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.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This application relates in general to sensors, and more specifically to a button biosensor located on an article of clothing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Currently, biosensors are used to measure various characteristics of a living being. For example, some sensors measure heart rate or temperature. The sensors wirelessly relay data to a data recording device to monitor the health of the being. The sensor is typically attached to the being by an adhesive bandage. Because the sensor bandage is not physically connected to the data recording device, the sensor uses a battery for power. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that involve a device for collecting data of a metric, the device being located on a garment. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, a button sensor is adapted for use on a garment. The sensor is adapted to provide data of a metric related to a wearer of the garment, and includes a transmitter adapted to transmit the data; and a power source adapted to provide power to the transmitter. The button sensor is adapted to be secured to a portion of the garment. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a method manufactures a button. The method includes 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. The method also includes hermetically sealing the button sensor inside the button. 
         [0006]    In still another aspect, a method of collecting data by use of a garment including a button sensor is presented. The method includes placing the garment on a wearer; and using the button sensor to measure data of a metric related to the wearer of the garment. The method also includes receiving the data from the button sensor. 
         [0007]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a button sensor. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A-2C  respectively depict a perspective view, a side elevation view, and a bottom elevation view of another button sensor. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram showing an exemplary arrangement of a wireless sensor circuit that is embedded into the button sensor of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2A-2C . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  depicts a cross-section of an exemplary circuit of the wireless circuit of  FIG. 3  embedded in the button sensor of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-section of an exemplary circuit of the wireless circuit of  FIG. 3  embedded in the button sensor of  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary arrangement of a wireless communication system that includes a button sensor of  FIG. 1  or  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The current arrangements for attaching biosensors to a living being have several shortcomings associated with them. One issue is that the sensor bandages are uncomfortable for the user. The adhesive material used to secure the sensor bandage to the body can be irritating to the skin. Another issue is that the sensor bandage may fall off of the body. The adhesive material tends to breakdown quickly from exposure to sweat and moisture. The adhesive material also loses effectiveness as the skin exfoliates skin cells. Thus, the bandage typically needs to be changed after a few days. A further issue is that the bandages cannot be cleaned, and after a short period of time may become dirty. Again, the bandage typically needs to be changed after a few days. A still further issue is that the bandage sensor requires the conscious effort to attach the sensor to the body of the user. The living being may be a human, a domesticated animal (e.g. a dog, cat, horse, cow, etc.), or an undomesticated animal (e.g. a tiger, elephant, cougar, etc.). 
         [0016]    Embodiments of the invention provide a button that comprises a self-contained biosensor, where the button is located on an article of clothing. The sensor button solves the issues described above. The button sensor is not uncomfortable to wear and does not use an adhesive to attach itself to the body. The button sensor is hermetically sealed, and thus is not affected by moisture or sweat. Also, because it is hermetically sealed, the button sensor may be washed along with the garment to which it is attached. The button sensor does not require separate conscious effort by the user. The user would merely put on the garment or article of clothing, e.g., a shirt or pants, and then the button is operative. 
         [0017]    A garment may have one or more buttons according to embodiments of the invention. Examples of a garment include a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, a mask, underwear, a brassier, a hospital gown, a vest, a belt, jewelry (such as a bracelet, a necklace, a wristwatch, a ring), glasses, a hand bag, a wallet, a jacket, a sweat band, socks, shoes, and boots. 
         [0018]    The button sensor may serve a function for the garment to which it is attached. For example, the button may be used to hold portions of the garment together. Such a button may be used to fixedly hold the portions together, so that a wearer cannot unbutton the portions, e.g. the button on the top of a hat. The button may be used to removably hold the portions together, so that a wearer can unbutton the portions, e.g. the button on the front of a dress shirt. The button may also connect two garments together, by being fixedly attached to a first garment, and allowing a second garment to be buttoned to the first garment. Similarly, the button may connect more than two garments together. To secure the portions, the button may connect with a connector located on the other portion, e.g. a snap button engages with a snap connector. As another way to secure portions, the button may slip through a hole located on the other portion. The button also may serve as ornamentation on the garment, e.g. the button is an accent to the look of the garment, and does not have a functional aspect. The button may have both a functional aspect and an ornamental aspect. 
         [0019]    A button sensor may be used to monitor different biometrics of the body of the wearer of the garment. For example, a button sensor may be used to monitor temperature, oxygen content, blood component content, blood sugar content, heart rate, breathing rate, apnea, brain activity, altitude, cramps, bleeding, asthma attacks, anxiety attacks, loss of consciousness, high force impacts, a sudden fall, perspiration, moisture, velocity, movement, distance, location (with a GPS component),etc. To measure these different metrics, the button sensor may incorporate one or more sensors. For example, a thermostat to measure temperature, an accelerometer to measure motion, a audio sensor to detect noise, a light sensor to detect light (or wavelength(s) of light), an electromagnetic wave detector, a radio wave detector. 
         [0020]    A button sensor has a transmitter to wirelessly send the data from the sensor to a remote receiver. A button sensor may act as a relay for a sensor that is located within a body. Thus, such a button may receive data from an internal sensor, and then broadcast the data to a receiver. The antenna for the transmitter may be located within the button, and/or be a part of the button (e.g., the holes or the shell). The antenna may also include passive elements that are exterior to the button. For example, the active elements may be located within the button, and the passive elements may comprise the wire that sews the button to the garment. In one embodiment, the antenna is woven into a garment with conductive thread and connected to the button sensor with conductive thread. Note that the button sensor may receive information as well. For example, the button may receive operational instructions, e.g., a command to take measurements, a command to send data, software updates, store data, analyze data, reset, deactivate, power down, and combinations thereof, etc. 
         [0021]    The receiver includes a memory to record the data. The receiver may also include a processor and associated software to process the received data into information usable by a technician, nurse, doctor, or other medical practitioner. The receiver may be a handheld unit, such as a personal data unit, a cell phone, or other handheld computing unit. The receiver may also be a portable unit, such as a monitor. The portable unit may include physical connections for power and or data. The receiver may also comprise a fixed data collection point that is permanently mounted in the garment wearer&#39;s location. Such a receiver may be located in a hospital, retirement home, or other facility that provides medical care. In one embodiment, the receiver is in a vehicle, for example to operate with roadside assistance systems. In another embodiment, the receiver is coupled to public transportation, for example to operate with emergency warning systems. In yet another embodiment, the receiver is a cellular phone, operating with emergency 911 systems. 
         [0022]    A sensing garment, or the garment having a button sensor, may comprise a single button sensor, or may comprise multiple button sensors. Each button sensor may sense a single metric or may sense multiple metrics. A sensing garment may have multiple button sensors, with some of the button sensors providing measurements of one metric and other buttons sensors providing measurements of one or more other metrics. Other sensing garments may have one or more buttons that measure a single metric and one or more buttons that measure multiple metrics. 
         [0023]    The sensing garment may have multiple buttons sensing the same metric, with the data from the buttons being correlated to determine information of the metric. For example, one embodiment may have multiple button sensors to measure body temperature. The sensors may be located at different parts of the body. The receiver would then receive the data from the sensors, and knowing the position of the sensors, determine the temperature of the core of the body of the wearer. 
         [0024]    The sensing garment may have multiple buttons sensing the same metric, with the data providing differential information to determine the metric. For example, an embodiment may have multiple button sensors to measure movement. The sensors may be located at different parts of the body, with one sensor located near the sternum, and another sensor located near the clavicle. As the wearer breathes, the sensor near the sternum would move, while the sensor near the clavicle would remain relatively stationary. The data from the sensor buttons could then be used by the receiver to determine a rate of breathing of the wearer. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, sensing garments on multiple living beings interact. In this embodiment, a sensor network collects social behavior data, such as social interactive patterns, and can facilitate detecting hostile, violent and/or dangerous events. In one example, the sensor network enables studying of interpersonal stimulus/response or unconscious interpersonal communication. 
         [0026]    The button may use one or more technologies to transmit the information to the receiver. For example, the button may use a Bluetooth transmitter, an infrared transmitter, a wireless LAN-type transmitter, a short range cellular-type transmitter, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a GigaHertz range transmitter, etc. 
         [0027]    The button sensor is fixedly attached to its associated garment. It may be attached by having thread or wire sewn through holes in the button sensor to the garment. It may also be attached by using a rivet that connects the button to the garment. In either event, the button sensor remains with the garment, and is hermetically sealed such that when the garment is washed and/or dried, the electronic aspects of the button sensor are not harmed. The button sensor is a material capable of withstanding water, exposure to corrosive materials such as laundry soap, bleach or other oxidizing agents, and the vibration and heat of a dryer. Suitable materials are known to exist, for example plastics or epoxies. 
         [0028]    The button sensor is not coupled to an external power source, and thus the button sensor would have to store power sufficient for extended operations, to generate its own power, or both. Garments used in institutional settings, e.g. hospitals, may use sensor buttons that only have power storage. Such garments may be have the power supply recharged on a periodic basis. For example, many institutions change gowns on a daily basis (if not sooner). The power storage is able to power the button for a few days before a recharge is necessary. Furthermore, the operation of the buttons may be cascaded. For example, a gown may have two sensor buttons sensing the same metric, with only one button operating at a time. Thus, the second button would begin operations when the first button has exhausted its power supply. The first button may send a signal that is received by the second button to begin operations, or the receiver may send a signal to the second button to begin operations, after the receiver has stopped receiving data from the first button. 
         [0029]    The button sensor may use one or more different types of power generation to provide itself power for its operations. For example, one type of power generation is solar power. The button sensor may include one or more solar panels that receive light and generate power from the light. The button sensor may also have an ambient RF or direct RF generator that uses radio frequency (RF) energy to generate power. Another type of power generation is piezoelectric power generation. The button sensor includes a piezoelectric device to generate power from vibration. For example, as the button sensor is bounced around in a washer and/or a dryer, the button generates power. Another type of power generation uses a thermocouple. The button sensor includes a thermocouple to generate power from a heat differential to which the button is exposed. The side of the button that is closer to the body is warmer than the side of the button facing away from the body. This temperature differential may be used to generate power. Another type of power generation uses a kinetic generator. The button sensor includes such a generator so that as the button is moved, it generates power. Other types of power generation include a chemical reaction. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the power generator is attached to the garment (for example, a flexible solar panel on the back of a shirt) and coupled to the button sensor with conductive thread. In another embodiment, short range magnetic conduction, and/or wireless power is used for connectivity. 
         [0031]    A sensing garment may have multiple buttons, with different ones of the buttons using different power generation methods. For example, one button may be using solar power to generate power, another button may be using a kinetic generation, and a further button may be using a thermocouple. Thus, at any given time, at least one of the buttons will be generating power. 
         [0032]    Note that the location of the button on the garment may be used to select the type of power generation. For example, a long sleeve shirt may use kinetic generation for a button located on the sleeves, solar generation for a button located on the collar or upper chest, thermocouple for a button located on the lower chest, and infrared solar power for a button located at the bottom of the shirt (which may be tucked into pants). 
         [0033]    Note that the metric to be sensed may select the type of power generation. For example, if the button is to measure movement, then the power button may use a kinematic generator. Thus, the button would generate power to measure the movement, and if there is no movement, there is no data needed to be taken, and thus no power is required or provided. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a button sensor  100 , according to embodiments of the invention. In this arrangement, the button  100  would be secured to an article of clothing or garment via the holes  102 . Thread, wire, pins, rivets, etc. would pass through the holes and connect the button to the garment. The button  100  includes a sealed container  101  that includes a wireless sensor (not shown) that would sense data for a metric from a living being wearing the garment. The wireless sensor is formed into a shape that allows the holes  102  to pass through the button  100  without interfering with the operation of the wireless sensor. 
         [0035]    The button  100  can be formed using many different production processes. For example, the button  100  can be formed by using an injection molding process. The wireless sensor is placed into an injection mold. Material is then injected into the mold to encapsulate the wireless sensor and form the button  100 . The holes  102  may then be drilled into the button or may be formed as part of the injection molding process. The button  100  can also be formed by using a package. The button is secured in a package. A lid is then welded, e.g. via ultrasonic welding, onto the package. The holes  102  already exist in the package and the lid. Either process results in a hermetically sealed button  100  that comprises the wireless sensor. Note that other processes may be used to form the button  100 , as long as the button  100  is hermetically sealed and able to perform the functions described herein. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 2A-2C  respectively depict a perspective view, a side elevation view, and a bottom elevation view of another button sensor  200 , according to embodiments of the invention. In this arrangement, the button  200  would be secured to an article of clothing or garment via an attachment assembly including a post  203  and a base  202 . The button  200  has an upper portion  201  that is a sealed container and includes a wireless sensor (not shown) that would sense data for a metric from the living being wearing the garment. The button  200  is attached to a garment by passing the post  203  through the garment. The base  202  is then secured to the post by riveting the base  202  to the post  203 . The base  202  may also be secured to the post  203  by an adhesive, welding (e.g. ultrasonic welding), screwing the base  202  to the post  203 , friction, etc. 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the post  203  and the base  202  may perform functions beyond attaching the button  200  to the garment. The post  203  and the base  202  may comprise power storage and/or power generation aspects of the button  200 . For example, the base  202  and/or the post  203  may include a battery, capacitor, or other power storage unit. Furthermore, the base  202  may serve as a heat sink for a thermocouple power generator. The base  202  is adjacent to or in contact with the body of the wearer of the garment, and thus is exposed to body heat. The upper portion is located away from the body, and is exposed to ambient temperature. The upper portion may then use the temperature differential to generate electricity. The post  203  would conduct the body heat from the base  202  to the upper portion  201 . As another example, the base  202  may comprise an infrared solar panel to generate electricity from body heat. 
         [0038]    The post  203  and the base  202  may also be part of the antenna of the button. For example, the base  202  may have a passive element energized by an active element located within the upper portion  201 . The base  202  may also have an active element of the antenna that is connected to a signal source located within the upper portion  201  through the post  203 . 
         [0039]    The base  202  may also include a sensor  204  that is used to measure a metric of the wearer of the garment. The base  202  is adjacent to or in contact with the body of the wearer of the garment, and thus the senor  204  would be able to more accurately measure the desired metric. 
         [0040]    The button  200  may be formed by using either the injection molding process or the packaging process described above with respect to the button  100 . Note that other processes may be used to form the button  200 , as long as the button  200  is hermetically sealed and able to perform the functions described herein. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram showing an exemplary arrangement of a wireless sensor circuit  300  embedded into a button sensor  100  or  200 , according to embodiments of the invention. The circuit  300  uses a controller  304  to manage operations of the circuit  300 . The controller  304  executes software that is stored in a memory  303  in performing its various functions. The circuit  300  includes at least one sensor  305  that measures a body metric. The circuit may include multiple sensors, each of which measures a different metric. The controller  304  may direct the sensor as to when and how long to take measurements. Alternatively, the sensor may be set to continuously take measurements. The data from the measurements is stored in the memory  303 . 
         [0042]    The circuit  300  uses a transceiver  302  to send the measured data to a receiver. The controller  304  may direct the transceiver  302  as to when to send data. Alternatively, the transceiver may be set to continuously send data. The transceiver  302  is coupled to an antenna  301  to send the data. The transceiver, via the antenna  301 , may also receive data from an external source. The received data may be operating commands, e.g. turn on/off, send data, etc, or may be other information, e.g. software updates, etc. 
         [0043]    The circuit  300  is self-powered and includes at least a power storage device  306  or power generator  307 . The power storage device  306  may be a battery, a capacitor, or other power storage unit. In some situations, the power storage device may be able to be recharged on a periodic basis. For example, if the button is located on a garment that is used in an institutional setting, e.g. a hospital or retirement home, and the care of the garment is handled by the institution, then the power storage device may be recharged on a periodic basis. Alternatively, the circuit  300  includes a power generator  307  that generates power for use by the circuit  300 . Excess power is stored in the power storage device  306 . The controller  304  may direct the power generator  307  as to when to operate. Alternatively, the power generator  307  may be set to continuously operate, so long as capable. Note that the button may include a power generator or a power storage device, or both. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4A  depicts a cross-section of an exemplary structure  400  of the wireless circuit  300  of  FIG. 3  embedded in the button sensor  100  of  FIG. 1 . The structure  400  in this arrangement is a through silicon stacked (TSS) integrated circuit. The various layers communicate with each other and be powered by vertical through silicon vias (TSVs). Note that this arrangement is by way of example only, as other types of circuits may be used. 
         [0045]    The circuit  400  includes a package substrate  404 , upon which other circuit components are stacked. The various components function as described in the preceding paragraphs. The circuit includes a controller  402 , and a memory  403 . The structure  400  also includes a power storage  406  and power generator  407 . As an example, the structure  400  uses a solar panel as the power generator  407 . Thus, a lid  409  includes a window  408  to allow light (either visible and/or infrared light) to reach the solar panel. The structure  400  also includes antenna  401  and transceiver  412 . The sensor  405  of the circuit  400  is located on the side of the button that is adjacent to the body of the wearer. As an example, the sensor  405  receives the electromagnetic impulses that a heart generates in beating. Thus, the sensor  405  measures heart rate. In this example, the structure  400  is located in a package  410 , and surrounded by material  411 , such as a plastic or epoxy, to protect the circuit from damage. The connection between the lid  409  and the package  410  is hermetically sealed. The package may be formed by injection molding or insert molding. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-section of an exemplary circuit  450  of the wireless circuit  300  of  FIG. 3  embedded in the button sensor  200  of  FIGS. 2A-2C . The circuit  450  in this arrangement is a through silicon stacked integrated circuit. The various layers would communicate with each other and be powered by vertical through silicon vias. Note that this arrangement is by way of example only, as other types of circuits may be used. 
         [0047]    The circuit  450  includes a substrate  454 , upon which other circuit components are stacked. The various components function as described in the preceding paragraphs. The circuit includes a controller  452 , and a memory  453 . The circuit  450  also includes a power storage  456  and a power generator  457 . As an example, the circuit  450  uses a thermocouple as the power generator  457 . Thus, heat from the body of the wearer is transmitted from the base  458  to the power generator  457 . To facilitate heat transfer, the post  460  includes heat conductive material  462 , e.g. a metal. Similarly, the base  458  also includes a heat conductive material  464 . The metal may be coated with a material to prevent corrosion. The circuit  450  also includes an antenna  451  and a transceiver  465 . The sensor  455  of the circuit  400  is located at the base of the post  460 . This location places the sensor either directly in contact with the wearer or adjacent to the wearer. As an example, the sensor  455  detects the temperature of the wearer. In this example, the circuit is formed in a button that has been injection molded. 
         [0048]    The button may include an outer layer  459  of a decorative material. The injection molding surrounds the circuit  450  with a material  461 , such as plastic or epoxy. The package may be formed by injection molding or insert molding. A retaining clip  463  is also shown. The retaining clip  463  holds a garment between the retaining clip  463  and the base  458  to prevent the garment from riding up the post  460 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary arrangement of a wireless communication system  500  that includes at least one button sensor  501 - 1 ,  501 - n,  of  FIG. 1  and/or  FIGS. 2A-2C . For purposes of illustration,  FIG. 5  depicts multiple buttons  501 - 1  to  501 - n  communicating with receivers  502  and  504 . The receiver  502  may be a hand-held receiver, such as cell phone or personal data assistant, while the receiver  504  may be fixed or portable, e.g. a base monitor, a meter reader, or laptop computer. Note that this is by way of example only, as there may only be one button, and there may be more/fewer receivers. The buttons  501 - 1 - 501 - n  may communicate with either receiver  502 ,  504 . Each of the receivers may send data to or receive data from the buttons. The receivers  502 ,  504  may communicate with each, other either directly, or by using a cell system  503 , or a cell system that is coupled to a land line system  505 . 
         [0050]    Although specific circuitry has been set forth, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that not all of the disclosed circuitry is required to practice the invention. For example, the controller and memory could be integrated into a single chip. Similarly, the power storage and power generator could be implemented as a single chip. Other combinations of separately shown (or combined) circuits are also contemplated. Moreover, certain well known circuits have not been described, to maintain focus on the invention. 
         [0051]    Note that any of the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, and/or firmware, and/or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, the elements of the present invention are essentially the code segments to perform the necessary tasks. The program or code segments can be stored in a processor readable medium. The “processor readable medium” may include any medium that can store or transfer information. Examples of the processor readable medium include an electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory, an erasable ROM (EROM), a floppy diskette, a compact disk CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, a fiber optic medium, etc. The code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, Intranet, etc. 
         [0052]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.