Self-organizing communications network nodes and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11245784-B1
Application number	US-202016925561-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jul 10, 2020
Priority date	Jan 6, 2020
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

A communications node includes an apparel item in the form of a harness that includes a primary portion. A halo element extends from the primary portion and is configured to be worn about the neck. A fastener that demountably couples the primary portion to the halo element. An antenna element positioned within the apparel item. An A/V hub is affixed to the halo portion and configured to receive audio/video input. A communications device and battery are positioned within the apparel item. A control circuit is positioned within the apparel item and communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery. The A/V hub includes a microphone. The control circuit is configured to establish a self-organizing wide area network with a plurality of computing devices that connect directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the WAN.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wearable communications node, comprising:
a apparel item in the form of a harness that comprises:
a primary portion;
a halo element extending from the primary portion and positioned about the neck region of the user;
a fastener that demountably couples the primary portion to the halo element;
an antenna element positioned within the apparel item;
an A/V hub affixed proximate to the halo element that receives audio and/or video input;
a communications device positioned within the apparel item;
a battery positioned within the apparel item;
a control circuit positioned within the apparel item and communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery;
wherein
the A/V hub comprises a microphone; and
the control circuit is configured to establish, via the communication hub, a self-organizing wide area network (“WAN”) with a plurality of computing devices, each of the computing devices connects directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the WAN;
the antenna element comprises:
a conductive composition that comprises:
 fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene;
 a polymer;

the fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene form a three-dimensional percolated network within the polymer; and
the fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene are separated on a nanoscale within the polymer.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the primary portion comprises a housing;
the control circuit is embedded in a thermally conductive polymer; and
the thermally conductive polymer is positioned in the housing.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein
the housing comprises:
a heat conducting material;
a cover coupled to the housing;

the heat conductive material comprises aluminum and absorbs heat generated within the housing; and
the cover transfers the heat to air that is external to the apparel item.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the apparel item comprises a National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) 1994 certified material.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the battery is demountably coupled to the apparel item.

6. The wearable computing device of claim 4 , wherein
the A/V hub is demountably and communicatively coupled to at least one audio/video source.

7. A wearable communications node, comprising:
an apparel item in the form of a harness that comprises:
a primary portion;
a halo element extending from the primary portion and positioned about the neck region of the user;
a fastener that demountably couples the primary portion to the halo element;
an antenna element positioned within the apparel item;
an A/V hub affixed proximate to the halo element that receives audio and/or video input;
a communications device positioned within the apparel item;
a battery positioned within the apparel item;
a control circuit positioned within the apparel item and communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery;
wherein
the A/V hub comprises a microphone;
the control circuit is configured to establish, via the communication hub, a self-organizing wide area network (“WAN”) with a plurality of computing devices, each of the computing devices connects directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the WAN;
the primary portion comprises a housing;
the control circuit is embedded in a thermally conductive polymer; and
the thermally conductive polymer is positioned in the housing.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein
the antenna element comprises:
a conductive composition that comprises:
fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene;
a polymer;

the fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene form a three-dimensional percolated network within the polymer; and
the fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene are separated on a nanoscale within the polymer.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein
the housing comprises:
a heat conducting material;
a cover coupled to the housing;

the heat conductive material comprises aluminum and absorbs heat generated within the housing; and
the cover transfers the heat to air that is external to the apparel item.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the apparel item comprises a National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) 1994 certified material.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the battery is demountably coupled to the apparel item.

12. The wearable computing device of claim 11 , wherein
the A/V hub is demountably and communicatively coupled to at least one audio/video source.

13. A wearable communications node, comprising:
a apparel item in the form of a harness that comprises:
a primary portion;
a halo element extending from the primary portion and positioned about the neck region of the user;
a fastener that demountably couples the primary portion to the halo element;
an antenna element positioned within the apparel item;
an A/V hub affixed proximate to the halo element that receives audio and/or video input;
a communications device positioned within the apparel item;
a battery positioned within the apparel item;
a control circuit positioned within the apparel item and communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery;
wherein
the A/V hub comprises a microphone;
the control circuit is configured to establish, via the communication hub, a self-organizing wide area network (“WAN”) with a plurality of computing devices, each of the computing devices connects directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the WAN;
the antenna element comprises:
a conductive composition that comprises:
 fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene;
 a polymer;

the fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene form a three-dimensional percolated network within the polymer;
the fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene are separated on a nanoscale within the polymer;
the primary portion comprises a housing;
the control circuit is embedded in a thermally conductive polymer; and
the thermally conductive polymer is positioned in the housing.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the apparel item comprises a National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) 1994 certified material.

15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the battery is demountably coupled to the apparel item.

16. The wearable computing device of claim 13 , wherein
the A/V hub is demountably and communicatively coupled to at least one audio/video source.

17. The device of claim 13 , wherein
the housing comprises:
a heat conducting material;
a cover coupled to the housing;

the heat conductive material comprises aluminum and absorbs heat generated within the housing; and
the cover transfers the heat to air that is external to the apparel item.

18. The device of claim 13 , wherein the apparel item comprises a multi-layered material.

19. The device of claim 13 , wherein
the apparel item comprises a multi-layered material; and
the multi-layered material comprises a foam layer positioned therebetween.

20. The device of claim 13 , wherein
the apparel item comprises a multi-layered material;
the multi-layered material comprises a foam layer positioned therebetween; and
the foam layer reflects radio frequency radiation that emanates from the antenna element.

Assignees

• Vorbeck Materials Corp

Inventors

• Scheffer Dan F
• Manivannan Sriram
• Espina Keren
• Pinkos Jennifer
• Yaprak Can Gun
• Baskerville Alison

Classifications

• H04W84/18

  Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks · CPC title

• H01Q1/273 Primary

  Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals · CPC title

• H04B2001/3855

  carried in a belt or harness · CPC title

• A41D31/08

  Heat resistant; Fire retardant · CPC title

• H04M1/05 Primary

  specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast · CPC title