Wearable article and sensor arrangement therefor

Abstract

A wearable article such as a garment (106, fig 1) includes a sensing arrangement for detecting biosignals from a wearer. The sensing arrangement comprises a first sensor 218 and a second sensor 220, w

Description

[0001] The present invention is directed towards a system comprising an electronics module, a wearable article in the form of a garment, and a user electronic device communicatively coupled to the electronics module. More particularly, the wearable article comprises a biosignal measuring apparatus for sensing biosignals from a wearer of the wearable article, and which incorporates a sensor assembly and the electronics module. The electronics module is arranged to transmit biosignal data to the user electronics module or other remote device. The present invention is also directed towards a controller for an electronics module and a wearable article incorporating an electronics module. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wearable articles, such as garments, incorporating sensors are wearable electronics used to measure and collect information from a wearer. It is advantageous to measure biosignals of the wearer during exercise, or other scenarios.

[0003] It is known to provide a garment, or other wearable article, to which an electronic device (i.e. an electronics module, and / or related components) is attached in a prominent position, such as on the chest or between the shoulder blades. Advantageously, the electronic device is a detachable device. The electronic device is configured to process the incoming signals, and the output from the processing is stored and / or displayed to a user in a suitable way

[0004] A sensor senses a biosignal such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and the biosignals are coupled to the electronic device via an interface. Typically, two sensors are used to provide a reference signal for the detected biosignals.

[0005] The sensors may be coupled to the interface by means of conductors which are connected to terminals provided within the interface to enable coupling of the signals from the sensors to the internal circuitry of the electronics device.

[0006] Electronics modules for wearable articles such as garments are known to communicate with mobile devices over wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth ® and Bluetooth ® Low Energy. These electronics modules are typically removably attached to the wearable article, interface with internal electronics of the wearable article, and comprise a Bluetooth ® antenna for communicating with the mobile device.

[0007] The electronic device includes drive and sensing electronics comprising components and associated circuitry, to provide the required functionality. The circuitry includes an analogue to digital converter that processes raw biosignals into useable data.

[0008] The drive and sensing electronics also include a power source to power the electronic device and the associated components of the drive and sensing circuitry.

[0009] Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can give rise to a deterioration in signal quality which in turn reduces the accuracy of the information derivable from the measured biosignals. To address this, circuitry, such as analogue to digital converters, used to process the biosignals can employ filters to seek to minimise the EMI. As far as possible the path lengths between the circuitry on the electronic device and terminals of the interface should be the same to further minimise EMI. This is usually achieved by employing additional lengths conductive pathway within the electronics device. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wearable article including a sensing arrangement for detecting biosignals from the wearer of the wearable article, the sensing arrangement comprising:

[0011] a base layer having an first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;

[0012] a first sensor and a second sensor provided on the base layer and arranged for connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer;

[0013] a first termination point and a second termination point configured for coupling at a removable electronics module;

[0014] a first conductive pathway connecting the first sensor to the first termination point and extending along the first surface of the base layer;

[0015] a second conductive pathway connecting the second sensor to the second termination point and extending along the first surface of the insulating layer;

[0016] a first balancing line connected to the second conductive pathway at a region close to, or at, the second termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the first conductive pathway and terminating adjacent the first sensor; and

[0017] a second balancing line connected to the first conductive pathway at a region close to, or at, the first termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the second conductive pathway, and terminating adjacent the second sensor.

[0018] The present invention provides improved biosignal detection and processing by reducing EMI affecting the processing of biosignals in a wearable assembly.

[0019] The first balancing line may extend so as to surround the first sensor. The second balancing line may extend so as to surround the second sensor.

[0020] The base layer may comprise a first aperture and a second aperture, the first sensor being exposed through the first aperture and the second sensor being exposed through the second aperture so as to enable connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer.

[0021] The base layer may comprise a third aperture through which end portions of each of the first conducting layer and second conducting layer extend to run along a section of the second surface of the base layer to form respective first termination point and second termination point.

[0022] The respective first balancing line and second balancing line may extend through the third aperture.

[0023] The wearable may article may further comprise an outer layer, and the first conductive pathway, the second conductive pathway, the first balancing line and the second balancing line may be sandwiched between the base layer and the outer layer.

[0024] The outer layer may include openings to accommodate the first termination point and the second termination point. The respective first balancing line may extend through a first of the openings and the second balancing line may extend through a second of the openings.

[0025] The displacement of each balancing line from their respective conductive pathway is in the range of 0.1mm to 1mm. More preferably, the displacement is in the range 0.1mm to 0.5mm, or alternatively, 0.5mm to 1mm.

[0026] The base layer may be a non-conducting layer comprising an non-conducting material. The base layer may a non-conductive fabric layer. The base layer may be knitted or woven from non-conductive yarn.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensing arrangement for detecting biosignals from the wearer of the wearable article, the sensing arrangement comprising:

[0028] a base layer having an first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;

[0029] a first sensor and a second sensor provided on the base layer and arranged for connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer;

[0030] a first termination point and a second termination point configured for coupling at a removable electronics module;

[0031] a first conductive pathway connecting the first sensor to the first termination point and extending along the first surface of the base layer;

[0032] a second conductive pathway connecting the second sensor to the second termination point and extending along the first surface of the insulating layer;

[0033] a first balancing line connected to the second conductive pathway at a region close to, or at, the second termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the first conductive pathway and terminating adjacent the first sensor; and

[0034] a second balancing line connected to the first conductive pathway at a region close to, or at, the first termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the second conductive pathway, and terminating adjacent the second sensor.

[0035] The first balancing line may extend so as to surround the first sensor. The second balancing line may extend so as to surround the second sensor.

[0036] The base layer may comprise a first aperture and a second aperture, the first sensor being exposed through the first aperture and the second sensor exposed through the second aperture so as to enable connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer.

[0037] The base layer may comprise a third aperture through which end portions of each of the first conducting layer and second conducting layer extend to run along a section of the second surface of the base layer to form respective first termination point and second termination point. The respective first balancing line and second balancing line may extend through the third aperture.

[0038] The displacement of each balancing line from their respective conductive pathway is in the range of 0.1mm to 1mm. More preferably, the displacement is in the range 0.1mm to 0.5mm, or alternatively, 0.5mm to 1mm.

[0039] The base layer may be a non-conducting layer comprising an non-conducting material. The base layer may a non-conductive fabric layer. The base layer may be knitted or woven from non-conductive yarn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram for an example wearable assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram for an example electronics module according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a detailed schematic diagram of the electronics components of an example electronics module according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram for an example analogue to digital converter used in the example electronics module of Figures 4 and 5 according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a detailed schematic diagram of a user electronics device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the sensing units provided on a wearable article of the system of FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross section through the electronics module, sensing units and wearable article of a wearable assembly of FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative arrangement for the sensing units of FIG. 6.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the formation of the wearable article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure 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 various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0051] 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 disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0052] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0053] ‘‘Wearable article” as referred to throughout the present disclosure may refer to any form of device interface which may be worn by a user such as a smart watch, necklace, garment, bracelet, or glasses. The wearable article may be a textile article. The wearable article may be a garment. The garment may refer to an item of clothing or apparel. The garment may be a top. The top may be a shirt, t-shirt, blouse, sweater, jacket / coat, or vest. The garment may be a dress, garment brassiere, shorts, pants, arm or leg sleeve, vest, jacket / coat, glove, armband, underwear, headband, hat / cap, collar, wristband, stocking, sock, or shoe, athletic clothing, personal protective equipment, including hard hats, swimwear, wetsuit or dry suit.

[0054] The term “wearer” includes a user who is wearing, or otherwise holding, the wearable article.

[0055] The type of wearable garment may dictate the type of biosignals to be detected. For example, a hat or cap may be used to detect electroencephalogram or magnetoencephalogram signals.

[0056] The wearable article may be constructed from a woven or a non-woven material. The wearable article / garment may be constructed from natural fibres, synthetic fibres, or a natural fibre blended with one or more other materials which can be natural or synthetic. The yarn may be cotton. The cotton may be blended with polyester and / or viscose and / or polyamide according to the application. Silk may also be used as the natural fibre. Cellulose, wool, hemp and jute are also natural fibres that may be used in the wearable article / garment. Polyester, polycotton, nylon and viscose are synthetic fibres that may be used in the wearable article / garment.

[0057] The wearable article may be a tight-fitting garment. Beneficially, a tight-fitting garment helps ensure that the sensor devices of the garment are held in contact with or in the proximity of a skin surface of the wearer. The garment may be a compression garment. The garment may be an athletic garment such as an elastomeric athletic garment.

[0058] The wearable article has sensing units 602 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on an inside surface which are held in close proximity to a skin surface of a wearer 116 wearing the wearable article. This enables the sensing units 602 to measure biosignals for the wearer wearing the garment.

[0059] The sensing units 602 may be arranged to measure one or more biosignals of a wearer wearing the garment.

[0060] “Biosignal” as referred to throughout the present disclosure may refer to signals from living beings that can be continually measured or monitored. Biosignals may be electrical or non-electrical signals. Signal variations can be time variant or spatially variant.

[0061] Sensing components may be used for measuring one or a combination of bioelectrical, bioimpedance, biochemical, biomechanical, bioacoustics, biooptical or biothermal signals of the wearer 600. The bioelectrical measurements include electrocardiograms (ECG), electrogastrograms (EGG), electroencephalograms (EEG), and electromyography (EMG). The bioimpedance measurements include plethysmography (e.g., for respiration), body composition (e.g., hydration, fat, etc.), and electroimpedance tomography (EIT). The biomagnetic measurements include magnetoneurograms (MNG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetogastrogram (MGG), magnetocardiogram (MCG). The biochemical measurements include glucose / lactose measurements which may be performed using chemical analysis of the wearer 600’s sweat. The biomechanical measurements include blood pressure. The bioacoustics measurements include phonocardiograms (PCG). The biooptical measurements include orthopantomogram (OPG). The biothermal measurements include skin temperature and core body temperature measurements.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, there is shown an example system 104 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The system 104 comprises an electronics module 110, a wearable article in the form of a garment 106, and a user electronic device 102. The garment 106 is worn by a user who in this embodiment is the wearer 116 of the garment 106.

[0063] The electronics module 110 is arranged to couple with the sensing units 602 incorporated into the garment 106 to obtain signals from the sensors of the sensing units 602.

[0064] The electronics module 110 and the wearable article, such as the garment 106, and including the sensing units 602, comprise a wearable assembly 108.

[0065] The sensing units 602 comprise one or more sensors with associated conductors and other components and circuitry. For example, in the embodiment described herein, the sensing units 602 comprise first sensor 218 and second sensor 220, the first conductive pathway 222, the first termination point 226, the second conductive pathway 224 and second termination point 228 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and in more detail in FIG. 6. The first sensor 218 and the second sensor 220 are arranged on an inner surface 234 of the garment 106 so as to contact the skin of the wearer 116 when the garment 106 is worn. The first conductive pathway 222 runs on an outer surface 236 away from the inner surface 234 between the first sensor 218 and the first contact 230. Similarly the second conductive pathway 224 runs on the outer surface 236 between the second sensor 220 and the second contact 232.

[0066] In addition to the first conductive pathway 222 and the second conductive pathway 224, the garment 106 also includes a first balancing line 332 and a second balancing line 334. The first balancing line 332 comprises a conductive pathway and is connected to the second conductive pathway 224 at a region close to the second termination point 228 and extends substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the first conductive pathway 222 and terminates adjacent the first sensor 218, but not connected thereto. The second balancing line 334 comprises a conductive pathway and is connected to the first conductive pathway 222 at a region close to the first termination point 226 and extends substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the second conductive pathway 224, and terminates adjacent the second sensor 220, but not connected thereto. The first balancing line 332 and the second balancing line 334 extend substantially parallel to the respective second conductive pathway 224. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 6.

[0067] More detailed discussion of the construction of the garment 106 and the integration of the sensing units 602 therein, will be described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9.

[0068] The electronics module 110 is further arranged to wirelessly communicate data to the user electronic device 102. Various protocols enable wireless communication between the electronics module HOand the user electronic device 102. Example communication protocols include Bluetooth ®, Bluetooth ® Low Energy, and near-field communication (NFC).

[0069] The garment 106 has an electronics module holder in the form of a pocket 112. The pocket 112 is sized to receive the electronics module 110. When disposed in the pocket 112, the electronics module 110 is arranged to receive sensor data from the sensing units 602. The electronics module 110 is therefore removable from the garment 200.

[0070] The present disclosure is not limited to electronics module holders in the form pockets.

[0071] The electronics module 110 may be configured to be releasably mechanically coupled to the garment 106. The mechanical coupling of the electronics module 110 to the garment 106 may be provided by a mechanical interface such as a clip, a plug and socket arrangement, etc. The mechanical coupling or mechanical interface may be configured to maintain the electronics module 110 in a particular orientation with respect to the garment 200 when the electronics module 100 is coupled to the garment 106. This may be beneficial in ensuring that the electronics module 110 is securely held in place with respect to the garment 106 and / or that any electronic coupling of the electronics module 110 and the garment 106 (or a component of the garment 200) can be optimized. The mechanical coupling may be maintained using friction or using a positively engaging mechanism, for example.

[0072] Beneficially, the removable electronics module 110 may contain all the components required for data transmission and processing such that the garment 200 only comprises the sensing units 602 e.g. the first sensors 218, 220 and first conductive pathways 222, 224. In this way, manufacture of the garment 106 may be simplified. In addition, it may be easier to clean a garment 200 which has fewer electronic components attached thereto or incorporated therein. Furthermore, the removable electronics module 100 may be easier to maintain and / or troubleshoot than embedded electronics. The electronics module 100 may comprise flexible electronics such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

[0073] The electronics module 110 may be configured to be electrically coupled to the garment 106.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic diagram of an example of the electronics module 110.

[0075] The electronics module 11 Ocomprises an interface 202, a controller 204, a power source 206, and one or more communication devices which, in the exemplar embodiment comprises a first antenna 208, a second antenna 210 and a wireless communicator 212. The electronics module 110 also includes an input unit such as a proximity sensor or a motion sensor, for example in the form of an inertial measurement unit 322.

[0076] The electronics module 110 also includes additional peripheral devices that are used to perform specific functions as will be described in further detail herein.

[0077] The interface 202 is arranged to communicatively couple with the sensing units 602 of the garment 106. As discussed above, the sensing units 602 comprises - in this example - the two first sensors 218, 220 coupled to respective first and second electrically first conductive pathways 222, 224, each with respective first termination point 226 and second termination point 228. The interface 202 receives signals from the first sensors 218, 220. The controller 204 is communicatively coupled to the interface 202 and is arranged to receive the signals from the interface 202for further processing.

[0078] The interface 202 of the embodiment described herein comprises a first contact 230 and a second contact 232 which are arranged to be communicatively coupled to the first termination point 226 and second termination point 228, and the respective first and second electrically first conductive pathways 222, 224. The coupling between the termination points 226, 228 and the respective first and second contacts 230, 232 may be conductive or a wireless (e.g., inductive) communication coupling.

[0079] In this example the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 are used to measure electropotential signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, although they could be configured to measure other biosignal types, such as bio-impedance signals, as also discussed above.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 are configured for so-called dry connection to the wearer’s skin to measure ECG signals.

[0081] The power source 206 may comprise one or a plurality of power sources. The power source 206 may be a battery. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. The battery may be a rechargeable battery adapted to be charged wirelessly such as by inductive charging. The power source 206 may comprise an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device may be configured to generate electric power signals in response to kinetic events such as kinetic events performed by the wearer 116 of the garment 106 . The kinetic event could include walking, running, exercising or respiration of the wearer 116. The energy harvesting material may comprise a piezoelectric material which generates electricity in response to mechanical deformation of the converter. The energy harvesting device may harvest energy from body heat of the wearer 600 of the garment. The energy harvesting device may be a thermoelectric energy harvesting device. The power source 206 may be a super capacitor, or an energy cell.

[0082] The first antenna 208 is arranged to communicatively couple with the user electronic device 102 using a first communication protocol. The user electronic device 102 is powered to induce a magnetic field in an antenna of the user electronic device 102. When the user electronic device 102 is placed in the magnetic field of the first antenna 208, the user electronic device 102 induces current in the first antenna 208. This induced current is used to retrieve the information from a memory of the electronics module 110 and transmit the same back to the user electronic device 102. The controller 204 is arranged to energize the first antenna 208 to transmit information.

[0083] In an example operation, the user electronic device 102 is brought into proximity with the electronics module 110. In response to this, the electronics module 100 is configured to energize the first antenna 208 to transmit information to the user electronic device 102 over the first wireless communication protocol. Beneficially, this means that the act of the user electronic device 102 approaching the electronics module 110 energizes the first antenna 107 to transmit the information to the user electronic device 102.

[0084] The information may comprise a unique identifier for the electronics module 110. The unique identifier for the electronics module 100 may be an address for the electronics module 100 such as a MAC address or Bluetooth ® address.

[0085] The information may comprise authentication information used to facilitate the pairing between the electronics module 110 and the user electronic device 102 over the second wireless communication protocol. This means that the transmitted information is used as part of an out of band (OOB) pairing process.

[0086] The information may comprise application information which may be used by the user electronic device 102 to start an application on the user electronic device 102 or configure an application running on the user electronic device 102. The application may be started on the user electronic device 102 automatically (e.g. without wearer 116 input). Alternatively, the application information may cause the user electronic device 102 to prompt the wearer 116 to start the application on the user electronic device. The information may comprise a uniform resource identifier such as a uniform resource location to be accessed by the user electronic device, or text to be displayed on the user electronic device for example. It will be appreciated that the same electronics module 110 can transmit any of the above example information either alone or in combination. The electronics module 100 may transmit different types of information depending on the current operational state of the electronics module 100 and based on information it receives from other devices such as the user electronic device 102.

[0087] The second antenna 210 is arranged to communicatively couple with the user electronic device 300 over a second wireless communication protocol. The second wireless communication protocol may be a Bluetooth ® protocol, Bluetooth ® 5 or a Bluetooth ® Low Energy protocol but is not limited to any particular communication protocol. In the present embodiment, the second antenna 210 is integrated into controller 204. The second antenna 210 enables communication between the user electronic device 102 and the controller 204 for configuration and set up of the controller 204and the peripheral devices as may be required. Configuration of the controller 204and peripheral devices utilises the Bluetooth ® protocol.

[0088] Other wireless communication protocols can also be used, such as used for communication over: a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metro area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), Bluetooth ® Low Energy, Bluetooth ® Mesh, Thread, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, Ant, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a cellular communication network, or any other electromagnetic RF communication protocol. The cellular communication network may be a fourth generation (4G) LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), LTE Cat-Mi, LTE Cat-M2, NB-IoT, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and / or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network.

[0089] A more detailed block diagram of the electronics components of electronics module 100 and garment are shown in FIG. 3.

[0090] The electronics module 1 lOincludes configured a clock unit in the form of a real time clock 216 coupled to the controller 204 and, for example, to be used for data logging, clock building, time stamping, timers, and alarms. As an example, the real time clock 216 is driven by a low frequency clock source or crystal operated at 32.768 Hz.

[0091] The electronics module 110 also includes a location device 306 such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) device which is arranged to provide location and position data for applications as required. In particular, the location device 306provides geographical location data at least to a nation state level. Any device suitable for providing location, navigation or for tracking the position could be utilised. The GNSS device may include Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and the Galileo system devices.

[0092] The power source 206 in this example is a lithium polymer battery. The battery is rechargeable and charged via a USB-C input 314 of the electronics module 110. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to recharging via USB and instead other forms of charging such as inductive of far field wireless charging are within the scope of the present disclosure. Additional battery management functionality is provided in terms of a charge controller 328, battery monitor 326 and regulator 324. These components may be provided through use of a dedicated power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0093] The USB-C input 314is also coupled to the controller 204 to enable direct communication between the controller 204 and an external device if required.

[0094] The controller 204 is communicatively connected to a battery monitor 326 so that that the controller 204 may obtain information about the state of charge of the power source 206.

[0095] The controller 204 has an internal memory 330 and is also communicatively connected to an external memory 320 which in this example is a NAND Flash memory. The external memory 320 is used to for the storage of data when no wireless connection is available between the electronics module 110 and a user electronic device 102. The external memory 320 may have a storage capacity of at least 1GB and preferably at least 2 GB.

[0096] The electronics module 110 also comprises a temperature sensor 316 and a light emitting diode 304 for conveying status information. The electronics module 110 also comprises conventional electronics components including a power-on-reset generator 312, a development connector 310, the real time clock 216 and a PROG header 308.

[0097] Additionally, the electronics module 110 may comprise a haptic feedback unit 302 for providing a haptic (vibrational) feedback to the wearer 116.

[0098] The wireless communicator 159 may provide wireless communication capabilities for the garment 200 and enables the garment to communicate via one or more wireless communication protocols to a remote server 114. Wireless communications may include : a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metro area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), Bluetooth ® Low Energy, Bluetooth ® Mesh, Bluetooth ® 5, Thread, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, Ant, a near field communication (NFC), a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a cellular communication network, or any other electromagnetic RF communication protocol. The cellular communication network may be a fourth generation (4G) LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), LTE Cat-Mi, LTE Cat-M2, NB-IoT, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and / or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network.

[0099] The wireless communicator 212 may be an alternative, or in addition to, the first antenna 208 and the second antenna 210.

[0100] The electronics module 110 may additionally comprise a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that enables the garment to access services provided by a mobile network operator (MNO) or virtual mobile network operator (VMNO). The UICC may include at least a read-only memory (ROM) configured to store an MNO or VMNO profile that the garment can utilize to register and interact with an MNO or VMNO. The UICC may be in the form of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The electronics module 100 may have a receiving section arranged to receive the SIM card. In other examples, the UICC is embedded directly into a controller of the electronics module 100. That is, the UICC may be an electronic / embedded UICC (eUICC). A eUICC is beneficial as it removes the need to store a number of MNO profiles, i.e. electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs). Moreover, eSIMs can be remotely provisioned to garments. The electronics module 110 may comprise a secure element that represents an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC).

[0101] The controller 204 is connected to the interface 202 101 via an ADC (analog-to-digital converter) front end 214 and an electrostatic discharge protection circuit 318.

[0102] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the component circuitry for the ADC front end 214.

[0103] In the example described herein, the ADC front end 214 is an integrated circuit (IC) chip which converts the raw analogue biosignal received from the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 into a digital signal for further processing by the controller 204. ADC IC chips are known, and any suitable one can be utilised to provide this functionality. ADC IC chips for ECG applications include, for example, the MAX30003 chip produced by Maxim Integrated Products Inc.

[0104] The ADC front end 214 includes an ADC input 402 and an ADC output 404.

[0105] Raw biosignals from the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 are input to the ADC front end 214, where received signals are processed in an ECG channel 406 and subject to appropriate filtering through high pass and low pass filters for static discharge and interference reduction as well as for reducing bandwidth prior to conversion to digital signals. The reduction in bandwidth is important to remove or reduce motion artefacts that give rise to noise in the signal due to movement of the first sensors 218 and second sensor 220.

[0106] The output digital signals may be decimated to reduce the sampling rate prior to being passed to a serial programmable interface of the ADC front end 214.

[0107] ADC front end IC chips suitable for ECG applications may be configured to determine information from the input biosignals such as heart rate and the QRS complex and including the R-R interval of the QRS complex. Support circuitry 408 provides base voltages for the ECG channel 406.

[0108] The determining of the QRS complex can be implemented for example using the known Pan Tomkins algorithm as described in Pan, Jiapu; Tompkins, Willis J. (March 1985). "A Real-Time QRS Detection Algorithm". IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. BME-32 (3): 230-236.

[0109] Signals are output to the controller 204 via the serial peripheral interface 410.

[0110] The controller 204 can also be configured to apply digital signal processing (DSP) to the digital signal from the ADC front end 214.

[0111] The DSP may include noise filtering additional to that carried out in the ADC front end 214 and may also include additional processing to determine further information about the signal from the ADC front end 214.

[0112] The controller 204 is configured to send the biosignals to the user electronic device 102 using either of the first antenna 208, second antenna 210, or wireless communicator 212.

[0113] In some examples, an input unit - such as the inertial measurement unit 322 - is arranged to detect a displacement of the electronics module 110. These displacements of the electronics module 110 may be caused by the object being tapped against the electronics module 110 or by the wearer 116 of the electronics module 110 being in motion, for example walking or running, or simply getting up from a recumbent position.

[0114] In the exemplar embodiment described herein, motion detection is provided by the inertial measurement unit 322 which may comprise an accelerometer and optionally one or both of a gyroscope and a magnetometer. A gyroscope / magnetometer is not required in all examples, and instead only an accelerometer may be provided, or a gyroscope / magnetometer may be present but put into a low power state.

[0115] The input unit could be an AI system, machine or engine.

[0116] The inertial measurement unit 322 can therefore be used to detect can detect orientation and gestures with event-detection interrupts enabling motion tracking and contextual awareness. It has recognition of free-fall events, tap and double-tap sensing, activity or inactivity, stationary / motion detection, and wakeup events in addition to 6D orientation. A single tap, for example, can be used enable toggling through various modes or waking the electronics module 110 from a low power mode.

[0117] Known examples of inertial measurement units 322 that can be used for this application include the ST LSM6DSOX manufactured by STMicroelectronics. This example is a system-in-package inertial measurement unit (IMU) featuring a 3D digital accelerometer and a 3D digital gyroscope.

[0118] Another example of a known IMU suitable for this application is the LSM6DSO also be STMicroelectronics.

[0119] The inertial measurement unit 322 can include machine learning functionality, for example as provided in the ST LSM6DSOX. The machine learning functionality is implemented in a machine learning core (MLC). The machine earning processing capability uses decision-tree logic. The MLC is an embedded feature of the inertial measurement unit 322 and comprises a set of configurable parameters and decision trees. As is understood in the art, decision tree is a mathematical tool composed of a series of configurable nodes. Each node is characterized by an “if-then-else” condition, where an input signal (represented by statistical parameters calculated from the sensor data) is evaluated against a threshold.

[0120] Decision trees are stored and generate results in the dedicated output registers. The results of the decision tree can be read from the application processor at any time. Furthermore, there is the possibility to generate an interrupt for every change in the result in the decision tree, which is beneficial in maintaining low-power consumption.

[0121] Decision trees can be generated using a known machine learning tool such as Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis software (Weka) developed by the University of Waikato or using MATLAB® or Python™.

[0122] In an example operation, the wearer 116 has positioned the electronics module 110 within the pocket 112 (Figure 1) of the garment 106 and is wearing the garment 106. The wearer 116 taps their hand or user electronic device 102 e.g. mobile phone, against the pocket 112 and this tap event is detected by the input unit of the electronics module 110, which in this exemplar embodiment is the inertial measurement unit 322. The inertial measurement unit 322 sends a signal to the controller 204 to wake-up the controller 204 from the low power mode.

[0123] A processor of the inertial measurement unit 322 may perform processing tasks to classify different types of detected motion. The processor of the inertial measurement unit 322 may use the machine-learning functions so as to perform this classification. Performing the processing operations on the inertial measurement unit 322 rather than the controller 204 is beneficial as it reduces power consumption and leaves the controller 204 free to perform other tasks. In addition, it allows for motion events to be detected even when the controller 103 is operating in a low power mode.

[0124] The inertial measurement unit 322 may be configured to detect when the electronics module 110 has been stationary but then begins to move, for example when left on a surface but then attached to the garment 106. The inertial measurement unit 322 may be configured to detect that the wearer 116 of the garment 106, with the electronics module 110 attached, is resting, or is moving, for example during exercise. The inertial measurement unit 322 may be configured to establish the level of activity, for example, whether the wearer 116 is walking or running.

[0125] The inertial measurement unit 322 communicates with the controller 204 over a serial protocol such as the Serial Peripheral, Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Controller Area Network (CAN), and Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232). Other serial protocols are within the scope of the present disclosure. The inertial measurement unit 322 is also able to send interrupt signals to the controller 204 when required so as to transition the controller 204 from a low power model to a normal power mode when a motion event is detected, for example, or vice versa. The interrupt signals may be transmitted via one or more dedicated interrupt pins.

[0126] The user electronic device 102 in the example of FIG. 5 is in the form of a mobile phone or tablet and comprises a controller 506, a memory 510, a wireless communicator 512, a display 504, a user input unit 508, a capturing device in the form of a camera 502 and an inertial measurement unit 514. The controller 506 provides overall control to the user electronic device 102.

[0127] The user input unit 508 receives inputs from the user such as a user credential.

[0128] The memory 510 stores information for the user electronic device 102.

[0129] The display 504 is arranged to display a user interface for applications operable on the user electronic device 102.

[0130] The inertial measurement unit 514 provides motion and / or orientation detection and may comprise an accelerometer and optionally one or both of a gyroscope and a magnetometer.

[0131] The user electronic device 102 may also include a biometric sensor. The biometric sensor may be used to identify a user or users of device based on unique physiological features. The biometric sensor may be: a fingerprint sensor used to capture an image of a user's fingerprint; an iris scanner or a retina scanner configured to capture an image of a user's iris or retina; an ECG module used to measure the user’s ECG; or the camera 502 of the user electronic device 102 arranged to capture the face of the user. The biometric sensor may be an internal module of the user electronic device 102. The biometric module may be an external (stand-alone) device which may be coupled to the user electronic device by a wired or wireless link.

[0132] The controller 506 is configured to launch an application which is configured to display insights derived from the biosignal data processed by the ADC front end 214 of the electronics module 110, input to electronics module controller 204, and then transmitted from the electronics module 110. The transmitted data is received by the wireless communicator 512 of the user electronic device 102 and input to the controller 506.

[0133] Insights include, but are not limited to, heart rate, respiration rate, core temperature but can also include identification data for the wearer 116 using the wearable assembly 108.

[0134] The display 504 is also configured to display an ECG signal trace part of the user interface. To display a signal trace may require raw ECG data from the electronics module 110.

[0135] The display 504 may be a presence-sensitive display and therefore may comprise the user input unit 508. The presence-sensitive display may include a display component and a presence-sensitive input component. The presence sensitive display may be a touch-screen display arranged as part of the user interface.

[0136] User electronic devices in accordance with the present invention are not limited to mobile phones or tablets and may take the form of any electronic device which may be used by a user to perform the methods according to aspects of the present invention. The user electronic device 300 may be a electronics module such as a smartphone, tablet personal computer (PC), mobile phone, smart phone, video telephone, laptop PC, netbook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile medical device, camera or wearable device. The user electronic device 102 may include a head-mounted device such as an Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality or Mixed Reality head-mounted device. The user electronic device 102 may be desktop PC, workstations, television apparatus or a projector, e.g. arranged to project a display onto a surface.

[0137] In use, the electronics module 110 is configured to receive raw biosignal data from the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 which are coupled to the controller 204 via the interface 202 and the ADC front end 214 for further processing and transmission to the user electronic device 102 as described above. The data transmitted to the user electronics user electronic device 102 includes raw or processed biosignal data such as ECG data, heart rate, respiration data, core temperature, IMU data and other insights as determined, and as required.

[0138] The controller 506 of the user electronics user electronic device 102 is also operable to launch an application which is configured to receive, process and display data, such as raw or processed biosignal data, from the electronics module 110. A user, such as the wearer 116, is able to configure the application, using user inputs, to receive, process and display the received data in accordance with these user inputs.

[0139] The user electronic device 102 is arranged to receive the transmitted data from the electronics module 110 via the wireless communicator 512 and which are coupled to the controller 506, and then to process and display the data in accordance with the user configuration.

[0140] The controller 506 of the user electronics user electronic device 102 is operable to display information to a user on the display 504 as part of the user interface. Information displayed can be an ECG trace as well using raw data points transmitted from the electronics module 110. Other insights and data can be displayed on the display 504 as required. Examples might be a heart rate in beats per minute, core temperature data and respiration rate.

[0141] As mentioned above, the inertial measurement unit 322 of the electronics module 110 can be configured to use decision tree logic to determine the activity level of the wearer of the electronics module 100 and to provide an output to the controller 204. The inertial measurement unit 322 can also be configured to determine additional motion data in relation to the electronics module 110.

[0142] The location of the wearer can be established using the location device 161 which, as described above, is operable to provide location data to the controller 103.

[0143] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the arrangement of the sensing units 602 provided on the garment 106. In particular the arrangement of the first sensor 218, second sensor 220, first termination point 226, second termination point 228, first conductive pathway 222, second conductive pathway 224, first balancing line 332 and second balancing line 334 are illustrated.

[0144] The provision of the first balancing line 332 and the second balancing line 334 provides for balance between the the first conductive pathway 222 and the second conductive pathway 224 thus minimizing EMI and cross talk between the conductive pathways.

[0145] Each of the first balancing line 332 and the second balancing line 334 extend from a respective first termination point 226 and second termination point 228 and substantially parallel to and along-side the conductive pathway connected to the other termination point and the respective sensor. Thus, the first balancing line 332 runs from a point close to, or at, the second termination point 228 and alongside the first conductive pathway 222 and the first sensor 218. The second balancing line 334 runs from a point close to, or at, the first termination point 226 alongside the second conductive pathway 224 and second sensor 220. The first balancing line 332 therefore balances the first conductive pathway 222 and the second balancing line 334 balances the second conductive pathway 224.

[0146] The first balancing line 332 and the second balancing line 334 are provided sandwiched between an outer layer 702 and an insulating layer 706 of the garment 106 away from the skin of the wearer 116 of the garment 106. As such, the first balancing line 332 and the second balancing line 334 are shielded from contact with the wearer 116.

[0147] The displacement of each balancing line from their respective conductive pathway is selected to be appropriate for the required performance but will be of the order of between 0.1mm and 1mm.

[0148] As mentioned above, the wearable article - in this example is a garment 106 - is constructed from a woven or a non-woven material. The sensing units 602 are integrated in the garment 106 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 7. The sensing units 602 comprise an outer layer 702 and a base layer 704. The base layer 704 is a non-conductive fabric layer. The base layer 704 may be knitted or woven from non-conductive yarn. The base layer 704 has an inner surface 708 and an outer surface 710.

[0149] The sensing units 602 comprise the first sensor 218 and the second sensor 220, each comprising conductive regions formed of conductive yarn which is integrally knit or woven with the base layer 704 to form a sensing unit 602 of an integral construction, that is the sensing units 602 are formed from a continuous body of fabric. In this example, Circuitex ™ conductive yarn from Noble Biomaterials Limited is used to form the conductive regions. Of course, other conductive yarns may be used. The conductive yarn may comprise a non-conductive or less conductive base yarn which is coated or embedded with conductive material such as carbon, copper and silver.

[0150] Both the first sensor 218 and the second sensor 220 are raised sections of conductive material that extends away from the base layer 704. This raised section of conductive material the first sensor 218 and the second sensor 220 allows contact with the skin surface of the wearer 116 to measure signals from the wearer and / or introduce signals into the wearer. Having a raised surface is beneficial in improving electrode contact with the skin surface particularly when the wearer 116 is moving.

[0151] The first conductive pathway 222 and the second conductive pathway 224 are formed of conductive material extending from the respective first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 to the respective first termination point 226 and second termination point 228 so as to electrically connects the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 to the respective first termination point 226 and second termination point 228.

[0152] The first conductive pathway 222 and the second conductive pathway 224 are incorporated into the base layer 704. They may be formed so as to be flush with the base layer 704. In some examples, the first conductive pathway 222 and the second conductive pathway 224 extend along surface of the base layer 704.

[0153] The first conductive pathway 222, the second conductive pathway 224 as well as the first termination point 226 and second termination point 228 may also be formed of conductive yarn which is integrally knit or woven with the base layer 704. In this example, Circuitex ™ conductive yarn from Noble Biomaterials Limited is used to form the conductive regions. Of course, other conductive yarns may be used. The conductive yarn may comprise a non-conductive or less conductive base yarn which is coated or embedded with conductive material such as carbon, copper and silver.

[0154] The garment 106 further comprises an insulating layer 706 706 that is attached to the outer layer 702. The insulating layer 706 comprise openings 712 aligned with the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220. The insulating layer 706 encapsulates the sensing units 602 and insulates them.

[0155] The outer layer 702 also includes openings 714 to accommodate the first termination point 226 and second termination point 228.

[0156] The first balancing line 332 and second balancing line 334 are formed on the base layer 704 in the same way.

[0157] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the first balancing line 332 and the second balancing line 334 extend substantially around the respective first sensor 218 and second sensor 220.

[0158] FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, in which the sensing units 602 are integrated in the garment 106 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the sensing units 602 comprise an outer layer 902. The outer layer 902 is a non-conductive fabric layer. The outer layer 902 may be knitted or woven from non-conductive yarn. The outer layer 902 has an inner surface 906 and an outer surface 908. The outer layer 902 is provided on an insulating layer 914 at at the inner surface 906.

[0159] As with the previous embodiment described above, the sensing units 602 comprise the first sensor 218 and the second sensor 220, along with respective first conductive pathway 222, second conductive pathway 224, first termination point 226 and second termination point 228.

[0160] The the first sensor 218 along with respective first conductive pathway 222 and the first termination point 226 are each formed of a first conducting layer 904. The second sensor 220, the second conductive pathway 224, and second termination point 228 are each formed of a second conducting layer 918. The first conducting layer 904 and the second conducting layer 918 are formed of a conductive material sandwiched between the outer layer 902 and the insulating layer 914. In this embodiment, the first conducting layer 904 and the second conducting layer 918 are continuous strips of conductive material running along the inner surface 906 and outer surface 908 of the outer layer 902. In one embodiment, the conductive material comprises a conductive polymer. The conductive polymer comprises a polymer substrate with an electrically conducting coating such as a coating of Carbon 99.

[0161] The first sensor 218 and second sensor 220 are provided by forming a respective first aperture 910 and second aperture 912 in the insulating layer 914 so that a region of the first conducting layer 904 and the second conducting layer 918 is exposed through the respective first aperture 910 and the second aperture 912 to form the respective first sensor 218 and second first sensor 218, as shown in FIG. 9

[0162] The outer layer 902 includes a third aperture 916 through which end portions of each of the first conducting layer 904 and second conducting layer 918 extend to run along a section of the outer surface 908 of the outer layer 902 to form respective first termination point 226 and second termination point 228. The sections of the first conducting layer 904 and second conducting layer 918 form the first conductive pathway 222 and the second conductive pathway 224.

[0163] The balancing lines are similarly formed on the insulating layer 914 using a conductive material, for example, the same conductive material as the first sensor 218 and second sensor 220.

[0164] Whilst the steps example embodiments described above are implemented on specific components of the system 10, it will be understood that other combinations are possible. For example, steps implemented on the wearable assembly 108, user electronic device 102 or remote server 114 could equally be carried out on another of the wearable assembly 108, user electronic device 102 or remote server 114.

[0165] In some embodiments, the described elements may be configured to reside on a tangible, persistent, addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute on one or more processors. These functional elements may in some embodiments include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

[0166] Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” or “comprises” means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others.

[0167] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0168] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0169] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A wearable article including a sensing arrangement for detecting biosignals from the wearer of the wearable article, the sensing arrangement comprising:a base layer having an first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;a first sensor and a second sensor provided on the base layer and arranged for connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer;a first termination point and a second termination point configured for coupling at a removable electronics module;a first conductive pathway connecting the first sensor to the first termination point and extending from the first surface of the base layer;a second conductive pathway connecting the second sensor to the second termination point and extending from the first surface of the base layer;a first balancing line connected to the second conductive pathway at a region close to, or at, the second termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the first conductive pathway and terminating adjacent the first sensor; anda second balancing line connected to the first conductive pathway at a region close to, or at, the first termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the second conductive pathway, and terminating adjacent the second sensor.

2. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the first balancing line extends so as to surround the first sensor.

3. The wearable article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second balancing line extends so as to surround the second sensor.

4. The wearable article of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base layer comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first sensor extending through the first aperture and the second sensor extending through the second aperture so as to enable connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer.

5. The wearable article of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base layer comprises a third aperture through which end portions of each of the first conducting layer and second conducting layer extend to run along a section of the second surface of the base layer to formrespective first termination point and second termination point, and the respective first balancing line and second balancing line extends through the third aperture.

6. The wearable article of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an outer layer, the first conductive pathway, the second conductive pathway, the first balancing line and the second balancing line being sandwiched between the base layer and the outer layer.

7. The wearable article of claim 6, wherein the outer layer includes openings to accommodate the first termination point and the second termination point, and the respective first balancing line extends through a first of the openings and the second balancing line extends through a second of the openings.

8. The wearable article of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the displacement of each balancing line from their respective conductive pathway is in the range of 0.1mm to 1mm.

9. The wearable article of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base layer is a non-conducting layer.

10. A sensing arrangement for detecting biosignals from the wearer of the wearable article, the sensing arrangement comprising:a base layer having an first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;a first sensor and a second sensor provided on the base layer and arranged for connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer;a first termination point and a second termination point configured for coupling at a removable electronics module;a first conductive pathway connecting the first sensor to the first termination point and extending from the first surface of the base layer;a second conductive pathway connecting the second sensor to the second termination point and extending from the first surface of the base layer;a first balancing line connected to the second conductive pathway at a region close to, or at, the second termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the first conductive pathway and terminating adjacent the first sensor; anda second balancing line connected to the first conductive pathway at a region clos e to, or at, the first termination point, extending substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the second conductive pathway, and terminating adjacent the second sensor.

11. The sensing arrangement of claim 10, wherein the first balancing line extends so as to surround the first sensor.

12. The sensing arrangement of claim 10 or 11, wherein the second balancing line extends so as to surround the second sensor.

13. The sensing arrangement of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the base layer comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first sensor being exposed through the first aperture and the second sensor being exposed through the second aperture so as to enable connection with the skin of a wearer of the wearable article when the wearable article is worn by the wearer.

14. The sensing arrangement of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the base layer comprises a third aperture through which end portions of each of the first conducting layer and second conducting layer extend to run along a section of the outer surface of the outer layer to form respective first termination point and second termination point, and the respective first balancing line and second balancing line extends through the third aperture.

15. The sensing arrangement of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the displacement of each balancing line from their respective conductive pathway is in the range of 0.1mm to 1mm.

16. The sensing arrangement of any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the base layer is a nonconducting layer.

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