Wearable architecture and methods for performance monitoring, analysis, and feedback

• US 9,498,128 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2013
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MAD Apparel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MAD Apparel Incorporated
• Inventors: Jayalath, Dhananja, Wiebe, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): KAHELIN, MICHAEL WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US14/079,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20140135593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/04 Vests, jerseys, sweaters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2500/52 in sheet form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0209 Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/18 Shielding or protection of sensors from environmental influences, e.g. protection from mechanical damage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/30 Input circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6841 by using templates
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 : Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

The present application relates generally to computer software, mobile electronics, wireless communication links, and wearable monitoring systems. More specifically, techniques, fabrics, materials, systems, sensors, EMG sensors, circuitry, algorithms and methods for wearable monitoring devices and associated exercise apparatus are described. A garment borne sensor system may generate data on a user'"'"'s performance during exercise, for example, and the data may be analyzed in real time and feedback may be provided to the user based on the analysis. A piece of exercise equipment may be instrumented and in communication with the sensor system or other system and may be controlled in real time to adjust its settings to affect the user during the exercise routine. Communication between the sensor system and other systems may be wireless. Conductive structures formed directly in a fabric of the garment may integrally include sensors, circuitry, controllers, conductive traces, and sensor electronics.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring, analyzing, and providing feedback on physical activity of a user, comprising:

a controller;

a garment configured to be worn on a portion of a body of the user, the garment including;

a fabric including a set of electrode bases, each electrode base in the set of electrode bases made from a conductive resin material formed on the fabric, wherein the fabric is composed of a stretchable, compressive and form-fitting material configured to bias each of a set of electromyography sensors into contact with a plurality of muscles on the user when the user dons the garment, wherein the fabric comprises at least one of nylon, polyester, spandex, and synthetic fibers,

the set of electromyography sensors coupled to the set of electrode bases and configured to acquire bio-potential signals indicative of muscle activation, and

a set of conductive leads coupled with each electrode base in the set of electrode bases and configured to couple to the controller, each conductive lead in the set of conductive leads composed of a flexible and electrically conductive material that is positioned on the fabric; and

a processing system including a first module configured to receive information characterizing a user profile of the user, a second module configured to receive signals derived from the set of electromyography sensors from the controller, and a third module configured to calibrate the set of electromyography sensors based upon the user profile, wherein the third module comprises a calibration circuit configured to receive an input signal derived from a pair of electrodes at a variable gain block of the calibration circuit, wherein the variable gain block is configured to scale the input signal by a gain factor having an initial preset value based on a body mass index parameter of the user determined from the user profile of the user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the garment and the set of electromyography sensors comprise materials and structures configured to withstand a plurality of cycles of washing while maintaining proper function of the set of electromyography sensors, the set of electrode bases, and the set of conductive leads.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of electromyography sensors is configured to sense bio-potential signal differences associated with pairs of electrodes interfacing with a set of muscles of the user, and wherein the fabric is configured to position the set of electromyography sensors to be in contact with the set of muscles when the garment is donned by the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fabric includes at least one of an alignment mark and a designed structure operative to aid the user in correct placement of the set of electromyography sensors relative to the set of muscles when the user dons the garment.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises:

an equipment detector including a first wireless communication link configured to wirelessly communicate with a communication device of an exercise apparatus with which the user is interacting during muscle activation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is detachably coupled to the garment.