Wearable Light Projection for Clear Social Distance Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining social distance effectively is challenging due to difficulties in evaluating the minimum distance based on human perception, especially in various environments and situations, such as public gatherings and business settings, where existing methods lack clear visual or audible indicators.
Innovation Solution
Devices and methods that provide visual and/or audible indications of appropriate social distances using wearable bases with adjustable light sources and proximity sensors, allowing users to maintain a safe distance by projecting light boundaries on the ground and emitting alerts when proximity is breached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual and audible indicators are implemented, then social distance evaluation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light as an intermediary visual indicator to represent social distance boundaries. The light source projects visible boundaries on the ground, serving as a mediator between the sensor measurements and human perception, allowing users to intuitively understand safe distances without complex displays or interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with optical sensing and projection. Instead of using sophisticated mechanical rangefinders or multiple sensors, the system uses a simple light source whose distance can be visually judged, substituting mechanical complexity with optical simplicity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Loss of information
If adjustable light sources are used to indicate distance boundaries, then visual indication clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is made adjustable and movable relative to the base, allowing dynamic positioning to optimize the visual indication of distance boundaries. The light can be angled and directed to project boundaries in different directions and at different distances, providing clear visual feedback adapted to various social situations and environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different colors of light to indicate different social distance zones and statuses. By changing light color, the system conveys multiple pieces of information (safe distance, unsafe distance, alert states) without adding complex display mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving visual information delivery.
3Extent of automation
If proximity sensors are integrated, then automatic distance monitoring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor provides automatic feedback about the distance to other objects or people. This feedback is immediately translated into visual (light projection adjustments) and audible (alert signals) outputs, creating a closed-loop system that automatically monitors and responds to social distance conditions without requiring manual intervention or complex control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity sensor serves multiple functions: it measures distance, triggers light adjustments, activates audible alerts, and provides data for boundary projection calculations. By making the sensor multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive automatic monitoring.
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
These devices enable users to maintain social distancing by providing clear visual and auditory cues, ensuring adherence to safe distance guidelines, thereby preventing the spread of diseases and promoting personal space awareness in diverse settings.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is pivotally connected to the base to permit angular adjustment of the light source relative to the base
Implementation Method 2
A proximity sensor connected to the base and configured to sense the presence of an object or person that is a predetermined safe social distance from the wearable base
Data Source
AI summary
A device for indicating appropriate social distancing includes the ability to project light (in various forms and in a various ways) onto the ground in a manner visible by the user and those around them. A boundary of the projected light can be set to an acceptable social distance and can include different colors to indicated varying social distances for varying levels of trusted individuals. Proximity sensors set to appropriate distancing requirements, along with the varying levels of trust can be implemented into multiple devices being used in a group setting.