Biologically fit wearable electronics apparatus and methods

Abstract

Detachable wearable electronic eyeglasses and head mounted gear with a plurality of electronic functions and interchangeable electronic function, and a wearable computer with optimal weight distribution and stretchable arms.

Description

[0001] This application is a complete application of provisional application 60 / 749,579, 60 / 756,549 and 60 / 762,861, filed Dec. 13, 2005, Jan. 6, 2006 and Jan. 30, 2006, respectively, herein incorporated in their entirety by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In recent years, the use of cellular phones, music players, video players, video games, computers, and a variety of hand-held electronic products has greatly increased. Because they are hand-held, some of those electronic devices as computers are often carried by the user in a separate case. There have been attempts to create wearable electronics such as music players integrated into the frames of eyewear, as well as wearable computers. However, due to a disconnection between electronic products and the biological aspects of the human body, prior art devices have failed to provide a useful wearable electronic apparatus that adequately interact with the human body and which fits anatomically and physiologically with th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026] The present invention teaches a convergence between electronic products and the biological and anatomical aspects of the human body and biomechanics of the body while providing a series of hands-free wearable electronic apparatus that can interact with human senses and are biologically fit and provide a weight distribution that does not activate pain fibers (and cause pain).

[0028] The invention provides eyeglasses with an optimal distribution of weight in which the nose area supports more of the weight due to a counter-weight, represented by an electronic package, preferably positioned diametrically opposed to the nose in the back of the head with said electronic package being secured to the end of the temples of pair of eyeglasses. By displacing the weight to the back of the head and to the nose and housing only light weight parts in the temples, there is better weight distribution and comfort, with elimination or retardation of activation of pain fibers and reduction of pressure applied by temples directly against the anatomic area of the ear, which is more sensitive to pain caused by pressure than the nose area.

[0029] The invention further provides a better distribution of weight in which the shoulder and chest area supports the structure in combination with the neck, represented by an Inverted U-shaped or an inverted V-shaped structure which has two arms resting against the shoulder and chest area in addition to the neck. By having two arms spaced apart there is spread of the weight with better balance and weight distribution across the neck and the shoulder and chest area.

[0031] The present invention provides a fully compact system when not in use, and which allows full interaction of the device with vision, hearing, speech, and tactile function while being used. The V-shape structure preferably is made of a flexible material which has memory including memory shape alloys. Therefore, when not in use (for instance when being carried or being place on a table), the two ends of the structure can be folded upon each other and twisted in a helical shape placing the keyboard in one end of the arm on top of the display at the end of the opposite arm, creating a fully compact system. The present invention can also be used as a table-top, by having the helical shape being used with the vertical portion of the helical shape supporting the display in one end and the horizontal portion connected to the keyboard.

[0033] Eyeglasses are one of the most common wearable articles, and the majority of the adult population wears at least one of sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses for distance or for reading. It would be thus useful and desirable, as in accordance to this invention, to enable people wearing eyeglasses in general to have those eyeglasses perform an electronic function in a not noticeable manner and not seen by an external observer while keeping the frames light weight, elegant, compact, attractive, low cost and comfortable as well as biomechanically fit and practical for daily use in any situation of life. The eyewear of the invention doubles as an inconspicuous electronic device (besides having visual function as any eyeglasses), and since the eyeglasses of invention appear as regular eyeglasses, the eyeglasses can be used by the general population and for any occasion, such as at work, school, home, or during play.

Problems solved by technology

However, due to a disconnection between electronic products and the biological aspects of the human body, prior art devices have failed to provide a useful wearable electronic apparatus that adequately interact with the human body and which fits anatomically and physiologically with the body.

Housing electronics and / or power source in the frames of eyeglasses, as provided by prior art devices, creates bulky, heavy, cumbersome, and uncomfortable gear, which consistently places a heavy weight against the users' ears which can generate discomfort.

Moreover, such heavy and awkward eyeglasses are cosmetically undesirable with buttons, ear buds, and other unattractive parts being visible at all times, taking away the elegance that can be the key feature of eyeglasses frames, and making them unsuited for use on a daily basis including at work, at school, or attending formal events.

A further problem for the prior art devices is that they rely on wires passing through the hinges at the front portion of the temples.

This makes the manufacturing process difficult and more expensive.

In addition, because the wires running through the hinges are repeatedly folded and unfolded with the temples of the glasses, the wires have a tendency to become damaged, substantially reducing the useful lifespan of the products.

The large size and heavy weight of eyeglass frames housing electronics can prevent a comfortable fit and use.

However, because the electronics and wireless transmitter are housed in the eyeglass frames, the frames are heavy and can cause discomfort over time.

Bulky, prior art eyeglass frames or head mounted gear that house electronics and / or power sources and / or and unsightly ear buds in a non-removable fashion require the user to wear the device at all times, even when the electronic functionality of the device is not being used.

Typically, however, these devices are complicated and not practical to use.

Moreover, because they are not adapted to fit well onto a human body, their weight is not well distributed, and will normally cause discomfort to the wearer, discouraging long term use of the devices.

Wearable articles of clothing (including hats) with permanent electronics embedded on them are financially unattractive, because discarding the wearable article would also require throwing away the embedded electronics device.

Another deficiency of the prior art is a failure to disclose eyeglasses or wearable articles in which the user has the option to choose from a plurality of electronic functionalities using the same eyeglasses frame or wearable article.

Another problem with electronic devices such as computers, DVD players, cellular telephone, digital music player, and electronic organizers, is that in order to be operated they require the user to hold the device or place the device on an object (such as a piece of furniture or the floor) for support.

While some cellular phones and digital music / video players have accessories that permit the user to use the device without having to hold it, using such apparatus and accessories is cumbersome, and it is necessary to carry and store the accessories until they are actually used.

Furthermore, it is easy to forget to bring the accessory, such as the ear bud or a strap to secure a digital player to the body, when is needed.

Moreover, hand-held devices are easily lost or misplaced, and unattended hand-held devices can be easily stolen.

The human body has a limited ability to support weight before pain is elicited.

If the weight pattern is not biologically fit, the stimulus of the device on the skin will become annoying, and pain receptor endings within the skin will be stimulated.

In the case of wearable electronics, C fibers can be activated by excessive pressure itself and chemicals released by damaged cells, such as crush injury, caused the weight of the device.

When the stimuli is strong enough it can produce damage and become painful.

On the other hand, significant discomfort is felt when only minor mispositioning of temples occur around the ear.

Even regular eyeglasses with conventional weight can cause discomfort around the skin of the ear if there is not a good fit because of the larger density of pain receptors in this area.

Naturally, placing weight against the ear by temples housing electronics and / or power sources will likely elicit discomfort and pain over time.

The problem of wearable devices is further compounded by the fact that a wearable device to be truly useful has to be compact and interact with senses and biological functions of the body in a practical manner.

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