Wearable Device Linking Assemblies for Gesture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices like Smart Watches or Bracelets face usability challenges due to their compact size, leading to inconvenient operation through physical keys or touch screens, often resulting in inadvertent actions.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates linking assemblies that couple a wearable element to pivoting portions on a base, allowing external forces to actuate the movement of conductive terminals from first to second contact points, generating electrical signals for controlling functions like power switching, volume adjustment, and gesture-based operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wearable electronic device uses physical keys or touch display screen for operation, then the device can be operated, but the user may feel inconvenience or cause inadvertent operation due to limited size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wearable elements (such as straps or bands) as intermediary components that extend beyond the device body. These elements provide additional contact points and leverage arms, allowing users to operate the device through pulling, twisting, or manipulating the wearable elements rather than directly manipulating small buttons or screens on the device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the operation interface from the two-dimensional surface of the device (buttons and screen) to the three-dimensional space surrounding the device through wearable elements. Users can interact with the device by manipulating the wearable elements in spatial gestures, effectively adding a dimensional layer to the user interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wearable electronic device uses gesture changes or postural changes for operation, then the flexibility and convenience in use is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex with linking assemblies and contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable elements serve multiple functions: they secure the device to the user's body, provide mechanical leverage for operation, and act as conductive pathways for gesture detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while enhancing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking assemblies automatically detect gestures through changes in electrical contact or mechanical position when the user moves or poses their body. The system self-activates based on physical movement without requiring software-based gesture recognition algorithms, simplifying the control architecture.
3Ease of operation
If the base is subjected to external force to actuate linking assemblies, then gesture-based operation is enabled, but the mechanical structure requires precise contact points and pivoting portions
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting portions and linking assemblies are designed as dynamic mechanical structures that naturally guide movement along predetermined arcs. This dynamic design provides mechanical guidance that compensates for manufacturing tolerances, ensuring reliable contact point engagement without requiring extremely precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical design incorporates tolerance buffering through the pivoting mechanism and linking assembly geometry. Small variations in contact point positions are absorbed by the mechanical play and flexibility in the linking structures, preventing operation failures due to manufacturing imprecision.
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
This solution enhances the flexibility and convenience of using wearable electronic devices by enabling gesture-based operation, allowing users to control functions beyond traditional button inputs, improving usability and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
When the base is subjected to an external force, at least one of the linking assemblies moves from the two first contact points to the two second contact points of the corresponding pivoting portion
Implementation Method 2
the conductive terminals within the second contact points disposed opposite to each other may be electrically conducted due to being connected by the linking assemblies, and may simultaneously generate an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electronic device including a base, a body, two linking assemblies, and a wearable element is provided. The base has a carrier and two pivoting portions located at two opposite sides of the carrier, wherein each of the pivoting portions has two first contact points disposed opposite to each other and two second contact points disposed opposite to each other. The body is disposed on the carrier. The wearable element has two opposite end portions, wherein each of the linking assemblies passes through the corresponding end portion and each of the end portions of the wearable element is coupled to the two first contact points of the corresponding pivoting portion through the corresponding linking assembly. When the base is subjected to an external force, at least one of the linking assemblies moves from the two first contact points to the two second contact points of the corresponding pivoting portion.