Wearable Display Positioning for Comfort and Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted and heads-up displays are limited in fit and comfort, and their functionality is restricted to passive actions, failing to provide an optimal viewing experience that balances image presentation with surrounding awareness.
Innovation Solution
A head-wearable device with a support structure featuring a nosepiece and adjustable earpieces, allowing the display to be positioned in multiple configurations to optimize viewing angles and comfort, incorporating a display that can be positioned adjacent to the eye while allowing for augmented reality overlays and input devices like touch pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display is positioned to provide optimal viewing experience, then the viewing comfort is improved, but the device may obstruct the user's view of surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is designed to be positionable in multiple configurations, allowing the display to be dynamically adjusted between different positions. The device can be positioned above the center of the line of sight for optimal viewing comfort or over the center of the line of sight when the user needs to be aware of surrounding environment, making the obstruction of surrounding view controllable rather than fixed
2Reliability
If the earpiece is designed for secure fit, then the device stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece is divided into multiple portions (first portion adjacent to the side arm and second portion remote from the side arm). This segmentation allows each portion to serve specific functions: the first portion provides structural connection while the second portion contacts the ear for stability. The segmented design achieves secure fit without requiring a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The earpiece structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the display, ensures secure fit on the user's ear, and allows for positional adjustment. The first and second portions work together to achieve both stability and adjustability, reducing the need for additional separate components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the display is positioned above the center of line of sight, then the surrounding awareness is improved, but the viewing comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The device can be positioned in different configurations depending on the user's needs: above the center of line of sight when surrounding awareness is prioritized, or over the center of line of sight when viewing comfort is prioritized. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the user to switch between the two states
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device supports multiple positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support for the display, enables positional adjustment, and ensures secure fit on the user's head. The nosepiece and earpiece work together as an integrated system that achieves both simplicity and multi-position capability, reducing the need for additional complex adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A head-wearable device includes a support structure having a center support with a nosepiece configured to rest on the nose of a user. A first side arm extends from a first end of the center frame support, and an earpiece extends therefrom. The earpiece defines a first portion adjacent the side arm and a second portion remote from the side arm. A display is affixed to the support structure and is positionable adjacent an eye of the user. The device is configured to be wearable in a first position with the first portion of the earpiece in contact with the ear of the user and the display positioned above a center of a line of sight of the user and in a second position with the second portion of the earpiece in contact with the ear and the display positioned over the center of the line of sight.