Button Sensor

• US 20100191072A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Matsumori, Barry Alan, Nowak, Matthew, Kaskoun, Kenneth, Yu, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 9,572,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2300/32 using hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0438 Sensor means for detecting
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

A hermetically sealed electronic closure device, or button, includes a self-renewing power source, a sensor for measuring a metric, a memory storing information, a data processing circuit for controlling operations of the device, and a transceiver for sending and receiving information. The device is a standard part of a clothing item that is inconspicuous to a wearer of the clothing item.

Claims

1. A button sensor adapted for use on a garment, comprising:

a sensor adapted to provide data of a metric related to a wearer of the garment;

a transmitter adapted to transmit the data; and

a power source adapted to provide power to the transmitter;

wherein the button sensor is adapted to be secured to a portion of the garment.

2. The button of claim 1, wherein the sensor is adapted to receive data of a metric from a second sensor.

3. The button of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a power storage device.

4. The button of claim 3, wherein the power source further comprises a power generation device.

5. The button of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a power generation device.

6. The button of claim 1, wherein a hole is defined through the button to allow the button to be secured to the portion of the garment.

7. The button of claim 1, further comprising:

a post coupled to a portion of the button; and

a base adapted to be coupled to the post;

wherein the post and the base are adapted to be secured to a portion of the garment.

8. The button of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the power source is disposed in the base.

9. The button of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the sensor is disposed in the base.

10. The button of claim 1, further comprising a receiver adapted to receive information from an external source.

11. The button of claim 1, further comprising a controller, wherein at least one of the sensor or the transmitter is responsive to the controller.

12. The button of claim 1, further comprising a memory coupled to the sensor and to the transmitter.

13. The button of claim 1, further comprising an antenna coupled to the transmitter.

14. A method of manufacturing a button, comprising:

constructing a button sensor comprising a sensor adapted to measure data of a metric related to a wearer of a garment, a transmitter adapted to transmit the data to a receiver, and a power source adapted to provide power to the transmitter; and

hermetically sealing the button sensor inside the button.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the button is hermetically sealed by injection molding.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the type of power source is selected based on a location of the button on the garment.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the type of power source is selected based on the type of measurement performed by the button sensor.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein power from the power source is generated from at least one of solar power, thermocouple power, kinetic power, ambient RF power, directed RF power, piezoelectric power, and chemical power.

19. A method of collecting data by use of a garment including a button sensor, comprising:

placing the garment on a wearer;

using the button sensor to measure data of a metric related to the wearer of the garment; and

receiving the data from the button sensor.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the metric is at least one of temperature, oxygen content, blood component content, blood sugar content, heart rate, breathing rate, apnea, brain activity, velocity, movement, distance, and location.