ADJUSTABLE HEADBAND FOR RECORDING BIOSIGNALS FROM A USER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an adjustable headband and a method for manufacturing of said headband. The headband and method are generally applicable for the closure of fabrics and fabric-based wearables or wearables containing a fabric moiety.

Background

[0002] A number of closing systems and methods for fabrics and related apparel has already been idealized and developed over the years, including knots, stiches, buttons, buckles, tape, glue, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro ^® ) or other means.

[0003] Document US2549841A discloses a system that uses straps and buckles as a means to hold a cargo. Here straps and buckles are independent moieties, in which straps slip through buckles holes/slits. Also, in order to make straps it could be necessary to secure buckles using stitching. Furthermore, the quick release device is also an independent device in which a moiety is stitched to the strap and is based on a small hook. In the present invention, a single piece fabric comprises both the open and closing system, in which one part of the fabric moiety slips through the slits or holes of another part of the same fabric. Also, the method of quickly closing/opening the fabric is different and not based on hooks.

[0004] Document US4118833A discloses a system that make used of independent elements such as straps that slip through buckles and may include a padlock. Therefore, the present invention, as described in the previous paragraph, is distinct.

[0005] Document US5316022A discloses a one-way hook-and-loop fastener incorporated on a cinchable belt, which contains a slide buckle. The present invention is again distinct as no hook-and-loop fastener nor a buckle are used, just a single piece of fabric.

[0006] Document US4910832A discloses a clamping band for hoses and other cylindrical objects made out of a flat metal band with repetitive patterns in order to provide desired amounts of elastic and plastic stretch capabilities. Therefore, the present invention is distinct in the sense that fabric is used with repetitive slits or holes to provide an easy means for closing/opening by slipping one part of the fabric moiety slips through the slits or holes of another part of the same fabric.

[0007] Document KR101819181B1 discloses a loop-shaped wearing string that is used to secure a mask body to the user. Again, here distinct independent elements are used for securing an object (mask) and therefore being different than the present invention.

[0008] Document KR101561100B1 discloses a garment rear fastening device, which comprises a fixed band. Although, this device is used to close a garment, it is very distinct from the present invention.

[0009] Document US20150190262A1 discloses a closure system comprised of various independent elements such buckles and other attaching devices. It is therefore, distinct from the present invention.

[0010] Regarding other headbands and headsets in the market, that measure the user's brain activity, including: Neurosky's Mindwave; MyndPlay headband; Emotiv EPOC+ and Insight; OpenBCI; Wearable Sensing DSI; Neuroelectrics' Enobio; ANT Neuro eego; Advanced Brain Monitoring B-Alert; Cognionics headset; mBrainTrain devices; G.tec Nautilus; and Brain Products LiveAmp; they all use plastic caps with hook-and-loop fasteners or straps or plastic/polymer structures to hold electrodes/sensors in place. These closing methods present limitations deriving from repetitive usage or from usage from different wearers/users as hook-and-loop fasteners lose grip and plastic/polymer structures become loose and no longer hold well electrodes/sensors in place.

[0011] Also, apart from the Neurosky's Mindwave (which uses a plastic/polymer structure), the MyndPlay headband (which uses hook-and-loop fasteners), and the mBrainTrain Smartphones (which uses dry electrodes integrated into headphones), the other mentioned headsets may take up to several minutes to place suitably on the wearer's/user's head and/or require another person's help.

[0012] Moreover, apart from the MyndPlay headband and individual caps (removed of their electrodes/sensors and electronics), the other headsets are not washable. In contrast, since the present invention makes use of fabric alone it can be washed straightforwardly, after an easy removal of electrodes/sensors and electronics.

[0013] The MyndPlay headband closing uses hook-and-loop fasteners, which besides losing grip as mentioned above, it often it requires from the user several adjustments until the adjustment to the anatomy of the wearer/user is optimal. This results in longer times for placement and speeding the loss of grip.

[0014] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.

General description

[0015] The present disclosure relates to an adjustable headband and method for recording the biosignals from a user with a closure of fabrics and wearables with use of fabric alone to adjust, in a reversible manner. In particular, the disclosure comprises a shape to the anatomy of the wearer/user or to the shape of an object wrapped or enclosed by the fabric or wearable without resourcing to knots, stiches, buttons, buckles, tape, glue, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro ^® ) or other means.

[0016] The disclosure is advantageous in using only fabric without the need for other materials. That it enables easy and quick closing/opening of the fabric using only holding and pulling actions from the wearer/user of said fabric.

[0017] The disclosure enables repetitive using and by different users without losing hold of electrodes/sensors and placement of the sensors in just a few seconds.

[0018] The present disclosure further enables a one-time only adjustment when pulling and holding the moieties of the headband's fabric.

[0019] In an aspect of the disclosure, the system and method makes use of fabric alone to adjust, in a reversible manner, the fabric's or wearable's shape to the anatomy of the wearer/user or to the shape of an object wrapped or enclosed by the fabric or wearable without resourcing to knots, stiches, buttons, buckles, tape, glue, zippers, hook-and- loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro ^® ) or other means. In this system and method, two moieties of the fabric fold over one another through spacings (e.g. slits or holes), designed in or built into the fabric, by means of an action of the wearer/user, such as pulling one first moiety and holding the other second moiety of the fabric. This action results in a wave pattern of fabric that flattens out and that holds the fabric moieties in place, "closing" or adjusting comfortably and/or snuggly the fabric to the anatomy of the wearer or shape of the object. The fact that the fabric flattens out makes it more comfortable to the wearer/user, especially when laying the anatomy/fabric in a harder surface. Using a symmetrical action of holding the first moiety and pulling the second moiety it "opens" or loosens the fabric, in a reversible manner.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the system and method can be used to easily and quickly adjust in a comfortable and snuggly manner a wearable biosensing headband device to the wearer's/user's head, enabling a proper and stable placement of sensors for adequate biosignal recording in terms of minimizing electromagnetic noise and movement artifacts, assuring reproducibility of measurements and enabling long-term usage without causing pain or discomfort to the wearer.

[0021] It is disclosed an adjustable headband for recording biosignals from a user comprising: a fabric with a first and a second end, e.g. first and second moieties, a plurality of sensors and a data processor configured for measuring, recording, processing, analyzing and transmitting the user's biosignals; wherein the first end comprises a plurality of openings arranged parallelly along an edge of said first end; wherein the second end comprises a middle transition area substantially curved between two straight areas, a first area proximal to an edge of the second end and a second area distal to said edge; wherein the middle area substantially curved is thinner than the adjacent areas in order to better fit into the plurality of openings of the first end for adjusting the headband. This is, wherein the middle transition area and the plurality of openings of the first end are fitted for opening or fastening said adjustable headband in the user. [0022] In an embodiment, the plurality of openings of the first end are snuggled over the middle transition area for opening or fastening said adjustable headband to the head user.

[0023] In an embodiment, the plurality of sensors is configured for measuring: electrical activity, pulse signals, tissue oxygen saturation, local hemodynamic responses, head movements, or combinations thereof.

[0024] In an embodiment, the data processor is configured to record, analyze and transmit the biosignals measured by the plurality of sensors.

[0025] In an embodiment, the sensing elements are electrodes, optical sensors and inertial sensors.

[0026] In an embodiment, the sensing region comprises a sleeve for hosting the sensing elements.

[0027] In an embodiment, the openings are holes or slits and the first end comprises between 1-6, preferably 2-4, more preferably 2-3 openings.

[0028] In an embodiment, the openings comprise between 0.5-5 cm length, preferably 1-4 cm, more preferably 1.5-2.5 cm.

[0029] In an embodiment, the openings comprise between 0.5-5 mm height, preferably 0.5-2.5 mm, more preferably 1-1.5 mm.

[0030] In an embodiment, the first transition area comprises between 2-10 cm width, preferably 2-5 cm, more preferably 3-4 cm.

[0031] In an embodiment, the first transition area and the second transition area comprise between 2-10 cm width, preferably 2-5 cm, more preferably 3-4 cm.

[0032] In an embodiment, the previous claims wherein the first transition area and the second transition area are 5x greater that the middle transition area, preferably 3x, more preferably 2x.

[0033] In an embodiment, the openings are delimited by bonded thermoplastic or polymer. [0034] It is also disclosed a method for manufacturing an adjustable headband for recording biosignals from a user of the preceding embodiments.

[0035] It is also disclosed a method for the qualitatively and quantitively assessment of the user's cognitive and affective processes and behavior in a seamless manner in both controlled (laboratory) and 'naturalistic' (wearable) settings. In such method, the adjustable headband is used to measure, process, and analyze the user's biosignals and transmit them and their derivations to a computational device (e.g. desktop or cloud computer, mobile phone/tablet, robot, drone, etc.) to be further analyzed and interpreted to provide actionable information to the user or stakeholder, to improve human-computer computer interaction, to enable user's control of computational devices (hardware or software) using the user's own biosignals, and to train the user's own physiological responses via interaction with the user's biosignals in a visual, auditory, tactile or other way (e.g. biofeedback).

[0036] In an embodiment, the material used can be selected from a knit textile, with air mesh, many flat meshes, ballistic nylon mesh, canvas, cotton. Preferably the knit textile is used.

[0037] In an embodiment, the material may be knit textile with or without bonded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or other plastic or polymer material.

[0038] In an embodiment, the numberof slits or holes may vary between 1-6, preferably 2-4, more preferably 2-3 holes.

[0039] In an embodiment and when using knit textile, the number of slits or holes may vary between 1-6 holes per headband.

[0040] In an embodiment and when TPU material is used the number of slits or holes may vary between 1-6 per headband.

Brief description of the drawings

[0041] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0042] Figure 1 represents a top view of the closed headband 1 which include sensing elements in the forehead portion of the headband 2. [0043] Figure 2 represents the forehead of the closed headband 1 and the closing system 3.

[0044] Figure 3 represents a lateral right view of the closed headband 1 and the closing system 3.

[0045] Figure 4 represents an outside posterior view of the open headband 1 which include sensing elements 2 in the forehead portion of the headband.

[0046] Figure 5 represents a lateral left view of the closed headband 1 and the closing system 3.

[0047] Figure 6 represents an outside view of the open headband 1, the closing system tapered portion (or middle transition area) 3 that fits into the closing system slits 4.

[0048] Figure 7 represents a top view of the open headband 1.

[0049] Figure 8 represents an inside view of the open headband 1, the sensing elements 2, the closing system tapered portion (or middle transition area) 3 and the closing system slits 4.

[0050] Figure 9 represents an outside view of the open headband 1, the closing system tapered portion (or middle transition area) 3, the closing system slits 4 and the sensing region 5.

[0051] Figure 10 represents an inside view of the open headband 1, the closing system tapered portion (or middle transition area) 3, the closing system slits 4, the sensing region 5 and a textile for hosting sensing electronics/hardware/data processor 6.

[0052] Figure 11 represents a frontal view of the closed headband placed on the head of the user, and in transparency the placement of the sensing elements 2 in the forehead portion of the headband.

Detailed description

[0053] The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for closure of fabrics and fabric-based wearables or wearables containing a fabric moiety. [0054] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables where: 1 represents a closed headband and 2 represents the forehead portion of a headband.

[0055] Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables where 3 represents a closing system.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables where 2 represents a plurality of sensing elements.

[0057] The sensing elements 2 may comprise electrical, optical or other transduction mechanism sensors (such as inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer) to measure the user's biosignals to enable qualitatively and quantitively assessment the user's cognitive and affective processes and behavior in a seamless manner in both controlled (laboratory) and 'naturalist' (wearable) settings.

[0058] Figure 6 and Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables where 4 represents a closing system slits.

[0059] The closing system tapered portion (or middle transition area) 3 can be designed with different tapering aspect ratios and shapes to seamless fit into the closing system slits 4 effectively enabling a simple closure and opening of fabrics and fabric-based wearables or wearables containing a fabric moiety.

[0060] The closing system slits 4 comprises a plurality of openings and it can be designed with different lengths and numbers of slits or holes and may also include bonded thermoplastic or polymer delimiting the slits or holes.

[0061] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables that is a flat fabric.

[0062] Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables where 5 represents a sensing region.

[0063] The sensing region 5 corresponds to the anatomical region in the user's forehead to which sensors are more sensitive to, depending on the location of the sensing elements 2. [0064] Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables where 6 represents a textile for hosting sensing electronics/hardware/data processor.

[0065] Figure 11 shows a frontal view schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for closure of fabrics and wearables where 2 represents a plurality of sensing elements. The closure system enables the seamless, proper and stable placement of a plurality of sensing elements for biosignal recording.

[0066] The textile for hosting sensing electronics/hardware/data processor 6 can be comprised of a sleeve or a pocket enabling seamless placement and retrieval of the electronics/hardware/data processor component (e.g. for washing the fabric moiety of the headband and/or replacement of the electronics/hardware/data processor component). The electronics/hardware/data processor besides the sensing elements 2 comprise electronics for signals amplification, filtering, digitization, processing, analysis and communication to a computational device (e.g. desktop or cloud computer, mobile phone/tablet, robot, drone, etc.), and for power of the system.

[0067] In an embodiment the closing system comprised of the tapered portion (or middle transition area) and slits is used in a headband for biosignal recording of the user.

[0068] In an embodiment the headband comprises electrodes, optical sensors and inertial sensors to measure the brain's electrical activity and other electrical signals from muscles, ocular movements or skin, pulse signals (and/or tissue oxygen saturation and/or local hemodynamic responses) and head movements, respectively.

[0069] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0070] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that unless otherwise indicated herein, the particular sequence of steps described is illustrative only and can be varied without departing from the disclosure. Thus, unless otherwise stated the steps described are so unordered meaning that, when possible, the steps can be performed in any convenient or desirable order. The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof. The above described embodiments are combinable. The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.