Wearable Interactive Badge Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contemporary mobile devices are inconvenient for quick and easy access to digital information due to the need to be removed and activated, which can be socially or professionally unacceptable in certain situations.

Innovation Solution

A wearable interactive device that senses its position relative to the wearer and renders output based on this interaction, allowing for gesture-based control and interaction without manual unlocking, using a multi-piece design with a string and sensor mechanism to provide position data for rendering content such as calendar data, email, or maps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a smartphone or laptop is used to access digital information, then the information can be viewed and interacted with, but the device needs to be removed, activated, and unlocked which is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of access to digital informationVSAvoidtime to remove and activate device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device is divided into multiple pieces including a display component and a control component connected by a string or band. This segmentation allows the display to be positioned conveniently (e.g., on the chest or neck) while the control mechanism can be manipulated independently, enabling quick access without full device activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A string or band acts as an intermediary mechanism connecting the display component to the wearer or to control elements. This intermediary enables gesture-based interaction where moving the string or adjusting its length triggers display changes, providing quick access without traditional activation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a smartphone or laptop is activated and unlocked to access information, then full interaction is possible, but this draws attention and may be socially or professionally unacceptable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of information accessVSAvoidsocial or professional inappropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the device into a small display component that can be worn discreetly (e.g., on the chest or neck) separate from control mechanisms, the system enables information access without requiring the user to hold or activate a large, attention-drawing device like a smartphone or laptop

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display component is designed to be self-contained and automatically display information based on its position or simple gestures, eliminating the need for traditional activation and unlocking procedures that would draw attention. The device serves itself by detecting wearer position or simple string manipulations to provide information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a wearable device uses gesture-based control through position sensing, then quick access is enabled, but the device complexity increases with multiple pieces and sensor mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of information accessVSAvoidmulti-piece structure with sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The string or band serving as the intermediary mechanism performs multiple functions: it connects the display component to the wearer or control elements, serves as a gesture input mechanism when manipulated, and can indicate device state. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors and control mechanisms, simplifying the overall device despite its multi-piece structure

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

Data Source

PatentEP2956842B1Interactive badge
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2956842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2956842B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2956842B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The subject disclosure is directed towards a wearable interactive device, such as a wearable identity badge. When a user moves the device, such as to position a display (e.g., part) of the device a sensed distance at a sensed horizontal and vertical angle, the device outputs content that is based on the position. Context data also may be used in determining the content to output, as well as any other sensed data that may be available.