Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
  • H04B1/40—Circuits
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/30—Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
  • H04B1/3827—Portable transceivers
  • H04B1/385—Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D1/00—Garments
  • A41D1/002—Garments adapted to accommodate electronic equipment

Definitions

• the invention relates generally to moldable electronics for use with apparel.
• this invention relates to electronics for radio communication, multilateration,
• Radio electronics is to integrate the electronics into the apparel. Radio electronics have been integrated
• Integrating electronics into the apparel of a user has many disadvantages, such as causing
• the apparel to be too heavy or too bulky and uncomfortable for the user to wear.
• the apparel to be too heavy or too bulky and uncomfortable for the user to wear.
• the spherical shape of the helmet is necessary to internally distribute forces over the largely spherical skull and
• the helmet are that it should be light weight, have good comfort and fit, good balance, be
• Prior art helmets mount radios on the outside of a helmet or in a pocket inside the helmet.
• These helmets also have their control electronics such as knobs, connectors, wires, and antennas
• transceiver to a belt can cause injury if the user falls and lands on it. The fall may also destroy
• the transceiver In contact sports, the players could be injured by a protruding transceiver. Also,
• the belt clip may loosen causing the transceiver to drop and possibly be damaged.
• Shoe or sneaker mounted transceivers are typically attached to the shoelaces and can be
• Another prior art transceiver is mounted to the user's chest with a belt or adhesive tape. This arrangement allows for the taking of a user's pulse while she is running on a treadmill, for
• electronics such as sensors that are moldable to the apparel or the body of a user by using
• the present invention without modification to the comfort or protective properties of the helmet.
• the present invention features a transceiver that includes a power supply, an
• the antenna is flexible. In one embodiment, the antenna is flexible.
• the transceiver's power supply may be a battery.
• the transceiver may be connected to one
• the present invention also features apparel including a transceiver that includes flexibly
• interconnected electrical components that are substantially deformable so as to conform to the
• the apparel also includes a support member for attaching the transceiver to
• the present invention also features a helmet that includes a transceiver comprising
• the transceiver also includes an antenna.
• the helmet can be disposed between a protective member and an outer surface of the helmet.
• transceiver's power supply may be a rechargeable battery.
• the present invention also features a method of recharging a battery in a helmet by
• Fig. l(a,b) illustrates an embodiment of moldable electronics according to the present
• Fig. 2(a,b) illustrates an embodiment of moldable electronics according to the present
• Fig. 3 is an illustration of another embodiment of the invention showing a nearly
• Fig. 4 is an illustration of yet another embodiment of the invention showing another arrangement of tiles.
• Fig. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention showing a sealable protective
• Fig. 6 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit which could be used in conjunction with
• Fig. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention showing a helmet with an
• Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the inductive battery charger of Fig.
• Fig. la illustrates transceiver of the present invention comprising electronic components
• the battery may be a battery or any other power source.
• the battery could be disposable or rechargeable.
• the power supply may be capacitors, alternating current power supplies, direct
• present invention include a kinetic generator, which stores energy derived from the user's motion
• Fig. la illustrates circularly shaped tiles (2, 2', 2", 2'")
• the tiles of the invention may be in any geometric shape which serves
• the tiles are actually one flexible piece.
• the tiles are shaped so their outline
• interconnects can be an integral
• interconnects may be separate
• the tiles (2, 2', 2", 2'") in one embodiment are rigid to protect the onboard electrical
• transceiver to conform to the shape of the apparel. This can be accomplished by using a single
• tile 2 with flexible areas and rigid areas within it, or alternatively, by using rigid tiles (2, 2', 2",
• the length 12 and the width 10 of the transceiver shown in Fig. la may vary
• the length 12 is approximately 267mm and the width 10 is
• Fig. 4 illustrates a triangular shaped pattern of tiles (2, 2', 2", 2'")
• Fig. 1 illustrates a pattern that spreads the tiles out in a line.
• Fig. lb illustrates that the thickness 14 of the tiles and the power supply 6 can also be
• the thickness 14 is approximately 3.8mm.
• the invention includes a protective layer 8 to protect the
• the transceiver from the surrounding environment.
• the protection could be from shock, perspiration,
• the protective layer 8 may also be an RF shield to protect the
• the protective layer 8 could also be any other suitable transceiver from electromagnetic radiation as an example.
• the protective layer 8 could also be any other suitable transceiver from electromagnetic radiation as an example.
• the protective layer 8 could also be any other suitable transceiver from electromagnetic radiation as an example.
• the protective layer 8 could also be any other suitable transceiver from electromagnetic radiation as an example.
• the protective layer 8 could also be any other suitable transceiver from electromagnetic radiation as an example.
• the transceiver may be hermetically sealed within the
• the protective layer 8 may be comprised of plastic, fabric, metal foam, or any combination thereof
• the protective layer 8 is a "zip-lock" type plastic
• transceiver of the present invention is designed to withstand
• the tiles may be any suitable material. This might be desired when sensing is required.
• the tiles may be any suitable material. This might be desired when sensing is required.
• the tiles may be any suitable material.
• Fig. 2a illustrates tiles (2, 2', 2") that are connected by flexible interconnects (4, 4').
• the tiles may be mounted to a surface of the apparel using mounting procedures
• Fig. 2a illustrates the inner layer 16 of a helmet or a portion of a user's scalp for example.
• That inner layer 16 may be padded.
• Fig. 2b illustrates the outer layer 18 of a helmet. The outer
• layer 18 may be comprised of plastic, metal or some composite material.
• plastic plastic, metal or some composite material.
• helmet is to protect the user's head by radiating an impact over a larger area of the head.
• Fig. 3 is another embodiment of the invention showing tiles (20, 22, 24) configured in a
• power supply 26 which could be a battery for
• This arrangement may be well suited to a piece of apparel not worn on the head, but
• such a transceiver could be used to "wire" informants or others without risking
• the invention could be concealed in the hairpiece of a user, allowing an
• headbands wristbands, helmets and numerous other types of apparel.
• helmets headbands, wristbands, helmets and numerous other types of apparel.
• the apparel could simply be the support member that connects the transceiver to the user's body.
• That support member in one embodiment could be but is not limited to a rubber band, two-sided tape, a wristband, a headband, a pocket in the apparel, or a bracelet, for example.
• That support member in one embodiment could be but is not limited to a rubber band, two-sided tape, a wristband, a headband, a pocket in the apparel, or a bracelet, for example.
• control of the transceiver is accomplished through the use
• control is accomplished through the use
• IR infrared
• an electronic link is provided to
• the invention not only transmits and receives data, but also could be used to
• Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention showing multiple tiles 2 and
• interconnects 4 arranged in a triangular configuration.
• Fig. 4 depicts six interconnected tiles. Each of these tiles contains circuitry. This circuitry may
• Another tile may be a battery or contain
• Fig. 4 The layout illustrated in Fig. 4 is an example of one typical
• Each tile may have a different purpose and therefore contain different electronic circuitry.
• one or more tiles may contain the battery charging circuitry, while other tiles may be
• Battery 30 in one embodiment is a flat battery. In an alternative embodiment, the battery 30 is deformable, and can be molded to suit
• the battery 30 may consist of multiple
• the size and shape of the battery will vary depending on the requirements
• the battery 30 may be rechargeable or disposable.
• the battery 30 is shown with tile 32 which includes a connector.
• one embodiment could be used to protect the battery from shock. In one embodiment this
• shock absorbing foam In an alternative embodiment, protective material could be
• the protective material can be applied or removed selectively, to cover or
• battery 30 is enclosed in an encasement 34 that comprises a plastic
• encasement 34 may be an
• Encasement 34 is woven to resemble a screen-like material or a net-like material. Encasement 34 may be any
• material suitable for encasing battery 30 including but not limited to fabrics, plastics, foams,
• Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of an example of one embodiment of the invention where the
• this circuit 60 could be used for transmitting telemetry or for multilateration.
• the control module circuitry 40 may be on
• Control module 40 in Fig. 6 is interconnected to microwave circuitry 44. If
• microwave circuitry 44 resides on a different tile than control module 40, interconnect 42
• Control module 40 is also interconnected to battery regulator 50
• Interconnect 52 may be flexible.
• Antenna 48 is a directional antenna.
• the antenna 48 is designed to
• antenna 48 is flexible. In yet another embodiment,
• antenna 48 is a flat antenna.
• Flat antennas are advantageous because they do not
• antenna 48 is fabricated by a
• antenna 48 is connected to
• Interconnect 46 may be flexible.
• Battery 54 may be disposable, reusable, or rechargeable. In one embodiment it is
• battery 54 is
• battery 54 is replaced by a direct current source (not shown). In still another embodiment battery
• battery 54 is replaced by an alternating source (not shown). In a further embodiment battery 54 is
• Control module 40 is interconnected to accelerometers 58 though interconnect 56. Note
• interconnect 56 may be a flexible interconnect.
• Accelerometers 58 are an example of one
• Accelerometers 58 are sensors that feed data through interconnect
• Accelerometers 58 in one embodiment, could be replaced or supplemented with other
• a transceiver of the present invention could be used to measure volume output, for example.
• a transceiver of the present invention could be used to measure volume output, for example.
• a sensor is in communication with a
• user's head and can sense signals from or transmit signals into the head.
• Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a helmet 74 of the present invention. In this
• ventilation holes 70 can be utilized by charging probe 72 without modifying the
• the charging probe 72 in one embodiment is
• charging probe 72 is merely a charging plug which attaches to a charging jack embedded in the
• the user would merely insert the charging plug into the charging jack (not shown).
• Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an inductive battery charging system
• the inductive charging system 90 includes an inductive charging probe
• Inductive charging probe 72 in electromagnetic communication with tiles 2 and 2'.
• Inductive charging probe 72 contains a
• the battery charging electronics can be
• inductive charging probe 72 is positioned
• a charging current from the first coil is
• inductive coupling 84 The area(s) of inductive coupling 84 are shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment of the
• outer helmet shell 80 and inner helmet padding 82 remain unmodified thus providing

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
• Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
• Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
• Transceivers (AREA)
• Outerwear In General, And Traditional Japanese Garments (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22281172

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Families Citing this family (25)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 1999
  • 1999-09-16 WO PCT/US1999/021659 patent/WO2000016493A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-09-16 CN CN99802212A patent/CN1288611A/zh active Pending
  • 1999-09-16 CA CA002310827A patent/CA2310827A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-09-16 AU AU60501/99A patent/AU6050199A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-09-16 JP JP2000570912A patent/JP2002525904A/ja active Pending
  • 1999-09-16 BR BR9907119-3A patent/BR9907119A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-09-16 IL IL13617199A patent/IL136171A0/xx unknown
  • 1999-09-16 KR KR1020007005357A patent/KR20010032170A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-09-16 EP EP99969192A patent/EP1032980A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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