Protective mask

Abstract

To provide a protective mask that allows workers to easily view information necessary for their work. [Solution] The protective mask 1 is equipped with a display 6 that can display various information on the screen via remote control from the outside. It can also receive various information from the outside and display it on the display 6. It can also communicate with the outside. It is further equipped with an operating means for turning the display 6 screen on and off. It is also equipped with a camera 9 that can transmit images captured by the camera 9 to the outside, and can receive images with added annotations from the outside and display them on the display 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a protective mask that can protect the wearer's eyes and nose and mouth areas.

Background Art

[0002] In a dust site where dust floats in the air (such as various construction sites and garbage pits), workers performing various operations wear a protective mask having a dust-proof function to perform the operations.

[0003] This type of protective mask is composed of, for example, a mask body (also referred to as a face body) that is worn to cover the entire face of the wearer, in which a glass part (also referred to as an eyepiece) formed of a transparent material is provided in a part covering the eyes of the wearer, and a ventilation part with a filtering function for dust and the like is provided in a part covering the nose and mouth area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, workers may need to view information necessary for work shown on paper such as work schedules, instructions, specifications, manuals for target equipment and machines, and drawings at the site. At that time, since the field of vision is narrowed by the protective mask, there is a problem that it is difficult to view the information. In addition, workers also wear work gloves, but it is difficult to handle the paper while wearing the gloves, and thus there is also a problem that it is difficult to view the information.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of this invention is to provide a protective mask that enables a worker to easily view information necessary for work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to a protective mask capable of protecting the wearer's eyes, nose, and mouth, and is characterized by having a display capable of displaying various information on a screen via remote operation from the outside.

[0008] In this invention, the protective mask can be capable of receiving various information from the outside and displaying it on the screen. It can also be capable of making external calls. Furthermore, it can be further equipped with a switch to turn the display screen on and off. Furthermore, it can be further equipped with a camera, capable of transmitting images captured by the camera to the outside, and can also receive images with added annotations from the outside and display them on the screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In this invention, the worker can view various information simply by looking at the display on the protective mask.

[0010] Therefore, according to this invention, it is possible to provide a protective mask that allows workers to easily see the information necessary for their work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and schematically shows a mask body (containing a display, speaker, microphone, etc.) and a controller (containing a control unit, battery, wireless communication unit, etc.) connected to the mask body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the protective mask of this invention will be described as protective mask 1 with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [Device configuration] The protective mask 1 consists of a mask body 2 that is worn to cover the entire face of the wearer, and a controller 10 that is connected to the mask body 2 by a wire. The mask body 2 is provided with a glass part 3 made of a transparent material that covers the wearer's eyes, and a ventilation part 5 with a dust filter part 4 (an example of a filtration function) that covers the nose and mouth.

[0014] In other words, protective mask 1 is a dustproof mask that protects the entire face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, while ensuring the wearer's vision and breathing, and can be used by workers performing various tasks in dusty environments. The controller 10 will be described in detail later.

[0015] [display] Furthermore, the protective mask 1 is equipped with a display 6 located inside the mask body 2, inside the glasses portion 3, and in front of the wearer's eyes, which is capable of displaying various information on the screen.

[0016] Various display devices can be used as the display 6, but a transparent display device is preferred. Using a transparent display device allows information to be displayed overlaid on the actual field of view without obstructing it. The illustrated example assumes that such a transparent display device is used as the display 6.

[0017] [Information display function] The display 6 is configured to display various information via remote control from an external source (for example, a portable information terminal as described later). If the worker is wearing the mask body 2, they can view various information simply by looking at the display 6.

[0018] Therefore, with protective mask 1, the worker can easily see the information necessary for the work.

[0019] [Detailed examples] As the information displayed on the display 6, it can be information necessary for performing the work at a work site such as a dust site, for example, a work process table, an instruction manual, a specification document, a manual for target equipment and devices, information such as drawings, etc.

[0020] [Controller] The controller 10 is configured to be portable by an operator wearing the mask body 2. Although not shown, it includes a battery, a processing device, a storage device, etc., and during work, it supplies electricity to devices such as the display 6 provided on the mask body 2 (the display 6, the speaker 7, the microphone 8, the camera 9, etc. described later), and has a function of controlling these devices.

[0021] Also, the controller 10 includes an operating device (an example of operating means) such as a touch panel 11, and is configured such that an operator can operate devices such as the display 6 provided on the mask body 2 (including the speaker 7 and the microphone 8 described later) by the controller 10 (for example, on / off operations, etc.). If the touch panel 11 is a pressure-sensitive type, it can be made operable even when wearing gloves. Also, for the on / off operation of the display 6 etc., the operation switch may be provided on the mask body 2. In that case, it is preferable that the operation switch be operable even when wearing gloves. By doing so, the operator can perform on / off operations of the display 6 etc. even while wearing gloves during work.

[0022] [Wireless communication function] The controller 10 also includes a wireless communication device, although not shown in the figure. For example, it is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with a portable information terminal (such as a tablet PC) carried by a work supervisor, administrator, assistant, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "supervisor etc.").

[0023] Thereby, for example, the information displayed on the display 6 can be considered to be transmitted from a portable information terminal etc. (an example of an external device) carried by a supervisor etc.

[0024] [Remote control function] The controller 10 is configured to allow remote operation of devices such as the display 6 on the mask body 2 via wireless communication with a portable information terminal (an external example) carried by a supervisor or other person. In other words, the protective mask 1 is configured so that the supervisor of the work can remotely operate devices such as the display 6 on the mask body 2 via wireless communication with the controller 10 using a portable information terminal carried by the supervisor.

[0025] This allows, for example, the display of information on display 6 to be performed remotely by a supervisor or other person, and information to be displayed on display 6 without any operation by the worker.

[0026] [Call function] The protective mask 1 further includes a speaker 7 located inside the mask body 2, positioned to the side of the wearer's ears, and a microphone 8 located in front of the wearer's mouth. The mask is configured to allow the worker to communicate with a portable information terminal (an external example) via a wireless communication device between the controller 10 and a portable information terminal carried by a supervisor or other person, using the speaker 7 and microphone 8.

[0027] This allows, for example, workers to receive instructions from supervisors via phone calls. Furthermore, workers can give instructions to supervisors via phone calls, and by instructing them to display necessary information such as drawings, workers can avoid having to operate the system themselves.

[0028] [Shooting function] The protective mask 1 is further equipped with a camera 9 located on the side of the mask body 2, and is configured to transmit images captured by the camera 9 to a portable information terminal (an example of an external device) carried by a work manager or the like via a wireless communication device between the controller 10 and the portable information terminal.

[0029] This allows, for example, workers to share the situation at the work site with supervisors and others through the images.

[0030] [Message display function, written display function] The display 6 is configured to display messages in the form of text or other data. Specifically, for example, it is configured to display messages in the form of text or other data that a supervisor or other person has entered on a portable information terminal or the like to give instructions to a worker.

[0031] Furthermore, the display 6 is configured to display information to which characters, symbols, markings, and other annotations have been added. Specifically, for example, it is configured to display information to which supervisors, etc., have added characters, symbols, markings, and other annotations using their own portable information terminals (an example of an external device) in order to give instructions to workers.

[0032] This allows, for example, workers to receive instructions from supervisors or other personnel through messages or posts.

[0033] The added information displayed on the aforementioned display 6 may, for example, be an image captured by the camera 9 and transmitted to a portable information terminal carried by a supervisor or the like, which has then been edited by that portable information terminal (an external example) and transmitted to the controller 10.

[0034] [Work Guide System] The protective mask 1 can be configured as described above, and together with a portable information terminal carried by a supervisor or the like, it can form a work guide system that can guide workers on-site regarding the content of their work, having functions such as displaying information, wireless communication, remote control, calling, taking pictures, displaying messages, and writing information.

[0035] [Specific usage examples] A specific example of the use of protective mask 1 is that it can be used, for example, when inspecting and adjusting fire extinguishing equipment in a waste pit. In that case, the information displayed on the display 6 during the work could be, for example, a diagram of a water cannon or other fire extinguishing device installed in the waste pit.

[0036] [Example of configuration changes] The above describes an example of an embodiment of the protective mask of this invention with reference to the drawings. However, this invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and modifications to the configuration, etc., are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0037] ·Eyes, nose and mouth separate body types For example, the mask body 2 may be configured such that the part protecting the eyes (glass part 3) and the part protecting the nose and mouth are made up of separate components.

[0038] • Projection display Furthermore, the display 6 may be a projection type in which an image is projected onto the glass portion 3.

[0039] • Cordless type Furthermore, the controller 10, including its built-in battery, may be integrated with the mask body 2, and the protective mask 1 may be cordless.

[0040] Furthermore, in the case of a cordless design as described above, the mask body 2 may not be equipped with a unitized device including an operating means such as a controller 10, but rather with a battery necessary for driving and controlling devices such as the display 6, speaker 7, and microphone 8, as well as a processing unit, memory device, wireless communication device, etc., and on / off switches for these devices. In this way, the only operation performed by the worker is turning the devices on and off on the mask body 2, and all other operations can be performed by a supervisor or other person via wireless communication. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1: Protective mask 2: Mask body 3: Glass part 4: Filtration part 5: Ventilation part 6: Display 7: Speaker 8: Microphone 9: Camera 10: Controller 11: Touch panel

Claims

1. A protective mask capable of protecting the wearer's eyes, nose, and mouth, A protective mask characterized by having a display capable of showing various information on the screen via remote control from an external source.

2. The protective mask according to claim 1, characterized in that it can receive various information from an external source and display it on the screen.

3. The protective mask according to claim 1, characterized in that it allows for communication with the outside world.

4. The protective mask according to claim 1, further comprising an operating means for turning the screen of the display on and off.

5. Equipped with an additional camera, The protective mask according to claim 1, characterized in that it is capable of transmitting images captured by the camera to an external source, and is capable of receiving images with added annotations to the transmitted images from an external source and displaying them on the display screen.

Images