Electronics module comprising a reader

Abstract

Electronics module (102) comprises a sensor (106), a reader (104) and controller (108). Reader (104) operates in an active mode in which the reader (104) scans for a tag in the vicinity of the reader (104) and, if a tag is detected, reads information from the tag. Reader (104) operates in an inactive mode in which the reader is disabled from scanning for tags. Controller (108) controls the reader (104) to operate in the inactive mode while not coupled to an object, and transitions the reader (104) from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module (102) is coupled to the object. The object can be a wearable article or item of fitness equipment. Reader (104) may comprise an NFC reader operating in a listening mode and a polling mode.

Description

ELECTRONICS MODULE COMPRISING A READER

[0001] The present invention is directed towards an electronics module comprising a reader, method, and system.BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known to incorporate a reader device such as an NFC reader in an electronics module that removably couples to a garment so as to scan for NFC tags in the garment. This enables the electronics module to read information such as product information from the tag of the garment.

[0003] International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2022 / 082077 A1 discloses a wearable electronics module that removably couples to a garment. The garment includes an NFC tag which is sewn into the garment in a location where the electronics module may be placed in the garment. When the electronics module is placed in the garment, the electronics module queries the NFC tag to determine the location of the module on the garment. The NFC tag stores location information or other information including details about the garment, such as the size, whether it is a gender specific piece, manufacturer information, model or serial number of the garment, or stock keeping unit.

[0004] It is also known to provide an item of fitness equipment such as a barbell or dumbbell which incorporates a reader such as an NFC reader into the bar of the item of fitness equipment and tags into the weights that can be added or removed from the bar. The NFC reader reads the tags as they are added to the bar and sends weight information to an external device. This enables the weight added to the bar to be automatically logged in an app running on the external device.

[0005] US Patent Application No. US20180156657 A1 discloses an exercise measuring device attachable to a detachable from a bar of an exercise apparatus such as a barbell. The exercise measuring devices includes a main body and a coupling portion formed on the main body which couples to an end portion of the bar. A reader is formed on the main body. When a weight portion including a tag is fitted to the end portion of the bar, the reader detects the weight of the weight portion by reading the tag of the weight portion.

[0006] The reader includes at least one of an NFC reader, and RFID reader, a bar code reader and a QR code reader. The tag includes at least one of an NFC tag, an RFID tag, a bar code, and a QR code.

[0007] The exercise measuring device also includes a sensor that measurements movement of the exercise measuring device and a communication unit configured to transmit, to an external device, information about the weight of the weight portion reader by the reader or the movement of the exercise measuring device measured by the sensor.

[0008] Korean Patent Application Publication No. KR20190002928 A discloses a smart exercise bar for training measurement and evaluation. The smart exercise bar includes a body unit, a sensor unit, and a control unit. The control unit collects sensing information of the sensor unit and analyses exercise information based on the sensing information. The sensor unit includes a motion sensor or a sensor capable of measuring electrocardiogram and bioimpedance.

[0009] A weight retained on the smart exercise bar includes an RFID tag or an NFC tag, and the control unit includes a reader module for reading the RFID tag or an NFC tag. Accordingly, the control unit reads the weight information stored in the RFID tag or the NFC tag.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved electronics module that is able to scan for tags, such as tags incorporated in wearable articles such as garments, with reduced power consumption.

[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a simplified exercise measuring system that allows for metrics such as the weight added to the bar of the fitness equipment to be determined without requiring that the fitness equipment has dedicated electronics.SUMMARY

[0012] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronics module comprising a sensor, a reader arranged to read a tag in the vicinity of the reader, wherein the reader is arranged operate in an active mode in which the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag, and an inactive mode in which the reader is disabled from scanning for tags, and a controller arranged to control the reader to operate in the inactive mode while not coupled to an object, and transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object.

[0013] Advantageously, the electronics module comprises a reader that can read a tag in an object when coupled to the object. The tag may be a tag incorporated into a wearable article such as a garment. The reader has an active mode and an inactive mode. The reader is controlled to operate in the inactive mode when not coupled to the object. This helps reduce the power consumption of the electronics module as the reader is only activated once it is coupled to the object. The reader is thus only activated when it is in a position to read a tag.

[0014] The controller may be arranged to control the reader to remain in the active mode while the electronics module is coupled to the object and transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode in response to determining that the electronics module is decoupled from the object.

[0015] Advantageously, the reader may remain in the active mode while coupled to the object so as to perform reads of multiple tags over time.

[0016] The controller may be arranged to transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode in response to reading information from the tag.

[0017] The controller may be arranged to transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode if a tag is not detected in the vicinity of the reader after a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of polling attempts.

[0018] Advantageously, the reader may transition back to the inactive mode once a tag read has been completed or a tag read is unable to be performed. This helps reduce power consumption.

[0019] The electronics module may also include wherein the reader comprises at least one of an NFC reader, an RFID reader, and an identification image reader, and the tag comprises at least one of an NFC tag, an RFID tag, and an identification image.

[0020] The reader may comprise an NFC reader arranged to reader arranged to read an NFC tag, wherein the inactive mode is a listening mode in which an NFC antenna of the reader is arranged to listen for electromagnetic fields generated by NFC polling devices in the vicinity of the NFC antenna, and wherein the active mode is a polling mode in which the NFC antenna is energized to scan for an NFC tag in the vicinity of the NFC antenna, and if an NFC tag is detected, read information in the NFC tag.

[0021] In the listening mode, the NFC antenna may be arranged to receive power from an NFC polling device in the vicinity of the NFC antenna for charging a power store of the electronics module.

[0022] Advantageously, the NFC antenna may be used for wireless power charging when not used to scan for tags.

[0023] The controller may be arranged to transition the NFC antenna from the listening mode to the polling mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object and that the NFC antenna is not receiving power from an NFC polling device.

[0024] Advantageously, the NFC antenna may remain in the listening mode if it is receiving power from an NFC polling device. This allows for wireless charging to continue to be performed even if the electronics module is coupled to an object.

[0025] The object may be a user, and the controller may be arranged to transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the user.

[0026] The controller may be arranged to determine that the electronics module is coupled to the user based on one or more measurements performed by the sensor.

[0027] The sensor may comprise an optical sensor and the controller may be arranged to determine the electronics module is coupled to the user based on optical measurements performed by the optical sensor.

[0028] The sensor may comprise an electrical sensor and the controller may be arranged to determine that the electronics module is coupled to the user based on electrical measurements performed by the electrical sensor.

[0029] The electrical sensor may comprise one or more of a capacitive sensor, an impedance sensor, a voltage sensor, and an RF / inductive sensor.

[0030] The object may be an item of fitness equipment comprising: a bar having first and second end portions. The bar is arranged to support weight plates on the first end portion and the second end portion. The bar also comprises an electronics module holder coupled to the first end portion of the bar. The electronics module holder is arranged to removably retain the electronics module.

[0031] The controller may be arranged to transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the electronics module holder, and wherein in the active mode, the reader is arranged to detect a weight of a weight plate fitted to the bar by reading a tag of the weight plate.

[0032] The controller may be arranged to store the information read from the tag in a memory of the electronics module.

[0033] The controller may be arranged to transmit the information read from the NFC tag to an external device.

[0034] The controller may be arranged to configure an operation of the electronics module based on the information read from the NFC tag.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method performed by an electronics module, the method comprising controlling a sensor of the electronics module to perform a measurement, operating a reader of the electronics module in an inactive mode while not coupled to an object, wherein in the inactive mode the reader is disabled from scanning for tags, transitioning the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object, wherein in the active mode, the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system comprising an electronics module of the first aspect of the disclosure, and a wearable article arranged to removably retain the electronics module. The wearable article comprises a tag. When retained by the wearable article, the readerof the electronics module is brought into the vicinity of the tag, and wherein in the active mode, the reader is arranged to read information from the tag of the wearable article.

[0037] According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided system comprising an electronics module of the first aspect of the disclosure, and an item of fitness equipment comprising: a bar having first and second end portions, the bar being arranged to support weight plates on the first end portion and the second end portion, and an electronics module holder coupled to the first end portion of the bar, the electronics module holder being arranged to removably retain the electronics module, wherein the reader, in the active mode, is arranged to detect a weight of a weight plate fitted to the bar by reading information from a tag of the weight plate.

[0038] According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronics module comprising a sensor. The electronics module also comprises a reader comprising an NFC antenna. The electronics module also includes a controller arranged to transition the NFC antenna from a listening mode to a polling mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to a user based on one or more measurements performed by the sensor. In the polling mode, the NFC antenna is energized to scan for an NFC tag in the vicinity of the NFC antenna and, if an NFC tag is detected, read information in the NFC tag. The controller is also arranged to transition the NFC antenna from the polling mode to the listening mode in response to reading the information in the NFC tag. In the listening mode, the NFC antenna is arranged to listen for electromagnetic fields generated by NFC polling devices in the vicinity of the NFC antenna.

[0039] According to a sixth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided system comprising an electronics module of the fifth aspect of the disclosure, and a wearable article arranged to retain the electronics module. The wearable article comprises an NFC tag. When retained by the wearable article, the NFC antenna of the electronics module is brought into the vicinity of the NFC tag, and wherein in the polling mode, the NFC antenna is arranged to read information from the NFC tag of the wearable article.

[0040] According to a seventh aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronics module comprising a sensor. The electronics module also comprises a reader comprising an NFC antenna. The electronics module also comprises a controller arranged to transition the NFC antenna from a listening mode to a polling mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to an item of fitness equipment. In the polling mode, the NFC antenna is energized to scan for an NFC tag in the vicinity of the NFC antenna and, if an NFC tag is detected, read information in the NFC tag. The controller is also arranged to control the NFC antenna to remain in the polling mode while the electronics module is coupled to the item of fitness equipment, and transition the NFC antenna from the polling mode to the listening mode in response to determining that the electronics module is removed from the item of fitness equipment.

[0041] According to an eighth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system comprising an electronics module of the seventh aspect of the disclosure, and an item of fitness equipment comprising: a bar having first and second end portions, the bar being arranged to support weight plates on the first end portion and the second end portion, and an electronics module holder coupled to the first end portion of the bar, the electronics module holder being arranged to removably retain the electronics module. The reader, in the active mode, is arranged to detect a weight of a weight plate fitted to the bar by reading information from a tag of the weight plate.

[0042] According to a ninth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an exercise measuring system. The exercise measuring system comprises a bar having first and second end portions, the bar being arranged to support weight plates on the first end portion and the second end portion; and an electronics module holder coupled to the first end portion of the bar, the electronics module holder being arranged to removably retain an electronics module. The exercise measuring system comprises a wearable articlearranged to removably retain an electronics module. The exercise measuring system comprises an electronics module comprising a reader arranged to detect a weight of a weight plate fitted to the bar by reading a tag of the weight plate. The electronics module is arranged to communicate data indicating the weight of one or more weight plates fitted to the bar to the external device.

[0043] Advantageously, the exercise measuring system includes an electronics module that can be used interchangeably between an item of fitness equipment and a wearable article. The item of fitness equipment is not required to have dedicated electronics to record the weight added to the bar. Instead, a removable electronics module is provided which can be used interchangeably amongst various items of fitness equipment and wearable articles and may also be able to be used independently of the fitness equipment and the wearable articles.

[0044] The electronics module may be arranged to enable an active mode of the reader in response to determining that the electronics module is retained by the electronics module holder. In the active mode the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag.

[0045] Advantageously, the electronics module comprises a reader that is enabled to read for tags when the electronics module determines that it is retained by the electronics module holder.

[0046] The electronics module may be arranged to determine that the electronics module is retained by the electronics module holder in response to receiving a signal from the external device indicating that the electronics module is retained by the electronics module holder.

[0047] Advantageously, the external device, such as a user electronic device, may transmit a signal to the electronics module indicating that the electronics module is retained by the electronics module holder. The external device may transmit the signal in response to receiving a user input such as an input identifying that the electronics module has been retained by the electronics module holder.

[0048] The electronics module may comprise an optical sensor. The electronics module may be arranged to determine that the electronics module is retained by the electronics module holder in response to the optical sensor reading a tag of the electronics module holder. The optical sensor may be an ambient light sensor.

[0049] The optical sensor of the electronics module may be utilised to perform optical measurements (e.g., PPG, SPO2) of the user when retained by the wearable article. When retained by the electronics module holder, the optical sensor may read an image tag included in the electronics module holder to determine that the electronics module is retained by the electronics module holder. The image tag may be a block of a certain colour (e.g., red) that is measurable by the optical sensor. Advantageously, the electronics module may utilise a physiological sensor to determine that it is retained by the electronics module holder which simplifies the construction as a single sensor can be used for a single purpose. Once the electronics module determines it is retained by the electronics module holder, the optical sensor may be deactivated to save power.

[0050] The electronics module may be arranged to disable the active mode of the reader in response to determining that the electronics module is retained by the wearable article. Advantageously, this saves power as the reader is not activated to scan for tags when retained by the wearable article.

[0051] The electronics module may be arranged to enable a listening mode of the reader in response to determining that the electronics module is retained by the wearable article. Advantageously, the reader may operate in a listening mode when coupled to the wearable article to listen for devices in proximity to thereader. This enables additional functionality to be provided such as wireless communication pairing when coupled to the wearable article.

[0052] The reader may comprise an NFC reader arranged to read an NFC tag of the weight plate.

[0053] The electronics module may be arranged to transition the NFC reader from a listening mode to a polling mode in response to determining that the electronics module is retained by the electronics module holder.

[0054] Advantageously, the NFC reader may operate in a listening mode until it is retained by the electronics module holder so as to save power.

[0055] The NFC reader may operate in the listening mode when retained by the wearable article.

[0056] Advantageously, the NFC reader may operate in a listening mode when retained by the wearable article so as to save power. The NFC reader may listen for external devices brought into proximity with the electronics module. In response, the NFC reader may transmit information to the external device such as for communication pairing or configuration of an application on the external device.

[0057] The electronics module may comprise a sensor arranged to form a communicative coupling with a signal transfer interface of the electronics module holder when retained by the electronics module holder so as to couple the electronics module to electrodes of the bar.

[0058] Advantageously, the electronics module can couple to electrodes of the bar so as to measure physiological signals such as electrocardiogram or bioimpedance signals of a user grasping the bar.

[0059] The sensor may be arranged to form a communicative coupling with a signal transfer interface of the wearable article when retained by the wearable article so as to couple the electronics module to electrodes of the wearable article.

[0060] Advantageously, the electronics module can couple to electrodes of the wearable article so as to measure physiological signals such as electrocardiogram or bioimpedance signals of a user wearing the wearable article. The sensor of the electronics module serves the dual purpose of coupling to electrodes of the bar and electrodes of the wearable article.

[0061] The electronics module may be arranged to communicate data derived from the signals received from the electrodes to the external device.

[0062] The electronics module may comprise a motion sensor arranged to sense motion of the bar when retained by the electronics module holder.

[0063] Advantageously, the motion sensor can sense motion of the bar such as the type of exercise performed, the number of repetitions of the exercise and whether the correct form is being used.

[0064] The electronics module may be arranged to communicate data indicating the motion of the bar to the external device.

[0065] The motion sensor may be arranged to sense motion of the user when retained by the wearable article.

[0066] The electronics module may be arranged to communicate data indicating the motion of the user to the external device.

[0067] Advantageously, the motion sensor can sense motion of the user such as the type of exercise performed, the number of repetitions of the exercise and whether the correct form is being used.

[0068] The bar may be an elongate bar. The bar may be in the form of a tube, and the electronics module holder comprises a coupling portion arranged to be received in the first end portion of the tube to close the tube.

[0069] The electronics module holder may comprise a cavity sized to receive the electronics module.

[0070] There is therefore provided an exercise measuring system that comprises an electronics module that is able to be used interchangeably with both a wearable article and an item of fitness equipment. This allows for monitoring of the user when coupled to the wearable article and monitoring of the item of fitness equipment when coupled to the item of fitness equipment.

[0071] According to a tenth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided method performed by an electronics module comprising: determining whether the electronics module is coupled to an item of fitness equipment or a wearable article, in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the item of fitness equipment, transitioning a reader of the electronics module from an inactive mode to an active mode to detect a weight of a weight plate fitted to a bar of the item of fitness equipment by reading a tag of the weight plate, and communicating data indicating the weight of one or more weight plates fitted to the bar to the external device.

[0072] In response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the wearable article, the method may comprise operating the reader in the inactive mode.

[0073] According to a eleventh aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an exercise measuring system comprising: an item of fitness equipment comprising: a bar having first and second end portions, the bar being arranged to support weight plates on the first end portion and the second end portion; and an electronics module holder coupled to the first end portion of the bar, the electronics module holder being arranged to removably retain an electronics module, wherein the bar comprises electrodes and the electronics module holder comprises a signal transfer interface that couples to the electrodes; a wearable article arranged to removably retain an electronics module, the wearable article comprises electrodes and a signal transfer interface that couples to the electrodes; an electronics module comprising a sensor arranged to form a communicative coupling with the signal transfer interface of the electronics module holder when retained by the electronics module holder so as to couple the electronics module to the electrodes of the bar and form a communicative coupling with the signal transfer interface of the wearable article when retained by the wearable article so as to couple the electronics module to the electrodes of the wearable article. The electronics module is arranged to communicate data derived from the signals received from the electrodes to an external device.

[0074] The electronics module may adjust one or more algorithm parameters depending on whether the electronics module is coupled to the item of fitness equipment or the wearable article. The algorithm parameters may comprise one or more filters used in the filtering of signals received from the electrodes. The algorithm parameters may comprise one or more parameters used in the classification of activities of the user based on motion data sensed by a motion sensor.

[0075] According to a twelfth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method comprising: coupling an electronics module to an electronics module holder of an item of fitness equipment such that a sensor of the electronics module is communicatively coupled with a signal transfer interface of the electronics module holder; receiving, by the sensor of the electronics module, signals from electrodes of the item of fitness equipment via the signal transfer interface of the electronics module holder; removing the electronics module from the electronics module holder; coupling the electronics module to a wearable article such that the sensor of the electronics module is communicatively coupled with a signal transfer interface of the wearablearticle; receiving, by the sensor of the electronics module, signals from electrodes of the wearable article via the signal transfer interface of the wearable article.

[0076] According to a thirteenth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronics module comprising a sensor, a reader arranged to read a tag in the vicinity of the reader, wherein the reader is arranged operate in an active mode in which the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag, and an inactive mode in which the reader is disabled from scanning for tags, and a controller arranged to determine from contextual information whether to control the reader to operate in the inactive mode or the active mode, and in response to determining to operate the reader in the active mode, the controller is arranged to transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object.

[0077] The contextual information may indicate that the reader is in a position to read a tag such as if the contextual information indicates that the electronics module is coupled to an object.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example electronics module according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0080] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example electronics module coupled to an example wearable article according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example electronics module coupled to an example wearable article according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0082] FIG. shows a schematic diagram of an example electronics module coupled to an example NFC polling device according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 5 illustrates an example system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0084] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate an example exercise measuring system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0085] FIG. 8 shows the bar of the exercise measuring system of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0086] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of the electronics module holder of the exercise measuring system of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0087] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the bar, electronics module holder and electronics module of the exercise measuring system of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0088] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of the exercise measuring system of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0089] FIG. shows a weight plate of the exercise measuring system of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] "Wearable article" refers to any form of article which may be worn by a user such as a smart watch, fitness tracker, necklace, ring, 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 (e.g., sports bra or t-shirt bra), shorts, pants, arm or leg sleeve, vest, jacket / coat, glove, armband, underwear, headband, hat / cap, collar, wristband, armband, chestband,waistband, stocking, sock, or shoe, athletic clothing, personal protective equipment, including hard hats, swimwear, wetsuit or dry suit.

[0091] 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.

[0092] The wearable article (e.g., a garment) may be constructed from a woven or a non-woven material. The wearable article 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. Polyester, polycotton, nylon and viscose are synthetic fibres that may be used in the wearable article.

[0093] The garment may be a tight-fitting garment or a loose-fitting (e.g., freeform garment). A tight-fitting garment helps ensure that the sensor devices of the garment are held in contact with or in proximity to a skin surface of the wearer. The tight-fitting garment may be a compression garment. The tight-fitting garment may be an athletic garment such as an elastomeric athletic garment. A loose-fitting garment is generally more comfortable to wear over extended time periods and during sleep.

[0094] The wearable article typically has electrodes provided on an inside surface which are usually held in close proximity to a skin surface of a wearer wearing the garment. This enables the sensing units to measure biosignals for the wearer wearing the garment.

[0095] "Wearer" refers to the person or other form of animal who is wearing, or otherwise holding, the wearable article and / or electronics module. The wearer may also be referred to as a user. Although the user and wearer may be different entities in certain situations.

[0096] 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.

[0097] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventorto 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.

[0098] It is to be understood that the singular forms ‘‘a,’’ ‘‘an,’’ and ‘‘the’’ include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0099] FIG. 1 shows an example electronics module 102 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The electronics module 102 comprises a reader comprising / in the form of NFC antenna 104, sensor 106, and controller 108.

[0100] Electronics module 102 is a wearable physiological monitoring device that is arranged to sense physiological properties of the wearer when worn. The electronics module 102 may be retained by a wearable article such as a wrist strap, arm band, chest strap or article of clothing.

[0101] Advantageously, in aspects of the present disclosure, the electronics module 102 is also able to be retained by an item of fitness equipment such as a barbell via an electronics module holder of the itemof fitness equipment. The electronics module 102 is able to be used interchangeably amongst different objects.

[0102] Electronics module 102 comprises a housing 110 that houses the NFC antenna 104 and controller 108. Sensor 106 may be partially or fully disposed within housing 110. In some examples, at least part of sensor 106 may be located on an external surface of the housing.

[0103] Housing 110 comprises a bottom surface 112 that faces the skin surface of the wearer when worn and a top surface 114 that faces away from the skin surface when worn. In this example, the NFC antenna 104 is located proximate to the top surface 114 and the sensor 106 is located proximate to the bottom surface 112. This is not required in all examples. Both the reader and sensor 106 may be located proximate to the bottom surface 112 for example.

[0104] Controller 108 is arranged to detect whether the electronics module 102 is coupled to an object such as a user or item of fitness equipment.

[0105] In some examples, electronics module 102 determines that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the object based on signals by the sensor 106.

[0106] In some examples, the object is a user. Controller 108 determines that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the user in response to receiving signals that are characteristic of the electronics module 102 being worn. Typically, this means that the sensor 106 senses signals that are characteristic of the electronics module 102 being worn on a living being.

[0107] Sensor 106 may comprise an optical sensor. The optical sensor performs optical measurements and typically comprises one or more optical emitters and one or more optical detectors. The optical sensor may perform optical measurements by emitting light using the optical emitters and detecting light by the optical detectors. The properties of the detected light indicate whether the electronics module 102 is coupled to an object and can also indicate the type of object.

[0108] When coupled to a user, the optical emitters are able to emit light to the skin surface of the user and detect light reflected from the skin surface. The optical measurement is characteristic of electronics module 102 being coupled to the user. Other objects may have image tags such as tags having specific colours which can be read by the optical sensor when electronics module 102 is coupled to the object. The measured colour may indicate the type of object that electronics module 102 is coupled to.

[0109] Sensor 106 may comprise an electrical sensor. The electrical sensor performs electrical measurements which may be one or a combination of voltage, capacitance, or impedance measurements. The electrical measurement may have a characteristic value when coupled to an object and different objects may result in different electrical measurements having different characteristic values. When coupled to a user, for example, the electrical measurement is indicative of the electronics module 102 being coupled to a living being.

[0110] Sensor 106 may comprise a motion sensor. Detected motion by the motion sensor is indicative of whether the electronics module 102 is coupled to an object. When coupled to a user, for example, electronics module 102 will go through characteristic motions associated with being coupled to a user. Meanwhile, when coupled to an item of fitness equipment, the electronics module 102 will go through a different set of characteristic motions.

[0111] Sensor 106 may comprise a temperature sensor. The temperature measurement may have a characteristic value when coupled to an object such as a user.

[0112] Sensor 106 may comprise a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field measurement may have a characteristic value when coupled to an object.

[0113] Controller 108 is not required to determine that the electronics module 102 is coupled to an object based on measurements performed by sensor 106. In some examples, the electronics module 102 may receive a command from an external device indicating that the electronics module 102 is coupled to an object and optionally the type of object the electronics module 102 is coupled to.

[0114] Controller 108 is arranged to control the reader (NFC antenna 104) to operate in an active mode and an inactive mode. In the active mode, the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag. In the inactive mode, the reader is disabled from scanning for tags. The active mode has a higher power consumption than the inactive mode as the reader is energized to scan for tags.

[0115] NFC refers to Near Field Communication, and is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows two devices to communicate with each other when they are brought into close proximity. NFC operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.

[0116] For NFC antennas, the active mode is a polling mode. In the polling mode, the NFC antenna 104 is energized to scan for an NFC tag in the vicinity of the NFC antenna and, if an NFC tag is detected, read information from the NFC tag. This means that the NFC antenna 104 is energized to generate an electromagnetic field. If an NFC tag is within the vicinity of the NFC antenna 104, a current is induced in the NFC tag and information in the NFC tag is read by the NFC antenna 104 using load modulation.

[0117] For NFC antennas, the inactive mode is a listening mode. In the listening mode, the NFC antenna 104 is arranged to listen for electromagnetic fields generated by NFC polling devices in the vicinity of the NFC antenna 104. This means that the NFC antenna 104 is not energized to generate an electromagnetic field. Instead, a current is induced in the NFC antenna 104 by the NFC polling device and the NFC polling device can read information from the electronics module 102 using load modulation.

[0118] Controller 108 controls the NFC antenna 104 to operate, by default, in the listening mode to save power. Controller 108 transitions the NFC antenna 104 from the listening mode to the polling mode in response to determining that the electronics module 102 is coupled to an object. In this way, the NFC antenna 104 is energized to scan for NFC tags in the vicinity of the electronics module 102 such as NFC tags incorporated into the object the electronics module 102 is coupled to or NFC tags in the vicinity of the object the electronics module 102 is coupled to. If an NFC tag is detected, information is read from the NFC tag.

[0119] In some examples, controller 108 transitions NFC antenna 104 from the polling mode to the listening mode in response to reading the information in the NFC tag. This means that once the NFC tag read has been completed, the NFC antenna 104 switches back to listening mode. The NFC antenna 104 may only operate in the polling mode for a short period of time so as to read the NFC tag 210 and may otherwise operate in the listening mode. If, while in the polling mode, the NFC antenna 104 is unable to detect an NFC tag after a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of polling attempts, the controller 108 transitions the NFC antenna 104 back to the listening mode. This means that the NFC antenna 104 does not remain in the polling mode indefinitely and instead switches back to the listening mode if polling is unsuccessful. This may occur when an NFC tag is not present.

[0120] In other examples, controller 108 may control the NFC antenna 104 to remain in the polling mode while coupled to the object and transition back to the listening mode once removed from the object. This is useful when the object is an item of fitness equipment as explained below.

[0121] FIG. 2 shows an example system 202 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0122] System 202 comprises electronics module 102 of FIG. 1 and a wearable article 204. The wearable article 204 in this example comprises a fabric layer 206 and a retainer in the form of a pocket 208 that is arranged to removably receive the electronics module 102. The pocket 208 comprises a tag which in this example is an NFC tag 210.

[0123] Pocket 208 has an opening through which the electronics module 102 may be inserted and removed from pocket 208. Pocket 208 may be formed from fabric layers of the wearable article 204.

[0124] Pocket 208 is not required in all examples and other forms of retainer may be used in wearable article 204. The electronics module 102 may be otherwise configured to be releasably mechanically coupled to the wearable article 204. The mechanical coupling of the electronics module 102 to the wearable article 204 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 102 in a particular orientation with respect to the wearable article 204 when the electronics module 102 is coupled to the wearable article 204. This may be beneficial in ensuring that electronics module 102 is securely held in place with respect to the wearable article 204 and / or that any electronic coupling of the electronics module 102 and the wearable article 204 can be optimized. The mechanical coupling may be maintained using friction or using a positively engaging mechanism, for example.

[0125] The sensor 106 in this example is an optical sensor and is aligned with (and may extend through) an opening 212 formed in the fabric layer 206. This enables the sensor 106 to have line of sight with the skin tissue 214 of the wearer of the wearable article 204.

[0126] Sensor 106 may be arranged to repeatedly emit pulses of light from one or more optical emitters of the sensor 106 and subsequently detect light using one or more optical detectors of the sensor 106. The detected light has particular characteristics when sensor 106 has line of sight with the skin tissue 214 of the wearer. In response to determining that detected light has the particular characteristics, the controller 108 determines that the electronics module 102 coupled to the user.

[0127] In an example use case, the electronics module 102 is initially held off the body such as in a storage case. While off the body, sensor 106 may be selectively activated (e.g., once every 30 seconds) to detect for skin tissue. As no skin tissue is detected, electronics module 102 remains in a low power state and the NFC antenna 104 operates in the listening mode. The electronics module 102 is then positioned in the pocket 208 such that the sensor 106 has line of sight with the skin tissue 214 of the wearer of the wearable article 204. Subsequent activations of the sensor 106 result in a tissue detect signal being generated which is used by the controller 108 to wake up the electronics module 102 from the low power state. The sample rate of the sensor 106 is increased so as to enable physiological monitoring of the wearer such as heart rate detection. In addition, the controller 108 transitions the NFC antenna 104 from the listening mode to the polling mode. The NFC antenna 104 is thus energized to generate an electromagnetic field which induces a current in the NFC tag 210 and enables information from the NFC tag 210 to be read via load modulation. In response to reading the NFC tag 210 the controller 108 transitions the NFC antenna 104 back to the listening mode.

[0128] The NFC antenna 104 remains in the listening mode while it is worn. Once the electronics module 102 is removed from the body, the controller 108 transitions the electronics module 102 back to the low power mode. When the electronics module 102 is subsequently worn, the process repeats and the controller 108 transitions the NFC antenna 104 from the listening mode to the polling mode.

[0129] If the electronics module 102 is worn but an NFC tag 210 is not present (e.g., when the electronics module 102 is coupled to a wearable article without an NFC tag), the NFC antenna 104 remains in the pollingmode until a timeout condition is reached. The timeout condition can be a predetermined time limit, or a predetermined number of polling attempts as explained above.

[0130] The NFC tag 210 may store information indicating the location at which the electronics module 102 is coupled to the wearable article 204. This can be used to indicate the position of electronics module 102 on the user (e.g., chest, arm, wrist, or back). Controller 108 may configure the operation of one or more sensors 106 of the electronics module 102 or the data processing algorithms used based on the determined position.

[0131] The NFC tag 210 may store information indicating the number of times the wearable article 204 has previously been worn. This information can be used to determine whether the wearable article 204 is approaching its end of expected life. The user can be prompted, via the external device, to replace the wearable article 204 if necessary. The controller 108 controls the NFC antenna 104 to write an updated count of the number of times the wearable article 204 has been worn to the NFC tag 210,

[0132] FIG. 3 shows an example system according to aspects of the present disclosure. The electronics module 102 is coupled to a wearable article 204. The electronics module 102 is positioned inside pocket 208 of the wearable article 204 as described above in relation to FIG. 2.

[0133] The sensor 106 of the electronics module 102 in this example is an electrical sensor that can measure voltage and impedance. The electrical sensor may be used for biopotential (e.g., ECG) and bioimpedance measurements.

[0134] Sensor 106 comprises a first electrical contact 302 and a second electrical contact 304. The first electrical contact 302 and second electrical contact 304 extend through the bottom surface 112 of the housing 110.

[0135] Wearable article 204 comprises a signal transfer interface which includes first electrical contact 306 and second electrical contact 308 located within the pocket space. First electrode 310 and second electrode 312 are arranged on an internal surface 314 of the fabric layer 206 of the wearable article 204 such that they face towards the skin surface of the wearer of the wearable article 204 and contact the skin tissue 214 of the wearer. The first electrode 310 is coupled to the first electrical contact 306 by a conductive pathway (not shown). The second electrode 312 is coupled to the second electrical contact 308 by a conductive pathway (not shown).

[0136] Electronics module 102 is positioned within pocket 208. The first electrical contact 302 is brought into communication with the first electrical contact 306 of the wearable article 204 and the second electrical contact 304 is brought into communication with a second electrical contact 308 of the wearable article 204. This couples the sensor 106 to electrodes 310, 312 of the wearable article 204 and allows the sensor 106 to receive measurement signals from the electrode 310, 312. Sensor 106 may, for example, measure a differential voltage across the electrodes 310, 312 such as to record the ECG of the wearer. The measurement signals, or a processed version thereof, are provided to controller 108. Controller 108 is able to process the signals received from the sensor 106.

[0137] The sensor 106 comprises electrical contacts 302, 304 in this example. This means that the communicative coupling in this example is a conductive coupling formed by direct contact between the electrical contacts 302, 304 and electrical contacts 306, 308 of the electronics wearable article 204, but this is not required in all examples. The communicative coupling may be a wireless (e.g., inductive) coupling. When a wireless coupling is used, the wearable article 204 and electronics module 102 comprise antennas that communicatively couple when brought into proximity with one another.

[0138] When the electronics module 102 is positioned in pocket 208 and the wearable article 204 is worn, the sensor 106 senses a voltage change characteristic of the sensor 106 being coupled to a living being. Controller 108 uses this information to determine that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the user and transitions the NFC antenna 104 to the polling mode to read information in the NFC tag 210 as explained above in relation to FIG. 2.

[0139] FIG. 4 shows the electronics module 102 of FIG. 1 and an external device which acts as an NFC polling device 402. The NFC polling device 402 comprises a battery 404 and an NFC antenna 406. The NFC polling device 402 may comprise other components such as a controller and power management circuitry.

[0140] The NFC polling device 402 is an NFC wireless charging polling device that is able to transfer power, via NFC, to the electronics module 102. The NFC polling device 402 is in close proximity to electronics module 102 and, in some examples, is removably coupled to the electronics module 102.

[0141] When operating in the listening mode, the NFC antenna 104 is able to receive power from the NFC polling device 402 for charging a power store (e.g., rechargeable battery) of the electronics module 102. While the NFC antenna 104 is receiving power from the NFC polling device 402, the controller 108 prevents the NFC antenna 104 from transitioning to the polling mode even if the electronics module 102 is coupled to an object. That is, the controller 108 transitions the NFC antenna 104 from the listening mode to the polling mode in response to determining that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the object and the NFC antenna 104 is not receiving power from the NFC polling device 402.

[0142] For the electronics module 102 of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the reader is shown in the form of an NFC antenna 104. This is not required in all examples. The reader may comprise an RFID reader for reading an RFID tag, or an identification image reader for reading an identification image. The identification image may be a QR code or barcode for example.

[0143] The examples of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show the NFC antenna 104 positioned proximate to the top surface 114 of the housing 110 and the sensor 106 positioned proximate to the bottom surface 112 of the housing 110. This is not required in all examples. The reader can be positioned proximate to the bottom surface 112 to read a tag incorporated into the fabric layer 206 of the wearable article 204 for example.

[0144] FIG. 5 shows an exercise measuring system 502 system according to aspects of the present disclosure. The exercise measuring system 502 comprises a wearable article 204 (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3), an electronics module 102 (FIG. 1) removably retained by the wearable article 204, an item of fitness equipment 504, a user electronic device 506, and a remote server 510.

[0145] Electronics module 102 is releasably coupled to the wearable article 204 as described above.

[0146] Electronics module 102 is also able to be removably retained by the item of fitness equipment 504 as explained in more detail below. The electronics module 102 is arranged to be swapped between the wearable article 204 and the item of fitness equipment 504. When retained by the wearable article 204, the electronics module 102 is able to monitor properties of the user 508. When retained by the item of fitness equipment 504, the electronics module 102 is arranged to monitor properties of the item of fitness equipment 504.

[0147] Electronics module 102 is arranged to wirelessly communicate data to the user electronic device 506. Various protocols enable communication between the electronics module 102 and the user electronic device 506. Example communication protocols include Bluetooth ®, Bluetooth ® Low Energy, near-field communication (NFC) and Wi-Fi.

[0148] The system also comprises a remote server 510 which may be in communication with the user electronic device 506 and / or the electronics module 102.

[0149] FIG. 6 shows an example item of fitness equipment 504 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The item of fitness equipment 504 in this example is in the form of a barbell. The barbell comprises a bar 602 having first end portion 604 and second end portion 606 that support weight plates 608, 610. The bar 602 is an elongate bar.

[0150] The weight plates 608, 610 in this example are in the form of discs with a generally centrally located hole which are slid over the first end portion 604 and second end portion 606 of the bar 602. Collars 612 are provided in this example to securely retain the weight plates 608, 610 on the bar 602 and prevent the weight plates 608, 610 from sliding off during use.

[0151] The bar 602 further comprises skin contact electrodes 614, 616 located on an external surface of the bar 602. The electrodes 614, 616 comprise a first electrode 614 and a second electrode 616 which are spaced apart from one another on the bar 602 and are located at positions on the bar 602 where the user will typically grasp the bar 602 when performing exercises. The electrodes 614, 616 are capable of measuring physiological signals for the user such as electrocardiogram and bioimpedance signals.

[0152] The electrodes 614, 616 may be located on a gripping portion 702 (FIG. 7) of the bar 602 which is textured or otherwise provides a high friction surface to aid in the user grasping the bar 602. In some examples, the electrodes 614, 616 may be textured or otherwise provided with a high friction surface so as to function as the gripping portion.

[0153] In this example, the first electrode 614 and the second electrode 616 both comprise two separate contact surfaces (FIG. 7) to help ensure skin contact regardless of the grip used by the user to grasp the bar 602. In some examples, the first electrode 614 and second electrode 616 may extend continuously around the external surface of the bar 602.

[0154] The electrodes 614, 616 are preferred to be manufactured from stainless steel as this material is corrosion resistive and already commonplace in fitness equipment. Other electrically conductive materials can be used.

[0155] The electrodes 614, 616 are located on an exterior face of the bar 602 with an insulator material provided in between to electrically isolate the first electrode 614 from the second electrode 616. A small hole may be cut in bar 602 itself to allow an electrical connection to pass through. This helps maintain the structural rigidity of bar 602 by minimising the amount of material removed from the bar 602. The electrodes 614, 616 may also be recessed in the bar 602 by cutting out electrode shaped areas in the bar 602 but this may complicate manufacture and weaken the bar 602.

[0156] The item of fitness equipment 504 further comprises an electronics module holder 618 that is coupled to the first end portion 604 of the bar 602. The electronics module holder 618 is arranged to removably retain the electronics module 102.

[0157] FIG. 8 shows bar 602 in isolation without the weight plates 608, 610. The weight plates 608, 610 are slid on to and off of the bar 602 via the first end portion 604 and the second end portion 606.

[0158] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of electronics module holder 618 coupled to the first end portion 604 of the bar 602. The electronics module holder 618 comprises a cavity 902 which removably receives an electronics module.

[0159] The cavity 902 is sized to tightly receive the electronics module in a push-fit manner to tightly hold the electronics module in place within the cavity 902 while still allowing the electronics module to be removed by the user such as at the end of an exercise session. Other forms of removably coupling the electronics module 102 to the electronics module holder 618 such as the use of magnets or a push-pull connection may be provided.

[0160] The electronics module holder 618 comprises a signal transfer interface 908 that is accessible from cavity 902. The signal transfer interface 908, in this example, comprises a first electrical contact 904 and a second electrical contact 906.

[0161] The first electrical contact 904 couples to the first electrode 614 of the bar 602 via a conductive pathway. The second electrical contact 906 couples to the second electrode 616 of the bar 602 via a conductive pathway. The conductive pathways may be insulated copper wires which can be attached to the electrode / contact using an eyelet / nut, spade connector or soldered. Other forms of conductive pathways and connectors may be used as appropriate by the skilled person.

[0162] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of part of the item of fitness equipment 504.

[0163] The bar 602 is in the form of a hollow tube with an opening 1002 at the axial end of the first end portion 604.

[0164] The electronics module holder 618 comprises a main body 1004 and a coupling portion 1006. The coupling portion 1006 is sized to be inserted into the opening 1002 of the bar 602 to close the opening. This holds the electronics module holder 618 in place in a push-fit manner. The cavity 902 is provided on an external surface of the main body 1004 of the electronics module holder 618. In some examples, the electronics module holder 618 is bonded to the bar 602 or the coupling portion 1006 and internal surface of the bar 602 in the vicinity of the opening 1002 are threaded.

[0165] Electronics module 102 is inserted into the cavity 902 and can be removed from the cavity 902.

[0166] The electronics module 102 comprises a reader (e.g., NFC antenna 104), a sensor 106, and a controller 108 as described above in relation to FIG. 1 .

[0167] Sensor 106 comprises a motion sensor. The motion sensor is arranged to sense motion of the bar 602 when retained by the electronics module holder 618. The motion sensor is used to detect information such as the type of exercise (e.g., bench press or deadlift), the number of exercise repetitions, the amount of exercise, or the form by detecting movements of the bar 602. This enables the user to automatically track their performance. This increases user convenience as they do not have to manually record their workout. In addition, locating the motion sensor in electronics module holder 618 provides more accurate information about the exercises performed than if the motion sensor were otherwise positioned on the person. The motion sensor is also able to sense motion of the user 508 (FIG. 5) when coupled to the wearable article 204 (FIG. 5).

[0168] The motion sensor in this example is in the form of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 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.

[0169] The IMU 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 to enable toggling through various modes or waking the electronics module 102 from a low power mode.

[0170] Known examples of IMUs that can be used for this application include the ST LSM6DSOX manufactured by STMicroelectronics. This IMU is a system-in-package IMU featuring a 3D digital accelerometer and a 3D digital gyroscope. Another example of a known IMU suitable for this application is the LSM6DSO also be STMicroelectronics.

[0171] The IMU 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 IMU 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.

[0172] 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.

[0173] 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™.

[0174] Sensor 106 further comprises an electrical sensor comprising first electrical contact 302 and a second electrical contact 304 as described above in relation to FIG. 3.

[0175] When retained by the electronics module holder 618 (FIG. 9), the first electrical contact 302 is brought into communication with the first electrical contact 904 of the electronics module holder 618 and the second electrical contact 304 is brought into communication with the second electrical contact 906 of the electronics module holder 618. This couples the sensor 106 to the electrodes 614, 616 of the bar 602 and allows the sensor 106 to receive measurement signals from the electrodes 614, 616. The measurement signals, or a processed version thereof, are provided to controller 108. The measurement signals may be any form of signal as described above. Sensor 106 is therefore able to receive physiological signals from a user that is grasping the bar 602. Controller 108 is able to process the signals received from the sensor 106.

[0176] The reader (e.g., NFC antenna 104) is arranged to detect a weight of a weight plate 608, 610 fitted to the bar 602 by reading a tag of the weight plate 608, 610. This allows the reader to identify the amount of weight supported by the bar 602. This information is transmitted to the external device to allow for an accurate recording of the weight used during the exercise and avoids the need for the user to manually log the weight used.

[0177] The reader comprises at least one of an NFC reader, an RFID reader, and an identification image reader. The tag of the weight plates 608, 610 comprise at least one of an NFC tag, an RFID tag, and an identification image. The identification image may be for example a bar code, a QR code or an image containing a certain colour which is associated with a particular weight value.

[0178] The reader operates in active mode when coupled to the electronics module holder 618. The reader may remain in the active mode when coupled to the electronics module holder 618 to allow for the reader 1104 to track the addition I removal of weight plates 608, 610 during a workout. The reader operates in an inactive mode when removed from the electronics module holder 618. As explained above, in the active mode, the reader is energized to search for tags in the vicinity of the electronics module 102. In the inactive mode, the reader does not scan for tags and instead may passively wait for signals from a polling device.

[0179] The electronics module 102 further comprises a communicator (not shown) which is used to transmit data to an external device such as user electronic device 506 of FIG. 5 or NFC polling device 402 of FIG. 4. The communicator transmits data indicating the motion of the bar 602 to the external device as measured by the motion sensor. The communicator transmits data derived from the signals received fromthe electrodes to the external device (e.g., the heart rate or breathing rate of the user). The communicator transmits data indicating the weight of one or more weight plates fitted to the bar to the external device.

[0180] The communicator is a wireless communicator. The communicator may utilise any communication protocol 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-M1 , LTE Cat-M2, NB-loT, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and / or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network.

[0181] Advantageously, when the reader is an NFC reader, the electronics module 102 in effect has two wireless communicators: the communicator and the NFC reader.

[0182] The communicator is arranged to communicatively couple with an external device over a first wireless communication protocol. The first 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. The communicator enables communication between the external device and the controller 108 for configuration and set up of the controller 108 and the peripheral devices as may be required. Configuration of the controller 108 and peripheral devices utilises the Bluetooth ® protocol in this example.

[0183] The NFC reader is arranged to communicatively couple with an NFC polling device using a second communication protocol. When the NFC reader operates in the listening mode, the NFC polling device can be powered to induce a magnetic field in an antenna of the NFC reader. When the NFC polling device is placed in proximity to the antenna of the NFC reader, the NFC polling device induces current in the NFC reader. This induced current can be used to retrieve the information from a memory and transmit the same back to the NFC polling device. This induced current can be used to charge a power store (e.g., battery) of the electronics module 102 using NFC wireless charging.

[0184] In an example operation, the NFC polling device is a user electronic device (e.g., user electronic device 506 of FIG. 5). The user electronic device is brought into proximity with the electronics module 102. In response to this, the NFC reader is triggered to transmit information to the user electronic device. Beneficially, this means that the act of the user electronic device approaching electronics module 102 energizes the NFC reader to transmit the information to the user electronic device.

[0185] The information may comprise a unique identifier for the electronics module 102. The unique identifier for the electronics module 102 may be an address for the electronics module 102 such as a MAC address or Bluetooth ® address.

[0186] The information may comprise authentication information used to facilitate the pairing between the electronics modules 102 and the user electronic device over the first wireless communication protocol. This means that the transmitted information is used as part of an out of band (OOB) pairing process.

[0187] The information may comprise application information which may be used by the user electronic device to start an application on the user electronic device or configure an application running on the user electronic device. The application may be started on the user electronic device automatically (e.g., without user input). Alternatively, the application information may cause the user electronic device to prompt the user 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 module102 can transmit any of the above example information either alone or in combination. The electronics module 102 may transmit different types of information depending on the current operational state of the electronics module 102 and based on information it receives from other devices such as the user electronic device.

[0188] In an example implementation, when the electronics module 102 is not coupled to the electronics module holder 618 such as when the electronics module 102 is retained by the wearable article 204 or is used independently of the wearable article 204 or item of fitness equipment 504, the NFC reader operates in the listening mode. The user can bring the external device into proximity with electronics module 102 so as to receive information from the NFC reader. The information can be used to launch an application on the external device and / or configure wireless communication between the external device and the electronics module 102 using the communicator (e.g., Bluetooth pairing). In this way, user convenience is enhanced. In some examples, and as described above, the NFC reader temporarily operates in polling mode when retained by the wearable article 204 before transitioning back to the listening mode once an NFC tag read is complete.

[0189] The electronics module 102 may comprise an output device such as an audio output device or buzzer that can output information to the user such as information indicating that they have completed their exercise routine. The electronics module 102 may receive an exercise routine from the external device which may identify, for example, the amount of weight to be used, the type of exercise to be performed (e.g., deadlift) and the number of repetitions. Electronics module 102 may generate an output when the correct amount of weight is determined to be added to the bar 602. The electronics module 102 may generate an output when it is determined, from motion data recorded by the motion sensor, that the user has performed the desired number of repetitions for a particular type of exercise. The output device may also generate outputs when an alert condition is detected such as an abnormally high heart rate for the user as measured by the electrodes 614, 616 of the bar 602.

[0190] Electronics module 102 further comprises a power store (not shown). The power store 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 store 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 of the wearable article. The kinetic event could include walking, running, exercising or respiration of the wearer. 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. The energy harvesting device may be a thermoelectric energy harvesting device. The power store may be a super capacitor, or an energy cell.

[0191] Sensor 106 may comprise additional sensors such as an optical sensor, temperature sensor, magnet sensor, and location sensor. Other sensors may also be included in the electronics module 102.

[0192] The controller 108 comprises an internal memory. Controller 108 is also communicatively connected to an external memory (not shown) of the electronics module 102 which in this example is a NAND Flash memory. The external memory is used for the storage of data when no wireless connection is available between the electronics module 102 and an external device such as a user electronic device (e.g., user electronic device 506 of FIG. 5). The external memory may have a storage capacity of at least 1 GB and preferably at least 2 GB.

[0193] Advantageously, electronics module 102 is removably retained by the electronics module holdernumber of different exercise measuring systems 502 (e.g., different items of free weight equipment). The user can simply couple the electronics module 102 to the desired item of fitness equipment, and when the exercise is finished, remove the electronics module 102 and couple it to another item of equipment. This simplifies the exercise measuring system 502 as each item of exercise equipment is not required to have a dedicated electronics module 102.

[0194] Moreover, the electronics module 102 can be worn by a user. The electronics module 102 may be held on the body by a wearable article 204 as described above. The sensor 106 of the electronics module 102 may be brought into communication with electrodes incorporated into the wearable article 204 as described above. Electronics module 102 can be used interchangeably with wearable articles and items of fitness equipment.

[0195] By way of example, a user may be wearing the electronics module 102 such as by incorporating the electronics module 102 in wearable article 204. The user wears the electronics module 102 throughout the day I night such as during rest, work, and commuting. The electronics module 102 can record metrics for the user to provide health and fitness insights. The user travels to an exercise studio (e.g., home or gym based) and performs various workouts. For some of the workouts such as yoga, running, aerobics or dancing, the user continues to wear the electronics module 102. However, before performing weightlifting exercises, the user transfers the electronics module 102 from the wearable article 204 to the electronics module holder 618 coupled to the bar 602. This allows for the weightlifting exercise to be accurately tracked in terms of the weight used, the number and type of exercises performed, and the user's heart rate during the exercise.

[0196] The electronics module 102 may determine whether the electronics module 102 coupled to a wearable article 204 or the electronics module holder 618. This can include reading a tag provided in the electronics module holder 618 such as an image tag read by an optical sensor (e.g., for PPG monitoring) of the electronics module 102. This can include receiving, via the communicator of the electronics module 102, an indication from the external device that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the electronics module holder 618. The indication may be sent in response to a user input received via the external device. The user input identifies that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the electronics module holder 618.

[0197] Upon determining that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the electronics module holder 618, the electronics module 102 enables the reader to read tags of the weight plates 608, 610.

[0198] Upon determining that the electronics module 102 is coupled to the user (e.g., via wearable article 204), the electronics module 102 may temporarily enable the reader to read a tag in the wearable article 204 as described above or may operate the reader in an inactive mode.

[0199] FIG. 11 is a simplified schematic diagram of an exercise measuring system 1102 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0200] The electronics module 102 is positioned within the electronics module holder 618.

[0201] The first electrical contact 302 of the electronics module 102 is in contact with the first electrical contact 904 of the electronics module holder 618. The first electrical contact 904 is coupled to the first electrode 614 via first conductive pathway 1106.

[0202] The second electrical contact 304 of the electronics module 102 is in contact with the second electrical contact 906 of the electronics module holder 618. The second electrical contact 906 is coupled to the second electrode 616 via second conductive pathway 1108.

[0203] The first and second conductive pathways 1106, 1108 extend through the tube from the first end portion 604 to the electrodes 614, 616.

[0204] A weight plate 608 is being fitted to the bar 602. The weight plate 608 is slid over the electronics module holder 618 and first end portion 604 of the bar 602. The weight plate 608 includes tags 1110, 1112. When the weight plate 608 is slid over the electronics module holder 618, at least one of the tags 1110, 1112 is brought into proximity with the reader 1104 of the electronics module 102 such that the reader 1104 may read information contained within the tag 1110, 1112.

[0205] In use, as weight plates 608, 610 are added to the first end portion 604 of the bar 602, a tag 1110, 1112 of each weight plate 608, 610 is read by the reader 1104. The collar 612 (FIG. 6) may also include at least one tag. When the electronics module 102 reads the tag of the collar 612, the electronics module 102 can determine that all of the desired weights have been loaded onto the bar 602. Weight information indicating the total number of weights added to the first end portion 604 of the bar 602 is transmitted to the external device by electronics module 102. The external device multiplies the weight added by two (assuming that both end portions 604, 606 of the bar 602 are loaded equally with weights to identify the total amount of weight supported by the bar 602. In this way, the user does not have to manually input the amount of weight used via the external device. The process is performed automatically during the act of loading weights onto the bar 602. This increases user convenience when tracking workouts.

[0206] Moreover, while performing workouts, the electronics module 102 is able to sense physiological properties of the user such as their heart rate via the electrodes 614, 616 and the motion of the bar 602 via motion sensor. This allows for the physiological state and activity (e.g., number, type, and duration of exercise repetitions) of the user to be monitored without requiring a separate wearable physiological monitoring device. This allows for health and exercise insights to be determined for the user in a low cost manner.

[0207] The weight plate 608 may also be removed from bar 602. The reader 1104 may determine, based on a direction which at least one of the tags 1110, 1112 moves, whether the weight plate 608 is being loaded onto the bar 602 or unloaded from the bar 602.

[0208] When the electronics module 102 is coupled to the item of fitness equipment 504, the reader 1104 is preferred to remain in the active mode so as to read tags from multiple weight plates 608, 610 as they are added or removed from the bar 602. By contrast, when the electronics module 102 is coupled to the wearable article 204, the reader 1104 is preferred to temporarily transition to the active mode to read a tag in the wearable article 204 before transitioning back to the inactive mode.

[0209] The electronics module 102 is not required to remain continually in the active mode when coupled to the item of fitness equipment 504 in all examples. The electronics module 102 may temporarily enable the active mode in response to detecting the movement of a weight plate. For example, electronics module 102 may comprise an ambient light sensor. The ambient light has line of sight with the external environment and, in particular, is aligned with an opening formed in the electronics module holder 618 of the item of fitness equipment 504. When a weight plate is slid over the electronics module holder 618, the weight plate temporarily covers the opening formed in the electronics module holder 618. The change in ambient light levels is detected by the ambient light sensor and used to temporarily enable the active mode of the reader 1104. That is, the electronics module 102 may enable the active mode in response to detecting a change in light levels from light to dark and may disable the active mode in response to detecting a change in light levels from dark to light.

[0210] FIG. 12 shows an example weight plate 608 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0211] The weight plate 608 is in the form of a disk and includes a hole 1202 through which the bar 602 may be received. The hole 1202 has a shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the bar 602and is centrally located on the weight plate 608. The weight plate 608 in this example has a weight of 5 kg, but other weights such as 10 kg and 20 kg may be provided.

[0212] At least one and, in this example, a plurality of tags 1110, 1112 are provided on the inner surface of the weight plate 608 that defines the hole 1202. The diameter of the electronics module holder 618 is smaller than the hole 1202 such that the electronics module holder 618 does not obstruct the passage of the weight plate 608 onto the bar 602.

[0213] The tags 1110, 1112 in this example are NFC tags. The NFC tags are encoded with the weight information. As explained above, the tags 1110, 1112 are not required to be NFC tags and may also be RFID tags, or images such as bar codes or QR codes.

[0214] At least some of the example embodiments described herein may be constructed, partially or wholly, using dedicated special-purpose hardware. Terms such as ‘component,’ ‘module’ or ‘unit’ used herein may include, but are not limited to, a hardware device, such as circuitry in the form of discrete or integrated components, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks or provides the associated functionality. 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.

[0215] 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.

[0216] 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.

[0217] 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.

[0218] 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

CLAIMS1. An electronics module comprising: a sensor; a reader arranged to read a tag in the vicinity of the reader, wherein the reader is arranged to operate in an active mode in which the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag, and an inactive mode in which the reader is disabled from scanning for tags; and a controller arranged to control the reader to operate in the inactive mode while not coupled to an object, and transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object.

2. The electronics module of claim 1 , wherein the controller is arranged to control the reader to remain in the active mode while the electronics module is coupled to the object and transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode in response to determining that the electronics module is decoupled from the object.

3. The electronics module of claim 1 , wherein the controller is arranged is arranged to transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode in response to reading information from the tag.

4. The electronics module of claim 3, wherein the controller is arranged to transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode if a tag is not detected in the vicinity of the reader after a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of polling attempts.

5. The electronics module of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reader comprises at least one of an NFC reader, an RFID reader, and an identification image reader, and the tag comprises at least one of an NFC tag, an RFID tag, and an identification image.

6. The electronics module of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reader comprises the NFC reader arranged to read the NFC tag, wherein the inactive mode is a listening mode in which an NFC antenna of the NFC reader is arranged to listen for electromagnetic fields generated by NFC polling devices in the vicinity of the NFC antenna, and wherein the active mode is a polling mode in which the NFC antenna is energized to scan for an NFC tag in the vicinity of the NFC antenna, and if an NFC tag is detected, read information in the NFC tag.

7. The electronics module of claim 6, wherein in the listening mode, the NFC antenna is arranged to receive power from an NFC polling device in the vicinity of the NFC antenna for charging a power store of the electronics module.

8. The electronics module of claim 7, wherein the controller is arranged to transition the NFC antenna from the listening mode to the polling mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object and that the NFC antenna is not receiving power from an NFC polling device.

9. The electronics module of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the object is a user, and the controller is arranged to transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the user.

10. The electronics module of claim 9, wherein the controller is arranged to determine that the electronics module is coupled to the user based on one or more measurements performed by the sensor.11 . The electronics module of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor and the controller is arranged to determine the electronics module is coupled to the user based on optical measurements performed by the optical sensor.

12. The electronics module of claim 10 or 11 , wherein the sensor comprises an electrical sensor and the controller is arranged to determine that the electronics module is coupled to the user based on electrical measurements performed by the electrical sensor.

13. The electronics module of claim 12, wherein the electrical sensor comprises one or more of a capacitive sensor, an impedance sensor, and a voltage sensor.

14. The electronics module of claims 9 to 13, wherein the controller is arranged is arranged to transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode in response to reading information from the tag.

15. The electronics module of claim 14, wherein the controller is arranged to transition the reader from the active mode to the inactive mode if a tag is not detected in the vicinity of the reader after a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of polling attempts.

16. The electronics module of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the object is an item of fitness equipment comprising: a bar having first and second end portions, the bar being arranged to support weight plates on the first end portion and the second end portion; and an electronics module holder coupled to the first end portion of the bar, the electronics module holder being arranged to removably retain the electronics module, wherein the controller is arranged to transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the electronics module holder, and wherein in the active mode, the reader is arranged to detect a weight of a weight plate fitted to the bar by reading a tag of the weight plate.

17. The electronics module of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the controller is arranged to store the information read from the tag in a memory of the electronics module.

18. The electronics module of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the controller is arranged to transmit the information read from the NFC tag to an external device.

19. The electronics module of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the controller is arranged to configure an operation of the electronics module based on the information read from the NFC tag.

20. A method performed by an electronics module, the method comprising: controlling a sensor of the electronics module to perform a measurement; operating a reader of the electronics module in an inactive mode while not coupled to an object, wherein in the inactive mode the reader is disabled from scanning for tags; transitioning the reader from the inactive mode to an active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object, wherein in the active mode, the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag.21 . A system comprising: an electronics module comprising: a sensor; a reader arranged to read a tag in the vicinity of the reader, wherein the reader is arranged operate in an active mode in which the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag, and an inactive mode in which the reader is disabled from scanning for tags; and a controller arranged to control the reader to operate in the inactive mode while not coupled to an object, and transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object; a wearable article arranged to removably retain the electronics module, the wearable article comprising a tag, wherein, when retained by the wearable article, the reader of the electronics module is brought into the vicinity of the tag, and wherein in the active mode, the reader is arranged to read information from the tag of the wearable article.

22. A system comprising: an electronics module comprising: a sensor; a reader arranged to read a tag in the vicinity of the reader, wherein the reader is arranged operate in an active mode in which the reader is arranged to scan for a tag in the vicinity of the reader and, if a tag is detected, read information from the tag, and an inactive mode in which the reader is disabled from scanning for tags; and a controller arranged to control the reader to operate in the inactive mode while not coupled to an object, and transition the reader from the inactive mode to the active mode in response to determining that the electronics module is coupled to the object; and an item of fitness equipment comprising: a bar having first and second end portions, the bar being arranged to support weight plates on the first end portion and the second end portion; and an electronics module holder coupled to the first end portion of the bar, the electronics module holder being arranged to removably retain the electronics module, wherein the reader, in the active mode, is arranged to detect a weight of a weight plate fitted to the bar by reading information from a tag of the weight plate.

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