TOUCH SENSING AND SIGNALLING DEVICE FOR CLIMBING WALL AND TOUCH SENSING AND SIGNALLING SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a touch sensing and signalling device (20) for a climbing wall (100), said climbing wall (100) comprising a panel (1) and climbing holds (3) arranged thereon, said device (20) comprises a fastening element (4) for fastening the climbing hold (3) to the panel (1) and passing through the climbing hold (3) and the panel (1) in the mounted position of the climbing hold (3), said fastening element (4) is provided with a first end (4a) on the side of the climbing hold (3) and a second end (4b) opposite thereto, and with a through hole (5) connecting the first and second ends (4a, 4b) and passing through the fastening element (4), the through hole (5) is provided with a first opening (5a) at the first end (4a) and a second opening (5b) at the second end (4b), and said device (20) comprises a light emitting device (30) for emitting light through the first opening (5a) and a circuit (50) arranged at the second end (4b), said circuit (50) comprising a capacitive sensor (52) connected to the fastening element (4) and a control unit (54) connected to the light emitting device (30) and adapted to operate said light emitting device (30). The invention further provides a system (200) comprising such a device (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a touch sensing and signalling device for a climbing wall comprising a climbing wall panel and climbing holds arranged thereon.

The invention further relates to a touch sensing and signalling system comprising a touch sensing and signalling device according to the invention.

The widespread development and construction of artificial, indoor wall climbing halls, started at the beginning of the 2000s. Originally based on rock climbing and climbing outdoors on natural formations, indoor climbing since has become an independent and popular sport. For climbers, the goal of the sport is to ascend to the top of the wall, by grabbing (i.e. by holding them or stepping on them) the climbing holds fixed on the climbing wall panels in the shortest time possible, while following a pre-defined and marked climbing route.

According to the current state of technology, climbing routes built on artificial climbing walls are marked and differentiated by colouring, painting methods and graphical markings with adhesive stickers, by most climbing halls. The goal of these markings is to distinguish the climbing holds from each other, so that the climbers can see, which climbing hold is part of the climbing route. Based on the feedback of athletes, these type of marking solutions are difficult to interpret. Climbing hold markings can easily wear off and get destroyed over time, which results in the misunderstanding of climbing routes and the designated climbing route is not visually separated from the other climbing holds, especially for novice climbers.

A clearer and dynamically changeable solution for marking the climbing routes is to use a visual system that complements climbing holds on artificial climbing walls. According to the current state of art, a number of possible lighting arrangement solutions are known to compliment climbing holds. Lighting solutions supplementing climbing holds are described in the US 20100004098 A1, as well as in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,668,626 B1 and the CH 704064 A1 documents. The disadvantages of the described solutions are their technical layouts, that can only be utilized by damaging and mechanically modifying the climbing holds. The application of the mentioned solutions is only possible if the climbing wall panels or climbing holds are modified. For both arrangements shown in the US 20100004098 A1 and in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,668,626 B1 documents the installation requires internal and structural modifications of the climbing holds, which means that these solutions cannot be applied to any standard climbing hold. The described arrangements can only be used for individually manufactured climbing holds and climbing wall panels.

The lighting system built into a fastener, shown in the patent document CH 704064 A1 cannot be fitted inside the counterbored bolt holes, found and used widely on standard climbing holds.

The shortcoming of the design, presented in the above documents is that these arrangements cannot be assembled from the side of the climbing hold, as the light source and the light controlling electronics are both fixed to the fastener that holds the climbing hold in place. In case the climbing hold needs to be replaced or cleaned, the entire assembly unit needs to be removed from the back of the climbing wall panel. This is not possible in case of ten-meter-high or taller climbing walls, as in these circumstances the back side of the wall panels are not accessible after the installation.

A further disadvantage of the solutions presented above is that they do not allow the climbing process to be monitored and the climbing data to be tracked.

We have recognised that by sensing the touch of the climbing hold (including touching with the hands and feet), climbing data can be monitored and analysed afterwards, thus making the training of athletes more efficient.

We have also recognised that touch data (e.g., the fact, duration, etc. of touching a given climbing hold) can be used to control the visual signals (light signals) of the climbing holds, including, for example, changing the duration or colour of the light signal. In this way, additional information can be provided to the climber or the spectators watching the climber. In other words, the actual visual signals of the climbing holds are not only influenced by the predefined climbing route, but also by the interaction between the climber and the climbing holds. In this way, dynamic climbing tasks, stage time trials, etc. can be realised that were not possible before.

We have also recognised that climbing holds can vary considerably in size, shape or even material, and it is not advantageous to place contact sensors on the surface of the climbing holds as they can distract the athlete during the climb. It is recognised that, for the above reasons, there is a need for a contact sensing solution that is equally applicable to different designs of holds and that does not alter the physical properties of the hold.

We have recognised that capacitive sensing can detect the touch of anything that is conductively or dielectrically different from air, including a human touch or a climber's shoes. The sensing also works through plastic, wood, ceramics and any insulating material. These technical features allow the capacitive sensor to detect the touch of the surface of the climbing hold even when placed on the back of the climbing wall panel. The capacitive sensor is able to detect a grip or a step on the surface of the climbing hold due to the capacitive sensing, since human touch or even the shoes of the climber cause a dielectric change on the surface of the hold.

We have also recognised that a fastening element according to the invention passing through the climbing hold can act as an antenna for the capacitive sensor, which increases the sensing distance. Therefore, the capacitive sensor according to the invention is connected to the fastening element.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch sensing and signalling device and a system comprising such a device, which is free from the disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a touch-sensing and signalling device which can be easily retrofitted into the existing climbing holds of the climbing halls currently used, enabling the visual marking of the climbing holds and at the same time being able to monitor the climbing data. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a touch sensing and signalling device that can be installed without damaging the climbing wall panels and the holds. The post-installation assembly can also be carried out from the side of the climbing hold, i.e. from the front of the climbing wall, for the purposes of ease of installation, cleaning and maintenance.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a touch sensing and signalling device according to claim 1, and a touch sensing and signalling system according to claim 13 comprising such a device.

The essence of the invention is a device for attaching the climbing hold to the panel, comprising a fastening element passing through the hold and the panel, which fastening element is provided with a hole. The device further comprises a light emitting device capable of illuminating through the hole, and a circuit comprising a capacitive sensor connected to the fastening element and a control unit connected to the light emitting device and capable of operating the light emitting device.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Further details of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1a is an isometric sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a touch sensing and signalling device according to the invention;

FIG. 1b is an isometric sectional view of the touch sensing and signalling device of FIG. 1a with a fastening nut;

FIG. 2 is an isometric sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a touch sensing and signalling device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a possible mounting arrangement of a circuit of a touch sensing and signalling device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another possible mounting arrangement of the circuit of a touch sensing and signalling device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating possible elements of a touch sensing and signalling system according to the invention.

FIG. 1a is an isometric sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a touch sensing and signalling device 20 according to the invention. The device 20 is for securing climbing holds 3 of a climbing wall 100 to a panel 1, and for visually signalling the climbing holds 3 and detecting touching of the climbing holds 3. In the context of the present invention, by touching the climbing holds 3, it is understood to include grasping them by hand or stepping on them with the foot, either with the free hand or with gloves, or barefoot or with shoes. The climbing holds 3 may be made of, for example, plastic, wood, metal or any other material commonly used in climbing walls 100, as known to the person skilled in the art. The device 20 comprises a fastening element 4 for fastening the climbing hold 3 to the panel 1, which passes through the climbing hold 3 and the panel 1 in a mounted state of the climbing hold 3. In other words, the climbing hold 3 and the panel 1 each comprise a hole through which the fastening element 4 can be guided to secure the climbing hold 3 to the panel 1. It is noted that the mounted state of the climbing hold 3 is understood to be the installed state of the device 20, as can be seen in FIGS. 1a to 4. The fastening element 4 is provided with a first end 4a on the side of the climbing hold 3 and a second end 4b opposite thereto, and with a through hole 5 connecting the first and second ends 4a, 4b and passing through the fastening element. The through hole 5 has a first opening 5a at the first end 4a and a second opening 5b at the second end 4b.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastening element 4 is configured as a screw with a through hole 5 and an external thread preferably for example as an M10 type bolt with a through hole 5, commonly used for fastening climbing holds 3. The fastening element 4 in the form of a screw may also be screwed directly into the panel 1 and fixed. In a possible embodiment, the device 20 may be secured to the panel 1 of the climbing wall 100 by means of a screw-type support element 2 with an internal threaded hole configured to receive the fastening element 4 as can be seen in FIGS. 1a-4. In this case, the fastening element 4 is screwed into the support element 2. It is noted that in cases where the ease of removal of the climbing hold 3 is not a primary concern, an embodiment where the fastening element 4 is not configured as a screw but, for example, as a pin glued into the panel 1 is also conceivable.

The device 20 according to the invention comprises light emitting device 30 adapted to illuminate through the first opening 5a and circuit 50 arranged at the second end 4b. In the context of the present description, the term “illuminating through opening 5a” is interpreted broadly to include the case where the light emitting device 30 generates light inside the through hole 5, which then exits through opening 5a (see, e.g., FIG. 2), as well as the case where part of the light emitting device 30 itself protrudes through the opening 5a and generates light outside the through hole 5 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1a-1b).

In a possible embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a-1b, for example, the light emitting device 30 comprises light source 6, such as LED, arranged on the circuit 50 and optical fibre 10 guiding light from the light source 6 through the through hole 5 towards the first opening 5a. Thus, in this embodiment, the light source 6 is arranged on the back side of the panel 1 of the climbing wall 100, on the circuit 50. The light source 6 illuminates the optical fibre 10 fixed in front of it, which is adapted to guide the light of the light source 6 through the fastening element 4 with through hole 5, towards the opening 5a with a brightness visible to the climbers.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the light emitting device 30 comprises an electrical wiring 8 extending through the hole 5 in the direction of the first end 4a and a light source 6, such as an LED or bulb, electrically connected to an end of the wiring 8 facing the first end 4a. It is noted that, although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the light source 6 protrudes from the hole 5, an embodiment in which the light source 6 is arranged inside the hole 5 is also conceivable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the light emitting device 30 is configured to emit at least two colours, for example comprising a light source 6 of a RGB LED known per se. In order to protect the light emitting device 30 from external influences from the opening 5a, in a preferred embodiment, a protective cap 9 is arranged at the first end 4a of the fastening element 4, which allows the light from the light emitting device 30 to pass through. The protective caps 9 may be made of, for example, plastic material fixed to the end 4a. In addition to the mechanical protection, the additional advantage of the protective cap 9 is that, in the case of a semi-transparent (matt) design, it diffuses the light from the light source 6, making it visible from as many angles as possible to the climbers on the climbing wall 100. The circuit 50 according to the invention comprises a capacitive touch sensor 52 connected to the fastening element 4, i.e. electrically in contact, and a control unit 54 connected to the light emitting device 30 and adapted to operate the light emitting device 30. The capacitive touch sensor 52 and the control unit 54 are arranged as part of the circuit 50. By capacitive touch sensor 52 is meant a sensor known per se that is configured to detect touch on the surface of the climbing hold 3, such that the capacitive touch sensor 52 is connected to the fastening element 4 by, for example, metal contact, thereby being able to detect touch on the surface of the climbing hold 3 using the fastening element 4 as an antenna. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1a-4, the circuit 50 has an aperture formed therein, the aperture being lined with a metal ring 59 and adapted to receive the fastening element 4, and the capacitive sensor 52 is connected to the fastening element 4 via the metal ring 59.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1b and 2, the circuit 50 is attached to the second 4b end of the fastening element 4 by means of a threaded nut 7. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the circuit 50 is secured to the end 4b and the support element 2 by a ring-shaped magnet 12. The magnet 12 ensures that the circuit 50 is secured to the support element 2 after removal of the fastening element 4, so that the climbing hold 3 can be fully front mounted, removed and replaced. The magnet 12 is preferably glued to the circuit 50 so that the magnet 12 can be securely fixed to the otherwise non-magnetic circuit 50.

In the other preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the circuit 50 is screwed to the panel 1 in the mounted state of the climbing hold 3 by means of one or more screws 11. The advantage of this embodiment is that when the fastening element 4 is removed, the circuit 50 remains in place, so that it is not necessary to expose the side of the panel 1 facing the circuit 50 during any maintenance or repair.

As the physical properties (size, material, shape, etc.) of the climbing holds 3 are different, in order to ensure that the detection can be performed with the appropriate sensitivity for the different climbing holds 3, in a preferred embodiment, the circuit 50 comprises a switching circuit 53 for adjusting the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor 52. The switching circuit 53 may, for example, be a so-called DIP switch row known per se, having individual switches 53′. By setting each of the switches 53′ to the ‘ON’ position, the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor 52 may be increased in response to the capacitors (not shown in the figures) connected to the switches 53′ of the switching circuit 53, as is known to the skilled person. In order to increase the maximum sensitivity achievable, the number of switches in the switching circuit 53 and the number of capacitors connected thereto can be further increased. In another possible embodiment, instead of a manually switchable switching circuit 53, a software adjustable switching circuit 53 can be used, for example by means of a memory DIP chip. This has the advantage that the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor 52 can be adjusted remotely and electronically.

The control unit 54 according to the invention is configured to receive data from the capacitive sensor 52 and, based on the received data, to operate the light emitting device 30. The control unit 54 may be configured, for example, as a microcontroller known per se, such as an STM32 type chip microcontroller, as will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. In a possible embodiment, the control unit 54 is configured such that when the capacitive sensor 52 detects the touching of the climbing hold 3, the control unit 54 actuates the light emitting device 30 and the light source 6 lights up or changes the colour of the emitted light.

The invention further relates to a touch sensing and signalling system 200 comprising a plurality of touch sensing and signalling devices 20 according to the invention, and a controller 210 electronically connected to the devices 20 and adapted to receive and process data measured by capacitive sensors 52 of the devices 20 and to operate light emitting devices 30 of the devices 20. In the context of the present invention, the controller 210 is understood to be a set of hardware and software components, which may be a personal computer (PC), network computer, workstation, minicomputer (e.g. Raspberry Pi, etc.), laptop, tablet or the like. The controller 210 comprises a processor for processing digital data and running computer programs, memory for storing digital data and connected to the processor, and a back-up storage device, as known to the person skilled in the art. The controller 210 can store and run programs. A program may, for example, be a visual indication of the climbing holds 3 of a particular climbing route by means of device 20 associated with the climbing holds 3. In other words, after selecting a climbing route, a program is started which starts to operate light emitting devices 30 of the devices 20 associated with the climbing holds 3 of the given climbing route. For example, it switches on or changes the colour of the light sources 6 of the light emitting devices 30.

The controller 210 is preferably equipped with a power supply, which provides the electrical energy needed to operate the devices 20. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the controller 210 is provided with one or more input peripherals 212, such as a touch screen, RFID card reader, etc. The former may be suitable, for example, for displaying and providing touch-based user interface of the system 200 to the users. The latter may be used, for example, to scan RFID cards for identification linked to climbing profiles. Preferably, the system 200 comprises a database 220, preferably a cloud-based database 220, in data communication with the controller 210 and for storing the measured data from the capacitive sensors 52. The measured data from the capacitive sensors 52 is transferred to the cloud-based database 220 via the controller 210, for example by means of an internet connection. In a preferred embodiment, the data of each climb may be linked to registered climbing profiles. The database 220 can be accessed by users via user devices 230 such as smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 200 comprises device groups 250 formed by the devices 20, each of said device groups 250 being connected to a respective sensor hub 260 in such a way that the sensor hubs 260 are connected to each other and to the devices 20 of the respective device group 250.

In one possible embodiment, the circuits 50 of the devices 20 of a given group 250 are connected to the sensor hubs 260 via six-wire (+/−5V, RGB fibre), or eight-wire (+/−5V, RGB, control) cables when using a memory DIP chip. In addition to sending input and output signals, this cable also provides the 5V power supply for the devices 20. In this particular embodiment, one sensor hub 260 can control sixteen separate devices 20. The sensor hubs 260 can, for example, be connected in series with each other using BUS cables, as can be seen in FIG. 5. In addition to the 24V power supply, these cables also transmit the input and output data of the capacitive sensors 52. The sensor hubs 260 can be connected together in unlimited numbers, i.e. the system 200 can be freely adapted to climbing walls 100 of different numbers and sizes of climbing holds 3. The sensor hubs 260 are responsible for pre-processing data from the devices 20 and transmitting it to the controller 210, and for transmitting the data from the controller 210 to the corresponding devices 20. The sensor hubs 260 are therefore configured to receive and transmit capacitive sensor 52 signals from the devices 20 of the respective group 250, and the controller 210 is connected to at least one of the sensor hubs 260.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative solutions to the other embodiments shown herein are contemplated but are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) for a climbing wall (100), said climbing wall (100) comprising a panel (1) and climbing holds (3) arranged thereon, characterised in that the device (20) comprises a fastening element (4) for fastening the climbing hold (3) to the panel (1) and passing through the climbing hold (3) and the panel (1) in the mounted position of the climbing hold (3), said fastening element (4) is provided with a first end (4a) on the side of the climbing hold (3) and a second end (4b) opposite thereto, and with a through hole (5) connecting the first and second ends (4a, 4h) and passing through the fastening element (4), the through hole (5) is provided with a first opening (5a) at the first end (4a) and a second opening (51)) at the second end (4b), and said device (20) comprises a light emitting device (30) for emitting light through the first opening (5a) and a circuit (50) arranged at the second end (4b), said circuit (50) comprising a capacitive sensor (52) connected to the fastening element (4) and a control unit (54) connected to the light emitting device (30), wherein the control unit (54) is configured to receive data from the capacitive sensor (52) and, based on the received data, to operate the light emitting device (30).

2. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (54) is configured to receive data from the capacitive sensor (52) and to operate the light emitting device (30) based on the received data.

3. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the fastening element (4) is a screw with a through hole (5) and an external thread.

4. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a support element (2) with an internal threaded hole configured to receive the screw, which support element (2) is adapted to be fixed to the panel (1) of the climbing wall (100).

5. A touch sensing and signal ling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit (50) has an aperture formed therein, the aperture being lined with a metal ring (59) and adapted to receive the fastening element (4), and the capacitive sensor (52) is connected to the fastening element (4) via the metal ring (59).

6. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 5, characterized in that the circuit (50) is fixed to the second end (4b) of the fastening element (4) by means of a threaded nut (7).

7. A touch sensing and signal ling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit (50) is screwed to the panel (1) in the mounted state of the climbing hold (3).

8. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light emitting device (30) comprises a light source (6) arranged on the circuit (50) and an optical fibre (10) guiding light from the light source (6) through the through hole (5) towards the first opening (5a).

9. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light emitting device (30) comprises an electrical wiring (8) connected to the control unit (54) and guided through the through hole (5) towards the first opening (5a), and a light source (6) connected to an end of the wiring (8) facing the first end (4a).

10. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light emitting device (30) is configured to emit light in at least two colours.

11. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that a protective cap (9) for transmitting light from the light emitting device (30) is arranged at the first end (4a) of the fastening element (4).

12. A touch sensing and signalling device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit (50) comprises a switching circuit (53) for adjusting the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor (52).

13. A touch sensing and signalling system (200), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of touch sensing and signalling devices (20) according to claim 1, and a controller (210) connected to the devices (20) and adapted to receive and process data measured by capacitive sensors (52) of the devices (20) and to operate the light emitting devices (30) of the devices (20).

14. A touch sensing and signalling system (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises device groups (250) formed by the touch sensing and signalling devices (20), each of said device groups (250) being connected to a respective sensor hub (260) in such a way that the sensor hubs (260) are connected to each other and to the devices (20) of the respective device group (250), the sensor hubs (260) are configured to receive, process and transmit signals from capacitive sensors (52) of the devices (20) of the respective device group (250), and the controller (210) is connected to at least one of the sensor hubs (260).

15. A touch sensing and signalling system (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that the controller (210) is provided with one or more input peripherals (212) and the system (200) comprises a database (220) for storing data measured by the capacitive sensors (52).