Wearable Multi-Use Switch for Compact Input Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face design challenges in providing efficient and versatile input mechanisms that allow users to control external devices without encumbering their hands, while maintaining a compact and aesthetically appealing form factor.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic device with a body defining an aperture for a user's digit, incorporating a computer processor, a multi-use input device such as a joystick or split ring with tactile switches, and a transmitter for wireless communication, enabling various input combinations like side-to-side, up-down, and depression movements to control external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input devices are added to provide versatile input mechanisms, then input versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single input device capable of multiple input modes including tactile depression, rotational movement, and sliding gestures. This multi-functional switch replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate input devices, thereby maintaining input versatility while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to perform different functions based on the type of input received. The switch can detect various gesture types (tactile, rotational, sliding) and respond appropriately, enabling one physical component to serve multiple input purposes throughout operation
2Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced to maintain compact form factor, then wearability is improved, but input device functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is segmented into distinct functional zones within a compact structure. The switch includes separate regions for tactile depression, rotational input, and sliding gestures, allowing each function to be clearly defined and operated within a small overall device footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes multiple spatial dimensions within the compact input device. The switch accepts inputs from different dimensional movements (vertical depression, rotational movement around an axis, horizontal sliding), effectively packing diverse input capabilities into a small volume by exploiting dimensional variety
3Weight of moving object
If the device is made lightweight for portability, then wearability is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs composite material construction, combining lightweight materials with strategically placed reinforcement elements. The housing and structural components use material compositions that optimize the strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring the device remains lightweight for wearability while maintaining sufficient structural strength to support the input device and electronic components
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electronic device includes a body defining an aperture therethrough, sized and shaped to receive a digit of a user. The wearable electronic device may include a processor housed in the body and an input device at least partially extending from an outer surface of the body to receive input from another digit of the user. The input device has an actuating surface that is movable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuating surface between the first position and second position provides an input to the processor. The wearable electronic device includes a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to send electronic transmissions to an external electronic device, the electronic transmissions corresponding to the inputs received from the user, and a power source for providing power to the processor, the input device, and the transmitter.