GB2597718A

GB2597718A - An electronics module for a wearable article, a controller for an electronics module, and a wearable article incorporating an electronics module

Info

Publication number: GB2597718A
Application number: GB2011888.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Lynch Michael
Original assignee: Prevayl Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Prevayl Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-30
Filing date: 2020-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: GB202011888D0

Abstract

An electronics module 100 for a wearable article 200 comprises a controller and an input unit arranged to communicatively couple with the controller such that the controller is arranged to receive contextual data from the input unit. The controller operates in a low power mode or a normal power mode and transitions between the low power mode and the normal power mode in response to contextual data input to the controller when the contextual data matches one or more predetermined criteria. The contextual data may include location data, motion detection data, orientation data, or time data. Such data provides data in relation to the state or context of the wearer of the wearable article. The date may be data relating the orientation of state of a wearer (600) of the wearable article such as a sleep state. The contextual data can be indicative of a situation in which biosignal data may not need to be captured.

Description

AN ELECTRONICS MODULE FOR A WEARABLE ARTICLE, A CONTROLLER FOR AN ELECTRONICS MODULE, AND A WEARABLE ARTICLE INCORPORATING AN ELECTRONICS MODULE The present invention is directed towards an electronics module for a wearable article. More particularly, the wearable article comprises a biosignal measuring apparatus for sensing biosignals from a wearer of the wearable article, and which incorporates a sensor assembly and the electronics module. The electronics module is arranged to transmit biosignal data to a mobile or remote device. The present invention is also directed towards a controller for an electronics module and a wearable article incorporating an electronics module.

Background

Wearable articles, such as garments, incorporating sensors are wearable electronics used to measure and collect information from a wearer. Such wearable articles are commonly referred to as 'smart clothing'. It is advantageous to measure biosignals of the wearer during exercise, or other scenarios.

It is known to provide a garment, or other wearable article, to which an electronic device (i.e. an electronic module, and/or related components) is attached in a prominent position, such as on the chest or between the shoulder blades. Advantageously, the electronic device is a detachable device. The electronic device is configured to process the incoming signals, and the output from the processing is stored and/or displayed to a user in a suitable way A sensor senses a biosignal such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and the biosignals are coupled to the electronic device, via an interface.

The sensors may be coupled to the interface by means of conductors which are connected to terminals provided on the interface to enable coupling of the signals from the sensor to the interface.

Electronics modules for wearable articles such as garments are known to communicate with mobile devices over wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth and Bluetooth 0 Low Energy. These electronics modules are typically removably attached to the wearable article, interface with internal electronics of the wearable article, and comprise a Bluetooth 0 antenna for communicating with the mobile device.

The electronic device includes drive and sensing electronics comprising components and associated circuitry, to provide the required functionality.

The drive and sensing electronics include a power source to power the electronic device and the associated components of the drive and sensing circuitry.

Power drain and the life of the power source can be a limiting factor in the ability to use the electronic device for long periods of time and the overall longevity of the power source.

This is particularly an issue if an electronic device is being worn continually, as the electronic device may be in a state of continual normal power operation even if it is actually not being used.

An example of this is the measurement of orthostatic heart rate monitoring in which the heart rate variability between someone lying flat and someone standing up is measured. This can be done, for example, when a person has been asleep and then rises after the period of sleep. Sensing and ensuring heart rate during the sleep and then after rising will give an indication of the orthostatic heart rate variability. However, wearing a heart rate sensor during the night can be a significant drain on the battery at a time when it is, in effect, not being used for any significant purpose.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device for a wearable article in which battery life is optimised and battery drain minimised.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module comprises a controller and an input unit being arranged to be communicatively coupled with the controller such that the controller is arranged to receive contextual data from the input unit. The electronics module further comprises a power supply coupled to the controller and arranged to supply power to the controller. The electronic module is configured to operate in a low power mode or a normal power mode and configured to transition between the low power mode and the normal power mode in response to contextual data input to the controller when the contextual data matches one or more predetermined criteria.

The contextual data may include location data, motion detection data, orientation data, or time data. Such data provides data in relation to the state or context of the wearer of the wearable article.

The predetermined criteria may be, for example, that the time of day is within a predetermined time range, or a specific time of day.

Examples can be the location of a person which may indicate that the person is about to begin exercise because they are in a gym or is likely to be relaxing at home. Motion detectors can show whether a wearer is active or not. Orientation data can indicate the orientation of a person's body e.g. if they are in a recumbent position such as being supine, prone, lying on their side, sitting or upright. Time data can be used to indicate that the person is likely to be awake i.e. because the time is during the day, whereas night times may also indicate that the person is likely to be asleep. Time date can also be indicative of an alarm time e.g. such as that set by a wearer to indicate that he wants to get up from a period of sleep.

All of this contextual data can be indicative of a situation in which a wearer may be in a situation in which biosignal data may need to be captured and, as such, that the electronics module needs to be in a normal power mode in order to capture and process the biosignal data.

An advantage of the present invention is that the electronics module is only powered up into a normal power mode when likely to be required, thus optimising battery use and prolonging battery life. The input unit may be configured to sense the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article. The controller may be configured to determine, from a signal from the input unit, the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article, and, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in a predetermined orientation, the electronic module may be configured to transition from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

In a normal power mode, the controller is configured, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, to determine if the time of day is within a predetermined range and, if the time of day is within the predetermined range, the electronic module may be arranged to transition from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

The input unit may include a motion sensor. The input unit may be an inertial measurement unit, which may be an accelerometer, or one or both of a gyroscope and a magnetometer. The input unit may include an artificial intelligence engine or machine.

The controller may include a clock unit and the controller may be configured to query the clock unit to determine whether the time of day is within the predetermined range.

In a normal power mode, the controller may be configured to wait a first predetermined time period and to then query the input unit to determine whether the wearer of the wearable article is still in the predetermined orientation. The electronic module may be further configured to transition from the normal power mode to the low power mode if the wearer of the wearable article is determined to be still in the predetermined orientation.

The predetermined orientation may be a recumbent position. The recumbent position may be a supine position, a prone position, a sitting position, or a lateral position. The predetermined orientation may be a static position. Alternatively, the predetermined orientation may be a non-static orientation.

In this way, an inadvertent event which would otherwise wake up the electronics module, such as someone asleep but turning over in their bed, does not cause the electronics module to transition to a normal power mode when it is not needed.

The controller may include a clock unit and may be configured to receive time data from the clock unit. The controller may be further configured, in the low power mode, to compare the time data to a stored first time and, when the received time data matches the stored first time, the electronic module may be configured to transition from the low power mode to the normal power mode.

The controller may be configured, in the normal power mode, to receive time data from the clock unit and to compare the time data to a stored second time and, when the received time data matches the stored second time, the electronic module may be configured to transition from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

This provides for the electronics module to be powered up and down at times when it is needed, such as when a wake-up alarm is due, or just before.

The clock unit may be a real time clock.

The input unit may be a GPS unit. The GPS unit may be configured to provide location data. The GPS unit may be configured to provide time data.

This would enable the electronics module to be only powered up at certain locations as required.

The input unit may include a wireless communicator. The wireless communicator may be cellular communications module.

The input unit may be a communicator of the electronics module. The communicator may be configured to receive data from a mobile device. The data may be time data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wearable article including an electronics module according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a controller for an electronics module according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method performed by a controller for an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module further includes an input unit communicatively coupled to the controller, and the method comprises transitioning the electronics module between a low power mode and a normal power mode in response to contextual data input to the controller and matching one or more predetermined criteria.

The contextual data may include location data, motion detection data, orientation data, or time data.

The method may further comprise sensing the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article, determining the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article, and, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in a predetermined orientation, transitioning the electronics module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

The method may further comprise, in a normal power mode, determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, determining if a time of day is within a predetermined time range and, if the time of day is within the predetermined time range, transitioning the electronics module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

The method may further comprise querying a clock unit of the electronics module to determine whether time of day is within the predetermined range.

The method may further comprise, in a normal power mode, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, waiting a first predetermined time period, determining whether the wearer of the wearable article is still in the predetermined orientation, and transitioning the electronics module from the normal power mode to the low power mode if the wearer of the wearable article is determined to be still in the predetermined orientation.

The predetermined orientation may be a recumbent position.

The method may further comprise, in the low power mode, comparing time data from a clock unit of the electronic module to a stored first time of day and when the time data matches the stored first time of day, transitioning the electronics module from the low power mode to the normal power mode.

The method may further comprise comparing time data from a clock unit of the electronic module to a stored second time of day and when the received time data matches the stored second time, the electronics module is configured to transition from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a controller for an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronic module is configured to operate in a low power mode and a normal power mode and arranged to transition between the low power mode to the normal power mode. Wien the electronic module is operating in the normal power mode, the controller is configured to receive a signal from an input unit of the electronics module and configured to determine from the signal whether a wearer of wearable article is in a predetermined orientation, and, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, to transition the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

In response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, the controller may be configured to determine if the time of day is within a predetermined range and, if the time of day is within the predetermined range, the electronic module may be configured to transition from the normal power mode to the low power mode.

In response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation the controller may be configured to wait a first predetermined time period and to then query the input unit to determine whether the wearer of the wearable article is still in the predetermined orientation, the controller being further configured to transition the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode if the wearer of the wearable article is determined to be still in the predetermined orientation.

In the normal power mode, the controller may be configured to query a clock unit of the electronics module to determine whether the time of day is within the predetermined range.

In a sixth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a controller for an electronics module, the controller being configured to operate in a low power mode and a normal power mode, and arranged to transition between the low power mode to the normal power mode, wherein, when operating in the low power mode, the controller is configured to receive a signal from an input unit of the electronics module to determine from the signal whether the time of day is equal to a first predetermined set time of day, and, in response to determining that the time of day is equal to the first predetermined set time of day, the controller is configured to transition the electronic module from the low power mode to the normal power mode.

The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the input unit to determine from the signal whether the time of day is equal to a second predetermined set time of day, and, in response to determining that the time of day is equal to the second predetermined set time of day, the controller is configured to transition from the low power mode to the normal power mode.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronics module for a wearable article, and comprising the controller of the fifth or sixth aspects of the invention.

The electronics module may comprise the input unit arranged to detect an input event.

The electronics module may further comprise an interface arranged to communicatively couple with a sensing unit of the wearable article so as to receive a signal from the sensing unit. The interface may not be required for all aspects of the present disclosure. That is, the sensing units may be contained within the electronics module.

The sensing units may include biosensing units. The sensing units may comprise one or more components of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a motion sensor, an electropotential sensor, an electroimpedance sensor, an optical sensor, and/or an acoustic sensor. Here, "component" means that not all of the components of the sensor may be provided in the wearable article or are required to be provided in the wearable article. The processing logic, power and other functionality may be provided in the electronics module/controller.

The electronics module may further comprise a communicator. In the normal power mode, the controller may be arranged to control the communicator to transmit data to an external device.

According to a sixth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided method performed by a controller for an electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module further including an input unit communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the method comprises transifioning between a low power mode and a normal power mode in response to contextual data input to the controller and matching one or more predetermined criteria from an input unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a controller in accordance with the fourth and fifth aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram for an example system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram for another example system according to aspects of the

present disclosure;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram for an example electronics module according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 4 shows a detailed schematic diagram of the electronics components of an example electronics module according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 5 shows a flow diagram for an example method according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 6 shows a swim lane diagram for an example method according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 7 shows a swim lane diagram for a second example method according to aspects of the

present disclosure;

Figure 8 shows a swim lane diagram for a third example method according to aspects of the present disclosure; and Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram for an example electronics module according to another

aspect of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

B

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

"Wearable article" as referred to throughout the present disclosure may refer to any form of device interface which may be wom by a user such as a smart watch, necklace, garment, bracelet, or glasses. The wearable article may be a textile article. The wearable article may be a garment. The garment may refer to an item of clothing or apparel. The garment may be a top. The top may be a shirt, t-shirt, blouse, sweater, jacket/coat, or vest. The garment may be a dress, garment brassiere, shorts, pants, arm or leg sleeve, vest, jacket/coat, glove, armband, underwear, headband, hat/cap, collar, wristband, stocking, sock, or shoe, athletic clothing, personal protective equipment, swimwear, wetsuit or dry suit.

The term "wearer" includes a user who is wearing, or otherwise holding, the wearable article.

The term "recumbent" as used herein is used to describe a person lying in a resting position. This may be in a flat, substantially horizontal position and includes whether a person is lying supine on their back, prone on their front, or on their side. It also includes a person that may be in a generally sitting and resting position.

The type of wearable garment may dictate the type of biosignals to be detected. For example, a hat or cap may be used to detect electroencephalogram or magneteencephaiograrn signals.

The wearable article/garment may be constructed from a woven or a non-woven material. The wearable article/garment may be constructed from natural fibres, synthetic fibres, or a natural fibre blended with one or more other materials which can be natural or synthetic. The yam may be cotton. The cotton may be blended with polyester and/or viscose and/or polyamide according to the application. Silk may also be used as the natural fibre. Cellulose, wool, hemp and jute are also natural fibres that may be used in the wearable article/garment. Polyester. polycotton, nylon and viscose are synthetic fibres that may be used in the wearable article/garment.

The garment may be a fight-fitting garment. Beneficially, a fight-fitting garment helps ensure that the sensor devices of the garment are held in contact with or in the proximity of a skin surface of the wearer. The garment may be a compression garment. The garment may be an athletic garment such as an elastomeric athletic garment.

The garment 200 has sensing units 400 provided on an inside surface which are held in close proximity to a skin surface of a wearer 600 wearing the garment 200. This enables the sensing units to measure biosignals for the wearer 600 wearing the garment 200.

The sensing units 400 may be arranged to measure one or more biosignals of a wearer 600 wearing the garment 200.

"Biosignal" as referred to throughout the present disclosure may refer to signals from living beings that can be continually measured or monitored. Biosignals may be electrical or nonelectrical signals. Signal variations can be time variant or spatially variant.

Sensing components may be used for measuring one or a combination of bioelectrical, bioimpedance, biochemical, biomechanical, bioacousfics, bioopfical or biothermal signals of the wearer 600. The bioelectrical measurements include electrocardiograms (ECG), electrogastrograms (EGG), electroencephalograms (EEG), and electromyography (EMG). The bioimpedance measurements include plethysmography (e.g., for respiration), body composition (e.g., hydration, fat, etc.), and electroimpedance tomography (EIT). The biomagnetic measurements include magnetoneurograms (MNG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetogastrogram (MGG), magnetocardiogram (MCG). The biochemical measurements include glucose/lactose measurements which may be performed using chemical analysis of the wearer 600's sweat. The biomechanical measurements include blood pressure. The bioacoustics measurements include phonocardiograms (PCG). The bioopfical measurements include orthopantomogram (OPG). The biothermal measurements include skin temperature and core body temperature measurements.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown an example system 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The system 10 comprises an electronics module 100, a wearable article in the form of a garment 200, and a mobile device 300. The garment 200 is worn by a user who in this embodiment is the wearer 600 of the garment 200.

The electronics module 100 is arranged to integrate with sensing units 400 incorporated into the garment 200 to obtain signals from the sensing units 400. The sensing units 400 comprise one or more sensors 209, 211 with associated conductors 203, 207 and other components and circuitry. The electronics module 100 is further arranged to wirelessly communicate data to the mobile device 300. Various protocols enable wireless communication between the electronics module 100 and the mobile device 300. Example communication protocols include Bluetooth ®, Bluetooth Low Energy, and near-field communication (NEC).

The garment 200 has an electronics module holder in the form of a pocket 201. The pocket 201 is sized to receive the electronics module 100. Wien disposed in the pocket 201, the electronics module 100 is arranged to receive sensor data from the sensing units 400. The electronics module 100 is therefore removable from the garment 200 The present disclosure is not limited to electronics module holders in the form pockets.

Alternatively, the electronics module 100 may be configured to be releasably mechanically coupled to the garment 200. The mechanical coupling of the electronic module 100 to the garment 200 may be provided by a mechanical interface such as a clip, a plug and socket arrangement, etc. The mechanical coupling or mechanical interface may be configured to maintain the electronic module 100 in a particular orientation with respect to the garment 200 when the electronic module 100 is coupled to the garment 200. This may be beneficial in ensuring that the electronic module 100 is securely held in place with respect to the garment 200 and/or that any electronic coupling of the electronic module 100 and the garment 200 (or a component of the garment 200) can be optimized. The mechanical coupling may be maintained using friction or using a positively engaging mechanism, for example.

Beneficially, the removable electronic module 100 may contain all the components required for data transmission and processing such that the garment 200 only comprises the sensing units 400 e.g. the sensors 209, 211 and communication pathways 203, 207. In this way, manufacture of the garment 200 may be simplified. In addition, it may be easier to clean a garment 200 which has fewer electronic components attached thereto or incorporated therein. Furthermore, the removable electronic module 100 may be easier to maintain and/or troubleshoot than embedded electronics. The electronic module 100 may comprise flexible electronics such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The electronic module 100 may be configured to be electrically coupled to the garment 200.

Figure 2 illustrates another example system 10 in which the electronics module 100 is hidden within the garment 200. The garment 200 is worn by the wearer 600. In Figure 2, the electronics module 100 is shown in wireless communication with the mobile device 300.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of an example of the electronics module 100 of Figure 1.

A more detailed block diagram of the electronics components of electronics module 100 and garment are shown in Figure 4.

The electronics module 100 comprises an interface 101, a controller 103, a power source 105, and a communicator which, in the exemplar embodiment comprises a first antenna 107, and/or a second antenna 109 The interface 101 is arranged to communicatively couple with the sensing unit 400 of the wearable article 200, which comprises, in this embodiment, two sensors 209, 211 coupled to respective first and second electrically conductive pathways 203, 207 (Figures 1 and 2). The interface 101 receives signals from the sensors 209, 211. The controller 103 is communicatively coupled to the interface 101 and is arranged to receive the signals from the interface 101 The interface 101 may form a conductive coupling or a wireless (e.g. inductive) communication coupling with the electronics components of the wearable article.

The power source 105 is coupled to the controller 103 and is arranged to supply power to the controller 103. The power source 105 may comprise a plurality of power sources. The power source 105 may be a battery. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. The battery may be a rechargeable battery adapted to be charged wirelessly such as by inductive charging. The power source 105 may comprise an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device may be configured to generate electric power signals in response to kinetic events such as kinetic events 10 performed by the wearer 600 of the garment. The kinetic event could include walking, running, exercising or respiration of the wearer 600. The energy harvesting material may comprise a piezoelectric material which generates electricity in response to mechanical deformation of the converter. The energy harvesting device may harvest energy from body heat of the wearer 600 of the garment. The energy harvesting device may be a thermoelectric energy harvesting device. The power source 105 may be a super capacitor, or an energy cell.

The controller 103 is arranged to operate in a low power mode and a normal power mode.

In the low power mode, the controller 103 may not activate components of the electronics module 100 such as the first antenna 107 and the second antenna 109 to communicate with the mobile device 300. Moreover, the sensing unit 400 of garment 200 and/orthe electronics module 100 may not be activated to sense signals. Other features may be disabled/enabled in the low power mode/normal power mode. Typically, the charge controller and battery monitor of the power supply will be powered down in the low power mode.

The controller 103 is arranged to transition from the low power mode to the normal power mode in response to an input event from an input unit of the electronics module 100. An example input event includes an object being brought into proximity with the electronics module 100 such as the mobile device 300 or a hand of the wearer 600 tapping against the electronics module 100. An input event could also be that the wearer 600 of the garment 200 has moved into a particular location or has adopted a certain position, such as lying down. The input event could be provided by artificial intelligence (Al).

In some examples, the input unit includes a sensor such as a proximity sensor or motion sensor that is arranged to detect a displacement of the electronics module 100 caused by an object being brought into proximity with the electronics module 100. These displacements of the electronics module 100 may be caused by the object being tapped against the electronics module 100. Physical contact between the object and the electronics module 100 is not required as the electronics module 100 may be in a holder such as the pocket 201 of the garment 200. This means that there may be a fabric (or other material) barrier between the electronics module 100 and the object. In any event, the object being brought into contact with the fabric of the pocket 201 will cause an impulse to be applied to the electronics module 100 which will be sensed by the input unit.

In the exemplar embodiment described herein, the input unit is an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 111. The IMU 111 may comprise an accelerometer and optionally one or both of a gyroscope and a magnetometer. A gyroscope/magnetometer is not required in all examples, and instead only an accelerometer may be provided, or a gyroscope/magnetometer may be present but put into a low power state. As mentioned above, the input event could be provided by Al and, as such, the input unit could be an Al system, machine or engine.

When in the normal power mode, the controller 103 is arranged to receive signals from the sensing unit 400 of the garment 200. The sensing unit 400 is not shown in Figure 3. The sensing unit 400 may be a component of the electronics module 100 or may be separate to the electronics module 100 and coupled to the electronics module 100 via the interface 101. The sensing unit 400 may comprise a combination of components of the electronics module 100 and/or components separate to the electronics module 100.

As mentioned above, in the present embodiment described herein, the sensing unit 400 comprises first and second electrodes 209, 211 and respective first and second electrically conductive pathways 203, 207. In an example the sensors 209, 211 are used to measure electropotential signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, although the sensors 209, 211 could be configured to measure other signal types as also discussed above.

The first antenna 107 is arranged to communicatively couple with the mobile device 300 using a first communication protocol. The first communication protocol may be a near field communication (NFC) protocol but is not limited to any particular communication protocol.

The second antenna 109 is arranged to communicatively couple with the mobile device 300 over a second wireless communication protocol. The second wireless communication protocol may be a Bluetooth protocol, Bluetooth 0 5 or a Bluetooth 0 Low Energy protocol but is not limited to any particular communication protocol.

Other wireless communication protocols can also be used, such as used for communication over: a wireless wide area network (AN), a wireless metro area network (VVMAN), a wireless local area network VLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), Bluetooth ® Low Energy, Bluetooth 0 Mesh, Thread, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, Ant, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS): a cellular communication network, or any other electromagnetic RF communication protocol. The cellular communication network may be a fourth generation (4G) LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), LTE Cat-M1, LTE Cat-M2, NB-loT, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and/or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network.

In an example operation, the wearer 600 has positioned the electronics module 100 within the pocket 201 (Figure 1) of the garment 200 and is wearing the garment 200. The wearer 600 taps their hand or mobile phone 300 against the pocket 201 and this tap event is detected by the input unit, which in this exemplar embodiment is the IMU 111.

The IMU 111 sends a signal to the controller 103 to wake-up the controller 103 from the low power mode.

A processor of the IMU 111 may perform processing tasks to classify different types of detected motion. The processor of the IMU 111 may perform machine-learning functions so as to perform this classification. Performing the processing operations on the IMU 111 rather than the controller 103 is beneficial as it reduces power consumption and leaves the controller 103 free to perform other tasks. In addition, it allows for motion events to be detected even when the controller 103 is operating in a low power mode.

The IMU 111 communicates with the controller 103 over a serial protocol such as the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), Inter-Integrated Circuit (12C), Controller Area Network (CAN), and Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232). Other serial protocols are within the scope of the present disclosure. The IMU 111 is also able to send interrupt signals to the controller 103 when required so as to transition the controller 103 from a low power model to a normal power mode when a motion event is detected. The interrupt signals may be transmitted via one or more dedicated interrupt pins.

In some examples, the input unit may comprise the communicator, for example the first antenna 107. In these examples, the input event is detected by a current being induced in the first antenna 107. The mobile device 300 is powered to induce a magnetic field in an antenna of the mobile device 300. When the mobile device 300 is placed in the magnetic field of the first antenna 107, the mobile device 300 induces current in the first antenna 107. This induced current is detectable by the controller 103 while operating the low power mode and used to transition the controller 103 from the low power mode to the normal power mode.

In an example operation, the electronics module 100 is initially operating in a low power mode. In this low power mode, most of the components of the electronics module 100 are not operating so as to save power. For example, the first antenna 107 and second antenna 109 are not energized to transmit data and the controller 103 is operating in a low power mode and is not activated to process signal data received via the interface 101. Moreover, in the lower power mode, the controller 103 may not store data in an internal memory of the electronics module 100. Once in the normal power mode, the controller 103 may receive and process sensor data, communicate with external devices and store data in a local memory amongst others. The normal power mode consumes more power than the low power mode.

Once in the normal power mode, the controller 103 may also control the first antenna 107 to transmit information to the mobile device 300 over a first wireless communication protocol to facilitate pairing between the mobile device and the second antenna 109 over a second wireless communication protocol. The first wireless communication protocol may be NFC and the second wireless communication protocol may be Bluetooth OD.

In an example operation, the mobile device 300 is brought into proximity with the electronics module 100. In response to this, the first antenna 107 is triggered to transmit information to the mobile device 300 over the first wireless communication protocol. The first antenna 107 may be triggered by the electronics module 100 energizing the first antenna 107. Beneficially, this means that the act of the mobile device 300 approaching the electronics module 100 energizes the first antenna 107 to transmit the information to the mobile device 300. T The information may comprise a unique identifier for the electronics module 100. The unique identifier for the electronics module 100 may be an address for the electronics module 100 such as a MAC address or Bluetooth (E) address.

The information may comprise authentication information used to facilitate the pairing between the electronics module 100 and the mobile device 300 over the second wireless communication protocol. This means that the transmitted information is used as part of an out of band (00B) pairing process.

The information may comprise application information which may be used by the mobile device 300 to start an application on the mobile device 300 or configure an application running on the mobile device 300. The application may be started on the mobile device 300 automatically (e.g. without wearer 600 input). Alternatively, the application information may cause the mobile device 300 to prompt the wearer 600 to start the application on the mobile device. The information may comprise a uniform resource identifier such as a uniform resource location to be accessed by the mobile device, or text to be displayed on the mobile device for example. It will be appreciated that the same electronics module 100 can transmit any of the above example information either alone or in combination. The electronics module 100 may transmit different types of information depending on the current operational state of the electronics module 100 and based on information it receives from other devices such as the mobile device 300.

In some examples, the first antenna 107 is a passive tag such as a passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or Near Field Communication (NFC) tag. These tags comprise a communication module as well as a memory which stores the information, and a radio chip. The mobile device 300 is powered to induce a magnetic field in an antenna of the mobile device 300. When the mobile device 300 is placed in the magnetic field of the communication module antenna 107, the mobile device 300 induces current in the communication module antenna 107.

This induced current is used to retrieve the information from the memory of the tag and transmit the same back to the mobile device 300.

In other examples, and as described above, the electronics module 100 may detect a mobile device 300 being brought into proximity with electronics module 100 based on factors such as through a sensor of the electronics module 100 or a current being induced in the first antenna 107. Once the electronics module 100 determines that the mobile device 300 is in proximity with the electronics module 100, the controller 103 reads the information from the memory of the controller 103 or an external memory 35 and energizes the first antenna 107 to transmit the information.

In this approach, the information transmitted by the first antenna 107 can be dynamically changed. This is because the controller 103 is configured to update the content stored in memory 143 of the electronics module 100 This is particularly useful for authentication information and as it may be desirable to change this information over time for security reasons and application information.

In the present embodiment described herein, the IMU 111 is also configured to detect that a wearer 600 of the garment 200, with the electronic device 100 attached, is moving or otherwise oriented. The IMU 111 may be configured to detect when the electronic device 100 has been stationary but then begins to move, for example when left on a surface but then attached to the garment 200. The IMU 111 may be configured to detect that the wearer 600 of the garment 200, with the electronic device attached, is in a recumbent position.

In the low power mode, the IMU 111 is supplied with power. However, the IMU 111 may not have full functionality in the low power mode and may only have the necessary processing power to classify motion events into simple categories such as whether the wearer 600 of the garment 200 is in a recumbent position, or begins to move. More computationally expensive processing operations may be disabled during the low power mode.

When in a low power mode, and in response to the IMU 111 detecting a motion event, the IMU 111 sends an interrupt to the controller 103. As a result, the controller 103 wakes up from the low power mode and polls the IMU 111 to determine the reason for the interrupt being sent. The IMU 111 responds with a signal indicating that the motion event has been detected. The controller 103 may, in some examples, then begin the process for controlling the first antenna 107 to transmit information, to the mobile device 300 as described above.

The electronics module 100 includes a clock unit in the form of a real time clock (RTC) 153 coupled to the controller 103 and configured, for example, to be used for data logging, clock building, time stamping, timers, and alarms. As an example, the RTC 153 is driven by a low frequency clock source or crystal operated at 32.768 Hz.

The controller 103 also includes a timer 161.

The controller 103 is a microcontroller which integrates the second antenna 109 for communication over the second wireless communication protocol. The second antenna 109 in this example is a Bluetooth 0 antenna 109. The controller 103 is communicatively connected to the first antenna 107 which in this example is an NFC antenna 107. The controller 103 is arranged to energize the first antenna 107 to transmit information.

The power source 105 in this example is a lithium polymer battery 105. The battery 105 is rechargeable and charged via a USB C input 131 of the electronics module 100. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to recharging via USB and instead other forms of charging such as inductive of far field wireless charging are within the scope of the present disclosure. Additional battery management functionality is provided in terms of a charge controller 133, battery monitor 135 and regulator 147. These components may be provided through use of a dedicated power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The controller 103 is communicatively connected to the battery monitor 135 such that the controller 103 may obtain information about the state of charge of the battery 105. The controller 103 is connected to the interface 101 via an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) fronted end 139 and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit 141. The ADC front end 139 converts the raw analogue signal received from the electrodes 209, 211 into a digital signal. The ADC frontend 139 may also perform filtering operations on the received signals.

The controller 103 has an internal memory and is also communicatively connected to an external memory 143 which in this example is a NAND Flash memory. The memory 143 is used to for the storage of data when no wireless connection is available between the electronics module 100 a mobile device 300 (Figure 1). The memory 143 may have a storage capacity of at least 5 1GB and preferably at least 2 GB. The electronics module 100 comprises a temperature sensor 145 and a light emitting diode 147 for conveying status information. The electronic module 100 also comprises conventional electronics components including a power-on-reset generator 149, a development connector 151, the real time clock 153 and a PROG header 155.

Additionally, the electronics module 100 may comprise a haptic feedback unit 157 for providing a haptic (vibrational) feedback to the wearer 600.

In some examples, the electronics module 100 may comprise a wireless communicator 159 as an alternative, or in addition the first and second antennas107, 109 (Figure 9).

The wireless communicator 159 may provide wireless communication capabilities for the garment 200 and enables the garment to communicate via one or more wireless communication protocols to a remote server 500. Wireless communications may include: a wireless wide area network ('WAN), a wireless metro area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (VVLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), Bluetooth ® Low Energy, Bluetooth ® Mesh, Bluetooth 5, Thread, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, Ant, a near field communication (NFC), a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a cellular communication network, or any other electromagnetic RF communication protocol.. The cellular communication network may be a fourth generation (4G) LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), LTE Cat-M1, LTE Cat-M2, NB-loT, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and/or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network. A plurality of communicators may be provided for communicating over a combination of different communication protocols.

The electronics module 100 may additionally comprise a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that enables the garment to access services provided by a mobile network operator (MNO) or virtual mobile network operator (VMNO). The UICC may include at least a read-only memory (ROM) configured to store an MNO or VMNO profile that the garment can utilize to register and interact with an MNO or VMNO. The UICC may be in the form of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The electronics module 100 may have a receiving section arranged to receive the SIM card. In other examples, the UICC is embedded directly into a controller of the electronics module 100. That is, the UICC may be an electronic/embedded UICC (eUICC). A eUICC is beneficial as it removes the need to store a number of MNO profiles, i.e. electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs). Moreover, eSIMs can be remotely provisioned to garments. The electronics module 100 may comprise a secure element that represents an 35 embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC). In the present disclosure, the electronics module may also be referred to as an electronics device or unit. These terms may be used interchangeably.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a process flow diagram for an example method according

to aspects of the present disclosure.

In this method, when the electronics module 100 and the mobile device 300 are paired and in wireless communication via the second communication protocol e.g. Bluetooth, the electronics module 100 will synchronise its time with the mobile device 300, so that for example, when data is sent to the mobile device 300 from the drive electronics, it is timestamped accordingly.

Step S201 of the method comprises providing an electronics module 100 such as the electronics module described above. Step S202 of the method comprises energizing the first antenna 107 of the electronics module 100 to transmit a unique identifier to a mobile device 300 over a first wireless communication protocol in response to a mobile device being brought into proximity with the electronics module. Step S203 of the method comprises receiving, via the second antenna 109 of the electronics module 100, a pairing request message from the mobile device over the second wireless communication protocol. Step S204 of the method comprises transmitting a pairing response message to the mobile device 300 via the second antenna 109 over the second wireless communication protocol. Step S205 of the method comprises wirelessly pairing the electronics module to the mobile device over the second wireless communication protocol. Step S206 of the method comprises requesting time data from the mobile device 300 over the second wireless communication protocol. Step S207 of the method comprises receiving the time data, in the form of the Unix time stamp, from the mobile device 300 over the second wireless communication protocol. Step S208 of the method comprises synchronizing the real time clock to the received time data from the mobile device 300. The clock synchronization can be applied using any known protocol. Upon receipt of the Unix time stamp, the controller 103 is configured to return the internal count of the controller 103 to the mobile device 300.

The electronics module 100 is configured to receive time data from the mobile device 300 continuously.

The RTC 153 and the IMU 111, in communication with the controller 103, can be used to ensure that the electronic device 100 remains in a low-power mode when required or determined, and that the controller 103 does not inadvertently power-up from a low power mode if not required or expected. The controller 103 can therefore be configured to transfer the electronic device 100 into a normal power mode only when a predetermined set of criteria are met.

Methods to achieve these objectives are described below and referring to Figures 6 to 8 Referring to Figure 6 there is shown a swim-lane diagram showing an example interaction between the RTC 153 and the controller 103 of the electronics module 100 after pairing of the mobile device 300 and the electronic device 100, for example in the method shown in Figure 4. Other wireless coupling protocols could be used between the mobile device 300 and the electronic device 100.

The controller 103 is operating in a low power mode.

In step 3301 the controller 103 receives time data from the RTC 153 and when the controller 103 determines, at step 3302 that the time data from the RTC 153 is equal to a predetermined wake up time of day, the controller 103 is operable, at step S303 to wake up the controller 103 from a low power mode. As an example, the predetermined wake up time of day could be an alarm call time as set by the wearer 600, or it could be a time which is some range of time e.g. in the half an hour before an alarm time.

In the exemplar embodiment, the predetermined time of day is set by a wearer 600 via the mobile device 300. For example, this could be done by interfacing with a time keeping app on the mobile device 300 or some other user interface. Alternatively, the mobile device 300 may be configured to send a time profile of the wearer 600 along with the Unix time stamp.

At step S304, the controller 103 continues to receive time data from the RTC 153 whilst in normal power mode.

When the controller 103 determines, at step 3305, that the time data from the RTC 153 is equal to a predetermined sleep time, the controller 103 is operable, at step 3306 to power down to the low power mode once more. As an example, the predetermined sleep time could be a time set by the wearer 600 of the garment 200.

The predetermined power up and power down times could be selected to conform to specific routines, for example shift work time periods.

Referring to Figure 7 there is shown a swim-lane diagram showing an example interaction between the RTC 153, the IMU 111 and the controller 103 of the electronics module 100 after pairing of the mobile device 300 and the electronic device 100, for example in the method shown in Figure 4. Other wireless coupling protocols could be used between the mobile device 300 and the electronic device 100.

In this method, the electronics module 100 will be attached to the garment 200 and the garment 200 will be being worn by the wearer 600 and the controller 103 is in a normal power mode, but ready to transfer to a low-power mode because, in step 3401, the IMU 111 has detected that the wearer 600 of the garment 200 is in a recumbent orientation.

In step 3402, the IMU 111 sends an interrupt signal to the controller 103 over a dedicated interrupt pin. In step 3403, the controller 103 sends a query to the RTC 153 for the current time, and then determines, at step S404, whether the current time of day is within a predetermined time range, for example, between 8.30pm and lam.

In step S405, and if the controller 103 has determined in step S404, that the current time is within the predetermined time range, then the controller 103 is operable to power down at step 3405.

As with the example described in relation to Figure 6, the predetermined time is set by a wearer 600 via the mobile device 300. For example, this could be done by interfacing with a time keeping app on the mobile device 300 or some other user interface. Alternatively, the mobile device 300 may be configured to send a time profile of the wearer 600 along with the Unix time stamp.

Referring to Figure 8 there is shown a swim-lane diagram showing an example interaction between the RTC 153, the IMU 111 and the controller 103 of the electronics module 100 after pairing of the mobile device 300 and the electronic device 100, for example in the method shown in Figure 4. Other wireless coupling protocols could be used between the mobile device 300 and the electronic device 100.

In this method, the electronics module 100 will be attached to the garment 200 and the garment 200 will be being worn by the wearer 600 and the controller 103 is in a normal power mode, but ready to transfer to a low-power mode because, in step 3501, the IMU 111 has detected that the wearer 600 of the garment 200 is in a recumbent position.

In step 3502, the IMU 111 sends an interrupt signal to the controller 103 over a dedicated interrupt pin. In step 3503, the controller 103 sends a query to the RTC 153 for the current time of day, and then determines, at step 3504, whether the current time of day is within a predetermined range, for example, between 8.30pm and lam In step S505, and if the controller 103 has determined in step 3504, that the current time of day is within the predetermined range, then the controller 103 runs the timer 161 for a predetermined duration. At the end of the predetermined duration, and at step S506, the controller 103 sends a query to the IMU 111 to ask whether the wearer 600 of the garment 200 is still in a recumbent position. In response to the query at step 3506, at step the S507, the IMU 111 determines the state of the wearer 600 of the garment 200 and, if the wearer 600 of the garment 200 is still in a recumbent position, the IMU 111 sends an affirmative response to the controller 103 at step S508. Upon receipt of an affirmative response at step S408, the controller 103 powers-down, at step 3509, to a low-power mode.

As with the example described in relation to Figures 6 and 7, the predetermined time of day is set by a wearer 600 via the mobile device 300. For example, this could be done by interfacing with a time keeping app on the mobile device 300 or some other user interface. Alternatively, the mobile device 300 may be configured to send a time profile of the wearer 600 sent with the Unix time stamp.

In another example interaction, the controller 103 of the electronics module 100 is configured for communication with the remote server 500 via the Internet using the communications module 159. This is illustrated in Figure 9.

In this example interaction, the electronics module 100 may also be paired with the mobile device 300 and the electronic device 100, for example in the method shown in Figure 4.

Using an application programming interface (API), the mobile device 300 can be configured to check for a scheduled alarm set and sends a message to the controller 103 to wake up i.e. transition to a normal power mode, either at the time of the alarm, or predetermined time period before the alarm. The controller 103 can then be configured to start collecting ECG data for, for example, an orthostafic heart rate test.

In an alternative, the mobile device 300 could be configured to send the alarm data to the remote server 500. The controller 103 is then operable to communicate with the remote server via the communications module 159 to access the alarm data from the remote server and transition to a normal power mode as described above.

In yet another example interaction, the controller 103 of the electronics module 100 is configured for communication with the remote server 500 via the Internet using the communications module 159.

Using API's from smart assistant services, the remote server 500 could be configured to determine when a wearer 600 is about to go to sleep. For example, the wearer 600 could say 'Goodnight' and the remote server 400 will be configured to transmit data to the electronics module 100 to identify that the wearer 600 is in bed. The controller 103 can then be configured to transition the controller 103 to a lower mode. Combinations of the above methods could be used.

Example 1:

-The wearer 600 is lying recumbent and the timer has begun but has yet to expire -The time of day is in the range between 8.30pm and 1 am -The wearer 600 says to a smart device ', turn off the bedroom light' The controller 103 uses all the above information to go to a low power state. Example 2: -The wearer 600 has not set an alarm -The wearer 600's last set alarm was more than several weeks ago (as this wearer 600 had to get up early for an unspecified reason) -The last known alarm clock state cannot be trusted.

-The controller 103 does not have enough recorded IMU data to determine wake time.

The controller 103 sets a time of day of 6am to wake before it goes into its low power state.

At least some of the example embodiments described herein may be constructed, partially or wholly, using dedicated special-purpose hardware. Terms such as 'component', 'module' or 'unit' used herein may include, but are not limited to, a hardware device, such as circuitry in the form of discrete or integrated components, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks or provides the associated functionality.

In some embodiments, the described elements may be configured to reside on a tangible, persistent, addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute on one or more processors. These functional elements may in some embodiments include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.An electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module comprising a controller and an input unit being arranged to be communicatively coupled with the controller such that the controller is arranged to receive contextual data from the input unit; the electronics module further comprising a power supply coupled to the controller and arranged to supply power to the controller, wherein the electronic module is configured to operate in a low power mode or a normal power mode and arranged to transition between the low power mode and the normal power mode in response to contextual data input to the controller when the contextual data matches one or more predetermined criteria.
An electronics module according to claim 1, wherein the contextual data includes location data, motion detection data, orientation data, or time data.
An electronics module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input unit is configured to sense the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article, and the controller is configured to determine from a signal from the input unit the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article, and, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in a predetermined orientation, the controller is configured to transition the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.
An electronics module according to claim 3, wherein, in a normal power mode, the controller is configured, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, to determine if a time of day is within a predetermined time range and, if the time is within the predetermined time range, the controller is configured to transition the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.
An electronics module according to claim 4, wherein the controller includes a clock unit and the controller is configured to query the clock unit to determine whether time of day is within the predetermined range.
An electronics module according to claim 4, wherein, in a normal power mode, the controller is configured, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, to wait a predetermined time period and to then query the input unit to determine whether the wearer of the wearable article is still in the predetermined orientation, the controller being further configured to transition the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode if the wearer of the wearable article is determined to be still in the predetermined orientation.
7. An electronics module according to claim 6, wherein the electronics module includes a timer coupled to the controller, wherein the timer is configured to count the predetermined time.
8. An electronics module according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the predetermined orientation is a recumbent position.
9. An electronics module according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the input unit is an inertial measurement unit.
10. An electronics module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller includes a clock unit and is configured to receive time data from the clock unit, the controller being further configured, in the low power mode, to compare the time data to a stored first time and when the received time data matches the stored first time, the controller is configured to transition the electronic module from the low power mode to the normal power mode.
11 An electronics module according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured, in the normal power mode, to receive time data from the clock unit and to compare the time data to a stored second time and when the received time data matches the stored second time, the controller is configured to transition the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.
12. An electronics module according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the clock unit is a real time clock.
13. A wearable article including an electronics module according to any of claims 1 to 12.
14. A controller for an electronics module for a wearable article according to any of claims 1 to 13.
15. A method performed by a controller for an electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module including an input unit communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the method comprises transitioning the electronics module between a low power mode and a normal power mode in response to contextual data input to the controller from the input unit and matching one or more predetermined criteria.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the contextual data includes location data, motion detection data, orientation data, or time data.
17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16, the method comprising: sensing the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article; determining the orientation of the wearer of the wearable article, and, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in a predetermined orientation, transifioning the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.
18. A method according to claim 17, the method comprising, in a normal power mode, determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, determining if a time of day is within a predetermined time range and, if the time of day is within the predetermined time range, transitioning the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.
19. A method according to claim 18, the method comprising querying a clock unit of the electronics module to determine whether time of day is within the predetermined range.
20. A method according to claim 18, the method comprising, in a normal power mode, in response to determining that the wearer of the wearable article is in the predetermined orientation, waiting a first predetermined time period, determining whether the wearer of the wearable article is still in the predetermined orientation, transitioning the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode if the wearer of the wearable article is determined to be still in the predetermined orientation.
21. A method according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the predetermined orientation is a recumbent position.
22. A method according to any of claims 17 to 21, the method comprising, in the low power mode, comparing time data from a clock unit of the electronic module to a stored first time of day and when the time data matches the stored first time of day, transitioning the electronic module from the low power mode to the normal power mode.
23. A method according to claim 22, the method comprising, comparing time data from a clock unit of the electronic module to a stored second time of day and when the received time data matches the stored second time, transitioning the electronic module from the normal power mode to the low power mode.