Wearable Display Prop for Hands-Free Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable computing devices, such as laptops, are ill-suited for travel and around-the-house use due to their size, weight, and lack of adaptability, making them cumbersome and impractical for frequent use in various positions.
Innovation Solution
A wearable propping display apparatus comprising a display panel, an operator body prop, and a suspension device that allows the display to be securely positioned against the user's body, providing stability and adjustability for comfortable viewing without the need for hands, using a combination of hinged attachments, pivoting mechanisms, and friction-enhancing interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a laptop computer is used for travel and around-the-house use, then computing functionality is available, but the device becomes cumbersome and impractical due to its size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device is segmented into separate components: a lightweight display panel and a separate prop/support structure. This allows the display to be carried easily while the prop remains stationary or is attached to furniture, eliminating the need to transport the entire laptop for every usage location.
Solution Approach 2:
A prop or support structure acts as an intermediary between the user and the display. This prop can be attached to furniture or placed on surfaces, providing stable support for the display without requiring the user to hold or carry the entire device, thus enabling hands-free operation in various positions.
2Ease of operation
If a laptop computer is used for around-the-house use, then computing functionality is available, but the device is too big and awkward for users freely changing position, lounging, sitting, and walking
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a portable display component and a stationary prop component. The display can be easily moved and repositioned by the user, while the prop remains fixed to provide stable support, allowing the user to freely change positions without moving the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel is designed to be dynamic and adjustable, allowing users to change its position, angle, and orientation easily. The prop provides stable support while the display can be freely adjusted to suit different user positions and activities.
3Ease of operation
If a laptop computer is used for travel, then computing functionality is available, but two hand typing is impossible and one hand use is a balancing act that may easily result in dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The prop acts as an intermediary support structure that provides stable support for the display. This allows users to type and operate the device with both hands without needing to balance or hold the device, as the prop bears the weight and provides a stable viewing and typing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is extracted from the laptop itself and provided by a separate prop structure. This allows the laptop to focus on providing computing functionality while the dedicated prop handles the support and stability requirements, enabling hands-free operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a wearable propping display apparatus is used, then hands-free operation and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to hinged attachments and pivoting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanisms use simple hinges and pivots that allow the display to dynamically adjust to various positions. These mechanisms are designed to be intuitive and easy to operate, providing adaptability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The prop and attachment mechanisms are designed to be universal and adaptable to different surfaces and usage scenarios. The same basic mechanism can accommodate various positions and configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus is a display panel (with electronic display) made wearable by suspending it from an operator's neck (or shoulder) by a strap and including a prop to push the display panel away from the operator's stomach/chest and into his comfortable view without using of his hands. The bottom end of the prop makes contact with the operator using an interface designed to provide lateral tipping stability and sliding stability in all directions. The display distance from the operator's face may be adjusted by adjusting the strap length. The prop may include an adjustable extension to better position the display. The apparatus may include only electromagnetic communication for computer remote control, may receive television, may connection to multiple sources with a separate telecommunication housing, may include various accessory holders, may include display panel back side controls or may include computer equipment.