Wearable Thermal Alert Device Using Quadrant Thermocouples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable devices lack discreet alert mechanisms that do not disturb others, as they rely on sound or vibration, which can be intrusive, or risk the user missing alerts with silent notifications.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device utilizing thermocouples to create temperature changes in predefined quadrants, allowing for selective temperature adjustments and mechanical bumps to discreetly alert the user, ensuring privacy and awareness of notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional wearable devices use sound or vibration for alerts, then the alert mechanism is simple and reliable, but it disturbs others and lacks privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is divided into multiple temperature-controlled zones (first quadrant, second quadrant, third quadrant, fourth quadrant) with independent thermocouples. Each quadrant can be selectively heated or cooled to provide spatially differentiated alert patterns, enabling discreet notification without disturbing others while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the alert notification parameter from acoustic/vibrational to thermal. By controlling the temperature of different quadrants through thermocouples, the system provides discreet alerts that do not disturb others. The temperature parameter can be dynamically adjusted to indicate different alert types and urgency levels
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wearable devices use silent notifications, then privacy is maintained, but the user may miss the alert
Solution Approach 1:
Different quadrants of the wearable device are assigned different thermal characteristics and alert patterns. Specific quadrants can be activated based on alert type, creating localized thermal sensations that are easily distinguishable. This spatial differentiation ensures reliable alert delivery while maintaining privacy
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic thermal pulsing in addition to steady temperature changes. Mechanical bumps are also applied periodically to enhance alert detection. These periodic actions make discreet thermal alerts more noticeable and reliable without compromising privacy
3Reliability
If the wearable device uses multiple alert actions (temperature change and mechanical bump), then alert effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermal alert mechanisms (heating/cooling quadrants) with mechanical alert mechanisms (bumping against the user) into a single integrated notification system. Both mechanisms work together or independently to provide reliable alerts, with the control system coordinating their operation based on alert priority and type
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
The solution provides a private and effective alert system that notifies the user through temperature changes and mechanical sensations, ensuring they are aware of alerts without disturbing others, and can be tailored to different alert types and urgency levels.
Implementation Method 1
The Peltier effect is demonstrated when an electric current crosses a junction of two dissimilar conductors, a thermocouple, there is a heating effect that is not explained entirely by Joule heating. Further, depending on the direction of the current, the overall effect of the current may be either heating or cooling.
Implementation Method 2
selectively pulsating at least one mechanical bump within one of a plurality of pre-defined quadrants on the wearable device, the mechanical bump protruding from the wearable device and having a size to ensure contact with a portion of the outer surface of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device that warms or cools to notify a user wearing the device is provided. The wearable device includes: a plurality of individual heating and/or cooling spots, a plurality of dots pulsating in heating/cooling sections, and/or a plurality of dots moving around in heating/cooling sections. A system is also provided comprising a wearable device, a scheduling device, and a communication between the wearable device and the scheduling device.