ULTRAVIOLET SENSOR WITH ELECTROCHROMIC INDICATOR

An electronic detection device with electrochromic indicator is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the detection device includes a sensor configured to sense a predetermined wavelength, an electrochromic display configured to indicate an intensity of the predetermined wavelength exposure received by the sensor; a capacitor configured for charging by the predetermined wavelength, wherein the capacitor is configured to at least in part power the device; and an antenna configured for communicative coupling with a smart device.

SUMMARY

Gathering information about exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light has become increasingly important. For example, individuals may desire information regarding exposure to UV in order to take steps to mitigate the effects of such exposure, including but not limited to avoiding further exposure and using products such as sunscreen that can reduce the harmful effects of exposure. Additionally, with increasing instances of skin cancer and other skin-related afflictions, awareness about skin protection has been increasing. Skin protection can limit or prevent harm to skin from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, it may be beneficial to check a user's exposure to other helpful or harmful wavelengths of light.

As technology progresses, users may want to know their personal exposure to light without checking their cellphone or other smart device. Therefore, systems and methods are needed for improved reporting of personal light exposure readings that also have low power consumption.

In one embodiment, a light detection device includes: a light sensor configured to sense light at a predetermined wavelength; an electrochromic display configured to indicate an intensity of exposure received by the light sensor at the predetermined wavelength; and a capacitor configured for charging by the predetermined wavelength. The capacitor is configured to at least in part power the light detection device. The light detection device also includes an antenna configured for communicative coupling with a smart device.

In one aspect, the predetermined wavelength is an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength.

In one aspect, the electrochromic display is visible to a user. In another aspect, the electrochromic display is powered by the capacitor alone.

In one aspect, the smart device is configured to reset the electrochromic display by communicatively coupling with the antenna of the light detection device.

In one aspect, the electrochromic display comprises at least two electrochromic panels. In another aspect, the electrochromic panels are bi-stable. In yet another aspect, the electrochromic display graphically represents the intensity of the predetermined light exposure in a segmented ring. In one aspect, the individual electrochromic panels comprise electrochromic pixels. In yet another aspect, the electrochromic pixels are activated as the intensity of UV exposure increases.

In one aspect, the smart device is a smart phone. In another aspect, the smart device also includes a rechargeable battery.

In one embodiment, a method of alerting a user about a predetermined wavelength exposure includes: attaching a light detection device to the user; measuring the predetermined wavelength exposure of the user with a light sensor of the light detection device; switching electrochromic pixels from one state to another in response to the predetermined wavelength exposure; and displaying electrochromic ink on an electrochromic display as corresponding to an intensity of user's predetermined wavelength exposure. The electrochromic display is visible to the user. The method also includes resetting the electrochromic display after reaching a maximum predetermined wavelength exposure level.

In one aspect, the predetermined wavelength is an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength.

In one aspect, the method also includes charging a capacitor by the predetermined wavelength exposure.

In one aspect, the method also includes powering the light detection device off the capacitor.

In one aspect, the method also includes: pairing the light detection device to a smart device; and resetting the electrochromic display by communicatively coupling a near field communication (NFC) antenna of the light detection device to the smart device.

In one aspect, the smart device is a smart phone.

In one aspect, the method also includes resetting the electrochromic display after a set time. In another aspect, the method also includes resetting the electrochromic display after 24 hours. In one aspect, the method also includes resetting the electrochromic display after application of a sunscreen.

In one aspect, the method also includes recording a duration of time of user's over-exposure by the smart device. In one aspect, the method also includes setting a threshold of the predetermined wavelength exposure by the user. In yet another aspect, the threshold of predetermined wavelength exposure is determined based on a location where the detection device is attached to the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, the inventive technology includes an exposure detector device having at least one light sensor capable of sensing a predetermined wavelength. In some embodiments, the light sensor is an ultraviolet (UV) sensor. In other embodiment, the light sensor is a blue light sensor or a light sensor that senses other wavelengths. Therefore, when describing different embodiment in this specification terms “UV sensor” and “light sensor” are used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the UV sensor also powers the device by charging a capacitor. In some embodiments, the UV exposure detector device transmits data from the UV sensor to a smart device via an NFC antenna. In some embodiments, the UV exposure detector device includes an electrochromic display made up of panels. In some embodiments, these panels are made up of pixels of electrochromic ink. In some embodiments, the electrochromic ink is bi-stable, and can change from one state to another based on intensity of UV light. In some embodiments, the electrochromic display shows a visual of user's UV exposure levels by changing the state of the electrochromic ink as the intensity of UV light increases.

In some embodiments, the NFC antenna is communicatively coupled to a smart device. In some embodiments, tapping the NFC antenna to the smart device reports the user's UV exposure and/or resets the electrochromic display. In some embodiments, the electrochromic display resets after a predetermined amount of time has passed. In some embodiments, the electrochromic display resets after a user applies a countervailing substance, such as a sunscreen.

In some embodiments, the detector device is wearable. In some embodiments, the detector device is carried by a user.

FIG. 1is an example exposure detector device1000in accordance with the present technology. The example exposure detector device1000(also referred to as “light detection device” or “light detector device”) includes an attachment120, a light sensor130, a capacitor140, an electrochromic display200, and an antenna150. In some embodiments, the electrochromic display200is made up of panels105. InFIG. 1, one of the illustrated panels105is activated, displaying visible electrochromic ink110.

In operation, the light sensor130senses light in a predetermined wavelength. For simplicity, the illustrated embodiment includes one light sensor130, but in other embodiments, the detector device1000can have any other number of sensors130. In some embodiments, the light sensor130is a UV sensor or a blue light sensor. The light sensor130may be operable at different power consumption levels. The light sensor130may be configurable to be deactivated or otherwise placed in a minimal power consumption state when not collecting samples.

In some embodiments, the capacitor140is a capacitor charging bank. In operation, when the UV sensor130is exposed to UV light, the UV sensor130charges the capacitor140. In some embodiments, UV light sufficiently charges the capacitor140such that the capacitor powers entirely on its own the UV exposure detector device1000. In other embodiments, the UV exposure detector device1000(or another light wavelength exposure device) may be battery powered or be powered by a combination of battery145and capacitor140. In some embodiments, the battery145may be a rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the electrochromic display200shows the user's increasing UV exposure visually with electrochromic ink110. The electrochromic display200includes one or more panels105. In some embodiments, the panels105are made up of one or more pixels100(illustrated inFIG. 2). For simplicity, the electrochromic display200is illustrated as having four panels105in a segmented ring, but in other embodiments, the electrochromic display200may include other number of panels105in different layout configurations. In some embodiments, the electrochromic display200takes other shapes, such as a bar graph.

In operation, as the UV sensor130senses UV exposure (or exposure to other predetermined wavelengths of light), the electrochromic display200shows this exposure visually. As the UV exposure increases, additional panels105may be activated to display electrochromic ink110(as described in further detail inFIG. 2). For simplicity, a single panel105is illustrated as activated, indicating that the user's UV exposure has reached a specific threshold. In some embodiments, the electrochromic display200appears blank before being exposed to UV light. In some embodiments, the panels105change color as the UV exposure detector device1000is exposed to UV light. As the UV exposure increases, more panels105may be activated, until the entire electrochromic display200is activated (as illustrated inFIG. 3D).

In some embodiments, the antenna150is a near field communication (NFC) antenna. In operation, the antenna150is communicatively coupled with a smart device (not pictured inFIG. 1). In some embodiments, tapping the NFC antenna150to the smart device resets the electrochromic display200(as shown inFIGS. 3A-3E). In some embodiments, tapping the NFC antenna150to the smart device reports the UV (or other prescribed light wavelength) exposure to the smart device and resets the electrochromic display200simultaneously.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram of example electrochromic pixels100in accordance with the present technology. For simplicity, a series of pixels100are illustrated as a pixel array. The pixels100are illustrated as arranged into rows and columns but in other embodiments, the pixels100may take other configurations. For example, the pixels100may be arranged such as to constitute one or more panels105.

In operation, an electrical impulse (such as voltage, illustrated inFIG. 2) is applied to the pixels100by exposure to UV light. In some embodiments, electrochromic ink110changes from one state to another. In some embodiments, the electrochromic ink is bi-stable, and can therefore switch back and forth between two states based on combination of voltages applied to the electrochromic ink110. As explained with reference toFIG. 1above, the voltages may be entirely or in part provided by the capacitor140. In some embodiments, the electrochromic ink110may change from one state of one color to another state of a different color. In some embodiments, the electrochromic ink110may change from a clear state to an opaque state. In such embodiments, the electrochromic ink110becomes visible as it is switched into its other state.

As UV light intensity increases, bits within the pixel100are flipped, which switches the electrochromic ink110from one state to another. For simplicity, a single pixel has been illustrated as switched into a visible electrochromic ink110state, but in other embodiments, more than one pixel may be switched at a time. Each pixel100or combination of pixels may be programmed to switch into the activated electrochromic ink110state at different voltage levels, allowing for some pixels to switch into the visible electrochromic ink110state before others. As the voltage from the UV light exposure increases, more and more pixels switch into the activated electrochromic ink110state, creating the visual representation on the electrochromic display.

FIGS. 3A-3Fare examples of an electrochromic display200exposed to increasing UV intensity in accordance with the present technology. The UV exposure detector device1000(also referred to as “light detection device” or “light detector device”) includes an attachment120, an NFC antenna150, and an electrochromic display200. For simplicity, the electrochromic display200includes four panels105, but in other embodiments, the electrochromic display200may include any number of panels105. In some embodiments, each panel105switches from one electrochromic ink110state to another as an equal amount of increased voltage is built up in the electrochromic pixels100, so that each activated panel represents an equal incremental increase in UV exposure. For simplicity, the electrochromic ink110is illustrated as switching from a clear state to an opaque state. In other embodiments, the electrochromic ink may switch from one colored state to another, different colored state.

FIGS. 3A-3Fshow each stage of the UV exposure detector device1000as a user's UV exposure increases. As explained above, the term “UV exposure” encompasses exposure to light at other wavelength (e.g., blue light). For simplicity, six stages (T0, T1-T4and T-Reset) are illustrated, but in other embodiments, other number of stages can occur to the UV exposure detector device1000.

InFIG. 3A, the UV exposure detector device1000is at stage T0. In some embodiments, T0occurs when the user attaches the device to themselves or their clothing. Therefore, the UV exposure detector device1000has not yet been exposed to UV light at this stage.

InFIG. 3B, the UV exposure detector device1000is at stage T1. In T1, exposure to UV light has activated one panel of the electrochromic display200. As voltage builds in the pixel, the bits within the pixel are flipped, and the electrochromic ink110switches from one state to another.

InFIG. 3C, the UV exposure detector device1000is at stage T2. The user's exposure to UV light has increased to activate a second panel105on the electrochromic display200. Voltage builds up in the pixel as the duration of UV light exposure increases. The UV light exposure required to flip the second panel105into the visible electrochromic ink110state is higher than that required to flip the first panel105.

InFIG. 3D, the UV exposure detector device1000is at stage T3. A third panel105has been activated by further increasing user's UV exposure.

InFIG. 3E, the UV exposure detector device1000is at stage T4. The user's exposure to UV light has activated all panels105on the UV exposure detector device1000. This represents the maximum UV exposure level recommended by the UV exposure detector device1000before resetting the electrochromic display200. In some embodiments, the maximum UV exposure level can be set by the user. In some embodiments, the maximum UV exposure level is hardcoded into the UV exposure detector device1000. In some embodiments, a smart device (not illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3F) alerts a user when the UV exposure detector device1000reaches stage T4. In some embodiments, the smart device recommends that the user applies a countervailing substance such as a sunscreen when the UV exposure detector device1000reaches stage T4. In some embodiments, the smart device recommends going inside when the UV exposure detector device1000reaches stage T4.

InFIG. 3F, the UV exposure detector device1000is at stage T-Reset. In operation, when a user taps the NFC antenna150to the smart device, the electrochromic display200resets. In some embodiments, the electrochromic display200resets after a set amount of time, such as 24 hours. In other embodiments, a user can reset the electrochromic display after applying a countervailing substance such as sunscreen.

For simplicity, stage T-Reset is shown after stage T4, but in some embodiments, the UV exposure detector device1000can enter stage T-Reset (and reset the electrochromic display200) after any stage when the user taps the NFC antenna150to the smart device.

FIG. 4is an example interaction between a user3000and an example UV exposure detector device1000in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the UV exposure detector device1000is a wearable device. In some embodiments, the UV exposure detector device1000includes an attachment120, for example, a strap that is mounted to a wrist of a user3000, like a watch. In other embodiments, the detector device1000may be mounted to the user's clothing with a clip, a patch or similar attachment120. In some embodiments, the detector device1000is a fob, ID tag, pin, zipper pull, or other form factor that a user3000may wear as a necklace or attached to clothing. In some embodiments, the detector device1000may be in a form factor designed to be carried rather than worn by the user3000, such as a case for a mobile phone, or an attachment for a backpack or briefcase.

In operation, the detector device1000is in communication with a smart device2000via an antenna150. For simplicity, the smart device2000is illustrated as a smart phone, but in other embodiments, the smart device2000takes the form of other computing devices such as a smart watch, a tablet, and the like.

In some embodiments, the detector device1000is coupled to the smart device2000through an NFC antenna150. The detector device1000and the smart device2000may communicate using any suitable communication technology, including, but not limited to wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and infrared; wired technologies such as USB, Ethernet, FireWire, and Lightning; or combinations thereof. The communication between the detector device1000and the smart device2000is typically a low-powered communication in order to reduce battery consumption of the smart device2000, and to allow the UV exposure detector device1000to be fully powered by the capacitor (not shown inFIG. 4).

In operation, the UV exposure detector device1000senses UV light, and displays a visual representation of the user's UV exposure through an electrochromic display (not shown inFIG. 4). In some embodiments, the exposure detector device1000senses a different predetermined wavelength. In some embodiments, the smart device2000alerts the user3000to their UV exposure at a certain exposure threshold. In some embodiments, the threshold is hardcoded into the smart device4000or the detector device1000. In other embodiments, the threshold is selectable by the user3000. In some embodiments, the threshold of UV exposure is determined based on a location the UV detection device is attached to the user. The user3000may tap the antenna150to the smart device2000to reset the electrochromic display. In some embodiments, the user3000may reset the electrochromic display after any amount of UV exposure. In some embodiments, the user3000may reset the electrochromic display after the electrochromic display has reached stage T4(as shown inFIG. 3D). In some embodiments, the user3000may reset the electrochromic display after applying a countervailing substance, such as sunscreen. In some embodiments, the user3000may reset the electrochromic display after going inside.

In some embodiments, tapping the antenna150to the smart device2000reports the user's3000UV exposure level to the smart device2000instead of, or in addition to, resetting the electrochromic display. In some embodiments, the smart device2000may store a duration of time corresponding to the user's3000UV over-exposure.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of a method of alerting a user to a UV exposure in accordance with the present technology. In different embodiments, the method500may include additional steps or may be practiced without all steps illustrated in the flow chart.

The method500may begin at block505. In block510, a user (such as user3000) attaches a UV detector device (such as UV exposure detector device1000) to their body in a sun-exposed area. In some embodiments, the sun-exposed area is on the user's wrist (as shown inFIG. 4). In some embodiments, the sun-exposed area is on a user's clothing, such as on a hat or attached to a strap of clothing such as a tank top.

In block520, the UV exposure detector device measures the UV exposure of the user. In operation, the UV exposure detector device measures UV exposure through one or more UV sensor (such as UV sensor130). In some embodiments, UV light also powers a capacitor (such as capacitor140) to power the UV exposure detector device.

In block530, the electrochromic display (such as electrochromic display200) begins to display electrochromic ink (such as electrochromic ink110). As a user's exposure increases, panels (such as panels105) are activated when pixels (such as pixels100) accumulate voltage from UV exposure. When the pixels accumulate voltage, the electrochromic ink switches from one state to another, becoming visible to a user, or changing to another color.

In block540, the user's sun exposure reaches a maximum threshold. In some embodiments, the maximum threshold of UV exposure is hard coded into the UV detector device. In other embodiments, the maximum threshold of UV exposure is set by the user.

In block550, the user taps the UV detector device to a smart device (such as smart device2000) to reset the electrochromic display with an NFC antenna (such as antenna150). In some embodiments, the user resets the electrochromic display after applying or reapplying sunscreen. In some embodiments, the user resets the electrochromic display after going indoors or otherwise removing themselves from UV light exposure. In yet other embodiments, the user resets the electrochromic display after the end of the day. In block560, the method ends.

Many embodiments of the technology described above may take the form of computer- or controller-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer or controller. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the technology can be practiced on computer/controller systems other than those shown and described above. The technology can be embodied in a special-purpose computer, controller or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions described above. Accordingly, the terms “computer” and “controller” as generally used herein refer to any data processor and can include Internet appliances and hand-held devices (including palm-top computers, wearable computers, cellular or mobile phones, multi-processor systems, processor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, mini computers and the like).

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the disclosure. For example, in some embodiments the counter or controller may be based on a low-power buck regulator connected to a capacitor. Moreover, while various advantages and features associated with certain embodiments have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages and/or features, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages and/or features to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also, in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value.