Abstract:
An apparatus is provided which is made of a garment having at least one connector to receive an electronic transmission module and an electronic monitor configured to remotely receive and control electronic transmission from the electronic transmission module. The garment includes a sensor to detect the temperature of the wearer. This invention also provides a connector for making an electrical connection. This invention also provides a method for monitoring the body temperature of the wearer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of prior Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/672,747 under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) and is hereby specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates to an apparatus and method to monitor body temperature.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     An apparatus is provided that is made of a garment, at least one connector attached to the garment and an electronic transmission module connected to the connector. The connector is configured to receive an electronic transmission module. The electronic transmission module is programmed for wireless transmission.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, the apparatus has a sensor positioned in the garment to obtain a temperature reading of a wearer of the garment. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a means to communicate the temperature reading to the electronic transmission module. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an electronic monitor to remotely receive and control electronic transmission for the electronic transmission module.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the electronic monitor has a device that conforms to the IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Standard. In one embodiment, the electronic transmission module has a device that conforms to the IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Standard.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, the apparatus has a means to extend the electronic transmission range of the electronic transmission module. In one embodiment, the means to extend the electronic transmission range of the electronic transmission module is a range extender. The range extender has a device that conforms to the IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Standard.  
         [0009]     A connector is provided for making an electrical connection upon insertion of the connector into a corresponding receiver. The receiver has a plurality of connection pads. At least one of the connection pads of the receiver is connected to a power source. The connector is made of an extended body which has an insertion portion and non-insertion portion. The non-insertion portion has a plurality of solder points. The insertion portion has a plurality of connecting pads. The connecting pads on the insertion portion of the connector correspond to the connecting pads on the receiver. The connector is also made of at least one wire attached to the solder points, at least one trance connecting the at least one wire to at least one pad of the connector, and at least one looping trace connecting at least two connection pads of the connector.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, the connector has two side members contiguous to the non-insertion portion the body. In an embodiment, the extended body is a printed circuit board.  
         [0011]     A method is provided for monitoring the body temperature of an individual. The method consists of the following steps: (a) placing a garment on an individual, wherein the garment has at least one sensor positioned to obtain a body temperature reading of the individual, wherein the garment has a connector configured to receive an electronic transmission module, wherein the electronic transmission module is programmed for electronic transmission; (b) securing an electronic transmission module into the connector which is configured to receive an electronic transmission module; (c) determining a body temperature from the sensor; (d) communicating the body temperature from the individual to an electronic monitor over a local wireless connection, wherein the electronic monitor is configured to remotely receive and control electronic transmission from the electronic transmission module; and (e) displaying the body temperature on the electronic monitor.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, the method comprising the step of extending the electronic transmission range between the electronic transmission module and the electronic monitor with a range extender. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic rear view of a garment to monitor body temperature.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of a garment to monitor body temperature.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an electronic transmission module.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of a connector to receive an electronic module.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a vertical top view of an electronic transmission module.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of the assembly process involving an electronic transmission module inserted into a connector to receive an electronic module.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an electronic monitor.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of an electronic monitor.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an electronic monitor.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the connector with a cut away portion showing the printed circuit board.  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a schematic front view of a range extender.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a schematic side view of the range extender.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a schematic top view of the range extender.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a flow chart of the process to monitor body temperature.  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart of the internal workings of the electronic transmission module.  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart of the internal workings of the electronic monitor.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , an embodiment of apparatus  1  to monitor body temperature is disclosed. The apparatus  1  is made of garment  2 , connector to receive an electronic transmission module  4 , electronic transmission module  6 , and electronic monitor  8 .  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , garment  2  can be made of any material that will allow garment  2  to fit snuggly against the body of the wearer. Spandex is one example of a material, however other materials, such as a polyester elastane blend, may be used as desired by one of skill in the art. The material of garment  2  has elasticity properties that keep it close to the body of the wearer and such properties prevent garment  2  from stretching out and loosing its conformity to the body.  
         [0031]     In one embodiment, garment  2  has thermal sensors  12  sewn into garment  2  in such a way that the sensors  12  are held in close proximity to the body in the area of the underarms. In one embodiment, the sensors  12  are General Electric MA  100™ (GE Thermometrics, Inc. Billerica, Mass.) thermistors but any other sensors that are capable of measuring temperature changes can be used as desired by one of skill in the art. In an embodiment, garment 2 has two sensors 12 but any number of sensors can be used, including one, as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, sensors 12 are encased in garment 2 in the area of the underarms, however, sensors 12 may be placed at other locations where such sensors can obtain temperature reading as desired by one of skill in the art.    
         [0032]     Two connection wires  68  are connected to each sensor  12 . Connection wires  68  are encased in garment  2  in such a way that the each wire  68  travels from the sensor  12  to the connector  4 . In one embodiment, connection wires  68  travel and are encased along the seams of garment  2 . Garment  2  has antenna  3  appropriate to allow electronic transmission between electronic transmission module  6  and electronic monitor  8 . Antenna  3  is located in the collar of garment  2 . Antenna  3  is appropriate to the IEEE 802.15.4 Standard.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2  and  10 , connector  4  is fixedly attached to garment  2 . In one embodiment, connector  4  is located in pocket  5  located near the collar of garment  2 . Connector  4  is attached to garment  2  by sewing connector  4  to garment  2 . Connector  4  has sewing holes  48  for such attachment (See  FIG. 6 ). Other forms of attaching connector  4  may be used as desired by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, connector  4  is attached to the top shoulder area of garment  2  near the collar but connector  4  can be attached to garment  2  anywhere as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art. Connector  4  is made of a sturdy, water resistant material such as a polymer or plastic but other materials may be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a cut away view of connector  4  is shown. Connector  4  has the size and connection specifications of the male portion of the Micro SD. Other size and connection specification may be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art. Connector  4  does not contain an electronic data storage device as contained in the Micro SD. Instead connector  4  is configured to allow connector  4  to make an electrical connection with module  6  upon assembly of module  6  and connector  4 . Connector  4  has an extended body  50  that allows for the physical attachment of connector  4  to receiver  74  of module  6 . (See  FIG. 6 ). In one embodiment, connector  4  has side members  52  that allow connector  4  to be attached to another object, such as garment  2 . Body  50  of connector  4  has an insertion portion  54  and a non-insertion portion  56 . Housing  70  covers and protects connector  4 ; however, the connection pads  60  of body  50  are not covered by housing  70 . Connection pads  60  are at the front connection edge of connector  4 . Housing  70  is made of a sturdy, water resistant material such as a polymer or plastic but other materials may be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art. Insertion portion  54  has eight connection pads or tabs  60 . Connection pads  60  are metallic connectors. In one embodiment, two of the connection pads  60  are connected by a looping trace  64 . Non-insertion portion  56  has solder points  58 . In one embodiment, five wires  68  are attached to five solder points  58  of non-insertion portion  56 . Traces  62  connect connection wires  68  to connection pads  60 . In one embodiment, connector  4  has snap tabs  76  that snap into snap notches  78  when connector  4  and module  6  are assembled thus reinforcing the assembly between connector  4  and module  6 .  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , module  6  has a receiver  74 . Receiver  74  is reversibly connected to module  6 . Receiver  74  has the size and connection specifications of the female portion of the Micro SD. Other size and connection specifications may be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art. Receiver  74  has eight connection pads that correspond to the connection pads  60  of connector  4 . Connection pads of receiver  74  are metallic. Receiver  74  is connected to power supply  20 .  
         [0036]     Referring again to  FIG. 10 , body  50  is a printed circuit board  66 . In one embodiment, the printed circuit board  66  has five connection wires  68  permanently affixed to board  66 . Two wires  68  (one receiving wire and one transmitting wire) connect to one sensor  12 , two wires  68  (one receiving wire and one transmitting wire) connect to a second sensor  12 , and one wire which connects to antennae  3  that enables the electronic transmission module  6  to transmit information to electronic monitor  8 . The connection wires  68  are insulated except at the point of attachment to board  66 . Housing  70  encases wires  68  as wires  68  exit connector  4  so that moisture is kept out of the internal workings of connector  4 .  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 , apparatus  1  has an electronic transmission module  6  that connects to connector  4 . Electronic transmission module  6  contains a device  17  that conforms to the IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Standard or to the ZigBee Protocol. ZigBee is a published specification set of high level communication protocols designed to use small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks. In one embodiment, electronic transmission module  6  is a ZigBee End Device. Pursuant to ZigBee Protocol, module  6  has the functional capabilities to communicate with monitor  8 . In one embodiment, module  6  cannot relay data from other ZigBee devices. In another embodiment, module  6  can relay data from other ZigBee devices, wherein module  6  serves as a ZigBee Router Device.  
         [0038]     Device  17  of module  6  contains a radio and a microprocessor which contains the code that enables sensor  12  to constantly measure the temperature of the individual wearing garment  2  upon assembly of module  6  into connector  4 . The microprocessor within device  17  also contains the code that enables the radio of device  17  to function within the specification set forth by the ZigBee 1.0 specifications and subsequent developed versions of such specifications. Electronic transmission module  6  has a power supply  20  (See  FIG. 3 ). In one embodiment, power supply  20  is a battery.  
         [0039]     Upon assembly of module  6  and connector  4 , eight connection pads  60  of connector  4  line up and connect to eight connection pads located in receiver  74  of module  6 . One of the pads located inside receiver  74  is connected to the power supply  20  of module  6 . This connection is accomplished by a printed circuit board trace between such connection pad inside receiver  74  and power supply  20 . The terminal of power supply  20  is affixed to a point on the printed circuit board inside module  6 . This physical connection allows the electrical current from the power supply  20  to flow from the power supply  20  to such connection pad inside receiver  74 . The electrical current then passes from the pad inside receiver  74  to the corresponding connection pad  60  on connector  4 . The corresponding connection pad  60  on connector  4  has a looping trace  64  connecting such pad  60  to a second connection pad  60  located on connector  4 , thus connecting second connection pad  60  and the corresponding pad inside receiver  74  connected to power-in trace creating a power circuit that allows all electronic components of the module  6  to operate.  
         [0040]     Upon assembly of the module  6  and connector  4 , an electrical connection turns module  6  “on” and module  6  sends out a signal to electrical monitor  8  (described below). The electrical connection also enables module  6  to communicate with sensors  12  directing sensors  12  to measure the temperature of the body of the wearer of garment  2 . The electrical connection also enables module  6  to make the connection to antenna  3  which allows the module  6  to transmit electronic communication to the electronic monitor  8 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-9 , apparatus  1  has an electronic monitor  8  that is configured to remotely receive and control electronic transmission from electronic transmission module  6 . Electronic monitor  8  has a radio that conforms to the IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Standard. Electronic monitor  8  has a microprocessor that operates in accordance with ZigBee 1.0 specifications and subsequently developed versions of such specifications. The ZigBee specifications dictate the communications received and controlled by electronic monitor  8 .  
         [0042]     Monitor  8  serves as a Coordinator Device in the ZigBee Mesh Network. Electronic monitor  8  will dictate the frequency of temperature readings and transmissions from the electronic transmission module  6 . Monitor  8  has frequency control option  27 . Electronic monitor  8  contains code that allows the user of apparatus  1  to setup parameters of temperature profiles that trigger audible and visible alarms set off by the electronic monitor  8  when those parameters are met or exceeded. Monitor  8  has alarm control option  26 . Electronic monitor  8  may also contain code that initiates other message activities over the public or a private telephone network, radio or intercom network as well as create messages for electronic communications such as email.  
         [0043]     Monitor  8  contains code that allows the temperature readings to be recorded to flash memory for later retrieval through a port or by removal of the flash device. In one embodiment, a USB port  36  is used to retrieve temperature readings but any other port can be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art (See  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0044]     Monitor  8  may communicate with more than one electronic transmission module  6  inserted into the connector  4  of two garments  2  within its Mesh Network. Referring to  FIG. 9 , monitor  8  has two temperature reading displays  38 . Monitor  8  has two charging circuits  34  for recharging electronic transmission module  6  (See  FIG. 9 ). In one embodiment, monitor  8  has an alarm suspend  30  and clock  40 . Monitor  8  has a commercial plug attachment  28  built into it allowing the user to plug the monitor  8  into commercial power.  
         [0045]     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-12 , in one embodiment, apparatus  1  has a range extender  10  that extends the electronic transmission range of the electronic transmission module  6 . If module  6  and monitor  8  exceed the operable range, appropriate to the IEEE 802.15.4 Standard, the range extender  10  can be used to extend the range and allow the apparatus  1  to function. The range extender  10  has a radio  16  that conforms to IEEE 802.15.4 Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Standard and range extender  10  has a microprocessor  18  coded with ZigBee 1.0 specifications and subsequently developed specifications. The range extender  10  serves as a ZigBee router. Range extender  10  is connected to a power supply through outlet  19  and has antenna  21 . Antenna  21  is connected to extender  10  by hinge  23 . Antenna  21  is appropriate to the IEEE 802.15.4 Standard. The radio in the range extender  10  follows the ZigBee protocols under the “Router” functional specification. The range extender  10  allows electronic transmission module  6  to be bridged to electronic monitor  8  if it is out of range or if some other force precludes the proper communication between the electronic transmission module  6  and electronic monitor  8 .  
         [0046]     Referring now to  FIG. 14  with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 , the overall process of monitoring body temperature of an individual is provided. Module  6  is removed from charging circuit or unit  34 . Module  6  is snapped into connector  4 . Upon assembly, module  6  communicates with monitor  8  and module  6  begins operating according to firmware or code. Module  6  causes sensor  12  to return a reading of resistance which is converted to a temperature equivalent. Module  6  transmits the temperature reading to monitor  8  which displays or announces the temperature. Monitor  8  compares the display with a potentially pre-set alarm point. If the pre-set alarm point is reached, monitor  8  will sound an alarm and/or vibrate. Monitor  8  records the temperature data in a memory buffer which can be downloaded into other storage devices via the port on monitor  8 . Module  6  is removed from the connector  4  and re-attached to charging circuit or unit  34  on monitor  8  for charging. The process can be started again once module  6  is recharged.  
         [0047]     Referring now to  FIG. 15  with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 , the internal workings of the electronic transmission module  6  are provided. Module  6  is snapped into connector  4  which has looping trace  64  that enables module  6  to operate. Module  6  sends out a beacon request to announce its presence to monitor  8 . Module  6  sends its MAC address to monitor  8  for verification. Module  6  receives validation to operate on network. Module  6  launches operating firmware routine for temperature measurement. Firmware causes printed circuit board components to release electrical current into one wire of sensor  12 . Sensor  12  changes size based on the surrounding temperature. The size change of sensor  12  creates measurable electrical resistance. The resistance is measured as the electrical current is returned to module  6  through the second wire of the sensor. The electrical resistance is measured by virtue of an ADC port on the printed circuit board. The ADC value is compared to an “R to T” chart for sensor  12 . The corresponding temperature found in the “R to T” chart is transmitted to monitor  8  via the 802.15.4 radio.  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 16  with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 , the internal workings of the electronic monitor  8  are provided. Monitor  8  is plugged into commercial power and/or batteries are installed. After module  6  is charged, module  6  is removed from charging circuit  34  and snapped into connector  4 . Alarm values are set via adjustment buttons on the outside of monitor  8 . Monitor  8  establishes connection with module  6 . The firmware causes the 802.15.4 radio to accept communication that conforms to the correct protocol. The monitor  8  receives data from module  6 . The firmware causes the display to show the corresponding value. Monitor  8  displays the temperature value. An alarm is sounded if the display values are equal to or greater than the alarm values. The display values are recorded in a memory buffer for later retrieval. An outside storage device can be attached to the port on monitor  8  to extract the stored data.  
         [0049]     Although the foregoing detailed description has been set forth in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications can be made within the full scope of the invention.