Abstract:
A monitoring system for monitoring physiological parameters of a living being. The monitoring system includes a smart garment, a processing unit and a docking station. The docking station enables quick and easy engagement/disengagement of the processor. The docking station is electrically connected to sensors of the smart garment to thereby provide the sensed data to the processor that is docked thereon. The processor is adapted to obtain some or all of the sensed data via a communication interface such as HDMI. The docking station and the smart garment may be interconnected using complementary conductive snap buttons. The docking station may include at least one through opening formed in its back wall, to thereby enable wired operational communication between the processing unit and a respective additional external sensor. The docking station may include a defibrillator protection device to protect the monitoring system from an electric current or voltage surge.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) from U.S. provisional application 61/832,163 filed Jun. 7, 2013, the disclosures of which is included herein by reference. 
         [0002]    This application also related to PCT application PCT/IL2013/050963, filed Nov. 23, 2013, entitled “Vertical conductive textile traces and methods of knitting thereof”, PCT application PCT/IL2013/050964, filed Nov. 23, 2013, entitled “Float loop textile electrodes and methods of knitting thereof”, and non-published U.S. provisional application 61/950,139 filed Mar. 9, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to health monitoring systems and more particularly, the present invention relates to a docking station for a smart garment, being a monitoring system of a living being wearing the smart garment. The docking station facilitates hosting various types of processing units for monitoring a variety of physiological parameters of the living being. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART 
       [0004]    Smart garments are designed to monitor living beings wearing the smart garment. A smart garment may include a variety of textile sensors and other types of sensors for detecting different physiological and chemical parameters of the living being. Smart garments also include a processor for analyzing the sensed data. Typically, the textile sensors have conductive textile traces that facilitate transmitting the sensed data from the textile sensors to the processor. 
         [0005]    An example smart garment is described in PCT application PCT/IL2012/000248, filed on Sep. 20, 2010, entitled “Continuous non-interfering health monitoring and alert system, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
         [0006]    Typically, the smart garment is coupled to operate with various types of processors, for analyzing different physiological parameters of the living being. Some processors may be used at normal daytime activity, at night, while performing sport activities, while swimming, etc. Also, there is often a need for quick engagement/disengagement of the processor, for example, when washing the garment. To facilitate quick engagement/disengagement of the processor, a docking station may be used. Preferably, the engagement/disengagement is easy to perform, as the user may be a disabled person, old and sick, and sometimes with no help of a caretaker. 
         [0007]    There is a need that the processor is be stable while being worn with the garment, and that the docking station is light weight, narrow (so the complex docking station-processor does not standing out) and water durable as it might be machine washed with the garment. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The principal intentions of the present invention include providing a docking station for a smart garment, facilitating quick and easy engagement/disengagement of the processor. The docking station is electrically connected to the conductive traces and provides the sensed data to the processor that is docked thereon. The processor is adapted to obtain some or all of the sensed data. 
         [0009]    According to the teachings of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring system for monitoring physiological parameters of a living being. The monitoring system includes a smart garment, a processing unit and a docking station. 
         [0010]    The smart garment includes sensors for sensing electric vital signals of the living being, first-wiring connecting devices and garment-electric-wiring-means, electrically interconnecting to the sensors with respective first-wiring-connecting devices. 
         [0011]    The docking station includes a body adapted to receive the processing unit, the body having a back wall with an external surface and an internal surface. The docking station further includes a socket structure, docking-station-wiring-means and second-wiring-connecting devices enabling the transfer of the sensed vital signals. The processing unit is adapted to receive and process the sensed vital signals. 
         [0012]    Each of the first-wiring-connecting devices is adapted to interconnect with the respective second-wiring-connecting device, thereby allowing transfer of the sensed vital signals from the sensors to the docking station. The docking-station-wiring-means are individually preconfigured to further transfer the sensed vital signals from the docking station to the processing unit. 
         [0013]    The socket structure is attached to the internal surface of the back wall, protruding away from the monitored living being, wherein the socket structure includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a seat. The seat interconnects a first end of the first side wall and a first end of the second side wall, to form a generally U-shaped structure being an operational seating bench for the processing unit. 
         [0014]    The processing unit includes a first side wall, a second side wall and a landing side, wherein the first side wall of the processing unit includes a first receiving groove and the second side wall of the processing unit includes a second receiving groove. On the internal side of the first side wall, the first side wall includes a first rail rib, protruding inwardly and forming a first groove between the first rail rib and internal surface of the back wall. On the internal side of the second side wall, the second side wall includes a second rail rib protruding inwardly and forming a second groove between the second rail rib and internal surface of the back wall. The first rail rib is adapted to fittingly receive the first receiving groove, the first rail rib is adapted to fittingly receive the first receiving groove and the seat is adapted to operatively receive the landing side of the processing unit. 
         [0015]    The seat and the landing side include a communication interface facilitating operational communication flow between the docking station and the processing unit and thereby also facilitating operational communication flow between the sensors and the processing unit. The communication interface is selected from the group including, with no limitations, USB and HDMI. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the docking station further includes a locking and release mechanism adapted to lock the processing unit to the docking station lock, when in operation, and to disengage the processing unit from the docking station, when desired. Upon insertion of the processing unit, the locking and release mechanism locks the processing unit in operational sitting position inside the socket structure. 
         [0017]    Preferably, with no limitations, the sensors are textile electrodes selected from the group including knitted electrodes and interwoven electrodes. 
         [0018]    Optionally, the garment-electric-wiring-means and the docking-station-wiring-means are detachably interconnected. 
         [0019]    Optionally, the first-wiring connecting devices and the second-wiring connecting devices are complementary conductive snap buttons. 
         [0020]    Preferably, each of the first-wiring connecting devices is attached to a respective garment-electric-wiring-means. 
         [0021]    Optionally, each second-wiring connecting device is disposed at a preconfigured location of the external surface of the back wall and is operatively attached to a respective docking-station-wiring-means. 
         [0022]    Optionally, each line of the docking-station-wiring-means includes a defibrillator-protection-device to protect the monitoring system from an electric current or voltage surge, such as during using a defibrillator. 
         [0023]    Optionally, the docking station further includes at least one through opening formed in the back wall, thereby enabling wired operational communication between the processing unit and a respective additional sensor, being external to the smart garment. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the docking station is made of materials enabling machine washing, such as plastic. 
         [0025]    According to further teachings of the present invention, there is provided a docking station adapted to receive a processing unit adapted to receive and process at least one signal from a respective sensor. The docking station includes a body adapted to receive the processing unit, wherein the body includes a back wall with an external surface and an internal surface. 
         [0026]    The docking station further includes a socket structure, docking-station-wiring-means and a connecting device for each of the sensors, enabling transfer of the respective sensed signal. Each of the sensors is adapted to operatively connect with the respective connecting device, thereby allowing transfer of the sensed signal from said at least one sensor to the docking station. The docking-station-wiring-means are individually preconfigured to further transfer the respective signals from the docking station to the processing unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a docking station for a smart garment, hosting a processing unit coupled to operate with sensing devices embedded in the smart garment, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustration of the docking station and processing unit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 3 a    is a first side perspective view illustration of the docking station shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3 b    is a second side perspective view illustration of the docking station shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4 a    is a first side perspective view illustration of the processing unit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4 b    is a second side perspective view illustration of the processing unit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view illustration of the docking station shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a top view illustration of the docking station shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates an example smart garment, having a docking station interface, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates an example smart garment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , having a docking station, as shown in  FIG. 1 , attached thereto. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates an example electric diagram, having defibrillator protection devices, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and material and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0040]    An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment. 
         [0041]    Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only. 
         [0042]    Reference now made to the drawings.  FIG. 1  illustrates a docking station  100  for a smart garment, hosting a processing unit  200  coupled to operate with sensing devices embedded in the smart garment, according to embodiments of the present invention, processing unit  200  being an exemplary processing unit.  FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustration of docking station  100  and processing unit  200 , showing the mounting direction  105 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3 a    is a first side perspective view of docking station  100  and  FIG. 3 b    is a second side perspective view of docking station  100 . Docking station  100  includes a body  110  having a back wall  111  with an external surface and an internal surface  106 , a socket structure, docking-station-wiring-means and preferably, a locking and release mechanism  120 . 
         [0044]    The socket structure is composed of a first side wall  113 , a second side wall  115  and a seat  117 . Typically, seat  117  interconnects a first end of first side wall  113  and a first end of second side wall  115 , to form to form a generally U-shaped structure being an operational seating bench for processing unit  200 . On the internal side, first side wall  113  includes a rail rib  112 , protruding inwardly from the internal side of first side wall  113 . A groove  118  is formed between rail rib  112  and internal surface  106  of back wall  111 . On the internal side, second side wall  115  includes a rail rib  114 , protruding inwardly from the internal side of second side wall  115 . A groove  116  is formed between rail rib  114  and internal surface  106  of back wall  111 . In operational mode, back wall  111  serves as a partition between said processing unit  200  and the garment/user. First side wall  113  is opposing second side wall  115 , wherein the lateral distance  130  between groove  118  and groove  116  facilitates a fitted insertion of processing unit  200  into the socket structure of docking station  100 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4 a    is a first side perspective view of processing unit  200  and  FIG. 4 b    is a second side perspective view of processing unit  200 . Processing unit  200  includes a housing  210  having a front face  220 , a rear face (not shown, typically parallel to front face  220 ), a first side wall  213 , a second side wall  215 , a top side  219  and a landing side  217 . The front face  220  is opposing the rear face, first side wall  213  is opposing second side wall  215  and top side  219  is opposing landing side  217 . When processing unit  200  is inserted into the socket structure of docking station  100 , landing side  217  is disposed adjacently to the internal side  119  of seat  117 . 
         [0046]    A groove  212  is formed in first side wall  213  extending all the way towards landing side  217 . At least one rib  218  is formed by groove  212  between groove  212  and the rear face of processing unit  200 . A groove  214  is formed in second side wall  215  extending all the way towards landing side  217 . At least one rib  216  is formed by groove  214  between groove  214  and the rear face of processing unit  200 . 
         [0047]    The lateral distance  130  between groove  118  and groove  116  facilitates the insertion of processing unit  200  into the socket structure of docking station  100 , wherein the lateral distance between rib  218  and rib  216  is fitted to lateral distance  130 . To insert processing unit  200  into the socket structure of docking station  100  (in direction  105 ), rib  216  is slidingly inserted into groove  116  and rib  218  is slidingly inserted into groove  118 . 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, locking and release mechanism  120  includes a release handle  122 , operatively connected to a latch  124 , by a shaft  125 . When a user inserts processing unit  200  into the socket structure of docking station  100  (in direction  105 ), latch  124  is pushed back rotating shaft  125  backwards against a biasing element such as a spring (not shown). When landing side  217  reaches seat  117 , latch  124  is pushed forward by the biasing element and into a designated lateral groove  235 , formed in rib  218  in a preconfigured location. 
         [0049]    To release processing unit  200  from the socket structure of docking station  100 , the user pivots release handle  122 , overcoming the force embedded in the biasing element, to thereby move latch  124  out of lateral groove  235 , thereby enable processing unit  200  to slide out of the socket structure of docking station  100 . 
         [0050]    It should be noted that locking and release mechanism  120  is given by way of example only and other lock-and-release mechanisms known in the art may be use. 
         [0051]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , a rear perspective view of docking station  100 ; and to  FIG. 6 , a top view of docking station  100 . Reference is also made to  FIG. 7  that schematically illustrates an example smart garment  300 , having a docking station interface  350 , according to embodiments of the present invention; and to  FIG. 8 , a schematic illustration of smart garment  300 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , having a docking station  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , attached thereto. 
         [0052]    The external surface  108  of back wall  111  of docking station  100  includes a garment interface  150 , according to embodiments of the present invention. Garment interface  150  is designed to operatively interface processing unit  200  with at least one electrical signal measured by a sensor knitted into smart garment  300 . Smart garment  300  includes multiple knitted sensors  310 , conductive traces  320  and docking station interface  350 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment of the present invention, garment interface  150  and docking station interface  350  include conductive snap buttons  152  and  352 , respectively. Each snap buttons  352  is connected to a specific conductive trace  320  that transfers an electric signal from a respective sensor  310 , typically knitted textile sensor  310 , to processing unit  200  that is docked into the socket structure of docking station  100 , through snap buttons  352  and the respective snap buttons  152  snapped there onto. 
         [0054]    Docking station  100  is preconfigured with a signal outlet for each snap buttons  152 , and processing unit  200  has respective signal inlets on body  210  that are aligned with the corresponding signal outlet of docking station  100 . In the example shown in the Figures, an HDMI interface is illustrated, with no limitation. Any other communication interface known in the art, such as USB, may be used. In the example Figures, docking station  100  includes an HDMI outlet  140  and processing unit  200  has respective signal inlet  240 . Respective anchoring leading devices  142  and  242  may be used to ease the HDMI connecting process. 
         [0055]    Hence, an electric signal sensed by a sensor  310  is transferred via a respective conductive trace  320  to a preconfigured snap buttons  352 . The signal is then transferred via the respective snap buttons  152  that is snapped onto that snap buttons  352 , via docking-station-wiring-means (not shown), typically wired inside docking station  100 , to a preconfigured pin of the communication plug interface, wherein in the example shown, the communication plug interface is HDMI outlet  140 . From HDMI outlet  140  the sensed signal reached its destination, being processing unit  200 , via HDMI inlet  240  that is operatively engaged with HDMI outlet  140 . 
         [0056]    Optionally, each line of the docking-station-wiring-means includes a defibrillator-protection-device to protect the monitoring system from an electric current or voltage surge, such as during using a defibrillator.  FIG. 9  schematically illustrates an example electric diagram  400  of a docking station  100 , having defibrillator protection devices  450 , according to embodiments of the present invention. In the example shown in  FIG. 9 , electric diagram  400  includes a HDMI connector box  410  having a HDMI connector  412 , docking-station-wiring-means  420  including respective protection devices  450  for each lead  430 . Defibrillator protection devices are known in the art and any type of defibrillator protection devices may be used, for example: Zener diodes. 
         [0057]    Docking station  100  may further include at least one through opening  160  formed in back wall  111 , thereby enabling wired operational communication between processing unit  200  and a respective additional sensor, being external to smart garment  300 . 
         [0058]    It should be noted that conductive snap buttons  152  and  352  are given by way of example only and with no limitations, and any other detachable conductive wiring connecting devices may be used. 
         [0059]    It should be further noted that conductive traces  320  are given by way of example only and other electric wiring known in the art, such as conductive stripes (see U.S. provisional application 61/950,139), may be used. 
         [0060]    The invention being thus described in terms of embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.