权利要求：
1. A sleeping bag system, including:
a sleeping bag that is washable with water, including in a laundry machine, wherein the sleeping bag includes a monitoring system that includes:
a plurality of sensors, including:
at least one temperature sensor implanted into or onto fabric of the sleeping bag configured to measure an internal air temperature in the sleeping bag and/or a skin temperature of an occupant in the sleeping bag, and
a movement sensor implanted into or onto the fabric the sleeping bag to measure movement of the sleeping bag, wherein the movement sensor includes a plurality of strain sensors located in a first two-dimensional (2D) pattern on the front of the bag and a second 2D pattern on the back of the bag;
electronic circuitry for the sensors located in the sleeping bag; and
an enclosure that is removably attachable to the bag, the enclosure including:
an on-bag processor,
a wireless transceiver to communicate information represented by measurement data from sensor signals representing the measurements from the sensor, and
a battery for powering the monitoring system.
2. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein the movement sensor includes an accelerometer.
3. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a heart-rate sensor located in the sleeping bag configured to monitor a heart rate of an occupant, wherein the heart-rate sensor includes at least a portion of the plurality of strain sensors.
4. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a respiration-rate sensor located in or on the sleeping bag configured to monitor a respiration rate of an occupant, wherein the respiration-rate sensor includes at least a portion of the plurality of strain sensors.
5. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a room-temperature sensor located on the sleeping bag to measure an ambient room temperature of a surrounding environment.
6. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a bag-orientation sensor located in or on the sleeping bag to measure an orientation of the sleeping bag, wherein the bag-orientation sensor includes an accelerometer and/or a combination of the strain sensors.
7. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry includes conductive textiles and/or insulated wire.
8. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, including a base station that communicates electronically with the sleeping bag, and processes data from the sensors.
9. The sleeping bag system of claim 8, configured to generate one or more alerts for care when:
the system determines that the skin temperature of the occupant is too high or low based on a comparison to one or more predetermined skin-temperature levels;
the system determines that the internal temperature of the sleeping bag is too high or low based on a comparison to one or more predetermined bag-temperature levels; and/or
the system determines that the occupant is in an unsafe position based on processing data representing the movement measurements.
10. The sleeping bag system of claim 9, wherein the on-bag processor includes a microcontroller for receiving the sensor signals and generating the measurement data.
11. The sleeping bag of claim 1, including adjustable vents to control air flow between an interior of the sleeping bag and the surrounding environment, wherein the vents include mesh, wherein the vents are integrated into the sleeping bag.
12. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system includes:
a temperature sensor assembly for a sleeping bag, the temperature sensor assembly including:
a thermally conductive extension that protrudes from a waterproofing layer of the temperature sensor.
13. A method of using a sleeping bag system, the sleeping bag system including:
a sleeping bag that is washable with water, including in a laundry machine, wherein the sleeping bag includes a monitoring system that includes:
a plurality of sensors, including:
at least one temperature sensor implanted into or onto fabric of the sleeping bag configured to measure an internal air temperature in the sleeping bag and/or a skin temperature of an occupant in the sleeping bag, and
a movement sensor implanted into or onto the fabric of the sleeping bag to measure movement of the sleeping bag, wherein the movement sensor includes a plurality of strain sensors located in a first two-dimensional (2D) pattern on the front of the bag and a second 2D pattern on the back of the bag;
electronic circuitry for the sensors located in the sleeping bag; and
an enclosure that is removably attachable to the bag, the enclosure including:
an on-bag processor,
a wireless transceiver to communicate information represented by measurement data from sensor signals representing the measurements from the sensors, and
a battery for powering the monitoring system,
wherein the method includes using the plurality of sensors.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein using the plurality of sensors includes at least one of the following:
(a) measuring an internal air temperature in the sleeping bag using the at least one temperature sensor;
(b) measuring a skin temperature of the occupant in the sleeping bag; and
(c) measuring movement of the sleeping bag using the plurality of strain sensors.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the strain sensors measure movement of the sleeping bag by detecting changes in pressure on their surfaces.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein using the plurality of sensors includes the plurality of strain sensors located in the second 2D pattern on the back of the bag measuring the occupant's heart rate and/or respiration rate.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein using the plurality of sensors includes the plurality of strain sensors determining that the occupant is in an undesirable position.
18. The method of claim 17, further including:
in response to the plurality of strain sensors determining that the occupant is in an undesirable position, the system generating and sending an alert.
具体实施方式：
Overview
[0056]Described herein is a sleeping bag that can include a skin-temperature sensor located in the bag to measure a skin temperature of an occupant in the bag.
[0057]The bag can include an internal bag-temperature sensor located in the bag to measure an internal air temperature (also referred to as “ambient bag temperature”) in the bag.
[0058]The bag can include a heart-rate sensor located in the bag to monitor a heart rate of the occupant.
[0059]The bag can include a respiration-rate sensor located in or on the bag to monitor a respiration rate of the occupant.
[0060]The bag can include a room-temperature sensor located on the bag to measure an ambient room temperature of a surrounding environment.
[0061]The bag can include a bag-orientation sensor located in or on the bag to measure an orientation of the bag. The bag-orientation sensor can be an accelerometer and/or a combination of strain sensors.
[0062]The bag can include a movement sensor located in or on the bag to measure movement of the bag. The movement sensor can be an accelerometer and/or a combination of strain sensors.
[0063]The bag can include electronic circuitry for the sensor(s), wherein the circuitry is located in the bag. The circuitry can include conductive textiles and/or insulated wire. The insulated wire can have a relatively small gauge to provide flexibility. The circuitry and the sensor(s) can be formed of materials that remain operational after washing (in a washing machine) with water.
[0064]The bag can include a wireless transmitter to transmit signals representing the measurements from the sensor(s) to a wireless receiver, which can be a commercially available wireless receiver operating according to a communications standard, e.g., for wireless personal area networks, including Wi-Fi communications, infrared communications, cell-phone data communications, Bluetooth communications, ZigBee communications, and/or radio-frequency (RF) communications. The transmitter unit may be placed in any location on the exterior of the bag; however for safety, it can be placed remotely from the occupant's head and chest, e.g., on a foot area.
[0065]Described herein is a system including:[0066]a. the bag; and[0067]b. a notification station to communicate electronically with the bag, wherein the notification station can include visual indicators and/or audible indicators for providing visible responses and/or audible responses to data representing measurements from the sensor(s).
[0068]The system can include a base station to communicate electronically with the bag, and to process data from the sensors.
[0069]The system can generate one or more alerts for a carer when:[0070]a. the system determines that the skin temperature of the occupant is too high or low based on a comparison to one or more predetermined skin-temperature levels;[0071]b. the system determines that the internal temperature of the bag is too high or low based on a comparison to one or more predetermined bag-temperature levels;[0072]c. the system determines that the room temperature around the bag is too high or low based on a comparison to one or more predetermined room-temperature levels;[0073]d. the system determines that the heart rate of the occupant is too high or low based on a comparison to one or more predetermined heart-rate levels;[0074]e. the system determines that the respiration rate of the occupant is too high or low based on a comparison to one or more predetermined respiration-rate levels; and[0075]f. the system determines that the occupant is in an unsafe position (e.g., on side or on stomach) based on processing data representing the movement or orientation measurements.
[0076]The bag can include adjustable vents to control air flow between an interior of the bag and the surrounding environment. The vents can include mesh. The vents are integrated into the bag. The vents can be referred to as “cooling vents”.
[0077]The bag can include:[0078]a. an accelerometer for sensing the heart rate and/or the respiration rate; and/or[0079]b. a singlet for pressing the accelerometer onto the occupant.
[0080]The singlet can be integrated into the sleeping bag, including by sewing the singlet into the bag.
[0081]Described herein is a method of manufacturing the bag, the method including:[0082]a. selecting a location for the skin-temperature sensor in the bag to measure the skin temperature of an occupant in the bag; and[0083]b. locating the skin-temperature sensor in the selected location by attaching the skin-temperature sensor to fabric of the bag.
[0084]The manufacturing method can include selecting respective locations for one or more of the sensors, and locating the sensors by attaching the sensors to the fabric of the bag. Attaching the sensors to the fabric can include integrating the sensors between layers of the bag, including between an inner fabric layer and an insulation layer.
[0085]The manufacturing method can include providing the monitoring system to the bag, including by attaching and/or integrating components and circuitry of the monitoring system; and sealing the monitoring system from water using enclosures and/or deposition.
[0086]Described herein is a method of using the bag. The method can include measuring the skin temperature of the occupant in the bag using the skin-temperature sensor located in the bag.
[0087]The method can include measuring the internal air temperature of the bag using the internal bag-temperature sensor located in the bag.
[0088]The method can include measuring the heart rate of the occupant using the heart-rate sensor located in the bag.
[0089]The method can include measuring the respiration rate using the respiration-rate sensor located in or on the bag.
[0090]The method can include measuring the ambient room temperature of the surrounding environment of the bag (i.e., room air temperature) using the room-temperature sensor located on the bag and/or on the base station.
[0091]The method can include measuring the orientation of the bag using the bag orientation sensor located in or on the bag.
[0092]The method can include measuring movement of the bag using the movement sensor located in or on the bag.
System
[0093]Described herein is a smart sleeping bag for occupants (including young children and infants/babies) that allows carers (e.g., parents) to monitor measurements made by the bag, including one or more of:[0094]a. an ambient internal bag temperature inside the bag;[0095]b. a room temperature (i.e., an ambient temperature of the surrounding environment) outside the bag;[0096]c. a skin temperature of the occupant in the bag;[0097]d. a respiration rate of the occupant;[0098]e. a heart rate of the occupant;[0099]f. an orientation of the bag, and thus an orientation or position of the occupant; and[0100]g. movement of the bag, and thus movement of the occupant.
[0101]The bag can include the following materials:[0102]a. an outer fabric layer (also referred to as a “shell”), formed of standard materials, e.g., cotton, silk and/or polyester, that lies around the exterior of the bag;[0103]b. an inner fabric layer (also referred to as a “liner”), formed of standard materials, in the interior of the bag for resting against the occupant; and[0104]c. an insulation layer (also referred to as “fill”), formed of standard materials, e.g., cotton towelling, wool, and/or synthetic padding, between the outer fabric layer and the inner fabric layer.
[0105]The bag materials are washable with water, including in a laundry machine.
[0106]The bag can have a fitted neck, armholes (or sleeves), and no hood. The bag can comprise one or more front panels and back panels that are joined by side seams and bottom seams.
[0107]The bag can include a monitoring system, integrated into the bag, which monitors the occupant and generates signals and data from sensors in the bag that measure values of physical parameters including: the internal bag temperature, the room temperature, the skin temperature, the respiration rate, the heart rate, the position/orientation of the occupant, and the movement of the occupant. The monitoring system can include the sensors and an on-bag processor.
[0108]The bag is worn by the occupant such that the physical parameters (including temperature, position, respiration rate, etc.) can be measured while keeping the occupant comfortable and unharmed.
[0109]The bag makes the measurements using the sensors (which can be referred to as “sensing devices”), which each gather the measurements, and each generate electronic signals representing the measurements for communication to the on-bag processor which is at least one electronic data-processing apparatus on or in the bag. The on-bag processor can be referred to as a “tag” or “processing device”. The on-bag processor can be based on commercially available data processors, or on custom-made components running a custom program and utilizing custom circuitry. The on-bag processor can be produced through a commercially available Printed Circuit Board fabrication process. The on-bag processor performs one or more analysis processes using received raw sensor data from the sensors, and generates (from the analysis processes, e.g., compression for transmission) gathered data for a carer notification station (e.g., a device), or the base station, or a monitoring application in a computer or smart phone (referred to as a “smart device”). The on-bag processor communicates electronically with an on-bag communications component, also part of the monitoring system, that can communicate wirelessly with an external processing device (referred to as a “base station”) which can facilitate longer term data storage and more analysis processes than the on-bag processor alone.
[0110]The on-bag processor can include:[0111]a. a battery for powering the other components of the monitoring system;[0112]b. a charging connection for recharging the battery; and[0113]c. sealed enclosures, including boxes and/or packaging, for sealing the other components of the monitoring system against water, moisture, and dust, allowing the bag to be washed with water and soap, including in a washing machine.
[0114]The internal (or “in-bag”) temperature sensor can include a thermistor, a thermocouple, and/or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based temperature-sensing chip. Thermistors and thermocouples report the temperature of the ambient environment by altering a measurable parameter (e.g., resistance or current) in a repeatable manner in response to a change in temperature. A CMOS-based temperature sensor is an electronic chip which integrates a thermistor/thermocouple as well as a digital analogue converter to report the temperature measurements as digital data. The bag can include a plurality of in-bag temperature sensors in a plurality of different locations in the bag: for an in-bag temperature that differs in different locations in the bag, measurements from the plurality of in-bag sensors can be combined to provide more accurate in-bag temperature measurements.
[0115]The room temperature sensor can include a thermistor, a thermocouple, and/or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based temperature sensing chip. The bag can include a plurality of room temperature sensors in a plurality of different locations on the bag (the room temperature sensors are not in the bag): for a room temperature that differs in different locations around the bag, e.g., under the bag and above the bag, measurements from the plurality of room sensors can be combined to provide more accurate room temperature measurements. Alternatively or additionally, the system can include one or more room temperature sensors in the base station, which is located in the room with the sleeping bag. Accurate data representing the current ambient temperature in the room can be used to control heating or cooling systems, either manually or automatically, in order to create a comfortable environment for the child.
[0116]The skin temperature sensor can include a thermistor, a thermocouple, and/or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based temperature sensing chip. The skin temperature sensor can be integrated into the bag, including into an insert (including a collar, a body strap and/or a singlet) in the sleeping bag that is located in physical contact with the occupant's skin.
[0117]The respiration rate sensors (also known as “respiration sensors”) can include one or more strain/pressure sensors or accelerometers. Strain/pressure sensors include sensitive flexible sensor elements integrated into the bag, including using conductive textiles. As the occupant breathes in and out, corresponding movements are experienced by the sensors. Through respiration data processing (including signal filtering), sensed movements due to respiration can be isolated from other sensed movements and other pressure signals, and thus the respiration rate can be measured. The strain/pressure sensors can include piezoelectric sensors, resistive sensors or capacitive sensors to measure the respiration. The accelerometer can be secured at a fixed location, including on or adjacent to a chest of the occupant, and the accelerometer detects acceleration changes due to inhalation and exhalation; the measured acceleration due to respiration can be isolated from measured acceleration due to other movements using the data processing mentioned hereinbefore. The respiration sensor can be integrated into the bag, including into an insert (including a collar, a body strap and/or a singlet) in the sleeping bag that is located in physical contact with the occupant's chest.
[0118]The heart rate sensor can include one or more strain/pressure sensors or accelerometers, which can be the same sensors as the respiration rate sensors, i.e., at least one strain/pressure or accelerometer can be used as both a respiration-rate sensor and a heart-rate sensor, with the relevant physical parameter measurements being separated in the data processing. Ballistocardiographic data processing based on ballistocardiographic methods, can be used to non-invasively measure cardiovascular function through the vibrations caused by cardiac movement on the surface of the occupant. In the ballistocardiographic processing, the heart rate is estimated from measurements of relatively small movements of the occupant (including ribcage and spine) in response to heart activity.
[0119]The bag-orientation sensor can include one or more accelerometers, which can be the same as the heart-rate sensors and/or the respiration rate sensors. The orientation or position of the occupant is used in the system to detect if the occupant is lying on his/her back or chest or side. An accelerometer is an electronic component that measures the acceleration that it experiences, which can include acceleration experienced due to gravity. The bag-orientation sensor is located at a predetermined location in or on the bag, including the back or the front or one of the sides, and a constant component of the measured acceleration can be used to determine the direction of gravity, and thus the orientation of the occupant. For example, if the Z-Axis of the accelerometer is attached to front of the bag facing outwards, and the accelerometer is measuring a negative acceleration in the Z-Axis, the system can estimate, using orientation data processing that the occupant is lying on her/his back. If the Z-Axis is measuring a positive acceleration, the orientation data processing can estimate that the occupant is lying on his/her chest. Through reading the measurement reported by the accelerometer, the orientation of the occupant can be estimated using the orientation data processing.
[0120]The on-bag communications component can be configured to communicate with the base station, or directly with a smart device (e.g., smart phone, mobile phone, laptop, notebook, and/or tablet computer, etc.), using standard protocols, including the Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication, Bluetooth or radio frequency identification (RFID) protocols. The on-bag communications component can have a very low level of power consumption, a long transmission range, and be safe for use in close proximity to humans.
[0121]The on-bag processor can include a microcontroller to receive and process the raw sensor data. The on-bag processor is a low-power device that is configured to transition to a sleep state when not actively receiving, processing or communicating data, to minimize battery usage. The on-bag processor is configured to read and process the sensor data at a high data rate in order to transform the raw sensor output in real time, e.g., to generate accurate human-legible data. The processing device has data inputs to receive raw data and/or signals directly from one, or a plurality, or all of the sensors (without introducing additional components).
[0122]The battery of the monitoring system is rechargeable, and has a capacity to power the monitoring system for a plurality of days of use, e.g., for 8, 10, 12, or 14 hours of use per day. The battery is encased and sealed by a plastic capsule of a size that is safe for use around infants (i.e., too large for swallowing, according to existing safety guidelines), and which electrically isolates the battery from the occupant. The battery capsule is formed in a comfortable shape (i.e., a shape with no sharp edges or corners that could poke or irritate the occupant of the bag) and using materials that are safe for infants and young children to handle or touch, including orally, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. The charging connection for recharging the battery can include a wireless charging connection or a contact-based (or wired) charging connection. The wireless charging connection can allow the battery capsule to be entirely sealed from the surrounding environment with no openable aperture or electrical contact on the battery capsule's exterior. The contact-based charging connection exposes contacts of the battery, directly or indirectly, in a safe and resealable manner to allow for recharging.
[0123]The entire monitoring system is packaged in such a way that none of the electrical components is in direct contact with the occupant or the outside environment. The components can be included between textile layers of the bag, or within sealed packaging (which can include a plastic capsule) attached to fabric of the bag. The conductive connections in the monitoring system are selected to have similar flexibility to that of the bag fabric, or at least substantial flexibility to allow natural movement of the occupant and/or washing in a washing machine. The conductive connections can include relatively light gauge wire and/or conductive textiles.
[0124]The components of the bag (including the electronic components of the monitoring system) are either removable from the bag, or waterproof and robust enough to allow for simple machine washing. The sensors can be coated in a waterproof material, e.g., silicone or plastic. The coating of waterproof material can be performed by dipping the sensor in the material and/or forming a molded housing to contain the sensor.
[0125]The on-bag communications component can include a main transmission unit, and the main transmission unit can be located near to or at a foot end of the bag, which can reduce electromagnetic radiation sources near vital organs of the occupant.
[0126]The system can include the monitoring application (also referred to as a “user-facing application”) in the smart device, and the application can include a user interface for the carer.
Methods
[0127]A method of manufacturing the bag can include:[0128]a. selecting a location for the skin-temperature sensor in the bag to measure the skin temperature of an occupant in the bag; and[0129]b. locating the skin-temperature sensor in the selected location by attaching the skin-temperature sensor to fabric of the bag (by embedding the skin-temperature sensor into the inner layer of the bag).
[0130]The manufacturing method can include selecting respective locations for all of the sensors, and locating the sensors by attaching them to the fabric of the bag. Attaching them to the fabric can include integrating them between layers of the bag, including between the inner fabric layer and the insulating layer.
[0131]The manufacturing method can include providing components and circuitry of the monitoring system to the fabric of the bag, including by attaching and/or integrating the components and circuitry; and sealing the monitoring system from water using enclosures and/or deposition.
[0132]The manufacturing method can include assembly of an enclosure, which can contain the on-bag processor, battery and wireless transceiver. The enclosure can also contain one or more of the bag sensors, such as an accelerometer. The enclosure can be manufactured by 3D printing or injection moulding. The enclosure can be designed to take on the shape of an animal face.
[0133]The manufacturing method can include assembly of the base station, including the stand, enclosure and cap. These components of the base station can be manufactured by 3D printing or injection moulding.
[0134]A method of using the bag can include measuring the skin temperature of the occupant in the bag using the skin-temperature sensor located in the bag.
[0135]The method can include measuring the internal air temperature of the bag using the internal bag-temperature sensor located in the bag.
[0136]The method can include measuring the heart rate of the occupant using the heart-rate sensor located in or on the bag.
[0137]The method can include measuring the respiration rate of the occupant using the respiration-rate sensor located in or on the bag.
[0138]The method can include measuring the ambient room temperature of the surrounding environment of the bag using the room-temperature sensor located on the bag and/or on the base station.
[0139]The method can include measuring the orientation of the bag using the bag orientation sensor located in or on the bag.
[0140]The method can include measuring movement of the bag using the movement sensor located in or on the bag.
Embodiment
[0141]In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the system is a smart sleeping bag system 100 that can include: the sensors in the form of a plurality of sensors 101; the on-bag processor in the format of an on-bag processor 102 (also referred to as “P” in the drawings); the base station in the form of a base station 103; the notification station in the form of a notification station 104; and the smart device in the form of a smart device 105 (e.g., mobile phone, computer, smart phone, laptop, notebook, tablet computer, etc.) with the user-interface application.
[0142]The sensors 101 are implanted into or onto the fabric of the bag in the form of a sleeping bag 200 to detect the physical properties (by measuring the physical parameters) of the occupant and the surrounding environment (inside the bag 200 and outside the bag 200).
[0143]The sensors 101 generate electronic signals representing the measurements, and these measurement signals are received and processed by the on-bag processor 102 located in or on the bag fabric. The on-bag processor 102 is also referred to as a “tag” because it is attached like a tag to the bag 200.
[0144]The on-bag processor 102 generates information (represented by measurement data) from the sensor signals, and communicates this information to the base station 103 via a low-energy wireless communications protocol, such as Bluetooth low-energy or low-power RF, using a wireless transceiver (“W”).
[0145]The base station 103 communicates with the connected carer notification station 104 and the smart device 105 through wired or wireless communication connections, including standard computer networks. The base station 103 can transmit data over the Internet to an off-site computer system that provides long-term data analytics and predictions.
[0146]The carer notification station 104 and the smart device 105 display information gathered from the bag 200, and/or visual or audible alerts in response to information sent from the base station 103. The displayed information can include performance and/or diagnostic information generated by the base station 103 and/or the bag processor 102.
[0147]As shown in FIG. 2A, the occupant of the bag 200 is able to freely move their arms and head while wearing the bag 200 while the rest of their body (including torso and legs) is enclosed within the bag 200. The occupant can also move their body and legs inside the bag 200 because it is loose fitting, i.e., not pressed against the body of the occupant. The on-bag processor 102 is located in an enclosure to ensure isolation from the surrounding environment and decrease the danger of swallowing or choking on the device. This enclosure can be removably attached to the exterior of the bag 200 so that it can be removed manually prior to washing. The sensors 101 within the bag 200 can be waterproofed through encasing them in a layer of plastic. The conductive connections in the bag 200 can include washable conductive textiles and/or insulated wiring so that the bag 200 can be washed without substantive damage. As shown in FIGS. 2B to 2D, the base station 103, the carer notification station 104, and the smart device 105 can be separate devices or apparatuses that are configured to communicate electronically.
[0148]As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3E, the bag 200 can include a plurality of temperature sensors (“T”), including:[0149]a. an on-bag room temperature sensor 203 (to measure air temperature of the room) located in the middle top outside of the front of the bag 200, i.e., located on the front of the bag, in the centre of the bag collar or bag neck, i.e., above the sternum or chest of the occupant in his/her normal lying position;[0150]b. an on-bag skin temperature sensor 205 (to measure the occupant's skin temperature) located in the middle top inside of the back of the bag 200, i.e., located in the back of the bag 200, in the centre of the bag collar or bag neck, i.e., under and touching the back of the occupant's neck in his/her normal lying position; and[0151]c. a plurality of internal bag temperature sensors 202 (on both sides).
[0152]The sensors 101 can be placed in a range of locations throughout the bag. The temperature sensors 202 can provide a full temperature profile of the occupant of the bag. The sensors 202 may be placed around the outer edge of the bag.
[0153]The plurality of bag temperature sensors 202 are distributed at different locations in the bag 200, along the height of the bag 200 (i.e., from near the occupant's shoulder to near the occupant's feet) at the sides of the bag 200 (i.e., on the occupant's right side and on the occupant's left side), to gather temperature measurement signals from the locations, including:[0154]a. seam sensors at or near the seams of the bag 200 to simplify manufacturing and minimize movement experienced by these sensors; and[0155]b. top sensors and bottom sensors that are at or near the top and bottom of the bag 200 respectively in order to gather measurements spanning the length of the bag 200 of the air temperature within the bag 200 rather than a single point measurement.
[0156]The measurements from these temperature sensors 202 can be correlated or processed together to generate a more accurate bag temperature reading from the bag 200 than would be provided by a single sensor at a single location.
[0157]As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in a first configuration, the bag 200 can include an accelerometer (“A”) to take measurements of position/orientation, respiration and/or heart rate. This accelerometer “A” is located in a chest area of the bag 200, which is directly above the chest of the occupant. The accelerometer “A” is located above the chest of the occupant within a chest enclosure 201 containing the on-bag processor “P”, the wireless transceiver “W” and a battery (“B”), which is a configuration that minimizes wiring required to connect these components.
[0158]As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, in a second configuration, the on-bag processor “P”, wireless transceiver “W” and battery “B” can be located together in a foot enclosure 204 that is located close to the foot of the bag 200, while leaving the accelerometer “A” nearer the chest to make more accurate acceleration measurements than would be provided near the foot end.
[0159]As shown in FIG. 3E, the bag 200 can include the on-bag processor 102 on the bag 200 in the chest area of the bag 200, and the on-bag processor 102 can include the accelerometer, and the on-bag room temperature sensor 203 may be excluded.
[0160]As shown in FIG. 3G, the bag 200 can include the on-bag processor 102 on the bag 200 in the foot area of the bag 200, and the accelerometer can still be mounted near the chest area.
[0161]As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in a third configuration, the bag 200 can include temperature sensors “T” in similar locations to the temperature sensor locations in the first and second configurations; however, in place of the accelerometer “A”, the third configuration can include a plurality of strain sensors “S” located in two-dimensional (2D) patterns on the back and the front of the bag 200 to sense position/orientation, respiration and/or heart rate of the occupant. The front pattern can include 5 sensors “S” in a symmetrical “X” shape. The back pattern can include 4 sensors “S” at the corners of a rectangle. The strain sensors “S” can detect changes in pressure on their surfaces, and thus parameters as such as the heart rate, the respiration rate and the position of the occupant, as mentioned hereinbefore. The strain sensors “S” are located directly above and below a torso of the occupant of the bag 200 on the front of the bag 200 to determine the position of the occupant. If the occupant is on their stomach, the sensors “S” can be used to determine this undesirable position/posture, and the system 100 can generate and send an appropriate alert. If a strain approximately equal to the weight of the occupant is detected on the sensors on the front of the bag 200, and the sensors on the rear of the bag 200 do not detect any weight, then the system determines that the child is in an unsafe position on his/her front. As shown in FIG. 4B, the bag 200 can include one of the 2D patterns on the back of the bag 200. The strain sensors “S” on the back of the bag 200 can be used to measure the occupant's heart rate and respiration rate. As shown in FIG. 4A, in the third configuration, the processor “P”, the wireless transceiver “W” and the battery “B” are located at the foot of the bag 200, similar to the second configuration. Or, as shown in FIG. 4C, the on-bag processor 102 can be located at the foot of the bag 200. In a fourth configuration (not shown), the processor “P”, the wireless transceiver “W” and the battery “B” (or the on-bag processor 102) are located at the chest area, similar to the first configuration.
[0162]As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5H, fifth and sixth configurations are provided in which a 2D rectangular pattern of strain sensors “S” is added to the first and second configurations respectively. In the fifth and sixth configurations, the accelerometer “A” or the on-bag processor 102 is located at point 403, 404 above the chest of the occupant of the bag 200 in order to measure the heart rate, the respiration and the position. The strain sensors “S” are located on the rear of the bag 200 in the rectangle pattern, directly under the occupant's torso to give additional heart rate and respiration measurements. Using the accelerometer “A” in conjunction with the plurality of strain sensors “S” can improve the accuracy of the estimations of heart rate, respiration rate and position from the data processing method.
[0163]As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the base station 103 can include a body 501 that contains base station electronics.
[0164]The base station electronics can include at least one camera 502, 503 in order to record video of the room, the bag 200 and/or the occupant, and/or a microphone in order to record audio of the room in which it is placed. The camera 502 and/or the microphone can be used to monitor background noise levels and/or light within the room, detect respiration, or to pick up on noises (e.g., crying) and/or movement from the occupant. The cameras 502, 503 can includes a night-vision camera (