GB2512840A

GB2512840A - Wearable Alert Device

Info

Publication number: GB2512840A
Application number: GB1306314.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacqui Seager; John SEAGER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-08
Filing date: 2013-04-08
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-08
Also published as: GB2541588B; GB2541588A; GB2512840B; GB201619992D0; GB201306314D0

Abstract

A wearable alert device 2 is disclosed comprising a flexible strap 4 adapted to be worn around a part of a body of a user. The strap defines a housing within which is located one or more light emitting elements, a vibrator, a rechargeable power source, a signal receiver and a controller. The signal receiver is capable of receiving an alert signal transmitted by one or more signal transmitters wherein the controller is adapted to activate the, or each light emitting element and the vibrator in response to a received signal. The strap includes a fastener 6,8 adapted to secure it around the part of the body. The strap may be padded and water resistant. The controller may comprise a flexible circuit board. The signal receiver may be an RF signal receiver capable of receiving different alerts and providing different outputs in response. The receiver may be arranged to receive a signal transmitted from a transmitter associated with a doorbell, fire alarm, or smoke alarm. The device may be worn around a users wrist or waist.

Description

tM:;: INTELLECTUAL .*.. PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. 0B1306314.4 RTM Date:1 August2013 The following terms are registered trade_marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Wearable alert device The present invention relates to an alert strap that can be worn by a user and which provides both a tactile and a visual alert to the user when an alert signal is received by the strap from one or more alert signal transmitters.

Elderly and disabled people often struggle to hear or are incapable of hearing bells or alarms, such as doorbells, smoke alarms, fire alarms, oven timing alarms and such like. Therefore, they require an alternative system to alert them to such warning sounds.

In addition, people who work in noisy environments and/or who have to wear ear defenders may also require or benefit from an alert device according to the invention.

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it is known to provide dogs that are trained to respond to such warning sounds. However, it is not always practical or convenient to employ an animal in this role.

Similarly, it is known to provide devices which can detect certain sound frequencies and provide an alternative alert, such as a vibrating alert in response to this. Such a device is described in a chinese Utility Model application published as cN2o2145337(LJ).

However, such devices may not be able to distinguish between different sounds, particularly if it is desired to use the device in a noisy environment, Similarly, if the device is worn under clothing, the clothing may muffle the warning sound to such an extent that it is not detected by the device.

The present invention seeks to address or ameliorate some or all of the problems associated with the known devices by providing an alert device that can be comfortably worn under clothing, can function in a noisy environment and which can provide both a tactile and a visual alert in response to an alert signal being received.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable alert device comprising a flexible strap adapted to be worn around a part of a body of a user, wherein the strap defines a housing within which is located one or more visual alert elements, a vibrator, a rechargeable power source, a signal receiver and a controller; the signal receiver being capable of receiving an alert signal transmitted by a signal transmitter and the controller being adapted to activate the or each visual alert element and the vibrator in response to a signal received by the signal receiver; and wherein the strap includes a fastener adapted to secure it around the part of the body.

It will be appreciated that the term "flexible strap" refers to an elongate element which has a substantially constant thickness along its length and which is adapted to be wrapped around a part of a human body, such as a limb or the waist.

Suitably, the flexible strap will be dimensioned to be worn around a user's wrist and will have a thickness that permits it to be worn beneath clothing, if desired. In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible strap is arranged such that it can be worn in any orientation, rather than requiring a specific orientation, like a wristwatch.

The housing defined within the strap suitably extends along the majority of the length of the strap. Thus, the housing extends along greater than 50% of the length of the strap, suitably greater than 60%, 70% or 75% of the length of the strap. Similarly, the housing may extend across greater than 50% of the width of the strap, suitably greater than 60%, 70% or 75% of the width of the strap.

As it is likely that the flexible strap will be worn for much of the day, it needs to be comfortable to wear. Thus, the strap may be padded. The padding is useful in minimising or preventing any irritation that may otherwise be caused by components located within the housing rubbing or being pressed into the user's skin.

On the basis that the flexible strap may be worn around the wrist of a user, it may be water resistant. This is because a user's wrist often comes into contact with water, such as when the user is washing their body or washing cutlery or crockery, for example. Making the strap water resistant may be achieved by using a water resistant material to form an outer layer of the strap or it may be achieved by coating the outer surface of the strap with a water resistant material.

It will be appreciated that the term "water resistant" is intended to mean that the strap is able to resist the ingress of water into the housing. Thus, penetration into the housing of water that is accidentally splashed onto the strap is resisted, as is the penetration of water if the strap is submerged in water for a relatively short period of time (say for less than 20 seconds or so).

However, it may not resist water penetration if the strap is submerged for a relatively long period of time, say for longer than about 30 seconds. The term "water resistant1' also includes "water proof" in which the ingress of water into the housing is prevented rather than just resisted.

As mentioned above, users of the device may be elderly or disabled. In order for such a user to be able to wear and remove the device easily, the fastener may comprise a hook and eye arrangement, such as is available under the trade mark "Velcro". In such an arrangement, the hook part of the fastener may be carried by a first portion of the strap and the eye part of the fastener may be carried by a second, separate portion of the strap.

As noted above, the strap of the invention is flexible and is intended to be worn around a part of the body. To make the strap as flexible as possible, the controller may comprise a flexible circuit board. Thus, instead of a conventional biscuit board forming the base for the circuit board, a flexible polymer may be used, which allows the circuit board to be deflected out of a planar arrangement.

It will be appreciated that the visual alert element is an element which can provide a visible signal to the user. The visual alert element may therefore include a light emitting element, it may include a display adapted to display text or other indicia, or it may comprise a combination thereof. Thus, the visual alert element may include a light emitting element and/or a display.

In an embodiment of the invention, the visual alert element includes one or more light emitting elements and the or each light emitting element is optionally a light emitting diode (LED). LEDs are useful as they consume relatively little power compared with alternative light emitters. As the strap may be worn in different orientations about the body, it suitably includes a plurality of light emitters. When a plurality of light emitters is provided, these may be arranged in a spaced relationship. The light emitters may form an array, which may be a linear array, for example along a lengthwise portion of the strap or transversely across the strap or a combination of both.

The power source for the device is rechargeable. This avoids the need to change batteries periodically, which can be a difficult process for the elderly or disabled. The battery charger associated with the device may be a wired charger or a so-called "wireless" or "contactless" charger.

Where the charger is a wired charger, the rechargeable power source may include a charging socket and the strap may define an aperture adjacent to the socket, the aperture being sized and configured to allow a charging plug adapted to fit the charging socket to pass therethrough.

However, such an aperture may interfere with the water resistance of the strap. Therefore, the aperture may be provided with a flap or cover, and optionally a sealing element, to resist the ingress of water into the housing.

Additionally or alternatively, the rechargeable power source may be adapted to be recharged via a wireless induction charger. In this case, the housing may further include an induction coil connected to the rechargeable power source.

The skilled person will appreciate that "connected to" includes both a direct connection in which there are no intermediate components connected between the two elements, and indirect connection in which the two elements in question are connected via one or more intermediate components.

Wireless charging (or inductive charging) uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two objects. Electrical energy (typically from a mains electrical source) is supplied to a primary induction coil in the charger. This generates an alternating electromagnetic field. When a secondary induction coil (located within the device to be charged) is located within the alternating electromagnetic field, it converts the energy from the alternating electromagnetic field back into electrical energy, which is then fed to the rechargeable power source (e.g. battery) to recharge it. Thus, when the two induction coils are placed sufficiently close to each other, they combine to form an electrical transformer.

The electrical energy generated by the secondary induction coil when it is located within an electromagnetic field may be in a less than optimum form for the power source. Accordingly, the device may further include a power conditioner located between the secondary induction coil and the rechargeable power source, wherein the power conditioner is adapted to convert the electrical energy generated by the secondary induction coil to an electrical energy form (e.g. voltage and current) which is optimised to (re)charge the power source.

As wireless charging simply requires the device to be placed upon a charging platform and does not require the often fiddly insertion of a charging plug into a charging socket, or the provision of an aperture in the strap, it is a convenient method to recharge the power source within the strap.

As it is desirable for the device to be capable of being worn under clothing, the signal receiver may be an electromagnetic signal receiver. In other words, a signal receiver adapted to receive a signal transmitted within the electromagnetic spectrum. Optionally, the signal receiver is a radio frequency (rf) signal receiver. Many frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio frequency signals, are capable of penetrating clothing, as well as internal walls within a domestic or industrial environment. In such an embodiment, a door bell or other warning sound emitting device may be adapted to include an electromagnetic signal transmitter, such as a radio frequency transmitter. This has the benefit that the primary role of the warning sound emitter is maintained. Thus, for example, a doorbell modified in this way would still function as a normal doorbell for those whose hearing is not impaired. However, it would also emit a signal within the electromagnetic spectrum, such as a radio frequency signal, which can be received by a person wearing a device according to the invention, who is also alerted to the bell. A corresponding transmitter could be fitted to other sound-emitting devices, such as timers, smoke alarms and fire

alarms, for example.

An advantage of using electromagnetic signals, such as radio frequency signals, is that the signal tends not to be significantly "muffled" by clothing, internal walls and other interference. This is in contrast to detectors that are adapted to detect sound waves, where the sound waves may be degraded to such an extent that the detector is no longer able to detect the original signal.

As noted above, it may be desirable for a device according to the invention to receive two or more different signals and for the controller to provide different outputs of visible signals and/or vibrations in response to the signal received. For example, the output for a first signal (e.g. from a doorbell) received by the signal receiver may be a sequence of single pulses (vibrations and light), whereas the output for a second, different signal (e.g. from a smoke alarm) received by the signal receiver may be a sequence of double pulses. In this way, the user can distinguish between the different types of signals being received. Alternatively, the light emitters may be adapted to emit different colours of light, so a green light may be emitted for a doorbell and a red light may be emitted for a smoke alarm. In a further alternative embodiment, the visual alert element may be a display which displays different text messages or visible indicia in response to the different signals received.

Following the above, it will be appreciated that where the visual alert element is one or more light emitting elements and the light emitters are LEDs, then the use of coloured LEDs allow for the possibility of different colour outputs, depending upon the signal received by the device.

Thus, where the light emitting elements are LEDs, these may be coloured LEDs. Furthermore, the controller may be adapted to control the colour output of the coloured LEDs in response to the signal received by the signal receiver.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of a wearable alert device as defined anywhere herein, and an induction charging system including a primary induction coil and a charging platform adapted to receive thereon the device. In this aspect of the invention, the rechargeable power source of the alert device is suitably connected to an induction coil.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of a wearable alert device as defined anywhere herein and a signal transmitter adapted to be connected to an audible warning apparatus, wherein the signal receiver is adapted to receive an alert signal from the signal transmitter. The audible warning apparatus may be selected from a doorbell, a smoke alarm, a fire alarm and a timer, for example.

In an embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the combination may further include an induction charging system including a charging platform and a primary induction coil. Again, in this embodiment, the rechargeable power source is suitably connected to an induction coil.

The skilled person will appreciate that the features described and defined in connection with the aspect of the invention and the embodiments thereof may be combined in any combination, regardless of whether the specific combination is expressly mentioned herein. Thus, all such combinations are considered to be made available to the skilled person.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wearable alert device according to the invention; and Figure 2 is schematic representation of the components within the housing of the device.

For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms "up", "down", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "width", etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures.

Figure 1 shows a wearable alert device 2 according to the invention. The device 2 comprises a padded strap 4 having opposed end portions 6,8. Each end portion 6, 8 carries one part of a hook and eye fastener (not shown), such as a Velcro (trade mark) fastener, which is arranged such that the two end portions 6, 8 can be releasably coupled to each other when the device is arranged in the form of a band as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the components contained within a housing defined within the strap 4 between the two end portions 6, 8.

The device 2 includes a controller 10 which has a signal input, multiple signal outputs and is programmed to provide pre-determined outputs in response to specific signal inputs.

The controller lOis powered by a rechargeable power source 12, which is provided by a rechargeable battery. The skilled person will appreciate that the rechargeable power source 12 may comprise a plurality of rechargeable battery cells connected together to form the power source 12 and that the batteries may any type of battery that can fit within the housing defined by the strap 4. The battery cells may be conventional cells or they may include the currently contemplated flexible battery cells.

In this embodiment, the rechargeable power source 12 is energised by an induction charging system (not shown). Induction charging systems are well known and as such, will not be described in detail herein. In order for the power source to be charged in this way, the strap 4, includes an induction coil (a so-called "secondary" induction coil) 14 and a power conditioner 16 which transforms the electrical energy from the induction coil 14 to a voltage and current which is suitable to recharge or energise the power source 12.

The input of the controller lOis connected to a signal receiver 18, which is a radio frequency (rf) signal receiver. The signal receiver 18 is adapted to receive specific rf signals and to transmit a corresponding signal to the controller 10 when the or one of the signals is received.

The outputs of the controller 10 are connected to a vibrator 20 and a linear array of multi-coloured LEDs 22 which form the visual alert elements.

In use, the strap 4 is charged by locating it on a platform of an induction charging system whereby the (secondary) induction coil 14 is located within an electromagnetic field generated by a primary induction coil located within the induction charging system. The electrical energy generated by the induction coil 14 as a result of it being located within the electromagnetic field is conditioned by the power conditioner 16 and supplied to the power source 12 where it is stored.

Once charged, the strap 4 is located around the wrist of a user and secured in place via the hook and eye fastener. The dimensions of the strap allow for it to be located beneath clothing, if desired.

When an rf signal is transmitted from a signal transmitter (not shown), for example connected to a door bell, this is detected by the signal receiver 18. The signal receiver 18 then sends a corresponding signal to the input of the controller 10. The controller 10 determines the source of the transmitted rf signal according to a pre-programmed algorithm and outputs a pre-determined output to the vibrator 20 and the LEDs 22. The vibrator 20 will vibrate in response to the output signal and the LEDs 22 will emit a specific colour of light in response to the output signal. The vibrator 20 and the LEDs 22 emit a pulsed sequence according to the output signal.

When an rf signal is transmitted from a different signal transmitter, for example connected to a fire alarm, this is again detected by the signal receiver 18 and a different signal is sent by the signal receiver 18 to the controller 10. The controller 10 outputs a specific output in response to the signal received from the signal receiver 18, which differs from the output relating to the door bell signal. In this case, the vibrator 20 vibrates with a different pulsed sequence (the period between vibrations is reduced, so the frequency is increased) and the LEDs 22 emit a different colour (for example, red for the fire alarm, compared with green for the door bell).

At the end of the day, the strap 4 can be removed from the use by releasing the hook and eye fastener and the power source 12 recharged by once again locating the strap on the induction charging platform.

The skilled person will appreciate that an alternative charging arrangement can be used. Thus, in place of the induction coil 14, the device 2 may include a socket adapted to receive a plug from a charger connected to a mains electrical source. In such an embodiment, the charger may include the power conditioner 16 and this may be omitted from the housing within the strap 4.

However, in this alternative embodiment, the strap 4 would need to include an aperture or opening such that the plug could engage with the socket located within the housing of the strap 4.

Similarly, the LEDs 22 are shown in Figure 2 to be arranged in a linear array longitudinally along the strap 4. However, any suitable configuration or array of the LEDs could be provided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the array of LEDs 22 are replaced with a display screen.

In this embodiment, the controller is programmed to send output signals to the display screen such that different text messages are displayed on the screen. The user is alerted to view the screen when he or she feels the vibrations from the vibrator. Thus, in the example given above, the screen may display the text message "DOORBELL" when a signal from the doorbell is received by the signal receiver and it may display the text message "FIRE ALARM". The display may be accompanied by a further visual alert system comprising one or more light emitting elements, such as LEDs. Thus, the display may form an ancillary visual alert element.

Claims

Claims 1. A wearable alert device comprising a flexible strap adapted to be worn around a part of a body of a user, wherein the strap defines a housing within which is located one or more visual alert elements, a vibrator, a rechargeable power source, a signal receiver and a controller; the signal receiver being capable of receiving an alert signal transmitted by one or more signal transmitters and the controller being adapted to activate the or each visual alert element and the vibrator in response to a signal received by the signal receiver; and wherein the strap includes a fastener adapted to secure it around the part of the body.
2. A wearable alert device according to Claim 1, wherein the strap is padded.
3. A wearable alert device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the strap is water resistant.
4. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastener comprises a hook and eye fastener with the hook part of the fastener carried by a first portion of the strap and the eye part of the fastener carried by a second, separate portion of the strap.
5. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller comprises a flexible circuit board.
6. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each visual alert element is LED.
7. A wearable alert device according to Claim 6, where a plurality of LEDs are provided within the housing and the LEDs are arranged in a spaced relationship linearly along a portion of the strap.
8. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the rechargeable power source includes a charging socket and the strap defines an aperture adjacent to the socket, the aperture being sized and configured to allow a charging plug adapted to fit the charging socket to pass therethrough.
9. A wearable alert device according to any of Claims ito 7, wherein the rechargeable power source is adapted to be recharged via a wireless induction charger and the housing further includes an induction coil connected to the rechargeable power source.
10. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal receiver is an rf signal receiver.
11. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal receiver is capable of receiving two or more different alert signals and the controller is adapted to provide different outputs of light and vibrations in response to the signal received.
12. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal receiver is adapted to receive an alert signal from a signal transmitter connected to a doorbell.
13. A wearable alert device according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal receiver is adapted to receive an alert signal from a signal transmitter connected to a fire and/or smoke alarm, a monitoring apparatus or a timer
14. A combination of a wearable alert device according to any of Claims ito 13 and an induction charging system including a charging platform and an induction coil.
15. A combination of a wearable alert device according to any of Claims ito 13 and a signal transmitter adapted to be connected to a doorbell or an alarm system, wherein the signal receiver is adapted to receive an alert signal from the signal transmitter.
16. A combination according to Claim 15 further including an induction charging system including a charging platform and an induction coil.