Modular personal network systems and methods

• US 20040215958A1
• Filed: 01/23/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Ellis, Caron S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,452,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Modular personal networks (MPNs) are disclosed that include multiple devices that may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity to a user. The devices communicate wirelessly. Devices include security circuitry that prevents them from being used in a different MPN once the user has configured them. Devices not designed for use within an MPN can be included in the network using a bridge device. Devices can be integrated into items of jewelry, such as earrings, rings, pendants, and bracelets. One item of jewelry, such as a bracelet, can support multiple replaceable modules with variable functions. Functions of the MPN can include communications, entertainment, medical monitoring, sports monitoring, personal organization, and games. Multiple users each with his or her own MPN can use them to collaborate in creation of music. An MPN can be used for mobile recognition and logging of wildlife.

Claims

1. A method of providing security in a modular personal network (MPN) comprising:

providing a unique lock value to a user of the MPN,

providing the user with an opportunity to download the lock value into a first component of the MPN,

storing the lock value in secure memory in the first component,

providing the user with an opportunity to download the lock value into a second component of the MPN,

storing the lock value in secure memory in the second component,

generating a key value in the second component,

sending the key value to the first component wirelessly,

using the lock value stored in the secure memory in the first component to validate the key value sent from the second component,

accepting a message from the second component to the first component if the key value is validated, and

rejecting a message from the second component to the first component if the key value is not validated.

2. A bridge module that provides a communications bridge between a modular personal network (MPN) and an existing device that was not designed to be part of an MPN comprising:

a wireless transceiver for communicating with other modules in the MPN,

a connection port configured to be compatible with a communication port on the existing device to establish a communication path between the bridge module and the existing device,

a memory configured to hold software,

a software application configured to be stored in the memory and designed to allow communication between the bridge module and the existing device, and

a processor to execute the software application.

3. A jewelry individual network component comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to send data to and receive data from other individual network components in a modular personal network,

circuitry to provide a specific function for the modular personal network,

a mount configured to allow a user to wear the component, and

an integrated item of jewelry selected from an earring, an item of body jewelry, a pendant, a necklace, a ring, a brooch, a pin, a cufflink, a tie tack, a tuxedo stud, a barrette, a hairpin, a hair accessory, a belt buckle, a bracelet, or an ankle bracelet.

4. An earring speaker comprising:

a mount configured to be worn in a pierced ear,

a wireless receiver for receiving audio information, and

a speaker for playing the audio information.

5. An earring antenna comprising:

a mount configured to be worn in a user'"'"'s pierced ear,

an antenna for receiving radio frequency signals,

a demodulator for processing the received signals,

a modulator for converting the processed signals, and

a wireless transmitter for sending the converted signals to another device worn by the user.

6. A ring individual network component comprising:

a ring configured to be worn around a user'"'"'s finger,

a communications device selected from the group consisting of a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a wireless transceiver, configured to communicate with a second individual network component worn by the user, and

a circuitry selected form the group consisting of a pushbutton, a microphone, a digital camera, a pulse oximeter, a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor, and a display,

wherein a function of the circuit is provided to the second individual network component.

7. A modular jewelry system comprising:

a base unit configured to be worn by a user and comprising;

a communications bus, and

one or more function circuits selected from the group consisting of a power source, a power bus, a security subsystem, a processor, a memory, a personal computer communication port, a wireless transmitter, and a wireless receiver,

a plurality of mounts,

a plurality of individual jewelry components,

wherein each of the plurality of individual jewelry components is configured to connect to the base unit using one of the plurality of mounts, and wherein the mount provides an electrical connection between the individual jewelry component and the communication bus to thereby provide access between the individual jewelry components and the one or more function circuits.

8. A mobile wildlife recognition and logging system configured to be worn or carried by a user comprising:

a digital camera to capture a wildlife still image,

a first memory to store the captured wildlife still image,

a second memory to store a library of wildlife still images, and

a processor that is configured to compare the captured wildlife image in the first memory with wildlife still images in the library in the second memory,

wherein the system is additionally configured to store a record of matched wildlife images in the first memory.

9. A music collaboration system comprising:

a first plurality of devices configured to be worn or carried by a first musician, each of which comprises a wireless transceiver and provides a music-related function to the first musician,

a second plurality of devices configured to be worn or carried by a second musician, each of which comprises a wireless transceiver and provides a music-related function to the second musician,

a communications device that is configured to communicate wirelessly with at least one of the first plurality of devices and at least one of the second plurality of devices,

wherein the communications device is configured to perform a function selected from a group comprising synchronization of the musicians, mixing of music generated by the musicians, and recording the music generated by the musicians.