Wearable Computer Using Bone Conduction for Vehicle AR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable computer systems for vehicles require additional large optical devices to display augmented reality information, which occupy space and are not cost-efficient, especially when trying to display information based on the driver's direction and posture.
Innovation Solution
A wearable computer that uses a communication unit, microphone, posture detecting sensor, and controller to calculate the wearer's location and posture using sound waves, allowing for the generation and display of augmented reality information, and adjusts vehicle settings such as audio and air conditioning based on the wearer's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical devices are installed in the vehicle to display augmented reality information on the windshield, then augmented reality display function is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical display system (HUD with optical devices) with an acoustic system using bone conduction technology. The wearable computer uses bone conduction to transmit augmented reality information directly through the user's skull, eliminating the need for complex optical projection systems in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the display function from the vehicle's optical system and relocates it to a wearable device. The augmented reality information is generated by the vehicle's controller but displayed through the wearable computer's bone conduction interface, separating the display functionality from the vehicle's optical infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If separate optical devices are installed in each window to display augmented reality information according to driver's observing direction, then display accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single wearable computer universal by enabling it to adapt to different viewing directions and positions through bone conduction technology. The device can provide augmented reality information to multiple users or the same user at different positions without requiring separate devices for each window or position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from optical projection to acoustic bone conduction. This fundamental parameter change allows the system to achieve precise directional information delivery through the skull's natural acoustic properties, eliminating the need for multiple optical devices at different windows.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optical devices are used for augmented reality display, then display function is achieved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the space-consuming optical projection system with a compact bone conduction device worn on the user's head. The acoustic transmission through bone eliminates the need for large optical components, projection screens, or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms that would occupy significant vehicle space.
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
Enables efficient and space-saving display of augmented reality information and adjustment of vehicle settings without the need for extensive optical devices, minimizing noise and optimizing user experience by using non-audible frequency sound waves for location calculation.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone configured to collect sound waves generated from a sound source in the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The posture detecting sensor may be embodied as any one of an acceleration sensor, gyro sensor or earth magnetic field sensor
Implementation Method 3
The posture detecting sensor may be embodied as any one of an acceleration sensor, gyro sensor or earth magnetic field sensor
Implementation Method 4
The posture detecting sensor may be embodied as any one of an acceleration sensor, gyro sensor or earth magnetic field sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable computer is provided. In particular, a communication unit transmits/receives information associated with a vehicle from/to an external control apparatus. A microphone collects sound waves generated from a sound source in the vehicle, and a posture detecting sensor detects a posture of a wearer. A controller then generates augmented reality information by processing internal and/or external information received from the external control apparatus, calculates a location of wearer using sound waves collected from the microphone, and generates augmented reality information according to an alignment of a window of vehicle or devices in the vehicle using the location and the posture of the wearer displays the augmented reality information generated at the controller.