DEVICE FOR DETERMINING EFFECTS OF AGING OF A WEARABLE DEVICE

Abstract

A wearable device comprises first and second transmitting loops coupled with the wearable device. The first and second transmitting loops being further coupled with a data processing unit. Additionally, the second transmitting loop may be coupled with a sensor outputting a measuring signal. The first and second transmitting loops have a property with a readable value dependent on an aging of the object of a wearable device. In addition, the data processing unit is configured to measure the value of the property of the first and second transmitting loops and determine the effects or amount of aging.

Claims

1. A wearable device comprising: a data processing unit; a first transmitting loop coupled with the wearable device, the first transmitting loop having a first measurable property dependent on an age of an object associated with the wearable device; and a second transmitting loop coupled with at least the wearable device, the second transmitting loop having a second measurable property dependent on the age of the object, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are coupled with the data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is configured to measure a value of the first measureable property of the first transmitting loop and a value of the second measureable property of the second transmitting loop; and wherein the data processing unit is configured to determine effects or amount of aging based on measured values of the first measureable property and the second measurable property.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are physically a same transmitting loop, wherein measurements are made sequentially.

3. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are separate transmitting loops.

4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein: the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are coupled at least one of galvanically and optically with the data processing unit; and the first measureable property and the second measureable property are at least one an electrical and optical property.

5. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are physically one loop, wherein a baseline value of the first measureable property and the second measureable property are known at a first time and the data processing unit is configured to determine the effects or amount of aging by comparing the currently read value of the first measureable property and the second measureable property at a second time to the baseline, and wherein the trend of the first measureable property and the second measureable property as a function of time is known.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are separate transmitting loops and the first measureable property and the second measureable property are a mutual property of at least two physically separate loops, wherein the mutual property is at least one of capacitance and resistance between said the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop.

7. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are separate transmitting loops and the first transmitting loop comprises a first material and the second transmitting loop comprises a second material, wherein the first material and the second material have different aging properties.

8. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are separate transmitting loops and the first transmitting loop comprises a first physical structure and the second transmitting loop comprises a second physical structure, wherein the first physical structure is configured to depend on aging differently than the second physical structure.

9. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop are separate transmitting loops and the first transmitting loop is arranged in a first location of the wearable device and the second transmitting loop is arranged in a second location of the wearable device, wherein the first location and the second location are selected so that aging has a different effect on the first location as applicable to the first loop than on the second location as applicable to the second loop.

10. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein aging of the object comprises at least one of aging of the first transmitting loop, aging of the second transmitting loop, aging of the wearable device, and aging of a portion of the wearable device, and wherein the aging of the object causes changes to a measurable value of at least one of an electrical and optical property of at least one of the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop.

11. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is configured to compensate or correct measured signals read via the second transmitting loop based on the value of the first measurable property of the first transmitting loop.

12. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is configured to manipulate power to the second transmitting loop which is coupled with an end device.

13. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is configured to perform active impedance matching to the second transmitting loop functioning as a transmission line to keep an impedance of the transmission line as desired based on the value of the first measureable property of the first transmitting loop.

14. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is a garment or a structure portion of the garment selected from a group comprising: a strap, a belt, a heart rate sensor strap, a shirt, a sleeve, a portion of a shirt, leg, pocket, brand label, elastic portion of the garment, hat, bra, underwear, jacket, trousers, swimming suit, band, shoe, sock and glove.

15. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the second transmitting loop is coupled to an end device and wherein the end device is a sensor for detecting at least one of biosignals, heart rate, respiration rate, posture of the user, temperature, humidity, conductivity, or acceleration.

16. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein an electrical property of the first transmitting loop and second transmitting loop is at least one of resistance, conductance, capacitance and inductance and an optical property is at least one of intensity, polarization or wavelength.

17. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loops is a printed conductive conductor.

18. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the value of the first measureable property of the first transmitting loop is known at a first moment, and wherein the data processing unit is configured to measure a value of one of the first measureable property of the first transmitting loop and the second measureable property of the second transmitting loop when it is the same as the first transmitting loop at a second moment, the second moment being later than the first moment and to compare the measured values and determine effect of aging.

19. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is configured to provide notification of at least one of aging level of the object, notification that the object is over aged based on the determined effect or amount of aging, wherein the notification is provided to at least one of an indication device of the wearable device and an external device.

20. A method for manufacturing a wearable device for determining effects of aging of an object of the wearable device, the method comprising: providing the wearable device with a data processing unit; coupling a first transmitting loop with the wearable device, the first transmitting loop having a first measurable property dependent on an age of an object associated with the wearable device; coupling a second transmitting loop with at least the wearable device, the second transmitting loop having a second measurable property dependent on the age of the object; coupling the first transmitting loop and the second transmitting loop with the data processing unit; measuring, with the data processing unit, a value of the first measureable property of the first transmitting loop and the second measureable property of the second transmitting loop; and determining, with the data processing unit, effects or amount of aging based on measured values of the first measureable property and the second measurable property.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates principles of exemplary prior art devices for measuring signals;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates principles of exemplary prior art devices for measuring signals;

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary loop constructions for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary loop constructions for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary loop constructions for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary loop constructions for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary loop constructions for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary diagram of changing properties of two different loops in function of time according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary arrangement for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 10A illustrates exemplary wearable devices for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0031] FIG. 10B illustrates exemplary wearable devices for determining effect or amount of aging according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. The systems and devices disclosed herein will be described during operation.

[0033] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate principles of exemplary prior art arrangements 100 for measuring signals. These arrangements 100 may be integrated into the garment for measuring biosignals via a sensor 101, such as voltage induced by heart rate (FIG. 1) or e.g. body temperature via thermocouple illustrated in FIG. 2. The conductors 102 may be implemented e.g. by a copper conductors, which are however uncomfortable. Nowadays printed conductors are used because they are comfortable and are very durable. However the problems related to the printed conductors include e.g. the changes in resistances in time and due to mechanical stress and loads. The changes in resistances in the conductors 102 easily causes interferences to the measuring signals, especially when the measuring signals are weak or base on measuring resistance or other property, to which the aging also affects in the conductors 102.

[0034] FIG. 3-7 illustrate exemplary loop constructions for determining effect or amount of aging according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3 the loop construction or the arrangement 200 comprises actually one physical transmitting loop 103, which is however construed to function functionally as said first and second transmitting loops so that the transmitting loop 103 functions as the first transmitting loop 103A at the first moment and as the second transmitting loop 103B at the second moment being later than said first moment. In this embodiment, the effects or amount of aging are determined by comparing the sequentially measured results with each other and thereby determining the aging via the changed measured values. Thus the measurement of aging is not continuous, but must be made sequentially. For example change of resistance or other value of the loop is dependent on time, whereupon the aging can be determined based on the change of resistance or other value.

[0035] In FIG. 4 the loop construction or the arrangement 200 comprises the transmitting loop 103, which corresponds with the case described in FIG. 3, but the transmitting loop is additionally coupled with a sensor 101. The arrangement 200 in FIG. 4 is construed to function as said first and second transmitting loops 103A, 103B so that the transmitting loop 103 functions as the first transmitting loop 103A at the first moment (reference loop) and as the second transmitting loop 103B (measuring loop) at the second moment measuring the reading of the sensor 101. In this embodiment, the effect of aging is taken into account by comparing sequentially measured results of the transmitting loop 103A, when functioning as said reference loop and not as said measuring loop. Thus the measurement of aging is not continuous. Thereby the effects or amount of aging can also be taking into account in the measured signal of the sensor.

[0036] In FIG. 5 the arrangement comprises the second transmitting loop 103B coupled with the sensors 101, as well the first transmitting loop 103A coupled advantageously with the wearable device and functioning as a reference loop. The term loop is used even if the measurement can be done by one wire. There the signal measurement by the second transmitting loop 103B and the aging determination via the first transmitting loop 103A can be done simultaneously. Also the effect or amount of aging can be taken into account at every turn when measuring either signal.

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement 200, where the second transmitting loop 103B is again coupled with the sensor 101. The first transmitting loop 103A functioning as a reference loop may be either a separate loop of the second transmitting loop 103B and thus corresponding the embodiment of FIG. 5. Alternatively one branch 103A1 of the first transmitting loop 103B can be implemented by the first branch 103A1 of the second transmitting loop 103B and the second branch (as a return channel) 103A2 of the first transmitting loop can be implemented by a separate branch (dashed line), whereupon the signal measurement by the second transmitting loop 103B and the aging determination via the first transmitting loop 103A, 103A1, 103A2 can be done simultaneously, as was the case also in FIG. 5.

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates an arrangement 300, where the first 103A and second (or third) 103C transmitting loops are separate transmitting loops. In addition the arrangement may additionally comprise an end device or sensor 101 for detecting biosignals, which has own loop for transferring measuring signal. According to an example the property to be measured and depending on the aging of the object of a wearable device is a mutual property 601 of said loops 103A 103B, such as electrical property, like capacitance or resistance between said loops. When the object of the wearable device (and thus the device itself) ages, the mutual property 601, such as capacitance or resistance between said loops, changes. Typically the wearable device and object absorbs sweat including e.g. salts, which will be trapped into the porosity material structure of the wearable device and object and thus changes electrical properties between said loops, such as capacitance or resistance. When the mutual property 601 (e.g. electrical property) is changed over a predetermined threshold value, it can be construed that the object of the wearable device is then aged and should be e.g. disposed of or changed. The mutual property 601 may be understood also according to an embodiment as a short circuit in an electrical way at the situation where the object of the wearable device is aged.

[0039] According to an example, the first 103A and second 103C transmitting loops are selected so that their properties (readable values or measurable properties) depend on aging in different ways. For example, the electrical property of the first loop 103A material (e.g. carbon ink) changes more rapidly during aging than the electrical property of the second loop material (e.g. silver ink), whereupon the trend or amount of difference between these two values implies the aging of the object of the wearable device. Also or alternatively, the physical structure of the first and second loops 103A, 103C may differ which each other and selected so that e.g. electrical property of the structure (e.g. thin, zigzag printed loop) of the first loop 103A changes more rapidly during aging than the electrical property of the second loop structure (e.g. thick and wide straight printed loop), whereupon the trend or amount of difference between these two values implies the aging of the object of the wearable device.

[0040] In addition it is to be noted that the arrangement may also comprise a reference component, such as a resistance 201 corresponding to the original resistance (or other property) of the sensor 101, whereupon the compensation for the measured signal of 101 can be compensated by using the value of the component 201, to which said aging does not influence as it does to the component or sensor 101.

[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary diagram 800 of changing properties of two different loops 103A, 103B, 103C in function of time according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the property 701 of the first loop changes more rapidly during aging than the property 702 of the second loop. For example, at the first time moment t1 the difference of the properties between the first and second loops has a certain first value 703, whereas at the second moment t2 later than said first moment the difference has a certain second value 704 being greater than said first value at the first moment. Therefore the trend or amount of differences 703, 704 between these two values implies the aging of the object of the wearable device.

[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary arrangement 300 for determining effect or amount of aging according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the arrangement 300 comprises any of previous arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 3-7 with the first and second transmitting loops. The arrangement 300 advantageously comprises a data processing unit 104, wherein the first and second transmitting loops are coupled with said data processing unit. The coupling may be made galvanically and/or optically, depending on the type of the loop and the property to be read (electrical or optical property).

[0043] The data processing unit may be any known data processing unit, which is configured to measure the value of said property of the first and second transmitting loops 103A, 103B and thereby determine effects or amount of aging, as depicted elsewhere in this document. In addition according to an embodiment the data processing unit is advantageously configured to provide indication for example via an indication device 105 of either aging level of the object, where it is integrated, or notification (such as LED light or sound or the like 105) that the object or the wearable device is over aged based on said determined effect or amount of aging. Alternatively, or in addition to, the data processing unit 104 may be configured to communicate 301 the determined effect or amount of the aging further e.g. to an outer device 302, such as a smart phone or the like, which then can provide notification or even further process said data and provide an indication about the aging level of the object or that the object or the wearable device is over aged.

[0044] Again it is to be noted that the arrangement 200, 300 may comprise plurality of first transmitting loops 103A and/or second transmitting loops 103B. In addition the arrangement 200, 300 may comprise also an end device 303, such as a LED light source, whereupon at least one second transmitting loop 103B (left in FIG. 9) may be used for powering it.

[0045] Furthermore according to an embodiment the data processing unit 104 is advantageously configured to manipulate, such as compensate or correct, the measured signals read via the second transmitting loop 103B based on the value of the property of the first transmitting loop, when this is possible so when the signal reading from the sensor is read (e.g. arrangements in FIGS. 5, 6), or to manipulate the fed power to the second transmitting loop 103B (left in FIG. 9) and again to the end device 303.

[0046] FIGS. 10A, 10B illustrate exemplary wearable devices 400 for determining effect or amount of aging according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where said wearable device comprises the arrangement 300 of FIG. 9 having at least one of the previous arrangements 200 illustrated in FIGS. 3-7 with the first and second transmitting loops.

[0047] In FIG. 10B the loops 103A, 103C are arranged in different locations of the wearable device so that another transmitting loop 103C will be exposed to higher erosion than the first transmitting loop 103A during usage, whereupon the aging can again be detected by comparing the different rates of changing of the properties, such as different rates of changing of resistances of the loops, as can be seen in diagram depicted in FIG. 8.

[0048] The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is to be noted that even if the term loop is used, the measurements can also be done by one conductor. In addition it is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0049] In addition it is to be noted that the wearable device may comprise plurality of first transmitting loops and/or second transmitting loops with the same functional analogy as described in this document. Furthermore it is to be noted that at least one second transmitting loop may be used for powering the end device. Still on addition the arrangement may also control data transmission via the second transmitting loop, whereupon the manipulation may also comprise adapting line impedance of the data transmission loop or line based on the (changed) value of the property of the first transmitting loop. As an example the line impedance of the data transmission loop or line is typically 50Ω or 75Ω (Ohm). However, during the use of the wearable device the line impedance may change. Thus, according to the invention the data processing unit 104 may also perform active impedance matching to the transmission line (so the second transmitting loop used as said transmission line) so to keep the impedance of the line as desired. The impedance matching is advantageously done based on the (changed) value of the property of the first transmitting loop. Again it is to be noted that the first and second transmitting loops may be physically separate loops or the same transmitting loop.

[0050] While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.