Wearable illumination device
View Patent ↗An illumination device is configured to attach to a user. The illumination device is generally configured to illuminate an area around the user in a variety of ways. The illumination device generally includes one or more lights, a band, a controller, and an energy storage system (ESS). The lights are typically arranged to direct light in a forward direction, such as toward the hand of the user when the device is worn on the wrist. In one example, the lights are arranged at multiple positions along the band. The controller allows the user to operate the lights through multiple modes with varying brightness, color, and/or patterns of illumination. In one example, the illumination device supports a flashlight mode with broadly dispersed light and a laser mode with narrowly focused light. In one example, the ESS is rechargeable, such as through an inductive charging coil.
1 . A system, comprising:
an illumination device configured to be worn on an appendage;
wherein the illumination device includes one or more light sources;
wherein the illumination device is configured to shine light parallel to a longitudinal axis of the appendage;
wherein the illumination device includes a housing and a flexible band;
wherein the flexible band includes a support plate and multiple band segments;
wherein the support plate is disposed within the housing and the multiple band segments extending from the support plate;
wherein the multiple band segments have a proximal edge and a distal edge located opposite to the proximal edge;
a main board and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB);
wherein the main board is disposed on the support plate within the housing;
wherein the flexible PCB is embedded inside th distal edge of the multiple bang segments and on the support plate;
wherein the one or more light sources are mounted on the flexible PCB;
wherein the multiple band segments define one or more slots where the one or more light sources are received therein:
wherein the one or more slots are open along the distal edge to shine the light from the one or more light sources from the distal edge; and
wherein the one or more light sources are recessed inside the band to not extend to the proximal edge from the distal edge of the band.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the appendage includes a wrist; and
the illumination device is configured to be worn on the wrist.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the band includes a strap; and
the strap is configured to self-adhere to form a loop.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the strap has one or more security cuts.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more light sources include light emitting diodes (LEDs).
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more light sources are configured to shine multiple colors of light.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device includes a satellite navigation system.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the IMU includes an accelerometer.
10 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a controller configured to cause operational change in the one or more light sources based on a reading from the IMU.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the operational change includes flashing the one or more light sources.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the operational change includes changing color of the one or more light sources.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:
the appendage includes a wrist; and
the reading includes movement indicative of a flick of the wrist.
14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the reading includes movement indicative of bands being hit together.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the illumination device includes an Energy Storage System (ESS);
the ESS includes a battery; and
the illumination device includes a wireless charging device to charge the battery.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the illumination device includes a controller;
the illumination device includes a microphone; and
the controller is configured to cause operational change in the one or more light sources based on sound sensed by the microphone.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more light sources are configured to synchronize to music at an event.
18 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller configured to coordinate operation of the one or more light sources with a lighting display at an event when at the event.