WO2022183110A1

WO2022183110A1 - Movement tracking cooling system

Info

Publication number: WO2022183110A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/018156
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott T. MOELLER
Original assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
Priority date: 2021-02-26
Filing date: 2022-02-28
Publication date: 2022-09-01

Abstract

A fan for providing a cooling airflow includes a fan head, an adjustment mechanism, a battery pack, a first electronic processor configured to control the adjustment mechanism, and a wireless communication device including a second electronic processor. The wireless communication device is configured to receive a first signal from an external device, provide the first signal to the first electronic processor, receive a second signal from the external device, and provide the second signal to the first electronic processor. The first electronic processor is configured to determine, in response to receiving the first signal, a first location of the external device, operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the first location, determine, in response to receiving the second signal, a second location of the external device, and operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the second location.

Description

MOVEMENT TRACKING COOLING SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/154,028, filed February 26, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

[0002] The present invention relates to cooling systems and, more particularly, to portable fans configured to track or follow movement of a user.

[0003] Fans provide cooling airflow that offers relief to those who may be in a warm area. In general, a fan may be capable of cooling a large area while it is operating. In many cases, it is advantageous to maximize a cooling feeling provided by the fan. For example, being in the path of the airflow would maximize the cooling feeling. As a user may find themselves moving about the area, they may desire that the path of the airflow follows them. It would be advantageous to provide the user with a wearable tracking device. For example, the wearable tracking device may include a transceiver that sends out a signal to the fan such that the fan can determine the location of the user and direct the cooling airflow to the user. Accordingly, a wearable tracker that provides a signal to a wireless communication device integrated into a fan would be advantageous to a user that moves about an area, such that the user may constantly have a cooling airflow directed at them.

[0004] Embodiments described herein provide a fan for providing a cooling airflow. The fan includes a fan head, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one of a pitch and a yaw of the fan head, a battery pack coupled to the fan head and the adjustment mechanism, a first electronic processor within the fan head and configured to control the adjustment mechanism, and a wireless communication device including a second electronic processor. The wireless communication device is configured to receive a first signal from an external device, communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the first signal to the first electronic processor, receive a second signal from the external device, and communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the second signal to the first electronic processor.

The first electronic processor is configured to determine, in response to receiving the first signal, a first location of the external device, operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the first location, determine, in response to receiving the second signal, a second location of the external device, and operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the second location.

[0005] Further embodiments described herein provide a system for providing air flow to a location. The system includes a fan and an external device. The fan includes a fan head, an adjustment mechanism, a battery pack, a first electronic processor, and a wireless communication device. The external device includes a transceiver. The wireless communication device includes a second electronic processor. The wireless communication device is configured to receive a first signal from the external device, communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the first signal to the first electronic processor, receive a second signal from the external device, and communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the second signal to the first electronic processor. The first electronic processor is configured to determine, in response to receiving the first signal, a first location of the external device, operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the first location, determine, in response to receiving the second signal, a second location of the external device, and operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the second location.

[0006] Further embodiments described herein provide a method of controlling a direction of airflow from a fan. The method includes providing a fan including a fan head, an adjustment mechanism, a battery pack, a first electronic processor, and a wireless communication device. The method also includes receiving, via the wireless communication device, a first signal from an external device, transferring, via the wireless communication device, the first signal to the first electronic processor of the fan, determining, via the first electronic processor, in response to receiving the first signal, a first location of the external device, operating, via the first electronic processor, the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head of the fan at the first location, receiving, via the wireless communication device, a second signal from the external device, transferring, via the wireless communication device, the second signal to the first electronic processor of the fan, determining, via the first electronic processor, in response to receiving the second signal, a second location of the external device, and operating, via the first electronic processor, the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the second location.

[0007] Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

[0008] In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software-based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “servers,” “computing devices,” “controllers,” “processors,” etc., described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components.

[0008] Relative terminology, such as, for example, “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” etc., used in connection with a quantity or condition would be understood by those of ordinary skill to be inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., the term includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement accuracy, tolerances [e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.] associated with the particular value, etc.). Such terminology should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4”. The relative terminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10%, or more) of an indicated value. [0009] It should be understood that although certain drawings illustrate hardware and software located within particular devices, these depictions are for illustrative purposes only. Functionality described herein as being performed by one component may be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Likewise, functionality performed by multiple components may be consolidated and performed by a single component. In some embodiments, the illustrated components may be combined or divided into separate software, firmware and/or hardware. For example, instead of being located within and performed by a single electronic processor, logic and processing may be distributed among multiple electronic processors. Regardless of how they are combined or divided, hardware and software components may be located on the same computing device or may be distributed among different computing devices connected by one or more networks or other suitable communication links. Similarly, a component described as performing particular functionality may also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not explicitly listed.

[0010] Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a movement tracking fan making up a first portion of a movement tracking system, according to embodiments described herein.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a user-wearable device making up a second portion of the movement tracking system, according to embodiments described herein.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a batery pack, according to embodiments described herein.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram for the movement tracking fan of FIG. 1, according to embodiments described herein.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of a wireless communication controller for the movement tracking fan of FIG. 1, according to embodiments described herein.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a systematic view of the movement tracking system, according to embodiments described herein. [0017] FIG. 7 is a systematic view of the movement tracking system, according to embodiments described herein.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a communication system for the movement tracking fan of FIG. 1 and an external device, according to some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a process for communicating with the user-wearable device of FIG. 2, according to embodiments described herein.

[0020] FIGS. 10A-10B are a process for operating an adjustment mechanism of the movement tracking fan of FIG. 1 based on a location of the tracker, according to embodiments described herein.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a process for communicating with an external device, according to embodiments described herein.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a process for operating the adjustment mechanism of the movement tracking fan of FIG. 1 based on a manual input, according to embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] When an individual is working with tools or other machinery, a work fan is often used to cool the user. As the user moves around the work area or maneuvers the tools throughout the process, the fan may be adjusted to a new position to accommodate cooling of the user in the user’s changing arrangements/positions. The present invention provides a work fan that automatically adjusts the position of the fan as a user maneuvers around the work area to consistently direct cooling air toward the user.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a movement tracking fan 14 of a movement tracking cooling system 10 (FIG. 6). The fan 14 includes a fan head 22 and a stand 26. The fan head 22 is moveable with respect to the stand 26 via an adjustment mechanism, such as adjustment mechanism 58 (FIG. 4). The fan head 22 includes fan blades 28 that rotate about an axis to provide a cooling airflow. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the fan blades 28 may rotate about a horizontal axis to provide a cooling airflow perpendicular to the orientation of the fan blades 28. As another example, fan blades 28 may rotate about a vertical axis to provide the cooling airflow at an angle from the orientation of the fan blades 28. In some embodiments, the fan head 22 is able to rotate about a central axis perpendicular to the surface the fan is situated on. Additionally, in some embodiments, the fan head 22 tilts up and down, via the adjustment mechanism 58, to provide the cooling airflow at a higher or lower surface. The adjustment mechanism 58 may also adjust a fan blade speed. In some embodiments, the fan head 22 may be a bladeless fan head.

[0025] In some embodiments, the fan 14 includes a wireless communication controller, such as wireless communication controller 60 (FIG. 5), that communicates wirelessly with a remote device, such as a tracker 18 (FIG. 2) and/or an external device 92 (FIG. 8). The wireless communication controller 60 may receive a signal from the tracker 18, and provide that signal to a controller, such as controller 50 (FIG. 4). The controller 50 may determine the location of the tracker 18 based on the signal and operate the adjustment mechanism 58 to point the fan head 22 at the location. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 58 may adjust the fan blade speed based on the location of the tracker 18.

[0026] A user can switch between an automatic mode and a manual mode by pressing a toggle button. The toggle may also be located on the fan 14. Additionally or alternatively, the toggle may be located on the external device 92. When the fan 14 is in the automatic mode, the fan 14 is adjusted automatically based on communications between the tracker 18 and the fan 14. When the fan 14 is in manual mode, the fan 14 may be operated by buttons provided on the fan 14 and/or the external device 92 that allow a user to control the settings of the fan.

[0027] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the fan 14 may include sensors, such as RFID sensors or isotopic sensors to sense the location of the tracker 18. In some embodiments, the fan 14 is battery powered via a power tool battery pack, such as a battery pack 38 (FIG. 3). Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the fan 14 receives AC power from a conventional outlet, via a cord.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates the tracker 18. The tracker may be a wearable device and/or may be carriable by a user. For example, the tracker 18 may be a bracelet that is worn on a wrist 20 of a user, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the tracker 18 can be part of a necklace or belt, attached to an article of clothing by a clip or pin, or placed in a user’s pocket. Existing locating devices, such as cell phones or motion detectors, can be incorporated with or used as the tracker 18. In other embodiments, another type of tracker such as a fob, an RFID chip, decay tag, or the like may be used. [0029] The tracker 18 may include an integrated wireless communication device that allows for short-range radio communication (e.g., Bluetooth®) with the wireless communication controller 60 of the fan 14. For example, the tracker 18 may include a transceiver such as a Bluetooth® transceiver. The Bluetooth® transceiver communicates with the fan 14 employing the Bluetooth® protocol. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the fan 14 and the tracker 18 are within a communication range (i.e., in proximity) of each other while they exchange data. In some embodiments, the tracker 18 outputs a signal at a set interval (e.g., every 5 seconds). The tracker 18 may include a battery, such as a coin-cell battery, that powers the transceiver.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a battery pack 38 that is configured to provide power to the fan 14. The battery pack 38 includes a housing 40 and an interface portion 42 for connecting the battery pack 38 to a device (e.g., the fan 14) or a battery pack charger. The battery pack 38 may be a power tool battery pack 38 generally used to power a power tool, such as an electric drill, an electric saw, and the like (e.g., an 18 volt rechargeable battery pack, or an Ml 8 REDLITHIUM battery pack sold by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation). The battery pack 38 may include lithium ion (Li-ion) cells. In alternate embodiments, the battery packs may be of a different chemistry (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCa or NiCad), nickel -hydride, and the like). The battery pack 38 may be an 18 volt battery pack, a 4 volt battery pack, a 28 volt battery pack, a 40 volt battery pack, or a battery pack 148 of any other voltage such that the capacity of the battery pack may vary. The battery pack 38 may further include an indicator to display the current state of charge of the battery pack 38 and/or other characteristics of the battery pack 38.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a is a schematic illustration of the controller 50 of the fan 14. The controller 50 uses signals received by the wireless communication controller 60 to determine the location of the tracker 18 and, subsequently, whether the tracker 18 has moved relative to a previous position. When the controller 50 determines that the tracker has not moved, the controller 50 maintains the current position of the fan head 22. When the controller 50 determines that the tracker 18 has moved relative to the previous position, the controller 50 determines whether, based on a degree of movement, the fan head 22 should be adjusted to accommodate the new position of the tracker 18. To adjust the fan head 22, the controller 50 communicates with the adjustment mechanism 58 to change the settings (e.g., pitch, yaw, and/or fan blade speed) of the fan 14. [0032] The controller 50 is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or components of the fan 14. For example, the illustrated controller 50 is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a plurality of sensors 52, a plurality of indications 54, a user interface 56, the adjustment mechanism 58, and the wireless communication controller 60. The controller 50 receives input power from the battery pack 38. In some embodiments, the battery pack 38 also provides power to the adjustment mechanism 58.

[0033] The sensors 52 include, for example, one or more voltage sensors, one or more current sensors, one or more temperature sensors, etc. Additionally, the sensors 52 may include a group of “pan” sensors and a group of “tilt” sensors. The pan sensors may transmit data to help determine whether the yaw of the fan head 22 should be altered to accommodate the position of the user relative a horizontal plane. The tilt sensors may transmit data to help determine whether the pitch of the fan head 22 should be altered to accommodate the position of the user relative a vertical plane. The illustrated embodiment may include six pan sensors and two tilt sensors. Other embodiments may include a different number of pan and tilt sensors. The transmission of data from the sensors to the central controller can be wireless, or the sensors can be hardwired to the central controller.

[0034] Each of the sensors 52 generates one or more output signals that are provided to the controller 50 for processing and evaluation. The user interface 55 is included to provide manual inputs for controlling the fan 14. The user interface 55 can include any combination of digital and analog input devices required to achieve a desired level of control for the fan 14. For example, the user interface 55 may include a plurality of knobs, a plurality of dials, a plurality of switches, a plurality of buttons, or the like. In some embodiments, the user interface 55 may be used to provide input signals to the controller 50 that control the adjustment mechanism 58.

[0035] For example, the controller 50 may be configured to drive the adjustment mechanism 58 to alter a pitch (i.e., vertical direction) and/or yaw (i.e., horizontal direction) of the fan head 22. In some embodiments, the controller 50 receives a signal from the wireless communication controller 60 and determines the location of the tracker 18 based on the signal. The controller 50 may then instruct the adjustment mechanism 58 to control at least one of the pitch and yaw of the fan head 22 to direct the airflow at the location of the tracker 18. In some embodiments, the fan 14 may include more than one adjustment mechanism 58. The adjustment mechanism 58 may include a lead screw, socket, or the like that may be driven in forward and rearward directions. For example, the adjustment mechanism 58 may include one or more servomotors each attached to an independent lead screw. The adjustment mechanism 58 may also be configured to adjust an output of the fan blades 28 based on a distance of the tracker 18 from the work fan 14. For example, the fan blades 28 may be slowed down to output lower velocity air when the tracker 18 is close to the work fan 14, and may be sped up to output higher velocity air when the tracker 18 is further from the work fan 14.

[0011] The controller 50 includes combinations of hardware and software that are operable to, among other things, control the operation of the fan 14, communicate over a network, such as network 99 (FIG. 8), receive input from a user via the user interface 55, provide information to a user via the indicators 54, etc. For example, the controller 50 includes, among other things, a processing unit 62 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an electronic processor, an electronic controller, or another suitable programmable device), a memory 64, input units 66, and output units 68. The processing unit 62 includes, among other things, a control unit 70, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”) 72, and a plurality of registers 74 (shown as a group of registers in FIG. 4), and is implemented using a known computer architecture (e.g., a modified Harvard architecture, a von Neumann architecture, etc.). The processing unit 62, the memory 64, the input units 66, and the output units 68, as well as the various modules or circuits connected to the controller 50 are connected by one or more control and/or data buses (e.g., common bus 76). The control and/or data buses are shown generally in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes. Although the controller 50 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as one controller, the controller 50 could also include multiple controllers configured to work together to achieve a desired level of control for the fan 14. As such, any control functions and processes described herein with respect to the controller 50 could also be performed by two or more controllers functioning in a distributed manner.

[0012] The memory 64 is a non-transitory computer readable medium and includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as a read only memory (“ROM”), a random access memory (“RAM”) (e.g., dynamic RAM [“DRAM”], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM”], etc.), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit 62 is connected to the memory 64 and is configured to execute software instructions that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory 64 (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory 64 (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of the fan 14 and controller 50 can be stored in the memory 64 of the controller 50. The software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller 50 is configured to retrieve from the memory 64 and execute, among other things, instructions related to the control processes and methods described herein. In other embodiments, the controller 50 includes additional, fewer, or different components.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of the wireless communication controller 60, according to some embodiments. The wireless communication controller 60 enables the controller 50 of the fan 14 to wirelessly communicate with the tracker 18 and/or the external device 92. In some embodiments, wireless communication includes transmitting fan data (e.g., fan usage data, configuration data, maintenance data, firmware update, a pairing message/instruction for Bluetooth® enabled devices, etc.) and receiving fan configuration data (e.g., settings for operating the fan 14 in a particular mode, a location of the tracker 18). The wireless communication controller 60 is also configured to receive commands to remotely control fan components (e.g., control the adjustment mechanism 58). The wireless communication controller 60 may also enable a location of the fan 14 to be determined and tracked/recorded by the external device 92 (e.g., by sending or broadcasting a one-directional beacon message). In some embodiments, the wireless communication controller 60 may be included in the battery pack 38 that is coupled to the fan 14, such that the battery pack 38 is a wireless communication device.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless communication controller 60 includes an electronic processor 78, a memory 80, a transceiver 82 (e.g., a radio transceiver), and an antenna 84. In some embodiments, the antenna 84 is a monopole antenna (e.g., a ground plane antenna) that includes a conductor (e.g., a chip antenna, a rod-shaped conductor, etc.) mounted to a PCB of the wireless communication controller 60. In some embodiments, the antenna 84 is a laser direct structuring (“LDS”) antenna that includes a metalized structure printed onto a surface of the fan head 22. [0038] FIG. 6 illustrates a cooling system 10 including the fan 14 and the tracker 18. In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates the adjustment mechanism 58 controlling the yaw of the fan head 22. The yaw of the fan 14 may be generally infinitely adjustable (e.g., the fan head 22 may be rotated through 360 degrees, 720 degrees, etc.). As the tracker 18 moves, the fan head 22 moves in a horizontal direction to direct airflow to the tracker 18.

[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates the illustrates the adjustability of the pitch of the fan 14 in the cooling system 10. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative fan base 30 accordingly to another example construction of the cooling system 10. The alternative fan base 30 may be mountable to a structure 34 such as a wall stud, a floor joist, ceiling joists, or the like. The alternative fan base 30 is otherwise substantially similarly to the fan base 22. As the tracker 18 moves, the fan head 22 moves in the vertical direction to direct airflow to the tracker 18.

In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 58 may control the pitch and the yaw of the fan head 22 simultaneously, or in series, as the tracker 18 moves.

[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates a communication system 90 for the fan 14 of FIG. 1. The communication system 90 includes at least one fan 14 and the external device 92. Each fan 14 and the external device 92 can communicate wirelessly while they are within a communication range of each other. Each fan 14 may communicate operational parameters of the fan 14 to the external device 92.

[0014] Using the external device 92, a user can access the parameters of the fan 14. With the parameters (e.g., power data, adjustment mechanism settings, etc.), a user can determine how the fan 14 has been used, whether maintenance is recommended or has been performed in the past, and identify malfunctioning components or other reasons for certain performance issues. The external device 92 can also transmit data to the fan 14 for adjusting the adjustment mechanism settings. The external device 92 also allows a user to set operational parameters, safety parameters, operating modes, and the like for the fan 14. In some embodiments, the fan 14 may transmit location data of the tracker 18 to the external device 92.

[0015] The external device 92 is, for example, a smart phone (as illustrated), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a dedicated remote, or another electronic device capable of communicating wirelessly with the fan 14 and providing a user interface. The external device 92 provides the user interface and allows a user to access and interact with the fan 14. The external device 92 can receive user inputs to determine operational parameters, enable or disable features, and the like. The user interface of the external device 92 provides an easy-to-use interface for the user to control and customize operation of the fan 14. The external device 92, therefore, grants the user access to the adjustment mechanism 58 of the fan 14, and provides a user interface such that the user can interact with the controller 50 of the fan 14.

[0016] In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the external device 92 can also share the fan data and/or the tracker data obtained from the fan 14 with a remote server 94 connected through a network 99. The remote server 94 may be used to store the fan operational data obtained from the external device 92, provide additional functionality and services to the user, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, storing the information on the remote server 94 allows a user to access the information from a plurality of different locations. In some embodiments, the remote server 94 collects information from various users regarding their fans and provide statistics or statistical measures to the user based on information obtained from the different fans. For example, the remote server 94 may provide statistics regarding the experienced efficiency of the fan 14, typical usage of the fan 14, and other relevant characteristics and/or measures of the fan 14. The network 99 may include various networking elements (routers 96, hubs, switches, cellular towers 98, wired connections, wireless connections, etc.) for connecting to, for example, the Internet, a cellular data network, a local network, or a combination thereof, as previously described. In some embodiments, the fan 14 is configured to communicate directly with the remote server 94 through an additional wireless interface or with the same wireless interface that the fan 14 uses to communicate with the external device 92.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a process 100 for the wireless communication controller 60 communicating with the tracker 18. The process 100 begins with a wireless communication controller 60 receiving a first signal from a tracker 18 (Block 102). In some embodiments, the signal may be a unidirectional beacon message that is transmitted by the tracker 18. For example, the tracker 18 may be previously paired with the wireless communication controller 60 of a fan 14 such that the wireless communication controller 60 recognizes the universally unique identifier (UUID) of the tracker 18 when the beacon message is transmitted.

[0041] At block 104, the wireless communication controller 60 provides the first signal from the tracker 18 to a controller 50 of the fan 14. For example, the transceiver 82 of the wireless communication controller 60 transmits the first signal to the controller 50. In some embodiments, there may be a wired connection between the wireless communication controller 60 and the controller 50.

[0042] At block 106, the wireless communication controller 60 receives a second signal from the tracker 18. At block 108, the wireless communication controller 60 provides the second signal to the controller 50. At block 110, the wireless communication controller 60 receives a third signal from the tracker 18. At block 112, the wireless communication controller 60 provides the third signal to the controller 50.

[0043] FIGS. 10A-10B are a process 114 for the controller 50 determining a location of the tracker 18 and operating the adjustment mechanism 58 to point the fan 14 at the location. The process 114 begins with the controller 50 receiving the first signal from the wireless communication controller 60 (block 116). For example, the transceiver 82 of the wireless communication controller 60 transmits the first signal to the controller 50. In some embodiments, there may be a wired connection between the wireless communication controller 60 and the controller 50.

[0044] At block 118, the controller 50 determines a first location of the tracker 18 based on the first signal. For example, the controller 50 may process the first signal to determine a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), an angle of arrival (AoA), and an angle of departure (AoD) that is then used to determine a distance and direction from the tracker 18.

[0045] At block 120, the controller 50 operates the adjustment mechanism 58 to point the fan 14 at the first location. For example, the adjustment mechanism 58 may control the pitch and/or yaw of the fan head 22 to direct cooling airflow at the first location, and subsequently, at a user wearing the tracker 18.

[0046] At block 122, the controller 50 receives the second signal from the wireless communication controller 60. At block 124, the controller 50 determines a second location based on the second signal. In some embodiments, the second location is the same location as the first location. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second location is different than the first location. For example, the second location may be a first distance from the first location.

[0047] At block 126, the controller 50 operates the adjustment mechanism 58 to point the fan 14 at the second location. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism controls the pitch and/or the yaw of the fan head 22 to direct cooling airflow at the second location. The process 114 continues to FIG. 10B.

[0048] The process 114 continues by the controller 50 receiving the third signal from the wireless communication controller 60 (block 128). At block 130, the controller 50 determines a third location based on the third signal. At block 132, the controller 50 determines a distance to the third location. For example, the controller 50 determines the distance (e.g., in meters (m)) from the fan 14 to the tracker 18 based on the RSSI of the third signal.

[0049] At decision block 134, the controller 50 compares the distance from the tracker 18 to the fan 14 to a threshold value and determines whether the distance is greater than the threshold value. In some embodiments, the threshold value is 2 m. When the distance is greater than the threshold value, the process 114 continues to block 136. When the distance is not greater than the threshold value (i.e., less than or equal to the threshold value), the process 114 continues to block 138.

[0050] At block 136, in response to the distance being greater than the threshold value, the controller 50 operates the adjustment mechanism 58 to increase the fan speed. For example, the adjustment mechanism 58 increases the rotation rate of the fan blades 28, thereby increasing the cooling airflow emitted from the fan 14. At block 138, in response to the distance not being greater than the threshold value, the controller 50 operates the adjustment mechanism 58 to decrease the fan speed. For example, the adjustment mechanism 58 decreases the rotation rate of the fan blades 28, thereby decreasing the cooling airflow emitted from the fan 14.

[0051] FIG. 11 is a process 140 for communicating with an external device, such as external device 92. The process 140 begins with the wireless communication controller 60 receiving a first signal from the external device 92 (block 142). The wireless communication controller 60 may communicate with the external device 92 over a network. At block 144, the wireless communication controller 60 determines that a “MANUAL MODE” was selected based on the first signal. In some embodiments, the wireless communication controller 60 determines that a “MANUAL MODE” button was selected on a user interface of the external device 92. For example, the user interface may display an “AUTOMATIC MODE” button and a “MANUAL MODE” button that a user may toggle between. For example, the selection of the “AUTOMATIC MODE” on the user interface of the external device 92 would lead to the wireless communication controller 60 and the controller 50 performing the processes 100, 114. At block 146, the wireless communication controller 60 provides a “MANUAL MODE” signal to the controller 50 of the fan 14.

[0052] FIG. 12 is a process 150 for operating the adjustment mechanism 58 of fan 14.

The process 150 begins with the controller 50 receiving the “MANUAL MODE” signal from the wireless communication controller 60 (block 152). For example, the transceiver 82 of the wireless communication controller 60 transmits the “MANUAL MODE” signal to the controller 50. In some embodiments, there may be a wired connection between the wireless communication controller 60 and the controller 50.

[0053] At block 154, the controller 50 receives an input controlling the fan 14 to point at a location. For example, the input may be a precise pitch and yaw of the fan head 22, such that the cooling airflow is directed at the location. In some embodiments, the controller 50 receives an input via the user interface of the external device 92. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the controller receives an input via buttons on the fan 14. In some embodiments, the controller 50 may also receive an input requesting a fan blade speed. For example, the fan 14 may include a knob that turns clockwise to increase the fan blade speed.

[0054] At block 156, the controller 50 operates the adjustment mechanism 58 to point the fan 14 at the location. For example, the controller may operate the adjustment mechanism to control the pitch and/or yaw of the fan head 22 to direct cooling airflow at the location.

[0055] Although the blocks of processes 100, 114, 140, 150 are illustrated serially and in a particular order in FIGS. 9, 10A, 10B, 11, and 12 in some embodiments, one or more of the blocks are implemented in parallel, in a different order than shown, or are bypassed.

[0056] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A fan for providing a cooling airflow, the fan comprising: a fan head; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one of a pitch and a yaw of the fan head; a battery pack coupled to the fan head and the adjustment mechanism; a first electronic processor within the fan head and configured to control the adjustment mechanism; and a wireless communication device including a second electronic processor, the wireless communication device configured to: receive a first signal from an external device, communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the first signal to the first electronic processor, receive a second signal from the external device, and communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the second signal to the first electronic processor; wherein the first electronic processor is configured to: determine, in response to receiving the first signal, a first location of the external device, operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the first location, determine, in response to receiving the second signal, a second location of the external device, and operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the second location.

2. The fan of claim 1, wherein the external device is a tracking device.

3. The fan of claim 2, wherein the tracking device is wearable by a user.

4. The fan of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device using radio frequency.

5. The fan of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to: receive a third signal from the external device, and communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the third signal to the first electronic processor.

6. The fan of claim 5, wherein the first electronic processor is configured to: determine, in response to receiving the third signal, a third location of the external device, determine a distance to the third location, compare the distance to a threshold value, operate, in response to determining that the distance is greater than the threshold value, the adjustment mechanism to increase a velocity of air from the fan head, and operate, in response to determining that the distance is less than the threshold value, the adjustment mechanism to decrease the velocity of air from the fan head.

7. The fan of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to: receive a third signal from a second external device, determine that a “MANUAL MODE” indication was selected via a user interface of the second external device, and communicate with the first electronic processor to provide a “MANUAL MODE” signal.

8. The fan of claim 7, wherein the first electronic processor is configured to: receive a manual input, and operate, in response to receiving the manual input, the adjustment mechanism according to the manual input.

9. The fan of claim 8, wherein the manual input is received from the second external device or an input physically coupled to the fan.

10. A system for providing air flow to a location, the system comprising: a fan including a fan head, an adjustment mechanism, a battery pack, a first electronic processor, and a wireless communication device; and an external device including a transceiver, wherein the wireless communication device includes a second electronic processor, the wireless communication device configured to: receive a first signal from the external device, communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the first signal to the first electronic processor, receive a second signal from the external device, and communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the second signal to the first electronic processor; wherein the first electronic processor is configured to: determine, in response to receiving the first signal, a first location of the external device, operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the first location, determine, in response to receiving the second signal, a second location of the external device, and operate the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the second location.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the external device is a tracking device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the tracking device is wearable by a user.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device using radio frequency.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to: receive a third signal from the external device, and communicate with the first electronic processor to provide the third signal to the first electronic processor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first electronic processor is configured to: determine, in response to receiving the third signal, a third location of the external device, determine a distance to the third location, compare the distance to a threshold value, operate, in response to determining that the distance is greater than the threshold value, the adjustment mechanism to increase a velocity of air from the fan head, and operate, in response to determining that the distance is less than the threshold value, the adjustment mechanism to decrease the velocity of air from the fan head.

16. A method of controlling a direction of airflow from a fan, the method comprising: providing a fan including a fan head, an adjustment mechanism, a battery pack, a first electronic processor, and a wireless communication device; receiving, via the wireless communication device, a first signal from an external device; transferring, via the wireless communication device, the first signal to the first electronic processor of the fan; determining, via the first electronic processor, in response to receiving the first signal, a first location of the external device; operating, via the first electronic processor, the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head of the fan at the first location; receiving, via the wireless communication device, a second signal from the external device; transferring, via the wireless communication device, the second signal to the first electronic processor of the fan; determining, via the first electronic processor, in response to receiving the second signal, a second location of the external device; and operating, via the first electronic processor, the adjustment mechanism to point the fan head at the second location.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: receiving, via the wireless communication device, a third signal from a second external device, determining, via the wireless communication device, that a “MANUAL MODE” indication was selected via a user interface of the second external device, and providing, via the wireless communication device, a “MANUAL MODE” signal to the first electronic processor.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: receiving a manual input, and operating, in response to receiving the manual input, via the first electronic processor, the adjustment mechanism according to the manual input.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the manual input is received from at least one of the second external device and an input physically coupled to the fan.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the external device is a tracking device.