TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a chromic device capable of modulating color applicable to items including home decor, wearables, movable items and immovable items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Now a day’s color changing fabrics available in the market contains elements like LEDs among other that emit light of various colors. However, an such elements in high ambient temperatures may result in overheating the package, eventually leading to device failure and also such devices having elements are currently more expensive on an initial capital cost basis and these fabrics cannot be applied for all kinds of home decors, wearables, movable items and immovable items.

[003] Therefore, there is a need to have a cheaper smart device which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned problems, changes colors and is applicable to all home decors, wearables, movable items and immovable items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention discloses a chromic device comprising a base material with at least one predetermined design having at least one chromic pigment configured on a display surface of said base material, each said chromic pigment corresponds to a coloured pigment; a heat conducting means embedded on a non-display surface of said base material corresponding with said at least one predetermined design on said display surface of said base material; and a heating means configured for collectively or selectively heating said heat conducting means, in real-time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern, each said chromic pigment responsive to pre-defined heat generated, change colour of the chromic pigment thereby changing colour of the at least one predetermined design for displaying each predetermined design over said display surface of base material.

[005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating means is a flexible heater for heating said heat conducting means.

[006] According to the embodiment, heating means includes a circuit and a power source for heating said heat conducting means.

[007] According to the embodiment, the heat conducting means include one or more micro-wires, or a N-P semiconductor or a N-P junction semiconductor or an etched foil element selected from at least a nichrome wire, an etched nichrome foil, a nichrome foil, a nichrome ribbon, copper, silver, aluminum, a carbon fiber, graphene, fullerenes, aquadag, graphite, polyamide etched foil, said heat conducting means responsive to said heating means cause minor change in temperature that changes the colour of said chromic pigment.

[008] According to the embodiment, heating means is made of silicone or polyamide.

[009] According to the embodiment, a control unit is configured for controlling said heating means for said per-determined time period to change colour of said of the chromic pigment. [0010] According to the embodiment, the control unit is configured to invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said heating means based on command control signal inputs received from an input module of a user device.

[0011] According to the embodiment, user device is configured to communicate with said control unit via a communication element that includes at least a wireless

Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi.

[0012] According to the embodiment, control unit and said user device include at least one hardware interface that establish communication between them.

[0013] According to the embodiment, command control signals to control said heating means are generated by said user device via a pre-registered application or via voice of said user, said user device include a mobile device, a tablet, Alexa, laptops or personal computers.

[0014] According to the embodiment, base material includes one or more inbuilt sensors that include a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a time sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a smoke sensor, and a touch sensor for making said chromic device automatic and smart.

[0015] According to the embodiment, control unit in communication with said inbuilt sensors is configured to transmit real-time information generated to at least one of said user devices via said communication element to a display or a voice module, thereby control said chromic device. [0016] According to the embodiment, colour change of the said chromic device based on pre-determined time period of heating is made seasonal or periodic according to day and night.

[0017] According to the embodiment, base material is a fabric that includes at least one of as Lycra or polyester or cotton or mix of cotton polyester or drill or mica, or Rexene or canvas or jute or plastic or mix of plastic or ceramic or combinations thereof.

[0018] According to the embodiment, the fabric includes conductive threads or layers made with the cotton, nylon, polyester thread along with the nichrome and copper wires or ribbons.

[0019] According to the embodiment, the conductive layers are sealed in non- conductive coating, resin, mica, Kapton or polyimide.

[0020] According to the embodiment, pigment for the chromic device is thermochromic.

[0021] According to the embodiment, temperature of said thermochromic pigment is 33°Celsius to 45°Celsius.

[0022] According to the embodiment, at least one predetermined design includes a screen print or a digital print or a block print or a cylinder print or a stencil print with designs or pixels for multiple colours, multiple patterns or a hand painted or a dying or a camouflage painted over said display surface of the base material.

[0023] According to the embodiment, the predetermined design includes at least one of scenery, numbers, alphabets, cartoons, photos, images or combinations thereof. [0024] According to the embodiment, the base material is selected from group of home decors and wearables, movable items and immovable items that include clothes, hats, bags, purses, pillows, curtains, cars, seats, walls, floor, tiles, sheets, tables, body stickers, toy stickers, and toys.

[0025] According to another aspect, the present invention discloses a chromic device comprising a base material with at least one predetermined design having at least one chromic pigment configured on a display surface of said base material, each said chromic pigment corresponds to a colored pigment; a heat conducting means embedded on a non-display surface of said base material corresponding with said at least one predetermined design on said display surface of said base material; a heating means configured for collectively or selectively heating said heat conducting means, in real-time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern; one or more sensors configured within said base material; and a control unit configured to: invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said heating means based on command control signal inputs received from an input module of a user device via a communication element that includes at least a wireless Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi, receive real-time information generated by said one or more sensors, and transmit said real-time information to said at least user device via said communication element to a display or a voice module, thereby control said chromic device, each said chromic pigment responsive to pre-defined heat generated, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design for displaying each predetermined design over said display surface of base material. [0026] According to one aspect, the present invention discloses a chromic device comprising a base material with at least one predetermined design having at least one chromic pigment configured on a display surface of said base material, each said chromic pigment corresponds to a colored pigment; a simulation means embedded on a non-display surface of said base material corresponding with said at least one predetermined design configured for collectively or selectively simulate in real-time for a pre- determined time period, defining a pattern; one or more sensors configured within said base material; and a control unit configured to: invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said simulation means based on command control signal inputs received from an input module of a user device via a communication element that includes at least a wireless Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi, receive real-time information generated by said one or more sensors, and transmit said real-time information to said at least user device via said communication element to a display or a voice module, thereby control said chromic device, each said chromic pigment responsive to simulation means, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design for displaying each predetermined design over said display surface of base material.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the pigment for the chromic device is at least one selected from group consisting of hot thermochromic, cold thermochromic, E- ink, electrochromic, photochromic endochromic or hydochromic pigments or combinations thereof. [0028] According to the embodiment, the simulation means include heater with conductive elements or an infrared (IR) element or a ultraviolet (UV) element or a light emitting diode (LED) or electrodes or one or more Peltier, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design for displaying each predetermined design over said display surface of base material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates top view of an exemplary chromic device with at least one predetermined design on a display surface of a base material, according to an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates back view of the exemplary chromic device with heat conducting means embedded on a non-display surface of the base material and block of connections, according to the aspect of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram showing a method of operation of the chromic device, according to aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram showing a control unit of the chromic device, according to still another aspect of the present invention; and

Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram showing a method of operation of the chromic device, according to one aspect of the present invention; and Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram showing a control unit of the chromic device, according to the one aspect of the present invention.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In general, the present invention claims a chromic device capable of modulating color, comprising a base material with at least one predetermined design having at least one chromic pigment configured on a display surface; a heat conducting means embedded on a non-display surface of said base material corresponding with said at least one predetermined design , and a heating means configured for collectively or selectively heating said heat conducting means, in real time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern, each said chromic pigment responsive to pre-defined heat generated, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design for displaying each predetermined design over said display surface of base material. The chromic device includes one or more sensors disposed within said base material. The chromic device includes a control unit for controlling heating means based on command control signal inputs received from a user device via a communication element and for transmitting real-time information generated by said one or more sensors to at least one user device, thereby control said chromic device.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well- known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, heating means, display surface, non-display surface, communication element, user device, hardware interface, type of base material, type of fabric, type of micro-wires, etched foil elements, type and color of chromic pigment, pre-determined designs, predetermined patterns, time periods, type of sensors, type of simulation means that include heater with conductive elements or an infrared (IR) element or a ultraviolet (UV) element or a light emitting diode (LED) or electrodes or one or more Peltier, change color are referred in the description for the purpose of the understanding and nowhere limit the invention.

Figures discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged environment. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention.

[0030] Referring Figures 1-4 shows a chromic device (100, 400, 600), a base material (120), at least one predetermined design (130), a display surface (120a), heat conducting means (140), a non-display surface (120b), a heating means (150), a circuit (152) and a power source (155), a control unit (160) having a processor (162), a memory (165), a communication element (166), hardware interface (168), a user device (170), having a processor (172), an input module (174), a memory (175), a display or voice module (176), a hardware interface (178) and a communication element (166), one or more inbuilt sensors (180), and a method (300, 500).

[0031] Referring Figure 1 illustrates top view of an exemplary chromic device (100) with at least one predetermined design (130) on a display surface (120a) of a base material (120), according to an aspect of the present invention. The chromic device

(100) comprises base material (120) with at least one predetermined design (130) having at least one chromic pigment configured on a display surface (120a) of said base material (120), each said chromic pigment corresponds to a colored pigment.

[0032] Referring Figure 2 illustrates back view of the exemplary chromic device (100) with heat conducting means (140) embedded on a non-display surface (120b) of the base material and block of connections, according to the aspect of the present invention. The chromic device includes heat conducting means (140) embedded on a non-display surface (120b) of said base material (120) corresponding with said at least one predetermined design (130) on said display surface (120a) of said base material (120).

[0033] According to an embodiment, the chromic device (100) includes a heating means (150) configured for collectively or selectively heating said heat conducting means (140), in real-time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern, each said chromic pigment responsive to pre-defined heat generated, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design

(130) for displaying each predetermined design (130) over said display surface (120a) of base material (120). [0034] According to the embodiment, heating means (150) is a flexible heater for heating said heat conducting means (140) and is made of silicone or polyamide.

[0035] According to the embodiment, said heating means (150) includes a circuit (152) and a power source (155) for heating said heat conducting means (140).

[0036] According to the embodiment, the heat conducting means (140) include one or more micro-wires, or a N-P semiconductor or a N-P junction semiconductor or an etched foil element selected from at least a nichrome wire, an etched nichrome foil, a nichrome foil, a nichrome ribbon, copper, silver, aluminum, a carbon fiber, graphene, fullerenes, aquadag, graphite, polyamide etched foil, said heat conducting means (140) responsive to said heating means (150) cause minor change in temperature that changes the colour of said chromic pigment.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, the chromic device (100) includes a control unit (160) configured for controlling said heating means (150) for said per- determined time period to change color of said of the chromic pigment.

[0038] In said embodiment, the control unit (160) is configured to invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said heating means (150) based on command control signal inputs received from an input module (174) of a user device (170).

[0039] In the embodiment, the user device (170) is configured to communicate with said control unit (160) via a communication element (166) that includes at least a wireless Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi. [0040] In the embodiment, the control unit (160) and said user device (170) include at least one hardware (168, 178) interface that establish communication between them.

[0041] In the embodiment, command control signals to control said heating means (150) are generated by said user device (170) via a pre-registered application or via voice of said user, said user device (170) include a mobile device, a tablet, Alexa, laptops or personal computers. The base material (140) is also connected to user device (170).

[0042] In the embodiment, the base material (120) include one or more inbuilt sensors (180) that include a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a time sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a smoke sensor, and a touch sensor for making said chromic device automatic and smart.

[0043] In said embodiment, control unit (160) in communication with said inbuilt sensors (180) is configured to transmit real-time information generated to at least one of said user devices (170) via said communication element (166) to a display or a voice module (176), thereby control said chromic device.

[0044] According to the present invention, color change of the said chromic device based on pre- determined time period of heating is made seasonal or periodic according to day and night.

[0045] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the base material (120) is a fabric that includes at least one of as Lycra or polyester or cotton or mix of cotton polyester or drill or mica, or Rexene or canvas or jute or plastic or mix of plastic or ceramic or combinations thereof.

[0046] According to the embodiment, fabric includes conductive threads or layers made with the cotton, nylon, polyester thread etc. along with the nichrome, copper, metal or non-metal wires or ribbons.

[0047] According to the embodiment, the conductive layers are sealed in non- conductive coating, resin, mica, Kapton or polyimide.

[0048] According to the embodiment, pigment for the chromic device is at least one selected from group consisting of hot thermochromic, cold thermochromic, E-ink, electrochromic, photochromic endochromic or hydochromic pigments or combinations thereof.

[0049] According to the embodiment, pigment for the chromic device is thermochromic having a temperature about 33°Celsius to 45°Celsius.

[0050] According to the embodiment, at least one predetermined design (130) includes a screen print or a digital print or a block print or a cylinder print or a stencil print with designs or pixels for multiple colours, multiple patterns or a hand painted or a dying or a camouflage painted over said display surface (120a) of the base material (120).

[0051] According to the embodiment, at least one predetermined design (130) include at least one of scenery, numbers, alphabets, cartoons, photos, images or combinations thereof. [0052] According to the embodiment, base material (120) is selected from group of home decors and wearables, movable items and immovable items that include clothes, hats, bags, purses, pillows, curtains, cars, seats, walls, floor, tiles, sheets, tables, body stickers, toy stickers, solid surfaces and toys.

[0053] Referring Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram showing a method (300) of operation of the chromic device (100, 400), according to aspect of the present invention. The method (300) comprising the steps of: step (301): selecting a base material (120); step (302): configuring at least one predetermined design (130) with at least one chromic pigment on a display surface (120a) of said base material (120), each said chromic pigment corresponds to a colored pigment; step (303): embedding heat conducting means (140) on a non-display surface (120b) of said base material (120) corresponding with said at least one predetermined design (130) on said display surface (120a) of said base material (120); and step (304): collectively or selectively heating said heat conducting means (140) by a heating means (150) having a circuit (152) and power source (155), in real-time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern, each said chromic pigment responsive to pre-defined heat generated, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design (130) for displaying each predetermined design (130) over said display surface (120a) of base material (120).

[0054] According to the embodiment, the step (304) of heating includes a step (305) of configuring a control unit (160) to invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said heating means (150) based on command control signal inputs received from an input module a wireless Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi.

[0055] According to the embodiment, the step (301) includes a step (306) of configuring one or more inbuilt sensors (180) within said base material (120), said sensors include a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a time sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a smoke sensor, and a touch sensor for making said chromic device automatic and smart.

[0056] According to the embodiment, the step (305) includes a step (307) of transmitting by said control unit (160) in communication with said inbuilt sensors (180) real-time information generated to at least one of said user devices (170) via said communication element (166) to a display or a voice module (176), thereby control said chromic device.

[0057] Referring Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram showing a control unit (160) of the chromic device (400), according to still another aspect of the present invention. The chromic device (400) comprises a base material (120) with at least one predetermined design (130) having at least one chromic pigment configured on a display surface (120a) of said base material (120), each said chromic pigment corresponds to a colored pigment; heat conducting means (140) embedded on a non display surface (120b) of said base material (120) corresponding with said at least one predetermined design (130) on said display surface (120a) of said base material

(120); a heating means (150) having a circuit (152) and power source (155) configured for collectively or selectively heating said heat conducting means (140), in real-time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern; one or more sensors (180) configured within said base material (120); and a control unit (160) configured to: invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said heating means (150) based on command control signal inputs received from an input module (174) of a user device (170) via a communication element (166) that includes at least a wireless Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi, receive real-time information generated by said one or more sensors (180), and transmit said real-time information to said at least user device (170) via said communication element (166) to a display or a voice module (176), thereby control said chromic device (400), each said chromic pigment responsive to pre- defined heat generated, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design (130) for displaying each predetermined design (130) over said display surface (120a) of base material (120).

[0058] Referring Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram showing a method (500) of operation of the chromic device (500), according to one of the present invention. The method (500) comprising the steps of: step (501): selecting a base material (120); step

(502): configuring at least one predetermined design (130) with at least one chromic pigment on a display surface (120a) of said base material (120), each said chromic pigment corresponds to a colored pigment; step (503): embedding simulation means on a non-display surface (120b) of said base material (120) corresponding with said at least one predetermined design (130) configure to collectively or selectively simulate in real-time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern, each said chromic pigment responsive to simulation means, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design (130) for displaying each predetermined design (130) over said display surface (120a) of base material (120).

[0059] According to the embodiment, the step (503) of simulating includes a step (504) of configuring a control unit (160) to invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said simulation means (150) based on command control signal inputs received from an input module (174) of a user device (170) via a communication element (166) that includes at least a wireless Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi.

[0060] According to the embodiment, the step (501) includes a step (505) of configuring one or more inbuilt sensors (180) within said base material (120), said sensors include a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a time sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a smoke sensor, and a touch sensor for making said chromic device automatic and smart.

[0061] According to the embodiment, the step (505) includes step (506) of transmitting by said control unit (160) in communication with said inbuilt sensors

(180) real-time information generated to at least one of said user devices (170) via said communication element (166) to a display or a voice module (176), thereby control said chromic device.

[0062] Referring Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram showing a control unit (160) of the chromic device, according to one aspect of the present invention. The chromic device comprises a base material (120) with at least one predetermined design (130) having at least one chromic pigment configured on a display surface (120a) of said base material (120), each said chromic pigment corresponds to a colored pigment; a simulation means embedded on a non-display surface (120b) of said base material (120) corresponding with said at least one predetermined design (130) on said display surface (120a) of said base material (120) configured for collectively or selectively simulating, in real-time for a pre-determined time period, defining a pattern; one or more sensors (180) configured within said base material (120); and a control unit (160) configured to: invoke a signal to trigger ON/OFF said simulation means (150) based on command control signal inputs received from an input module (174) of a user device (170) via a communication element (166) that includes at least a wireless Bluetooth technology or a Wi-Fi, receive real-time information generated by said one or more sensors (180), and transmit said real-time information to said at least user device (170) via said communication element (166) to a display or a voice module (176), thereby control said chromic device, each said chromic pigment responsive to simulation, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design (130) for displaying each predetermined design (130) over said display surface (120a) of base material (120).

[0063] According to one embodiment, simulation means include heater with conductive elements or an infrared (IR) element or a ultraviolet (UV) element or a light emitting diode (LED) or electrodes or one or more peltiers, change color of the chromic pigment thereby changing color of the at least one predetermined design

(130) for displaying each predetermined design (130) over said display surface (120a) of base material (120). [0064] According to the embodiment, a thermochromic pigment is triggered by the control unit (160) using heating pads such as flexible wire wound or polyamide etched foil heaters. The heating wire or etched foil used are of Nichrome, copper, silver, N-P semiconductor or N-P junction semiconductor, metal infused polymer or any conducting metal with resistance or nonmetals such as carbon fibre, aquadag, graphite, graphenes, fullerenes, modified polymer etc.

[0065] According to the embodiment, the photochromic pigment is triggered by the control unit (160) by having a layer of IR,UV, or the specific wavelength required LEDs beneath the fabric that trigger the pigment as the electromagnetic waves pass through the pigment from under the fabric.

[0066] According to the embodiment, the electrochromic pigment is triggered by is triggered by the control unit (160) by having electrodes at the ends of the print or beneath the fabric in a flexible circuit.

[0067] According to the embodiment, the endochromic pigment is triggered by the control unit (160) using the pettier effect. Placing peltiers below the fabric can reduce the temperature and hence change the color of the pigment.

[0068] According to the embodiment, Hydrochromic pigment is triggered by the control unit (160) that is in communication with a material that has an electronically controlled water/mist sprayer/generator beneath the material.

[0069] According to the embodiment, the simulation device is applied to solid surfaces too such as ceramic or mica or metals or non metals. [0070] Thus, the present invention provides a cost-effective chromic device capable of modulating color applicable to items including home decor, wearables, movable items and immovable items. The chromic device disclosed in the present invention is smart and automatic.

[0071] The present invention has been described in the context of a chromic device having a base material with at least one predetermined design having at least one chromic pigment, heat conducting means, simulation means, heating means, control unit, one or more sensors, and a user device. However, structure is not limited to those particularly described herein. Also, the type of materials for base material, micro-wires, chromic pigments, colors, at least one predetermined design s, patterns are not limited to those particularly described herein. Further, chromic device capable of modulating color is applicable to items including home decor, wearables, movable items and immovable items is applicable all and can be modified according within the scope of the present invention, as per requirement and is not limited to the manner specifically described herein.

[0072] In the foregoing detailed description of aspects embodiments of the invention, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description of aspects, embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

[0073] It is understood that the above description and drawings are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Description and drawings are intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms“including” is used as the plain-English equivalent of the respective term“comprising” respectively.