The latest in a series of patents for Google Glass provides a little more insight into the design of the hotly-tipped product. Though Project Glass isn't exactly a secret, from frame shape to camera placement, this is the first time we've been given a concrete idea of what to expect from the final product.
Google is focusing more on the design of Glass here, providing some details on the shape of the frame. The initial sections amount to a fairly straightforward (albeit extremely thorough) description of the device's now familiar design, though a look at the accompanying images tells us a little more.
They exhibit a more conventional shape around the bridge than we've seen in previous versions of the device and show somewhat chunkier camera and electronics sections. Some other diagrams, which show a more conventional glasses-like form-factor are also included, which may hint at as-of-yet unseen designs.
The patent describes how users will be able to adjust the display by means of “selective positioning of the brow portion relative to an eye of the user.” The bridge of the device will also be user-adjustable.
There are details on the placement of the device's control circuitry, which will be “affixed on the free end of the first arm [...] and configured to extend around a least a portion of the ear of the user.” You might also have noticed that the weight distribution isn't looking all that even here, but that's something Google has thought of, with part of the filing detailing a balancing weight positioned over the user's second (or left) ear.
Another interesting section concerns the placement of the camera, with Google stating that although the diagrams show the device's camera positioned on the right of the frame, it “may be provided on other parts of the head-mounted device.” There's also a suggestion that future examples of the system may incorporate “many video cameras with a small form factor.”
The filing is extremely detailed and makes mention of a range of other features including accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, WiFi, LTE and Bluetooth radios, and an interesting “finger-operable touch pad.” It's worth noting that Google is likely covering its back to some extent here, with it seemingly unlikely that every single feature will make it into the final retail product.
Source: US Patent and Trademark Office via Engadget
