Wearable Input Projection to Keep the Display Unobstructed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face usability challenges due to their small size, as user input on touchscreen displays often obscures the presented information, making interaction inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing projection devices to present user selectable elements outside the device's housing and sensors to detect user input, allowing interaction without obstructing the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the display device doubles as user input device (touchscreen), then device complexity is reduced, but the display area is obscured during user input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the input and display functions by providing separate input mechanisms (buttons, dials, or other physical controls) distinct from the display screen. This allows the display to remain fully visible while input actions are captured through dedicated physical interfaces, resolving the contradiction between using the display for both purposes and maintaining display visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary physical input devices that mediate between user action and system response without requiring direct contact with the display. These intermediaries (physical buttons, dials, or other controls) capture user input while leaving the display unobstructed, thereby maintaining both input functionality and display visibility.
2Ease of operation
If the wearable device size is reduced for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but the physical area for information presentation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the display area into three-dimensional space by projecting user-selectable elements onto the user's wrist or hand. This dimensional extension allows information presentation beyond the limited two-dimensional screen area, maintaining small device size while increasing effective display capacity through spatial projection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the display interface in the form of projected user-selectable elements that appear in external space. This copied interface allows users to interact with information without needing additional physical display area on the device itself, effectively expanding the presentation area through optical projection.
3Area of stationary object
If user input is received outside the housing, then display obstruction is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using sensors that can detect various types of user input (touch, gesture, or other interactions) in the space surrounding the device. This universal sensing approach allows external input without requiring separate dedicated components for each input type, thereby minimizing display obstruction while controlling the increase in device complexity through versatile sensor design.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to wearable devices. In some embodiments, a device comprises a housing, a display device secured to the housing, wherein the display device is configured to present information to a user, a projection device, wherein the projection device is configured to present a user selectable element outside of the housing of the device, and a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a selection of the user selectable element by the user.