Patent Application
20170231304
A portion of the disclosure of this patent application document contains material that is subject to copyright protection including the drawings. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/294,433 which was filed on Feb. 12, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates to gloves, and in particular gloves for use with touch screen technology or other capacitive resistance detection devices which can include capacitive resistance gloves or capacitive shielded gloves.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Present capacitive sensor screens are presently available on a wide range of every day technology items such as on tablets, smart phones, personal computers, etc. These screens typically involve the use of sensors which detect finger location by sensing a capacitance associated with human skin. As such early versions required the user to touch the screen with a physical finger, which can leave smudges from the oils of the skin. Additionally, in varying temperatures, the capacitance of a finger can change drastically and can cause problems in detection. As such, companies have begun developing gloves for use with such technology which have embedded capacitive properties. Another problem arising in the use of touch screen technology is that it is being adapted to accept various computational inputs such as writing or other inputs which eliminate the use of a standard keyboard or other known input devices, such as fingers, and allow the use of more precise instruments such as styli, which often require the resting of a portion of the palm on the screen during use. When providing this input, users often desire to rest their hand directly on the screen, which causes the screen to detect a touch that is likely an unwanted detection. This unwanted touching of the screen can also be solved through the use of a non-capacitive glove, but which then typically requires the use of a capacitive stylus. Such gloves can often be problematic as they slide unnaturally on the screen's glass surface, which can result in an unnatural feel when writing with the stylus and can cause problems when finger touching is desired.
The present invention seeks to overcome many deficiencies present in the prior art by providing a glove system which can shield a portion of the hand from the capacitive sensors of the touch screen, while allowing for direct touching of the screen by desired exposed portions of the hand or capacitive resistance portions of the glove. Additionally, some unpowered styli will not work if some part of the skin is not touching it as they rely on capacitance gained through touch so as to interact with the touch screen. For this reason, the stylus itself may not be able to be detected if it were shielded by a glove that completely disconnects the hand from the stylus.
In order to address these deficiencies, the glove system as contemplated herein can include a touchscreen compatible glove, the glove can include one or more finger covers configured to cover an edge portion of a fifth finger of a user's hand, or in other words the portion of the hand typically rested against a surface on which a user is writing. As such it will be appreciated that the one or more finger covers can be formed of a capacitive shielding material.
The glove can also include a hand cover portion configured to cover an anterior portion of a user's palm adjacent the fifth finger as well as a rear portion located proximal the back of the user's hand. A closure strap can then be provided which can be connected to the hand cover portion and configured to attach around a wrist portion of the user's hand to the anterior portion.
In some embodiments one or more finger anchors can be provided about a distal portion of the one or more finger covers. In yet additional embodiments one or more palm anchors can be provided about a screen contacting portion of the hand cover portion. In some such embodiments, the one or more finger anchors can include a patterned contact surface area. In yet additional embodiments, these finger anchors can be configured such that features of the patterned contact surface area decrease in relative density in a radial outward direction. Some such embodiments include situations in which the features of the patterned contact surface area decrease in relative density in a linear ratio with respect to an associated radius. In other similar embodiments, the features of the patterned contact surface area are provided with an increased relative density about a first edge, and a decreased relative density about an opposing edge.
In some alternative embodiments, the one or more finger anchors can be provided or formed as a multi-pointed star pattern. In yet additional embodiments, the patterned contact surface area can be provided with at least one tapering triangular portion.
In yet additional embodiments the glove system can further include a dexterous portion configured to cover at least a portion of the thumb and index finger of the user's hand. In some such embodiments, the dexterous portion can be formed of a capacitively-reactive material differing in material from the capacitively shielded portion. However, in some embodiments the dexterous portion can also be formed of a capacitive shielding material.
In yet additional embodiments one or more apertures can be formed in a tip portion of one or more of the finger portions.
In yet additional embodiments one or more stylus anchors can be provided on an interior portion of one or more of the finger covers, the stylus anchors being configured to aid with a grasping action of a stylus held by the user's hand.
It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments the closure strap can be configured to close about a back portion of the user's wrist so as to ensure that any increased mass of the clasping mechanism does not interfere with screen interaction or cause discomfort for the user. However, the clasp can also be configured to close about a front portion of the user's wrist in a strategic location that will not cause discomfort or interference for the user.
In some embodiments, the closure strap can be provided with a magnet embedded therein, the magnet being configured to attach to a magnetically reactive substance embedded in the hand portion. Alternatively, the hand portion can instead be provided with a magnet embedded therein, the magnet being configured to attach to a magnetically reactive substance embedded in the closure strap.
In some embodiments, the rear portion can be provided with one or more attachment apertures along an edge thereof for connecting ancillary items such as decorations or charms. In some such embodiments, the one or more attachment apertures can be provided with a reinforcement means for preventing tearing thereof.
In yet additional embodiments, the one or more palm anchors can be provided with a patterned contact surface area. In some such embodiments, the features of the patterned contact surface area can be arranged having a varying density manner, such as dots arranged in a particular pattern wherein the dots have varying texture and size within the pattern.
The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
To provide an overall understanding of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, certain illustrative embodiments will be described. Although the embodiments and features described herein are frequently described for use in clothing applications, it will be understood that all the components, mechanisms, systems, methods, and other features outlined below can be combined with one another in any suitable manner and can be adapted and applied to other similar systems and in any number of suitable settings.
As discussed briefly above the present invention seeks to overcome many deficiencies present in the prior art by providing a glove system, many aspects of which are illustrated in
It will be appreciated that
It will be appreciated that
It will be appreciated that in both embodiments of the strap assemblies 300 and 350 that they are both configured to clasp on the back side of the hand 6 such that the clasp does not interfere with the user's interaction with the touch screen, particularly when holding a stylus and resting the anterior or bottom portion of the hand on the screen while writing.
It will then be appreciated that resting the hand on a touch screen can cause difficulties for the user if the screen interprets the portion of the hand resting on the screen as a touch. As such the glove systems as contemplated herein can include a touchscreen compatible glove, the glove can include one or more finger covers 110 configured to cover at least an edge portion of a pinky finger or fifth finger of a user's hand, and in the embodiments shown herein also cover the ring or fourth finger of each hand, as both of these fingers often contact a given surface when writing with a utensil thereon, i.e. a stylus.
In order to eliminate the unwanted touch of the hand in this scenario, the hand cover portion 100 as well as the finger covers 110 can be formed of a capacitive shielding material, as most touch screens presently available rely on inherent capacitive resistance of human skin in order to detect touches. However, user's do not typically use these portions of their hands to intentionally interact with a touch screen. As such, the shielding of these portions of the user's hand can then allow for effective use of the index and middle fingers while eliminating the unwanted touches of the palm, anterior side of the hand, as well as of the ring and pinky fingers.
In yet additional embodiments, the glove systems 16 and 18 as shown in
It will be appreciated that in the various embodiments of
It will be appreciated that the glove system 16 of
In some embodiments, and as shown in
The finger or palm anchors operate on the general principle that drag can be affected by increasing or decreasing the surface area of contact between one surface and another. It will then be appreciated that the finger or palm anchors as contemplated herein can be formed of a tacky substance, such as silica gels, or other readily apparent materials as will be recognized by those having skill in the art. As such, the drag can be increased or decreased according to user preferences by increasing the surface area of contact between these anchors and the touch screen.
As of yet, these anchors have been shown primarily as solid shapes, however, in some such embodiments the one or more finger anchors 130 can include a solid or a patterned contact surface area as illustrated in
It will then be appreciated that in some of these embodiments the anchors illustrated are configured such that features of the patterned contact surface areas decrease in relative density in a radial outward direction. Some such embodiments include situations in which the features of the patterned contact surface area decrease in relative density in a linear ratio with respect to an associated radius such as in 130H. In other similar embodiments, the features of the patterned contact surface area are provided with an increased relative density about a first edge, and a decreased relative density about an opposing edge such as in 130F.
In some alternative embodiments, the one or more finger anchors can be provided or formed as a multi-pointed star pattern as shown in 130G-H. In yet additional embodiments, the patterned contact surface area can be provided with at least one tapering triangular portion as shown in 130E, however even the various points of the star pattern 130G can be described as tapering triangular portions.
Alternative shapes are also contemplated which are less linear, but instead implement a Fibonacci ratio or gradation which increases the density accordingly in non-linear fashions.
In some embodiments it has been recognized that advantages are realized through providing one or more apertures being located about a tip portion of one or more of the finger portions. In the particular case of those fingers being covered with a capacitive shielding material, these fingers can still be used for providing input to the capacitive resistance touch screen if only a portion of the finger is left uncovered, which portion is strategically placed such that the uncovered portion is only in contact with the screen when desired. For example, a user does not typically touch the screen with the tips of the fingers when writing with a stylus, but at other times, such as when not using a stylus, the tip of the finger can be used to interact with the screen directly. Most users, when intending to interact with the screen, utilize a tip of the interacting finger. However, the finger has a large surface area, particularly when compared to a stylus, and can thus limit accuracy of the touches. It will then be appreciated that an aperture 400 or 450, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
Alternatively, the apertures themselves can also be formed by burning a hole in the fabric such that it melts, similar to fusing the end of a nylon rope, wherein the melting cauterizes the hole, sealing and binding the ends of the fabric threads.
In some embodiments, the perimeter or circumference of the hole can be provided with an expandable stitching or a spiral stitch similar to a button hole. These fingertip apertures provide several advantages: first, it allows for better air flow to prevent heat buildup; second, it avoids the usual bunching up of fabric when pieces are all brought together; third, it avoids having the fingertips collect wads of lint and other material; fourth, it allows for exposure for a small portion of the finger for selective interfacing with the touch screen. Additionally, the construction can be done in an aesthetically pleasing way so as to create a distinctive look for example to resemble a tapestry, trademark, or virtually any other desired design. Other examples can include using two different pieces of material in desired colors, instead of one. Additionally, the threading can help define and retain a specific shape of the aperture.
In yet additional embodiments, and as shown in
It will also be appreciated that many styli of the present art are non-powered and rely on a transfer of the capacitance of the user's hand through the stylus to provide the capacitance for reacting to the touch screen. As such, the stylus anchors can be provided as mere grips for powered styli, but can also be provided from a capacitive reactive material so as to transfer capacitance through the glove and into the stylus from either the grips themselves or from the user's hand.
In yet additional embodiments, and as also shown in
It will be appreciated that in some instances, as illustrated in
The anchors discussed in the various embodiments can be shaped so as to incorporate drag into the touch experience in a controlled way. As discussed above, while the fabric is designed to glide with a smooth, controlled motion, the anchors can be provided so as to modulate this gliding. By providing the radially changing density, the anchors allow the wearer to add drag in a controlled manner. In some cases, drag can be increased until the contact area of the grip is fully engaged, a larger force is transferred through the highest density central portion, and as such a maximum drag is introduced, effectively anchoring part of the body, in this case, fingers three or four, or the palm of the hand in one place against a surface.
It will be appreciated that in many instances there may be no ideal location that satisfies all wearers. Accordingly, while the anchors can be applied to the glove during or after manufacture, the grips can also be provided separately and attached by the individual end user thus allowing placement corresponding to each user's personal preferences. It will also be appreciated that in certain instances a blank glove with no grip portions can be provided wherein the grip material can be applied using a curable serum which can be applied manually by the user in a custom manner.
It will be further appreciated that an interior lining can be provided in certain areas, such as along the palm or edge portion of the hand for comfort or warmth. Meanwhile, other areas, such as the fingertips or between the fingers can be devoid of a lining such that the stretching properties can be preserved, and the glove can maintain a sleek and non-bulky wear-ability.
While several embodiments have been described herein that are exemplary of the present invention, one skilled in the art will recognize additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. Modification and variation can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the applications of the embodiments disclosed herein are varied. Accordingly, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the disclosure. In this regard, it is intended that such changes would still fall within the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62294433 | Feb 2016 | US |
