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Publication Number
US-11109807-B2
Publication Date
2021-09-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for monitoring a user includes a garment configured to be placed on a foot of the user, a cover coupled to the garment, and a sensor arrangement between the garment and the cover, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least one temperature sensor to measure at least one temperature on the foot of the user. A method for making a system for monitoring a user includes forming a sensor arrangement including at least one sensor lead coupled to a temperature sensor, positioning at least a portion of the sensor arrangement on a garment configured to be placed on a foot of the user, and enclosing at least the portion of the sensor arrangement between the garment and a cover.
Core Innovation
A system for monitoring a user includes a garment configured to be placed on a foot of the user, a cover coupled to the garment, and a sensor arrangement positioned between the garment and the cover so that at least one temperature sensor measures at least one temperature on the foot of the user. The cover is sealed to the garment around a perimeter of the sensor arrangement and the housing.
The system further includes a housing between the garment and the cover that encloses at least one electrical component, with the housing and electronics maintained within the sealed arrangement. The sensor arrangement includes temperature sensors positioned on targeted sole/plantar regions, and the interposed sensor arrangement communicates temperature from those regions.
The sensor arrangement includes sensor leads with specific lead architectures and routing, including a flattened bundle, curved or S-shaped routing, distal divergence or branching, and serpentine distal segments. Recessed portions of the garment and/or regions of the cover reduce profile and pressure while locating the temperature sensors on the sole/plantar regions, and the housing is enclosed as a sealed cavity for electronics including a processor, memory, and a communication module.
Claims Coverage
The document identifies one independent claim defining a foot-worn user monitoring system with temperature sensing, an enclosed electronics housing, and a perimeter-sealed cover. The claim set refines this core configuration with additional sensing options, specific garment types, controller operating states, and specific structural and sealing details for the temperature sensor arrangement and electrical interconnects.
Foot-worn garment temperature monitoring with sealed cover perimeter and enclosed housing
A garment configured to be placed on a foot of the user, a cover coupled to the garment, and a sensor arrangement between the garment and the cover comprising at least one temperature sensor configured to measure at least one temperature on the foot of the user, where a housing between the garment and the cover encloses at least one electrical component and the cover is sealed to the garment around a perimeter of the sensor arrangement and the housing.
Sock implementation of the garment
The garment is configured such that the garment is a sock.
Additional sensing with a pressure sensor
The sensor arrangement includes at least one pressure sensor.
Multi-lead temperature sensing architecture
The sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of sensor leads, where each sensor lead is connected to a temperature sensor.
Flattened bundle lead geometry running through the garment
The sensor leads are arranged as a flattened bundle running through the garment.
Controller active/inactive switching based on whether the garment is worn
An electrical component comprises a controller that switches between an inactive state when the garment is not being worn and an active state when the garment is being worn by the user.
Across the provided independent claim and highlighted refinements, the inventive coverage centers on a sealed cover perimeter and enclosed housing for electrical components combined with temperature sensing on a foot using a sensor arrangement between the garment and the cover. The refinements further cover specific garment implementation, optional pressure sensing, multi-lead temperature sensing with a flattened-bundle geometry, and controller inactive/active operation based on whether the garment is worn.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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