Garment Visual Marker for Secure Activity Data Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart clothing technologies lack an efficient mechanism for controlling access to activity data collected by sensors embedded in garments, making it difficult for external devices to securely and intuitively retrieve this data without direct communication.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a visual marker on the garment encodes a unique code string, allowing activity data to be accessed by imaging the garment and processing the visual symbol using a simple electronic device, enabling controlled access through a camera-based interface and authentication mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct communication between electronic device and garment is required for data access, then data security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidease of data access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A visual marker with encoded identification data is introduced as an intermediary between the garment and electronic device. The marker contains garment identification information that can be captured by a camera and processed to establish secure communication, eliminating the need for direct physical pairing while maintaining security protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical pairing procedures (direct communication setup) with an optical system. A camera captures an image of the visual marker on the garment, and image processing extracts the identification data, substituting manual pairing mechanisms with automated visual recognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If direct communication setup is required, then authentication reliability is improved, but time consumption and device complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoiddata access time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The garment identification data is pre-encoded into the visual marker during garment manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary encoding eliminates the need for real-time authentication negotiations, allowing electronic devices to quickly capture and process the pre-prepared identification information from the marker

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users need to access different garments, then system versatility is improved, but complexity of managing multiple connections worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-user access capabilityVSAvoidconnection management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each garment has a unique visual marker containing its identification data, creating a digital copy of the garment's identity that can be independently accessed. Multiple electronic devices can capture images of different garment markers and access their respective data without interfering with each other's connections, simplifying multi-user management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11813082B2Method of controlling access to activity data from a garment

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 PREVAYL INNOVATIONS LIMITED

AI summary

An image of a garment is obtained (101). The garment comprises a marker located on an outside surface of the garment. The marker comprises a code string identifying the garment encoded into a visual symbol. The image is processed to generate a data string representing the visual symbol (102). The data string is used to access activity data associated with a sensor of the garment identified by the code string. The system comprises the garment and one or more electronic devices operable to perform the method.