WO2018207202A1

WO2018207202A1 - A wearable device assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018207202A1
Application number: PCT/IN2018/050280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fazle-Imdad Altaf Shirpurwala
Original assignee: Shirpurwala Fazle Imdad Altaf
Priority date: 2017-05-07
Filing date: 2018-05-07
Publication date: 2018-11-15

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards a wearable device assembly. The wearable device assembly comprises a first wearable unit configured to be adapted to a user's neck and/or shoulder region, and a second wearable unit configured to be adapted to a user's face, the second wearable unit connected with the first wearable unit wherein the first wearable unit houses at- least a processing unit, a battery unit, and the second wearable unit has at-least a display unit.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A Wearable Device Assembly

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The invention relates to a wearable device assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality devices are a form of wearable display devices, which fit on a user's face with display lenses/screens close to a user's eyes. Aforementioned devices create a huge virtual screen, at a distance from the user's eyes, without the need of a physical display device such as LCD screens, or project screens and the likes being placed in front of the user.

[003] One type of available wearable display device covers the user's eyes completely, and blindfolds the user from the outside world and provides a very immersive experience. Another type of available wearable display device has transparent or translucent display lenses/screens, where the user can see a virtual screen or holograms floating in the space in front of the user's eyes. Such devices have specks/glasses like structure that people normally wear. All the circuitry and batteries of such device sits on a frame of such specks/glasses, making them much heavier and bigger than a normal pair of specks/glasses, thus making them uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time as well as awkward to wear in public. To overcome the aforesaid, devices with circuitry and batteries sitting on/around the user's head, just like a helmet are available. However, these devices are uncomfortable and awkward to wear as well. Another type of device available has the circuitry and battery in form of a handheld device, and the lenses/screen on a structure like that of a specks/glasses, which a user can wear, while connecting both via a cable. The handheld device can be kept in the user's pocket, thus reducing the total weight and size that sits on a user's head, making it less uncomfortable and awkward. But, such handheld devices require space for the handheld device in the pocket and the hanging cable going to the glasses from it, still makes the device difficult to use.

[004] To avoid the display devices from being bulky, display devices with less processing power and low battery capacity are used so as to keep weight and size of these devices as less as possible. However, this is not desirable, as the same leads to lesser processing capabilities and uptime/playback time.

[005] Further, these devices are wearable only when in use, and not during standby mode. During standby mode, a user has to remove them and store in a case/box/bag.

[006] Another problem with the existing display devices is that users, who have prescription lenses due to bad eyesight, have trouble using them. While some devices provide space for user to wear prescription lenses, its often uncomfortable for the user to use both- prescription lenses and the wearable display device at the same time.

[007] In view of the above, there is a need for a wearable display device which addresses at- least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a wearable device assembly to be worn by a user, the wearable device assembly comprising a first wearable unit for housing at-least a processing unit and at-least one battery unit, the first wearable unit comprising a main body adaptable to the user's neck region, the main body extending from a left end to a right end; a left support member and a right support member adaptable to the user's shoulder, the left support member extending from the left end of the main body and the right support member extending from the right end of the main body such that the main body rests about the user's neck region and the left and right support member rests on the user's shoulders; and a second wearable unit comprising at-least one display screen adaptable to the user's face connected with the first wearable unit via pair of connecting cables providing a close loop structure between the first wearable unit and the second wearable unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a wearable device assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a first wearable unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a first wearable unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a first wearable unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows a first wearable unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows a second wearable unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a second wearable unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a wearable device assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 shows a wearable device assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 10 to 12 shows a user wearing the wearable device assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[010] The present invention is directed towards a wearable device assembly. The wearable device assembly comprises a first wearable unit configured to be adapted to a user's neck and/or shoulder region, and a second wearable unit configured to be adapted to a user's face, the second wearable unit connected with the first wearable unit wherein the first wearable unit houses at- least a processing unit and other electrical/electronic components, and the second wearable unit has at-least a display unit.

[011] Figure 1 shows a wearable device assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The wearable device assembly comprises a first wearable unit 200 and a second wearable unit 300connected with the first wearable unit.

[012] The first wearable unit is configured to be adapted to a user's neck and/or shoulder region. As shown in figure 2, the first wearable unit comprises of a main body 210 and pair of support members 220. The main body is configured to be adapted to the user's neck region, and the main body extends from a left end to a right end. From each end one support member extends - left support member from left end and right support member from right end. The support members are flexible, and conform to shape of the shoulders allowing the first wearable unit to be placed on the shoulders. Accordingly as shown in figure 10, when the first wearable unit is worn by a user, the support members allow the first wearable unit to rest on the user's shoulders while the main body rests on the user's neck region, thereby distributing load of the first wearable unit across the user's neck region. In an embodiment, the first wearable unit is made of flexible plastic or rubber rendering flexibility to the first wearable unit.

[013] In an embodiment, the first wearable unit houses at-least a processing unit, and at-least one battery unit, wherein the main body houses the processing unit and electrical/electronic components, and each support member houses at-least one battery unit. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a first wearable unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the main body has a housing having a base member 210A and a cover member 210B which when coupled or interlocked together form the enclosure/housing. The base member and the cover member may be coupled or interlocked using a snap-fit mechanism. Further, fasteners such as screws may be used to couple or interlock the base member and the cover member. A processing unit and other electronic/electrical components such as communication & connectivity module of WiFi and BlueTooth, NFC, Infrared etc., power management module, memory module having Ram, cache and storage, mic(s), speakers, clock, motion sensors like gyroscope, accelerometer and altimeters are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 212, The PCB is mounted on the base member, and enclosed by the cover member.

[014] In an embodiment, the support member has a removable member 222, as shown in figure 3 and 4. Each removable member houses one battery unit. As shown in figure 3, the removable member when coupled with the support member connects the battery unit with the processing unit and other electrical/electronic components housed in the main member via flexible cables/connectors X. The battery unit is connected via the flexible connector X providing power to the power-management module on the PCB. The removable member is releasably coupled with the support member by a locking mechanism. Various locking mechanisms may be used. For example, the locking mechanism includes a retractable tab, a recesses and an actuation button for operating the tab. The tab is provided on the removable member and the recess is provided on the support member such that the tab engages with the recess. Thus, with the locking mechanism the removable member is simply pushed onto the support member and the tab engages with the recess. The tab has a protrusion which enables the tab to lock with the recess. On operating the button, the tab retracts, and the removable member can be moved away from with the support member.

[015] Figure 5 shows a first wearable unit 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The first wearable unit has a main body 510, a left and right support member 520, wherein each of the support member has an opening 522 closable by a cap 524. As discussed hereinbefore, the main body houses the processing unit and other electrical/electronic components, and the support members houses the battery unit. The opening allows the battery unit to be removed from the first wearable unit as per requirement.

[016] Accordingly, the battery units can be removed for charging as per requirement. Thus, the entire device - first wearable unit is not required to be put on charge, as a depleted battery can be simply removed and replaced by a fully charged battery. The processing unit is configured for providing input signal to the second wearable unit and the battery unit provides power signal to the processing unit and other electrical/electronic components, as well as the second wearable unit. Further a power button is provided on the first wearable unit. The power button when operated switches the first wearable device between ON mode or OFF mode. As described hereinbefore, the first wearable unit provides input signal and power signal to the second wearable unit. Accordingly the second wearable unit switches ON or OFF depending upon the first wearable unit. A microphone is also provided on the first wearable unit.

[017] The second wearable unit as shown through the figures is a wearable display unit. In this regard, the power signal from the first wearable unit powers the second wearable unit, and based on the input signal from the first wearable unit content is displayed on the second wearable unit. As shown in figure 6, the second wearable unit is like a spectacle frame comprising a frame 310 having pair of displays screens 320 - left display screen and right display screen for displaying the content, and left and right temple 330 connected with the frame that extend over the user's ear to keep the wearable unit on the user's face. Advantageously, the second wearable unit is light-weight as the first wearable unit bears the load of the processing unit and other electrical/electronic components, and the battery unit. In a further advantageous aspect, owing to the configuration/construction of the first wearable unit, load of the components accommodated in the first wearable unit is distributed across a user's neck and/or shoulder region, and is thus easy to carry. Further, as shown in figure 6, the second wearable unit allows a prescription lens frame 350 to be adapted to the second wearable unit. A magnetic arrangement is provided for allowing the prescription lenses to be adapted to the first wearable unit. [018] Further as shown in figure 1, the first wearable unit is interconnected with the second wearable unit via a pair of connecting cables 150 - left-side connecting cable and right-side connecting cable. The left side connecting cable extends between the left supporting member of the first wearable unit and the left display screen of the second wearable unit. Similarly, the right side connecting cable extends between the right supporting member of the first wearable unit and the right display screen of the second wearable unit. As shown in figure 7, each temple of the second wearable unit has a channel or groove 332 for carrying the cable towards the respective display screens. The groove also allows the user to remove the cable from the temple as per requirement. In this regard, the cable can be removed from end-point of the temple which is behind the user's ear. In case the user wants to remove the cable from front of the ears, the cable can be removed from the temple at appropriate point. Thus, the groove provides flexibility to the user in terms of comfort and also aesthetics, whereby the cable exiting from the end-point of the temple will be least visible. Each connecting cable provides a pathway for carrying wires for sending signals from the first wearable unit to the second wearable unit. Also, the connecting cables provide a close loop structure between the first wearable unit and the second wearable unit. Alternately, wires may be passed through only one of the channels, while the other channel is provided so as to form the close loop structure. In this regard, the close loop structure allows the second wearable unit to be suspended around a user's neck when the second wearable unit is not in use or the device is in a standby mode. While, the close loop structure allows suspending the second wearable unit around the user's neck, the second wearable unit may swing or move in case the user bends or while the user is in motion, and such swing or movement may damage the second wearable unit. To avoid any risk of damage, a magnetic arrangement is provided on the wearable device assembly. Figure 8 shows such a wearable device assembly 800 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The wearable device assembly is similar to the wearable device assembly shown through figure 1 to 5 with a support structure 810 coupled to the first wearable unit. The support structure is provided with a magnetic arrangement and/or metal, and the second wearable unit is provided with a metal and/or a magnet such that when the second display unit is suspended around a user's neck, the magnetic arrangement attracts the second wearable unit ensuring that the second wearable unit does not move or swing away from the user, thereby preventing the second wearable unit from damage. Further, as shown in figure 11 and 12, the connecting cables 150 - left-side connecting cable and right-side connecting cable each have an earphone 152. As can be seen in figure 11 and 12, the connecting cable can be taken out from the temple as per requirement to use the earphone.

[019] Figure 9 shows a wearable device assembly 900 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The wearable device assembly is similar to the wearable device assembly discussed hereinbefore, and is further provided with plurality of straps 910 extending from the first wearable unit. As shown, pair of straps extend from the support members, and a strap extends from the main body. Each strap is provided with a fastener/coupling mechanism for attaching the strap and thereby the first wearable unit with a user's clothes, particularly pants of the user. Fastener/coupling mechanism can be selected from clips, buckles and the like. Such straps with fasteners provide stability to the first wearable unit, especially when the user is in motion or is exercising or playing sports.

[020] Furthermore, the wearable device assembly can be connected with external electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, personal computers, etc or input devices such as keyboard, mouse, etc. In this regard, the first wearable unit includes a communication module allowing the first wearable unit to connect with the electronic device, and thereafter display contents from the electronic device on the second wearable unit.

[021] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A wearable device assembly to be worn by a user, the wearable device assembly comprising:

a first wearable unit for housing at-least a processing unit and at-least one battery unit, the first wearable unit comprising

a main body adaptable to the user's neck region, the main body extending from a left end to a right end;

a left support member and a right support member adaptable to the user's shoulder, the left support member extending from the left end of the main body and the right support member extending from the right end of the main body such that the main body rests about the user's neck region and the left and right support member rests on the user's shoulders; and

a second wearable unit comprising at-least one display screen adaptable to the user's face connected with the first wearable unit via pair of connecting cables providing a close loop structure between the first wearable unit and the second wearable unit.

2. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body comprising a housing having a base member and a cover member coupled or interlocked together to form the enclosure/housing.

3. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body houses the processing unit and other electrical/electronic components.

4. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left support member and/or the right support member each houses one battery unit.

5. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein each support member has a removable member releasably coupled with the support member, the removable member houses the battery unit allowing the battery unit to be removed.

6. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein each support member has an opening closable by a cap, the opening allowing the battery unit to be removed.

7. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main member and each of the support member is flexible, thereby allowing the main body or support members to conform or take shape of the neck region and/or shoulder.

8. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at-least one strap extends from the main body, and one strap extends from each support member towards a lower end, each strap at the lower end has a fastener for attaching the first wearable unit to a user's pant for maintaining the first wearable unit in proper position.

9. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second wearable unit comprising a frame having a left display screen and a right display screen, a left temple and right temple connected with the frame, each temple of the spectacle frame has a groove for receiving the cable from the first wearable unit, and carrying the cable towards the respective display screens..

10. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 9, wherein at-least one of the connecting cables have one or more wires connecting the first wearable unit with the second wearable unit enabling the first wearable unit to communicate with the second wearable unit.

11. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein each connecting cable has an earphone.

12. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second wearable unit has metal and/or magnetic material.

13. The wearable device assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 12, wherein the first wearable unit further comprises of a support member extending between the left support member and the right support member, the support member having a metal and/or magnetic arrangement.