Portable Detection Systems And Devices Including A Detector That Detects Reflected Energy

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020363572-A1
Application number	US-201816638990-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 25, 2018
Priority date	Oct 27, 2017
Publication date	Nov 19, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A portable detection system comprises an energy source configured to transmit energy, a retroreflective article, a detector configured to sense retroreflective energy produced by interaction of the energy transmitted from the source and the retroreflective article, and an indicator that indicates the detection of the retroreflective energy, wherein at least one of the energy source and the detector are configured to be worn by a user.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A wearable device configured to be worn by a user, the wearable device comprising:
a source of energy configured to transmit energy having at least one predetermined characteristic; a detector configured to detect reflected energy resulting from interaction of the energy transmitted from the source and a reflective article; and a processor in communication with the detector, the processor configured to:
initiate at least one action based on the detected reflected energy.

2 . The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable device is a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

3 . The wearable device of claim 2 , wherein the reflected energy is retroreflective energy and the reflective article is a retroreflective article.

4 . The wearable device of claim 3 , wherein the energy transmitted by the source of energy is polarized light, the at least one predetermined energy characteristic being at least one of linear polarized light, elliptically polarized light and circularly polarized light.

5 . The wearable device of claim 4 , wherein the source of energy is a source of visible light, ultraviolet energy, near-infrared energy, and combinations thereof.

6 . The wearable device of claim 5 , wherein further comprising an indicator, the indicator being at least one of a visible indicator, an audible indicator, a sensory indicator, and combinations thereof.

7 . The wearable device of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to compare the at least one predetermined characteristic of the transmitted energy with at least one predetermined characteristic of the reflected energy, the at least one action being based on the comparison.

8 . The wearable device of claim 7 , further comprising a display, the processor configured to convert information from the detector into an image on the display.

9 . The wearable device of claim 8 , wherein the display is configured to provide at least one of virtual reality and augmented reality.

10 . The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein the wearable device is wearable on at least one of a head of a user and an appendage of the user.

11 . The wearable device of claim 10 , wherein the source of energy is associated with head movement of the user.

12 . The wearable device of claim 11 , wherein the wearable device is at least one of a mask and eyewear.

13 . The wearable device of claim 12 , wherein the reflected energy corresponds to a code; and
the processor is configured to decode the code for display.

14 . A method for a wearable device configured to be worn by a user, the method comprising:
transmitting energy having at least one predetermined characteristic; detecting reflected energy resulting from interaction of the energy transmitted from the source and a reflective article; and initiating at least one action based on the detected reflected energy.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the wearable device is a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the transmitted energy is polarized light, the at least one predetermined energy characteristic being at least one of linear polarized light, elliptically polarized light and circularly polarized light.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising comparing the at least one predetermined characteristic of the transmitted energy with at least one predetermined characteristic of the reflected energy, the at least one action being based on the comparison.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising converting information from the detector into an image on a display, the display being configured to provide at least one of virtual reality and augmented reality.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the reflected energy is retroreflective energy and the reflective article is a retroreflective article.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the reflected energy corresponds to a code; and
the processor configured to decode the code for display.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Mccoy Michael A
• Wheatley John Allen
• Benoit Gilles J
• Shaklee Charles Allen

Classifications

• G02B5/128 Primary

  transparent spheres being embedded in matrix · CPC title

• G02B5/12 Primary

  Reflex reflectors · CPC title

• G06V20/20

  in augmented reality scenes · CPC title

• G06V10/145

  Illumination specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. using gratings · CPC title

• G06V40/10

  Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands · CPC title