Patent Application
20200061443
This patent application is directed to pole-like objects, such as ski poles, and more specifically, to grips and ski poles incorporating electronic functionality.
Smart phones provide many conveniences such as communication and entertainment (e.g., music). However, the compact design of these devices can make them difficult to operate in certain situations. For example, snow sports, such as skiing, generally require the user to wear gloves. Furthermore, the environment (i.e., snow and water) require the device to be stowed in a suitable location (e.g., pocket) to protect it from impact and moisture. A smart phone can be difficult to remove from a back pack, a jacket pocket, or the like in order to use the device. Furthermore, interacting with the compact screen, buttons, and on-screen controls can also be very difficult while wearing gloves. Retrieving a smart phone in these conditions every time the user wants to check for communications or change music settings can become tedious. In addition, each time the smart phone is handled in these conditions, the user risks dropping the device in the snow, for example.
The grips and ski poles described herein may be better understood by referring to the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements:
The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope of the embodiments. Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to unnecessarily limit the embodiments described. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, combinations, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of this disclosure.
The disclosed technology provides electronic functionality, e.g., a smart watch and/or speaker, imbedded into grips for use on poles and handlebars, for example. In a representative embodiment, a smart grip can include a grip body having an opening mateable to a tubular member. A speaker can be disposed in the grip body and a display can be at least partially contained in the grip body. A controller can be disposed in the grip body and can include at least one processor and at least one memory device storing instructions for causing the at least one processor to receive incoming audio data and output said incoming audio data via the speaker. In some embodiments, one or more buttons can be positioned on the grip and coupled to the controller. In one aspect of the technology, a battery can be disposed in the grip body and coupled to at least the controller. In some implementations, a charging port can be coupled to the battery. In some implementations, the grip body is generally cylindrical. The controller can be configured to receive the incoming audio data via Bluetooth. In some implementations, the grip can include a microphone for collecting outgoing audio data and the grip can include instructions for causing the at least one processor to transmit outgoing audio data. In some implementations, the memory device can include instructions for causing the at least one processor to display information related to the incoming audio data on the display. In one aspect of the technology, the one or more buttons are configured to adjust a volume level of the speaker.
In another representative embodiment, a smart grip can include a grip body having an opening mateable to a tubular member. The smart grip can have a controller including at least one processor and at least one memory device storing instructions for causing the at least one processor to receive incoming audio data and output said incoming audio data via the speaker. One or more buttons can be positioned on the grip and coupled to the controller. The smart grip can also include a display coupled to at least the controller, a speaker coupled to at least the controller, and a battery coupled to at least the controller. In some embodiments, at least one of the controller, the display, the speaker, or the battery is remotely mounted to the tubular member.
In a representative embodiment, a smart ski pole can include an elongate tubular pole and a grip body mounted to the tubular pole. A speaker can be disposed in the grip body and a display can be at least partially contained in the grip body. A controller can be disposed in the grip body and can include at least one processor and at least one memory device storing instructions for causing the at least one processor to receive incoming audio data and output said incoming audio data via the speaker. In some embodiments, one or more buttons can be positioned on the grip and coupled to the controller.
Various examples of the devices introduced above will now be described in further detail. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that the techniques and technology discussed herein may be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology can include many other features not described in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail below so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.
The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of some specific examples of the embodiments. Indeed, some terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this section.
Skiing and other outdoor activities, such as snow-shoeing and hiking often employ the use of poles to help stabilize and/or propel the user. The disclosed technology provides electronic functionality, e.g., a smart watch and/or speaker, imbedded into the grip of such a pole. Both of these different grips can pair with a smart phone through Bluetooth. All different functions within the devices can be accessed through different buttons on top of or on the side of the grip that the user can toggle through with a click. All buttons are easily accessible while wearing gloves, which conveniently allows skiers to access smart phone technology without the hassle of accessing their actual phone in ski gear, which can be a difficult task. Although the grips disclosed herein are in some cases described with respect to ski poles, the disclosed technology can be used on poles for other suitable activities, such as paddle boarding, cross-country skiing, hiking, and snow-shoeing, and also on handlebars such as used on bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, and the like.
In some embodiments, the speaker pole 100 can have controls for volume, next/previous song, play/pause, etc. These controls can be used to control the music from the speaker itself, headphones plugged into the paired phone, or both. With the speaker grip, users can also answer and talk on the phone without going through the struggle of taking their phone out. These features can be selected and customized by the user through a downloaded smartphone application. In some embodiments, the speaker pole 100 can include a pairing button 112 to pair the speaker with a smart phone or other device via Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the speaker 106 can be fastened to an interior region of the grip 104 with fasteners and/or adhesive. The interface 110 can be disposed in a cavity formed in the end of the grip 104, for example. The interface 110 can be fastened into such a cavity with fasteners and/or adhesive. In some embodiments, the interface can be snapped or threaded into the cavity. In some embodiments, the speaker 106 can be positioned in the end of the grip and the interface buttons can be positioned on the side of the grip, for example. In other embodiments, the speaker can comprise an annular speaker that fits around the pole 102 and is encased in the grip 104.
The smart watch 146 can be disposed in a cavity formed in the end of the grip 144 in a similar manner as that described above for the speaker pole 100. For example, the smart watch 146 can be fastened into a cavity with fasteners and/or adhesive. In some embodiments, the smart watch 146 can be snapped or threaded into the cavity. In some embodiments, the smart ski pole and/or speaker pole can in incorporate a small action sports camera that films through the front of the grip. In some embodiments, the smart ski pole and or speaker pole can include 2-way radios for groups like ski patrol or families.
In some embodiments, the speaker pole 100 and the smart pole 140 can each include a suitable battery positioned in the grip. The battery can be a rechargeable battery along with a charging port, such as a USB plug. In some embodiments, the charging port can include a rubber plug to protect the port from moisture. In some embodiments, the various components described herein can be comprised of suitable materials such as aluminum and/or steel. In some embodiments, certain components such as the grip can be comprised of plastic and/or rubber, for example.
CPU 710 can be a single processing unit or multiple processing units in a device or distributed across multiple devices. CPU 710 can be coupled to other hardware devices, for example, with the use of a bus, such as a PCI bus or SCSI bus. The CPU 710 can communicate with a hardware controller for devices, such as for a display 730. Display 730 can be used to display text and graphics. In some examples, display 730 provides graphical and textual visual feedback to a user. In some implementations, display 730 includes the input device as part of the display, such as when the input device is a touchscreen or is equipped with an eye direction monitoring system. In some implementations, the display is separate from the input device. Examples of display devices are: an LCD display screen; an LED display screen; a projected, holographic, or augmented reality display (such as a heads-up display device or a head-mounted device); and so on. Other I/O devices 740 can also be coupled to the processor, such as a network card, video card, audio card, USB, FireWire or other external device, camera, printer, speakers, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, disk drive, or Blu-Ray device.
In some implementations, the device 700 also includes a communication device capable of communicating wirelessly or wire-based with a network node. The communication device can communicate with another device or a server through a network using, for example, TCP/IP protocols. Device 700 can utilize the communication device to distribute operations across multiple network devices.
The CPU 710 can have access to a memory 750. A memory includes one or more of various hardware devices for volatile and non-volatile storage, and can include both read-only and writable memory. For example, a memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), CPU registers, read-only memory (ROM), and writable non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, hard drives, floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, magnetic storage devices, tape drives, device buffers, and so forth. A memory is not a propagating signal divorced from underlying hardware; a memory is thus non-transitory. Memory 750 can include program memory 760 that stores programs and software, such as an operating system 762, MP3 player programs 764, and other application programs 766. Memory 750 can also include data memory 770 that can include configuration data and user preferences such default volume and display, etc., which can be provided to the program memory 760 or any element of the device 700.
Some implementations can be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the technology include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, handheld or laptop devices, cellular telephones, mobile phones, wearable electronics, gaming consoles, tablet devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, or the like.
In some implementations, server computing device 810 can be an edge server that receives client requests and coordinates fulfillment of those requests through other servers, such as servers 820A-C. Server computing devices 810 and 820 can comprise computing systems, such as device 700. Though each server computing device 810 and 820 is displayed logically as a single server, server computing devices can each be a distributed computing environment encompassing multiple computing devices located at the same or at geographically disparate physical locations. In some implementations, each server computing device 820 corresponds to a group of servers.
Client computing devices 805 and server computing devices 810 and 820 can each act as a server or client to other server/client devices. Server 810 can connect to a database 815. Servers 820A-C can each connect to a corresponding database 825A-C. As discussed above, each server 820 can correspond to a group of servers, and each of these servers can share a database or can have their own database. Databases 815 and 825 can warehouse (e.g., store) information such as MP3 libraries, GPS maps, and user preferences. Though databases 815 and 825 are displayed logically as single units, databases 815 and 825 can each be a distributed computing environment encompassing multiple computing devices, can be located within their corresponding server, or can be located at the same or at geographically disparate physical locations.
Network 830 can be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), but can also be other wired or wireless networks. Network 830 may be the Internet or some other public or private network. Client computing devices 805 can be connected to network 830 through a network interface, such as by wired or wireless communication. While the connections between server 810 and servers 820 are shown as separate connections, these connections can be any kind of local, wide area, wired, or wireless network, including network 830 or a separate public or private network.
General software 920 can include various applications, including an operating system 922, local programs 924, and a basic input output system (BIOS) 926. Specialized components 940 can be subcomponents of a general software application 920, such as local programs 924. Specialized components 940 can include variables module 944, Bluetooth module 946, MP3 control module 948, and components that can be used for transferring data and controlling the specialized components, such as interface 942. In some implementations, components 900 can be in a computing system that is distributed across multiple computing devices or can be an interface to a server-based application executing one or more of specialized components 940.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components illustrated in
The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in some instances, well-known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the embodiments.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and any special significance is not to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for some terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any term discussed herein, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/720,723, filed Aug. 21, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62720723 | Aug 2018 | US |
