Patent Description:
This disclosure relates to a device that provides a safety warning notification (alert, alarm, warning, etc.) to a user of the device when the user approaches an energized conductor. Further, the device described herein may provide a notification indicating an approximate direction to the energized conductor relative to an orientation of the device with the user.

Since the discovery of the ability to harness and manipulate electrical energy, electrical power has been in high-demand worldwide. In some cases, energy industry workers are setting up new power systems to provide power to places not yet connected. In other cases, workers are updating or enhancing established systems, or repairing and/or rebuilding power systems damaged by natural causes and/or accidental events. Yet, still in other cases, workers may be tasked with removing a power system from an area where power is no longer needed or desired. Regardless of the task, energy workers are constantly engaging in activities surrounding power systems that have inherent dangers via which the workers could be harmed.

Despite the safety regulations and practices designed to prevent accidents in the energy industry, individuals are still injured and killed. In a recent year, the annual death toll for electricity related deaths was still above <NUM> in the U. Thus, additional safety measures are needed.

Conventional devices that provide a personal warning of a high voltage risk are often bulky, analog devices. Some conventional devices may be worn around a worker's neck, or clipped to a front pocket, hat, or belt of the user, but can be cumbersome due to the size. In one instance, a conventional device is built directly into the worker's hat. The conventional devices generally produce simple warnings based only on the detection of the presence of one of a nearby electric or magnetic field, often only once a particular field strength threshold is detected. Examples of conventional conductor detection devices are known from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, the latter being prior art within the meaning of Art. <NUM>(<NUM>) EPC. In some cases, the conventional devices are overly-sensitive and lead to unnecessary warnings.

Accordingly, conventional devices have several problems and limitations.

The Detailed Description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. Furthermore, the drawings may be considered as providing an approximate depiction of the relative sizes of the individual components within individual figures. However, the drawings are not to scale, and the relative sizes of the individual components, both within individual figures and between the different figures, may vary from what is depicted. In particular, some of the figures may depict components as a certain size or shape, while other figures may depict the same components on a larger scale or differently shaped for the sake of clarity.

The following disclosure describes various features and concepts for implementation in an energy detection warning device. That is, while the disclosure describes "an" or "the" energy detection warning device, the article (e.g., "a," "an," or "the") used preceding "energy detection warning device" is not intended to indicate a limitation of the features of the device itself, unless otherwise so stated. Indeed, multiple embodiments of an energy detection warning device may be possible by using one or more of the various features and concepts in varying implementations and/or combinations. For example, while the figures may depict an embodiment of a wearable energy detection warning device, it is contemplated that one or more features and concepts described herein as related to the wearable device may be implemented in other non-wearable embodiments, such as, for example, an embodiment of the features built in to a vehicle configured to alert occupants of a vehicle of potential risks.

Additionally, it is noted that throughout the disclosure, the terms "device," "warning device," "energy detection device," "wearable device," and "energy detection warning device" may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more varying embodiments of the aforementioned "energy detection warning device.

An energy detection warning device as disclosed herein may have a primary function of detecting nearby energized conductors and alerting users to the presence thereof via one or more sensory notifications. Such notifications are issued with the intent to reduce the occurrence of injuries due to electrocution. This goal may be realized when the warning device is used in an environment where the location of an energized conductor may be unknown. Thus, a wearable embodiment of the device may greatly benefit utility linemen, electricians, disaster relief personnel, etc. Further, the device may be sufficiently compact to be worn in a variety of places without inconveniencing the user or causing uncomfortableness.

In an embodiment, a wearable energy detection warning device may be clipped onto the brim of a hat, which may provide advantages in detection and location indication due to relative stability in orientation. While this embodiment that clips to a hat may be worn elsewhere on a user's clothes or body via the same or similar clipping action, it is contemplated that the energy detection warning device may be structured in other configurations (different than shown) with different connection means (not shown), which may be more compatible with securing in places to a user's clothes or body (not shown) other than the brim of a hat. In such alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that features and processes executed by the energy detection warning device may be the same or similar to those described herein. Moreover, it is also understood that in such alternative structural configurations, that the processes described herein may be modified compared to those described herein below to compensate for the change in structure and/or difference in relative positioning, etc. Thus, an energy detection warning device may be formed in other structural embodiments including, but not limited to, a structure configured to be worn on a user' s wrist (not shown). It further follows that the arrangement and orientation of internal components in a wrist- worn embodiment may be altered from the description herein to adjust for differences that may exist in the manner of detection according to common movements of a user's wrist, as compared to movements of a user's head on which a hat bearing a warning device sits.

Regardless of structural configuration, in an embodiment, the location of an energized conductor may be detected by converting an analog signal into a digital signal, and a safety notification may be initiated to alert a user to the presence and location of a hazardous energized conductor. Even if the precise distance between an energized conductor and the device is not easily determined, the detection device provides a user with a "sixth sense" of the existence of potentially harmful energized conductor within a particular proximity around the user. Thus, the energy detection warning device may enhance safety in a work environment and assist a worker when working around high-voltage equipment.

The energy detection warning device may use any combination of visual, auditory, or tactile notifications to alert the user when approaching and/or entering a particular proximity of an energized conductor. The warning notifications may be initiated via a signal issued by a microcontroller (also referred to herein as the central processing unit "CPU," which includes several hardware and/or software components described further herein below). On a high level, the warning device may implement sensors (e.g., one or more antenna components) that are configured to detect/sense an energized conductor with a given proximity thereof. In an embodiment, the particular proximity, which a warning notification may be initiated, may be defined, for example, as a distance of about six times the Occupational Safety & Health Administration ("OSHA") standard Minimum Approach Distance ("MAD") between a user and an energized conductor. The MAD varies with respect to the voltage of the detected field. The distance of the particular proximity around the energized conductor may vary, ranging from <NUM> times the MAD to less than <NUM> times the MAD. Although the warning device may be programmed to be triggered at distances less than the MAD standards set by OSHA, such an embodiment may be considered unsafe and therefore, not practical.

It is noted that many, if not all, energized conductors may be dangerous depending on the circumstances. However, the risk of harm increases as the potential energy to be released increases (i.e., higher voltage relates to greater potential for serious physical harm); and as the amount of electrical energy in the proximity increases, the magnitude of the field signal to be detected likewise increases, thereby enabling the device to detect high voltage carrying conductors at greater distances. Regardless, the energy detection warning device may be configured to detect electric or magnetic fields having at least a minimum predetermined magnitude to thereby indicate that a greater risk of harm is possible. In an example, as a user wearing a wearable energy detection warning device approaches a standard, properly-functioning electrical wall outlet, where the risk of harm is low for a worker, the device is not likely to initiate a warning unless the device is placed at the height level of and within a few inches of the outlet. In contrast, in an embodiment of an energy detection warning device configured to issue a warning notification within six times the MAD, as a user wearing the energy detection warning device approaches a live wire carrying <NUM> KV or greater, the energy detection warning device may initiate a warning when the user comes within approximately <NUM> feet of the live wire (assuming the MAD is about <NUM>-<NUM> inches), for example.

In the event a user approaches an energized conductor, the knowledge that the conductor exists nearby is helpful. However, without having an idea of where the conductor is, the mere knowledge that the conductor is somewhere close may not be sufficient to adequately protect the user, as the energized conductor may be hidden or unnoticeable until it is too late, and the user could be injured. Accordingly, as described herein, beyond merely detecting the presence of an energized conductor, the energy detection warning device of the instant disclosure may also alert the user of the direction in which the energized conductor is located relative to the orientation of the device along with a risk level of electrocution. As a user is moving in an area, the device may use one or more warning notification components to further indicate the approximate direction of the energized conductor from the device, whether to the left or right of the user, or directly in front of or behind the device, as it is oriented on a user.

Inasmuch as energized conductors may emit an electric field due to the charge on the conductor, and a magnetic field due to current flowing through the conductor, the energy detection warning device described herein may be configured to detect electric fields and/or magnetic fields. Using historical data of one or both of the detected fields, the warning device may approximate the directionality of an energized conductor with respect to the position of the device.

For example, in a wearable embodiment, in which the device is clipped to the front of the user's hat, the device may determine an absolute orientation for the device based, at least in part, on the gravitational vector and the earth' s magnetic field vector, similar to how a compass functions to determine magnetic north. Once the absolute orientation is determined, the movement of the user, either by moving the user's entire body (e.g., walking, running, being transported, etc.) or simply rotating or tilting the user's head, may be determined relative to the absolute orientation, and if, during the movement, an electric and/or a magnetic field signal is detected, one or more warning notification components (e.g., auditory, visual, sensory) may be activated to indicate the direction in which the peak of the electric and/or magnetic field is detected.

In an embodiment, upon detection of an energized conductor, an energy detection warning device may actuate one or more LEDs to orient the user to the relative direction of the energized conductor. This may be achieved, for example, by: illuminating a series of LEDs at increasing levels of brightness sequentially disposed across the device in the direction of the energized conductor, such that the brightest LED is located on the side of the device corresponding to the direction of the energized conductor; illuminating one or more LEDs with gradually increasing brightness levels as a group, as the device is oriented toward the direction of the energized conductor; illuminating a series of LEDs, either fully on or intermittently fully on/off, in a sequence across the device in the direction of the energized conductor; illuminating, either fully on or intermittently fully on/off, one or more LEDs disposed on a side of the device corresponding to the relative direction of the energized conductor; or a combination of more than one of the aforementioned examples, etc. Further, as the device moves with the user in the direction indicated, the device may alter the actuation of the one or more LEDs when the device is oriented in substantial alignment with the direction in which the peak of the electric and/or magnetic field is detected. An alteration of the actuation may include, for example actions such as the device may: stop illuminating the series of LEDs sequentially; fully illuminate the one or more LEDs simultaneously; slow the illumination sequence; stop illuminating the one or more LEDs completely, etc..

Additionally, and/or alternatively, upon detection of an energized conductor, an energy detection warning device may actuate one or more vibrational motors to orient the user to the relative direction of the energized conductor. This may be achieved, for example, by: actuating a series of vibrational motors at increasing levels of vibrational intensity sequentially disposed across the device in the direction of the energized conductor, such that the most intensely vibrating motor is located on the side of the device corresponding to the direction of the energized conductor; actuating one or more vibrational motors with gradually increasing intensity levels as a group, as the device is oriented toward the direction of the energized conductor; actuating a series of vibrational motors at a similar intensity, either on or intermittently on/off, in a sequence, sequentially across the device in the direction of the energized conductor; actuating one or more vibrational motors disposed on a side of the device corresponding to the relative direction of the energized conductor; or a combination of more than one of the aforementioned examples, etc. Further, as the device moves with the user in the direction indicated, the device may alter the actuation of the one or more vibrational motors when the device is oriented in substantial alignment with the direction in which the peak of the electric and/or magnetic field is detected. An alteration of the actuation may include, for example actions such as the device may: stop actuating the vibrational motors sequentially; fully activate all vibrational motors simultaneously; slow the vibrational sequence; stop vibration of the vibrational motors completely, etc..

Additionally, and/or alternatively, upon detection of an energized conductor, an energy detection warning device may initiate one or more auditory signals, via a speaker for example, to orient the user to the relative direction of the energized conductor. This may be achieved by emitting a sound or language, for example, by: actuating a series of speakers at increasing levels of volume sequentially disposed across the device in the direction of the energized conductor, such that the loudest speaker is located on the side of the device corresponding to the direction of the energized conductor; actuating one or more speakers with gradually increasing tonality and/or intensity levels as a group, as the device is oriented toward the direction of the energized conductor, and the tone and/or intensity may be highest when the user is looking directly at the direction of the energized conductor (as associated with the highest measured energy field value); actuating a series of speakers at a similar intensity, either on or intermittently on/off, in a sequence, sequentially across the device in the direction of the energized conductor; actuating one or more speakers disposed on a side of the device corresponding to the relative direction of the energized conductor; actuating a speaker to state the direction verbally (e.g., right, left, ahead, behind, etc.); sending a sound or verbal direction to headphones on a user (not shown) in one or both sides; or a combination of more than one of the aforementioned examples, etc. Further, as the device moves with the user in the direction indicated, the device may alter the actuation of the one or more speakers when the device is oriented in substantial alignment with the direction in which the peak of the electric and/or magnetic field is detected. An alteration of the actuation may include, for example actions such as the device may: stop actuating the speakers sequentially; fully activate all speakers simultaneously; slow the auditory sequence; stop actuation of the speakers completely, etc..

Additionally, and/or alternatively, upon detection of an energized conductor, an energy detection warning device may actuate one or more digital displays to orient the user to the relative direction of the energized conductor. This may be achieved, for example, by: actuating an LED-illuminated display to depict the words "left," "right," "front," "back," etc., or simply an arrow pointing toward the side of the device corresponding to the direction of the energized conductor; or other visually descriptive display of location; or a combination of more than one of the aforementioned examples, etc. Further, as the device moves with the user in the direction indicated, the device may alter the actuation of the one or more digital displays when the device is oriented in substantial alignment with the direction in which the peak of the electric and/or magnetic field is detected. An alteration of the actuation may include, for example actions such as the device may: stop actuating the digital display, display a different indicative symbol (e.g., a squiggly line, a stop sign, an exclamation point, etc.), illuminate the entire display continuously or flashing, etc..

In an embodiment, the energy detection warning device may implement an adaptive sensitivity detection ("ASD") process. Broadly stated, the device detection sensitivity adapts to the environment to be useful without being excessive so that users do not become annoyed with unnecessary notifications and end up removing the device. As such, the warning device may function sensitively in an electromagnetic field ("EMF") free area, as well as in an EMF intense area (e.g., a power substation). In an embodiment using the ASD process, the device may issue alert notifications based on the historical changes in the detected field(s) from an energized conductor. That is, as a user enters a particular proximity where an electric and/or magnetic field is detectable, the warning device measures a positive change in the detected field. Upon detecting the positive change, the warning device may initiate a warning notification that lasts for a predetermined amount of time, (e.g., about <NUM> seconds, about <NUM> seconds, about <NUM> seconds, etc.). At the end of the predetermined time period, the operating threshold may be adjusted to the detected level of the EMF in the current environment. Thereafter, each time the user gets closer to the energized conductor, an additional positive change in the detected field is measured, and a warning notification is again issued. In an embodiment, the activation threshold for the warning notification intensity may scale with the adjusted operational threshold, so that warning notifications more closely follow the naturally-occurring exponential-curve shape of the measured EMF.

Using ASD, the warning device may detect an energized conductor within a particular proximity of the energized conductor. The device may be further configured such that, after emitting a warning notification for the detection of the energized conductor at that particular proximity for a predetermined time period, the device adapts the warning process to the current detected level of voltage such that no warning notification is issued again to the user while the device remains within the same proximity. In an embodiment, the device using ASD may be further configured such that a subsequent warning notification is not initiated unless: <NUM>) the device warning notification threshold is reset, either automatically or manually by a user (e.g., a user stays within the same proximity of the energized conductor as when the previous warning notification was initiated); <NUM>) the proximity of the device to the energized conductor is decreased (e.g., the user moves closer to the conductor with the device); or <NUM>) the device re-adapts to a lower detected level of voltage before detecting the previously detected level of voltage again (e.g., the user moves away from the conductor with the device and then reenters the particular proximity).

Accordingly, in an embodiment implementing ASD, a user who is working substantially in a static location for a length of time greater than the predetermined time period of the warning notification, (e.g., a lineman who is working at the top of a utility pole in an essentially static position with respect to a live line for an extended time period), need not be subjected to extended or endless warning notifications since the lineman is neither able to leave the particular proximity in which the warning notification was initiated, nor is the lineman getting any closer to the conductor. Additionally, the energy detection warning device may include an actuatable member (e.g., button, switch, etc.) that the user can manually actuate to terminate the warning notification prior to the end of the predetermined time period. The button may additionally, and/or alternatively, be actuated to cause the device to instantly adapt to the new detected voltage level.

As it may be desired to ensure that an energy detection warning device is properly functioning prior to use on a job, a self-test feature may be incorporated in an embodiment of the device. More specifically, the microcontroller may periodically apply small-scale test signals to the sensor(s) (e.g., electric and/or magnetic field sensors), to ensure that the sensor(s) is/are operating correctly. Inasmuch as the sensor(s) may be susceptible to over-exposure after use, the self-test may be applied to determine whether the device should be used.

Additionally, in an embodiment, the warning device may record on memory, built into the warning device, data regarding the use of the warning device. Such data may include, but is not limited to: the identification of the user, the duration of use, the manner of use (e.g., orientation of device during use, quantity of warnings issued, user compliance to warning notifications, etc.), errors encountered, geographic location of the device and location where warning notifications were issued, etc. This data may be collected and organized by the warning device and/or by a receiving device intended to receive the data. The data may be transferred via a wired or wireless transfer to the receiving device. The data may further be analyzed by the receiving device and/or the data may be further transferred to a server for further and/or additional analysis. The data may include information to analyze work-place safety metrics to evaluate the safety practices of workers. Examples of possible receiving devices may include a cell phone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or any other electronic device capable of receiving the data. Furthermore, the warning device may be equipped with a hardwire connection and/or wireless data transfer hardware and/or software in order to transfer the data out of the warning device, at which point the memory may be wiped and reset to store additional data. In an embodiment, the warning device may use Bluetooth® technology to transfer the data from the warning device to a receiving device constantly or intermittently.

A schematic view of an embodiment of an energy detection warning device <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Device <NUM> may include one or more field detection sensors <NUM> configured to detect a field signal FS that is at least one of an electric field signal or a magnetic field signal. Upon detection of a field signal FS by the one or more field detection sensors <NUM>, the detected signal may be passed to an amplifier <NUM>, which is configured to amplify the detected signal. The amplified signal may then pass to a CPU <NUM> (e.g., microcontroller). CPU <NUM> may process the amplified signal via an analog-to-digital converter <NUM> ("ADC"). The converted digital signal may then be further processed via a digital filter <NUM>. Once filtered, the CPU <NUM> determines whether to issue a warning notification via notification system <NUM> which may compare the signal to a predetermined threshold signal, as well as processing the signal with the historical measurements of the signal (described further herein). Additional hardware and or process modules <NUM> such as memory, may be implemented to assist the functions of CPU <NUM>.

Upon a determination that a warning notification should be initiated, CPU <NUM> may execute an operation to cause one or more notification components <NUM> to begin a warning notification, as discussed in detail above. For example, one or more of notification components <NUM> may include, but are not limited to: one or more LEDs <NUM>, one or more speakers <NUM>, one or more vibration motors <NUM>, or one or more digital displays <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the one or more field detection sensors <NUM> may include capacitively-couple antennas to detect field signal FS and determine directionality of where field signal FS originates. Conduction may be used to sense the presence of an energized conductor through a high-voltage insulator. In general, no material is a perfect insulator, and thus, at least a small amount of current conducts through the insulator. This "small" amount may be measured and detected by an energy detection warning device <NUM>, according to an embodiment described herein.

In <FIG>, greater details of an embodiment of an energy detection warning device <NUM> are depicted in an electrical schematic. A field detection sensor <NUM> is configured to measure the field signal FS from an energized conductor EC. For example, the field detection sensor <NUM> may include at least one of: one or more capacitively coupled antennas to measure the electric field, one or more inductively coupled antennas to measure the magnetic field, or a magnetometer. Antennas and/or a magnetometer are provided to assist in determining the direction of the field signal FS with respect to the device. Thus, in the presence of field signal FS, a variation of charge on the energized conductor EC induces "coupled" variation (with opposite charge) on the field detection sensor <NUM>, such as a capacitive antenna.

Thereafter, the measured field signal FS may then be passed through a low pass filter <NUM> to extract a <NUM> term, which is directly correlated to a power-system' s frequency. Further, for detecting smaller signals, the signal may be amplified by an amplifier <NUM>, which improves signal quality and increases signal magnitude. Signal conditioning may be performed by a DC offset module <NUM> to make the signal compatible with a microcontroller <NUM>.

Microcontroller <NUM> may implement an analog-to-digital-converter <NUM> to turn the measured signal, which is an analog value, into a digital value that is further processed using software algorithms and/or additional hardware, collectively depicted as box <NUM>.

Upon receipt of a converted digital signal, microcontroller <NUM> further processes the signal to activate the notification system. <FIG> depicts an embodiment of a schematic <NUM> showing elements of a microcontroller to further refine the signal, for example, and fulfill one or more functions of the software algorithms and/or additional hardware depicted as box <NUM> in <FIG>.

With respect to the converted digital signal, as seen in <FIG>, a filter <NUM> may may be applied to yield only the coupled <NUM> signal from the power system. In an embodiment, filter <NUM> may include a DC notch filter and a low-pass filter. Following filter <NUM>, the root-mean-squared (RMS) value of the signal (also known as the DC equivalent) may be calculated in RMS module <NUM>. The filtered, RMS value may then pass to a sensory adaptation and change detection logic module <NUM>. At module <NUM>, the history of the detected values may be analyzed with respect to a Short-Window AVG (SWA) and a Long-Window AVG (LWA), where "AVG" represents the average detected field signal within a previous time period. As represented in the inset graph (Time (t) v. RMSv_antenna) in <FIG>, the average signal detected of the SWA is determined using the average detected field signal for a first predetermined time period looking backwards from the instant time during the time of use of the device. Further, the average signal detected of the LWA is determined using the average detected field signal for a second predetermined time period looking backwards from the instant time. The second predetermined time period is longer than the first predetermined time period, and overlaps the first predetermined time period. After the SWA and LWA are calculated, the difference therebetween is outputted for further evaluation with respect to a notification. That is, the difference (i.e., ΔRMSHistory) between SWA and LWA may be calculated to detect a change in the normal measured signal in an environment where the device is being used, and, based at least in part on a detected change, the energy detection warning device may initiate a warning notification.

As mentioned above, an embodiment of the energy detection warning device may include an adaptive sensitivity detection ("ASD") process feature. In the event that the distance between the device and the energized conductor remain substantially the same for a given amount of time, and/or in the event that the measured signal remains constant, the output of module <NUM> normalizes (i.e., the change between SWA and LWA approaches zero). When the output of module <NUM> normalizes, the energy detection warning device adapts to the new environment, and a new warning notification will not be initiated so long as the output of module <NUM> remains substantially constant. However, if there is a sudden change in the signal, the output of module <NUM> will be non-zero, and a new notification warning may be initiated.

<FIG> depicts a schematic <NUM> of the signal process flow that may occur within the microcontroller of the device for determining whether to initiate a warning notification. In an embodiment, a warning notification may be initiated when the ΔRMSHistory value exceeds a predetermined threshold ΔVTH1 for a predetermined amount of time tTH1. In some instances, the signal process flow of <FIG> may improve the reliability of the device and may also reduce unnecessary warning notifications. Note, the ΔRMSHistory used as input in <FIG> was previously determined and output as described with respect to <FIG>. Additionally, when the ΔRMSHistory value is less than the threshold ΔVTH1 or less than the threshold ΔVTH1 for the predetermined amount of time tTH1, the timer is reset.

Similar to <FIG>, <FIG> depicts a schematic <NUM> of the signal process flow that may occur within the microcontroller of the device for determining whether to initiate a subsequent warning notification (N), where the prior warning notification is represented by N-<NUM>. In an embodiment, an energy detection warning device may initiate subsequent warning notifications in stages, and/or alternatively, in response to the changes in detected levels in accordance with the ASD process feature discussed above. For example, a subsequent warning notification may be initiated when the ΔRMSHistory value exceeds a predetermined threshold ΔVTHn for a predetermined amount of time tTHn. Additionally, when the ΔRMSHistory value is less than the threshold ΔVTHn or less than the threshold ΔVTHn for the predetermined amount of time tTHn, the timer is reset.

Referencing an embodiment of an energy detection warning device <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>, since <NUM>) the amplitude of the coupled signal relies on the capacitive coupling of the conductor to the capacitive plate, and <NUM>) the capacitive coupling relies on the distance to the energized conductor, the direction of origin of the coupled signal relative to the energy detection warning device <NUM> may be made by using the amplitude of the signals received on capacitive antennas <NUM>.

Using the RMS values for the signals detected on each of the capacitive antennas <NUM>, a directional vector of the detected signal may be calculated using the RMS value of each respective antenna <NUM> as a component in the +i(pi), -i(ni), +j(pj), and j(nj) directions, as depicted in <FIG>, and as input in Equation <NUM> below.

After calculating the directional vector using Equation <NUM>, the vector (|Mag| = <NUM>) may be normalized to find the true direction of the detected signal, according to Equation <NUM> below.

Knowing the true direction, in an embodiment, a directionally-oriented warning notification may be issued as follows. For example, in an embodiment arranged as shown in <FIG>, one or more LEDs may be placed in alignment with each of the antennas <NUM>. By decomposing the true directional vector into respective normalized directional components, a direction of an energized surface may be displayed to a user by varying the brightness, power status, and/or intensity of the one or more LEDs assigned to respective antennas <NUM>. The adjustment of the LED status is based on the calculation results, which may be determined as shown in Equations <NUM>-<NUM> below. Note, in Equations <NUM>-<NUM>, Re corresponds to the i component of the vector and Im corresponds to the j component. <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, as explained above, an energy detection warning device may be structured in various forms depending on use (e.g., manually portable, vehicle transported, location on body for wearable embodiments, etc.). In <FIG>, a wearable embodiment of an energy detection warning device <NUM> is depicted as worn by a user, secured to the brim of a hat <NUM>. Also depicted is a view of the device <NUM> attached to the hat <NUM> from a bottom side of the hat <NUM>. As shown, the device <NUM> may have a curved structure along a front side that compliments the curvature of the brim of the hat <NUM>. Further, as placed on the brim of the hat <NUM>, the device <NUM> is positioned directly in the user's line of sight, which may assist the user in confirming the direction in which the device <NUM> may indicate is the direction of an energized conductor upon issuing a warning notification.

<FIG> depicts a perspective view of the energy detection warning device <NUM>. Device <NUM> may include a compact housing <NUM>, sized to be unobstructive to a user's main line of sight, as well as easily portable. At the exterior of the housing <NUM>, one or more downward facing LEDs <NUM> may protrude, completely or partially (i.e., one side or the other), from a bottom side of device <NUM>, as depicted, or may be flush with housing <NUM> (not shown). LEDs <NUM> may be included as a visual warning notification component and may be white and/or one or more colors. The one or more LEDs <NUM> may align with the curvature of the device <NUM>, so as to also align with the brim of the hat. As described above, the LEDs <NUM> may be used to communicate information regarding the threat level, threat type (high voltage, or high current), and location of the source to the user, upon initiation of a warning notification.

Housing <NUM> may also include a toggle <NUM>, such as a pushbutton (shown) or other type of toggle switch. Toggle <NUM> may be used to power on or off the device <NUM>, and/or act as an interactive member with one or more functions such as: muting alerts, checking battery life status, adjusting alert sensitivity, etc. Multiple functions may be accomplished, for example, by differing button hold-times, differing numbers of consecutive toggling, pressing on different sides/areas of the toggle <NUM>, etc. Housing <NUM> may also include one or more fastening mechanisms <NUM>, such as the biased, living hinge clips shown, which curl against the top side of housing <NUM> to attach the device <NUM> to the brim of a hat or other similarly sized frame for attachment. That is, the bias of the living hinge clips may be such that the amount of flexure is sufficient to allow a brim of a hat to be inserted between the top of the housing <NUM> and the clips, while upon release, the clips are flexed in a clamping position. It is contemplated that alternative suitable fastening mechanisms may be used in lieu of the living hinge clips shown.

In <FIG>, a top view, a bottom view, and a side view of the device <NUM> is shown. The side view depicts a connection port <NUM> via which device <NUM> may be charged and/or via which data may be transferred to or from memory in device <NUM> may be accessed. Connection port <NUM> may be any type of port suitable to charge a battery and/or access data. For example, connection port <NUM> may be a micro-B USB <NUM> connector, but is not limited to such.

As seen in the schematic view of <FIG>, an embodiment of an energy detection warning device <NUM> may have additional sensor hardware including an accelerometer <NUM> and a high-sensitivity <NUM>-axis magnetometer <NUM> that is paired with a high-permeability <NUM>-axis flux concentrator <NUM> used to measure the magnetic field in a field signal. In <FIG>, additional sensor hardware may include a sensor <NUM> to measure the electric field in a field signal. Also depicted schematically is a battery pack <NUM>, such as a rechargeable lithium ion polymer battery pack. Other types of battery packs may be suitable. <FIG> further illustrates: a microcontroller <NUM> for controlling device <NUM>; a battery charging circuit <NUM> via which the battery pack <NUM> may be charged; and one or more speakers <NUM> via which audible warning notifications may be issued. The one or more speakers <NUM> may include a variety of speakers, such as for example, a piezo-electric speaker.

<FIG> illustrates three variations of electric field antenna configurations 1200A, 1200B, and 1200C that may be used as electric field sensors. Configuration 1200A depicts a sensor <NUM>, like the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which is a capacitively-coupled PCB parallel-plate antenna. Configuration 1200B depicts an embodiment of a sensor <NUM> of a tri-parallel-plate capacitive electric field antenna. Configuration 1200C depicts an embodiment of a sensor <NUM> of a capacitively-coupled PCB pad array antenna.

Sensor <NUM> shown in configuration 1200A is a single directionally-tuned PCB capacitive antenna. In an embodiment, sensor <NUM> may include two PCB conductive parallel-plates <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) that are shorted through an impedance <NUM>. An AC electric field excites charge to be re-distributed back-and-fourth on the parallel-plates <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), traveling through the shorted impedance <NUM>. The charge flowing through the impedance <NUM> may generate a measurable AC voltage <NUM>, which corresponds to the measured electric field. Sensor <NUM> yields a maximum measured AC voltage <NUM> when the parallel-plates <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) are oriented perpendicularly to electric field lines. Therefore, the orientation, of an energy detection warning device using a sensor <NUM>, at which the maximum peak voltage is measured may indicate the direction of an energized conductor with respect to the device.

As indicated above, with parallel-plate antennas, a maximum induced voltage may be detected when the electric field from an energized conductor is emanating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of extension of the parallel plates. Further, an electric field that is emanating in a direction substantially parallel or aligned with the lengthwise direction of extension of the parallel-plates may not induce a voltage. Thus, it is contemplated that in some instances when using sensor <NUM>, a situation may occur where the device may not accurately detect the presence or location of an electric field, for example, when the direction of the electric field is oriented parallel with the direction of extension of the antenna.

Accordingly, in an alternative embodiment, an energy detection warning device may include sensor <NUM> of configuration 1200B of a tri-parallel-plate capacitive electric field antenna. In contrast to sensor <NUM>, sensor <NUM> implements three capacitively-coupled PCB parallel-plate antennas, each of which functions similarly as described with respect to sensor <NUM> above. Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, by orienting each of a set of three parallel-plate antennas perpendicularly to each other, regardless of the emanating direction, at least one of the parallel-plate antennas may detect a nearby electric field, as the electric field cannot be parallel with all three antennas at the same time. Therefore, using sensor <NUM>, and assuming an electric field is detected by at least two of the three parallel-plate antennas (see graph <NUM>), the directional angle from which the detected electric field emanated may be determined by calculating the arctangent of the quotient of the detected RMS magnitudes between two of the three parallel-plate antennas with respect to a plane between the two antennas (see graph <NUM>, and see Equation <NUM> below).

In another alternative embodiment, an energy detection warning device may implement configuration 1200C with sensor <NUM>. As stated above, sensor <NUM> may include a capacitively-coupled PCB pad array antenna, which uses a plurality of arranged pads <NUM> instead of parallel-plates. In sensor <NUM>, the potential difference created by the electric field among the array of pads <NUM> may be measured. Upon detection of an electric field, the measured RMS voltage values detected by the various pads <NUM> may be analyzed, and since the pads closer to the energized conductor may experience a slightly larger induced voltage than pads positioned further away, a general indication of the direction of the location of the energized conductor may be determined according to the position of the pads in the array.

Regardless of which embodiment of electric field sensor is selected, a component that may assist in locating the energized conductor is the accelerometer <NUM>, mentioned above. In an embodiment, the accelerometer <NUM> is used for measuring the roll and the pitch of the warning device, when worn on a user's hat. The roll and pitch measurements may be used for tilt-compensated heading calculations to achieve reliable compass degrees-heading measurements with any roll or pitch changes. Further, tilt-compensated heading calculations may be used for voltage directional-sensing techniques, which match electric-field peaks to the degrees-heading as a user, when wearing the warning device on a hat, sweeps his or her head back-and-fourth naturally.

Turning to detection of a magnetic field, as stated above, an energy detection warning device may include a high-sensitivity <NUM>-axis magnetometer paired with a high-permeability <NUM>-axis flux concentrator, for example. <FIG> depicts a simulation <NUM> of a magnetic field <NUM> as affected by a digital magnetometer <NUM> and a flux concentrator <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure. Using digital magnetometer <NUM> and flux concentrator <NUM> to focus the magnetic flux into the sensor area of digital magnetometer <NUM>, the vector information of the magnetic field may be calculated.

Accordingly, an energy detection warning device may incorporate both an electric field sensor and a magnetic field sensor, and may use measurements from one or both sensors to provide a user with an approximate direction of the location of an energized conductor with respect to the location and orientation of the device.

With respect to <FIG>, a user <NUM> may wear a wearable embodiment of an energy detection warning device on a brim of a hat, as shown, while working. In an event where user <NUM> is unaware of an energized conductor <NUM> that may be hidden, the device may assist user <NUM> in detecting and locating the energized conductor <NUM> while the user <NUM> scans an area with natural rotation and tilting of the user's head, either while at rest or walking. For example, in an embodiment, a warning device may measure a largest RMS voltage value when the device and user are looking directly in the direction of the energized conductor <NUM>. Thus, as the user's head turns side-to-side or up-and-down, the magnitude of the measured electric field may be at a peak when looking directly at the point of closest contact on the energized conductor <NUM>. This peak in electric field magnitude is associated with a tilt-compensated degree-heading (see graph <NUM>, for example) or a degree-pitch (see graph <NUM>, for example) value, which depends on whether the user's head was turning side-to-side or up-and-down.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the microcontroller may determine a direction of the energized conductor using a mealy finite state machine <NUM> to recognize the peak pattern. Inputs to the state machine <NUM> may include: the slope of the measured electric field magnitude ("dE/dt"), time ("t"), tilt-compensated degrees heading ("H") (hereinafter "degrees heading", and pitch ("P"). The slope of the measured electric field may be calculated using a bar-array <NUM> for improved calculation stability where the slope is calculated as Equation <NUM> below, where "first" and "last" are the first and last elements in the memory array.

Starting in state <NUM><NUM>, the state machine <NUM> remains in state <NUM><NUM> until the slope dE/dt to cross an activation threshold TH <NUM>. When the slope dE/dt crosses the activation threshold TH, the state machine <NUM> advances from state <NUM><NUM> to state <NUM><NUM>.

At the beginning of state <NUM><NUM>, a starting timestamp (t_start), a starting degrees heading (heading_start), and a starting pitch (pitch_start) are saved in memory. At this point, the positive peak <NUM> and zero-crossing <NUM> of the slope dE/dt are saved in the memory. The zero-crossing of the slope dE/dt corresponds to the peak of the electric field magnitude (i.e., slope is zero at the peak). At the point that the slope dE/dt reaches zero-crossing, the value of each of the degrees heading <NUM> and pitch <NUM> at that instant are associated with that point, as the degrees heading <NUM> and the pitch <NUM> relate to the direction of the energized conductor. At the point that the slope dE/dt is less than a negative value of the activation threshold TH (i.e., -(TH)), the state machine <NUM> advances from state <NUM><NUM> to state <NUM><NUM>. In the event, however, the state machine <NUM> remains idle in state <NUM><NUM> for more than a time period Ttimeout from t_start (t_now - t_start > Ttimeout), the state machine <NUM> times out and is reset, reverting from state <NUM><NUM> to state <NUM><NUM>.

In state <NUM><NUM>, the negative peak <NUM> of the slope dE/dt is evaluated. During the evaluation, if the negative peak <NUM> for the slope dE/dt is evaluated to be less than a calculated value of -<NUM> *dE/dt*positive peak, the state machine <NUM> advances from state <NUM><NUM> to state <NUM><NUM>. In the event, however, the state machine <NUM> remains idle in state <NUM><NUM> for more than a time period Ttimeout from t_start (t_now - t_start > Ttimeout), the state machine <NUM> times out and is reset, reverting from state <NUM><NUM> to state <NUM><NUM>.

In state <NUM><NUM>, the state machine <NUM> is configured to verify whether the electric field magnitude peak was due to head movement and not a different action. During stage <NUM><NUM>, a change in degrees heading ("ΔH") <NUM> and a change in pitch ("ΔP") <NUM> are measured. In the event that either of the change in degrees heading <NUM> or the change in pitch <NUM> becomes larger than activation degrees heading and pitch thresholds (i.e., H_TH and P_TH), respectively, the state machine <NUM> advances from state <NUM><NUM> to state <NUM><NUM>. In the event, however, the slope dE/dt rises above the negative value of the activation threshold -(TH), the state machine <NUM> is reset, reverting from state <NUM><NUM> to state <NUM><NUM>.

In state <NUM><NUM>, the degrees heading <NUM> or pitch <NUM> to the energized conductor is confirmed and updated in firmware as the value that was recorded when the slope dE/dt reached zero-crossing <NUM> in state <NUM><NUM>. After completion of recording the degrees heading <NUM> or pitch <NUM>, the state machine <NUM> is reset, reverting from state <NUM><NUM> back to state <NUM><NUM>.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, in an embodiment of the energy detection warning device, the approximate direction of an energized conductor may also be determined using magnetic field measurements. With respect to <FIG>, the magnetic field <NUM> for an energized conductor <NUM> (e.g., a live power line as shown) that is carrying current, is found using the right-hand rule and can be drawn as a circle around the energized conductor <NUM>, where the magnetic field <NUM> is always perpendicular to the energized conductor <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the warning device that includes a high-resolution <NUM>-axis magnetic field sensor (as discussed above), the time-varying AC magnetic field signals <NUM> created from the energized conductor <NUM> are measured. The measured outputs of a <NUM>-axis magnetometer may include X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis time-varying sinusoidal magnetic field data <NUM>. The magnetic field Y-axis AC RMS value <NUM> corresponds to the Y-axis vector component of the magnetic field vector B <NUM>, where a negative sign is added to axis components <NUM>-degrees out of phase <NUM> with the reference axis, where the x-axis is chosen as the reference axis. Similarly, the magnetic field X-axis and Z-axis AC RMS components correspond to the magnetic field vector <NUM> components X and Z, respectively.

In the event the magnetic field Z-axis RMS component is larger than the Y-axis or X-axis component, the energized conductor <NUM> may be sensed as oriented horizontally. In contrast, in the event that either of the magnetic field X-axis or Y-axis RMS component is larger than the Z-axis component, the energized conductor <NUM> may be sensed as oriented vertically.

The direction vector D <NUM>, which represents the direction to the energized conductor, may be determined by taking the magnetic field and projecting it onto the x-y axis. This yields a dual-direction vector, where vector D <NUM> could be one of two directional vectors (B1, B2) which are <NUM> degrees out of phase. To determine vector D <NUM>, field data on a range of heading is saved. Of the active range of data saved, the range is split in half and the areas (A1,A2) under the magnetic field data curve may be calculated, as shown in graph 1712a. Whichever half has a greater area may determine which directional vector is the true direction. Additionally, the degrees heading <NUM> and pitch <NUM> to the energized conductor <NUM> may be calculated as the arctangent of the quotient of the X-axis component divided by the Y-axis component, as well as the arctangent of the quotient of the Z-axis component divided by the Y-axis component of the direction vector <NUM>, respectively.

In <FIG>, an embodiment of a control flow diagram <NUM> is illustrated, according to an embodiment. The control flow diagram <NUM> describes how an energy detection warning device may process information from the sensors, determines how to communicate risk information to a user, issues warning information using notification system hardware to the user, optimizes battery life, and obtains and communicates relevant safety information to a cloud-based server. In general, the microcontroller may: digitize the analog outputs from the sensors, convert AC electric and magnetic field values to DC equivalent RMS values, compare these values to alert thresholds based on user-controllable sensitivity settings, uses the notification hardware to issue audible, visual, and tactile alerts based on the threat level and the direction to the source, etc. The method may further optimize battery life by putting the warning device into a low-power sleep state when not being used (e.g., not being moved or using accelerometer), as well as when the strength of any environmental electric field and magnetic field is below a safe threshold.

In an embodiment, an energy detection warning device may implement a "Wake-and-Sense" process, which may extend the battery life while simultaneously allowing the device to be powered on substantially continuously. For example, the processor and hardware may be run in a low-power sleep state during at least a portion of the time when the warning device is in a safe environment, or when the warning device is not in service as intended, which may depend on the particular embodiment, whether wearable, transportable, etc., and is stationary for an extended amount of time. Further, when measured field (electric and magnetic) values are below a sleep-threshold, such as a normal ambient field, a warning device may be configured to sleep for a time period Tsleep, wake up according to a predetermined periodic cycle, and sense/observe the environment for a dangerous electric or magnetic field for a time Tawake. During the awake time, if the measured fields remain below a safe threshold, the warning device may return to sleep for a period of time Tsleep. However, if, during the awake time, the measured field values are rising and cross over the safe threshold, the warning device becomes fully powered, waking up, and begins tracking the historical field signal magnitudes and determines whether to issue warning signals, for example, when signal magnitudes cross the alert thresholds.

Accordingly, an embodiment of method <NUM> according to the instant disclosure, may include a step of waking up <NUM>. In step <NUM>, the RMS values of the environmental electric and/or magnetic fields may be calculated. With the RMS values calculated in step <NUM>, the values may be compared to predetermined alert/warning threshold values as step <NUM>. As indicated above, if it is determined in step <NUM>, that the calculated RMS value is greater than the alert threshold, then a determination is made in step <NUM> of whether there is enough information to issue directional alerts. If there is not enough information, then the method <NUM> advances to step <NUM>, in which alerts may be issued in a proximity mode. In the proximity mode, the warning device detects a field having a significant threat level of an energized conductor, however, the information is insufficient to also indicate the direction of the energized conductor. In step <NUM>, however, in the event there is enough information for a directional alert, method <NUM> advances to step <NUM>, in which a warning alert may be issued in directional mode, via which the warning device may indicate to a user the approximate directional location of an energized conductor. After either step <NUM> and/or step <NUM>, the method <NUM> may be configured to revert to step <NUM> (i.e., the warning device is silenced or the alarm duration expires as the device adapts to the detected field levels), and the warning device is reset to be available to begin determining whether to issue another alert, as previously discussed.

Turning back to method step <NUM>, in the event that the calculated RMS field value is below the alert threshold, method <NUM> may bypass steps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, advancing directly to step <NUM>. In step <NUM>, the warning device may sleep for the predetermined time period Tsleep, before cycling back to step <NUM>, at which point, the warning device wakes up.

In an embodiment, an energy detection warning device may further be configured to execute a self-test to ensure proper functionality in a work environment. For example, in some instances, a warning device may include a secondary PCB antenna disposed proximate to a primary antenna. The secondary antenna may apply a <NUM> square-wave (PWM) signal, which couples to the primary antenna for verification of correct hardware/firmware behavior. Furthermore, in an internal self-test on the magnetometer, a PCB coil around the magnetometer may generate a small magnetic field, which the sensor reads. Moreover, in an embodiment, the self-test may be periodically issued. In the event that a sensor failure is discovered, the warning device may enter a failure/mode state, during which time the notification hardware may issue one or more warnings. For example, the warning device may be programmed to have LED indictors illuminated red in the event of failure to pass the self-test.

With respect to the schematics and graphs (1900a-1900e) depicted in <FIG>, the following description explains an example of a directional sensing process according to an embodiment of the instant application. The following process steps or phases may occur, for example, when a user approaches an energized conductor while wearing an energy detection warning device, during which time, the warning device is taking measurements of the ambient electric and/or magnetic fields.

Initial Action Trigger: In response to a measured field |E| crossing an activation threshold, a directional sensing process is time-latched ON for <NUM>, for example. Upon activation, the starting heading hst is saved in a memory of the device. While the process is active, the field |E| is associated with the current degrees heading by saving the values in an array with <NUM> elements, where the n-th element represents the field magnitude at that degree heading (<NUM> to <NUM> degrees). Note, in an embodiment, the full heading range (<NUM> to <NUM> degrees) may be partitioned in a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, for example, per n-th element to optimize processing efficiency. Additionally, electric field magnitudes may be saved to the array element (corresponding to the current direction) using an IIR filter, not overwritten. Furthermore, array elements may be slowly depreciated equally until the respective values are zero.

Subsequent Action Trigger: The process continues to add data to the array until a range in degrees of information has been captured (e.g., <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, etc.). In response to the difference between the starting heading and the current heading Δh becoming greater than h_TH, the activation range threshold (e.g., <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, etc.), the device is configured to check the data set for an electric field peak condition, which may represent a direction to a field source (i.e., energized conductor).

Peak and AVG Calculated: If Δh > <NUM> deg, for example, the process may continue by scanning through the data set looking at the active range, which are values above a certain threshold signifying data at the location was recorded. While scanning through the data, the peak and AVG are determined. The AVG of the data-set is calculated to measure how drastic the bell-curve is, for process reliability, for example. Generally, for relatively small disturbances in the data-set, it is unnecessary to trigger a warning notification. As such, (peak > X*AVG) is an activation control term.

Peak Condition: In response to locating the peak, the process may verify the peak condition by validating a positive slope to the left of the peak and a negative slope to the right of the peak. In an embodiment, the slopes may be determined using the following: E_per_deg[n_mode] - E_per_deg[n_mode - <NUM>] > <NUM> (must be greater than zero) (or > slope_TH) and E_per_deg[n_mode] - E_per_deg[n_mode + <NUM>] < <NUM> (must be less than zero) (or < slope_TH).

As discussed above, the energy detection warning device may include memory and data transmission hardware and/or software to allow communication with the device at any time. This transmission may be achieved by any suitable means known for intercommunication between other electronic devices (e.g., phone, smart vehicle connections, tablet, laptop, etc.), including but not limited to: Bluetooth®, digital cellular data transfer, wired, wireless, radio wave, li-fi, wi-fi, etc..

Claim 1:
A digital voltage detection device (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), comprising:
one or more circuit hardware components configured to:
detect a source of voltage (EC; <NUM>; <NUM>) present within a particular proximity of a location of the digital voltage detection device, and
detect a direction in which the source of voltage is located with respect to the location of the digital voltage detection device by detecting absolute orientation using a gravitational vector and an earth magnetic field vector and associate an orientation with a peak in an electric or magnetic field value, when the device is tilted or rotated, respectively, the direction being an approximate direction; and
an electronic indication component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) coupled with the one or more circuit hardware components, the electronic indication component configured to indicate the direction in which the source of voltage is located with respect to the location of the digital voltage detection device.