Garment Biometric Sensor with Flexible Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biometric monitoring systems are cumbersome, require significant user effort, capture insufficient data, and are often unsuitable for motion-intensive activities, with challenges in integrating sensors into garments that can stretch and withstand sweat without compromising circuitry, and provide limited insights into physical exertion.

Innovation Solution

A garment-integrated biometric sensing system with wireless sensor interfaces and modules that include electrode layers, positional identifiers, and retention subsystems, allowing for dynamic and automatic collection of biometric signals, scalable, and adaptable to various types of garments, while maintaining comfort and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional biometric monitoring systems are used, then basic tracking functionality is provided, but user effort requirement increases and data sufficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sufficiencyVSAvoiduser effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects and tracks biometric parameters without requiring user input. Sensors continuously monitor physiological signals (heart rate, respiration, muscle activity) and the processor automatically analyzes this data to provide comprehensive exercise tracking, eliminating the need for manual recording while enhancing data sufficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual tracking methods are replaced with automated electronic sensing systems. The patent employs sensors, processors, and computer systems to automatically detect and record biometric data, substituting mechanical user effort with electronic automation to achieve both reduced user burden and enhanced measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If strap-based electrode configurations are used, then electrode-skin contact is maintained, but user discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode-skin contactVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) and thin film electrodes that can conform to body contours without requiring rigid straps. These flexible substrates maintain stable electrode-skin contact through their ability to bend and adapt to curved surfaces, eliminating the need for uncomfortable strap-based fixation while preserving measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode configuration transitions from static strap-based systems to dynamic flexible circuits that adapt to body movement. The flexible printed circuits can dynamically adjust to changes in body position and shape during exercise, maintaining reliable contact without the mechanical constraint of rigid straps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If wired systems are used, then signal transmission is stable, but mobility is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission stabilityVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Physical wired connections are replaced with wireless communication systems. The patent employs wireless transmitters and receivers to transmit biometric data from the sensor unit to external devices, eliminating mechanical cables and enabling free movement while maintaining stable signal transmission through radio frequency communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If adhesive electrodes are used, then electrode placement is simplified, but reusability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode placement simplicityVSAvoidelectrode reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible printed circuit boards with integrated electrodes that can be repeatedly cleaned and reused. Unlike disposable adhesive electrodes, these flexible circuits maintain their functional integrity through multiple uses, allowing simplified placement to be combined with high reusability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding electrodes after single use, the system enables recovery and repeated use of the flexible printed circuit electrodes. The electrodes can be cleaned and reused multiple times while maintaining their adhesive properties and electrical functionality, eliminating waste while preserving placement simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

5Measurement precision

If professional assistance is required for electrode placement, then measurement accuracy improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode placement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to independently place and configure electrodes without professional assistance. Pre-configured flexible printed circuits with marked placement positions and automated detection capabilities allow users to achieve accurate electrode placement through self-service, eliminating the need for professional intervention while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Electrode placement positions and circuit configurations are pre-prepared and pre-configured before use. The flexible printed circuits come with pre-defined electrode locations and connection pathways, allowing users to simply attach them to the designated areas on their body, thereby achieving accurate placement without requiring professional knowledge or complex setup procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables real-time monitoring of biometric signals with improved comfort and fit, providing holistic representations of physical activity metrics, scalable, and adaptable to different applications, overcoming limitations of conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor module, positioned at a second position, including a second electrode layer in electrical communication with the user's body at a second body region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10105098B2Garment integrated sensing system and method

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 MAD APPL

AI summary

A system for monitoring biometric signals of a user comprising: a set of wireless sensor interfaces coupled to a garment, each of the wireless sensor interfaces comprising: 1) an electrode layer comprising a receiving region, 2) a positional identifier, associated with a position on the garment, and 3) a retention subsystem; a set of wireless sensor modules, each of the set of wireless sensor modules comprising: a contact region electrically coupleable to the receiving region of the electrode layer, a set of sensors configured to detect a set of biometric signal types, and a positional interrogator configured to identify the position associated with the corresponding wireless sensor interface; and a control module, communicatively coupled to the set of wireless sensor modules, wherein the control module queries a subset of the set of biometric signal types for transmission from each of the set of wireless sensor modules based on their positions.