WO2023285956A1

WO2023285956A1 - Illuminated warning gloves

Info

Publication number: WO2023285956A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/056408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Jones-Ford
Original assignee: Al Moda Limited
Priority date: 2021-07-13
Filing date: 2022-07-12
Publication date: 2023-01-19
Also published as: GB2608815A; GB202110044D0

Abstract

A pair of illuminated warning gloves (1), each glove (1) is formed from a waterproof material and each glove (1) has a first array of light sources (2) provided on a palm surface (4) thereof. A second array of light sources (6) is provided on a back hand surface (8) of the gloves (1). Flexible connectors connect each light in the array of light sources (2, 6) to a removable power supply and an input means enables a user to select an operating mode. In use a processor sends control signals to each array of light sources (2, 6) in response to the selected operating mode to vary at least one of: a colour of lights in an array (2, 6), brightness of lights in an array (2, 6) and a flashing sequence of lights in an array (2, 6). A wireless communication device is provided in each glove (1) which is connected to the processor, the processor sends control signals from one glove (1) to another glove (1) via the communication devices.

Description

ILLUMINATED WARNING GLOVES

FIELD

The present invention relates to a pair of illuminated warning gloves configured to be used in a plurality of different operating modes to provide differing visual indications.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

During a road obstruction, such as for example during a traffic jam or at the scene of an accident, an authority figure (such as for example a police officer) may be required to direct traffic to ease congestion. Furthermore, in areas of high pedestrian activity, such as for example at stadiums and sporting venues, authority figures may be required to direct the flow of pedestrians into and out of certain regions.

In areas of high congestion and/or in poor weather conditions, it may be difficult for road users and/or pedestrians to see the instructions provided by an authority figure. There is therefore a need for a device for improving the visibility of traffic and/or crowd control signals given by a user, such as a person in authority.

PRIOR ART

UK Patent application number GB 2576 370 (David Black) discloses illuminable gloves that are configured to be worn by a user to provide illuminated signals. The illuminable glove comprises: a palm surface with at least one first illuminable region and an opposed rear surface with at least one second illuminable region; a power source and an actuator.

Chinese utility model CN-U-201223001 (Zhang) describes a pair of stroboscopic traffic control gloves for a traffic police officer. The traffic control gloves include LEDs, a stroboscopic generator and a power supply. The LEDs are mounted on front and back surfaces of finger guards of the gloves, and front and back parts of palms of the gloves. United states patent US 10 849 199 (Fallon) describes a glove with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in an array; a programmable controller configured to store logic including instructions for controlling a functionality of the plurality of LEDs; at least one user interface for modifying the logic stored in the programmable controller; and a housing configured to enclose the electronics and be retained in a digit of a glove.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a pair of illuminated warning gloves, each glove is formed from a flexible material and each glove has a first array of light sources provided on a palm surface thereof and a second array of light sources provided on a back hand surface thereof, a flexible connector connects lights in the array of light sources to a removable power supply; an input means enables a user to select an operating mode; and a processor sends control signals to each array of light sources in response to the selected operating mode to vary at least one of: a colour of lights in an array, brightness of lights in an array and a flashing sequence of lights in an array, wherein a wireless communication device is provided in each glove which is connected to the processor, the processor sends control signals from one glove to another glove via the communication devices.

Ideally the flexible material is waterproof.

The flexible connector may be a wire, a ribbon connector or a flexible printed circuit board (PCB).

The pair of illuminated warning gloves are operable in a plurality of operating modes so as to provide differing visual indications indicative of different signals and/or instructions.

The first array of light sources may be operable independently from the second array of light sources.

One or more light sources within the first or second array may be independently operable from the remaining light sources within the first or second array. The one or more light sources within the first and/or second arrays may be configured to be illuminated to provide a visual indication such as for example lettering, numbers, arrows etc.

In one embodiment, an accelerometer may be provided in each glove to sense a gesture and the processor outputs control signals to at least one of the arrays causing them to operate in a selected mode in response to the gesture.

An accelerometer may be provided in each glove. A processor may be configured to sense a simultaneous impact and thereby pairs the gloves and configures them to an operable state.

In one embodiment, when a predefined gesture is sensed, the processor causes a hangover signal to be transmitted to another pair of gloves to operate in a stop/go mode. For example, if a first user is controlling a first set of traffic at one end of single access road and a second user is controlling a second set of traffic heading in the reverse direction along the same single access road, when a first pair of illuminated warning gloves in configured to provide a “go” signal to the first set of traffic, the processor is preferably configured to ensure that the gloves of the second user are providing a “stop” signal to the second set of traffic, and vice versa.

The, or each, wireless communication device preferably includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver which operates in accordance with Bluetooth (RTM) wireless protocol.

At least one of the gloves includes an ambient light sensor which senses ambient light levels and sends a signal to the processor in order that the processor can vary a characteristic of an array of lights in response to the ambient light level.

The pair of illuminated warning gloves may include at least one sensor which is operative to sense a gesture and to send a signal in response to the gesture to the processor. The processor may be operative to configure at least one of the arrays in response to a particular gesture. The at least one sensor may for example be is an accelerometer and is arranged to sense rotation of a glove about a pivot.

In one embodiment, the gloves further include device which transmits an audible tone that confirms pairing.

The colours of LEDs may be variable in response to a control signal. In one embodiment, the colours of LEDs include: green, red and white. In one embodiment, the colours of the LEDs are from the groups comprising: red, blue and white. In one embodiment, the colours of the LEDs are from the groups comprising: red, amber and green.

In one embodiment, a green LED is provided on a rearward surface of a glove to indicate a user defined status.

The gloves may include an adjustable wrist strap for securing each glove on a wearer’s hand.

The pair of illuminated warning gloves preferably have a long range a wireless communication device for communicating to a second pair of gloves when a first and the second pair of gloves are configured in a group mode. Each glove preferably has its own manual master switch.

In one embodiment, each glove has a closable cooling vent.

The removable power supply may comprise a rechargeable battery. The, or each, glove may comprise a USB charging port which ideally has a closure tab to prevent ingress of moisture and dirt

The trigger finger of the or each illuminated warning glove may be configured to provide an indication of a change in the mode of operation of the LEDs on the palm and/or rear of the glove. Optionally a trigger finger may be provided with additional flexibility to enable the wearer to operate a weapon or similar device, such as a taser. The pair of illuminated warning gloves may be provided in a variety of different sizes. In one embodiment, the sizes of gloves may be indicated by an insignia, from the groups comprising small, medium and large. Preferably, the sizes of gloves are indicated by an insignia from colours.

In one embodiment, each glove includes a processor, an accelerometer and a sensor which senses a simultaneous impact of the gloves and thereby pairs the gloves to configure them to an operable.

Preferably, each gloves comprises a wireless communication device which is connected to the processor. The processor is preferably operative to send control signals from one glove to another glove via the communication devices.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying Figures:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a palm view of an illuminated warning glove, of a pair of illuminated warning gloves according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a rear view of the illuminated warning glove of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is schematic illustration of a perspective view of the rear of the illuminated warning glove of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is schematic illustration of a further perspective view of the rear of the illuminated warning glove of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the palm of an illuminated warning glove of a pair of illuminated warning gloves according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the rear of the illuminated warning glove of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a further perspective view of the rear of the illuminated warning glove of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a further perspective view of the rear of the illuminated warning glove of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a further perspective view of the rear of the illuminated warning glove of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of a user using an illuminated warning glove of a pair of illuminated warning gloves according to one embodiment of the present invention in a first mode of operation;

Figure 11 is a further schematic illustration of a user using an illuminated warning glove of a pair of illuminated warning gloves according to one embodiment of the present invention in a second mode of operation;

Figure 12 is a further schematic illustration of a user using an illuminated warning glove of a pair of illuminated warning gloves according to one embodiment of the present invention in a third mode of operation;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatical overview showing how operation of gloves is synchronised by clapping; and

Figure 14 is a functional diagram showing operation of one embodiment in which the pair of gloves are synchronised.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the Figures, each glove 1 is formed from a flexible, waterproof material. Each glove 1 has a first array of light sources 2 provided on a palm surface 4 thereof and a second array of light sources 6 provided on a back hand surface 8 thereof. Wires connect each light in the array of light sources 2, 6 to a removable power supply (not shown) such as for example a battery pack. Preferably, the battery pack is rechargeable.

The glove 1 is operative in a plurality of different operating modes. These operating modes may vary depending on the particular requirements.

An input means (not shown) provided on the glove 1 enables a user to select an operating mode of the particular situation.

A processor (not shown) sends control signals to each array of light sources 2, 6 in response to the selected operating mode to vary at least one of: a colour of lights in an array 2, 6 and/or brightness of lights in an array and/or to provide a flashing sequence of lights in an array.

A wireless communication device is provided in each glove 1 which is connected to the processor and the processor sends control signals from one glove to another glove via the communication devices.

In Figures 1 to 4, it can be seen that each of the first and second light arrays 2, 6 comprises a plurality of spaced out LEDs. The LEDS are spread out along the palm 4 or rear 8 surface of the glove 1 and along the fingers of the glove. The LEDs may be provided in any suitable arrangement on the surfaces of the glove

It can be seen that the LEDs of the first array 2 have been illuminated in a red colour and in contrast the LEDs of the second array 6 on the rear surface of the glove 1 have been illuminated in a green colour. This arrangement would be indicative of an operation in which pedestrians or road users to the front of the wearer of the glove 1 are being asked, as indicated by the LEDs, to wait, and conversely pedestrians or road users to the rear of the wearer of the glove 1 are being asked, as indicated by the LEDs of the second array to continue to move along.

It is to be appreciated that the LEDs may be operable to be illuminated in any suitable colour and are not to be limited to red and green lights. However, red and green are strongly associated with “stop” and “go” orders and are therefore effective in helping to control traffic movements.

It is to be appreciated that the wearer of the gloves 1 of the present invention have increased visibility to control crowds, pedestrians and/or road users with improved accuracy for transmission of the signal and improved visibility and safety for the wearer.

Figures 5 to 9 illustrate an embodiment in which the glove 1 has an adjustable wrist strap 10. The glove 1 also comprises a torch 12 located adjacent the wrist of the glove 1.

In use, as demonstrated in Figures 10 to 12, the user may wear the gloves 1 of the present invention to control crowd or traffic movement. As shown in Figure 10 (and in Figure 1), to prevent movement of the crowd or traffic, the glove 1 is placed in a first operating mode in which the LEDs on the palm surface of the glove 1 are illuminated red. This is indicative of a signal for the oncoming crowd or traffic to stop. Due to the LEDs, this signal can be seen from a significant distance away bringing improved awareness of the need to stop amongst the oncoming crowd or traffic and making the signal more effective.

In Figure 11, the user can be seen to be operating the pair of gloves such that a first glove is in a first operating mode in which the LEDs on the palm surface 4 of the glove 1 are illuminated red. This is indicative of a signal for the oncoming crowd or traffic on this side of the user to stop.

The second glove is in a second operating mode in which the LEDs on the palm surface of the glove 1 are illuminated blue. This is indicative of a signal for the oncoming crowd or traffic on this side of the user to continue to move forward. The second operating mode can therefore be used by a single user to control the flow of crowds or traffic on either side of the user.

In Figure 12, the user can be seen to be operating the pair of gloves such that a first glove is in a third operating mode and the rear of the LEDs on the rear surface of the glove 1 are illuminated green. The glove 1 comprises an accelerometer (not shown) which can detect the operative waving motion of the user and adjust the lights of the LEDs on the rear surface of the glove 1 to be illuminated green as a visual signal to the traffic or crowd that they are able to continue in that direction.

The glove 1 may be moveable between each of the operative modes by either operation of a button or switch on the glove (not shown), for example on the trigger finger, or by detected movement and/or rotation of the glove by the user.

Figure 13 illustrate diagrammatically how the gloves, when clapped together, cause a synchronised signal to be transmitted which activates their operation. This clapping event is indicated by the two arrows. The synchronisation causes the devices to be energised and the gloves to be placed into an operational mode at the same instant. Figure 14 is a functional diagram showing how operation of the synchronised pair of gloves is achieved by switching the gloves on or off.

Each of the two gloves (left hand and right hand) have a sensor 100 which senses an acceleration or shock and sends a shock signal to a processor 120 via a clock circuit 110. A timed signal from the clock circuit 110 is combined with the shock signal in combiner 130 which causes a combined signal to be transmitted via a short range wireless device 150, such as one which operates in accordance with a Bluetooth (RTM) protocol. The timed signals are both stored in memory (not shown) in each processor 120.

Combined signals are received by receivers 140 in each of the opposite handed glove from which they are transmitted, and each combined signal is relayed to the respective processor 120 in in the opposite handed glove. Combined signals received by each receiver 140 are compared with timed signals stored in the memory of each processor and their respective time stamps are compared. If time stamps from a combined signal and a timed signal are within a defined error margin, one from another, the processor 120 causes a switch on (or a switch off) signal to be transmitted from a wireless device 150. Receipt of a switch on (or a switch off) signal in an opposite device establishes handshaking between each processor 120, via each wireless device 150 and thereby causes the gloves to be paired and placed in an operational mode.

It will be appreciated that variation may be made to the invention, for example by providing features which are switched on or off in response to a double or a triple hand clap.

Claims

1. A pair of illuminated warning gloves, each glove is formed from a flexible material and each glove has a first array of light sources provided on a palm surface thereof and a second array of light sources provided on a back hand surface thereof, a flexible connector connects lights in the array of light sources to a removable power supply; an input means enables a user to select an operating mode; and a processor sends control signals to each array of light sources in response to the selected operating mode to vary at least one of: a colour of lights in an array, brightness of lights in an array and a flashing sequence of lights in an array, wherein a wireless communication device is provided in each glove which is connected to the processor, the processor sends control signals from one glove to another glove via the communication devices.

2. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim 1 wherein an accelerometer is provided in each glove to sense a gesture and the processor outputs control signals to at least one of the arrays causing them to operate in a selected mode in response to the gesture.

3. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim 2 wherein an accelerometer is provided in each glove and a processor senses a simultaneous impact and thereby pairs the gloves and configures them to an operable state.

4. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when a predefined gesture is sensed, the processor causes a handover signal to be transmitted to another pair of gloves to operate in a stop/go mode.

5. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claims wherein the, or each, wireless communication device includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver which operates in accordance with Bluetooth (RTM) wireless protocol.

6. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the gloves includes an ambient light sensor which senses ambient light levels and sends a signal to the processor in order that the processor can vary a characteristic of an array of lights in response to the ambient light level.

7. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim includes at least one sensor which is operative to sense a gesture and to send a signal in response to the gesture to the processor and the processor is operative to configure at least one of the arrays in response to a particular gesture.

8. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim 7 wherein the at least one sensor is an accelerometer and is arranged to sense rotation of a glove about a pivot.

9. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any of claims 3 to 8 includes an audible confirmation of pairing.

10. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim whose colours of LEDs are variable in response to a control signal.

11. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim 10 wherein the colours of LEDs include: green, red and white.

12. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim includes an adjustable wrist strap for securing each glove on a wearer’s hand.

13. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim wherein the LEDs are from the groups comprising: red, amber and green.

14. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim wherein the LEDs are from the groups comprising: red, blue and white.

15. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim have a long range wireless communication device for communicating to a second pair of gloves when a first and the second pair of gloves are configured in a group mode.

16. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim wherein each glove has a manual master switch.

17. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim wherein each glove has a closable cooling vent.

18. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim wherein the removable power supply comprises a rechargeable battery.

19. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim 18 wherein a USB charging port is provided.

20. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim wherein a green LED is provided on a rearward surface of a glove to indicate a user defined status.

21. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim wherein a trigger finger is provided for operating a weapon or similar device.

22. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim whereby sizes of gloves are indicated by an insignia, from the groups comprising small, medium and large.

23. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to any preceding claim whereby sizes of gloves are indicated by an insignia from colours.

24. A pair of gloves wherein each glove includes a processor, an accelerometer and a sensor which senses a simultaneous impact of the gloves and thereby pairs the gloves to configure them to an operational state.

25. A pair of illuminated warning gloves according to claim 24 wherein a wireless communication device is provided in each glove which is connected to the processor, the processor is operative to send control signals from one glove to another glove via the communication devices.