GB2598305A

GB2598305A - Garment, server and method

Info

Publication number: GB2598305A
Application number: GB2013176.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mahmood Tahir; Joseph Bird Samuel
Original assignee: Prevayl Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Prevayl Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-24
Filing date: 2020-08-24
Publication date: 2022-03-02
Also published as: GB202013176D0

Abstract

A garment 10 comprises a liveness detection module 103 arranged to detect whether the garment 10 is being worn by a user. The garment 10 comprises an activation message module 105 arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment 10 in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn. The activation message comprises identification information for the user. The garment 10 comprises a communicator 107 arranged to transmit the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment 10.

Description

GARMENT, SERVER AND METHOD The present invention is directed towards a garment, server and method, and in particular a garment, server and method for use in activating wireless network services for the garment.

Background

Garments incorporating sensors are wearable electronics which can be designed to interface with a wearer of the garment, and to determine information such as the wearers heart rate, rate of respiration, activity level, and body positioning. Such properties can be measured with a sensor assembly that includes a sensor for signal transduction and/or microprocessors for analysis. Such garments are commonly referred to as 'smart clothing' and may be referred to as tiosensing garments' if they measure biosignals. Typically such garments are only able to communicate locally with a user phone via a short range communication protocol such as NFC or Bluetooth. Typically, such garments are directly paired to a particular phone.

It is desirable to enable garments to communicate over long range communication protocols such as cellular networks. It is particularly desirable to provide an improved process for activating garments to communicate over a wireless network.

Summa iv According to the present disclosure there is provided a garment, server, and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a garment. The garment comprises an activation message module arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment. The garment further comprises a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activation message comprises identification information for the user. The communicator may be arranged to receive an activation message response from the server that the activation message is transmitted to. The garment may perform additional actions such as transmit garment data (e.g. biosensing data) on the wireless network in response to receiving the activation message response.

The garment may comprise a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being worn by a user. The activation message module may be arranged to generate the activation message in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn.

Beneficially, the garment transmits (e.g. automatically, without user input) an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to detecting that the garment is being worn by the user. In this way, the simple act of wearing the garment can be used to activate wireless network services. A complicated registration process, e.g. using a user input on a separate device, is not required to activate wireless network services. Beneficially, the identification information for the user may be used by the server to determine whether the user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services. This enhances the security of the activation procedure as only authorised users may be able to activate wireless network services for the garment.

The activation message may be transmitted directly by the garment to the server over, for example, the wireless network, and in particular over a provisioning channel of the wireless network. The activation message may be transmitted indirectly to the server, e.g. via one or more other electronic devices arranged to communicate over the wireless network.

If the liveness detection module detects that the garment is not being worn by the user, the liveness detection module may be arranged to control the garment to power-off or transition to a reduced power mode. The reduced power mode may be a standby or hibernation mode. Prior to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn by a user, the garment may be arranged to operate in a low power mode. If the liveness detection module detects that the garment is being worn by a user, the garment may be arranged to transition from the low power mode to a normal mode. In the low power mode the communicator may not be activated to transmit data. In the normal mode, the communicator may be activated to transmit data.

The garment may comprise one or more sensors. The garment may sense one or more signals external to the wearer. The garment may comprise any or a combination of a temperature sensor, a camera, a location tracking module such as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module and in particular a GPS module, and a chemical sensor. The garment may sense a combination of external signals and biosignals of the wearer. The garment may be a biosensing garment. The biosensing garment may comprise a biosensing unit for measuring biodata/biosignals of the wearer. Here, "biosignal" may refer to any signal in a living being that can be measured and monitored. The term "biosignal" is not limited to electrical signals and can refer to other forms of non-electrical biosignals. A biosensing unit therefore refers to an electronic component that is able to measure a biosignal of the wearer. The biosensing unit may comprise one or more electrodes but is not limited to this arrangement. The biosensing unit may be a textile-based biosensing unit. The terms "biosignal" and "biodata" are used synonymously throughout the specification.

The identification information for the user may be obtained from biodata for the user recorded by the garment. The garment may comprise one or more biosensing units for sensing the biodata. The identification information for the user may comprises a biometric identity for the user. The garment may record, using the biosensing unit, biodata for the user; and process the biodata so as to determine the biometric identity for the user.

The biosensing unit may be use for measuring one or a combination of bioelectrical, bioimpedance, biochemical, biomechanical, bioacousfics, bioopfical or biothermal signals of the wearer. 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's sweat. The biomechanical measurements include blood pressure. The bioacoustics measurements include phonocardiograms (PCG). The biooptical measurements include orthopantomogram (OPG). The biothermal measurements include skin temperature and core body temperature measurements. The biosensing unit may comprise a radar unit.

The biometric identity may be a user identification that is unique to the user or may be a biometric characteristic that is subsequently compared with pre-stored biometric characteristics to obtain the user identification. The biometric characteristic may be any biometric characteristic as known in the art that may be used to uniquely identify the user. The biometric characteristic may include signals (e.g. electrical signals) from the heart which can be used to attain data points that are unique to the user. A user's heartbeat may be analysed using patterns gathered by Electrocardiograph, which records a heart's electric potential changes in time. A longer recording of heartbeat activity is called an electrocardiogram (ECG) and is recorded using one or more pairs of electrodes. Each pair measures the change of electrical potential between the points of contact of electrodes. This change is strongly correlated with heart and muscle activity of the subject as the heartbeat activity of the human body is stimulated through electrical impulses. The biometric characteristic may be obtained from bioimpedance measurements which may be obtained by performing different impedance measurements between different points on user's body at different frequencies. The biometric characteristic may include one or more of photoplethysmogram (PPG) data. The biometric identity may be obtained using at least one of blood oxygenation and heart rate variability (HRV) of the user which may be obtained from, amongst others, the PPG data. HRV varies from person to person and can therefore be used as a unique identifier for a user. The second derivative of photoplethysmogram (SDPPG) data obtained by processing PPG data may also be used to determine the biometric identity of the user as SDPPG data also varies from person to person. The present invention is not limited to the characteristics described above. Other characteristics such as gait analysis obtained from motion and position sensors incorporated into the garment may also be used to uniquely identify the user, for example.

In some examples, the garment performs no or only a limited amount of processing on biodata sensed by the biosensing units. The sensed biodata comprises biometric signals (e.g. ECG and/or PPG signals) that can be processed to determine biometric characteristics of the user wearing the garment. At least a component of the biodata, e.g. the biometric signals, are transmitted to the server. The determination module of the server may comprise a biometric detection module that processes the biometric signal to generate a biometric characteristic of the user. This may involve the biometric detection module determining the heart rate variability or SDPPG data for example. The determination module of the server may further comprise an ID recognition module. The ID recognition module may compare the received biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics to determine a user identification for the garment. The determination module of the server may then determine if the user identification relates to a user that is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment.

In other examples, the garment may perform some of the processing operations before transmitting data to the server. For example, the biometric identification module of the garment may comprise a biometric detection module arranged to detect a biometric signal from biodata sensed by the biosensing unit of the garment. The biometric detection module may process the biometric signal to generate a biometric characteristic of the user. The biometric characteristic may be the biometric identity that is transmitted by the garment to the server. The determination module of the server may comprise an ID recognition module. The ID recognition module may compare the received biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics to determine a user identification for the garment. The determination module of the server may then determine if the user identification relates to a user that is authorised to activate wireless network services forthe garment. In other examples, the biometric identification module of the garment may also comprise the ID recognition module. The ID recognition module of the garment may compare the generated biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics stored on the garment to determine a user identification for the garment. In this example, the user identification can be considered as the biometric identifier that is transmitted to the server. The server may then determine whether the user identification is for a user authorised to activate wireless network services and may then activate wireless network services as a result of this determination.

The activation message may comprise an activation code. The garment may comprise a user input arranged to receive the activation code. The user input may be a microphone. The microphone may be arranged to record a voice signal comprising the activation code; and the garment may be arranged to process the voice signal to extract and generate a digitised representation of the activation code. Other forms of user input such as a touch input, or a gesture are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The activation message may further comprise identification information for the garment. The identification information for the garment may comprise a unique identifier for the garment and/or a subscriber identifier for the garment which uniquely identifies the garment on the mobile network. The subscriber identifier may comprise a mobile subscription identification number (MSIN). The subscriber identifier may comprise an international mobile subscriber identity (MI).

The server may use a subscriber identifier that uniquely identifies the garment on the wireless network to activate wireless network services. The server may be a mobile network operator, MNO, server. The server may interact with a mobile network operator, MNO, server e.g. via using an Application Programming Interface (API).

The wireless network services to be activated may be over a first wireless network. The communicator may be arranged to transmit the activation message via a second wireless network that the garment is activated to transmit data on. The first and second wireless networks may be different from one another.

The garment may comprise a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that enables the garment to access services provided by a mobile network operator (MNO). The UICC may include at least a read-only memory (ROM) configured to store an MNO profile that the garment can utilize to register and interact with an MNO. The UICC may be in the form of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The garment may have a receiving section arranged to receive the SIM card.

In other examples, the UICC is embedded directly into a controller of the garment. 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 garment may comprise a secure element that represents an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC).

eSIMs may be pre-generated with a basic set of information, and may be later assigned to garments when requests are received. A manufacturer may assign each garment with a first unique identifier. The manufacturer may receive a plurality of subscriber identifiers from a mobile network operator. The manufacturer may link each first unique identifier to a different one of the subscriber identifiers. That is, eSIMs may be pre-generated and provided to the garment manufacturer who may then choose how to assign the eSIMs to the garments.

The garment may comprise a controller in communication with a sensor of the garment such as the biosensing unit and operable to control the sensor or the biosensing unit. The controller may be wirelessly connected to the sensor or the biosensing unit. That is, the sensor/biosensing unit may comprise a communicator for wireless communication with the controller. The controller may be conductively connected to the sensor/biosensing unit. The controller may be conductively connected to the sensor/biosensing unit by a conductor. The conductor may be incorporated into the garment. The conductor may be an electrically conductive track or film. The conductor may be a conductive transfer The conductive transfer may comprise a first nonconductive ink layer and a second non-conductive ink layer. An electrically conductive layer may be positioned between the first non-conductive ink layer and the second non-conductive ink layer. The conductive transfer may be adhered to the textile via use of an adhesive layer so as to form the conductor on the textile. An example conductive transfer is described in UK Patent Application Publication No. GB 2555592 (A) the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The conductor may be formed from a fibre or yarn of the textile. This may mean that an electrically conductive materials are incorporated into the fibre/yam.

The garment may further comprise a power source or a plurality of power sources. The power source may be for powering the sensor/biosensing unit. The power source may be conductively connected to the controller by a conductor. The conductor may be a conductive transfer. The conductor may be formed from a fibre or yarn of the garment. This may mean that an electrically conductive materials such as graphene is incorporated into the fibre/yarn. The power source 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 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 performed by a wearer of the garment. The kinetic event could include walking, running, exercising or respiration of the wearer. 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 a wearer of a garment. The energy harvesting device may be a thermoelectric energy harvesting device.

The communicator may be a mobile/cellular communicator operable to communicate the data wirelessly via one or more base stations. The communicator may provide wireless communication capabilities for the garment and enables the garment to communicate via one or more wireless communication protocols such as used for communication on: a wireless wide area network (VIWAN), a wireless metroarea network (VVMAN), a wireless local area network (VVLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a near field communication (NFC), and a cellular communication network. The cellular communication network may be a fourth generation (4G) LTE, LIE Advanced (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and/or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network. A first communicator on the garment may be provided for cellular communication and a separate communicator may be provided for short-range local communication over VVLAN, VVPAN, NFC, or Bluetooth WiFi or any other electromagnetic RF communication protocol.

Here, 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, 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 protection equipment, swimwear, wetsuit or drysuit The garment may be constructed from a woven or a non-woven material. The 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 yarn may be cotton. The cotton may be blended with polyester and/or viscose and/or polyamide according to the particular 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 garment. Polyester, polycotton, nylon and viscose are synthetic fibres that may be used in the garment.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment. The server comprises a communicator operable to receive an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment. The activation message comprises identification information for the user. The server comprises a determination module operable to determine whether to activate wireless network services for the garment by determining whether the user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment.

The server comprises an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment as a result of the determination. The activation module is operable to activate wireless network services for the garment if the determination module determines that the user is authorised.

Beneficially, the server determines whether the user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services. This enhances the security of the activation procedure as only authorised users may be able to activate wireless network services for the garment.

B

The determination module may be arranged to compare a biometric identity of the user to a predetermined biometric identity of a user authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The biometric identity may be included in the activation message. The activation message may comprise biodata for the user. The server may further comprise a biometric identification module operable to process the biodata to determine the biometric identity for the user.

In other examples, the garment may perform some of the processing operations before transmitting data to the server. For example, the biometric identification module of the garment may comprise a biometric detection module arranged to detect a biometric signal from biodata sensed by the biosensing unit of the garment. The biometric detection module may process the biometric signal to generate a biometric characteristic of the user. The biometric characteristic may be the biometric identity that is transmitted by the garment to the server. The determination module of the server may comprise an ID recognition module. The ID recognition module may compare the received biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics to determine a user identification for the garment. The determination module of the server may then determine if the user identification relates to a user that is authorised to activate wireless network services forthe garment. In other examples, the biometric identification module of the garment may also comprise the ID recognition module. The ID recognition module of the garment may compare the generated biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics stored on the garment to determine a user identification for the garment.

In this example, the user identification can be considered as the biometric identifier that is transmitted to the server. The server may then determine whether the user identification is for a user authorised to activate wireless network services and may then activate wireless network services as a result of this determination.

The activation message may comprise identification information for the garment. The determination module may be arranged to use the identification information to determine whether to activate wireless network services for the garment. The determination module may be arranged to compare the identification information to a database which stores identification information for different garments along with status information for the garments. The status information may include whether the garment has a data plan on the wireless network. If the determination module determines, from the status information, that the garment is authorised to be activated, then the activation module may activate wireless network services for the garment.

If the server determines, from the status information that the garment is not authorised to be activated (e.g. is not associated with a data plan) then the server may not activate wireless network services for the garment. The server may be operable to use the identification information to obtain a subscriber identifier for the garment that uniquely identifies the garment on the wireless network. The server may use the subscriber identifier to activate wireless network services for the garment.

The identification information for the garment may comprise a unique identifier for the garment and/or a subscriber identifier for the garment which uniquely identifies the garment on the mobile network. The subscriber identifier may comprise a mobile subscription identification number (MSIN). The subscriber identifier may comprise an international mobile subscriber identity (IMS!). The server may use the subscriber identifier that uniquely identifies the garment on the wireless network to activate wireless network services. The server may use the subscriber identifier to identity the status information for the garment. The server may be a mobile network operator, MNO, server. The server may interact with a mobile network operator, MNO, server e.g. via using an Application Programming Interface (API). The server may be a virtual mobile network operator server. The server may be a Home Location Register or Visitor Location Register.

The activation message may be received on a provisioning channel of the wireless network. The wireless network may be a mobile network provided by a mobile network operator (MNO). The server may be an MNO server.

The wireless network services may be arranged to be activated for a first wireless network. The activation message may be received via a second wireless network that the garment is activated to transmit data on The identification information may comprise, encoded therein, the subscriber identifier. Using the identification information to obtain the subscriber identifier may comprise decoding the identification information to obtain the subscriber identifier. That is, the identification information may be an encoded/encrypted representation of the subscriber identifier. This makes it harder for a hostile party monitoring the communication to obtain the subscriber identifier.

The identification information for the garment may be a first unique identifier for the garment.

The subscriber identifier may be a second unique identifier for the garment. The identifier may be for a removable electronics module of the garment. Beneficially, the subscriber identifier is not transmitted over a communication channel and thus is not accessible by a hostile party. Instead, a first unique identifier is transmitted which is subsequently used to obtain the subscriber identifier. The first unique identifier may only identify the garment and may not have any information content that relates to the subscriber identifier.

The server may receive encoded data representing the first unique identifier. The server may be arranged to decode the encoded data to obtain the first unique identifier.

The server may be arranged to use the first unique identifier to obtain the second unique identifier for the garment. The server may be arranged to access a data store that associates each of a plurality of different first unique identifiers with a different one of a plurality second unique identifiers; and may be arranged to obtain the second unique identifier that is associated with the received first unique identifier in the data store. That is, the server may store or have access to a data store which links each garment identifier (first unique identifier) to a different subscriber identifier (second unique identifier).

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of requesting wireless network services by for a garment. The method comprises detecting, by the garment, whether the garment is being worn by a user. In response to detecting that the garment is being worn, the method comprises generating, by the garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment. The activation message comprises identification information for the user. The method further comprises transmitting, by the garment, the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of activating wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises receiving, by the server, an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment. The activation message comprising identification information for the user. The method comprises determining, by the server, whether to activate wireless services for the garment. The method comprises activating wireless network services as a result of the determination. The determining may comprise determining whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activating may comprise activating wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised.

According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of activating wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises detecting, by a first garment, whether the first garment is being wom by a user. In response to detecting that the first garment is being worn, the method comprises transmitting, by the first garment, first identification information for the user to a server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises detecting, by a second garment for which wireless network services are to be activated, whether the second garment is being worn by the user. In response to detecting that the second garment is being worn, the method comprises generating, by the second garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the second garment, wherein the activation message comprises second identification information for the user. The method comprises transmitting, by the second garment, the activation message to the server.

The method may further comprise, comparing, by the server, the second identification information to the first identification information so as to determine if the second identification information corresponds to the first identification information; and in response to determining that the first identification information corresponds to the second identification information, activating wireless network services for the second garment.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of activating wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises receiving, by a server, first identification information for the user from a first garment. The method comprises receiving, by the server, an activation message from a second garment, wherein the activation message is for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the second garment, and wherein the activation message comprises second identification information for the user. The method further comprises, comparing, by the server, the second identification to the first identification information so as to determine if the second identification information corresponds to the first identification information; and in response to determining that the first identification information corresponds to the second identification information, activating wireless network services for the second garment.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described above in relation to the third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method as described above in relation to the third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a data processing apparatus comprising a processor configured to perform the method as described above in relation to the third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system. The system comprises a garment and a server. The garment comprises a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being wom by a user, The garment comprises an activation message module arranged to, generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn. The activation message comprises identification information for the user. The garment further comprises a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to the server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment. The server comprises a communicator operable to receive the activation message from the garment. The server comprises a determination module operable to determine whether to activate wireless network services for the garment. The server comprises an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment as a result of the determination. The determination module may be operable to determine whether the user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activation module may be operable to activate wireless network services for the garment if the determination module determines that the user is authorised.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a garment. The garment comprises a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being worn by a user. The garment comprises an activation message module arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn. The garment further comprises a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment. The communicator may be arranged to receive an activation message response from the server that the activation message is transmitted to. The garment may perform additional actions such as transmit garment data (e.g. biosensing data) on the wireless network in response to receiving the activation message response.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment. The server comprises a communicator operable to receive an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment. The sewer comprises a determination module operable to determine whether to activate wireless network services for the garment. The server comprises an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment as a result of the determination. The determination module may be operable to determine whether the user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activation module may be operable to activate wireless network services for the garment if the determination module determines that the user is authorised. The activation message activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of requesting wireless network services by for a garment. The method comprises detecting, by the garment, whether the garment is being wom by a user. In response to detecting that the garment is being worn, the method comprises generating, by the garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment. The method further comprises transmitting, by the garment, the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activation message activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of activating wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises receiving, by the server, an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment. The method comprises determining, by the server, whether to activate wireless services for the garment. The method comprises activating wireless network services as a result of the determination. The determining may comprise determining whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activating may comprise activating wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised. The activation message activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of activating wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises detecting, by a first garment, whether the first garment is being worn by a user. In response to detecting that the first garment is being worn, the method comprises transmitting, by the first garment, first identification information for the user to a server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises detecting, by a second garment for which wireless network services are to be activated, whether the second garment is being worn by the user. In response to detecting that the second garment is being worn, the method comprises generating, by the second garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the second garment, wherein the activation message comprises second identification information for the user. The method comprises transmitting, by the second garment, the activation message to the server. The activation message activation message comprises either or both an activation code and identification information for the garment.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of activating wireless network services for a garment. The method comprises receiving, by a server, first identification information for the user from a first garment. The method comprises receiving, by the server, an activation message from a second garment, wherein the activation message is for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the second garment, and wherein the activation message comprises second identification information for the user. The method further comprises, comparing, by the server, the second identification to the first identification information so as to determine if the second identification information corresponds to the first identification information; and in response to determining that the first identification information corresponds to the second identification information, activating wireless network services for the second garment. The activation message activation message comprises either or both an activation code and identification information for the garment.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described above in relation to the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth or sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method as described above in relation to the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth or sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a data processing apparatus comprising a processor configured to perform the method as described above in relation to the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth or sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system. The system comprises a garment and a server. The garment comprises a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being wom by a user, The garment comprises an activation message module arranged to, generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn. The garment further comprises a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to the server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment. The server comprises a communicator operable to receive the activation message from the garment. The server comprises a determination module operable to determine whether to activate wireless network services for the garment. The server comprises an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment as a result of the determination. The determination module may be operable to determine whether the user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The activation module may be operable to activate wireless network services for the garment if the determination module determines that the user is authorised.

The present disclosure is not limited to garments. The aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to any device for which it is desirable to activate wireless network services. The device may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, gaming system, MP3 player, point-of-sale device, or wearable device such as a smart watch, necklace, bracelet, or glasses.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example server according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of an example method according to aspects of the present

disclosure; and

Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of an example method according to aspects 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.

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.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a garment 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The garment 10 comprises a controller 101. The controller 101 comprises a liveness detection module 103 and an activation message module 105. The garment 10 further comprises a communicator 107.

The liveness detection module 103 is arranged to detect whether the garment 10 is being worn by a user. The garment 10 further comprises at least one biosensing unit (not shown) which may be part of or may be separate to the liveness detection module 103. The biosensing unit is for measuring one or more biosignals of the wearer. In other words, the biosensing unit records biodata. The biodata is provided to the liveness detection module 103 which analyses the biodata to determine whether the garment 10 is being worn by a user. In some examples, the potential difference between electrodes of one or more biosensing units may be used to determine whether the garment is being worn. When the electrodes are placed in skin contact (or close to the skin) an electrical circuit may be completed between the electrodes via the skin, which may be detected and used to detect that the garment is being worn. Generally, many factors such as temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, or any other detected biosignal can be used to determine whether the garment 10 is being worn.

The activation message module 105 is arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment 10 in response to the liveness detection module 103 detecting that the garment is being worn. The activation message can be a request the activation (e.g. provisioning) of services originating from the garment 10.

This may be referred to as a Mobile Originating Provisioning Request (MOPR) message. The activation message may be encrypted.

The communicator 107 is arranged to transmit the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment 10.

In an example, the communicator 107 transmits the activation message over a provisioning channel of the wireless network which may be a mobile network. The provisioning channel is available to inactive or unprovisioned wireless devices. Using the provisioning channel, the activation message can be delivered to the server for use in activating wireless network services for the garment 10. The provisioning channel may be, for example, an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel, a Short Message Service (SMS) messaging channel or a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) messaging channel, amongst others.

In another example, the communicator 107 transmits the activation message over a second wireless network that the garment 10 is already activated to communicate on. This means that before wireless network services for the garment 10 are activated, the garment 10 may use a different communication protocol to communicate the activation message to the server. The second wireless network may be a short-range local communication over VVLAN, VVLAN, VVPAN, NFC, or Bluetooth 0 for example. The garment 10 may communicate the activation message indirectly to the server via one or more wireless devices that the communicator 107 is operable to communicate with over the second wireless network. The communicator 107 may comprise a first communicator for communicating over the first wireless network which is desired to be activated and a second communicator for communicating over the second wireless network.

The communicator 107 in the example of Figure 1 is in the form of a baseband component 107. The baseband component 107 includes a baseband OS 109 that is configured to manage hardware resources of the baseband component 107. The baseband component 107 may itself comprise a processor, a memory, and radio components to effect communication over a wireless network. The communicator 107 is not required to be a baseband component in all examples of the present example. Instead, the communicator 107 may be any form of communicator 107 operable to communicate data wirelessly via one or more base stations. The communicator 107 therefore provides wireless communication capabilities for the garment 10 and enables the garment 10 to communicate via one or more wireless communication protocols such as used for communication on: a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metroarea network (VVMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a near field communication (NFC), and a cellular communication network. The cellular communication network may be a fourth generation (4G) LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and/or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network The garment 10 also includes a secure element 113 and a memory 115. The secure element 113 may represent a removable UICC or an eUICC. The secure element 113 may store multiple different eSIMs for accessing different mobile network operators (MN05). The garment may be subscribed to multiple different MN0s, and the secure element 113 may store an eSIM for each MNO to which the garment 10 is subscribed. The secure element 113 may store a subscriber identifier for the garment 10 which uniquely identifies the garment 10 on the mobile network. The subscriber identifier may comprise a mobile subscription identification number (MSIN). The subscriber identifier may comprise an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI). The memory 115 may store a unique identifier for the garment 10. The unique identifier may be transmitted by the garment 10 to a server which may then use the unique identifier to determine the subscriber identifier. In this way, the subscriber identifier does not need to be transmitted to enable the wireless network services to be activated.

The garment 10 may additionally comprise a biometric identification module (not shown). The biometric identification module may be part of the liveness detection, part of the biosensing unit, or may be a separate component. The biometric identification module may comprise a biometric detection module arranged to detect a biometric signal from biodata sensed by the biosensing unit of the garment. The biometric detection module may process the biometric signal to generate a biometric characteristic of the user. In some examples, the biometric characteristic forms or is part of the biometric identity that is transmitted by the garment to the server. In other examples, the biometric identification module of the garment may further comprise an ID recognition module. The ID recognition module compares the generated biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics stored on the garment to determine a user identification for the garment. In this example, the user identification can be considered as the biometric identifier that is transmitted to the server.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a server 14 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

The sewer 14 comprises a communicator 141, a determination module 143 and an activation module 145.

The communicator 141 is operable to receive the activation message from the garment 10 (Figure 1). The determination module 143 is operable to determine whether to activate wireless network services for the garment 10. The activation module 145 is operable to activate wireless network services for the garment 10.

In some examples, the determination module 143 determines to activate wireless network services for the garment 10 provided that an activation message is received. This may mean that only liveness detection is required to activate wireless network services for the garment 10.

As an example, garments may be provided to facilitate the monitoring of people during events such as music festivals which typically involve a large gathering of people. These garments are not initially activated to communicate over the wireless network to save wireless network subscriptions costs, for example. It would be desirable to monitor properties such as the movements, location, and biodata of the people so that festival organisers or health care professionals can monitor the festival goers and provide appropriate actions as required. For example, it may be desirable to monitor the movements of people at the festival for the purpose of crowd control or to help locate children who have strayed from their guardians. It may also be desirable to monitor the hydration levels and/or body temperature of the festival goers to reduce the risk of people becoming dehydrated and/or overheated. To this end, it is desirable to provide garments to monitor properties, such as the properties described above, of the festival goers.

The garments may be distributed at the event and worn by the festival goers. The act of wearing the garment causes the garments to be activated to communicate over the wireless network. This approach provides an easy mechanism for activating garments on a wireless network and avoids the need for a complicated manual registration procedure.

In some examples, the determination module 143 determines whether a user (e.g. a user wearing the garment 10) is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment 10. The activation message received by the communicator 141 may comprise an activation code. The determination module 143 is operable to process the activation code to determine whether the user is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment 10. The activation code may, for example, be a telephone number, post code, password, personal identification number (PIN) code or short alphanumerical code. The activation code may be a combination of a short number (e.g. between 3 and 10) of words, preferably the words are randomly selected from a dictionary. The garment 10 may comprise an input device for inputting the activation code.

The input device may be a microphone via which a voice command comprising the activation code may be recited.

As an example, garments may be provided for sale in a physical or online retail environment. After purchasing the garment, the user may be provided with the activation code. For example, the activation code may be printed on a receipt of the garment. The user may then wear the garment and input the activation code to activate the garment. It will be appreciated that the liveness detection is not necessarily required when an activation code is used to activate the garment. That is, the garment may not have a liveness detection module. The user may input the activation code to activate wireless network services while not wearing the garment.

In some examples, the determination module 143 determines whether a user (e.g. a user wearing the garment 10) is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment 10 by using a biometric identity of the user. In particular, the determination module 143 may be arranged to compare a biometric identity of the user to a predetermined biometric identity of a user authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The server 14 may have pre-stored a biometric identity of the user. This biometric identity may have been previously obtained from the user wearing another garment.

In some examples, the biometric identity is included in the activation message. The biometric identity included in the activation message may comprise a biometric characteristic of the user. The determination module 143 of the server further comprises an ID recognition module. The ID recognition module may compare the received biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics to determine a user identification for the user wearing the garment. The determination module 143 of the server may then determine if the user identification relates to a user that is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. The biometric identity included in the activation message may comprise a user identification for the user wearing the garment. In this example, the determination module 143 determines whether the user identification corresponds to a user authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment. In other examples. the activation message comprises biodata for the user. In these examples, the determination module 143 of the server comprises a biometric detection module that processes biometric signals in the biodata to generate a biometric characteristic of the user. The determination module 143 of the server further comprises an ID recognition module. The ID recognition module may compare the processed biometric characteristic to one or more pre-stored biometric characteristics to determine a user identification for the user wearing the garment. The server may then determine whether the user identification is for a user authorised to activate wireless network services and may then activate wireless network services as a result of this determination.

As an example, a user may try on a first "test" garment which is already activated on the wireless network. Biodata may be obtained for the user which may then be processed either on the garment or on the server to obtain a biometric identity for the user. This is the predetermined biometric identity which is used in future activations of other garments for the user. Subsequently, a user may purchase a garment. As a result of purchasing the garment, the point of sale may communicate information to the server identifying the user that purchased the garment. This may be the name, address, biometric identity or other identifying information for the user. The server then associates the user with the purchased garment. The user wears the garment and biodata for the user is obtained. The biodata is then processed either on the garment or on the server to obtain a biometric identity for the user. The server accesses the predetermined biometric identity for the user and compares the recently obtained biometric identity to the predetermined biometric identity. If the identifies correspond, the server activates the garment to communicate on the wireless network.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a system 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure which is used to activate wireless network services for a garment 10. The garment 10 generates the activation message and transmits the activation message over a provisioning channel 11 provided on the wireless network represented by base station 12. The wireless network 12 that receives the activation message via the provisioning channel 11 provides the activation message to a server 14.

The server 14 is a mobile network operator server 14 run by the wireless network for the activation of services for wireless devices such as garment 10. The activation of services includes activating the garment 10 to communicate on the wireless network. This may be an initial "out of the box" activation of wireless services of an unprovisioned garment. The activation of services includes device upgrades, device reactivations, wireless number changes, the addition or purchasing of services, and the wireless number porting for garments 10 that have already been activated/provisioned.

The server 14 may be a distributed network of servers. That is, aspects of the present disclosure may be performed by a distributed computing system that operate together to perform the desired function of the server 14.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a flow diagram for an example method according to aspects

of the present disclosure.

Step 8101 of the method comprises detecting, by the garment, whether the garment is being worn by a user.

Step S102 of the method comprises, in response to detecting that the garment is being worn, generating, by the garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment.

Step S103 of the method comprises transmitting, by the garment, the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a flow diagram for an example method according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Step S201 of the method comprises receiving, by the server, an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment.

Step S202 of the method comprises determining, by the server, whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment.

Step 3203 of the method comprises activating wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised.

Numbered Examples:

Example 1: A garment comprising: a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being worn by a user; an activation message module arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn; and a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment, wherein the activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment.

Example 2: A garment according to example 1, wherein garment comprises a biosensing unit arranged to measure biodata of the user, and wherein the identification information for the user is obtained from biodata for the user recorded by the biosensing unit.

Example 3: A garment according to example 2, wherein the identification information for the user comprises a biometric identity for the user.

Example 4: A garment according to example 3, wherein garment comprises a biosensing unit for measuring biodata of the user.

Example 5: A garment according to example 4, wherein the garment comprises a biometric identification module arranged to determine the biometric identity for the user using the biodata.

Example 6: A garment according to any preceding example, wherein the garment comprises a user input arranged to receive the activation code Example 7: A garment according to example 6, wherein the user input is a microphone, and wherein the microphone is arranged to receive a voice signal comprising the activation code; and wherein the garment comprises an audio processing module arranged to process the voice signal to extract and generate a digitised representation of the activation code.

Example 8: A garment according to any preceding example, wherein the identification information for the garment comprises a unique identifier for the garment and/or a subscriber identifier for the garment which uniquely identifies the garment on the mobile network.

Example 9: A garment according to example 8, wherein the subscriber identifier comprises a mobile subscription identification number (MSIN), and optionally wherein the subscriber identifier comprises an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

Example 10: A garment according to any preceding example, wherein the communicator is arranged to transmit the activation message using a provisioning channel of the wireless network.

Example 11: A garment according to any preceding example, wherein the wireless network services are to be activated for a first wireless network, and wherein the communicator is 20 arranged to transmit the activation message via a second wireless network that the garment is activated to transmit data on.

Example 12: A garment according to any preceding example, wherein the garment further comprises a secure element that represents an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC).

Example 13: A server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment, the server comprising: a communicator operable to receive an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment, the activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment, a determination module operable to determine whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment; and an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised.

Example 14: A server according to example 13, wherein the determination module is arranged to compare a biometric identity of the user to a predetermined biometric identity of a user authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment.

Example 15: A server according to example 14, wherein the biometric identity is included in the activation message.

Example 16: A server according to example 14, wherein the activation message comprises biodata for the user, and wherein the server further comprises a biometric identification module operable to process the biodata to determine the biometric identity for the user.

Example 17: A server according to any of examples 13 to 16, wherein the server is operable to use the identification information to obtain a subscriber identifier for the garment that uniquely identifies the garment on the wireless network.

Example 18: A method of requesting wireless network services for a garment, the method comprising: detecting, by the garment, whether the garment is being worn by a user; in response to detecting that the garment is being worn, generating, by the garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment, the activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment; and transmitting, by the garment, the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment.

Example 19: A method of activating wireless network services for a garment, the method comprising: receiving, by the server, an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment, the activation message comprises two or more of identification information for the user, an activation code, and identification information for the garment, determining, by the server, whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment; and activating wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised.

Example 20: A method of activating wireless network services for a garment, the method comprising: detecting, by a first garment, whether the first garment is being worn by a user; in response to detecting that the first garment is being worn, transmitting, by the first garment first identification information for the user to a server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment; detecting, by a second garment for which wireless network services are to be activated, whether the second garment is being worn by the user; in response to detecting that the second garment is being worn, generating, by the second garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the second garment, wherein the activation message comprises second identification information for the user and either or both an activation code and identification information for the garment; transmitting, by the second garment, the activation message to the server.

Example 21: A method according to example 20, further comprising, comparing, by the server, the second identification to the first identification information so as to determine if the second identification information corresponds to the first identification information; and in response to determining that the first identification information corresponds to the second identification information, activating wireless network services for the second garment.

Example 22: A computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of example 20 or 21.

Example 23: A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of example 20 or 21.

Example 24: A data processing apparatus comprising a processor configured to perform the method of example 20 or 21.

Example 25: A system comprising a garment and a server, wherein the garment comprises: a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being worn by a user; an activation message module arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn, the activation message comprising two or more of identification information for the user, identification information for the garment, and an activation code; and a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to the server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment, and wherein the server comprises: a communicator operable to receive the activation message from the garment, a determination module operable to determine whether to activate wireless network services for the garment; and an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment as a result of the determination.

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

CLAIMS1. A garment comprising: a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being worn by a user; an activation message module arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn, wherein the activation message comprises identification information for the user; and a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment.
A garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein garment comprises a biosensing unit arranged to measure biodata of the user, and wherein the identification information for the user is obtained from biodata for the user recorded by the biosensing unit.
A garment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the identification information for the user comprises a biometric identity for the user.
A garment as claimed in claim 3, wherein the garment comprises a biometric identification module arranged to determine the biometric identity for the user using the biodata.
A garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein prior to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn by a user, the garment is arranged to operate in a low power mode.
A garment as claimed in claim 5, wherein if the liveness detection module detects that the garment is being worn by a user, the garment is arranged to transition from the low power mode to a normal mode.
A garment as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein in the low power mode the communicator is not activated to transmit data.
A garment as claimed in any of claims 6 or 7, wherein in the normal mode, the communicator is activated to transmit data.
A garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the activation message further comprises identification information for the garment. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. A garment as claimed in claim 9, wherein the identification information for the garment comprises a unique identifier for the garment and/or a subscriber identifier for the garment which uniquely identifies the garment on the mobile network.
11 A garment as claimed in claim 10, wherein the subscriber identifier comprises a mobile subscription identification number (MSIN), and optionally wherein the subscriber identifier comprises an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).
12. A garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the communicator is arranged to transmit the activation message using a provisioning channel of the wireless network.
13 A garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wireless network services are to be activated for a first wireless network, and wherein the communicator is arranged to transmit the activation message via a second wireless network that the garment is activated to transmit data on.
14. A garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the garment further comprises a secure element that represents an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC).
15 A server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment, the server comprising: a communicator operable to receive an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment; a determination module operable to determine whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment; and an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised.
16. A server as claimed in claim 15, wherein the determination module is operable to determine whether the user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment based on identification information for the user contain in the activation message.
17. A server as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the determination module is arranged to compare a biometric identity of the user to a predetermined biometric identity of a user authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment.
18. A server as claimed in claim 17, wherein the biometric identity is included in the activation message.
19. A server as claimed in claim 17, wherein the activation message comprises biodata for the user, and wherein the server further comprises a biometric identification module operable to process the biodata to determine the biometric identity for the user.
A method of requesting wireless network services for a garment, the method comprising: detecting, by the garment, whether the garment is being worn by a user; in response to detecting that the garment is being worn, generating, by the garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment, the activation message comprises identification information for the user; and transmitting, by the garment, the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment.
21 A method of activating wireless network services for a garment, the method comprising: receiving, by the server, an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment; determining, by the server, whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment; and activating wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised.
22 A method of activating wireless network services for a garment, the method comprising: detecting, by a first garment, whether the first garment is being worn by a user; in response to detecting that the first garment is being worn, transmitting, by the first garment first identification information for the user to a server operable to activate wireless network services for a garment; detecting, by a second garment for which wireless network services are to be activated, whether the second garment is being worn by the user; in response to detecting that the second garment is being worn, generating, by the second garment, an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the second garment, wherein the activation message comprises second identification information for the user; transmitting, by the second garment, the activation message to the server.
23 A method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising, comparing, by the server, the second identification to the first identification information so as to determine if the second identification information corresponds to the first identification information; and in response to determining that the first identification information corresponds to the second identification information, activating wireless network services for the second garment.
24. A computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of claim 20 to 23.
25 A system comprising a garment and a server, wherein the garment comprises: a liveness detection module arranged to detect whether the garment is being worn by a user; an activation message module arranged to generate an activation message for requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment in response to the liveness detection module detecting that the garment is being worn, wherein the activation message comprises identification information for the user; and a communicator arranged to transmit the activation message to a server operable to activate wireless network services for the garment, and wherein the server comprises: a communicator operable to receive an activation message from a garment, the activation message requesting that wireless network services be activated for the garment; a determination module operable to determine whether a user wearing the garment is authorised to activate wireless network services for the garment; and an activation module operable to activate wireless network services for the garment if the user is determined to be authorised.