U.S. patent application number 11/700550 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for hat with a radiation sensor.
Invention is credited to Thomas A. Howell, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong.
Application Number | 20070186330 11/700550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38366775 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070186330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howell; Thomas A. ; et
al. |
August 16, 2007 |
Hat with a radiation sensor
Abstract
One embodiment includes a hat that has an electronic module with
a radiation sensor. The module is at the brim of the hat. The
module further includes a display. When the hat is normally worn,
the sensor faces towards the sky to measure radiation, and the
display faces towards the wearer. Also, when the wearer looks up at
the brim, the wearer can see the output from the display. In
another embodiment the module includes a speaker instead of or in
addition to a display as the output device. Yet another embodiment
includes a hat that has a crown, and an electronic module with a
radiation sensor at the crown.
Inventors: |
Howell; Thomas A.; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Tong; Peter P.; (Mountain View, CA)
; Thomas; C. Douglass; (Campbell, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPVENTURE, INC.
5150 EL CAMINO REAL
SUITE A-22
LOS ALTOS
CA
94022
US
|
Family ID: |
38366775 |
Appl. No.: |
11/700550 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11078855 |
Mar 11, 2005 |
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11700550 |
Jan 30, 2007 |
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60562798 |
Apr 15, 2004 |
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60583169 |
Jun 26, 2004 |
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60592045 |
Jul 28, 2004 |
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60605191 |
Aug 28, 2004 |
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60618107 |
Oct 12, 2004 |
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60620238 |
Oct 18, 2004 |
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60647836 |
Jan 31, 2005 |
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60647826 |
Jan 31, 2005 |
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60763854 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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60846150 |
Sep 20, 2006 |
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60787850 |
Apr 1, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/245 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/422 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24 |
Claims
1. A hat, comprising: an electronic module; wherein the electronic
module includes a radiation sensor, wherein the electronic module
includes at least one electrical component that is operatively
connected to the radiation sensor, and wherein at least a part of
the module is in between at least a portion of the materials of the
hat.
2. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic module
includes a flange, and wherein the electronic module is attached to
the hat via the flange.
3. A hat as recited in claim 2, wherein the electronic module is
sewn to the hat at the flange.
4. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic module
includes an output, and wherein the output device is a display
device with a screen.
5. A hat as recited in claim 4, wherein the module is at the brim
of the hat, wherein the brim includes a brim support, and the brim
support has a hole, wherein the screen is at the bottom surface of
the module, wherein the sensor is at the top surface of the module,
and wherein at least a portion of the module is located inside the
hole, with the top surface of the module next to the top surface of
the brim support, and the bottom surface of the module next to the
bottom surface of the brim support.
6. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic module
includes an output, and wherein the output device is a speaker.
7. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the hat further comprises a
power source operatively connected to the at least one electrical
component of the module for providing power thereto.
8. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the hat includes a brim
with a brim support, wherein the electronic module is attached to
the brim support, wherein the hat further comprises an activation
switch being configured to activate and deactivate at least one
electrical component in the module, and wherein the switch is also
at the brim support of the hat.
9. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the hat further comprises
an electrical connector operatively connected to the at least one
electrical component of the module.
10. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the hat includes a crown,
wherein the electronic module is attached to the crown, and wherein
the hat further comprises an activation switch being configured to
activate and deactivate at least one electrical component in the
module, wherein the hat includes a brim, and wherein the switch is
at the brim of the hat.
11. A hat as recited in claim 10, wherein the electronic module
includes a screen, and wherein the screen substantially faces
forward if the hat is worn in its normal manner with the brim being
in front.
12. A hat as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic module
includes a substrate, wherein the substrate is attached to the hat
via sewing, and wherein at least a portion of the substrate is
deformable enough to permit said sewing of the substrate to the
hat.
13. A hat as recited in claim 12, wherein said electronic module
includes a printed circuit board, wherein said substrate includes
an opening, and wherein said printed circuit board is fitted inside
the opening.
14. A hat as recited in claim 13, wherein the module includes a
printed circuit board, wherein the sensor is on a first surface of
the board, wherein the board includes a display on a second surface
of the board, the second surface being opposite to the first
surface, wherein the substrate includes a hole, wherein the module
is positioned inside the hole with the first surface facing up and
the second surface facing down when the hat is typically worn.
15. A hat as recited in claim 12, wherein the module is
substantially sealed for waterproofing the module.
16. A method for attaching an electronic module to a hat, said
method comprising: providing the electronic module that includes a
printed circuit board and a substrate; and sewing the substrate to
at least a portion of the hat, wherein the printed circuit board is
coupled to the substrate, wherein the electronic module includes a
radiation sensor, and wherein at least a portion of the substrate
is deformable enough to permit said sewing of the substrate to the
hat.
17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said method further
comprises substantially sealing the electronic module for
waterproofing the module.
18. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the hat includes a
brim, which has a brim support, wherein the substrate is sewn to a
portion of the brim support of the hat, wherein there is a hole at
the brim support of the hat, and wherein at least a portion of the
module is located in the hole.
19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein there is a hole at the
substrate, and wherein the printed circuit board is located in the
hole of the substrate.
20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the electronic module
includes a display that remains exposed even after the electronic
module is secured to the hat.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/078,855, filed Mar. 11, 2005, and entitled
"EYEWEAR WITH RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference, which in turn claims priority to
each of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/562,798,
filed Apr. 15, 2004, entitled "EYEWEAR WITH ULTRAVIOLET DETECTION
SYSTEM," and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii)
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/583,169, filed Jun. 26,
2004, entitled "ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND
METHODS THEREFOR," and which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/592,045, filed Jul. 28, 2004, entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH A CLOCK
OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT," and which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference; (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/605,191, filed Aug. 28, 2004, entitled "ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR," and which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (v) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/618,107, filed Oct. 12, 2004, and entitled
"TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (vi) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/620,238, filed Oct. 18, 2004, entitled
"EYEGLASSES WITH HEARING ENHANCED AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING
CAPABILITIES," and which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (vii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/647,836, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH
HEART RATE MONITOR," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; and (viii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/647,826, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled "EYEWEAR WITH
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0002] The application also claims priority to each of: (i) U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/763,854, filed Jan. 30, 2006,
and entitled "HAT WITH A RADIATION SENSOR," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/846,150, filed Sep. 20, 2006, and entitled
"EYEGLASSES WITH ACTIVITY MONITORING," which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference; and (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/787,850, filed Apr. 1, 2006, and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH A
HEART RATE MONITOR," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0003] In addition, this application is related to each of: (i)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/822,218, filed Apr. 12, 2004,
and entitled "EYEGLASSES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS," which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/964,011, filed Oct. 12, 2004, and entitled
"TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/006,343, filed Dec. 7, 2004, and entitled "ADAPTABLE
COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/078,855, filed Mar. 11, 2005, and entitled "EYEWEAR WITH
RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/078,857, filed
Mar. 11, 2005, and entitled "RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM," which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference; (vi) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/183,269, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled
"EYEWEAR SUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS," which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference; (vii) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/183,283, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled
"EVENT EYEGLASSES," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (viii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,262,
filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH HEARING ENHANCED
AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING CAPABILITIES," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (ix) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/183,263, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH
A CLOCK OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (x) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/183,276, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH
ACTIVITY MONITORING," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (xi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/521,256, filed
Sep. 13, 2006, and entitled "TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR
EYEGLASSES," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference (xii)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/580,222, filed Oct. 11, 2006,
and entitled "EYEGLASSES SUPPORTING AFTER MARKET ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;
(xiii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/546,685, filed Oct. 11,
2006, and entitled "EYEGLASSES HAVING A CAMERA," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; and (xiv) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/650,626, filed Jan. 6, 2007, and entitled "EYEGLASSES
WITH A HEART RATE MONITOR," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0004] It is common for people to be exposed to various types of
radiation. Often excessive exposure to radiation can be hazardous
to one's health. One type of radiation that frequently raises a
health concern is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is
subdivided into three types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-C radiation
has wavelengths in the range of 200 to 285 nanometers (nm) and is
totally absorbed by the earth's atmosphere. UV-B, from about 285 to
318 nm, is known to cause skin cancer in humans. UV-A, from about
315 to 400 nm, is mostly responsible for tanning. However, UV-A has
also been found to play some role in skin cancer and is the cause
of eye cataracts, solar retinitis, and corneal dystrophies.
[0005] Although one can buy different radiation measuring and
warning instruments, these instruments are disadvantageous for
various reasons. One disadvantage is that the instruments are often
a stand alone, special purpose device. As a result, a user must
separately carry the special purpose device, which can be often
inconvenient. Another disadvantage is that those instruments, even
if separate but attachable to other devices, can hinder or impede
the design for the other devices.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for improved approaches to measure and
inform persons of different types of hazardous radiation
levels.
SUMMARY
[0007] One embodiment of the invention includes a hat that has an
electronic module with a radiation sensor. The module is at the
brim of the hat. The module further includes a display. When the
hat is normally worn, the sensor faces towards the sky to measure
radiation, and the display faces towards the wearer. Also, when the
wearer looks up at the brim, the wearer can see the output from the
display.
[0008] In one approach to make a hat with the electronic module,
the module includes a substrate and a printed circuit board with a
radiation sensor. The substrate includes a hole and the printed
circuit board is positioned in the hole. Then the printed circuit
board is sealed, such as for waterproofing electronics in the
board. The hat has a brim, which has a brim support. The brim
support also has a hole to receive at least a portion of the
printed circuit board with the substrate. Then the substrate is
attached to the brim support, for example, by sewing the substrate
to the brim support, based on a portion of the substrate being
deformable enough to permit sewing the substrate to the brim
support. The substrate can be attached via other mechanisms, such
as by an adhesive, mechanical forces, molding compound, or
solder.
[0009] In another embodiment the module includes a speaker instead
of or in addition to a display as the output device.
[0010] Yet another embodiment includes a hat that has a crown, and
an electronic module with a radiation sensor and additional
electrical components at the crown. The electrical components at
the crown can be activated by a switch at the brim of the hat. The
switch can be a low-profile switch to help maintain the appearance
of a standard hat.
[0011] In one embodiment, the material of the hat is made of a mesh
or fishnet material, which includes enough built-in holes to allow
radiation to get in to be measured by a radiation sensor in the
hat, without the need to create additional holes in the fabric of
the hat to expose the sensor.
[0012] In one embodiment, there is a hole in the hat to enhance a
radiation sensor in a hat to measure radiation. There can be
matching designs around the hole for aesthetic reasons. The design
can be a logo of a company.
[0013] In one embodiment, a hat includes an electrical connector
that is operatively connected to the at least one electrical
component in the hat. The connector can be a standard connector,
such as a USB connector.
[0014] In one embodiment, a hat includes other type of electrical
components. For example, the hat includes a pedometer, a
temperature sensor, a headset, a wireless communication circuit, a
chemical sensor, and/or a clock. In another embodiment, a hat
includes a digital camera that can be located at the crown of a hat
with an activation switch at its brim and with a display at the
bottom of the brim showing the image to be taken.
[0015] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description, which,
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
illustrates by way of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrates an electronic module including a
circuit board in a flexible substrate to be attached to a brim
support of a hat according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of an electronic module
positioned within an opening of a brim support of a hat with the
electronic module at least partially sealed, according to different
embodiments of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a top view of an electronic module being
stitched to a brim support of a hat via a flexible substrate
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of an electronic module being
stitched to a brim support of a hat via a flexible substrate
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up bottom view of a portion of an
electronic module with sealing material and a flexible substrate
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a cap according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the cap shown in
FIG. 6, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of a cap according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Same numerals in FIGS. 1-8 are assigned to similar elements
in all the figures. Embodiments of the invention are discussed
below with reference to FIGS. 1A-8. However, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given
herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as
the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The invention relates to providing electrical components in
wearable garments, such as hats. Techniques for securing the
electronic components to wearable garments are described.
[0026] In one embodiment, a radiation sensor with additional
electrical components is incorporated into a hat such that the
appearance of the hat is similar to a standard or ordinary hat
having no electronics. In other words, even with the electronics,
the aesthetics and comfort of a hat are maintained.
[0027] One type of hat is a cap. The cap typically includes a brim
or bill, a headband and a crown. The brim is attached to the
headband. The headband is at the lower edge of the crown and is
attached to the crown. The brim can have the traditional curved
appearance of a typical baseball cap brim. The rear of the headband
could include an adjustment band for adjusting the fit of the cap
to the head size of the user. In another embodiment, the cap
includes a brim and a crown, with the brim attached to the crown
without a headband.
[0028] Regarding the electronics or electrical components, in one
embodiment, electrical components are on a substrate, such as a
circuit board. Incorporating the electronics onto one circuit board
has the advantage of minimizing conducting wires in the cap.
Reducing conducting wires in the cap could help avoid potential
shorting the wires after extensive wear and tear of the cap. In
other words, the use of a circuit board improves reliability and
simplifies assembly.
[0029] In one embodiment, the circuit board can be a flexible
circuit board. This can help mounting the circuit board to a curved
or flexible surface. In another embodiment, the circuit board is of
small dimensions, such as 1''.times.0.5''.times.0.032'' (Length,
width and height). With the board being small, incorporating the
circuit board into the cap would have minimal effect on affecting
the flexibility or utilization of the cap. For example, the circuit
board can be incorporated into the brim of the cap. A circuit board
that is relatively small would not significantly or materially
affect flexing the brim of the cap or other uses of the cap.
[0030] In one embodiment, electrical components on the circuit
board include a radiation sensor, a control circuitry to control
the sensor, a power source to power the electrical components, and
an activation switch to activate and deactivate the sensor and/or
control circuitry. Different embodiments regarding electrical
components of a radiation sensor have been previously described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/078,855 and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/078,857, which are related applications
that have and are incorporated herein by reference.
[0031] The power source could be small so that the power source can
be easily concealed in the cap. For example, the power source can
be a 1.5V alkaline, coin-cell battery.
[0032] The activation switch could be a pressure switch, such as a
dome switch. Other types of switches are applicable and have been
previously described in related applications that have been
incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] There could be a display, such as a LCD display, on the
circuit board. The display could show the amount of radiation
measured by the sensor. In one embodiment, the display and the
activation switch are on one side of the circuit board, while the
sensor is on the opposite side of the circuit board. In another
embodiment, the display, the switch and the sensor are all on one
side of the circuit board.
[0034] The display presents output information. The output
information could show a bar graph with a number of bars. The more
radiation energy the sensor measured, the more bars are presented
on the display. There could be another switch on the circuit board
for skin type. For example, the skin-type switch could have three
positions, one for dark skin, one for fair skin and the third one
for skin pigment in the middle of the two. In another embodiment,
there is no switch for skin type, but there are more bars on the
display, such as 9 bars. A user having fair skin would focus on
bars 1-3, with 1 bar implying the amount of sun exposure not being
excessive, and 3 bars implying having been exposed to excessive
sun. However, a user with dark skin would focus on 7-9 bars.
Instead of bars, another user interface is based on different types
of symbols (e.g. facial expressions). For example, a smiling face
implies sun exposure that is not excessive, and a sad face implies
excessive sun exposure, while an expressionless face indicates
moderate sun exposure.
[0035] In one embodiment, the circuit board is made into an
electronic module that is sealed. The electronic module includes a
substrate. In another embodiment, there can be more than one
substrate, such as having one substrate attached to another
substrate. Regardless, a substrate of the electronic module can
have a flange, a flap or an extended portion, for ease of
attachment. For example, in one embodiment, the flange is made such
that it is adapted to be sewn for ease of attaching the substrate
to fabric.
[0036] In one approach, an aperture similar to the size of the
circuit board is made into a piece of semi-rigid material. The area
around the aperture can serve as a flange for attaching the circuit
board to different materials. In one embodiment, the semi-rigid
material could be sewn. Examples of such materials are vinyl, PVC,
thin plastic (such as P.E.T. or polypropylene) or vinyl coated
fabrics, like Naugahyde.RTM.. In one embodiment, the semi-rigid
material is a piece of thin plastic having the thickness between
0.010'' and 0.060'', and in another embodiment, the thin plastic
has the thickness of about 0.030''. The semi-rigid material can
enhance the ease of mounting or attaching the circuit board onto a
piece of fabric.
[0037] As an example, the circuit board is to be located at the
brim of the cap. Then the semi-rigid material could be the
stiffener cardboard or the thin plastic that is typically inside
the brim of the cap.
[0038] The circuit board is then positioned in the aperture. For
example, the circuit board is rectangular in shape. A rectangular
aperture similar in size to the circuit board is created in the
semi-rigid material, and the circuit board is positioned in the
rectangular aperture.
[0039] With the circuit board in the aperture, the circuit board
with the semi-rigid material can be sandwiched between two pieces
of sealable layers or films, such as tapes or heat-sealable plastic
films. Then the film can be, for example, heat-treated to
encapsulate or laminate the board with the semi-rigid material.
This would seal and/or protect the board, and form the module.
[0040] In one embodiment, there are holes in the film. For example,
the circuit board has a sensor on a first side, and a display and
an activation switch on an opposite side (the second side). The
film on the first side could have a hole for the sensor, and the
film on the second side could have two holes, one for the
activation switch and the other for the display. The hole for the
sensor allows the sensor to protrude from the film, such as for
measuring the radiation. For example, the sensor can be an
ultraviolet sensor to measure ultraviolet radiation. With holes on
the film, the circuit module may not be waterproof. One approach to
waterproof the module is to seal around the holes with glue (or
rubber etc.). This would ensure the module to be substantially
waterproof.
[0041] In another embodiment, there are more holes for other
operations. In yet another embodiment, there are fewer or no holes
on the films. For example, the films are clear or transparent
films. This would allow reading the display, and the sensor to
measure, for example, the sun intensity through the film. Also, the
switch can be a dome switch that responds to pressure through the
film. In the embodiment with no holes in the film, the laminated
module is substantially waterproof.
[0042] There are other ways to form this sealed module. For
example, the circuit board is sandwiched between two sheets of
sealing layers or films, such as soft PVC, which can be sewn into
fabric. The films can be heat-treated, R.F. welded or glued, to
seal the board. In another example, the circuit board is injection
molded into the module with a flange. This could be done by
inserting the board into a mold, and injection-molding or
"over-molding" around the board. This would encapsulate the board
to form the module with a flange.
[0043] In yet another embodiment, the sealed module is formed by
the circuit board itself. For example, the board is a flexible
board, such a piece of polyimide, like Kapton.RTM.. The circuit
board is sealed, such as covered by another layer of polyimide. The
electrical components are not right at the edges of the board, but
on the inside of the circuit board, surrounded by a border without
components. At least a portion of the border could serve as a
flange.
[0044] Instead of using the circuit board and at least a piece of
material to form the sealed module, one embodiment just uses the
circuit board as the sealed module. In this embodiment, the circuit
board does not have to have a flange. The circuit board is sealed
for waterproofing, for example, by methods previously described.
The board/module includes a fastening mechanism, such as Velcro or
snap fasteners. The fastening mechanism can be on one side of the
board/module while the electrical components on the opposite side
of the board/module. The fastening mechanism could be used to
attach the board/module to a piece of fabric.
[0045] There are different approaches to attach the module to the
cap. In one embodiment, the module is permanently attached to the
cap. If the module has a flange, the attachment can be done by
stitching, sewing, knitting, gluing or stapling the flange of the
module to the different parts of the cap. In another embodiment, at
least the flange of the module is made of plastic, which is heat
sealed to attach to a piece of cloth on the cap.
[0046] In another embodiment, the module is configured to be
relatively easy to be attached and removed from the cap. One can
then remove the module before washing the cap, if one desires. In
one embodiment, the module has a flange. At the flange, there could
be Velcro, sew-on snap fasteners, buttons or zippers, to be used to
removably attach the module to their counterpart at the cap. In
another embodiment, the module has a fastening mechanism, which is
used to fasten the module to the cap. For example, the module has
Velcro, which is used to attach to corresponding Velcro at the cap.
Other mechanisms, such as Pins, clasps, detents, snaps, grooves
and/or tabs, could also be used to removably attach the module to
the cap.
[0047] In yet another embodiment, there can be a pocket at the cap
to receive the module. In one embodiment with a pocket, the module
does not have a flange and does not include a fastening mechanism.
The size of the pocket is made to be similar to the size of the
module. With both being of similar size, the pocket itself serves
as the mechanism to fix the position of the module relative to the
cap. In another embodiment with a pocket, each of the two opposite
edges of the module has a groove or an indented area to serve as
the fastening mechanism. The cap includes corresponding set of
protrusions for the grooves or the indented areas to hold the
module in place. To illustrate, at each of two opposite edges of
the module there is a protrusion, and there is a pocket at the cap.
At each of two opposite edges of the pocket there is a groove to
receive each of the protrusions. By sliding the protrusions of the
module into the grooves at the cap, a user could attach or fasten
the module into the cap.
[0048] FIGS. 1A-8 are diagrams illustrating different assembly
processes integrating a circuit board into a hat according to
different embodiments of the invention. It should be recognized as
discussed elsewhere, other embodiment of the invention can use
different assembly processes than those discussed in FIGS.
1A-8.
[0049] According to one embodiment, in FIG. 1A an electronic module
100 includes a circuit board and a flexible substrate 102. The
circuit board fits within an opening of the flexible substrate 102.
In this example, the circuit board can be a conventional Printed
Circuit Board (PCB); and the flexible substrate 102 can a piece of
vinyl coated fabric. In one example, the flexible substrate can be
Neoprene. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B, a brim support 104 of a
hat is manufactured or modified to have an opening 106.
[0050] In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, with the circuit
board fitted into the hole of the substrate, both the top and the
bottom surface of the board can be exposed. Also, with the board
inside a hole of the substrate, the profile of the configuration
can be more planar, reducing the amount of protrusion caused by the
board being above the surface of the substrate.
[0051] In another embodiment, the circuit board can be positioned
on top of the substrate, and the substrate may not have a hole. For
example, the board can be attached to a surface of the substrate.
The attachment can be through different mechanisms, such as using
an adhesive, mechanical forces, molding compound, or solder
techniques. Also, the brim support may not have the hole 106, and
the board with the substrate can be on top of the brim support
104.
[0052] FIG. 2 shows the electronic module 100 placed within the
opening 106 in the brim support 104 according to one embodiment.
The opening 106 in the brim support 104 substantially corresponds
to the size of the electronic module 100. In addition, since in
this embodiment the electronic module 100 is not already sealed,
sealing material 200 can be applied over the electronic module 100,
on both the top surface and the bottom surface of the brim support
104 about the opening 106 to at least partially seal the module
100. For example, the sealing material is an adhesive vinyl tape
(e.g., black tape). In FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the brim
support 104 is illustrated. Note that the sealing material 200
includes an opening 202 on the bottom surface. The opening 202
allows an electrical component of the electronic module 100 to be
exposed. For example, if the electronic module includes a display
(e.g., LCD display), the electronic module 100 can provide the
display on the bottom side of the brim support 104. Hence, the
opening 202 in the sealing material 200 can be configured to expose
one or more electrical components (e.g., the display) of the
electronic module 100. In another embodiment, instead of using
black tape, one can use transparent tape as the sealing material;
with radiation capable of passing through the transparent tape, no
opening 202 may be necessary.
[0053] FIG. 2 shows tapes being used to seal circuits in one
embodiment. In another embodiment, a printed circuit board is
sealed using glue. In yet another embodiment, the substrate is a
piece of urethane, and the circuit board is sandwiched by two
additional pieces of urethane. The circuit board is sealed by heat
sealing the urethane to each other. In one embodiment, the
substrate is vinyl and the circuit board is sandwiched by two
additional pieces of vinyl. The circuit board is sealed by RF
welding the vinyl pieces to each other.
[0054] FIG. 3 shows the electronic module 100 being mechanically
attached to the brim support 104 according to one embodiment. For
example, after the electronic module 100 is positioned within the
opening 106 of the brim support 104, the flexible substrate 102 can
be mechanically attached to the brim support 104. One technique to
mechanically attach the electronic module 100 to the brim support
104 is to sew the flexible substrate 102 of the electronic module
100 to the brim support 104. In one embodiment, the flexible
substrate being sewed to the brim support serves as the flange for
attachment.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates a top surface of the brim support 104
with the electronic module 100 having been mechanically attached
thereto by stitching 300 the flexible substrate 102 to the brim
support 104. In this embodiment, the top surface of the electronic
module 100 includes at least an electrical component, namely, a UV,
a light intensity or other type of radiation sensor. The sensor can
be at least partially exposed, so as to receive UV, light intensity
or other radiation, which can be from the sun. In this embodiment,
the sealing material 200 (i.e., black tape) covers the electrical
component, which measures light intensity. Nevertheless, though
covered, the sensitivity of the radiation sensor is sufficient to
adequately monitor the light intensity of the sunlight through the
sealing material 200. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing
material 200 could include an open for exposing the radiation
sensor. [00056] FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom surface of the brim
support 104 with the electronic module 100 sealed by the sealing
material 200 according to one embodiment. In the bottom surface,
there can be an opening 204, and the opening can be for a display
provided on the electronic module 100. The flexible substrate 102
of the electronic module 100 has stitches 300 about its periphery,
which attach the electronic module 100 to the brim support 104.
[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up bottom view of a portion of an
electronic module with sealing material and a flexible substrate
according to one embodiment. The sealing material 200 and the
flexible substrate 102 can be stitched to the brim support 104.
Typically the flexible substrate 102 can be trimmed after being
stitched to the brim support 104. For example, the flexible
substrate 102 in FIG. 1A is substantially rectangular in shape,
while the flexible substrate 102 in FIG. 4 has been trimmed after
being stitched to the brim support 104.
[0057] In one embodiment, after the electronic module is
mechanically attached to the brim support 104, the brim support 104
can then be sandwiched between two pieces of cloth to form the brim
of a hat, which in this embodiment can be a cap.
[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a cap 600 according to one
embodiment. The cap 600 has a crown 602 and a brim 604. The top
surface 606 of the brim 604 includes an opening 608 in the fabric
of the brim 604 that is positioned to correspond to the electrical
component (e.g., radiation sensor) of the electronic module that is
at least partially exposed. Hence, in this embodiment, the fabric
of the brim 604 does not cover the radiation sensor.
[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the cap 600
according to another embodiment, including the brim 604 and the
opening 608, illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0060] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom side 800 of the brim 604 of the
hat 600 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 according to an embodiment.
Here, the bottom side 800 includes an opening 802 for a display 804
of the electronic module 100. The display 804 is an electrical
component of the electronic module 100. The opening 802 in the
bottom surface 800 of the brim 604 thus corresponds to the position
of the display 804 of the electronic module 100 (which has been
attached to the brim support 104). The display 804 can provide
output information to the user or a wearer of the cap 600. Still
further, the bottom surface 800 of the brim 604 can include a
switch designator 806. In this example, the switch designator 806
is an embroidered "X" pattern, though various other visual
designators can be used. The position of the switch designator 806
on the bottom surface 800 can be over a push-button or dome switch,
which functions as an activation and deactivation switch of the
electronic module 100. Hence, if the user or a wearer of the hat
600 pushes on the brim 604 in the vicinity of the switch designator
806, the push-button switch can induce a switching action (e.g.,
module on/off) that is recognized by the electronic module 100.
[0061] In one embodiment, an electronic or electrical module can be
located at the brim or bill portion of the cap. The circuit board
could be the type with a sensor on one side, and a display and an
activation switch on the other side. The module could be made using
the stiffener board inside the brim, as described above, with the
sensor side of the circuit board facing up and the display side
facing down. Typically, the stiffener is sandwiched between two
pieces of cloth. In one embodiment, a hole is made in the cloth on
top of the module to expose the sensor. In another embodiment,
instead of a hole, the cloth on top of the module could be made of
mesh or fishnet materials, with enough built-in holes to have the
sensor at least partially and sufficiently exposed. In one
configuration, the wearer would be able to see the display facing
the wearer, with the sensor substantially pointing towards the
sky.
[0062] The module can be at different locations of the brim. For
example, the module could be at the middle of the brim. In another
example, the module is on the flatter part of the brim near one
side of the brim.
[0063] In one embodiment, having the module at the brim would make
it easy for a user to activate and deactivate the switch. Also, a
low-profile switch could help maintain the appearance of a standard
cap. One example of a switch is a dome switch. It allows easy
activating and deactivating just by a squeezing action.
[0064] In one embodiment, there are two versions of the cap, one
for the left-handed and the other for the right-handed users for
ergonomic reason. For example, for the right-handed users, the
switch is at the right-hand side of the brim because it is the
location where those users normally grasp the cap to put it on or
take it off.
[0065] In one embodiment, the module includes a display on its
bottom side, with its top side includes a radiation sensor. The
module is positioned close to the outside edge of the brim. This
would provide more distance from the eyes of the user to the
display to make it easier for the wearer to see the display without
the need to take off the cap. To further help the wearer see
information on the display, one embodiment provides additional
features, such as a bigger display, more conspicuous readings on
the display, and/or readings on the display that are dynamic, such
as readings that blink.
[0066] In a number of embodiments described above, an electronic
module can be built into and can be substantially concealed by a
brim. In another embodiment, the module can be attached to the
bottom of a brim. For example, the module is at the bottom edge of
the brim. A hole is made into the brim to at least partially expose
the sensor towards the sky.
[0067] Instead of having the module located at the brim, in one
embodiment, the module is at the crown portion of the cap. For
example, the module can be located at the area of the crown that is
in front of the forehead. The module could be on the outside of the
cap, and the circuit could be one with a sensor, an activation
switch and a display all on one side of the circuit board. That
side of the board faces outside, which would allow the display to
be more easily seen by someone other than the wearer, when the
wearer has the cap on. As an illustration, a child is wearing the
cap, and his parents could easily see the output from the
display.
[0068] Instead of locating on the outside of the cap, the module
could be located in front of the forehead on the inside of the cap.
Typically, there is a space between the cap and the forehead of the
wearer. This could be due to, or for accommodating, the difference
in curvature between the cap and the wearer's head. The module
could be located in that space. In this case, the sensor can be on
one side of the board, while the activation switch and the display
on the other side of the board. The sensor side of the board faces
outside. A hole can be made at the forehead region of the cap to at
least partially expose the sensor. In yet another embodiment, the
module is again located at the crown region, but is between the
lining and the outer layer cloth of the cap.
[0069] In one embodiment, an electronic module could be at other
locations on the cap, such as the cap having a headband, and the
module being inside or on the headband. In another embodiment, the
module is at the crown areas, such as at the top of the cap.
[0070] In yet another embodiment, there is a pocket on the cap, and
an electronic module is inside the pocket. Again, through different
approaches as previously described, the module can be attached to
linings of the pocket and the sensor is at least partially exposed
to the outside. If the wearer wants to find out her radiation
exposure, she could open the pocket and take out the module to find
out.
[0071] A number of embodiments have been described regarding
creating a hole in the cap to at least partially expose, for
example, a sensor. In one embodiment, a design is created around
the one or more holes made on the cap. The design could be a logo
of a company.
[0072] There are different ways to create the design. For example,
the design could be embroidered or silk-screened on the cap. In
another embodiment, the design could use photoluminescence
materials. This allows the design to glow in the dark after
absorbing light, such as sunlight during the day. To illustrate,
the photoluminescence materials could be a powder pigment. One can
mix the materials with silk screen ink and use silk screen
technologies to apply such powder pigments onto the cap to create
the design.
[0073] A number of embodiments have been described where electrical
components are on a circuit board. In another embodiment, one or
more electrical components are not incorporated onto a circuit
board, or in the same module, but those component(s) and/or
circuits on one or more circuit boards can be operatively
associated or electrically connected together. For example, a sun
sensor and its control circuitry can be on a circuit board, which
is incorporated into the brim of the cap. The activation switch for
the sensor and a battery are not on the circuit board. The switch
can be a dome switch. Though the switch is not on the circuit
board, the switch can still be at the brim of the cap. The switch
can be also electrically connected to the battery and the sensor by
conductive wires concealed inside the cap.
[0074] In another embodiment, the power source is a battery, and is
concealed or substantially concealed in the headband of a cap. In
one embodiment, the power source is inside a pocket, such as at the
crown of a cap. The power source can be electrically connected to
the sensor through wires concealed in the cap. In one embodiment,
with the battery in the pocket, and not laminated in the sensor's
electronic module, the battery could be more easily replaced, if
necessary.
[0075] In yet another embodiment, electrical components include a
solar panel, which is used to provide power. In one embodiment, a
battery is used with the solar panel. The solar panel can be at
different location on the cap from the sensor's electronic module,
but is electrically connected to other electrical components, such
as the module. This embodiment allows the solar panel to charge the
battery during the day and to allow running other electrical
components at a hat at night. For example, the solar panel is at
the brim of the cap. In one embodiment, the solar panel is integral
with a display, such as located directly below the display.
Sunlight goes through the display to charge the solar panel.
[0076] In one embodiment, the electrical components include a
speaker for audio output. Instead of or in additional to a visual
display, the output to a wearer of a hat is via sound.
[0077] In one embodiment, the electrical components include a
connector, such as a 3.5 mm female plug connector. Different
connectors described in related applications have been incorporated
herein by reference. In one embodiment, a power source in a hat is
rechargeable through the connector. In another embodiment, one of
the electrical components at the cap is a memory device, which
stores, for example, the radiation measurements. These measurements
could be uploaded through the connector to another computing device
separate from the cap.
[0078] In one embodiment, the design or logo on the cap is dynamic
based on a display on the cap. In other words, the information on
the display could change. In one embodiment, the same display can
also be used to provide radiation monitoring information to the
wearer. For example, when the display is not used to provide
radiation information, the display can show a design or message. In
one embodiment, the display could be located on the front, rear or
side portion of the crown of the cap. As an example, the design or
message can be a logo, a trademark brand.
[0079] In one embodiment, instead of or in addition to a radiation
sensor, electrical components in the cap include one or more
additional sensors. For example, the cap includes a pedometer or an
activity sensor. Different embodiments regarding pedometers have
been described in related applications, such as U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/183,276, which has been incorporated herein
by reference.
[0080] In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to a
radiation sensor, the cap can include a temperature sensor. In one
embodiment, the temperature sensor is used to measure the
temperature of the wearer of the hat. In another embodiment, the
temperature sensor is used to measure the ambient temperature.
[0081] In one embodiment, electrical components include a headset
with such as pull-down tubes, retractable, slidable or foldable
tubes or buds, to allow the cap to be used as a headset. Different
embodiments have previously been described regarding headsets in
related applications that have been incorporated herein by
reference.
[0082] In one embodiment, electrical components include wireless
communication circuits to allow signals to be received and
transmitted wirelessly from the cap. In another embodiment,
electrical components include a wireless headset to allow the cap
to be used as a phone. Different embodiments have previously been
described regarding wireless communication circuits and phones in
related applications that have been incorporated herein by
reference.
[0083] In one embodiment, electrical components include a clock. In
one embodiment, the clock could be located on the bottom of the
brim to allow time to be seen by the user looking up at the brim.
Different embodiments have previously been described regarding
clocks in related applications that have been incorporated herein
by reference.
[0084] In another embodiment, electrical components include a
digital camera. For example, the camera could be located at the
crown of the cap, such as at the position in front of the forehead.
The activation and deactivation switch of the camera can be at the
brim. There can be a display at the brim of the cap facing the
wearer, which shows the image to be taken by the camera. In another
embodiment, the camera can be at the brim of the cap also, with the
camera configured to be on the top surface of the brim. To take a
picture, the wearer takes off the cap, and rotates it to have the
top surface of the brim pointing at the image. By clicking a switch
at the brim, the wearer takes a picture of the image. Different
embodiments have previously been described regarding digital
cameras in related applications that have been incorporated herein
by reference.
[0085] A number of embodiments have been described regarding a cap.
Instead of a cap, different embodiments previously described are
applicable for a hat, a visor or a headband. For example, one
embodiment is for a visor, such as a traditional tennis visor.
Electronics could be embedded into the brim of the visor while
maintaining the traditional visor look and feel.
[0086] A number of embodiments have been described regarding a
headwear, such as a cap, a hat, a visor or a headband. Instead of a
headwear, different embodiments previously described are applicable
to clothing, garment and other wearable products. For example, the
flange of an electronic module for measuring radiation can be sewn
on the lapel of a jacket, or can be attached to a handbag,
wristband or footwear. In one embodiment, garment includes a hat, a
jacket, a shirt, a vest, a scarf, a headband, a wristband, a coat,
a pair of gloves or a pair of pants. In another embodiment,
wearable products include footwear.
[0087] The various embodiments, implementations and features of the
invention noted above can be combined in various ways or used
separately. Those skilled in the art will understand from the
description that the invention can be equally applied to or used in
other various different settings with respect to various
combinations, embodiments, implementations or features provided in
the description herein.
[0088] A number of embodiments in the invention can utilize
software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. A
number of embodiments of the invention can also be embodied as
computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer
readable medium is any data storage device that can store data
which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the
computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access
memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and
carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed
over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable
code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
[0089] Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide
a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will
become obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may
be practiced without these specific details. The description and
representation herein are the common meanings used by those
experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the
substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other
instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and
circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring aspects of the present invention.
[0090] Also, in this specification, reference to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be
included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually
exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in
process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments
of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order
nor imply any limitations in the invention.
[0091] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with
the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *