DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND EVALUATING IMPACT EVENTS

• US 20150040669A1
• Filed: 12/26/2013
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackbox Biometrics, Inc. (AirBoss of America Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Blackbox Biometrics, Inc. (AirBoss of America Corp.)
• Inventors: Sherman, Kim, Wellman, Matthew, Harrison, Micah, Borkholder, David A., Kenyon, Matthew, Ramplin, Ryan, Ostertag, Michael H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,380,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/514.35
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/10 for the head A63B71/081 takes precedence ; in the form of caps or hats A42B1/08; helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0052 measuring forces due to impact G01L5/0061, G01L5/14 take precedence; impact testing of structures G01M7/08; impact testing of material G01N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/14 by making use of gyroscopes gyroscopes per se G01C19/00

Abstract

An impact detection device for detecting impacts to a body part of a user and various supporting systems are discussed. In an example, an impact detect device can include a circuit board, a component having a first section and a second section, a battery, and a molding for housing the circuit boat, the battery and the component. The circuit board can include impact detection circuitry including at least two sensors and a communication circuit. A zone of reduced rigidity can connect the first and second sections of the component, with the circuit board secured to the first section. The battery can be secured to the second section of the component allowing for flex relative to the circuit board. The molding can be shaped and dimensioned for mounting to a body part of the user.

Claims

1. An impact detection device for detecting impact to a body part of a user, the device comprising:

a circuit board including impact detection circuitry comprising;

at least two sensors, the at least two sensors comprising a first accelerometer and at least one of a gyroscope and a second accelerometer; and

a communication circuit to transmit data captured by the at least two sensors to a mobile device;

a component having a first section and a second section connected by a zone of reduced rigidity, the circuit board secured to the first section;

a battery mounted to the second section to allow the battery to flex relative to the circuit board; and

a molding for housing the circuit board, the battery and the component, wherein the housing is shaped and dimensioned for mounting to the body part of the user.

2. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the component, the circuit board, and the battery form a unified and continuous unit including at least one contiguous surface.

3. The impact detection device of claim 2, wherein the formable battery is at least partially encapsulated by the component;

and

wherein the component is a molded polymer material.

4. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes an integrated USB connector.

5. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the molding consists of a malleable semi-translucent material providing environmental protection.

6. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the at least two sensors collect linear acceleration and rotational velocity data.

7. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the circuit board further includes a magnetometer.

8. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the component includes a locating feature for a button actuator.

9. The impact detection device of claim 8, wherein the button actuator is adapted to engage a push button on the circuit board.

10. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the battery is bendable and retains a bent shape.

11. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the formable battery conforms to a curvature induced by location of use.

12. The impact detection device of claim 1, wherein the second section of the component is formed with an initial angle with respect to the PCBA.

13. The impact detection device of claim 12, wherein the second section is flexible in angular orientation with respect to the PCBA from the initial angle to approximately a positive 10 degrees and a negative 20 degrees.

14. An impact detection device for detecting impact to a body part of a user, the device comprising:

a circuit board including impact detection circuitry comprising;

at least two sensors, the at least two sensors comprising a first accelerometer and at least one of a gyroscope and a second accelerometer; and

a communication circuit to transmit data captured by the at least two sensors to an external computing device;

a first molding having a first section and a second section connected by a zone of reduced rigidity, the first section at least partially encapsulating the circuit board;

a battery at least partially encapsulated by the second section to allow the battery to flex relative to the circuit board; and

a second molding for at least partially encapsulating the circuit board, the battery and the first molding, wherein the second molding is shaped and dimensioned for mounting to the body part of the user.

15. The impact detection device of claim 14, wherein the communication circuit includes a wireless transmission circuit to wirelessly transmit sensor data to an external computing device.

16. The impact detection device of claim 14, wherein the circuit board includes an integral USB connector.

17. The impact detection device of claim 16, wherein the communication circuit includes USB circuitry to enable wired communications with an external computing device via the integral USB connector.

18. An impact detection device for detecting impact to a body part of a user, the device comprising:

a circuit board including impact detection circuitry comprising;

at least two sensors configured to collect at least linear acceleration and rotational velocity data related to an impact event; and

a communication circuit to transmit data captured by the at least two sensors to an external computing device;

a component having a first section and a second section connected by a zone of reduced rigidity, the first section at least partially encapsulating the circuit board;

a battery secured to the second section to allow the battery to flex relative to the circuit board; and

a molding for housing the circuit board, the battery and the component, wherein the housing is shaped and dimensioned for mounting to the body part of the user.

19. The impact detection device of claim 18, wherein the at least two sensors include an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

20. The impact detection device of claim 18, wherein the at least two sensors include two accelerometers mounted to the circuit board with some spatial separation.