Applying an electric or magnetic field to some materials may cause the materials to flex or contract. In one example, a structure containing a piezoelectric material may flex in a presence of an electric field. The amount in which the structure flexes may depend on a magnitude of the electric field applied to the piezoelectric material. When the electric field is removed, the structure may become flexible or return to the structure’s original shape.
The patented wearable computing device includes a frame, a first component configured to determine a movement of a wearable computing device, a second component configured to modify a tension of at least a portion of the frame, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive an input signal from the first component that is indicative of the movement of the wearable computing device. The processor may also be configured to determine an adjustment to the tension of at least the portion of the frame based on the input signal. The processor may be further configured to provide an output signal to the second component that is indicative of the adjustment.
Patent Title: Dynamically adjustable frame
Patent Number: 9,128,283
Inventors: Heinrich; Mitchell Joseph (San Francisco, CA), Kim; Eliot (Cupertino, CA)
Assignee: Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA)
Family ID: 1000001084012
Appl. No.: 13/474,345
Filed: May 17, 2012
Abstract: The present disclosure describes example systems and methods for dynamically adjusting a tension of at least a portion of a frame of wearable computing device. The systems and methods may be directed to receiving an input signal from a component of the wearable computing device that is indicative of a movement of the wearable computing device. An adjustment of the tension of at least the portion of the frame may be based on the movement. An output signal that is indicative of the adjustment may be provided to the wearable computing device.
Image Credits: Google Glass © Rijans007/Wikimedia Commons, 2013 by Royal Opera House Covent Garden – https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaloperahouse/14917690505/ Licensed under CC BY 2.0 – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
