DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable electronic anti-aggression device .

[0002] There are already countless digital products on the market for personal safety in case of aggression . Some of the proposed technical solutions are based on activating a voice command via telephone , requiring timely intervention by law enforcement agencies i f necessary . However, all the applications developed so far, as ef fective as they are , have a signi ficant limitation related to the procedure needed to be carried out in order to send the emergency signal ; in particular, all the applications , in order to be activated, require the user to have their device in their hand during the attack, to be able to possibly unlock it , to search for the correct application, and finally to activate it . It is a procedure that may take a few seconds but , more importantly, must be done in a moment of panic when one is trying to avoid aggression . Therefore , sending a signal for requesting help could be di f ficult both in terms of procedure and execution during said attack, rendering said application of little use .

[0003] Some applications , moreover, are associated with devices that the user must wear, but these are medical devices , which are unsuitable in the case of violence .

[0004] The goal of all known technical solutions is however to trigger, in the case of an attack, an emergency call to one or more telephone numbers .

[0005] The obj ect of the present invention is to propose a wearable electronic anti-aggression device that is easy to use and immediately accessible even in a situation of panic, and capable of generating di f ferent alarm signals depending on the situation .

[0006] Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a wearable accessory that incorporates an electronic antiaggression device while remaining indistinguishable from a common decorative obj ect or other wearable accessory .

[0007] Said obj ects are achieved with an electronic antiaggression device in accordance with claim 1 and a wearable accessory according to claims 12 , 13 and 15 . The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention .

[0008] The features and advantages of the electronic antiaggression device and wearable accessory according to the invention will nonetheless be evident from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof , provided by way of non-limiting example , with reference to the accompanying figures , wherein :

[0009] - Fig . la shows a perspective view of the electronic anti-aggression device in one of the embodiments thereof ;

[0010] - Fig . lb is an exploded view of the electronic anti-aggression device shown in Fig . la;

[0011] - Fig . 2 is a block diagram of the main functional components of the electronic anti-aggression device , in one of the embodiments thereof ;

[0012] - Fig . 3 and 4 depict the electronic antiaggression device of Fig . la in two di f ferent activation modes thereof ;

[0013] - Fig . 5 and 5a are two perspective views of a wearable accessory that comprises the electronic antiaggression device from Fig . la ; and

[0014] - Fig . 6 depicts a watch, in the casing of which an electronic anti-aggression device according to the invention is incorporated .

[0015] According to the attached figures , the reference number 1 indicates an electronic anti-aggression device as a whole .

[0016] The electronic anti-aggression device 1 is integrable into a wearable accessory, such as a necklace 50 or a watch 60 , as described below .

[0017] The term "wearable accessory" generally refers to any functional or decorative obj ect that may be worn or carried by a person, that is connected to a user' s body, included, for example , a bag, a backpack, a waist pack, a cover for portable electronic devices , such as one that is connectable to the body by means of a strap, or a necklace , a bracelet , a pendant , a brooch, or even a piece of clothing .

[0018] For example , the electronic anti-aggression device 1 comprises a circuit board 13 on which the components described hereinafter are mounted .

[0019] In a general embodiment , the anti-aggression device 1 comprises at least one light and/or sound signaling device 137 , 139 , and an emergency call activation module 135 , 136 suitable for activating an emergency call to one or more devices , such as a mobile phone , landline telephone , tablet , PC, devices connected to emergency services , or devices directly connected to law enforcement .

[0020] An emergency call is defined as a sequence of actions necessary to request a rescue when a user is in a dangerous situation . For example, an emergency call may be a direct call to a telephone number, or sending a text message , sending a message through dedicated applications , sending a picture , or even sending a signal to an external device suitable for consequently activating an emergency call .

[0021] The anti-aggression device 1 further comprises an activator device 14, 15 operatively connected to the light and/or sound signaling device 137, 139 and the call activation module 135, 136.

[0022] The activator device 14, 15 is actionable by the person wearing the accessory in at least two distinct activation modes: a first activation mode triggers the activation of the light and/or sound signaling device 137, 139; a second activation mode triggers the activation of the call activation module 135, 136.

[0023] In one embodiment illustrated in particular in Fig. 2, 3, and 4, the activator device 14, 15 comprises an actuator 14, for example a spindle or pin, which is movable, for example in increments, between an inactive position, a first active position which triggers the activation of the light and/or sound signaling device 137, 139, and a second active position which triggers the activation of the emergency call activation module 135, 136.

[0024] In one embodiment, the actuator 14 is suitable for being pulled from, or pushed into, a respective actuator seat 15 so as to assume, in addition to the inactive position, two different positions with respect to the actuator seat 15.

[0025] In one embodiment, the actuator 14 is in an inactive position when it is fully inserted into the actuator seat 15 . The actuator 14 assumes the first active position when partially extracted from the actuator seat 15 ( Fig . 3 ) . The actuator 14 finally takes the second active position when it is fully extracted from the actuator seat 15 ( Fig . 4 ) . In this way, to activate the call to an emergency number, the victim may extract the actuator from its relevant seat with a j erking motion, without worrying about adj usting the pulling force .

[0026] In one embodiment , the activator device 14 , 15 is mechanically, magnetically, or electrically operated . In particular, the displacement of the actuator 14 causes variations in a mechanical connection, a magnetic field, or an electrical signal , or generates a Bluetooth® signal or a Wi-Fi signal . These variations are detectable through actuation means of the signaling device and the emergency call activation module . These actuation means may, for example , engage or surround the actuator seat 15 , so that the displacement of the actuator 14 from the inactive position to the first and second active positions causes a change in the state of the actuation means and thus , for example , the closing of an electric circuit or the emergence of an electric current by electromagnetic induction .

[0027] In one embodiment , repositioning the actuator 14 in its respective seat 15 in the inactive position causes the operation of the signaling device and the emergency call activation module to stop.

[0028] In a variant embodiment, the activator device 14, 15 comprises a button 14' suitable for being pressed for a first time interval, for example for 2-3 seconds, to cause the activation of the light and/or sound signaling device 137, 139, and for a second time interval, greater than the first time interval (for example 5-6 seconds) , to cause the activation of the emergency call activation module 135, 136.

[0029] According to an additional variant embodiment, the activator device 14, 15 comprises a button 14' suitable for being pressed once to cause the activation of the sound and/or light signaling device 137,139 and suitable for being subjected to a sequence of consecutive rapid presses to cause the activation of the emergency call activation module 135, 136.

[0030] In one embodiment, to avoid the accidental activation of the signaling device and/or of the emergency call activation module, it is possible to put the anti-aggression device on stand-by by pressing the button 14' again for a predetermined time interval, for example 2-3 seconds.

[0031] In one embodiment, the light and/or sound signaling device 137, 139 comprises a high-intensity light source 137 and a sound emitter 139 .

[0032] For example , the light source 137 may be fixed or intermittent and/or flashing .

[0033] In one embodiment , the emergency call activation module 135 , 136 comprises a wireless communication module that is connectable to an electronic processing device , for example a smartphone , tablet , laptop, or desktop computer, suitable for making an emergency call to one or more telephone numbers . For example , the emergency call activation module comprises a Wi-Fi module 135 and/or a Bluetooth® module 136 .

[0034] In other embodiments , the anti-aggression device 1 is equipped with its own S IM card to make calls independently .

[0035] In one embodiment , the anti-aggression device 1 further comprises a GPS module 138 operatively connected to the emergency call activation module 135 , 136 , so that the emergency call includes the coordinates of the position taken by the device at the time of activation of the call .

[0036] In some embodiments , the anti-aggression device 1 is powered by a rechargeable battery and thus comprises a battery charging module 132 , such as a wireless charging module or a USB socket . For example , the battery charging module 132 comprises an antenna that allows the anti- aggression device 1 to be charged on a dedicated charging station, for example a universal charging station .

[0037] The anti-aggression device 1 may also be equipped with a voice recognition module 131 and an extension module 133 .

[0038] As mentioned above , the anti-aggression device 1 may be housed in an accessory casing 11 , 12 , for example formed by two shells 11 , 12 which are couplable together to form an element of a wearable accessory . The antiaggression device 1 may also be embedded in a resin, rubber, or similar casing, which is for example impact- resistant .

[0039] The activator device 14 , 15 is partially protruding from this accessory casing 11 , 12 in order to be manually operated by the person wearing the accessory .

[0040] The wearable accessory may be a necklace, bracelet , brooch, wristwatch, or pocket watch, etc .

[0041] In the case of a necklace or bracelet 50 , at least one of its elements 52 forms an element casing wherein the anti-aggression device 1 is housed . For example , the necklace or bracelet 50 may consist of a plurality of interconnected, identical , or di f ferent decorative elements , one of which ( 52 ) houses the anti-aggression device 1 .

[0042] In the case of the necklace , moreover, the high- intensity light source 137 may be positioned so as to direct a light flow towards the face of the person wearing the necklace . In this way, the attention of the people who may be present at the scene of the aggression is immediately turned toward the person attacked .

[0043] In the case of a watch 60 , the anti-aggression device 1 is housed inside the watch case , with the button 14 ' protruding from said case in a manner quite similar to the other buttons on the watch ( Fig . 6 ) .

[0044] From that which has been described above , it is evident that the electronic anti-aggression device is capable of achieving its intended purposes .

[0045] Activating the device in two di f ferent modes allows the response to aggression to be modulated according to the situation . In the first activation mode, the sound deterrent and/or lighting device are initiated ( optionally also in sequence ) . In the case of a mobile actuator, the spindle 14 does not separate from the device but is partially extracted from its relevant seat . The repositioning of the spindle blocks both signals . This initial phase may enable someone who feels threatened to activate the device by attracting the attention of those around them, through a sound and/or light signal . In many cases , this initial action is suf ficient to deter potential attackers such as stalkers and muggers .

[0046] In the second activation mode , on the other hand, the procedure for making an emergency call to one or more telephone numbers is initiated . It should be noted that i f the second activation mode involves transitioning from the first activation mode , such as in the case of extracting/pressing in the mobile actuator or prolonged pressing of a button, the sound deterrent and/or the light signal are still activated before the emergency call .

[0047] To facilitate the dissemination of the proposed anti-aggression device , the accessories in which it may be incorporated may be made not only with precious materials , but also with other more accessible materials , such as wood, plastics , including composites and bioplastics , aluminum, steel , carbon, ceramic, etc .

[0048] In certain embodiments , the wearable accessory may be made up of a variable number of segments of di f ferent shapes and si zes , connected to each other in a harmonious manner, so as to allow for adaptation to the wearer' s body .

[0049] To prevent the anti-aggression device from being recogni zed, the element in which it is incorporated may have various shapes , geometries , anthropomorphic, or other features . Furthermore , it may be possible to allow the user the opportunity to create their own mobile device to their liking, using di f ferent shapes and colors . In this way, each person will have a unique and unrecogni zable obj ect . [0050] A person skilled in the art may make several changes , adj ustments , adaptations , and replacements of elements with others that are functionally equivalent to the embodiments of the anti-aggression device according to the invention in order to meet incidental needs , without departing from the scope of the following claims .

Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be obtained independently of the other described embodiments .