Self-organing communications network and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11729304-B2
Application number	US-202117559650-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2021
Priority date	Jan 6, 2020
Publication date	Aug 15, 2023
Grant date	Aug 15, 2023

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. The apparel item also includes a communications device and battery. A control circuit is communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery. The A/V hub demountably and communicatively couples to an audio/video source. The control circuit is configured to establish a self-organizing WAN with computing devices that connect directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the WAN. The antenna elements include a graphene polymer conductive composition. The apparel item is multilayered and reflects RF radiation.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. 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;
an A/V hub affixed proximate to the halo element that receives audio and/or video input;
a communications device;
a battery;
a control circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub,

the communications device, and the battery;
wherein
the A/V hub demountably and communicatively couples to an audio/video source;
the control circuit is configured to establish, via the communication hub, a self-organizing local area network (“LAN”) with a plurality of computing devices that each connects directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the LAN
the antenna element comprises:
a conductive composition comprising:
 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
are separated on a nanoscale within the polymer.

2. The wearable communications node of claim 1 , wherein
the apparel item further comprises a multilayered material;
the multilayered material comprises a layer that reflects RF radiation.

3. The wearable communications node of claim 2 , wherein
the layer comprises a conductive material.

4. The wearable communications node of claim 3 , wherein
the layer comprises a foam.

5. The wearable communications node of claim 1 , wherein
the apparel item is hermetically sealed.

6. The wearable computing node of claim 1 , wherein
the A/V hub comprises a microphone.

7. The wearable computing node of claim 1 , further comprising:
a container comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion pivotably coupled to the first portion;
an open state;
a closed state;

wherein
the first portion and the second portion are each open ended structures;
in the open state
the first portion is pivoted away from the second portion and thereby internally exposes the first portion and the second portion;
the container receives the wearable computing node;

in the closed state
the first portion is pivoted towards and positioned on the second portion;
the first portion is demountably coupled to the second portion via a second fastener; and
the container surrounds the wearable computing device.

8. The wearable computing node of claim 7 , wherein
the container further comprises a foam insert that receives the wearable computing device;
the foam insert
provides impact resistance; and
comprises the composition and thereby provides EMI shielding.

9. The wearable computing node of claim 7 , wherein
one or more of the first portion and the second portion comprise the composition.

10. The wearable computing node of claim 1 , wherein
the graphene sheets are present in the composition at least at 0.52 vol. %.

11. The wearable computing node of claim 1 , wherein
one of the computing devices is an autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV);
the AAV comprises a second communications device; and
the second communications device receives a RF signal from the wearable communications node at a first baud rate and transmit the RF signal at a second baud rate.

12. The wearable computing node of claim 1 , wherein
the communications device is communicatively coupled to an autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV);
the AAV comprises a second communications device; and
the second communications device receives a RF signal from the wearable communications node at a first baud rate and transmit the RF signal at a second baud rate.

13. 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;
an A/V hub affixed proximate to the halo element that receives audio and/or video input;
a communications device;
a battery;
a control circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna element, the A/V hub, the communications device, and the battery;
wherein
the A/V hub
comprises a microphone;
demountably and communicatively couples to an audio/video source;

the control circuit is configured to establish, via the communication hub, a self-organizing local area network (“LAN”) with a plurality of computing devices that each connects directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the LAN
the antenna element comprises:
a conductive composition comprising:
 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
are separated on a nanoscale within the polymer.

14. The wearable communications node of claim 13 , wherein
the apparel item further comprises a multilayered material;
the multilayered material comprises a layer that reflects RF radiation; and
the layer comprises a conductive material and a foam.

15. The wearable communications node of claim 13 , wherein
the apparel item is hermetically sealed.

16. The wearable computing node of claim 13 , further comprising:
a container comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion pivotably coupled to the first portion;
an open state;
a closed state;
a foam insert;

wherein
the first portion and the second portion are each open ended structures;
in the open state
the first portion is pivoted away from the second portion and thereby internally exposes the first portion and the second portion;
the container receives the wearable computing node;

in the closed state
the first portion is pivoted towards and positioned on the second portion;
the first portion is demountably coupled to the second portion via a second fastener;
the container surrounds the wearable computing device;

the foam insert
provides impact resistance; and
comprises the composition and thereby provides EMI shielding.

17. The wearable computing node of claim 13 , wherein
the graphene sheets are present in the composition at least at 0.52 vol. %.

18. The wearable computing node of claim 13 , wherein
one of the computing devices is an autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV);
the AAV comprises a second communications device; and
the second communications device receives a RF signal from the wearable communications node at a first baud rate and transmit the RF signal at a second baud rate.

19. The wearable computing node of claim 13 , wherein
the communications device is communicatively coupled to an autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV);
the AAV comprises a second communications device; and
the second communications device receives a RF signal from the wearable communications node at a first baud rate and transmit the RF signal at a second baud rate.

Assignees

• Vorbeck Materials Corp

Inventors

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

Classifications

• H04M1/05 Primary

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

• A41D1/002

  adapted to accommodate electronic equipment (patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085) · CPC title

• A41D31/08

  Heat resistant; Fire retardant · CPC title

• H01Q1/273 Primary

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

• H01Q1/368

  using carbon or carbon composite · CPC title