CLIAMS:CLAIMS
We Claim,
1. A wearable neck tie comprising:
at least one sensor configured to sense collar pressure;
a control circuitry configured to set an alarm signal when the collar pressure is greater than a threshold value; and
a notification device configured to set off a notification when the alarm signal is set high,
wherein the threshold value is set reduce medical complication due to intraocular pressure.
2. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, further comprising set of sensors mounted along the length of the wearable neck tie and the collar pressure is determined from the at least one sensor nearest to the collar.
3. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted such that it may slide along the length of the tie to locate near the collar for sensing the collar pressure.
4. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is mounted on the wider side of the neck tie and sensor is mounted at a length near the collar.
5. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, wherein the notification device is a buzzer and the threshold is set in the range of 500.
6. Method, system, apparatus providing one or more features as described in the paragraphs of this specification.

Date: 03-07-2014 Signature……………………………

,TagSPECI:Form 2
The patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
Patent Rules 2003
Complete Specification
(Sec 10 and Rule 13)
Title: Wearable Ocular Health Monitoring Dress part and thereof
Applicant(s) Innovation Centre, Manipal University
Nationality India
Address MIT, Manipal – 576104, Karnataka, India.

The following provisional specification particularly describes the invention and manner in which it is to be performed

DESCRIPTION
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the health monitoring devices and in particular to wearable ocular health monitoring dress part and thereof.
RELATED ART
[0002] Health monitoring device generally refer to electronic device or system that monitors various physiological parameters such as blood pressure, ECG, breathing rate, etc. conventional health monitoring device is provided as wearable on the person body at specific location for example like wrist band. Conventional wearable health monitoring device collects, processes and display relevant health data. Wearable health monitoring system supports the early detection of any abnormal condition and prevents its consequences. Several conventional sensors are described in the literature listed below and are incorporated herein by reference.
[0003] US Patent Pub. No. 20080051667 titled “Method and Device for Measuring Physiological Parameters at the Hand”. US Patent Pub. No. 20070197881 titled “Wireless Health Monitor Device and System with Cognition”. US patent Pub. No 20090227877 titled “Health Monitoring Appliance”.
[0004] Some of the disadvantages of the available health monitoring devices are that, they are worn as additional parts and at times do not integrate with the regular dress. Further, the conventional health monitoring devices does not provide any direct or indirect measures of the ocular health and blood flow to the head.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, wearable neck tie may comprise one sensor, a control circuitry and a notification device. The sensor may be configured to sense collar pressure. And, the control circuitry may be configured to alarm when the collar pressure is greater than the threshold value. Also, the notification device may be configured to set off a notification when the alarm is set high. In one embodiment, set of sensors are mounted along the length of the wearable neck tie and the collar pressure is determined from at least one sensor nearest to the collar. In another embodiment, at least one sensor is mounted such that it may slide along the length of the tie to locate near the collar for sensing the collar pressure.
[0006] Several embodiments are described below, with reference to the diagrams of illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] Fig.1 is a necktie or collar tie 100 illustrating an example wearable as dress part in a formal men dressing.
[0008] Fig.2A is an example formation of a tie for wearing around the neck as dress part illustrating various aspect of the present invention.
[0009] Fig. 2B illustrates mounting of sensors 210A through 210N and circuitry in an alternative embodiment.
[0010] Fig. 2C illustrates mounting of sensors 220 and circuitry in a yet another alternative embodiment.
[0011] Fig. 2D is the perspective view of a necktie with sensor and circuitry placed together at the desired location.
[0012] Fig. 3A illustrates a stick on pressure sensor that may be fixed/ glued to the tie.
[0013] Fig. 3B illustrates a fabric sensor that exhibit the behavior of a fabric.
[0014] Fig. 3C illustrates a sensor mounted on a tie clip.
[0015] Fig. 4A is a block diagram of an example circuitry operative to process the sensor signal to and to send one more alert signal.
[0016] Fig. 4B illustrates alternative embodiment in which the sensor is connected in a voltage divider 440 configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Various aspect of the present disclosure is described below with example wearable dress part merely for illustration. The examples should not be construed as limitation. The scope of the present disclosure should be viewed only on the merits of the claims and not on the present disclosure.
[0018] Fig.1 is a necktie or collar tie 100 illustrating an example wearable as dress part in a formal men dressing. The neck tie (hereafter referred to as tie) 100 is a garment accessory worn round the neck and knotted at the throat. The collar tie 100 comprises of a shell 105. The shell 105, also known as the envelope, is the outermost fabric of the tie. Neckties are available is different sizes and lengths. Necktie 100 is worn in different styles such as single knot, double knot etc. Wearing a necktie induces a health risk, for example, a tight necktie may elevate the intraocular pressure (IOP- fluid pressure inside the eye) through compression of the jugular vein (reduces the arterial blood flow), leading to raised episcleral venous pressure and hence affecting the optic nerve. And also continuous wear of tie tightly may eventually damage the ocular health. Further, a trend of fluctuations in IOP is related to varying collar pressure (CP).
[0019] A wearable dress part provided according to present invention determines or measures the pressure (collar pressure) at desired points on the body and relates the measured pressure to one or more health parameters and send notification pertaining to at least one particular possible health hazard. In one embodiment, a sensor built in a tie quantifies the pressure exerted (collar pressure – CP) adjacent to the region of the tie knot.
[0020] Fig. 2A is an example formation of a tie for wearing around the neck as dress part illustrating various aspect of the present invention. As shown there the tie formation 201 comprises processing circuitry 270 and sensors 260 and 265. The sensors 260 and 265 are mounted strategically at locations around the neck area to measure pressure that may pertain to a particular medical complication. For example, as shown the sensors are mounted at the knot and at the spinal chord area to determine collar pressure. Processing circuitry 270, may receive pressure in electrical form and process the signal. For example, circuitry may be operative to enhance the signal level, compare and enable determination of the pressure.
[0021] Fig. 2B illustrates mounting of sensors 210A through 210N and circuitry in an alternative embodiment. As shown there, the sensors are mounted along the length of the tie 202 between the region L1 and L2. Such sensor mounting provide flexibility in wearing the tie. For example, the region L1 through L2 may be selected to always fall within the neck area irrespective of size of the person, and style of wearing for example. Further, the multiple sensors may pick up pressure at different point on the neck and correspondingly the different health complication may be determined. For example, sensors may pick up the pressure on the sides of the neck, at the throat, and at the spinal chord area. Such pressure measured at different area may be independently processed to detect different possible medical complication. The sensors 210A through 210N may send the signal to the circuitry for further processing using any know conducting or wireless medium.
[0022] Fig. 2C illustrates mounting of sensors 220 and circuitry in a yet another alternative embodiment. The sensor 220 may be slide to a desired location with the help of sliding guide 225. Thus, user may slide the sensor to the desired location as per the instruction of a medical practitioner. Such feature reduces the cost by way of number of sensor and also provides flexibility to measure the pressure at a desired location based on the diagnosis for example.
[0023] Fig. 2D is the perspective view of a necktie with sensor and circuitry placed together at the desired location. As shown there, the sensor and the circuitry are fabricated together to form a pad 230 and mounted conveniently. Such feature reduces the complexity of coupling the sensors signal to circuitry via conductive path and may reduce the power required for operation. In one embodiment, the pad 230 may be slide along the length of the tie.
[0024] Fig. 3A through 3C, are example sensors that may be deployed in Fig. 2A through 2D. Fig. 3A illustrates a stick-on pressure sensor that may be fixed/ glued to the tie. Fig 3B illustrates a fabric sensor that exhibit the behavior of a fabric. Thus, the sensor may be mounted on the tie without causing any inconvenience in terms of look and comfort. Fig. 3C illustrates a sensor mounted on a tie clip.
[0025] The manner in which the circuitry may be implemented to detect the pressure and send out warning signal is further described below. In one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Fig. 4A is a block diagram of an example circuitry operative to process the sensor signal to and to send one more alert signal. The block diagram is shown comprising an input block 405, bridge circuit 410, power supply 415, a processor 420 and the output block 435. The processor 420 in the block diagram comprises analog to digital converter (ADC) 425 and a pulse width modulator (PWM) 430.
[0027] As shown in the figure, the input 405 may represent an input provided to sensor as reference. The sensor may modify the reference signal under the influence of pressure, thus operating as pressure sensor. In one embodiment the passive input (analog) may be a pressure. The input pressure 405 is applied to the bridge circuit 410. The bridge circuit 410 is used for measuring the resistance. In one embodiment, the sensor may be connected to one limb of the bridge. In another embodiment a Wheatstone bridge may be used as a bridge circuit 410.
[0028] When an input pressure 405 is applied to the bridge circuit 410, the resistance value changes with changing pressure. The power to the bridge circuit 410 is provided by the power supply 415. The output of the bridge circuit 410 is provided to analog to digital convertor (ADC) 425. The ADC 425 gathers the analog information supplied by the bridge circuit 410 and converts the analog signal (pressure) to a digital signal. The generated digital signal from the ADC 425 is then provided to PWM 430.
[0029] The PWM 430 may compare the digital value received from the ADC 425 with a preset value to determine the possible hazardous condition. For example, the PWM may be configured to compare the measured pressure with a table storing IOP vs. collar pressure (CP). Accordingly, wherein the measure pressure is greater than a threshold set according to the studies conducted on IOP, the PWM 430 sends out an audio signal (beep). The PWM 430 may send out beep signal for at an interval over a particular time period or may send out the beep signal until the neck tie is loosened around the neck to reduce the measured pressure. The beep signal from the PWM 430 may be provided to the output device 435 such as buzzer, beeper that converts the beep signal to audio signal.
[0030] Fig. 4B illustrates alternative embodiment in which the sensor is connected in a voltage divider 440 configuration. Accordingly, the resistance of the sensor 440B changes based on the applied pressure. The voltage divider has a fixed resistor 440A. The voltage divider 340 (example of bridge circuit 410 shown in Fig. 4A) measures the resistance by comparison with a similar resistance (fixed resistor 440A).
[0031] When pressure is applied to the sensor (variable resistor 440B) causes the diaphragm 440C of the voltage divider 340 to deform, which in turn changes the resistance. The output of the voltage divider 440 is provided to the ADC (450) and the corresponding digital value is provided to the processor 455 (which is operative similar to the processor 430). The output of the processor (the beep signal) is provided to the buzzer 460. Accordingly, the buzzer sends out sound when the neck tie pressure is greater than a threshold.
[0032] In one embodiment, the sensor measure units in the range of 0 (no pressure) and 1000 (maximum pressure quantified by the sensor) and the optimum threshold of the sensor may be set to 507 that correspond to peek IOP. The relationship between collar pressure and IOP was established through a structured clinical study on 60 healthy normal subjects. The threshold value of 507 and above correlated with a significant raise in IOP. The sensor is equipped with a feedback mechanism that is the sensor monitors the amount of pressure exerted during collar wear and provides a beep sound from the buzzer 460 to intimate the tie wearer as its threshold (507) is reached.
[0033] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

CLAIMS
I/We Claim,
1. A wearable neck tie comprising:
at least one sensor configured to sense collar pressure;
a control circuitry configured to set an alarm signal when the collar pressure is greater than a threshold value; and
a notification device configured to set off a notification when the alarm signal is set high,
wherein the threshold value is set reduce medical complication due to intraocular pressure.
2. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, further comprising set of sensors mounted along the length of the wearable neck tie and the collar pressure is determined from the at least one sensor nearest to the collar.
3. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted such that it may slide along the length of the tie to locate near the collar for sensing the collar pressure.
4. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is mounted on the wider side of the neck tie and sensor is mounted at a length near the collar.
5. The wearable neck tie of claim 1, wherein the notification device is a buzzer and the threshold is set in the range of 500.
6. Method, system, apparatus providing one or more features as described in the paragraphs of this specification.

Date: 03-07-2014 Signature……………………………

ABSTRACT

In one aspect of the present invention, wearable neck tie comprising at least one sensor, a control circuitry and a notification device. The sensor is configured to sense collar pressure. And, the control circuitry is configured to alarm when the collar pressure is greater than the threshold value. Also, the notification device is configured to set off a notification when the alarm is set high. In one embodiment, set of sensors are mounted along the length of the wearable neck tie and the collar pressure is determined from at least one sensor nearest to the collar. In another embodiment, at least one sensor is mounted such that it may slide along the length of the tie to locate near the collar for sensing the collar pressure.