WO2019041050A1 - Haptic electrical injury prevention systems and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical danger can be detected by one or more sensors and one or more haptic actuators wearable adjacent a human subject. In response to one or more detected conditions such as an electrical field strength exceeding an injury prevention threshold, a haptic signal allows the subject to feel a warning even in a context in which another kind of warning would not be noticed immediately.

Description

HAPTIC ELECTRICAL INJURY PREVENTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[Para 01] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/553,810 (entitled "HAPTIC ELECTRICAL INJURY PREVENTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS" and filed 02 September 2017) which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[Para 02] Each year in North America alone, thousands of people are electrocuted in the workplace due to not knowing that they were about to come too close to electrical equipment that had not been de-energized. While devices like the basic handheld wire and stud detectors are available to consumers— with more professional devices like electroscopic meters for electrical repair workers— the need for consistency in use is still significant and not well addressed.

DESCRIPTION

[Para 03] The detailed description that follows is represented largely in terms of processes and symbolic representations of operations by conventional computer components, including a processor, memory storage devices for the processor, connected display devices and input devices. Furthermore, some of these processes and operations may utilize conventional computer components in a heterogeneous distributed computing environment, including remote file servers, computer servers and memory storage devices.

[Para 04] The phrases "in one embodiment," "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," and the like are used repeatedly. Such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The terms "comprising," "having," and "including" are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

[Para 05] "Associated," "at least," "based," "before," "concerning," "haptic," "invoked," "likewise," "local," "second," "on the order of," "transmitted," "using," "wearable,"

"within," or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise. In light of the present disclosure those skilled in the art will understand from context what is meant by "remote" and by other such positional descriptors used herein. Terms like "processor," "center," "unit," "computer," or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal sense, in reference to an inanimate structure. Such terms do not include any people, irrespective of their location or employment or other association with the thing described, unless context dictates otherwise. "For" is not used to articulate a mere intended purpose in phrases like "circuitry for" or "instruction for," moreover, but is used normally, in descriptively identifying special purpose software or structures. "On the order of" or "within an order of magnitude of refer to values that differ by at most a factor of ten.

[Para 06] Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments are described in connection with the drawings and related descriptions, there is no intent to limit the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents. In alternate embodiments, additional devices, or combinations of illustrated devices, may be added to, or combined, without limiting the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[Para 07] Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 in which one or more technologies may be implemented in the interest of safety for a human subject (wearer 140, e.g.) from an electrical field 157 caused by two or more electrodes 158 producing unsafe voltages of which he is not aware. In particular a distance margin 145 separates an unsafe part 141 of electrical field 157 from a body part 142 that is safe for the moment but at risk of injury if he moves too much closer notwithstanding conventional protective gear. He also has wearable equipment 150 on, including one or more instances of environmental sensors 151, of biometric sensors 152, or of auditory interfaces 153 as well as one or more haptic actuators 154. Wearable equipment 150 is able to send signals to or receive signals from (via a Bluetooth or other low energy wireless linkage 125 A, e.g.) a client device 600 that is (at least intermittently) in communication with one or more servers 600 of network 120 as described below. In some remote project contexts, such communication is made possible by a mobile facility 175 (a motor vehicle that provides a wireless access point, e.g.) and additional linkages 125B, 125C as shown. Another linkage 125D may exist between server 600 and one or more call centers 105 staffed by emergency response experts or other skilled users 110 while wearer 140 is working.

[Para 08] In some variants a first input signal is detected via a first wearable sensor supported by wearer 140 signifying that a first electrical field strength exceeds a first injury prevention threshold. In response a first haptic actuator 154 adjacent a particular limb of the wearer is energized as an automatic and conditional real-time response to the first input signal from the first wearable sensor supported by the wearer indicating that the first field strength exceeds the first injury prevention threshold, long before any actual danger.

[Para 09] In another variant the wearer wears a second wearable sensor supported by an opposite limb of the wearer 140 and, in lieu of the first electrical field strength exceeding the injury prevention threshold, a second electrical field strength exceeds the injury prevention threshold before such crossing occurs on the first limb. In response the second haptic actuator 154 signaling the opposite limb of the wearer as an automatic and conditional realtime response to the opposite-side input signal from the second wearable sensor indicating that the field strength on that side exceeds the injury prevention threshold, the wearer can thus discern immediately which limb is closer to danger.

[Para 10] As used herein, the term "injury prevention threshold" signifies a field strength that is high enough to raise a concern that dangerous voltages may exist nearby but low enough to ensure that the human subject is not yet in danger of injury. While the inventors are still working to establish what thresholds may best serve this purpose and how best to account for local indicia (of temperature and humidity, e.g.) in selecting a threshold, it is established that thresholds on the order of 5 or 500 volts per meter are often appropriate for use as an injury prevention threshold.

[Para 11] Figure 2 depicts a sensor unit 200 in which one or more technologies may be implemented (within a client device 700 or wearable equipment 150, e.g.). Sensor unit 200 as shown may include one or more instances of accelerometer 201, of pathogen sensors 202 (configured to detect carbon monoxide or other dangerous gases, e.g.), of electrical field sensor 203, of cameras 204, of magnetic field sensors 205, of thermometer 206, or of other event detection circuitry (comparators, e.g.) by which dangerous conditions may be detected.

[Para 12] Figure 3 illustrates another system 300 in which one or more technologies may be implemented, one in which a signal output from a sensor unit 200 (implemented in a client device 700 A, e.g.) is compared against one or more patterns 337. Such outputs may also be tracked and presented (via an image 330 on client device 700A, e.g.) in relation to various thresholds 331 described herein, showing a succession of values in relation to a logarithmic time scale 332 having regular markings leftward from the last value at factor-of-ten intervals (such that the rightmost markings successively signify 1 second ago, 2 seconds ago, 5 seconds ago, 10 seconds ago, 20 seconds ago, etc.).

[Para 13] Pattern recognition circuitry as described herein may comprise an event- sequencing structure generally as described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0094046 but configured as described herein. Such circuitry may include one or more instances of modules configured for local processing, for example, each including an electrical node set upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration. In some variants, moreover, an instance of such modules may be configured for invoking such local processing modules remotely in a distributed implementation. Event detection circuitry as described herein may likewise include one or more instances of modules configured for programmatic response as described below, for example, each including an electrical node set upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration. In some variants, an instance of modules may be configured for invoking such programmatic response modules remotely in a distributed implementation.

[Para 14] In the interest of concision and according to standard usage in information management technologies, the functional attributes of modules described herein are set forth in natural language expressions. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that such expressions (functions or acts recited in English, e.g.) adequately describe structures identified below so that no undue experimentation will be required for their implementation. For example, any signal values 307, patterns 337 (thresholds, e.g.), or other informational data identified herein may easily be represented digitally as a voltage configuration on one or more electrical nodes (conductive pads of an integrated circuit, e.g.) of an event-sequencing structure without any undue experimentation. Each electrical node is highly conductive, having a corresponding nominal voltage level that is spatially uniform generally throughout the node (within a device or local system as described herein, e.g.) at relevant times (at clock transitions, e.g.). Such nodes (lines on an integrated circuit or circuit board, e.g.) may each comprise a forked or other signal path adjacent one or more transistors. Moreover many Boolean values (yes-or-no decisions, e.g.) may each be manifested as either a "low" or "high" voltage, for example, according to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), emitter-coupled logic (ECL), or other common semiconductor configuration protocol. In some contexts, for example, one skilled in the art will recognize an "electrical node set" as used herein in reference to one or more electrically conductive nodes upon which a voltage configuration (of one voltage at each node, for example, with each voltage characterized as either high or low) manifests a yes/no decision or other digital data. In some variants such a client device 700A may be paired wirelessly with wearable, rechargeable equipment 150 such as a wristband 343 powered by a battery 333 recharged in a cradle 345 as shown. Alternatively or additionally, a client device 700A may interface with a camera 304 or other sensors on a helmet, gloves, boots, or other wearable equipment 150 having a haptic actuator 154 and a suitable power supply.

[Para 15] Figure 4 depicts another local client device 700B or system 400 in which one or more technologies may be implemented. Client device 700B includes one or more instances of global positioning systems 451 (GPS), of detectors 452 (including a sensor unit 200 and one or more modules for recognizing thresholds or other patterns of measured values, and of haptic actuators adjacent limbs 412 or other respective body parts of wearer 440. To ensure that an alert is provided via haptic actuator 453 before wearer 440 reaches a boundary 422 of an electrical danger zone 421, one or more buffer zones 423 are each defined as a space between two equipotential zone boundaries 422,424. Forming zone boundaries at least partly across equipotential surfaces minimizes real-time computations and allows for a prompt and appropriate alert (via actuator 453, e.g.) whenever detector 452 reaches a strong-enough field (one stronger than a threshold set by user 110, e.g.) without first waiting for access to a data network 420. This can occur, for example, in a context in which each boundary of each transition zone 423 would not otherwise be detected quickly enough and in which timely notification to a human subject would otherwise require a wearer to walk slowly on any worksite where electrical equipment may be present.

[Para 16] Figure 5 illustrates an operational flow 500 in which one or more technologies may be implemented (within or in conjunction with one or more wearable or other portable client devices 700, e.g.). At operation 510, an electric field detector is associated with a particular haptic actuator (by wirelessly pairing device 700A with a band 343 configured to hold a haptic actuator 453 adjacent a wearer, e.g.). At operation 525, an electrical field strength adjacent a human subject is determined to exceed an injury prevention threshold (by detecting boundary 424 with a suitable field strength threshold on the order of 5-500 volts per meter as a peak magnitude provided by user llO. e^.)-

[Para 17] At operation 550, the haptic actuator is energized adjacent a body part of the human subject as an automatic and conditional real-time response to the electrical field strength exceeding the injury prevention threshold (by energizing actuator 453 in real time without waiting for a GPS determination, e.g.).

[Para 18] Figure 6 illustrates several components of an exemplary server 600. In some embodiments, server 600 may include many more components than those shown in Figure 6. However, it is not necessary that all of these generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, server 600 includes a data network interface 606 for connecting via a data network 120,420.

[Para 19] Server 600 may also include one or more instances of processing unit 602, a memory 604, display hardware 612, all interconnected along with the network interface 606 via a bus 616. Memory 604 generally comprises a random access memory ("RAM"), a read only memory ("ROM"), and a permanent mass storage device, such as a disk drive.

[Para 20] Memory 604 may likewise contain an operating system 610, hosting application 614, and download service 624 (for downloading apps, e.g.). These and other software components may be loaded from a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 618 into memory 604 of the server 600 using a drive mechanism (not shown) associated with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 618, such as a floppy disc, tape, DVD/CD-ROM drive, flash card, memory card, or the like. In some

embodiments, software components may also be loaded via the network interface 606, rather than via a computer readable storage medium 618. Special-purpose circuitry 622 may, in some variants, include some or all of the event-sequencing logic described herein.

[Para 21] Figure 7 illustrates several components of an exemplary client device 700. In some embodiments, client device 700 may include many more components than those shown in Figure 7. However, it is not necessary that all of these generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, client device 700 includes a data network interface 706 for connecting via a data network 120,420.

[Para 22] Client device 700 may also include one or more instances of processing unit 702, a memory 704, display hardware 712, all interconnected along with the network interface 706 via a bus 716. Memory 704 generally comprises a random access memory ("RAM"), a read only memory ("ROM"), and a permanent mass storage device, such as a disk drive.

[Para 23] Memory 704 may likewise contain an operating system 710, web browser 714, and local app 724 (obtained via download service 624, e.g.). These and other software components may be loaded from a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 718 into memory 704 of the client device 700 using a drive mechanism (not shown) associated with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 718, such as a floppy disc, tape, DVD/CD- ROM drive, flash card, memory card, or the like. In some embodiments, software components may also be loaded via the network interface 706, rather than via a computer readable storage medium 718. Special-purpose circuitry 722 may, in some variants, include some or all of the event-sequencing logic described herein. [Para 24] Figure 8 illustrates a data flow 800 with an exemplary series of events (communications or other processes, e.g.) suitable for use with at least one embodiment. In some variants of the above-described methods, for example, dispatch data 867 (describing a work task, e.g.) is provided from a central facility 865 (having a server 500 and call center 105 as described above, e.g.) to a mobile facility 175 or other onsite facility 875 that relays a portion thereof (an environmental calibration 868, e.g.). In some contexts current local measurements (of humidity or temperature with a timestamp, e.g.) are then fed back to central facility 865 for aggregation. A locally resident app 624 or special-purpose circuitry 622 of client device 700A is invoked (in response to user data entry, e.g.), triggering a check prompt 871 that energizes haptic actuator 853. The occurrence of that actuation is confirmed with (user provided or other) status data 872, optionally also confirming a charge level of a battery that powers haptic actuator 853. Client device 700 provides a structured dialog 877 with a wearer 140, 440 soon after the login (so that a less-experienced operator may receive appropriately explicit guidance if desired, e.g. ). A notice 892A is transmitted from the client device 700 (in an immediate vicinity of the wearer, e.g.) initially to signify a completion of the structured dialog 877. Alternatively or additionally one or more such notices 892A may be provided periodically (with intervals on the order of a minute or of an hour, e.g.) providing a timestamp and measurement data (signifying a volts-per-meter reading, precise location coordinates, photographic images, or other such field data provided by event detection circuitry 338, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, onsite facility 875 may aggregate, filter, and pass on such data (a sampling or other distillation of heartbeat data, e.g.) as report 887A to central facility 865.

[Para 25] In some variants of the above-described methods, onsite facility 875 generates a responsive query 885 in response to an anomaly detected in one or more notices 892A (signaling a missing periodic instance, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which there is a concern that client device 700 might have been disabled (destroyed, e.g.) or out of range, in which a distinctive prompt 886A (distinguishable from check prompt 871 by a wearer, e.g.) lets the wearer know that a responsive query 885 has been received from onsite facility 875 (signaling that an expected notice 892A was not received, e.g.), and in which ambient noise might otherwise prevent the wearer 140, 440 from being notified of the responsive query 885. Alternatively or additionally, (special-purpose circuitry 622 aboard) onsite facility 875 may be configured in such contexts to transmit a specific report 887B (signaling a missing periodic instance of notice 892A to central facility 865, e.g.). [Para 26] In some variants of the above-described methods, an anomalous partem of values 236 triggers onsite facility 875 to generate a responsive query 885 (a robocall or app activation, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which one or more expected periodic instances of notice 892A are not received, for example. Other device-detectable patterns 337 of significance are also contemplated, such as client device 700 reporting its location as stationary for an extended period. Alternatively or additionally, such occurrences may trigger a pronounced haptic prompt 886A (longer than that of check prompt 871, e.g.).

[Para 27] In some variants of the above-described methods, a danger detection event 883 (manifested as an anomalous output from event detection circuitry 338, e.g.) triggers client device 700 to generate another distinct haptic prompt 886B signaling danger. This can occur, for example, in a context in which an extreme measurement is received from accelerometer 201, pathogen sensor 202, electric field sensor 203, magnetic field sensor 205, or

thermometer 206. Other device-detectable patterns 337 of significance are also

contemplated, such as an exclamation (such as one that sounds like "Help! ") or a camera 204 (mounted on a helmet or other clothing-external item, e.g.) showing all black for an extended period. Alternatively or additionally, such occurrences may trigger a notice 892B of the pattern to onsite facility 875 that may then be relayed (as report 887C with location data, e g )-

[Para 28] If a user response 898 to the prompt 886B is later received (signaling a false alarm or other non-emergency message 898, e.g.), at least some of the response is promptly relayed as a notice 892C to onsite facility 875 and as report 887D to central facility 865.

[Para 29] Figure 9 illustrates a data flow 900 as an optional continuation of that of Figure 8 suitable for use with at least one embodiment. In some contexts a partem signaling an anomaly detected 996A at client device 700 may trigger another instance of haptic prompt 886B and of notice 892B of the partem to onsite facility 875 that may then be relayed (as report 887C with location data, e.g.). After a more significant delay 979 (on the order of 1 or 10 minutes, e.g.) an intelligent alert 999A is automatically sent (providing the details giving rise to the alert to an emergency facility 995 or other designated person, e.g.). This can occur in the instance of a serious fall or electrical shock, for example, in which case a shorter delay may be warranted (supported by large-enough measurement from an accelerometer 201 or electrical field sensor 203, e.g.).

[Para 30] In some variants of the above-described methods, an anomaly detected 996B at onsite facility 875 may trigger another instance of a haptic prompt 886B or other appropriate alert 999B to be sent (with supporting data provided via client device 600, e.g.). Likewise an anomaly detected 996C at onsite facility 865 (detected by advanced protocols there that have not yet been locally automated, e.g.) may trigger another instance of an appropriate alert 999C (to client device 600 or emergency facility 995, e.g.) with supporting data.

[Para 31] In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structures effective for pattern recognition or other tasks as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 9,608,848 ("Communicating through physical vibration"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,607,491 ("Apparatus for generating a vibrational stimulus using a planar

reciprocating actuator"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,606,624 ("Systems and methods for surface elements that provide electrostatic haptic effects"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,606,363 ("Head mounted device (HMD) system having interface with mobile computing device for rendering virtual reality content"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,603,569 ("Positioning a wearable device for data collection"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,603,123 ("Sending smart alerts on a device at opportune moments using sensors"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,603,090 ("Management of near field communications using low power modes of an electronic device"); U.S. Pat. No.

9,602,956 ("System and method for device positioning with bluetooth"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,551,761 ("Portable magnetic, electric and radio frequency field monitoring apparatus and method"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,520,044 ("Apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling detection of stray voltage anomalies"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,429,661 ("Wireless, motion and position-sensing, integrating radiation sensor for occupational and environmental dosimetry"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,423,431 ("Method and apparatus for discrimination of sources in stray voltage detection"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,176,819

("Detecting sensor malfunctions using compression analysis of binary decision diagrams"); U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,567 ("Triggering user queries based on sensor inputs"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,822,924 ("Wireless, motion and position-sensing, integrating radiation occupational and environmental dosimetry"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,812,943 ("Detecting data corruption in medical binary decision diagrams using hashing techniques"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,781,995 ("Range queries in binary decision diagrams"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,901

("Continuous monitoring of stress using accelerometer data"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,575,942 ("Non-contacting method and apparatus for determining contact voltage sources and providing a warning for same"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,497,688 ("Non-contact arc detection apparatus and method"); U.S. Pat. No. "); U.S. Pat. No. 8,289,390 ("Method and apparatus for total situational awareness and monitoring"); U.S. Pat. No. 7,049,972 ("Lightning strike hazard detector"); U.S. Pat. No. 7,486,081 ("Apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling detection of stray voltage anomalies"); U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,642 ("Method for sensing an electric field"); U.S. Pat. No. 7,248,054 ("Apparatus and method for detecting an electric field"); U.S. Pub. No. 20160207457 ("System for assisted operator safety using an HMD"); U.S. Pub. No. 20150328996 ("A safety system, a method of operating a safety system and a method of building a safety system"); U.S. Pub. No. 20150077121 ("Buried service detection"); and U.S. Pub. No. 20120212340 ("Method and apparatus for providing communications with haptic cues"). Where permissible these documents are incorporated herein by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

[Para 32] Figure 10 illustrates a screen display image 1030 presented via a client device 700 as a component of a structured dialog 877 suitable for everyday use (in response to a wearer of equipment that includes a haptic actuator 453, 853 logging into server 600, e.g.).

[Para 33] Figure 11 illustrates a screen display image 1130 presented via a client device 700 as a component of a structured dialog 877 suitable for initial training purposes (in response to a wearer of equipment that includes a haptic actuator 453, 853 creating an account on server 600, e.g.).

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system and method according to embodiments described herein.

2. A system comprising:

one or more sensors configured to be worn adjacent a human subject;

one or more haptic actuators configured to be worn adjacent said human subject; transistor-based circuitry configured to transmit a haptic signal via said one or more haptic actuators configured to be worn adjacent said human subject as an automatic and conditional response to one or more detected conditions, wherein a first one of said detected conditions includes an electrical field strength detected by said one or more sensors configured to be worn adjacent said human subject exceeding an injury prevention threshold.