Sensor device with a selectively activatable display
Inventors
Larson, Barrett • Weckwerth, Mark
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11272860-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A user-wearable sensor device may be configured to be directly or indirectly secured to a user or to an article worn by the user. The user-wearable sensor device may include at least one sensor configured to collect sensor data associated with an orientation of the user, a display unit including at least one LED or other visual indicator, a battery configured to provide power to at least the display unit, and a control system. The control system may be configured to determine the orientation of the user based on sensor data collected by the at least one sensor, maintain the display unit in a deactivated state in the absence of a defined activation input, detect a defined activation input, activate the deactivated display unit in response to detecting the defined activation input, and control the activated display unit based on the determined orientation of the user.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a user-wearable sensor device configured to be directly or indirectly secured to a user or to an article worn by the user. The device includes a sensor device housing, at least one sensor, a display unit including a plurality of display elements, a battery, and a control system with at least one processor. In a low-power mode, the control system identifies at least one manual interaction with the sensor device based on first sensor signals, while keeping the display unit inactive with the plurality of display elements turned off.
After detecting a defined activation input based on the identified manual interaction, the control system automatically awakens the sensor device to activate the display unit. The awakened display unit visually indicates pressurization at one or more body regions by selectively illuminating the plurality of display elements. The control system then switches the sensor device back to the low-power mode upon reaching a defined time-out period, with the plurality of display elements turned off.
The control system also monitors orientation of the user over time based on second sensor signals generated by the at least one sensor. It automatically determines a needed turn condition based on the monitored orientation over time, and in response automatically awakens the sensor device from the low-power mode to visually indicate the needed turn condition by selectively illuminating the plurality of display elements. The control system further automatically identifies a user turn from the monitored orientation over time and automatically switches to the low-power mode in response to the automatic identification of the user turn.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present, each covering substantially the same core functionality: low-power manual activation to wake a selectively illuminating display for pressurization indication, followed by orientation-over-time monitoring to determine and indicate a needed turn condition, automatic user turn identification, and returning the display to a low-power/off state. The independent claims also provide for dependent refinements of the activation input, sensing, and display elements.
Selective activation of an inactive display from low power via defined manual interaction
In a low-power mode, the control system detects a defined activation input based on manual interaction with the user wearable sensor device, while the display unit is inactive with the plurality of display elements turned off; awakening the sensor device in response to detecting the defined activation input activates the display unit to visually indicate a pressurization at one or more body regions by selectively illuminating the plurality of display elements.
Orientation monitoring over time and needed turn condition determination
The control system automatically monitors an orientation of the user over time based on second sensor signals generated by the at least one sensor, and automatically determines a needed turn condition based on the monitored orientation of the user over time.
Visual indication of needed turn condition via selective illumination after automatic wake
In response to the automatic determination of the needed turn condition, the control system automatically awakens the sensor device from the low-power mode in which the plurality of display elements are turned off to visually indicate the needed turn condition by selectively illuminating the plurality of display elements.
Automatic user turn identification and returning to low-power display-off state
The control system automatically identifies a user turn based on the monitored orientation of the user over time, and automatically switches the sensor device to the low-power mode in which the plurality of display elements are turned off, in response to the automatic identification of the user turn.
The claim set covers a user-wearable sensor device and operating method that keep a multi-element display off in a low-power mode, use sensor signals to identify manual input for awakening, then selectively illuminate to indicate pressurization and a needed turn condition derived from orientation monitoring over time, before automatically identifying a user turn and returning to a low-power display-off mode.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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