Convertible versatile cane

Abstract

A convertible, multi-tasking cane and a method of using the cane is disclosed. The cane includes a tubular cane body defining an internal cavity, a handle attached to a first end of the tubular cane body, and a base support attached to a second end of the tubular cane body. The handle is converts to a seat upon actuation of a seat release mechanism. The cane further includes an umbrella, a rechargeable battery located in the internal cavity and above the second end of the tubular cane body, and a tubular insulating structure overlapping a portion of the tubular cane body. The tubular insulating structure houses a plurality of electronic devices.

1 . A convertible, multi-tasking cane, comprising:
 a tubular cane body having an internal cavity;   a handle attached to a first end of the tubular cane body, wherein the handle is configured to convert to a seat upon actuation of a seat release mechanism;   a base support attached to a second end of the tubular cane body;   an umbrella;   a rechargeable battery located in the internal cavity, above the second end of the tubular cane body; and   a tubular insulating structure overlapping a portion of the tubular cane body, the tubular insulating structure housing a plurality of electronic devices.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a compass located on a surface of the tubular insulating structure.   
     
     
         3 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 1 , the handle comprising:
 a central plate located on the first end of the tubular cane body, wherein a plane of the central plate is perpendicular to a length axis of the tubular cane body;   an opening defined in a center of the central plate;   a first rectangular metallic frame having a first inner frame edge hingeably connected to a first side of the central plate;   a second rectangular metallic frame having a second inner frame edge hingeably connected to a second side of the central plate, wherein the second side is opposite the first side;   a first flexible covering attached to the first rectangular metallic frame;   a second flexible covering attached to the second rectangular metallic frame;   wherein the handle is configured to form a hand grip when a first outer frame edge of the first rectangular metallic frame and a second outer frame edge of the second rectangular metallic frame are folded together such that the first rectangular metallic frame and the second rectangular metallic frame are perpendicular to the plane of the central plate; and   wherein the handle is configured to form the seat when the first outer frame edge of the first rectangular metallic frame and the second outer frame edge of the second rectangular metallic frame are unfolded so that the first outer frame edge and the second outer frame edge are in the plane of the central plate.   
     
     
         4 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electronic devices includes a microcontroller, an alarm unit, an LED display, a WIFI unit, a Bluetooth unit, an MP3 player, a USB port, a camera, a radio, an earphone jack, a plurality of LED units, a speaker, a power input port configured to supply power to recharge the rechargeable battery, and a micro subscriber identity module (SIM) port. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 4 , wherein the microcontroller is operatively connected to the alarm unit, the LED display, the WIFI unit, the Bluetooth unit, the MP3 player, the USB port, the camera, the radio, the earphone jack, the plurality of LED units, the speaker, the rechargeable battery, and the micro SIM port. 
     
     
         6 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a geolocation (GPS) receiver configured to generate a location of the cane and a current time; and   wherein the microcontroller is configured to display the location and time on the LED display and/or periodically generate a location and time message to the Bluetooth unit.   
     
     
         7 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a camera switch connected to the camera, the camera switch having a plurality of settings, wherein a first setting of the camera switch is configured to actuate the camera to take a picture;   an LED projector connected to the camera, wherein a second setting of the camera switch is configured to actuate the LED projector to project the picture;   the LED display connected to the camera, wherein a third setting of the camera switch is configured to display the picture on the LED display; and   a memory located within the microcontroller, wherein a fourth setting of the camera switch is configured to store the picture in the memory.   
     
     
         8 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 7 , further comprising an ON/OFF switch configured to connect the rechargeable battery to or disconnect the rechargeable battery from the microcontroller, respectively, wherein:
 a first set of LED units of the plurality of LED units is located between an umbrella release switch and the rechargeable battery;   a second set of LED units of the plurality of LED units is located between the handle and the microcontroller, wherein the first set of LED units and the second set of LED units turn on when the ON/OFF switch is in an ON mode;   a first predator LED unit of the plurality of LED units is located adjacent to the first set of LED units;   a second predator LED unit of the plurality of LED units is located adjacent to the second set of LED units;   and wherein the microcontroller is further configured to:
 detect the first setting of the camera switch, 
 analyze the picture to determine whether a predator is approaching; 
 actuate the first predator LED unit and the second predator LED unit to flash red light when a predator is approaching; and 
 actuate the speaker to generate a noise in a decibel range of about 140 dB to about 200 dB based on the analysis of the picture. 
   
     
     
         9 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an opening defined at a center of the seat;   the umbrella including
 an umbrella shaft, 
 a plurality of ribs connected to a rib holder, the rib holder connected to and surrounding a first end of the umbrella shaft, 
 a flexible sheet attached to the plurality of ribs, and 
 a rib support surrounding the umbrella shaft, wherein the rib support is configured to move over the umbrella shaft; and 
   wherein the umbrella has a first configuration where the plurality of ribs are folded against the umbrella shaft, the rib support is located at a first position and the umbrella shaft is enclosed within the internal cavity of the tubular cane body, and a second configuration where the umbrella shaft, the plurality of ribs and the rib support extend through the opening, the ribs are extended away from the umbrella shaft by an angle in a range of about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees and the rib support is located at a second position, wherein the first position is at a greater distance from an umbrella tip than the second position.   
     
     
         10 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a spring located within the internal cavity of the tubular cane body;   a spring stopper located within the internal cavity between the spring and the umbrella shaft, wherein the spring stopper is configured to hold the spring in a compressed state in the first configuration and release the spring in the second configuration;   an umbrella lock located within the internal cavity between the spring and the rechargeable battery, wherein the umbrella lock is connected to the spring stopper and is configured to release the spring stopper in the second configuration; and   an umbrella release switch located within the internal cavity between the umbrella lock and the rechargeable battery, wherein the umbrella release switch is configured to actuate the umbrella lock.   
     
     
         11 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 10 , wherein the umbrella release switch is actuated by a physical push of a release button positioned on the umbrella release switch, wherein the release button is located on an exterior of the tubular insulating structure. 
     
     
         12 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane of  claim 10 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to:
 receive a weather report through at least one of the Bluetooth unit and the WiFi unit;   analyze the weather report;   determine, based on the analysis, whether a rain shower is predicted within a pre-determined time period at a current location of the cane,   notify a user regarding deployment of the umbrella when the rain shower is predicted within the pre-determined time period; and   actuate the umbrella release switch to place the umbrella in the second configuration when the rain shower is predicted within the pre-determined time period.   
     
     
         13 . A method of using a convertible, multi-tasking cane, comprising:
 actuating an ON/OFF switch to turn ON the convertible multi-tasking cane;   walking while holding a handle of the convertible multi-tasking cane, a base of the convertible multi-tasking cane supported by a ground surface;   sitting on a seat formed by unfolding the handle of the convertible multi-tasking cane when not walking; and   protecting, by an umbrella, a user from a rain shower or sunlight by actuating an umbrella release switch located on the convertible multi-tasking cane to extend an umbrella shaft through an opening defined at a center of the seat or the handle, causing a plurality of ribs connected to the umbrella shaft to extend upwards and out from the umbrella shaft, and unfurling a flexible sheet attached to the plurality of ribs.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 inserting an earphone jack into an earphone port defined in the convertible multi-tasking cane;   turning on a radio switch located on a surface of the convertible multi-tasking cane; and   listening to a radio located in a surface of the convertible multi-tasking cane while walking or sitting on the seat.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 inserting an earphone jack into an earphone port defined in the convertible multi-tasking cane;   turning on an MP3 player switch located on a surface of the convertible multi-tasking cane; and   listening to music stored on an MP3 player located in a surface of the convertible multi-tasking cane while walking or sitting on the seat.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 actuating, by a camera switch, a camera to take a picture of a surrounding environment, the camera located within a tubular insulating structure overlapping a portion of a tubular cane body of the convertible multi-tasking cane;   performing at least one step of:
 displaying the picture on an LED display; 
 displaying, by an LED projector, the picture on a surface of the surrounding environment; 
 storing the picture in a memory of a microcontroller; 
 wirelessly transmitting the picture, by at least one of a micro subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a Bluetooth unit, and a WiFi unit. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 determining, by the microcontroller, when a current time is nighttime;   actuating a plurality of LED units to turn ON;   periodically actuating, by the camera switch, the camera to take the picture of the surrounding environment, the camera located within the tubular insulating structure;   analyzing the picture to determine whether a predator is approaching;   actuating a first predator LED unit and a second predator LED unit of the plurality of LED units to flash red light based on the analysis; and   actuating a speaker located on the convertible multi-tasking cane to generate a noise in a decibel range of about 140 dB to about 200 dB based on actuating the first predator LED unit and the second predator LED unit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 obtaining, by a geolocation (GPS), a current location of the convertible multi-tasking cane and a current time;   displaying the current location and current time on the LED display located on the convertible multi-tasking cane;   periodically generating, by the microcontroller, a current location and current time message;   determining, by the microcontroller, when the current location deviates from a map route stored in the microcontroller;   actuating, by the microcontroller, an alarm when a deviation of current location is determined;   generating, by the microcontroller, instructions to guide a user to an expected location on the map route;   broadcasting, by the microcontroller, the instructions by actuating a speaker located within the tubular insulating structure; and   wirelessly transmitting, by the microcontroller, the current location, and the current time message and/or the instructions by at least one of the Bluetooth unit, the SIM card, and the WiFi unit.   
     
     
         19 . A convertible, multi-tasking cane system, comprising:
 a tubular cane body having an internal cavity;   a handle attached to a first end of the tubular cane body, wherein the handle is configured to convert to a seat upon actuation of a seat release mechanism;   a base support attached to a second end of the tubular cane body;   an umbrella having a folded configuration in which an umbrella shaft is enclosed within the internal cavity, umbrella ribs are folded against the umbrella shaft, a rib support is located at a first position and an open configuration in which the umbrella shaft, the ribs and the rib support extend through an opening in the handle and/or the seat, the ribs are extended away from the umbrella shaft by an angle in a range of about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees and the rib support is located at a second position, wherein the first position is at a greater distance from an umbrella tip than the second position;   a rechargeable battery located in the internal cavity, above the second end of the tubular cane body;   a tubular insulating structure overlapping a portion of the tubular cane body, the tubular insulating structure housing a plurality of electronic devices, the plurality of electronic devices including a microcontroller, an alarm unit, an LED display, a WIFI unit, a Bluetooth unit, an MP3 player, a GPS receiver, a USB port, a camera, a radio, an earphone jack, a plurality of LED units, a speaker, a power input port configured to supply power to recharge the rechargeable battery, and a micro subscriber identity module (SIM) port;   wherein the microcontroller is operatively connected to the alarm unit, the LED display, the WIFI unit, the Bluetooth unit, the MP3 player, the GPS receiver, the USB port, the camera, the radio, the earphone jack, the plurality of LED lights, the speaker, the rechargeable battery, and the micro SIM port; and   wherein the microcontroller is configured to transmit and receive wireless communications through at least one of the WIFI unit, the Bluetooth unit, the GPS receiver, and a SIM card inserted in the micro SIM port.   
     
     
         20 . The convertible, multi-tasking cane system of  claim 19 , wherein the microcontroller is further configured to:
 obtain, by the GPS receiver, a current location of the cane and a current time;   display the current location and the current time on the LED display located on the cane;   periodically generate a current location and current time message;   determine when the current location deviates from a map route stored in a memory of the microcontroller;   actuate an alarm when a deviation of current location is determined;   generate instructions to guide a user to an expected location on the map route;   broadcast the instructions by actuating a speaker located within the tubular insulating structure; and   wirelessly transmit the current location and the current time message and/or the instructions to at least one of a smart phone, a remote monitor, and a remote receiver.