Wrist-Mounted Interface for Infrastructure-Less Communication

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems in areas without infrastructure are limited by weight, size, and battery life, and are difficult to use in situations where users have limited time or mobility, such as search and rescue or military operations, making it hard to maintain consistent communication and data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A wrist-mounted mobile computer communication interface with a GPS receiver, organic LED touch-screen display, and transceiver that allows for wireless communication, data transmission, and remote control of a host computer, enabling situational awareness and location data sharing, even in areas without infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication systems are deployed in areas without infrastructure, then communication capability is provided, but weight, size, and battery life are constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capability in infrastructure-less areasVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides communication functions into two parts: a lightweight wrist-mounted unit carried by the user and a stationary host computer providing processing power and communication infrastructure. This segmentation allows the mobile unit to be minimal in weight while still providing full communication capability through wireless connection to the host.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The host computer acts as an intermediary between the lightweight wrist-mounted unit and the external communication infrastructure. The wrist unit only needs basic wireless transmission capabilities, while the host computer handles complex processing, location services, and network communication, thereby reducing the weight and power requirements of the mobile device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication systems are deployed in areas without infrastructure, then communication capability is provided, but device size is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capability in infrastructure-less areasVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides communication functions into two parts: a lightweight wrist-mounted unit carried by the user and a stationary host computer providing processing power and communication infrastructure. This segmentation allows the mobile unit to be minimal in weight while still providing full communication capability through wireless connection to the host.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The host computer acts as an intermediary between the lightweight wrist-mounted unit and the external communication infrastructure. The wrist unit only needs basic wireless transmission capabilities, while the host computer handles complex processing, location services, and network communication, thereby reducing the weight and power requirements of the mobile device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication systems are deployed in areas without infrastructure, then communication capability is provided, but battery life is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capability in infrastructure-less areasVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides communication functions into two parts: a lightweight wrist-mounted unit carried by the user and a stationary host computer providing processing power and communication infrastructure. This segmentation allows the mobile unit to be minimal in weight while still providing full communication capability through wireless connection to the host.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The host computer acts as an intermediary between the lightweight wrist-mounted unit and the external communication infrastructure. The wrist unit only needs basic wireless transmission capabilities, while the host computer handles complex processing, location services, and network communication, thereby reducing the weight and power requirements of the mobile device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If users communicate in high-stress environments, then communication is possible, but user attention and mobility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication ease in high-stress environmentsVSAvoidtime for communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs location tracking, data transmission, and communication without requiring user intervention. The wrist-mounted unit continuously monitors location and transmits data automatically, freeing the user to focus on their primary tasks while still maintaining communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous communication and location tracking without requiring the user to stop their primary activities. Data is transmitted automatically in the background, ensuring continuous situational awareness without interrupting the user's workflow or requiring additional time for communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables efficient and effective wireless communication and data sharing in resource-constrained environments, allowing users to access critical information and location data without needing to spare hands or time, enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver operative to receive location information corresponding to a physical location of the wrist-mounted mobile computer communication interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a transceiver operative to send and receive wireless communications to and from a host computer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

Each of the plurality of wrist-mounted mobile computer communication interfaces can be operative to receive a map image from the host computer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS7986961B2Mobile computer communication interface

Publication Date: 2011.07.26 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A system and method is provided for a mobile computer communication interface. One embodiment includes a mobile computer communication interface. The mobile computer communication interface comprises a transceiver operative to send and receive wireless communications to and from a host computer. The mobile computer communication interface may also comprise a touch-screen display, the touch-screen display being operative to receive inputs from a user and remotely display outputs provided by the host computer. The mobile computer communication interface may also comprise a controller operative to wirelessly access and remotely control the host computer in response to inputs from the touch-screen display.