Abstract:
A hand wearable control apparatus comprises a hand wear portion, a finger attachment portion extending from the hand wear portion and adapted for wearing on a first finger, and at least one actuation sensor formed on the finger attachment portion. The actuation sensor is disposed for operation by a second finger on the hand wearing the hand wear portion. The hand wearable control apparatus facilitates flexible control of electronic devices even when a user is doing sports or other activities. Such a hand wear apparatus also provides a user with benefits of maintaining control on a moving vehicle (such as a moving bicycle) with both hands while controlling a performance or information apparatus such as a performance monitor or a GPS.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to hand wearable control apparatus, and more particularly to sports hand wear control apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    With rapid advancements in computer and telecommunications technology, especially mobile telecommunications and positioning technologies, coupled with substantial cost reductions in technology applications, mobile telecommunications devices such as mobile GPS devices, mobile sports computers with telecommunications facilities or mobile devices with performance and/or physiological parameter monitoring capabilities are widely used in sports performance monitoring. 
         [0003]    For many sports applications, the performance monitoring apparatus are typically mounted on fast moving sports equipment, such as a bicycle, a motorcycle, or paraglide, etc, which requires hand control. Frequently, a user is required to move his hand away from the equipment in order to control the monitoring apparatus, for example, to change monitoring mode, or to cause display or change display mode. Such movements are undesirable as sport performance, personal stability or equipment stability might be adversely affected. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it is desirable if an improved apparatus is provided to mitigate control shortcomings of conventional sports or performance monitoring apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the present invention, there is provided a hand wearable control apparatus comprising a hand wear portion, a finger attachment portion extending from the hand wear portion and adapted for wearing on a first finger, and at least one actuation sensor formed on the finger attachment portion, wherein the actuation sensor is disposed for operation by a second finger on the hand wearing the hand wear portion. The hand wearable control apparatus facilitates flexible control of electronic devices even when a user is doing sports or other activities. Such a hand wear apparatus also provides a user with benefits of maintaining control on a moving vehicle (such as a moving bicycle) with both hands while controlling a performance or information apparatus such as a performance monitor or a GPS. 
         [0006]    The finger attachment portion defines a finger attachment bore for receiving the index or middle finger of a user, the finger received within the bore being arranged to provide an operation reactionary force for operation of the actuation sensor. As the first finger is behind the actuation sensor during operation, a user will be able to feel the application of actuation force and this promotes better user controllability. 
         [0007]    The at least one actuation sensor may disposed on a side of the finger attachment portion which faces the thumb of a user during use such that the at least one actuation sensor is operable by the thumb of the user. The at least one actuation sensor may disposed on a side of the finger attachment portion which faces away from the thumb of a user during use such that the at least one actuation sensor is operable by a non-thumb finger adjacent the first finger. 
         [0008]    Such an arrangement permits an electronic apparatus to be controllable by using a single finger while the user is controlling a moving vehicle. Also, this facilitates both thumbed and non-thumbed operation for enhanced flexibility of control and user convenience. 
         [0009]    The hand wear portion may include a thumb aperture through which the thumb of a user protrudes to access and operate the actuation sensor. This thumb aperture provides easy and flexible thumb access to control an actuation sensor or switch. The thumb aperture is beneficial because it permits a user to user the thumb to control a relatively small actuation switch with high operational sensitivity. 
         [0010]    The hand wear portion may comprise a wrist wrap portion for wrap-around wearing on the wrist of a user, and the thumb aperture is intermediate the wrist wrap portion and the finger attachment portion. The wrist wrap portion provides a positioning support for the apparatus. Such an aperture configuration also provides unhindered or enhanced flexibility for the thumb of a user for effective control of the actuation sensors. 
         [0011]    The hand wear portion may comprise a second aperture, the second aperture being intermediate the wrist wrap portion and the finger attachment portion, and being separated from the thumb aperture by the finger attachment portion. This second, non-thumb fingers, aperture permits protrusion of the non-thumb fingers from the hand wear portion during use to enhance flexibility of user, and also provides flexibility to other fingers of a user for more flexible and sensitive control. 
         [0012]    The hand wear portion may be arranged to permit exposure of the palm and all fingers except the first finger when worn. This permits a user to have a direct grip of an article, such as a control bar or hand grip, for better control. The palm aperture provides good hand grip for a user when wearing the control apparatus. In addition, the palm aperture also permits the palm of a user to expose, thereby providing palm contacts for taking ECG signal measurements. 
         [0013]    The wrist wrap portion may comprise a flexible strap portion for wrapping around the wrist of a user in use, and fastening means for releasable fastening of the wrist wrap portion on the wrist of a user. 
         [0014]    The finger attachment portion comprises a flexible strap portion for wrapping around the first finger of a user during use, and a fastening means for releasable fastening of the finger attachment portion onto the first finger of the user. 
         [0015]    These facilitate quick and easy wearing and removal. 
         [0016]    For example, the fastening means may comprise Velcro® fastening parts. 
         [0017]    The finger attachment portion and the hand wear portion may be detachably attached. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sports hand wear comprising a hand wear control apparatus of the present invention, wherein the hand wear portion is adapted to facilitate effective hand grip of a user on sports equipment during use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Embodiments of the invention will be explained by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:— 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a hand wear apparatus illustration an embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the hand wear apparatus of  FIG. 2 , 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view depicting the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  in use, and 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows the rear view of the apparatus in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the hand wear apparatus  100  comprises an upper layer  110  and a lower layer  120  which are glued together so that actuation sensors  133  and connecting conductors are embedded between the two layers to be explained in more detail below. Each of the layers is made of soft, flexible and breathable fabric materials, such as polyamide, a mixture of polyamide and an elastomer, or polyester. 
         [0025]    The hand wear control apparatus comprises a hand mount having two main regions, namely, a finger attachment portion  130  and a main body comprising a hand wear portion  140 . The hand wear portion  140  is designed and adapted to be worn and stay on the back (or dorsal) of a user&#39;s hand during use and comprises a flexible wrist wrap portion  150  which is arranged to fasten the hand wear portion  140  on the wrist of the user. Velcro® or other convenient fastening means  152 , 154  such as magnetic clasps or fasteners is used to keep the wrist wrap portion  150  on the wrist of a user. The finger attachment portion  130  comprises an elongate portion  132  on which a plurality of actuation sensors  133  or actuation switches is disposed. The actuation sensors  133  are disposed on the elongate portion  132  of the finger attachment portion  130 , preferably along its length, and are arranged such that they are readily accessible by the thumb of a user when the control apparatus is worn. 
         [0026]    The elongate portion  132  of the finger attachment portion  130  is adapted for mounting on the index or middle finger of a user and its length is designed so that it covers the first node to permit substantially free movements for the remaining sections of the finger. A fastening strap  136 ,  138  with fastening means, such as Velcro arrangements or magnetic clasps for convenience, and extending laterally from the elongate portion  132  is provided so that the elongate portion  132  can be maintained on the finger during use when the laterally extending strap portion  134  is wrapped around the finger. The laterally extending strap  134  on the elongate portion  132  has a length which extends to the base of the finger so that the finger could move freely with respect to the main body or hand wear portion of the control apparatus. The elongate portion  132  is an extension, preferably an integral extension, of the hand wear portion such that a finger wearing the finger attachment portion  130  can pivotally move with respect to the main body portion. 
         [0027]    Embedded signal conductors connecting the actuation sensors  133  and respective terminations on the dorsal portion of the hand wear portion run along the entire length of the elongate portion and terminate at the terminations. The signal conductors are provided to facilitate control signal communications between the actuation sensor  133  and an electronic apparatus to be mounted on the hand wear portion. 
         [0028]    The hand wear portion  140  comprises a first side  142  and a second side  144  which are configured to follow predetermined curvatures for smooth and comfortable wear and finger movements. The first side extends from the base of one side of the elongate portion  132  and terminates at a first fastening part  152  of the wrist wrap portion  150 . The first side contour of curvature is configured so that it extends from the base of the wearing finger and runs substantially diagonally along the edge of the dorsal portion  160  adjacent the base of the thumb until reaching the wrist portion of a user, as shown in  FIG. 3 . This contour or curvature substantially follows the natural contour of the dorsal portion  160  of the hand between the base of the wearing finger and the wrist portion. Such a configuration, or diagonal configuration, defines a first aperture  172  though which the thumb can protrude to smoothly and comfortably control the actuation sensors  133  or other devices where available. 
         [0029]    The second side  144  extends from the base of one side of the elongate portion  132  and terminates at a second fastening part  154  of the wrist wrap portion  150 . The second side contour of curvature is configured so that it extends from the base of the wearing finger and runs substantially diagonally along the edge of the dorsal portion  160  adjacent the base of the little finger until reaching the wrist portion  150  of a user, as shown in  FIG. 3 . This contour or curvature substantially follows the natural contour of the dorsal portion  160  of the hand between the base of the wearing finger and the wrist portion  150 . Such a configuration, or diagonal configuration, defines a second aperture  174  though which the fingers between the wearing finger and the second fastening part  154  (i.e., fingers other than the thumb and the wearing finger) can protrude to smoothly and comfortably control sports equipment. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the hand wear portion  140  of the apparatus comprises a main patch portion  148  which is bound by the first side  142 , the second side  144  and a wrist side  146 . The main patch portion  148  includes a generally triangular portion having a wide base at the wrist end which tapers towards the finger attachment portion, at which the first and second sides converge. The first side  144 , the second side  146  and the wrist side  148  respectively defines a first aperture  172 , a second aperture  174 , and a third aperture  176 , in which the first aperture  172  is provided for thumb movements, the second aperture  174  is for movements of other fingers, and the third aperture  176  is for wrist reception. Such a triangular configuration also defines a fourth aperture  178  which exposes the palm of a user during use. Exposure of a user&#39;s palm during facilitates a better hand grip and/or permitting ECG measurements, and is therefore particularly advantageous. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the hand wear control apparatus in its non-use state could be fully spread and lie flat on a plane surface. 
         [0031]    A receptacle  180  on which an electronic device such as a GPS device, bicycle computer, mobile phone, smart phone, could be mounted is secured to the main patch portion  148 . The receptacle  180  comprises electrical contacts, for example exposed contacts, for connection with the electronic device such that control signals could be communicated between the actuation sensor  133  and the electronic device. The signal conductors connected to the actuation sensors  133  are terminated at the receptacle  180 . The receptacle also includes a mechanical mounting arrangement in order to detachable securing the electronic device onto the receptacle  180 . 
         [0032]    When in use, and as shown in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , the finger attachment portion is mounted on the index or middle finger of either the left or right hands of a user, such ambidexterity provide useful choice and convenience for a user. After the finger attachment portion has been duly attached, the wrist wrap portion is fastened on the wrist of a user and a user can control the electronic apparatus attached to the hand wear control apparatus to perform various control and monitoring functions. By thumb operating the actuation sensors  133 , a user could easily control the electronic device and view the instantaneous information displays while both hands maintain control of a moving sports apparatus. 
         [0033]    While the embodiment comprises two flexible layers glued together, it will be understood that the hand wear apparatus could be formed by sewing, mounding or other appropriate techniques. Also, while the embodiment described above includes a receptacle  180  mounted on the main patch portion  148 , it will be appreciated that the receptacle  180  could be mounted on the wrist side  146  or other appropriate locations. Further, while the finger attachment portion  130  comprises a flexible strap  136 , 138  which could be releasably fastened, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the finger attachment portion could be in a permanent form for finger insertion. Naturally, other variations and modifications would be apparent to persons skilled in the art without loss of generality. For example, the hand wear could be formed into a conventions glove shape, including glove with finger tips expose. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the finger attachment portion together with the actuation sensors and the electronic device or the receptacle are formed as a single finger attachment unit, which is detachable from the wrist wear portion. In this embodiment, the combined finger attachment unit is attachable to the wrist portion by fastener means such as Velcro®, snap fasteners or a combination thereof. For example, the receptacle or the electronic device may be attached to the wrist portion during use and to be detached when not in use. As an option, the finger attachment portion may also be attached to the main hand wear portion with an additional fastening means. As the finger attachment portion and the hand wear portion are detachably attached, either portions could be detached, replaced, repaired, cleaned or updated when desired. 
         [0035]    While the present invention has been explained with reference to the embodiments above, it should be appreciated that the embodiments are only described to illustrate the invention and are not meant for restricting the scope of invention. For example while a control apparatus comprising a single finger attachment portion has been illustrated as an example, it should be appreciated that a control apparatus of the present invention may comprise more than one finger attachment portions and each finger attachment portion may comprise more than one actuation sensor without loss of generality. 
       TABLE OF NUMERALS 
       [0036]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 100 
                   
                 Hand wear apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                   
                 Upper layer 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                   
                 Lower layer 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                   
                 Finger attachment portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 132 
                 Elongate portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 133 
                 Actuation sensor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 134 
                 Laterally extending strap 
               
               
                   
                   
                 136 
                 Flexible strap 
               
               
                   
                   
                 138 
                 Flexible strap 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                   
                 Hand wear portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 142 
                 First side 
               
               
                   
                   
                 144 
                 Second side 
               
               
                   
                   
                 146 
                 Wrist side 
               
               
                   
                   
                 148 
                 Main patch portion 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                   
                 Wrist wrap portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 152 
                 First fastening part 
               
               
                   
                   
                 154 
                 Second fastening part 
               
               
                   
                 160 
                   
                 Dorsal portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 172 
                 First aperture 
               
               
                   
                   
                 174 
                 Second aperture 
               
               
                   
                   
                 176 
                 Third aperture 
               
               
                   
                   
                 178 
                 Fourth aperture 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                   
                 Receptacle