Connected Safety Wearable for Hands-Free Communication in Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Communication in noisy and distracting work environments, such as warehouses and construction sites, is challenging due to impediments like noise, moving objects, and vehicles, which hinder effective human-to-human and human-to-machine interactions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a communication device with a vest or watch, featuring speakers, microphones, a power source, processor, transmitter, and receiver, enabling wireless communication and tactile feedback, facilitating enhanced communication and situational awareness in workplace environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a communication device is integrated into safety attire, then communication efficiency and situational awareness are improved, but device complexity and weight of the attire increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple communication components (speaker, microphone, power source, processor, transmitter, receiver) into a single wearable unit that combines safety attire with communication functionality. This merging approach improves communication efficiency while consolidating complexity into an integrated system rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connected wearable serves multiple functions: it provides safety attire functionality, two-way communication (speaker and microphone), wireless communication (transmitter and receiver), power management, and tactile feedback. This multi-functionality addresses various communication needs in noisy environments through a single device.
2Loss of information
If communication components are added to safety attire, then human-to-machine and machine-to-human communication are enhanced, but the weight of the attire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional acoustic communication methods with electronic and wireless communication systems. Instead of relying solely on audible signals that are blocked by noise, the system uses electronic speakers, microphones, and wireless transmitters/receivers to transmit information electronically, overcoming the limitations of acoustic propagation in noisy environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives signals from the microphone, processes them, and transmits them wirelessly. Similarly, the speaker acts as an intermediary to convert electrical signals into audible output. These intermediary components enable reliable information transmission despite environmental noise.
3Measurement precision
If tactile feedback devices are integrated into the vest, then directional awareness and situational awareness are improved, but device complexity and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile feedback devices are positioned at specific locations on the vest to provide directional information. By placing feedback mechanisms at particular zones, the system can indicate the direction of incoming signals or alerts, providing localized sensory feedback that enhances situational awareness without requiring a complete system overhaul.
4Reliability
If multiple communication components are integrated into the article of attire, then communication reliability in noisy environments is improved, but ease of manufacture is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple communication components (speaker, microphone, power source, processor, transmitter, receiver) into a single wearable unit that combines safety attire with communication functionality. This merging approach improves communication efficiency while consolidating complexity into an integrated system rather than separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of attire for enhanced communication includes an article of attire and a communication device. The article has an upper portion, an outer surface, an inner surface, and an interior cavity bounded by the outer surface and the inner surface. The communication device has at least one speaker, at least one microphone, at least one power source, at least one processor, at least one transmitter, and at least one receiver. The at least one speaker and the at least one microphone are positioned adjacent to or on the outer surface of the upper portion. The communication device is coupled to the article. The communication device is configured to receive one or more wireless first inputs from the at least one receiver and deliver the first inputs to the at least one speaker via the at least one processor.