INFLATABLE ITEM

Abstract

The invention describes an inflatable item comprising one or more cells with a padding material, being inflatable and/or deflatable by controllably changing volume of air accumulated in said padded cells, so as to regulate a thermal insulating property of the cells. The invention further relates to techniques for providing and controlling of such an item.

Claims

1. A system comprising: an inflatable item comprising one or more cells containing a padding material; a pump connected to said one or more cells to inflate and/or deflate said one or more cells; at least one temperature sensor providing an output signal; and a control unit receiving said output signal from said sensor and providing a control signal to said pump based on comparison of said output signal to a predetermined threshold temperature, so as to regulate a thermal insulating property of the one or more cells.

2. The system according to claim 1, having at least one air valve.

3. (canceled)

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one air valve is controlled by said air pump for inflating and/or deflating the garment.

5. The system according to claim 1, being selected from a non-exhaustive list comprising: clothing, headwear and footwear items such as coats, vests, pants, overalls, hats, gloves, scarfs, socks, boots and the like, and comprising other items for keeping a user in temperature comfort, such as blankets, mattresses, sleeping sacks, tents and the like, and elements thereof.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the padding material comprises at least one member of the group consisting of natural fibers, artificial fibers, natural down, artificial down, plume, feathers, natural fabric flock, artificial flock, and foam.

7. (canceled)

8. The system according to claim 1, provided with air channels for conveying air to and/or from the cells.

9. The system according to claim 1, further provided with one or more air filters for preventing expel of the fiber-like material from the cells.

10. The system according to claim 1, comprising orifices for evacuating humid air from a space between the item and a supposed user, to keep the user dry.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least partially hermetic seams are provided between said cells.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said seams are associated with air channels provided in the item between the seams.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the orifices are located in seams of said item.

14. (canceled)

15. The system according to claim 1, comprising one or more additional sensors selected from the group consisting of an inside humidity sensor, a sensor of the user's pulse, an outside temperature sensor, an outside humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor inside at least one of said one or more cells, each of said at least one or more sensors providing an additional output signal to said control unit, wherein said control unit is programmed with predetermined threshold values for each of said additional output signals so that the control unit produces control signals taking said one or more additional output signals and said threshold values into account.

16-17. (canceled)

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises at least one member of the group consisting of a software application, a smart watch, a remote server being designed for collecting and processing said one or more sensor output signals relative to said predetermined threshold values of said additional readings, and wherein parts of said control unit are in communication with one another.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to learn and process collected data for creating and updating a user's profile and/or for controlling the inflatable item based on the user's profile and the collected data.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the user's profile is created with at least the following attributes: temperature desired by the user, humidity preferred by the user, physical activity normally performed by the user, and wherein the control system is adapted to detect variations of the collected data from the created user's profile and to adjust said inflatable item to the specific needs of the user.

21. A method for regulating thermal insulating property of an item comprising one or more cells provided with a padding material, the method including controllably inflating and/or deflating said item by controllably changing volume of air accumulated in said padded cells in response to output signals from one or more sensors.

22. A software product comprising computer implementable instructions and/or data for carrying out the method according to claim 21, stored on an appropriate non-transitory computer readable storage medium so that the software is capable of enabling operations of said method when used in a computerized system.

23. A computer readable storage medium storing the software product according to claim 22.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The invention will be further described and illustrated with the aid of the following non-limiting drawings, in which:

[0076] FIG. 1 illustrates one possible arrangement of the proposed inflatable item in the form of a garment.

[0077] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the proposed item (being a blanket, a scarf, a tent's wall portion, etc.), which is preferably provided with a control unit, sensors and an air pump.

[0078] FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the proposed item in the form of a coat.

[0079] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an air filter.

[0080] FIG. 5 shows a simplified block diagram of the proposed inflatable item.

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a simplified flow-chart illustrating one version of the method for controlling the proposed inflatable item.

[0082] FIG. 7 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a control system for the proposed inflatable garment.

[0083] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the control system.

[0084] FIG. 9 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0085] FIG. 1 shows one example 10 of the proposed item (say, a coat or a vest with padded cells 10′), which is provided with an inflating/deflating unit 11 embedded in a lower corner of the garment.

[0086] The inflating/deflating unit 11 may comprise just at least one air valve (not shown, though present). The air valve is needed to create/preserve a pressure difference between the cells (pockets) of the garment and the outside. The valve(s) may be controlled by a user directly, or by a control unit (14).

[0087] The inflating unit is connected to the padded cells 10′ via air channels (not shown in this drawing).

[0088] The padding may be a fiber-like, a flock-like, may be a porous material and the like which comprises air there-inside.

[0089] In this drawing, the unit 11 is shown as also comprising an air pump (a fan, an air blower) 12 operated by the control unit 14 (for example, a microcontroller with embedded software). The inflating/deflating unit 11, including the pump 12 and the control unit 14, is powered by a battery 16.

[0090] The control unit (system) 14 may be in communication with a group of temperature sensors (shown here as triangles 13 and 15), which may be located at various points of the garment and measure the current inside temperature (sensor 13) and the current outside temperature (sensor 15). A sensor 17 for measuring inside humidity may also be provided, to supply the control unit 14 with readings of humidity accumulated under the garment.

[0091] The controller 14 may adjust the air saturation within the air cells of the garment to change the level of thermal insulation and thus to accommodate it to the user's needs. Users' settings such as desired thresholds of temperature may be introduced in the controller 14. Manufacturers' settings such as the maximal allowed air pressure in the padded cells may be entered in the controller in advance.

[0092] Any default temperature regime may be set in advance in the control unit 14.

[0093] Alternatively or in addition, the controller 14, in cooperation with sensors, may measure and learn temperature preferences of the user and take them into account for creating a preferred individual regime controlling the air intake/air suction.

[0094] A user may utilize an interface (embedded in 14, or a remote control unit) for communication with the controller 14. Such an interface may be in the form of a mobile application (not shown) in order to communicate with the controller 14 (for example to enter into the controller the temperature value under the garment, preferred by the user, the maximal allowed air pressure in the cells, etc.)

[0095] In alternative embodiments, the controller 14 may be in the form of a control software pre-programmed in the mentioned mobile application, or the control software of the controller 14 may be located in a separate remote control unit specifically designed for the garment.

[0096] Still further, the controller 14 may be partially located in the garment, and partially in the interface (control unit or mobile application).

[0097] The sensor for humidity measurement may also assist in creating the preferred regime and adjusting the insulation level of the cells, since when a person feels too hot, he/she begins to sweat.

[0098] When the inside conditions drift from some preferred regime (or from the default regime), all the device 11 needs to do is to remove some air from the garment or let it back in. Any of these operations can be performed by controllably opening the valve(s) and letting the pressure difference inside and outside the garment work.

[0099] As discussed above, the pressure in the pockets/cells of the garment may be higher, lower or equal to the surrounding pressure. Therefore, letting the air in or out can be done by opening the valve(s).

[0100] In addition, the air pump 12 may be activated to facilitate letting the air in or out of the cells.

[0101] All the above operations can be done either by the user according to his/her own decision, or be controlled by a control unit 14 which in turn may be operated by the user, by a software product and/or by AI.

[0102] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment where the inflatable item 100 is in the form similar to a blanket, has one or more padded cells 100′ and is provided with inflating/deflating unit 111. The inflating/deflating unit 111 is connected to the padded cells 100′ via air channels (not shown in this drawing).

[0103] Alternatively, the item 100 may be a wall portion of a tent or of another construction, in which construction the item 100 may be embedded so as to communicate with the atmosphere. Item 100 will thus be adapted to controllably change the heat insulating property of the construction. The unit 111 may be provided with one or more of the mentioned sensors, may be controlled remotely by the user and/or or be self-controlled.

[0104] FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment 200 of the inflatable item in the form of a jacket. The jacket is similar to the popular and light ones, which have padding cells 200′ filled with down.

[0105] The inflating/deflating unit 211 may be embedded at the lower portion of the garment.

[0106] It should be noted that the cells 10′, 100′, 200′ of the respective items 10, 100, 200 may be arranged in columns and rows, and be connected to one another in series and/or in parallel by air channels (not shown). For example, in FIG. 3 the padded cells 200′ of the item 200 are arranged in vertical columns and connected in series by air channels. It should be noted that the cells may be arranged in rows/columns and be oriented in any direction. Alternatively or in addition to being connected in series, the cells may also be connected in parallel, i.e. may form one or more mutually interconnected rows/columns. This may be implemented by using seams 25 comprising gaps 27 which interconnect parallel cells (see FIG. 4).

[0107] FIG. 4 shows an optional filter, provided in an air channel associated with a padded cell (10′, 100′, 200′). This example illustrates a three-dimensional view of a porous filter (air diffuser) 20 provided with an inlet portion 22. The filter may be placed within an air channel 18 before entrance to a padded cell (10′, 100′, 200′ etc.), so that the inlet portion 22 faces the air channel 18, and the porous filter body faces the padded cell. The filter 20 prevents clogging of the air channel 18 by fiber-like material 24 when evacuating air from the padded cell.

[0108] Every padded cell/pocket (10′, 100′, 200′ etc.) has one or more openings in it, The cells may be connected in series (somewhere by air channels like 18 to connect them with the inflating unit 11), so the air may pass from one cell to another and when deflating one, it will eventually deflate all the pockets (all the garment). As mentioned above, the padded cells may be connected in parallel, i.e. may communicate by air with more than two neighboring cells.

[0109] Every “junction” between the air channels/cells may be fitted with a hollow tube like a piece of straw to keep the junction from collapsing and clogging the air passage.

[0110] Each padded cell/pocket may be fitted with one or more air diffusers, for example like the air filter/diffuser 20 shown in this figure.

[0111] The porous material of 20 allows air to flow in any direction through the diffuser, and is not likely to get clogged by the fiber-like filling.

[0112] The air diffuser may comprise only the porous body (for example, if it is placed between adjacent padded cells).

[0113] Hermetic seams 25 may be provided between the cells around the air channels 18, so as to divide adjacent cells 10′ (100′, . . . , 10″(100″. . . ), 10′″ (100′″. . . ). Further, orifices 26 for ventilation may be provided in the hermetic seams 25, which serve as outlets for humid air if accumulated beneath of the garment.

[0114] Alternatively or in addition, at least one humidity sensor 30 may be located under the garment.

[0115] It should be noted that seams of the inflatable item may be hermetic or non-hermetic for padded cells adjoining a specific seam from its different sides. For example, the seam 25 may have gaps 27, owing to which the seam becomes non-hermetic for adjacent cells 200′. The gaps 27 help to improve air distribution among a group of cells, not only among those connected in sequence. Each specific seam may therefore be at least partially hermetic—in other words, its hermeticity may change along the length of the seam so that the seam may be hermetic for one pair of neighboring cells, and be non-hermetic for another pair of adjacent cells adjoining the seam from different sides thereof.

[0116] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of the proposed controllably inflatable item generally marked 300 (in this example, a garment). Preferably, all the blocks of FIG. 5 are embedded in the item. For example, a control unit 314 is a microcontroller. Block 314 is fed by a battery 316 which also feeds a controllable valve 315 and a controllable air pump (blower) 313, which works either as air evacuating or as an air inflating pump, depending on the control signals from block 314.

[0117] Alternatively or in addition, the garment may be provided with an air valve 317 which may be operated by the user directly. Optionally, the control unit 314 may be adapted to control the valve 317.

[0118] The garment 300 is inflatable and deflatable via air channels (not shown). Direction of the air to-from the garment cells is illustrated with three thick two-directional arrows.

[0119] The garment 300 may be equipped with internal sensors for detecting parameters under the garment: a temperature sensor 330, a humidity sensor 332 and an air pressure sensor 334 for indicating the current air pressure in the garment cells. Optionally, a movement sensor 335 and a pulse/blood pressure sensor 337 may be provided for estimating physical activity of the user. Such sensors may communicate with the control unit 314. An external outside temperature sensor 336 may be provided on an external portion of the garment. Optionally, an outside air humidity sensor 338 and an outside air pressure sensor 339 may be provided and used. All the internal and external sensors may transmit their readings to the control unit 314 wirelessly.

[0120] Based on the readings of the sensors 330, 332, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339 etc. and on the settings which include personal settings of the user (at least the desired temperature under the garment) or direct user's commands, the control unit 314 processes the received information and provides control signals for inflating the garment, for deflating the garment or for keeping the current status.

[0121] The control unit/system may be more advanced and comprise functions of artificial intelligence (AI), for example may perform machine learning to create the user's profile. For example, the control unit 314 may decide that the user is hot when the internal temperature and/or internal humidity is higher than the user's preference. However, 314 may decide that the user is hot or will be hot when the inside temperature and/or humidity increases or when the physical activity is greater than a known standard for the user. Such a standard may be learned in advance, for example by machine learning during specific time slots of the user's regular day, and may be then stored and further used for updating the user's settings, the user's profile, etc.

[0122] The control unit 314 may decide that the user is cold or will be cold, when the internal temperature is less than the user's preference and/or when the user's pulse, blood pressure and/or physical activity is lower than usual.

[0123] The settings usually relate to the user's preferences or default values and may be entered into the control unit 314 either directly, or via Bluetooth/WiFi, using a remote control unit, for example a computer or a mobile phone application (schematically marked as 340). In response to the decision (“cold” or “hot”) of the control unit 314, the air may be introduced (I) into, or evacuated (D) from the garment's cells padded with a padding material, for example via hermetic air channels (not shown in this drawing).

[0124] If the decision of 314 is “OK”, the garment will neither be further inflated, nor be deflated, but the cycle will repeat from analysis of all the data after a delay of some time (for example, some minutes).

[0125] FIG. 6 shows a simplified flow-chart of controlling the proposed inflatable item (for example, a garment) by the control unit 314. The block of controller 314 and its sub-units 314.1, 314.2 schematically represent operations performed in the control unit of the garment. The control unit 314 receives input data: readings from sensors: 330, 332, 334 335, 336, 337, 338, 339 and possible other ones, and also receives and stores the user's as well as the manufacturer's Settings.

[0126] Basically, the settings comprise at least the user's preferred temperature under the garment (the inner temperature). The settings may also include values of inner humidity, pulse and/or blood pressure, degree of physical activity, etc. accepted as normal/maximal for the user, maximal value of air pressure allowed in the garment cells, etc. It should be noted that Settings may include direct commands of the user. As mentioned, the settings may be entered into the control unit 314 directly or wirelessly.

[0127] Block 314.1 performs operations of collection and processing of the input data and the user's settings, and a logical block 314.2 makes a decision whether the user is hot or cold. For example, the control unit considers that the user is cold if the inside temperature is less than of about 21° C. which is the user's preference. If the internal pressure measured by the sensor 334 may still be raised, the control unit will issue a control signal to pump some air into the garment cells (to inflate the garment). The pump 313 may be activated automatically. A valve 317 may be activated either manually or automatically. Upon inflating the cells padded by the fibrous filling, the garment is expected to increase its thermal insulation. The processor 314 will update the received data on the temperature and the humidity again in some predetermined period of time (for example, in a few minutes). The time period may be predetermined in advance, in the user's settings, and may be regulated if necessary.

[0128] In some time the processor 314 may re-analyze current readings of the sensors 330, 332, 334, 335, 336, 337 and decide that the user is hot. For example, the temperature inside (under) the garment has occurred to be greater than 21° C.; moreover, even humidity inside the garment may be greater than a default value. In this case, the control unit 314 will send a control signal to evacuate some air from the garment cells (to deflate the garment). According to that signal, some air may be released from the garment to make it thinner, i.e., less heat insulating. The deflating operation may be performed manually or automatically, via the valve 315 and/or 317. If the user's status is considered OK (the internal temperature/humidity are kept according to the settings), the control unit 314 will not issue commands for a while.

[0129] Any current status will be re-checked after some predetermined period of time.

[0130] It should be noted that more information may be taken into account by the control unit/system of the proposed item, for making prognoses and decisions in advance. For example, the control system (e.g., its software product) may be designed to have some functions of artificial intelligence: a pattern of physical activity of the user may be studied in advance, outside weather conditions (temperature, humidity etc.) may be estimated in advance, and a pattern of controlling the garment during a specific day may be prepared in advance. Of course, the control pattern prepared in advance may be adjusted in real time, based on current data received by the control system from the internal and external sensors, for example based on a non-typical physical activity of the user, non-typical inside temperature and/or non-typical readings of pulse/blood pressure which may together mean (for example) that the user is sick. In such a case the prepared heat insulation regime will be adjusted and even an alarm may be issued to the user. Some more advanced control systems will be shown in FIGS. 7-9.

[0131] FIG. 7 illustrates possible configurations of the control system of the proposed inflatable item. The control system always comprises a basic control unit which, in this case, ensures control of a controllable air valve via a controllable air pump of the proposed item/garment (10, 100, 200, 300), (the valve and the pump are not shown). The basic control unit and the controllable item/garment are shown in solid lines. Optional units are shown in dashed lines (actually, all the units except for the controller and the garment are shown in dashed lines).

[0132] In FIG. 7, the basic control unit is shown as the embedded controller 314 for controlling inflation/deflation of the garment 300. The controller 314 may collect some data from the garment directly (for example, the temperature and optionally the humidity under the garment). Optionally, the controller 314 may collect and exchange some data via an interface formed by software application(s) 340A and other connected units 340B.

[0133] The controller 314 may process the collected data itself, but may delegate it, at least partially, to a remote server such as a Cloud server 342.

[0134] For example, a Mobile application 340A may be used for collecting data from outside sensors, and for communication between the user and the embedded controller 314. The connected unit 340B may be in the form of a smart watch, a cellphone camera or the like.

[0135] The connected units 340A, 340B (e.g., a Smart phone with application, a Smart watch, a cellular camera, etc.) are capable of obtaining and/or measuring inside and outside parameters (for example, pulse, blood pressure, temperature, movement activity of the user, movement pulse and blood pressure, changes in the user's behavior, signs of fatigue in the eyes and face of the user, as well as humidity and temperature inside and outside of the garment, pressure inside cells of the garment) and for communicating the information to the embedded controller 314.

[0136] The interfacing units 340A and 340B (the connected units as listed above) may optionally be also interconnected with one another for processing the data collected from various sensors and by themselves.

[0137] Communication within the control system may be performed using cellular or WiFi communication techniques.

[0138] The control system of the proposed inflatable item/garment may have functions of Artificial Intelligence (AI). For example, the Controller installed in the item may include an embedded software program. The program may be capable of machine learning of the individual user from the point of his/her regular regime based on values of temperature, pulse of the body and temperature of the surrounding in specific hours, on usual physical exercises, etc. Based on the regular regime, the basic mode may be built which may be then adjusted by random changes of the regime and various factors.

[0139] The Controller may incorporate elements responsible for communicating with various detectors and sensors, both local and external, and elements capable of communicating with interfaces and/or a cloud. The AI software may be distributed between different functional blocks of the system and may make decisions to perform some changes in heat insulation in advance, in a smooth manner and based on the learned data about a specific user and the current data about this user (for example, the user may be trained, untrained, sick, etc.). The AI functions are characterized by smooth changes in the heat insulation, by taking actions in advance and prolonging the reactions so as to predict and precede sharp changes in the regime to make them smooth. For example, if the user runs, the AI-assisted changes may be made in advance gradually and may be kept longer than the run lasts, by decreasing the changes also gradually.

[0140] FIG. 8 shows one modification of the control system in more details, by illustrating some Artificial Intelligence (AI) functions of the mobile application 340A.

[0141] In this drawing, the dashed contour 340A indicates the mobile application which comprises:

[0142] a processor 344 for

[0143] a) collecting data from, for example, sensors 330-339, controller 314, connected units 340B, server 342 and

[0144] b) processing the collected data;

[0145] an application storage 345 in communication with the Remote server 342 and with the processor 344 (for storing current measurements' readings, the user's profile and possible current changes from nominal values of the profile, for example when the user is tired).

[0146] The processor 344, based on the collected and processed data, may:

[0147] update the user's profile (see 346) for storing the updates in the processor itself and/or in the applications storage

[0148] display (see 348) important parameters or alarms to the user,

[0149] receive and handle (see 349) parameters updated by the user, as well as the user's commands.

[0150] For example, the application storage 345 may store various heat insulation control patterns, created based on learning (say, machine learning) of various parameters and the user's behavior during different seasons and different days of the week, for different patterns of physical activity.

[0151] On the other hand, when the user's behavior or health changes, the control system may dynamically update its patterns accordingly and in advance.

[0152] The control system, for example the control system with Artificial Intelligence (AI) elements, may be used for leaning and processing of the collected data, for example for updating the user's profile (346) and/or for controlling the inflatable item based on the user's profile and the collected data.

[0153] The user's profile may be created with the following attributes: temperature desired by the user, humidity preferred by the user, activity normally performed by the user etc. The user's profile 346 may have the ability to figure/determine variations from the created profile and adjust the garment to the specific needs of the user, while sharp changes will be smoothened.

[0154] As in the previous figure, controller 314, sensors 309-339, inflatable garment 300, connected units 340B and remote server 342 are shown, with their intercommunication with the mobile application 340A.

[0155] FIG. 9 illustrates a slightly different version of the control system, built using the principle of Internet of Things (IoT).

[0156] In this version, the Remote server 342 is in direct communication with “all the Things”: with Controller 314, with Mobile application 340A, with Sensors 330-349, with Smart watch 340B, etc.

[0157] The Remote server 342 may operate online, using cellular, Bluetooth or WIFI techniques for collecting the necessary data from all the directly connected blocks, processing the collected data and providing the controller 314 with control instructions. Other units may also be in bidirectional communication with the server 342 and may receive updates there-from.

[0158] The Remote server 342 may update the user's profile online or offline, when possible. The user's profile may be used for further intelligent control of the garment.

[0159] As can be seen here, not only AI, but also IoT elements may enrich functions of the control system.

[0160] The Remote server 342 may collect and store data and knowledge about the user and then, based on the stored data & knowledge may use current readings of the sensors, so that the IoT software may produce and send to the user's attention some information about his/her current condition. For example, such information may indicate that the user is trained or untrained, unusually weak, unusually cold or hot, has unusual pulse with or without movements, has some signs manifesting sickness, etc. Such information may be sent to the user's smartphone application, for example, and may be used for updating and storing the user profile.

[0161] In other words, the control system may comprise at least an embedded controller (microprocessor), but may also include additional control units such as a remote server and/or interface units like a mobile application and/or a smart watch which are designed to communicate with sensor(s) and with one another.

[0162] Functions of the control system always comprise basic ones, but may comprise some advanced ones. The above-described examples of the control system are capable of: [0163] collecting readings from sensors, at least on the internal temperature between the garment and the user, [0164] processing the readings collected from the sensor(s) together with information on default/threshold values of the readings (which may include both inside and outside readings and thresholds), [0165] receiving additional data from various interface devices (such as a smart watch, a smartphone mobile application, etc.) [0166] processing all the received data for improving the picture about the user and the surroundings, [0167] activating the inflating/deflating unit in order to change the current status of the heat insulation so as to adjust it to the user's needs; [0168] reporting the data and the actions of the inflating/deflating unit to the user (say, via display of the mobile application); [0169] storing the data and the actions taken in the current case to update the user's profile and predict actions of the system in future in similar circumstances.

[0170] For example, the control system may further be capable of acting in advance to prevent sharp changes in thermal insulation and/or to prolong effect of the changes after being made, so as to smooth changing needs of the user.

[0171] While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and has been illustrated by specific drawings, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of the inflatable item and other versions of controlling volume of its cells may be proposed and respectively illustrated, and that such embodiments and versions should be considered part of the invention whenever defined by the claims which follow.