated by the light emitted from the light source of the base assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight illumination of translucent material: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10931002B1Light transmitting wearable device with transparent and translucent components

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A wearable electronic device is described. The wearable electronic device uses a light within a housing of the electronic device to illuminate an optically connected band, such as a watch band which provides interactive displays and features to a user. The positioning of the light source within the housing allows for the interactive display in the connected band without increasing the size and/or complexity of the electronic device itself.