Ring-mounted flexible circuit remote control
Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for using a flexible electronic device to selectively interact with an eyewear device. A portable eyewear device includes a processor, a memory, and a display projected onto at least one lens assembly. A flexible electronic device includes an integrated circuit, a plurality of input sensors, and a power system, all mounted on a flexible substrate that is sized and shaped to conform to a graspable object such as a ring. The flexible electronic device operates according to a power budget, operating on a sensor power budget until it detects a first interaction with at least one of the input sensors. If the first interaction exceeds a sensitivity threshold, the flexible electronic device sends a wake signal to a nearby eyewear device. In response to the wake signal, the eyewear device presents a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display. The eyewear device further presents a cursor along a path on the display that is substantially correlated to the course traveled by the flexible electronic device in motion along a course.
1 . A system comprising:
a handheld device in communication with an electronic eyewear device, wherein the handheld device comprises a local memory, a power system, a first sensor, a flexible panel supporting an integrated circuit, and a body portion defining a surface and a side edge,
wherein the flexible panel comprises a main portion and an extended portion, wherein the main portion is sized and shaped to conform to a part of the surface, wherein the extended portion supports the first sensor, and wherein the extended portion is sized and shaped to extend for a distance beyond the side edge;
programming in the local memory, wherein execution of the programming configures the handheld device to perform functions, including functions to:
draw power from the power system according to a sensing-power budget that is sufficient to power the first sensor;
detect a first interaction relative to the first sensor, wherein the first interaction comprises one or more of a touch, an optical input, and a bending input; and
in response to the first interaction, broadcast a wake signal to the electronic eyewear device.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the programming configures the handheld device to perform additional functions, including additional functions to:
determine whether the first interaction exceeds a sensitivity threshold associated with the first sensor; and
in response to the first interaction, draw power from the power system according to a full-power budget.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the programming configures the handheld device to perform additional functions, including additional functions to:
determine whether the first interaction exceeds a sensitivity threshold associated with the first sensor;
start a timer associated with the wake signal, wherein the timer comprises a programmable time-out interval;
detect a command from the electronic eyewear device; and
in response to not detecting the command during the time-out interval, draw power according to the sensing-power budget.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the extended portion is flexible relative to the main portion, and wherein the programming configures the handheld device to perform additional functions, including additional functions to:
determine whether the bending input exceeds a rotational threshold relative to the main portion; and
in response to the bending input, send the wake signal to the electronic eyewear device.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the handheld device comprises an inertial measurement unit, and wherein the programming configures the handheld device to perform additional functions, including additional functions to:
determine, using the inertial measurement unit, whether a movement of the handheld device exceeds a threshold acceleration; and
in response to the movement, send the wake signal to the electronic eyewear device.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises a plurality of input sensors, wherein the plurality of input sensors comprises one or more of:
a button in communication with a contact controller,
a capacitance sensor coupled to the button,
a touch sensor in communication with a touch controller,
an optical sensor in communication with an optical controller, and
a motion sensor in communication with a motion controller.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises a dual-mode power management system configured to deliver power according to one or more of the sensing-power budget and a full-power budget.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises a recharging assembly, wherein the recharging assembly comprises one or more of:
a charging pin accessibly located on the handheld electronic device and operable to pair with a compatible power supply cord,
a wireless induction-based recharging system, and
an energy harvesting system operable to generate power from kinetic motion or solar energy.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a ring that is sized and shaped for wear on a finger or a thumb,
wherein the surface comprises a generally cylindrical inner surface and an opposing outer surface, and
wherein the side edge comprises one or more side edges relative to the inner surface or the outer surface.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic eyewear device comprises a processor, a memory, and a display, and wherein the system comprises:
programming in the memory, wherein execution of the programming configures the electronic eyewear device to perform functions, including functions to:
receive the wake signal;
present a graphical user interface on the display as an overlay relative to a physical environment;
detect a second interaction from the handheld device; and
execute a selection relative to the graphical user interface based on the second interaction.
11 . A method of using a handheld device comprising a local memory, a power system, a flexible panel supporting an integrated circuit, and a body portion, wherein the method comprises:
sizing and shaping a main portion of the flexible panel to conform to the body portion, wherein the body portion defines a side edge;
supporting a first sensor with an extended portion of the flexible panel, wherein the extended portion is sized and shaped to extend for a distance beyond the side edge;
drawing power from the power system according to a sensing-power budget, wherein the sensing-power budget is sufficient to power the first sensor;
detecting a first interaction relative to the first sensor, wherein the first interaction comprises one or more of a touch, an optical input, and a bending input; and
in response to the first interaction, broadcasting a wake signal to an electronic eyewear device.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining whether the first interaction exceeds a sensitivity threshold associated with the first sensor; and
in response to the first interaction, drawing power from the power system according to a full-power budget.
13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining whether the first interaction exceeds a sensitivity threshold associated with the first sensor;
starting a timer associated with the wake signal, wherein the timer comprises a programmable time-out interval;
detecting a command from the electronic eyewear device; and
in response to not detecting the command during the time-out interval, drawing power according to the sensing-power budget.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
sizing and shaping the extended portion to be flexible relative to the main portion;
determining whether the bending input exceeds a rotational threshold relative to the main portion; and
in response to the bending input, send the wake signal to the electronic eyewear device.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein detecting the first interaction comprises one or more of:
detecting a force relative to a button coupled to the handheld device;
detecting a capacitance change associated with an object with a proximity of the button;
detecting a touch relative to a touch sensor coupled to the handheld device;
detecting a change in luminous intensity relative to an optical sensor coupled to the handheld device; and
detecting a movement of the handheld device using a motion sensor coupled to the handheld device and determining whether the movement exceeds a threshold acceleration.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the electronic eyewear device comprises a processor, a memory, and a display, and wherein the method comprises:
receiving the wake signal;
presenting a graphical user interface on the display as an overlay relative to a physical environment;
detecting a second interaction from the handheld device; and
executing a selection relative to the graphical user interface based on the second interaction.
17 . A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium that stores processor-executable instructions that, when executed by a local processor coupled to a handheld device, is operative to cause the handheld device to perform operations, including operations to:
draw power from a power system coupled to the handheld device according to a sensing-power budget, wherein the sensing-power budget is sufficient to power a first sensor coupled to the handheld device,
wherein the handheld device further comprises a flexible panel supporting an integrated circuit and a body portion defining a side edge, wherein the flexible panel comprises a main portion and an extended portion, wherein the main portion is sized and shaped to conform to a part of the body portion, wherein the extended portion supports the first sensor, and wherein the extended portion is sized and shaped to extend for a distance beyond the side edge;
detect a first interaction relative to the first sensor, wherein the first interaction comprises one or more of a touch, an optical input, and a bending input; and
in response to the first interaction, broadcast a wake signal to an electronic eyewear device.
18 . The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions when executed cause the handheld device to perform further operations, including further operations to:
determine whether the first interaction exceeds a sensitivity threshold associated with the first sensor;
in response to the first interaction, draw power from the power system according to a full-power budget;
start a timer associated with the wake signal, wherein the timer comprises a programmable time-out interval;
detect a command from the electronic eyewear device; and
in response to not detecting the command during the time-out interval, draw power according to the sensing-power budget.
19 . The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the extended portion is flexible relative to the main portion, and wherein the instructions when executed cause the handheld device to perform further operations, including further operations to:
determine whether the bending input exceeds a rotational threshold relative to the main portion; and
in response to the bending input, send the wake signal to the electronic eyewear device.
20 . The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions when executed cause the handheld device to perform further operations, including further operations to:
detect a force relative to a button coupled to the handheld device;
detect a capacitance change associated with an object with a proximity of the button;
detect a touch relative to a touch sensor coupled to the handheld device;
detect a change in luminous intensity relative to an optical sensor coupled to the handheld device; and
detect a movement of the handheld device using a motion sensor coupled to the handheld device and determine whether the movement exceeds a threshold acceleration.